[Colonel Cary Dillon, a friend of the Butlers, who courted the fair
     Frances; but the engagement was subsequently broken off, see
     December 31 st, 1661.]

and is still upon the mind of going (he and his whole family) to Ireland.  Having set him down I made haste home, and in the courtyard, it being very dark, I heard a man inquire for my house, and having asked his business, he told me that my man William (who went this morning—­out of town to meet his aunt Blackburne) was come home not very well to his mother, and so could not come home to-night.  At which I was very sorry.  I found my wife still in pain.  To bed, having not time to write letters, and indeed having so many to write to all places that I have no heart to go about them.  Mrs. Shaw did die yesterday and her husband so sick that he is not like to live.

5th.  Lord’s day.  My wife being much in pain, I went this morning to Dr. Williams (who had cured her once before of this business), in Holborn, and he did give me an ointment which I sent home by my boy, and a plaister which I took with me to Westminster (having called and seen my mother in the morning as I went to the doctor), where I dined with Mr. Sheply (my Lord dining at Kensington).  After dinner to St. Margaret’s, where the first time I ever heard Common Prayer in that Church.  I sat with Mr. Hill in his pew; Mr. Hill that married in Axe Yard and that was aboard us in the Hope.  Church done I went and Mr. Sheply to see W. Howe at Mr. Pierces, where I staid singing of songs and psalms an hour or two, and were very pleasant with Mrs. Pierce and him.  Thence to my Lord’s, where I staid and talked and drank with Mr. Sheply.  After that to Westminster stairs, where I saw a fray between Mynheer Clinke, a Dutchman, that was at Hartlibb’s wedding, and a waterman, which made good sport.  After that I got a Gravesend boat, that was come up to fetch some bread on this side the bridge, and got them to carry me to the bridge, and so home, where I found my wife.  After prayers I to bed to her, she having had a very bad night of it.  This morning before I was up Will came home pretty well again, he having been only weary with riding, which he is not used to.

6th.  This morning at the office, and, that being done, home to dinner all alone, my wife being ill in pain a-bed, which I was troubled at, and not a little impatient.  After dinner to Whitehall at the Privy Seal all the afternoon, and at night with Mr. Man to Mr. Rawlinson’s in Fenchurch Street, where we staid till eleven o’clock at night.  So home and to bed, my wife being all this day in great pain.  This night Mr. Man offered me L1000 for my office of Clerk of the Acts, which made my mouth water; but yet I dare not take it till I speak with my Lord to have his consent.