in the morning to Islington, and behind one of the inns, the White Lion, did fling himself into a pond, was spied by a poor woman and got out by some people binding up hay in a barn there, and set on his head and got to life, and known by a woman coming that way; and so his wife and friends sent for.  He confessed his doing the thing, being led by the Devil; and do declare his reason to be, his trouble that he found in having forgot to serve God as he ought, since he come to this new employment:  and I believe that, and the sense of his great loss by the fire, did bring him to it, and so everybody concludes.  He stayed there all that night, and come home by coach next morning, and there grew sick, and worse and worse to this day.  I stayed awhile among the friends that were there, and they being now in fear that the goods and estate would be seized on, though he lived all this while, because of his endeavouring to drown himself, my cozen did endeavour to remove what she could of plate out of the house, and desired me to take my flagons; which I was glad of, and did take them away with me in great fear all the way of being seized; though there was no reason for it, he not being dead, but yet so fearful I was.  So home, and there eat my dinner, and busy all the afternoon, and troubled at this business.  In the evening with Sir D. Gawden, to Guild Hall, to advise with the Towne-Clerke about the practice of the City and nation in this case:  and he thinks that it cannot be found self-murder; but if it be, it will fall, all the estate, to the King.  So we parted, and I to my cozens again; where I no sooner come but news was brought down from his chamber that he was departed.  So, at their entreaty, I presently took coach to White Hall, and there find Sir W. Coventry; and he carried me to the King, the Duke of York being with him, and there told my story which I had told him: 

[This was not the only time that Pepys took trouble to save the estate of a friend who had committed suicide.  In the “Caveat Book” in the Record Office, p. 42 of the volume for 1677, is the following entry:  “That no grant pass of the Estate of Francis Gurney of Maldon in Essex, who drowned himself in his own well on Tuesday night ye 12th of this instant August, at the desire of Samuel Pepys, Esquire, August 20, 1677.”]

and the King, without more ado, granted that, if it was found, the estate should be to the widow and children.  I presently to each Secretary’s office, and there left caveats, and so away back again to my cozens, leaving a chimney on fire at White Hall, in the King’s closet; but no danger.  And so, when I come thither, I find her all in sorrow, but she and the rest mightily pleased with my doing this for them; and, indeed, it was a very great courtesy, for people are looking out for the estate, and the coroner will be sent to, and a jury called to examine his death.  This being well done to my and their great joy, I home, and there to my office, and so to supper and to bed.