alive in whose place in the Wardrobe he hopes to get my father, which I do resolve to put for.  I also met with the Comptroller, who told me how it was easy for us all, the principal officers, and proper for us, to labour to get into the next Parliament; and would have me to ask the Duke’s letter, but I shall not endeavour it because it will spend much money, though I am sure I could well obtain it.  This is now 28 years that I am born.  And blessed be God, in a state of full content, and great hopes to be a happy man in all respects, both to myself and friends.

24th (Sunday).  Mr. Mills made as excellent a sermon in the morning against drunkenness as ever I heard in my life.  I dined at home; another good one of his in the afternoon.  My Valentine had her fine gloves on at church to-day that I did give her.  After sermon my wife and I unto Sir Wm. Batten and sat awhile.  Then home, I to read, then to supper and to bed.

25th.  Sir Wm. Pen and I to my Lord Sandwich’s by coach in the morning to see him, but he takes physic to-day and so we could not see him.  So he went away, and I with Luellin to Mr. Mount’s chamber at the Cockpit, where he did lie of old, and there we drank, and from thence to W. Symons where we found him abroad, but she, like a good lady, within, and there we did eat some nettle porrige, which was made on purpose to-day for some of their coming, and was very good.  With her we sat a good while, merry in discourse, and so away, Luellin and I to my Lord’s, and there dined.  He told me one of the prettiest stories, how Mr. Blurton, his friend that was with him at my house three or four days ago, did go with him the same day from my house to the Fleet tavern by Guildhall, and there (by some pretence) got the mistress of the house into their company, and by and by Luellin calling him Doctor she thought that he really was so, and did privately discover her disease to him, which was only some ordinary infirmity belonging to women, and he proffering her physic, she desired him to come some day and bring it, which he did.  After dinner by water to the office, and there Sir W. Pen and I met and did business all the afternoon, and then I got him to my house and eat a lobster together, and so to bed.

26th (Shrove Tuesday).  I left my wife in bed, being indisposed . . .  I to Mrs. Turner’s, who I found busy with The. and Joyce making of things ready for fritters, so to Mr. Crew’s and there delivered Cotgrave’s Dictionary’ to my Lady Jemimah, and then with Mr. Moore to my coz Tom Pepys, but he being out of town I spoke with his lady, though not of the business I went about, which was to borrow L1000 for my Lord.  Back to Mrs. Turner’s, where several friends, all strangers to me but Mr. Armiger, dined.  Very merry and the best fritters that ever I eat in my life.  After that looked out at window; saw the flinging at cocks.

     [The cruel custom of throwing at cocks on Shrove Tuesday is of
     considerable antiquity.  It is shown in the first print of Hogarth’s
     “Four Stages of Cruelty.”]