Diary, Jan/Feb 1661/62 | Page 8

whole year after hath been a
very sickly time to this day. I did not stir out of my house all day, but
conned my musique, and at night after supper to bed.

16th. Towards Cheapside; and in Paul's Churchyard saw the funeral of
my Lord Cornwallis, late Steward of the King's House, a bold profane
talking man, go by, and thence I to the Paynter's, and there paid him L6
for the two pictures, and 36s. for the two frames. From thence home,
and Mr. Holliard and my brother Tom dined with me, and he did give
me good advice about my health. In the afternoon at the office, and at
night to Sir W. Batten, and there saw him and Captain Cock and Stokes
play at cards, and afterwards supped with them. Stokes told us, that
notwithstanding the country of Gambo is so unhealthy, yet the people
of the place live very long, so as the present king there is 150 years old,
which they count by rains: because every year it rains continually four
months together. He also told us, that the kings there have above 100
wives a-piece, and offered him the choice of any of his wives to lie
with, and so he did Captain Holmes. So home and to bed.

17th. To Westminster with Mr. Moore, and there, after several walks up
and down to hear news, I met with Lany, the Frenchman, who told me
that he had a letter from France last night, that tells him that my Lord
Hinchingbroke is dead,--[proved false]--and that he did die yesterday
was se'nnight, which do surprise me exceedingly (though we know that
he hath been sick these two months), so I hardly ever was in my life;
but being fearfull that my Lady should come to hear it too suddenly, he
and I went up to my Lord Crew's, and there I dined with him, and after
dinner we told him, and the whole family is much disturbed by it: so
we consulted what to do to tell my Lady of it; and at last we thought of
my going first to Mr. George Montagu's to hear whether he had any
news of it, which I did, and there found all his house in great heaviness
for the death of his son, Mr. George Montagu, who did go with our
young gentlemen into France, and that they hear nothing at all of our
young Lord; so believing that thence comes the mistake, I returned to
my Lord Crew (in my way in the Piazza seeing a house on fire, and all
the streets full of people to quench it), and told them of it, which they
are much glad of, and conclude, and so I hope, that my Lord is well;
and so I went to my Lady Sandwich, and told her all, and after much
talk I parted thence with my wife, who had been there all the day, and
so home to my musique, and then to bed.

18th. This morning I went to Dr. Williams, and there he told me how T.
Trice had spoke to him about getting me to meet that our difference
might be made up between us by ourselves, which I am glad of, and
have appointed Monday next to be the day. Thence to the Wardrobe,
and there hearing it would be late before they went to dinner, I went
and spent some time in Paul's Churchyard among some books, and then
returned thither, and there dined with my Lady and Sir H. Wright and
his lady, all glad of yesterday's mistake, and after dinner to the office,
and then home and wrote letters by the post to my father, and by and by
comes Mr. Moore to give me an account how Mr. Montagu was gone
away of a sudden with the fleet, in such haste that he hath left behind
some servants, and many things of consequence; and among others, my
Lord's commission for Embassador. Whereupon he and I took coach,
and to White Hall to my Lord's lodgings, to have spoke with Mr. Ralph
Montagu, his brother (and here we staid talking with Sarah and the old
man); but by and by hearing that he was in Covent Garden, we went
thither: and at my Lady Harvy's, his sister, I spoke with him, and he
tells me that the commission is not left behind. And so I went thence by
the same coach (setting down Mr. Moore) home, and after having wrote
a letter to my Lord at 12 o'clock at night by post I went to bed.

19th (Lord's day). To church in the morning, where Mr. Mills preached
upon Christ's being offered up for our sins, and there proving the equity
with