We're about halfway through these entries now - talking to Cymbalisty, he says there are only another three pages to go. Can't say I'm sorry we won't be having to work on this together too much longer; not only is he kind of slimey, but he's also impossible to work with unless he's had his Ceretin. He ran out last night, so we got no work done at all - it looked like he was half asleep, so I decided to call it a night after half an hour. But apparently he managed to replenish his supply today, and here is the fruit of our work:

2 April 1736
EM's preparations for her experiment continue. She has become peevish and irritable, and appears tired. Today, when I made to fetch her for dinner, she barked that "unlike you, I am not constantly concerned with the needs of my stomach and the desires of my...." [here she used a low word which startled me considerably]. When I expressed my astonishment at being spoken to in this fashion, she began to cry. Women are a constant mystery.

3 April 1736
The reason for EM's sullen and inconstant mood today became clear. We are to select the subjects for the experiment ourselves. The thing is dreadful. We have been given a list of suitable persons, given such matters as health, strength and height. EM and I examined this list for above two hours today, but were unable to reach any conclusion. It is intolerable that the decision should rest with us; doubly so because we do not know these men and women, and have no notion of their situations. I have requested from my lord that he should at least tell us which of them have children or aged parents in their care. He has agreed.

6 April 1736
Received grave news today from the City. The peace with Viehattle is disintegrating. There have been incursions and breaches of treaty. Our spies indicate that Viehattle may even now be allying with Anjsbourg. My mood is so much depressed by this that even the girl's most sincere efforts to enliven me brought no relief.