The Ladies | Page 3

so I left it. And strange it
is how when he do so repent my heart do take part with him though I
would better renounce him awhile to learn him manners. So he to the
Exchange and buys me a piece of Paragon to a pettycote, and though it
be not what I would have of my own choosing yet I do receive it with
many goode words as hoping all will yet be as I desire. So to sup on a
good dish of beef à la mode, and he well content, it appearing he have
this day bestowed upon himself at the Exchange a good Theorbo, four
Bookes, and a payre of Globes, talking very high how these be for my
instruction rather than his own liking. The which I receive smyling, but
do think--Lord! what fools men be that will have a woman so lightly
deceived, fine wordes buttering no parsnips. Sure they be but Children
when all said and done, and their Innocency in this a pleasant thing to
see.
Comes Mr Collins with his new Wife, a pretty well-shaped Woman
with black hayre and Eyes, and she, much cried up for her skill on the
Theorbo, do after play a Lesson upon it, but very ill, and pretty to see
Sam'l that was hoping great things (loving musique) in pain and grief to
hear her mean false playing and yet making fine wordes of it to please
her, and they gone, do call her slut and baggage and I know not what all.
So to prayers and bed.
5th.--Sam'l this day reading over his vows not to drink strong waters or
wines nor yet go to the play for two weekes. But I do ask myself
(though not Sam'l) whether these vows be convenient. For I do surely

think he do it only because it is the greater pleasure to drink and see the
play, it being thus forbid. And in Saml' it is to be noted and methinks in
other Men also that they do suck more pleasure from a thing forbidden
and hard to come at than from the same thing when comely and
convenient to be done in the sight of all. This day, he being with his
Lordship, I to gain a sight of his Journal, he carelessly leaving it about,
but took nothing by my pains, it being writ in secret writing, which do
plainly show it to be what he would be shamed if known. Whereas
mine owne is voide of all offence, and I do lay it under the smocks in
the great armoire only because it is not seemly that Sam'l should know
my thoughts, I having to deal with him as best I may.
Mem. To ask of Mrs Jemimah Crosby if her father, being a scrivener,
knoweth and can instruct in secret writings.
Sam'l home late this day, and the supper, a calve's head, very good,
with a noble Barell of oysters, he bringing with him Mr S. Lucy, and so
supt very merry, and after in the garden, Sam'l to play on his flageolette,
it being full moon. So to bed, omitting prayers. A pleasant day and
content together.
6th.--This day, seeing Mrs Jemimah Crosby, I to ask her earnestly if
her father the scrivener do teach the secret writing, and she replying
that so it was, I after the mayde's cleaning the house, do forth and to his
lodging behind Paternoster Row, he being a worthy olde Gentleman
with a long white bearde, very reverend. I enjoining him to be secret,
which he the more willingly promised that I have obliged him and Mrs
Jem with codiniac and quince marmalett of my own making, do tell
him how my father (which is unknown to him) have documents and
papers which he would willingly decipher but for his bad Eyes.
Wherein God forgive me, for his eyes are the best Part of him. Olde Mr
Crosby thereon urgent that my father entrust him with the worke, but I
sticking at the expense, no more said. So I to show him a line of Dots
and hooks which I did copy from Sam'l his Journal, and he reading it
with ease, what should it prove to be but this:--
"Took occasion to fall out with my wife very highly about her ribbands
being ill matcht and of two colours, and to very high words, so that I

did call her Beaste."
So finding all as I thought and it being very needful that I should know
Sam'l his thoughts (and indeed he is very simple to write them unless
he think he have a fool to his wife) I do covenant with the olde
Gentleman for Lessons which are dear enough, but to be paid from