30th.  We found all well in the morning below stairs, bu the boy in a sad plight of seeming sorrow; but he is the most cunning rogue that ever I met with of his age.  To White Hall, where I met with the Act of Indemnity—­[12 Car.  II. cap.  II, an act of free and general pardon, indemnity, and oblivion.]—­(so long talked of and hoped for), with the Act of Rate for Pole-money, an for judicial proceedings.  At Westminster Hall I met with Mr. Paget the lawyer, and dined with him at Heaven.  This afternoon my wife went to Mr. Pierce’s wife’s child’s christening, and was urged to be godmother, but I advised her before-hand not to do it, so she did not, but as proxy for my Lady Jemimah.  This the first day that ever I saw my wife wear black patches since we were married!

     [The fashion of placing black patches on the face was introduced
     towards the close of the reign of Charles I., and the practice is
     ridiculed in the “Spectator.”]

My Lord came to town to-day, but coming not home till very late I staid till 10 at night, and so home on foot.  Mr. Sheply and Mr. Childe this night at the tavern.

31st.  Early to wait upon my Lord at White Hall, and with him to the Duke’s chamber.  So to my office in Seething Lane.  Dined at home, and after dinner to my Lord again, who told me that he is ordered to go suddenly to sea, and did give me some orders to be drawing up against his going.  This afternoon I agreed to let my house quite out of my hands to Mr. Dalton (one of the wine sellers to the King, with whom I had drunk in the old wine cellar two or three times) for L41.  At night made even at Privy Seal for this month against tomorrow to give up possession, but we know not to whom, though we most favour Mr. Bickerstaffe, with whom and Mr. Matthews we drank late after office was done at the Sun, discoursing what to do about it tomorrow against Baron, and so home and to bed.  Blessed be God all things continue well with and for me.  I pray God fit me for a change of my fortune.

Diaryof Samuel Pepys. 
September
1660

September 1st.  This morning I took care to get a vessel to carry my Lord’s things to the Downs on Monday next, and so to White Hall to my Lord, where he and I did look over the Commission drawn for him by the Duke’s Council, which I do not find my Lord displeased with, though short of what Dr. Walker did formerly draw for him.  Thence to the Privy Seal to see how things went there, and I find that Mr. Baron had by a severe warrant from the King got possession of the office from his brother Bickerstaffe, which is very strange, and much to our admiration, it being against all open justice.  Mr. Moore and I and several others being invited to-day by Mr. Goodman, a friend of his, we dined at the Bullhead upon the best venison pasty that ever I eat of in my life, and with one dish more, it was the best dinner I ever was at.  Here rose in discourse at table