15th.  At the office all the morning, and in the afternoon to Paul’s Churchyard to a blind place, where Mrs. Goldsborough was to meet me (who dare not be known where she lives) to treat about the difference which remains between my uncle and her.  But, Lord! to hear how she talks and how she rails against my uncle would make one mad.  But I seemed not to be troubled at it, but would indeed gladly have an agreement with her.  So I appoint Mr. Moore and she another against Friday next to look into our papers and to see what can be done to conclude the matter.  So home in much pain by walking too much yesterday . . . . which much troubles me.

16th.  In bed till 12 o’clock.  This morning came several maids to my wife to be hired, and at last she pitched upon one Nell, whose mother, an old woman, came along with her, but would not be hired under half a year, which I am pleased at their drollness.  This day dined by appointment with me, Dr. Thos.  Pepys and my Coz:  Snow, and my brother Tom, upon a fin of ling and some sounds, neither of which did I ever know before, but most excellent meat they are both, that in all my life I never eat the like fish.  So after dinner came in W. Joyce and eat and drank and were merry.  So up to my chamber, and put all my papers, at rights, and in the evening our maid Mary. (who was with us upon trial for a month) did take leave of us, going as we suppose to be married, for the maid liked us and we her, but all she said was that she had a mind to live in a tradesman’s house where there was but one maid.  So to supper and to bed.

17th.  At the office all the morning, at noon my wife being gone to my coz Snow’s with Dr. Thomas Pepys and my brother Tom to a venison pasty (which proved a pasty of salted pork); by appointment I went with Captain David Lambert to the Exchequer, and from thence by appointment he and I were to meet at a cook’s shop to dine.  But before I went to him Captain.  Cock, a merchant I had not long known, took me to the Sun tavern and gave me a glass of sack, and being a man of great observation and repute, did tell me that he was confident that the Parliament, when it comes the next month to sit again, would bring trouble with it, and enquire how the King had disposed of offices and money, before they will raise more; which, I fear, will bring all things to ruin again.  Thence to the Cook’s and there dined with Captain Lambert and his father-in-law, and had much talk of Portugall; from whence he is lately come, and he tells me it is a very poor dirty place; I mean the City and Court of Lisbon; that the King is a very rude and simple fellow; and, for reviling of somebody a little while ago, and calling of him cuckold, was run into . . . . with a sword and had been killed, had he not told them that he was their king.  That there are there no glass windows, nor will they have any; which makes sport among our merchants there to talk of an English factor that,