1st March - 6th March 1859
Tuesday 1: went to look for the boys at dinner-time, who were gone to see the judges come in (Justice Crompton, and Baron Channel); met the trumpeters, javelin-men, and Sheriff's carriage containing himself and the judges, coming down the hill from the railway station; wondered whether there was any utility in making such a pompous appearance, and came to the conclusion that it was somewhat necessary, in order to shew people the awful responsibility attached to the office of judge, and in some degree, impressing upon them the great folly & sin in committing any crime temptation may lead them to perpetrate.
Thursday 3: Ruminated on the chief objects man laboured hard to obtain during the course of his whole existence, and thought fame & riches were the principal. Money-getting is an honourable pursuit when carried out in a legitimate manner, and surely he must be a happier man who has money, than he who has none. A man also who rises to fame must experience some happiness in the thought that his name will be handed down to posterity. Again, much happiness may be derived in making good use of riches: but it is against man's nature to be truly happy for, in whatever station he may be, he is sure to meet with continued crosses (?) (real or imaginary) to thwart him in every turn he takes. Is not this a merciful interference of divine Providence, to make us sensible that here is not our own perpetual abiding place and to urge us on to strive for that ever-lasting resting-place above, where 'neithermoth corruptible, nor worm dieth not'.
Sunday 6: Sunday Ps xxxix.6 (text follows)
My brother George buries an infant son, three weeks old, this was his eighth child.
6: George Acott was older that Charles Henry by 4 years. He and his wife also lived in Oxford and went on to have at least 11 children in total. He was a "boot closer" or cordwainer or shoemaker depending on the census year although all seem to be essentially the same job.
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