over his administration to my brother, and thence to Sir R. Bernard, and there received L19 in money, and took up my father’s bond of L21, that is L40, in part of Piggot’s L209 due to us, which L40 he pays for 7 roods of meadow in Portholme.  Thence to my wife, and carried her to the Old Bayly, and there we were led to the Quest House, by the church, where all the kindred were by themselves at the buriall of my uncle Fenner; but, Lord! what a pitiful rout of people there was of them, but very good service and great company the whole was.  And so anon to church, and a good sermon, and so home, having for ease put my L19 into W. Joyce’s hand, where I left it.  So to supper and to bed, being in a little pain from some cold got last night lying without anything upon my feet.

27th.  Up, not without some pain by cold, which makes me mighty melancholy, to think of the ill state of my health.  To the office, where busy till my brains ready to drop with variety of business, and vexed for all that to see the service like to suffer by other people’s neglect.  Vexed also at a letter from my father with two troublesome ones enclosed from Cave and Noble, so that I know not what to do therein.  At home to dinner at noon.  But to comfort my heart, Captain Taylor this day brought me L20 he promised me for my assistance to him about his masts.  After dinner to the office again, and thence with Mr. Wayth to St. Catherine’s to see some variety of canvas’s, which indeed was worth my seeing, but only I was in some pain, and so took not the delight I should otherwise have done.  So home to the office, and there busy till late at night, and so home to supper and to bed.  This morning my taylor brought me a very tall mayde to be my cook-mayde; she asked L5, but my wife offered her but L3 10s.—­whether she will take it or no I know not till to-morrow, but I am afeard she will be over high for us, she having last been a chamber mayde, and holds up her head, as my little girle Su observed.

28th.  Up pretty well as to pain and wind, and to the office, where we sat close and did much business.  At noon I to the ’Change, and thence to Mr. Cutler’s, where I heard Sir W. Rider was, where I found them at dinner and dined with them, he having yesterday and to-day a fit of a pain like the gout, the first time he ever had it.  A good dinner.  Good discourse, Sir W. Rider especially much fearing the issue of a Dutch warr, wherein I very highly commend him.  Thence home, and at the office a while, and then with Mr. Deane to a second lesson upon my Shipwrightry, wherein I go on with great pleasure.  He being gone I to the office late, and so home to supper and to bed.  But, Lord! to see how my very going to the ’Change, and being without my gowne, presently brought me wind and pain, till I came home and was well again; but I am come to such a pass that I shall not know what to do with myself, but I am apt to think that it is only my legs that I take cold in from my having so long worn a gowne constantly.