[H. M. S. Belle Isle, off Plymouth]
[1777. January] 27. The daily allowance on board His Majesty's ships, is: Sunday, pork and peas; Monday, birgu,2 butter and cheese; Tuesday, beef and pudding; Wednesday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Thursday, pork and peas; Friday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Saturday, beef and pudding; a pint of wine, or half a pint of rum, when at sea; and when in port, beer in abundance, and fresh meat twice in a week.
28. To-day I received a pair of stockings, a present from one of the seamen.