in both the churches.  It is a most sweet town, with bridges, and a river in every street.  Observing that in every house of entertainment there hangs in every room a poor-man’s box, and desiring to know the reason thereof, it was told me that it is their custom to confirm all bargains by putting something into the poor people’s box, and that binds as fast as any thing.  We also saw the Guesthouse, where it was very pleasant to see what neat preparation there is for the poor.  We saw one poor man a-dying there.  After we had seen all, we light by chance of an English house to drink in, where we were very merry, discoursing of the town and the thing that hangs up in the Stadthouse like a bushel, which I was told is a sort of punishment for some sort of offenders to carry through the streets of the town over his head, which is a great weight.  Back by water, where a pretty sober Dutch lass sat reading all the way, and I could not fasten any discourse upon her.  At our landing we met with Commissioner Pett going down to the water-side with Major Harly, who is going upon a dispatch into England.  They having a coach I left the Parson and my boy and went along with Commissioner Pett, Mr. Ackworth and Mr. Dawes his friends, to the Princess Dowager’s house again.  Thither also my Lord Fairfax and some other English Lords did come to see it, and my pleasure was increased by seeing of it again.  Besides we went into the garden, wherein are gallant nuts better than ever I saw, and a fine Echo under the house in a vault made on purpose with pillars, where I played on my flageolette to great advantage.  Back to the Hague, where not finding Mr. Edward, I was much troubled, but went with the Parson to supper to Commissioner Pett, where we sat late.  And among other mirth Mr. Ackworth vyed wives, each endeavouring to set his own wife out to the best advantage, he having as they said an extraordinary handsome wife.  But Mr. Dawes could not be got to say anything of his.  After that to our lodging where W. Howe and I exceeding troubled not to know what is become of our young gentleman.  So to bed.

19th.  Up early, hearing nothing of the child, and went to Scheveling, where I found no getting on board, though the Duke of York sent every day to see whether he could do it or no.  Here I met with Mr. Pinkney and his sons, and with them went back to the Hague, in our way lighting and going to see a woman that makes pretty rock-work in shells, &c., which could I have carried safe I would have bought some of.  At the Hague we went to buy some pictures, where I saw a sort of painting done upon woollen cloth, drawn as if there was a curtain over it, which was very pleasant, but dear.  Another pretty piece of painting I saw, on which there was a great wager laid by young Pinkney and me whether it was a principal or a copy.  But not knowing how to decide, it was broken off, and I got the old man to lay out as much as my piece of gold come to, and so saved my money,