him a bottle of Northdown ale, which made the poor man almost drunk. In
the afternoon my wife went to the burial of a child of my cozen Scott's,
and it is observable that within this month my Aunt Wight was brought to
bed of two girls, my cozen Stradwick of a girl and a boy, and my cozen
Scott of a boy, and all died. In the afternoon to Westminster, where Mr.
Dalton was ready with his money to pay me for my house, but our writings
not being drawn it could not be done to-day. I met with Mr. Hawly, who
was removing his things from Mr. Bowyer's, where he has lodged a great
while, and I took him and W. Bowyer to the Swan and drank, and Mr. Hawly
did give me a little black rattoon,--[Probably an Indian rattan
cane.]--painted and gilt. Home by water. This day the Duke of Gloucester
died of the small-pox, by the great negligence of the doctors.

14th (Office day). I got L42 15s. appointed me by bill for my employment
of Secretary to the 4th of this month, it being the last money I shall
receive upon that score. My wife went this afternoon to see my mother,
who I hear is very ill, at which my heart is very sad. In the afternoon
Luellin comes to my house, and takes me out to the Mitre in Wood Street,
where Mr. Samford, W. Symons and his wife, and Mr. Scobell, Mr. Mount and
Chetwind, where they were very merry, Luellin being drunk, and I being to
defend the ladies from his kissing them, I kissed them myself very often
with a great deal of mirth. Parted very late, they by coach to
Westminster, and I on foot.

15th. Met very early at our office this morning to pick out the
twenty-five ships which are to be first paid off: After that to
Westminster and dined with Mr. Dalton at his office, where we had one
great court dish, but our papers not being done we could [not] make an end
of our business till Monday next. Mr. Dalton and I over the water to our
landlord Vanly, with whom we agree as to Dalton becoming a tenant. Back