me what deputacon I had from My Lord.  I told him none; but that I am sworn my Lord’s deputy by both of the Secretarys, which did satisfy him.  So he caused Mr. Moore to read over all the bills as is the manner, and all ended very well.  So that I see the Lyon is not so fierce as he is painted.  That being done Mons. Eschar (who all this afternoon had been waiting at the Privy Seal for the Warrant for L5,000 for my Lord of Sandwich’s preparation for Portugal) and I took some wine with us and went to visit la belle Pierce, who we find very big with child, and a pretty lady, one Mrs. Clifford, with her, where we staid and were extraordinary merry.  From thence I took coach to my father’s, where I found him come home this day from Brampton (as I expected) very well, and after some discourse about business and it being very late I took coach again home, where I hear by my wife that Mrs. Hater is not yet delivered, but continues in her pains.  So to bed.

10th.  This morning came the maid that my wife hath lately hired for a chamber maid.  She is very ugly, so that I cannot care for her, but otherwise she seems very good.  But however she do come about three weeks hence, when my wife comes back from Brampton, if she go with my father.  By and by came my father to my house, and so he and I went and found out my uncle Wight at the Coffee House, and there did agree with him to meet the next week with my uncle Thomas and read over the Captain’s will before them both for their satisfaction.  Having done with him I went to my Lady’s and dined with her, and after dinner took the two young gentlemen and the two ladies and carried them and Captain Ferrers to the Theatre, and shewed them “The merry Devill of Edmunton,” which is a very merry play, the first time I ever saw it, which pleased me well.  And that being done I took them all home by coach to my house and there gave them fruit to eat and wine.  So by water home with them, and so home myself.

11th (Lord’s day).  To our own church in the forenoon, and in the afternoon to Clerkenwell Church, only to see the two

[A comedy acted at the Globe, and first printed in 1608.  In the original entry in the Stationers’ books it is said to be by T. B., which may stand for Tony or Anthony Brewer.  The play has been attributed without authority both to Shakespeare and to Drayton.]

fayre Botelers;—­[Mrs. Frances Butler and her sister.]—­and I happened to be placed in the pew where they afterwards came to sit, but the pew by their coming being too full, I went out into the next, and there sat, and had my full view of them both, but I am out of conceit now with them, Colonel Dillon being come back from Ireland again, and do still court them, and comes to church with them, which makes me think they are not honest.  Hence to Graye’s-Inn walks, and there staid a good while; where I met with Ned Pickering, who told me what a great match of hunting of a stagg the King had yesterday; and how the King tired all their horses, and come home with not above two or three able to keep pace with him.  So to my father’s, and there supped, and so home.