this day in fasting and prayer; and in the afternoon came letters from the
North, that brought certain news that my Lord Lambent his forces were all
forsaking him, and that he was left with only fifty horse, and that he did
now declare for the Parliament himself; and that my Lord Fairfax did also
rest satisfied, and had laid down his arms, and that what he had done was
only to secure the country against my Lord Lambert his raising of money,
and free quarter. I went to Will's again, where I found them still at
cards, and Spicer had won 14s. of Shaw and Vines. Then I spent a little
time with G. Vines and Maylard at Vines's at our viols.

[It was usual to have a "chest of viols," which consisted of six,
viz., two trebles, two tenors, and two basses (see note in North's
"Memoirs of Musick," ed. Rimbault, p. 70). The bass viol was also
called the 'viola da gamba', because it was held between the legs.]

So home, and from thence to Mr. Hunt's, and sat with them and Mr. Hawly at
cards till ten at night, and was much made of by them. Home and so to
bed, but much troubled with my nose, which was much swelled.

5th. I went to my office, where the money was again expected from the
Excise office, but none brought, but was promised to be sent this
afternoon. I dined with Mr. Sheply, at my Lord's lodgings, upon his
turkey-pie. And so to my office again; where the Excise money was
brought, and some of it told to soldiers till it was dark. Then I went
home, and after writing a letter to my Lord and told him the news that the
Parliament hath this night voted that the members that were discharged
from sitting in the years 1648 and 49, were duly discharged; and that
there should be writs issued presently for the calling of others in their
places, and that Monk and Fairfax were commanded up to town, and that the
Prince's lodgings were to be provided for Monk at Whitehall. Then my wife