70 Documents Tuesday, i8th. This day I got to London and was like a blind man without a guide, not knowing where to go being freindless and hav- ing no more money but fifteen shillings and eight pence farthing a small sum to enter London with ; But I trust in the mercys of God who is a rich provider and am hopefull before it is done some way will cast up for me. I took up my lodging at the old ship Tavern in little Hermitage street,' Mr. George Newton being the landlord, but in Prison for debt at present. Wednesday, igth. This day I shifted my cloaths and put on a clean Ruffled Shirt, clean Britches and waistcoat and my Brown Coat, I not having any other cloaths on ever since I left Lerwick but my blew Jacket and Bigg Coat above it and a plain shirt. At ii AM I called to see Cap! Perry, but was told he would not be at home untill 5 pm. Having eat nothing for 24 houres, I dinned in my Lodging this day which cost me 1/2 St'. After dinner I took a walk with the mate of a ship a Scotsman who carried me through Virginia street, London street, part of AVhite Chappel street, down to London Hospitall, through Ragg fair, the Minnories, Round Tour hill, and the Tour, through Saint Catharins, and Bur street and so home. A 5 pm called again at Cap' Perrys and the first face I saw was Willie Holcraw of Coningsburgh' who I found staid here as a servant, and while I was speacking to him, Cap! Perry came home and he imme- diatly knew me, and desired me to walk in which I did, and after sit- ting some time and drinking some tea, I called Cap.' Perry aside and made my Intentions known to him, at same time begged his advice and assistance ; He told me he hardly thought there would be any Business got for me in London. But told me to call on him at the Jamacia Coffee House to morrow at Change time. I then went home, and soon went to Bedd. Thursday, 20th. This morning breackfast at home and paid 6d. for it. At noon called at the Jamacia Coffee House and soon after seed Cap! Perry and waited here and Change untill 3 pm but no appearance of any Business for me. the time I was in the Coffee house I drank 3ds. worth of punch, and I was obliged to make it serve me for Dinner, at night I hade d. worth of bread and id. of Cheese and a poynt of Porter for supper it being all I cou'd afford. Freiday, 21st. This morning I seed an advertisement for Bookeepers and Clerks to go to a Gentlemen [at] Philadelphia. I went as it directed to N? I in Catharine Court princes street, but when I came there I was told they_^were served. I then waited again on Cap! Perry untill after 3 pm But to no purpose. I this day offered to go steward of a ship bound to Maryland but could not get the birth. This day I was 3 or 4 miles through London and seed S! Paul's Church, the Bank of England where 1 In Wapping, near the I.ondon Docks. 2 Or Cunningsburgh, a village about eight miles south of Lerwick. The name Hal- crow appears frequently in the documents printed as appendixes to the Diary of the Rnierend James Aim, Minister of the Parishes of Diinrossness, Sand-wick and Cunnings- burgh (Scottish History Society, V.).
