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100. Wedenesday 8^th. Day very fine.  Preparations going forward for the approaching fair; and Blackburn was never in a worse condition to hold one comprising as it does at present in its Boundary as population of starving opperatives [operatives] and ruined tradesmen.

Finished my cabinet today in first rate style; having made it painted it and varnished it so I considder [consider] my time very well spent. I have put my aquarium a stage further so that it now occupies a place on the top of the last named piece of furniture, upon four squares of marble, which I squared and pollished [polished] for the purpose and according to my ideas of taste. The 'toute ensemble' is very good; I have something to look at that idleness could not have left me.

101. Thursday 9^th. Very fine.

Left home this morning 6.30 a.m. by train to Blackrod Station, thence through Aspul to Wigan: in this neighbourhood there is an increase of distress, and the most abgect [abject] poverty prevails.

102. Friday 10^th. Very fine. Mr Pendlebury of Millgate made me a present of two little eels for the aquarium. Reached home about 4 p.m.

103. Saturday 11^th. Very wet most of the day. Sent no parcels off.

104. Sunday 12^th. Very wet. At Mount St Chapel this morning. A very nice sermon by Mr Skinner, Heb.13^th & lst. Let brotherly love continue. Not got much time to read, the little folks have been so stirring; they were not much inclined to singing today: but I can sometimes beguile them of their noisy glee by that means, or getting them to repeat some little piece after me. I have not yet learned so much phillosophy [philosophy] as to be able to rule them at all times without an earnest of my reasoning in the form of a sharp slap with my palm: They forget it however much sooner than I do; but, I hate the idea of a strap, and I have succeeded so far in a making them obedient, for the time, without one. They have now gone to bed and left us a little quietness, which I always enjoy very much, and spend as well as possible.

105. Monday 13^th. Wet morning, but cleared up, and has been a fine day. 

Finished my aquarium today, and fixed the pipes and filled it, I have had much labour, and a great deal of perplexity with it in its construction but I have succeeded at last in making a very respectable article.

106. Tuesday 14^th. Very fine.

At home, doing odd jobs for want of buissness [business]. Mr & Mrs Henry called tonight; they admired the aquarium very much; Mr Ellwood has also been to see it.

107. Wedensday [Wednesday] 15^th. Wet morning but a very fine afternoon. Been through Brindle and Whittle-le-Woods and great is the distress among working people; no Relief Committee and the Workhouse their only resource when Parish Relief is indispensible.  From Brindle to Chorley.  Seen Mrs Ellison's little sow and a little fine one he is, born last Tuesday morning but one, between two and three o' clock, that is the 7^th Oct.

John Lock, the Fiddler, was here when I reached (White Horse) and he played some of his best tunes. In his case the loss of his precious sight seems in a measure compensated with the perfection and acuteness of the ear. His tunes are almost inumerable [innumerable], which he executes with precision and feeling. We played several together; a fiddle being kept in order here serving my purpose, and a good concert we made. Mr Thomas Bond, farmer, droped [dropped] dead this morning, near the same place where Mr Hargreaves (who lived next door to this) fell dead  about two years ago; one coming from the Station the other on his way to it. Mr Bond was running to be in time for the train when he fell. These two instances of God's visitation should remind us deeply of life's uncertainty; and incite us to more devotedness in His service, who would dare to practise wickedness and blasphemy, that bear this trust about with them? that we are continually dependent on our Great Creator for every breath and every blessing we enjoy! And we may suddenly be summoned from all we hold dear to enter on the realities of Eternity. We ought always to be mindful that no created thing usurp the Creators place in our hearts: 'for His glory He will not give to another'.

108. Thursday 16^th. Slack trade in Chorley. Day very fine.

109. Friday 17^th. Showery all day. Two loud claps of thunder at 6.0 p.m. with vivid flashes of lightning. Took train from Chorley to Blackburn then came through Adlington and Chorley to Pleasington station and got home about 5 p.m. Found the aquarium in beautiful order, having fitted it up tastefully in the beginning of the week. I have about nine different kinds of fishes in it, in all about fifty; none of them large so seem a happy family enough, and all seem healthy.

110. Saturday 18^th. Showery all day. Went to Mr Wilson's tonight, and got back about fifteen minutes before seven, but just as I was taking the latch key out of the door I heard an alarming crash, and Mr Scott screaming like a frightened virgin: The aquarium bust! I had just come in time to pick up (with the assistance of Mr Graham and Mr Scott as soon as he was able to collect his ideas) the poor finny tenants of the limpid element which I had cruely (cruelly) transferred to my artificial lake; and the humanity of the act suggested to me the weakness of man's dominion: 'Tyrannical man's dominion.' Thus ends my scheme of an amature [amateur] naturalist for the present. I fear I had given it too much of my thoughts; forgetting the truth which closes my reflections in no 107.

111. Sunday 19^th. Wet and stormy, a dreadful hurricane at night. Mrs B much frightened with the roaring of the tempest, and we thought of the marriners [mariners] or houseless wanderers exposed to his fury.

 Found a little silver fish this morning under the cabinet, which had escaped our notice last night; (when we were endeavouring to collect them and put them in water) and, strange to say it was alive & put it among its unfortunate friends of the aquarium, that was, and it soon revived.

112. Monday 20^th. Stormy with heavy showers of rain. Many stalls and itinerant shows forsaken of their riggings in consequence of the storm of last night; being the Fair, a great many are assembled on the Market Place.

113. Tuesday 21^st. Wet and stormy. Tidings of the death of George Johnston at Annan, circulating today, which took place as I have heard last night. He had been to Liverpool last Saturday in usual health.

He was once one of the most substantial Tradesmen in this town and left it about 14 years ago with a competent fortune, but without a good name. His power, and wealth, and possition [position] armed him with oppression instead of phillanthropy [philanthropy]; in many cases he crushed the weak and plundered their creditors, who submitted quietly, for their own future interest, not desirous of sacrificing his custom to their own immediate right, or the Justice due to his weaker bretheren[brethren] in trade. He is intimately asociated [associated] in an epitome of our paternal history, two brothers having served their time with him; the eldest, Robert having contributed to his overgrown exchequers the profit of ten years labour and anxiety, and suffered the pangs of neglect and ill treatment during a long illness which was unto death. His only resources being the labours of my father with his spade. He was considdered [considered] to be worth about £1500,at least, being in buissness [business] after the expiry of his time, six years, and doing an excellent buissness [business]; but a sham partnership and low cunning swallowed up the whole, no settlement being made while he lived, and none after his death. He said on his deathbed (but without the least bitterness) that his (Johnstons) money would 'get away' we should see it, but he would not, and verily it has come to pass: Mr Johnston having failed several times of late years, and having experienced the most abject of poverty. We should learn a lesson from the lives of such men.

114. Wedensday 22^nd Stormey. [stormy].

Got the aquarium fitted with glass once more. The last was sold to me for 30d per foot; it was 26  only.

The truth of the report of the death of George Johnston is confirmed, and that he died by his own hands having hanged himself. Alas, that a life of toil should have an end like this! Are these the wages that Satan pays; truly his servants fare worse than their victims. This man has left no legacy to his sorrowing family, but mourning without hope. He once thought to leave them well provided for; but these hopes were the prompting of the hardest of taskmasters. May God prosper us spiritually and temporaly [temporarily] ; and may we never thirst for gain we cannot ask his Blessings with. For, without his blessing, we but labour in vain. Why should we murmer [murmur] and express ourselves fretfuly [fretfully], knowing this truth? We have more than our desserts.

The death of George Johnston suggests to me a train of reflections I am unwilling to forget. First the influences of all men for good or evil are infinitely beyond our poor comprehension. 2nd How wonderous [wondrous] are the ways of God? before whome  [whom] a sparrow cannot fall in vain. 3^rd How clearly his Providence is displayed in the past. 4th How dark to our apprehension the future. The career of this humble individual has left a marked influence in many families both in England and Scotland. Many parents have wept for sons they should never meet again and many have gone to foreign lands never to return. The hopes of many a fond Mother have been blasted, and many an enterprising spirit broken by the perfidy of this man. How permanently are our actions registered and how much are our brethren of mankind affected by them both in this world. And the next is visible to out limited sense, showing forth God's Holliness [Holiness], Justice, Goodness, Truth, and Wisdom. How needful that we pray humbly for Grace and Wisdom to guide us for Good, through this probationary existence, and enable us to leave the World better than we found it.

My parents have reached their allotted period of human life, and seen a numerous family grow up around them and go out into the world, one after another, so that we were never all under their roof at one time. They are now disspersed [dispersed] abroad thousands of miles between unknown and many strangers and several we have not heard of for years.

My eldest brother, Robert, came to Johnston when he was about 17 years of age: John followed a few months after, the first died in 1844 at the age of 28. John was then married, and had a numerous family and success in forming the basis of a hansome [handsome] fortune which went to wreck, through relaxed energy. He is now in New York as far as we know not having heard from him since he went from Blackburn. Sister Jane went to keep house for Robert after the expiry of his time and formed the acquaintance of James Porteous being a lodger at that time with Robert, and was married in due course. Brother Edward came next and was very successful many years, married Miss Dean his masters sister, but had no family. They sailed for Australia on April 5^th 1856; wrote to say that they had a child, and we have never heard of them since. 

Brother and sister Janet followed sister Sarah: James was in Arkansas when we last heard of him, with a family growing up around him, and last James April 21^st 1851.

Sisters, Jane, Sarah and Jannet are well settled, the two first Mrs Porteous and Mrs Robert Rice in Blackburn and Mrs George Gass in Skipton in Yorkshire. The partner of my joys and sorrows I was destined to find, amid, the scenes of my labour where I still continue to remain; our first meeting that led to our aquantaince and courtship were very curious to reflect upon. But, there is a providence that shapes our ends, Rough to hew them as we will.

I have but one to mention of all my brothers and sisters namely Brother William, the eldest but two he alone remains to comfort our aged parents, who are now at Morecambe, having followed their children to England to experience new trials, new sorrows and new dissappointments [disappointments]. They are now stricken in years, but the death of George Johnston will awaken remembrances that have long slumbered in their hearts, and they will attribute much of their experience during the greater part of the last quarter of a century to his influence. They have nearly completed their fiftieth wedding day, and during twenty six of these have their thoughts followed their children: who had left their care with many a blessing invoked for their prosperity.

115. Thurssday [Thursday] 23^rd. Wet and very stormy. Saw a field of oats and Aspul, quite green, and what was very amusing, the proprietor himself was a forlorn reaper, in the rain, and it fell in torrents; there is still some corn in the fields, and likely to remain some time, it this weather continues, but this is not ripe yet which I have seen today, and no signs of it being ripe for some time.

116. Friday 24^th. Wet morning and very cold all day.

Arrived home at 4.00 p.m.

117. Saturday 25^th. Stomy and showery with a cold wind.

118. Sunday 26^th. Cold and stormy with showers of rain.

At Mount St morning service. Text John Chap. 13^th 34

119. Monday 27^th. Stormy and showery.

Finished the aquarium once more.

120. Tuesday 28^th. Fine during the day with the exception of a shower of hail early in the morning.

Made a box for Mrs B today with the assistance of all the little folk.

121. Wednesday 29^th. Fine.

Left home at noon.  Poverty on the increase. Saw a customer wearing the clothes of Brindle Workhouse.

122. Thursday 30^th. A heavy hoar frost this morning: fine day. Chorley poorer than ever. See 38.  There are now upwards of 19,000 unemployed in Blackburn and neighbouring towns are in a similar state of destitution.

123. Friday 31^st Fine, then very dull.

Came through Blackrod, Chorley and Wheelton, came home by train from Pleasington.

124. Saturday Nov 1^st. Very dull and slight showers of rain. Set the aquarium in play and replaced the remnant of its former tenants with a hope that their safety and that of Mrs B's carpets will be secure than they proved to be this day fortnight.

125. Sunday 2^nd. Fine and clear. Little Sarah rather poorly; the effects of dentition.

At Mount St this morning. Text, Psalm 84^th. First and second verses: Chapter Heb. 10^th, a very affectionate discourse by Mr Skinner.

126. Monday 3^rd. Very fine, almost like a day of Spring; a beautiful night, the moon unclouded and bright.

Little Sarah rather better, her Mamma got some powder from the Doctor yesterday and a gargle for her mouth- which is very sore – and they seem to be doing her good.

Buissness [business] is now almost out of the question. The Town is in a most pitiable condition, the distressed are well provided for by the benovellent [benevolent] in the neighbourhood. I invariably read to my beloved at night when at home and lately we have got through some of Sir Walter's best histories.  To-night I have read a good portion of the Heart of Mid Lothian, much to our mutual pleasure and enjoyment.

127. Tuesday 4^th Very wet.

The acquarium [aquarium] is now in beautiful order. I have a variety of fishes, mollusks [molluscs] and plants belonging to fresh and water, and they are altogether an interesting chapter for the study of an amature [amateur] naturalist.

I have a few fresh water snails, resembling (some of them) periwinkles, and it is surprising to watch their movements although one would not expect the gifted with such locomotive power.  Sink at one to the bottom or rise to the surface – or poise themselves midway between wheeling easily round as if the shell was fixed in an axle – one very large one is much given to this last exercise – as if an aristocracy was insepperable [inseparable] from all grades of life.

128. Wedensday 5^th. Fine, but cold;

Little demonstration this anniversary of Guy Fawkes' defeated scheme – except a solitary explosion of a would be cannon now and then, in the hands of some young rake who ought to be in bed.

Been busy today in the manufacture of a bird cage:- a borrowed one is unworthy of poor dicky, who sings most cheerfully at all times, when he has any company.

129. Thursday 6^th. Fine sunshine.  Dined at the house of my old Papist Friend, (The Gibralter) see No 87. One of his sons left home for Mashers College yesterday.

130. Friday 7^th. A very dense fog, the whole day, which brought the fog signal into request, on the Railway. Very cold.

Found one of the smaller gold fish dead in the aquarium, I cannot assign any cause. All the others seem healthy enough, and very playful; performing merry antics in their sport: were I possessed of more scientific knowledge, I could watch their habits more intelligently.

In the collection there are about three varieties of the Gold Fish families; and judging from my own experience I think they are the hardiest and not the most delicate, as many Journal contributers [contributors] would have us believe.

They tell us sometimes that a loud noise or shaking of the vessel will cause death – or a bad smell – none of which assertions I can find any grounds for. As to the first two for example: I have carried twenty eight in a can from Chorley to Blackburn, coming by train from Pleasington. So that they suffered both noise and shaking in the journey: also the dissassster [disaster] mentioned in 110 and that in 111 go fast to prove that they are more tenacious of life than these hypothetical scribblers are aware of. My friend Mr Wilson saw one frozen up in a piece of ice which swam off quite lively when released by thawing.

Loaches, Gudgeons, minnoes [minnows] and even Sticklebacks will die sooner in corrupted water than they will. When I made use of a large tube during the repair of the aquarium I had an oportunity [opportunity] of noticing it. Though the water was changed every day when I was at home, it was, I found, quite necessary: for when I arrived from Wigan or Chorley and that attention had not in consequence been kind, I found the Loaches and Gudgeons  at the point of death swimming at the surface with the backs down in their efforts to inhale fresh air, the water being exhausted and tainted at the bottom by the state of the tub, which smelled very badly, I found, when I emptied it altogether: but when all these other fish suffered such distress the goldfish were quite at ease and lively.

131. Saturday 8^th. Fine, though windy at night.

There has been a series of riots in our quiet Town this week that speaks much ingratitude and ignorance. About 2000 opperatives [operatives] demolishd [demolished] much private property at Pleasington Hall on Thursday night and an immense mob committed the most wanton destruction in the Town breaking the windows of the town Hall and other public buildings in the immeadiate [immediate] neighbourhood, and the private houses of the most peaceful inhabitants – for no cause, though some poaching cases at the Police Court served them for a pretext. The soldiers arrived from Preston, however, in time to prevent further outrage. We have good opportunities now of studying the practices of John Brights Creed. It disstress [distress] will teach wisdom we should, willingly profit. If our Representatives were chosen by such beings (according to sample) as the Worthy Gentleman I name, has laboured so long for, they would fill the House; it is doubtful, with a very different claim than their worthy champion, and scarcely so well meaning. Honest  John had the wrong end of the cable: privelages [priviliges] are dangerous to those that know not their value, and it is always safest to choose the smallest evils, since evil cannot be entirely shut out from human institutions.

Our Franchise is already as wide as our intelligence, and intelligence is the most potent impulse to reach its present inclosures [enclosures].

132.Sunday 9^th. Very wet.

At Mount St. this morning, text John Chap. 6^th & 51^st verse.

133. Monday 10^th. Very stormey. [stormy]. Sleet and snows at night and some thunder.

134. Tuesday 11^th. Stormey [stormy]and much snow. It was about three inches deep this morning; though it melted partly before night being more inclined to sleet before dark.

135. Wedensday [Wednesday] 12^th. A keen frost all day: and quite slippery. I had to go with my little boys to school this morning, they were quite unable to walk, the flags were as slipy [slippy] as glass. Left home at noon. Trade worse than ever: I came through Brindle & Whittle, and called on all my customers and had just got one shilling when I got to Pipers Road, where I got 1/6 which made 2/6 to come into Chorley with: what the result will be, is not easy to determine.

136. Thursday 13^th. Keen frost.

Chorley very poor: money very scarce.

137. Friday 14^th. Wet; Frost and snow disappearing [disappearing] very fast.

Mrs Moss died yesterday at Adlington Common; the result of a quarle [quarrel] with her husband, seven weeks ago. He is considdered [considered] a very quiet man, but provoked him.

138. Saturday 15^th. Cold & frosty. Repairing a fiddle, and working at bird cage, I have spoken of previously for want of better employment.

139. Sunday 16^th. Cold: not much frost.

At Mount St. Morning service. Text lst Thess & 18^th Missionary sermon.

140. Monday 17^th. Keen frost, but very fine. Doing business in town.

141. Tuesday 18^th. Very cold.

Money very scarce in Blackburn.

142. Wedensday [Wednesday] 19^th. Cold raw weather. Finished & fiddle and got my tools arranged for another job. If time would mend I might have more profitable recreations.

143. Thurday 20^th. Cold and frosty. By train to Blackrod, thence on foot to Wigan. Much corn in the fields yet, in the Aspul district. The wife of one of my customers in Aspul  has eloped with a lodger; leaving her disconsolate husband the care of eight children: the youngest of the nine she took with her. The lodger had sheltered under the roof of the unsuspecting husband four years.

I have been complimented very frequently by a person of taste, on my good appearance in a black overcoat and knickerbockers; But the peasantry in this neighbourhood attach a capacity to the outfit not the most enviable, as the undertoned remarks of numerous groups I have overheard, in passing throughout the day convinces me “That's a Bum Bailey" or “ he's a bum", have been the tenor of their communications to each other as I passed. I did not relish the honour of my supposed importance, and my conceit fell in proportion: I think after all the compliment was only a little bit of irony, and the lady deserves credit for her penetration.

144. Friday 21. Fine and warm, almost like spring.

The state of buissness [business] is deppressing [depressing] in the extreem [extreme]. As much attention is required now as ever, without the least stimulus in the way of profit. The prospect is as dark as ever, and “Hope defered [deferred] maketh the heart sick."

My possition [position] is most unpleasant and its unpleasantness is aggrevated [aggravated] by the heartless treatment of its author. An unfortunate transaction with him at the very commencement of this deppression [depression] brought me into his power once more.

I am now as poor at the first day I solicited credit from him, in the year 1854 and since then I have paid him upward of £4,000. He is the only friend I ever had, but I have paid for his friendship; the price of it being no less than the whole of gains resulting. My dependencies have increased since it commencement which makes the ruin more complete. I am now as dependent upon him as ever and prudence suggests the compromise.

In 1853 he withdrew his support and I was obliged to dispose of my buissness [business] to him at a sacrifice. I had £1000 assets and I owed him £520. He being my only creditor, his I had to take(and thankful I was and grateful too) with 20 & even 30 per cent charged and yet I was enabled under those difficulties to realise favourable  figures  amounting to £480. But having my estate at his own price it was reduced to £270. This little capital (which I wish I possessed now) after travelling for him a few months (for 24/-per week) (he knowing the balance in hand) I agreed with him in order to get into buissness [business] to pay him that money towards the connection I travelled. (A St Helen's book included with my own work) and pay the remainder in seven years - £300 the first six months  to 1300 by instalments of £14 per month afterwards.  I took all debts in the books that I had received cash in part payment for – several hundred pounds of which I never got, but, notwithstanding, at the end of 1860 I had upwards of £1000 of good figures in my favour, although I had two worthless men during that year – and had to dispose of their work and dismiss them – and sacrifice in consequence. Mr Rae got all these bills, amounting to about £1000, advancing me cash amounting to about £400, the remainder he put to my credit for goods and instalments.

Now I come to a second insolvency, as I considered myself in that condition when I began buissness [business] as above stated.

He wished to dispose of his Blackburn trade which contained £1452 gross amt. he had often shewn [shown] me the books and spoken of their excellence which I had no reasons to doubt. He had shewen [shown] me every kindness and I felt greatful [grateful] in return. I however concluded a bargain with him on the seventh day of January 1861. Giving £1321 for the concern to be paid in four years - £121 being taken off the sum which he had in hand, leaving £1200. I had £131 pounds of bad money as I was led to believe only in the books – giving 20 per pound for the good: I however made new books when I had been round twice and found upwards of £300 utterly worthless. Mills began to stop two months afterwards, and trade continued to fail – I sold my St Helens work to relieve myself in the November  following the second bill for Blackburn being nearly due – I have him the bills for these debts, amounting to £420 paying all that would come against me for six months to come including the two bills for Blackburn; on his promise to lend me cash to meet my Commercial Credit should trade not soon revive: I had then none of it due and felt easy once more. Trade continued bad, and still does, and I have suffered accordingly. In December last I offered to lose £500 if he would take the Blackburn concern off my hands and fulfill [fulfil] his promise of assistance in paying my credit – which about £1460. He did not comply but lent me £60 at intervals, and my receipts have fallen to a mere trifle. I drew 25/- last journey in Blackburn: my other work is little better. I have drawn little more than £100 out of the concern since I got it, and had supplied it with about £200 of goods and there are now about £600 bad money in it in addition to the £300 and likely to be more. I was given to understand that its returns were about £60 per month thought we but drew ten when I was shewen [shown] up and I never reached £20 when going weekly adding two weeks together, which would make forty with my improvement of it had trade kept good. I ceased to buy goods and paid over my receipt to him, in trust for the benefit of my creditors, some of them being pressing. I continue to pay him all I can get besides expences [expenses] and he supplies me with what few goods I sell but often in the presence of his young men he has said (when I handed him my list)" it will take all we can draw to pay for your goods". “ It is too late to be turned on to the street". And such expressions in a similar strain.

I am obliged to submit or come to a rupture – and am anctious [anxious] my creditors should get paid in full – which that could not if my estate was sold at the present time. I turned over my apprentice to Mr Johnston a few months ago – not seeing anyway of supporting him, but I would never have needed him but for buying the Blackburn concern.

It has thus been a loss to me in many ways, my position is gone: my credit is gone; and my family increased. The taunts I have suffered from my benefactor, properly belonged to me. I would have been still as independent of him and perhaps been as well received at his house as before the transaction, (a wondered change, having taken place in regard to the last particular). I would have owed nothing, had my rescources [resources] not been swallowed by it, or would had my St Helens work to stand available or without it, I would have had my Wigan and Chorley work to cleare [clear] to about £400 and that sum would not have been yet due for two years to come. I would have had £1300 in my favour and been keeping my family bad as the times are – by selling the same amount as the money I continue to receive from them.  Instead of all this I am not worth a shilling and saddled with a debt that would crush me, were times to change tomorrow. Were I relieved of this millstone and got time to pay – I would willingly lose £700 by it. I could then see my way and would enjoy a like footing to what I have lost by it excepting my loss above named, which I might be able to redeem by industry and economy but as it is I am chained with it and perplexed beyond endurance and I feel it the more keenly, that my tormenter enjoys my substances. I have been a scourse [source] of gain to him since our connection began, but it was mutual so to speak till our last transaction; which would also have been mutual, had it been as represented and trade continued good.

The luk [luck] is always as good as the man and it is no exception in my case.

Will I be so confiding again? Is the question, all negotiation is inimical to friendship and we should be wary when a tradesman professes to much.

145. Saturday 22^nd. Very fine.

Proffered Mr Rae £700 to relieve me of the Blackburn concern, which he promises to considder [consider] off – should he still refuse -  it will express satisfaction with his part of the original bargain, (with a vengeance).

Mrs Burnet 28 years of age today.

146. Sunday 23. Fine but cold, severe frost.

At Mount St. in the morning, Mr Cameron preached from Psalms 34 & 8^th.

147. Monday 24. Very cold.

Made James Henry and Willie each a little cart, which pleased them very much.

148. Tuesday 25^th. Still a severe frost.

 Went to a pit this afternoon and brought three sticklebacks and some small molluscs, sticklebacks are not very aggregable [agreeable] tenants of an aquarium being rather pugnacious, but more especially in the in spawning times. I formerly put some in the brook – they nipt [nipped] the fins of the goldfish and I feared they would disfigure them – but they have room in the present and seem very peacable [peaceable]. I brought up a live frog also – rather a stranger at this season. I had to break the ice. He seemed disturbed from the bottom, to which he returned very quickly. I also brought two or three curious insects in their grub state, supplied each by a protection made of small sticks crossing each other, forming a little castle an inch in length and firmly cemented, the grub in the centre and swimming in a vertical possition [position], the head at the top. They have also the faculty of sinking to the bottom at pleasure. They are a curiousity [curiosity] to me as yet. So I placed them in the tank. I may be able to class them by and by. See 176.

149. Wedensday [Wednesday] 26^th. Fine day: the roads quite dry.

Heard at Chorley when I arrived that Elijah Waddington died last Monday the 24^th at 7.30 p.m.  See 35. This is the result of unfortunate habits. How needful are we of Divine help in avoiding vicious cources [courses].

150. Thurday 27. Fine. Very favourable to skaters, and many availing themselves of these advantages and vigourously [vigorously] plying legs and arms in this delightful exercise in which comparatively few excell [excel] for graceful motion and speed. A real good one is seen ocasionly [occasionally], however, skimming over his crystal path like some large sea bird and almost with the same speed.

151. Friday 28^th. Thaw.

Found a beautiful letter awaiting at home from James Waddington with an account of Elijah's death.

152. Saturday 29^th.   Fine and mild- occasionally a few drips of rain. Willie very poorly.

153. Sunday 30^th. Cold, wind, very clear moonlight – but not frosty.

Willie much better. James Henry and Sarah rather affected with cold.

154. Monday Dec 1^st. Cold and showery.

Children much better. Obliged to remove the sticklebacks from the aquarium. They have killed three at least, since I put them in, and two I found dead when I came home from Chorley, which I did not examine. They were much the same size as themselves. I see no marks of injury upon the others.

155. Tuesday 2^nd. Damp and showery.

Help Robert Raes people to flitt in the afternoon. Children not much better.

156. Wedensday [Wednesday] 3. Fine during the day, but a very wet night.

Helping Robert Rae all day.

157. Thursday 4^th. Fine – but very dull.

Left home at 6.30 this morning. Children rather better. Promised to take some figs on Friday – from Wigan. Collected an intresting [interesting] variety of aquatic animals and insects on my way from Aspul. I brought a wide mouthed bottle for the purpose of carrying them; having my curiousity [curiosity] awakened this day fortnight by breaking the ice at the place where a variety present themselves.

The insect mention at 148 I am led to believe are Cadis Grubs. They sometimes form their cases of dried grass stems, little sticks, or small shells and little stones, which they lengthen as required by their growth. One of those above mentioned had seized a stem of one of the plants growing in the tank and nipd [nipped] it off, then cutting it to length before quiting [quitting] it had succeeded in adding another position to its domicile, the green of the plant showing in a fine contrast to the old part of the building.

“The wisdom of our Creator shines through all his works. There is nothing contemptible in the humblest of his creatures. We see the wisdom of man so proudly boasts and the arts he has studied since his advent in Paradise, laid open before him in Natures spacious scroll – where all may read and learn if their pride will permit them bow.

158. Friday Dec 5^th. Showery.

Mr Pendlebury of Wigan showed me a beautiful collection of Fossils, among which were some pretty specimens of Cerealis, and some very rare ones of other ancient plants.

Brought the figs promised and found my little ones much better.

159. Saturday Dec 6^th. Slight showers.

My brother James' birthday today. Is he still living? We were most together in our infancy and we widest severed in manhood. It is nearly thirteen years since we saw each other, and nearly three years since he wrote to me.

160. Sunday 7^th. James Henry five years old today;  being born on 7^th Dec 1857 at 9.30 in the morning. Each epoch brings its own reflections:- five years have soon passed away: it seems but as yesterday, I went out for a short time that morning, being anxious for the issue and uneasy anywhere but found my anxieties very soon increase; returned and found that we were parents. The little innocent in the hands of my Mother looked up at me with large blue eyes – as it to be assured of that protection and affectionate care which the lowest savage will display towards his offspring – and would put to shame a many of his more civilised bretheren [brethren] by his tenderness.

I have ever fostered that affection which vibrates to that elloquent [eloquent] appeal which the first look of my First Born expressed. My desires, my prayers have been for his welfare in both worlds – also for the other little pledges we have since then been blessed with; but alas! our love, our Fillial [fifial]affection, our most tender solicitude is (only) poor feble {feeble]humanity.

At Mount St in the morning.

The little folk not so well yet.

Showering and damp rain.

161. Monday 8^th. Showery weather.

My fish keep dying. I have lost one almost every day for a long time and I cannot ascertain the cause. Their enemies are now removed. I mean the sticklebacks, but the larger ones have died after lingering a short time till their number is very much diminished. The sticklebacks had only power to kill those about their own size, or less and those I blamed them for destroying, had wounds upon them, and one had lost one of its pectoral fins by a bite.

Afternoon. Began to wash a red Coraline – which had been in the Aquarium a short time and was rather discoloured: on a closer inspection I detected a strong smell of lime – which at once suggested to me the cause of the piscatory mortality, other marine stones having a place in my freshwater tank still – one very large one in the center [centre], a white one which I procured (with the other) on my seaside visits. I immeadiately [immediately] set to work to remove them, and found that their presence made the tank little better than a cesspool, in which carbonic acid gas was generated in great rapidity.

I made an effectual clearance of the nuisance, syphoning out the mud and filth that lay black and putrid beneath the calcaeous  masses; and after allowing the tank to fill and run a little, I restored my fishes, which I had taken out during this sanitary confusion.

I tied a few hogs bristles to the end of my syphon, which answered the purpose very well; of stirring up the sand, and drawing off the mud, thus cleansing most effectualy [effectually] the whole affair.

162. Tuesday 9^th. Wet a great part of the day.

The murderers of Mrs Walne of Ribchester committed today, to the Assises [Assizes]. Their names are McPhail, Carr, Woods and Hartley. The two first have been transported, but it is the hope of the public that they will be hanged for this crime.

The Aquarium looks beautiful today: all its little tenans [tenants] are lively, two that appeared sickly yesterday morning are apparently as healthy as the others.

Two fine large molluscs seem to thrive very well, one had ploughed a fine deep furrow in the sand during the night shewing [showing] very clearly the nocturnal ramble it had been enjoying.

163. Wedensay [Wednesday] 10^th. Fine, with the exception of a shower in the morning.

164. Thursday 11^th. Showery.

165. Friday 12^th. Fine: a little frost in the morning.

Walked home in company with John McVittie. Found my little folks not so well. Little Sarah more especialy [especially]; she is afflicted with bronchites [ bronchitis]

166. Saturday 13^th. Fine tho [though] damp air.

Little Sarah rather better.

Changed the gravel in the Aquarium (the first being mixed with spar in order to lighten its colour) I have thought  has been one cause of the fishes dying.

All the Carp family taking a portion of fine sand as an aliment. The Goldfish belonging to that family. The minnoes [minnows] and dace are quite healthy that have been living in the same tank.

167. Sunday 14^th. Fine during the day but a cold wind.

Little Sarah much better. I brought her down stairs tonight and she partook of a few fried potatoes, the first food, since Tuesday last, excepting just a taste of odd things she has refused.

James Henry and Willie continue well. Willie was informing James Henry that he intended to buy a broken spoon someday for some purpose but James Henry had the better of him by replying (with great laughter) that he should buy a whole one and break it himself.

168. Monday 15^th. Fine: cold.

Buiseness [Business] is now most irksome to pursue in Blackburn. The most discouraging and the most insipid of all occupations. Paying accounts is out of the question. Those working full time can only earn a few shillings per week.

169. Tuesday 16^th. Fine.

James Henry went to school this afternoon being the first time since he recovered.

170. Wedensday [Wednesday] 17^th. Showery.

Mr Skinner called to enquire for the children, and made prayer.

171. Thursday 18^th. Very wet.

Left home at 6.30 a.m. for the Wigan district. A stormy night.

172. Friday 19^th. Stormy.

Left Wigan at 11 a.m. and walked home, through Chorley.

I never enjoyed a pleasanter walk. I felt a king of melloncholy [melancholy] pleasure not easily represented in graphic charracters [characters]. The trees on each side mourned in plaintiff sadness as in reflective sorrow for the lovely emeralds (that so lately draped their now naked boughs) that were hurried past them in crumbling myriads to enrich another soil. When we have acted out our parts in this transitory scene we must retire from life stage, and become as fragile and crumbling as they; in preparation for a similar purpose of nature, and our dust may be blown in the faces of our decendants [descendents] or brushed from their bespattered garments: but, the vital spark that as yet animates  our mortal clay will then have entered on another state of existance [existence] of which there will be no end or change, but join in that Holy and Happy choir in singing the praises of our merciful Creator and Loving Redeemer. Our bodies will be restored in Glorious renewal, on that Great Day when the redeemed will meet their Judge with Joy. Oh that these reserved inheritances were more constantly kept in mind, ever inanimate and irresponsible nature is filtered to remind us of our duties and raise our hearts in gratitude and praise for privallages [privileges] of which we are in ourselves, altogether unworthy. The universe is continually praising the Great Creator. The meanest creature and the lowest plants pay each their tributes to His Wisdom and Power. Man only is depraved; the only creature endowed with reason, and he alone of all the Earth's inhabitants remiss in his duty and faithless to his Masters Trust.

173. Saturday. 20^th. Cold and windy.

174. Sunday. 21^st. Very cold;

Mr Skinner preached this morning from second Peter Chap. 3^rd.

Mrs B. attended evening service leaving me to put the little folks to bed. They have been good, and are now quite well again.

175. Monday 22^nd. Heavy showers.

176. Tuesday 23^rd. Fine though foggy.

Went out fishing or more properly pond hunting with Mr Lea, and had some very interesting amusement.

Got a great number of freshwater shrimps and each a brace of water scorpions, several varieties of beetles, and a variety of shellfish. I got two small ones in the canal of a rare species that I have never seen before, ¼" in diameter with deppressed [depressed] spine like the planorbis family, but light coloured. I also fished out an empty shell which I think belongs to a land animal having seen several of the same kind, in a damp part of the cellars, though it is much larger: it is a bright yellow deppresed [depressed] spine like the last.

We got a number of Bivalves about 3/8" in longitude which I conceive to be of the “Anadonta cygnea" family. I am not certain but the resemble two large ones of that kind, I have had in the Aquarium sometime: They are however more expert in burrowing than their Patrician relatives as they very soon disappear in the sand, in the same manner as the Marine Cockle.

I have several other varieties in the aquarium besides those named but I find their classification very difficult, my skill concollogy [conchology] being very limited. Among the rest I have two fine specimens of “Palludin" and a number of Amber shells “Succinea amphibia" also two of a more perfect order than the last, which I am not able to name yet, they have about five volutions and spiral, and black. I have had them a considerable time. This is a part of Natural History I have hitherto neglected, and might still have remained in ignorance of their existance [existence] so near home if I had not had an aquarium. For the last, see more 127.

We also got two varieties of the larvae of the stone fly see 148, one with a case of grass stems and another of sand. There is now such a variety of aquatic life in the aquarium as I could not formerly have thought possible to bring together, and it is most amusing to watch their motions and habits; suggesting the thought, that an accomplished Naturalist must be a happy man. To such a man rural recreation must be pure enjoyment: Nature's Book is to him an original scroll prepared for his instruction by the hand of his Creator: and the Divine Wisdom is reflected in all he sees

177. Wedensday [Wednesday] 24, very mild.

Saw my family off by train at 6.45 this morning, then proceeded through Wheelton and found them safe arrived in Chorley; to cellebrate [celebrate] Christmas.

178. Thursday 25^th. Very fine, more like Spring than Christmas in respect of the weather.

Had dinner at Samuel Gartside's with Mr & Mrs Senior and a first rate one, with all etceteras: a very pleasant afternoon we had.

The day passed over very quietly. The Committee allowed an extra sum to each of the poor opperatives [operatives] to enable them to enjoy their Christmas as in former times. Such has been the case also in other neighboring [neighbouring] towns.

179. Friday 26^th. Showery.

Went to Blackburn this morning and returned to Chorley about noon, finished Thursday's buisness [business] and came home by Preston.

180. Saturday 27^th. Showery.

Very lonely without my family. Had tea at Mr Wilson's.

181. Sunday 28. Fine, but cold.

Attended Mount Street Chapel, Mr Skinners text. Luke 8^th & 16^th. Walked with Mr Wilson and his little nephews in the afternoon.

182. Monday 29^th. Very wet.

Buissness [business] no better, got it finished, and prepared to recieve [receive] my family; I have laid in provisions for them that they will not have be fetched when they come;  and I must go to the Station at 8 O'clock.

183. Tuesday 30^th. Showery.

184. Wedensday [Wednesday] 31^st. Fine and very mild, unlike the death of former years; no shower of snow to cloth [clothe] the Earth as in mourning for the Good Old Past. We can even part with the old year more willingly than many of his predecessors; considering the distress (not want) that has prevailed since his birth, and our regret is much lightened by the hope that his successor will pay his Father's debts. Such is sometimes the case with poor mortals; (though very seldom, I must confess, to my sorrow) and only mortals could expect so much from “Time". For, no Economy will make up for its waste – What we've lost is inrecalable [incalculable]: the Year is now a fraction of Eternity. Let us hope for the best, and endeavour to amend ourselves considdering [considering] our own unworthiness. We have even in this impropitious Year still had enough to eat and to wear: the same providence provides over the wants of the future, and good will be the ultimate result of his wisdom.

If we have lost of worldly goods, we have lost but what was lent. We still enjoy Blessings and Comforts, of which we are utterly unworthy.

Let us pray for Grace and Guidance and trust in heaven for the issue.

We all sat up, (excepting the little ones) till the clock told [tolled] the Death Knell of 1862: Mr Scott brought us in the New Year with boisterous glee, and wished us every happiness. I believe from the bottom of his heart, we then hurried off to bed.

185.  January lst 1863

Arrived at Blackburn by first train enroute for Wigan. Morning cloudy, promising rain, and a wet afternoon accordingly.

The strains of a well appointed Fife and Drum band gave unmistakeable tokens that we had entered on another year, almost as soon as I left the Railway Stations, and their music followed me a full mile; their way being mine, in their visits to their Patrons. I was informed they were all teetotallers and played for money only.

The Colliers were all playing, that they might have an opportunity of enjoying themselves, (and they seldom lose one) so the major part of them seemed fully determined to do so. I have heard of poverty today, but I have seen none. I have seen some as “full as the Baltic" who have been in receipt of Parish Relief for the twelve months, presenting a muddled illustration of the proverb, “Where there's a will there's a way". Improvidence has still a strong hold, in ignorance, chastisement in the shape of pauperism, or kind benevolence in the form of relief subscriptions seem alike powerless to combat this moral imbecility. Ignorance and immorality are twin brothers: yet intelligence is not a safeguard against vices.

186. Friday Janry 2^nd. Showering.

Walked from Wigan to Chorley and to little purpose, intended to walk forward to Blackburn with Mr Wilson according to arrangement but I found him not so disposed. We remained all night at The Royal Oak Hotel. We had mirth, but mirth is not happiness.

187. Saturday 3^rd Fine, beautiful moonlight night.

Arrived home at 9.30a.m. Found all well, but Mrs B justly displeased at my absence. I hope to be more punctual for the future.

It is six months today since I tasted ale or spirits excepting on three occasions when I partook tea that had a very little rum in it. So little that I could hardly taste it. There is more solid happiness without these stimulants and all my experience confirms that truth.

188. Sunday 4^th. Fine, rather cold.

Mr Skinner preached this morning from Luke 24^th & 26.

189. Monday 5^th. Slight showers.

Doing little all day. It is not very pleasant.

190. Tuesday. Fine.

Went pond hunting this afternoon, procured some very fine specimens of Beetles, one of the Great Water Beetle, a very fine one. Several of the waterboatman, very pretty specimens; and curious habit is they through the water on their backs, which resemble the keel of a boat (hence the name) and when night comes on they asume [assume] a natural position and take a journey on the wing through the air. There were several smaller beetles of various colours, also a very pretty little newt.

They all found a comfortable lodging in the aquarium, except about half a dozen I gave to Mr Powel.

191. Wedensday [Wednesday] 7^th Very fine.

Left home at 10 a.m. for Chorley.

192. Thursday 8^th. Very fine. Chorley very poor.

193. Friday 9^th. Showery.

Came home from Adlington by train. Brought a little Goldfish home with me in a bottle with some aquatic weed, but for which it could not have sustained such close confinement.

194. Saturday 10^th. Very dull.

Had a walk round the town with Mr Christopher Taylor from Barrrow.  Mrs B and I went with him to the station at 3.p.m.

195. Sunday 11^th. Fine.

Went with Mrs B. to Mount St. Mr Skimmer's text. The Publican's prayer. Luke 18^th v 13^th. A full congregation.

196. Monday 12^th. Fine.

197. Tuesday 13^th. Fine

198. Wedensday. 14^th. Fine.

Buisy [busy] whitewashing all day. Made use of 29 pounds of whiting, on the ceilings and loby [lobby] walls.

199. Thursday 15^th. A dense fogg [fog], and frosty. The sun gleaming like a ball of fire, but at intervals totaly [totally] obscured. I do not remember a darker mist.

There is no improvement in the Wigan district. I have taken less money today than ever; from leaving Blackrod Station to Wigan I can scarcely count shillings for pounds in my former receipts. The accounts are as numerous as when trade was flourishing.

200. Friday 16^th. Fine.

Had some fish brought to Bulls Head which brought home except two I sent to Mr Pendlebury. There are some fine bass and gudgeons – completely stocking my aquarium and a few to spare for my friends.

201. Saturday 17^th. Fine

Told Mr Rae in answer to some of his interrogations, that the cause of my present circumstances, was no way unaccountable: what I have been out of pocket in my last transaction with you would have paid my creditors I said, he softened down a little as if surprised that I had made such a calculation. I told him that none of them had applied to me for immeadiate [immediate] payment yet, but if they did I must give up, as I had not a St Helen's book to dispose of to pay them with. When I sold the St Helens work he promised on receiving the Bills that one have would be forthcoming for my travellers when wanted as the amount covered more than was due to him: the promise was not kept.

202. Sunday 18^th. Showery.

Mrs B and me at Mount St this morning. Text Psalms 35^th & 9^th.

203. Monday 19^th. Cold, and a very stormy night.

204. Tuesday 20^th. Very stormy. Snow and sleet. Wind done serious damage in many places.

205. Wedensday [Wednesday] 21^st. Fine but cold.

Left home for Chorley. Read several of Burn's  Poems to father in law at night.

206. Thursday 22^nd. Cold wind.

207. Friday 23^rd. Stormy

Mr Butterworth and Mr J Ridge stayed all night.

208. Saturday 24^th. Wet and stormy.

Our guests left by 11.15 train, a.m.

209. Sunday 25^th. Very cold.

Test at Mount St. Heb 3 & lst.

201. Monday 26^th. Stormy and showery.

Buissness [business] no better, thought five thousand are working of those who have been unemployed. The cotton is of such an inferior quality that their wages scarcely exceed their weekly relief (when idle).

202. Tuesday. 27^th. Fine cold day.

Little Willie stayed at home from school today: Mamma sent him for a halfpenny worth of apples, but he came back and said a little boy had lost the halfpenny. “Who was the little boy" was asked, by his Mamma. It was me said he: poor Willie had to wait till I came home before he could get an apple.

203. Wedensday [Wednesday] 28^th. Fine during the day: a slight shower at night.

Been painting today. Last Tuesday but one and today, I made good progress in domestic decoration. Mr Waters supplied the materials on condition that I would perform the work.

204. Thursday 29^th. Very wet.

Left home for Wigan 6.45 a.m. Paid a 2 piece at the station and took 6 in the change which was refused at Bolton. I had no alternative but proceed without, which I did and paid the remaining 4 ½ on a/c for my fare at Horwich the collecter [collector] being very willing to trust me three halfpence rather than risk obgected [objected] coin: I will, however, carry it to Blackburn again and endeavor [endeavour] to persuade the last owner to accept it.

I have note mentioned aquarium lately, though its claims on my notebook are worthy as ever. It is intresting [interesting] and instructive. The more we observe in nature, the more we will love and learn.

It is now in beautiful order (I dare not say perfection) as every day brings with it some new proof of my former ignorance. No books that are yet published on the subject, give any proper directions for its management, I have therefore depended more upon my own observations, and its results have far outstripped my most sanguine anticipations.

I find that proper food is necessary to keep them healthy, all require feeding. Some writers allege that gold fish do not, but it is a fallacy. The [they] feed on the plants if they cannot get the proper animal food, that they require; but they care little for vegetable aliment when it is plentiful. I asked a friend today how his fishes were thriving, and was directed in reply to look at them; “They are generaly [generally] quite as playful as they are now" say's he. “they swim round and round, these Dace close together in that way for hours; and are so lively. I told him the poor things wanted meat, hungry tap water could not sustain them, and directed his attention to their tails and fins, which were totaly [totally] disfigured: they were chasing each other for sheer hunger to obtain a small portion of the remaining stumps.

I feed mine with small white worms which I obtain in great number in the yard and sometimes a small earthworm the Beetles devour what the fishes regect [reject].

They seem all alike to me – and approach the side when I am looking at them through the glass, the Gudgeons of which I have two, look very intelligent, and swim often together a-breast when they expect something from me. The Dace perform their merriest pranks as if quite willing to earn their food, but the minnoes are often winners in the race for a sinking worm. A small perch is the most unsociable for the whole family; he professes kindness for none but the smallest, many of which has gone head foremost down his gullet. It is amusing to observe what tactics he displays when he singles out his victims feline propensities by all appearance predominating largely in his character.

He has managed to kill all the Caddis larvae but one, but this individual has hitherto proved a match for him. He appropriated  about half a dozen small Trumpet shells in the building or enlargement of his Castle (with the living animals in there) an I attribute his longevity to the circumstance. He seems now to have assumed the pupa state having buried the woody or vegetable part of his habitation in the sand and the shelly part protruding. What a wise instinct is displayed by the humblest of creatures in self preservation. How complicated and harmonious is nature as a whole each creature performs its part in the drama allotted to it by the Great Creator, and none are idle onlookers. Great is man's dominions and numerous are his mute examples: all are buisy [busy] and eager to get through their work and man alone loves indolence.

205. Friday 30^th. Fine during the day but a wet night.

Eli Tyson killed since I was at Wigan last. He procured me the fossils I have noted in my diary – but he is now removed from this World of increasing to a World unchangeable as its universal architect: in this probationary existence we are permitted to unfold, in a limited measure the wonder of All Wise Creations, and view the evidences of Antient [ancient] existances [existences] that have slumbered long since they gave place to succession. That proof should not be wanting to convince us of a future where erring and responsible will adore the Great Maker of all in the shade of a Redeemer's Love. How unworthy are we to be exalted thus."

206. Saturday. 31^st. Very fine.

Sister Alice returned home today.

Been painting again. Painted the two front windows.

Mrs Rae presented her husband with pretty little girls last night: I have been to see them today.

207. Sunday Feby lst. Fine but very cold.

At Mount St this morning. Mr Skinner preached from Heb v 2. The chap was the 3^rd of Exodus.

208. Monday 2^nd. Stormy wet morning in the morning.

Went along with George Nowel to catch little dace and succeeded very well. Lost a few by putting them into a rusty tin. Went again by moonlight and got a few more; sticklebacks and dace and four large shells. We brought all home only those we could distinguish are sticklebacks, which were restored to their native waters. I was not very fortunate with mine. The sudden chance from turbid water to the clear water of my aquarium proved fatal to a great many. I however saved two other small dace to  make up for the savages of a of a Small Perch , who had left but one of those he has the most affection for, namely, those he can swallow and two large Sticklebacks, which I am induced to try once more with an attempt at proper feeding.

They all seem very lively and quite at home, as it were; but I do not gratify this curiousity [curiosity]  respecting the inhabitants of the watery element without being reminded now and then of the obligations I am under for its place in the establishment. My beloved does not always see the utility of the “(Hobby)" I did up the yard and the children make puddles" she tells me and the other day a poor Gudgeon jumped out of the tank on the floor, Little Willie called it a Gudgeon, and also James Henry, but she did not know what sort it was; but it was a Gudgeon, and the poor thing was certainly drowned; our atmosphere, as it appears, having a similar effect upon the breathing organs of Gudgeons as water has upon those of many a Being of higher pretentions who “jump" in.

However I bear patiently to the utmost of my power, availing myself of every redeeming point in the argument, and save trouble whenever it is possible.

209. Tuesday 3^rd Fine.

Put my painting a stage further; and on the whole I have made some improvement since I began.

210. Wedensday [Wednesday] 4^th. Wet and stormy.

Walked from home through Wheelton and Whittle to Chorley, returning by train.

211. Thursday 5^th. Very fine.

By train to Chorley this morning, returning at night.