is dead; for which, God knows my heart, I could be as sorry as is possible for one to be for a stranger, by whose death he gets L100 per annum, he being a worthy, honest man; but after having considered that when I come to consider the providence of God by this means unexpectedly to give me L100 a year more in my estate, I have cause to bless God, and do it from the bottom of my heart.  So home late at night, after twelve o’clock, and so to bed.

10th.  Up and abroad to Paul’s Churchyard, there to see the last of my books new bound:  among others, my “Court of King James,”

["The Court and Character of King James, written and taken by Sir Anthony Weldon, being an eye and eare witnesse,” was published in 1650, and reprinted in 1651 under the title of “Truth brought to Light” Weldon’s book was answered in a work entitled “Aulicus Coquinariae.”  Both the original book and the answer were reprinted in “The Secret History of the Court of King James,” Edinburgh, 1811, two vols. (edited by Sir Walter Scott).]

and “The Rise and Fall of the Family of the Stewarts;” and much pleased I am now with my study; it being, methinks, a beautifull sight.  Thence (in Mr. Grey’s coach, who took me up), to Westminster, where I heard that yesterday the King met the Houses to pass the great bill for the L2,500,000.  After doing a little business I home, where Mr. Moore dined with me, and evened our reckonings on my Lord Sandwich’s bond to me for principal and interest.  So that now on both there is remaining due to me L257. 7s., and I bless God it is no more.  So all the afternoon at my office, and late home to supper, prayers, and to bed.

11th.  Up and to my office, where all the morning.  At noon to ’Change by coach with my Lord Brunkard, and thence after doing much business home to dinner, and so to my office all the afternoon till past 12 at night very busy.  So home to bed.

12th (Lord’s day).  Up and to church to St. Lawrence to hear Dr. Wilkins, the great scholar, for curiosity, I having never heard him:  but was not satisfied with him at all, only a gentleman sat in the pew I by chance sat in, that sang most excellently, and afterward I found by his face that he had been a Paul’s scholler, but know not his name, and I was also well pleased with the church, it being a very fine church.  So home to dinner, and then to my office all the afternoon doing of business, and in the evening comes Mr. Hill (but no Andrews) and we spent the evening very finely, singing, supping and discoursing.  Then to prayers and to bed.

13th.  Up and to St. James’s, did our usual business before the Duke.  Thence I to Westminster and by water (taking Mr. Stapely the rope-maker by the way), to his rope-ground and to Limehouse, there to see the manner of stoves and did excellently inform myself therein, and coming home did go on board Sir W. Petty’s “Experiment,” which is a brave roomy vessel, and I hope may do well.  So went on shore to a Dutch [house] to drink some mum, and there light upon some Dutchmen, with whom we had good discourse touching stoveing