p. 144

122

We went to work in earnest, my chief occupation
was copying reports of meetings and statements of
work done, to be sent up to the chief commissioners
in London, and many a dozen sheets of foolscap of
my writing is hidden away in the archives of the New
Poor Law office, of no earthly use, that I can conceive,
to anyone.

I found Gloucester a pleasant place and I made pleasant
acquaintances there, the people are very friendly and give a
stranger a hearty welcome. at leisure times I sought out
every place of note in the town, especially its magnificent
cathedral, on a Sunday I made short excusrions with friends
into the country, with a certainty of welcome to the home
of some substantial farmer and his good home brewed beer
with a taste of good cider or [sherry?]. One excursion I made
with a corn merchant to Cheltenham on a market day and
dined with the farmer at "The Lamb" Inn an excellent dinner
and all had excellent appetites. These "days of clover" however
could not last for ever, after a long and laborious task
writing [parishes?] and [disuniting?] paupers, my engagement
came to an end with the assistant commissioners as
by agreement, and I returned to London and leisure.

note. This account is only intended for the purpose of
my own family. The absence of dates may
appear strange but I cannot for the life of me
remember the years. It was, however, not very
long after the passing of the "New Poor Law"
and therefore the time may be ascertained
near enough.

My parents have been residing in London for several
years, having let their farm in Suffolk. I had therefore good
quarters to fall back upon when out of employment without
having to seek for lodgings with their attendant expenses
and having now time on my hands I resolved to pay a
visit to my country friends in Suffolk and see once