23rd. We rose early in the morning to get things ready for My Lord, and
Mr. Sheply going to put up his pistols (which were charged with bullets)
into the holsters, one of them flew off, and it pleased God that, the
mouth of the gun being downwards, it did us no hurt, but I think I never
was in more danger in my life, which put me into a great fright. About
eight o'clock my Lord went; and going through the garden my Lord met with
Mr. William Montagu, who told him of an estate of land lately come into
the King's hands, that he had a mind my Lord should beg. To which end my
Lord writ a letter presently to my Lord Chancellor to do it for him, which
(after leave taken of my Lord at White Hall bridge) I did carry to Warwick
House to him; and had a fair promise of him, that he would do it this day
for my Lord. In my way thither I met the Lord Chancellor and all the
judges riding on horseback and going to Westminster Hall, it being the
first day of the term, which was the first time I ever saw any such
solemnity. Having done there I returned to Whitehall, where meeting with
my brother Ashwell and his cozen Sam. Ashwell and Mr. Mallard, I took them
to the Leg in King Street and gave them a dish of meat for dinner and paid
for it. From thence going to Whitehall I met with Catan Stirpin in
mourning, who told me that her mistress was lately dead of the small pox,
and that herself was now married to Monsieur Petit, as also what her
mistress had left her, which was very well. She also took me to her
lodging at an Ironmonger's in King Street, which was but very poor, and I
found by a letter that she shewed me of her husband's to the King, that he
is a right Frenchman, and full of their own projects, he having a design
to reform the universities, and to institute schools for the learning of
all languages, to speak them naturally and not by rule, which I know will
come to nothing. From thence to my Lord's, where I went forth by coach to
Mrs. Parker's with my Lady, and so to her house again. From thence I took
my Lord's picture, and carried it to Mr. de Cretz to be copied. So to
White Hall, where I met Mr. Spong, and went home with him and played, and