Journal entry – John Grey – 5 Apr 1834

Saturday 5th April



At six o’clock went to the Quarry and met the undertaker whom I found to be an old acquaintance, that had once had been employed to do some work upon my property in that neighbourhood & of whom I entertain a bad opinion.  His apology for having given in to Mr Hogarth so inadequate a tender, was, that he expected, as it was the Hospitals doing, the men would be allowed their weekly wages and it would not signify whether the Job could be completed for the sum or not.  I told him that such was not my way of doing business, and though I regretted that the poor man whom he had employed, should lose £5 which he declared, and I believe truly, that he could not pay them, he sh’d not have another farthing.  That I knew it was of no use attempting to force him to complete the Job, as he had not the means, but that if the man whom he had hired would send me by Mr Hogarth to Belford on Tuesday, a fair offer for completing it, under Mr Hogarths inspection, I would let it to them, but that he should have nothing to do with it.  I think it ought to be done now for £15.0.0.   After looking at Mr Hogarths Farm, I passed on to Mr Pringles & found that he had gone on to some fishing which he has at Tynemouth, an occupation which he seems greatly to prefer to that of attending to his farm, if one may judge from its appearance.  I passed along the line of Rail way from the Colliery to the Jetty at Spital, which is all in good order.  Then crossed over to Berwick & found the market exceedingly lifeless.  Afterwards proceeding up the south side of the Tweed & looked over my Estate of West Ord & reached the Milfield Hill at a late hour & after a long days riding.