29th.  Within all the morning.  Several people to speak with me; Mr. Shepley for L100; Mr. Kennard and Warren, the merchant, about deals for my Lord.  Captain Robert Blake lately come from the Straights about some Florence Wine for my Lord, and with him I went to Sir W. Pen, who offering me a barrel of oysters I took them both home to my house (having by chance a good piece of roast beef at the fire for dinner), and there they dined with me, and sat talking all the afternoon-good company.  Thence to Alderman Backwell’s and took a brave state-plate and cupp in lieu of the candlesticks that I had the other day and carried them by coach to my Lord’s and left them there.  And so back to my father’s and saw my mother, and so to my uncle Fenner’s, whither my father came to me, and there we talked and drank, and so away; I home with my father, he telling me what bad wives both my cozen Joyces make to their husbands, which I much wondered at.  After talking of my sister’s coming to me next week, I went home and to bed.

30th (Lord’s day).  Lay long in bed, and being up, I went with Will to my Lord’s, calling in at many churches in my way.  There I found Mr. Shepley, in his Venetian cap, taking physique in his chamber, and with him I sat till dinner.  My Lord dined abroad and my Lady in her chamber, so Mr. Hetly, Child and I dined together, and after dinner Mr. Child and I spent some time at the lute, and so promising to prick me some lessons to my theorbo he went away to see Henry Laws, who lies very sick.  I to the Abby and walked there, seeing the great confusion of people that come there to hear the organs.  So home, calling in at my father’s, but staid not, my father and mother being both forth.  At home I fell a-reading of Fuller’s Church History till it was late, and so to bed.

31st.  At the office all the morning and after that home, and not staying to dine I went out, and in Paul’s Church-yard I bought the play of “Henry the Fourth,” and so went to the new Theatre (only calling at Mr. Crew’s and eat a bit with the people there at dinner) and saw it acted; but my expectation being too great, it did not please me, as otherwise I believe it would; and my having a book, I believe did spoil it a little.  That being done I went to my Lord’s, where I found him private at cards with my Lord Lauderdale and some persons of honour.  So Mr. Shepley and I over to Harper’s, and there drank a pot or two, and so parted.  My boy taking a cat home with him from my Lord’s, which Sarah had given him for my wife, we being much troubled with mice.  At Whitehall inquiring for a coach, there was a Frenchman with one eye that was going my way, so he and I hired the coach between us and he set me down in Fenchurch Street.  Strange how the fellow, without asking, did tell me all what he was, and how he had ran away from his father and come into England to serve the King, and now going back again.  Home and to bed.

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