This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

THE DIARY OF NICHOLAS BLUNDELL, ESQ., FROM 1702 TO 1728. EDITED BY THE REV. T. BLLISON GIBSON, . INTRQDUCTION. THE late Archbishop Whately is credited with the saying, that if he had to write a daily record of his life, he would soon wish his life at an e

INTRODUCTION. THE late Archbishop Whately is credited with the saying, that if he had to write a daily record of his life, he would soon wish his life at an end. Many a person begins a Diary, but few persevere with it for any length of time. The fidelity of Mr. Nicholas Blundell to this self- imposed task is very remarkable. His Diary extends over a quarter of a century and no single day has been left unnoticed. It is very legibly written, entirely by his own hand, and is contained in three long narrow Volumes number- ing altogether nearly nine hundred pages. The spelling is eccentric but no attempt has been made to correct even very obvious blunders. In so lengthy a record, there is, as may be imagined, much that would be of no interest to the general reader. On the other hand, many entries are of value, more especially in the absence of other local records of which that particular period is singularly barren. The Diarist had neither the ability nor the learning of his grandfather, the Cavalier, but he filled very worthily his position as a resident landlord. A lover of country life, For a full account of the ancient family of Blundell of Crosby, see the Introduction to A Cavaliers Note Book. Also, Crosby Records, Chetham Society No. 12 new series. VI. his interests were centred in the pursuits and . pleasures of his neighbours and tenants. It is manifest that much more social enjoyment was got out of life in those days than is the case at present. Railways and the spread of education, have made a striking change in the condition of the rural population a change not altogether to its advantage. Material comforts have been brought within its reach, but the close bond of companionshipwhich formerly held society together has been rent asunder. Certainly the numerous festivities and amusements which he records as shared by friends and neighbours have totally disappeared. In religion, Mr. Blundell adhered to the faith of his Ancestors. For this privilege he paid double taxes and felt in various ways the pressure of the severe penal laws then in force. Still, the great heat of persecution which some of his race endured had, in his time, sensibly abated. Happily, he was not drawn into the rebellion of 1715, which wrecked the fortunes of so many of his co-religionists but his house was frequently visited and searched at that eventful period. On one occasion, he says I set in a streat place for a fat man which shows that he must have had recourse to the family hiding-place, contrived, no doubt, on a scale Richard Blundell, of Crosby, died in Lancaster Castle, 1591-2, a prisoner for the faith, having been committed there for harbouring a priest. William Blundell, his son, suffered many imprisonments and much loss of goods. Twothirds of his lands were seized upon for recusancy and given to Court favourites, two of the number being Queen Elizabeths cooks. He was fined 2000 for making a burial ground for his Catholic tenants and neighbours, who were denied burial at Sefton Church. His wife, though in a delicate state of health, was dragged to pnson by the Bishop of Chester when her husband could not be found. She suckled her infant in Chester Castle and was only set free after a long imprisonment, through the friendly remonstrance of two powerful Protestant neighbours. Vll. more befitting the dimensions of a lean curate. As soon as he could get away, he withdrew to theContinent till the trouble blew over. Such a record as the one before us comes like a revelation from the tomb. It brings to light events hitherto shrouded in oblivion...

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.