I said that I was, so she kneeled down and very simply called, "Pray,
godfather, pray to God to bless me," which made us very merry, and I gave
her twopence. In several places, I asked women whether they would sell me
their children, but they denied me all, but said they would give me one to
keep for them, if I would. Mrs. Anne and I rode under the man that hangs
upon Shooter's Hill,

[Shooter's Hill, Kent, between the eighth and ninth milestones on
the Dover road. It was long a notorious haunt of highwaymen. The
custom was to leave the bodies of criminals hanging until the bones
fell to the ground.]

and a filthy sight it was to see how his flesh is shrunk to his bones. So
home and I found all well, and a deal of work done since I went. I sent
to see how my wife do, who is well, and my brother John come from
Cambridge. To Sir W. Batten's and there supped, and very merry with the
young ladles. So to bed very sleepy for last night's work, concluding
that it is the pleasantest journey in all respects that ever I had in my
life.

12th. Up among my workmen, and about 7 o'clock comes my wife to see me
and my brother John with her, who I am glad to see, but I sent them away
because of going to the office, and there dined with Sir W. Batten, all
fish dinner, it being Good Friday. Then home and looking over my workmen,
and then into the City and saw in what forwardness all things are for the
Coronacion, which will be very magnificent. Then back again home and to
my chamber, to set down in my diary all my late journey, which I do with
great pleasure; and while I am now writing comes one with a tickett to
invite me to Captain Robert Blake's buriall, for whose death I am very
sorry, and do much wonder at it, he being a little while since a very