of some rich men in the City, in sparing any encouragement to the, poor people that wrought for the saving their houses.  Among others, Alderman Starling, a very rich man, without; children, the fire at next door to him in our lane, after our men had saved his house, did give 2s. 6d. among thirty of them, and did quarrel with some that would remove the rubbish out of the way of the fire, saying that they come to steal.  Sir W. Coventry told me of another this morning, in Holborne, which he shewed the King that when it was offered to stop the fire near his house for such a reward that came but to 2s. 6d. a man among the neighbours he would, give but 18d.  Thence to Bednall Green by coach, my brother with me, and saw all well there, and fetched away my journall book to enter for five days past, and then back to the office where I find Bagwell’s wife, and her husband come home.  Agreed to come to their house to-morrow, I sending him away to his ship to-day.  To the office and late writing letters, and then to Sir W. Pen’s, my brother lying with me, and Sir W. Pen gone down to rest himself at Woolwich.  But I was much frighted and kept awake in my bed, by some noise I heard a great while below stairs; and the boys not coming up to me when I knocked.  It was by their discovery of people stealing of some neighbours’ wine that lay in vessels in the streets.  So to sleep; and all well all night.

9th (Sunday).  Up and was trimmed, and sent my brother to Woolwich to my wife, to dine with her.  I to church, where our parson made a melancholy but good sermon; and many and most in the church cried, specially the women.  The church mighty full; but few of fashion, and most strangers.  I walked to Bednall Green, and there dined well, but a bad venison pasty at Sir W. Rider’s.  Good people they are, and good discourse; and his daughter, Middleton, a fine woman, discreet.  Thence home, and to church again, and there preached Dean Harding; but, methinks, a bad, poor sermon, though proper for the time; nor eloquent, in saying at this time that the City is reduced from a large folio to a decimotertio.  So to my office, there to write down my journall, and take leave of my brother, whom I sent back this afternoon, though rainy; which it hath not done a good while before.  But I had no room or convenience for him here till my house is fitted; but I was very kind to him, and do take very well of him his journey.  I did give him 40s. for his pocket, and so, he being gone, and, it presently rayning, I was troubled for him, though it is good for the fyre.  Anon to Sir W. Pen’s to bed, and made my boy Tom to read me asleep.