were very merry as I could be in such company.  But Mrs. Harman is a very pretty-humoured wretch, whom I could love with all my heart, being so good and innocent company.  Thence to Westminster to Mr. Blagrave’s, and there, after singing a thing or two over, I spoke to him about a woman for my wife, and he offered me his kinswoman, which I was glad of, but she is not at present well, but however I hope to have her.  Thence to my Lord Chancellor’s, and thence with Mr. Coventry, who appointed to meet me there, and with him to the Attorney General, and there with Sir Ph.  Warwicke consulted of a new commission to be had through the Broad Seale to enable us to make this contract for Tangier victualling.  So home, and there talked long with Will about the young woman of his family which he spoke of for to live with my wife, but though she hath very many good qualitys, yet being a neighbour’s child and young and not very staid, I dare not venture of having her, because of her being able to spread any report of our family upon any discontent among the heart of our neighbours.  So that my dependance is upon Mr. Blagrave, and so home to supper and to bed.  Last night, at 12 o’clock, I was waked with knocking at Sir W. Pen’s door; and what was it but people’s running up and down to bring him word that his brother,

[George Penn, the elder brother of Sir W. Penn, was a wealthy merchant at San Lucar, the port of Seville.  He was seized as a heretic by the Holy Office, and cast into a dungeon eight feet square and dark as the grave.  There he remained three years, every month being scourged to make him confess his crimes.  At last, after being twice put to the rack, he offered to confess whatever they would suggest.  His property, L12,000, was then confiscated, his wife, a Catholic, taken from him, and he was banished from Spain for ever.—­M.  B.]

who hath been a good while, it seems, sicke, is dead.

2nd.  At the office all the morning.  At noon dined, and then to, the ’Change, and there walked two hours or more with Sir W. Warren, who after much discourse in general of Sir W. Batten’s dealings, he fell to talk how every body must live by their places, and that he was willing, if I desired it, that I should go shares with him in anything that he deals in.  He told me again and again, too, that he confesses himself my debtor too for my service and friendship to him in his present great contract of masts, and that between this and Christmas he shall be in stocke and will pay it me.  This I like well, but do not desire to become a merchant, and, therefore, put it off, but desired time to think of it.  Thence to the King’s play-house, and there saw “Bartholomew Fayre,” which do still please me; and is, as it is acted, the best comedy in the world, I believe.  I chanced to sit by Tom Killigrew, who tells me that he is setting up a Nursery; that is, is going to build a house in Moorefields, wherein he will have common plays acted.