Diary, Oct/Nov/Dec 1660 | Page 9

with, and so home with him to the Cockpit, where,
understanding that "Wit without money" was acted, I would not stay,
but went home by water, by the way reading of the other two stories

that are in the book that I read last night, which I do not like so well as
it. Being come home, Will. told me that my Lord had a mind to speak
with me to-night; so I returned by water, and, coming there, it was only
to enquire how the ships were provided with victuals that are to go with
him to fetch over the Queen, which I gave him a good account of. He
seemed to be in a melancholy humour, which, I was told by W. Howe,
was for that he had lately lost a great deal of money at cards, which he
fears he do too much addict himself to now-a-days. So home by water
and to bed.

17th. Office day. At noon came Mr. Creed to me, whom I took along
with me to the Feathers in Fish Street, where I was invited by Captain
Cuttance to dinner, a dinner made by Mr. Dawes and his brother. We
had two or three dishes of meat well done; their great design was to get
me concerned in a business of theirs about a vessel of theirs that is in
the service, hired by the King, in which I promise to do them all the
service I can. From thence home again with Mr. Crew, where I finding
Mrs. The. Turner and her aunt Duke I would not be seen but walked in
the garden till they were gone, where Mr. Spong came to me and Mr.
Creed, Mr. Spong and I went to our music to sing, and he being gone,
my wife and I went to put up my books in order in closet, and I to give
her her books. After that to bed.

18th. This morning, it being expected that Colonel Hacker and Axtell
should die, I went to Newgate, but found they were reprieved till to-
morrow. So to my aunt Fenner's, where with her and my uncle I drank
my morning draft. So to my father's, and did give orders for a pair of
black baize linings to be made me for my breeches against to-morrow
morning, which was done. So to my Lord's, where I spoke with my
Lord, and he would have had me dine with him, but I went thence to
Mr. Blackburne, where I met my wife and my Will's father and mother
(the first time that ever I saw them), where we had a very fine dinner.
Mr. Creed was also there. This day by her high discourse I found Mrs.
Blackburne to be a very high dame and a costly one. Home with my
wife by coach. This afternoon comes Mr. Chaplin and N. Osborn to my
house, of whom I made very much, and kept them with me till late, and
so to bed. At my coming home. I did find that The. Turner hath sent for

a pair of doves that my wife had promised her; and because she did not
send them in the best cage, she sent them back again with a scornful
letter, with which I was angry, but yet pretty well pleased that she was
crossed.
19th. Office in the morning. This morning my dining-room was
finished with green serge hanging and gilt leather, which is very
handsome. This morning Hacker and Axtell were hanged and quartered,
as the rest are. This night I sat up late to make up my accounts ready
against to-morrow for my Lord. I found him to be above L80 in my
debt, which is a good sight, and I bless God for it.

20th. This morning one came to me to advise with me where to make
me a window into my cellar in lieu of one which Sir W. Batten had
stopped up, and going down into my cellar to look I stepped into a
great heap of ---- by which I found that Mr. Turner's house of office is
full and comes into my cellar, which do trouble me, but I shall have it
helped. To my Lord's by land, calling at several places about business,
where I dined with my Lord and Lady; when he was very merry, and
did talk very high how he would have a French cook, and a master of
his horse, and his lady and child to wear black patches; which
methought was strange, but he is become a perfect courtier; and, among
other things, my Lady saying that she could get a good merchant for
her daughter Jem., he answered, that he would rather see her with a