save my Rivall and make her confess, that I deserve, while he do but possesse.”  “Why, what, pox,” says Sir Charles Sydly, “would he have him have more, or what is there more to be had of a woman than the possessing her?” Thence-setting all them at home, I home with my wife and Mercer, vexed at my losing my time and above 20s. in money, and neglecting my business to see so bad a play.  To-morrow they told us should be acted, or the day after, a new play, called “The Parson’s Dreame,” acted all by women.  So to my office, and there did business; and so home to supper and to bed.

5th.  Up betimes and to my office, and thence by coach to New Bridewell to meet with Mr. Poyntz to discourse with him (being Master of the Workhouse there) about making of Bewpers for us.  But he was not within; however his clerke did lead me up and down through all the house, and there I did with great pleasure see the many pretty works, and the little children employed, every one to do something, which was a very fine sight, and worthy encouragement.  I cast away a crowne among them, and so to the ’Change and among the Linnen Wholesale Drapers to enquire about Callicos, to see what can be done with them for the supplying our want of Bewpers for flaggs, and I think I shall do something therein to good purpose for the King.  So to the Coffeehouse, and there fell in discourse with the Secretary of the Virtuosi of Gresham College, and had very fine discourse with him.  He tells me of a new invented instrument to be tried before the College anon, and I intend to see it.  So to Trinity House, and there I dined among the old dull fellows, and so home and to my office a while, and then comes Mr. Cocker to see me, and I discoursed with him about his writing and ability of sight, and how I shall do to get some glasse or other to helpe my eyes by candlelight; and he tells me he will bring me the helps he hath within a day or two, and shew me what he do.  Thence to the Musique-meeting at the Postoffice, where I was once before.  And thither anon come all the Gresham College, and a great deal of noble company:  and the new instrument was brought called the Arched Viall,

["There seems to be a curious fate reigning over the instruments which have the word ‘arch’ prefixed to their name.  They have no vitality, and somehow or other come to grief.  Even the famous archlute, which was still a living thing in the time of Handel, has now disappeared from the concert room and joined Mr. Pepys’s ’Arched Viall’ in the limbo of things forgotten . . . .  Mr. Pepys’s verdict that it would never do . . . has been fully confirmed by the event, as his predictions usually were, being indeed always founded on calm judgment and close observation.”—­B. (Hueffer’s Italian and other Studies, 1883, p. 263).]

where being tuned with lute-strings, and played on with kees like an organ, a piece of parchment is always kept moving; and the strings, which by the kees are