two every morning of what I should do) and by water to the Temple, and
there took leave of my cozen Roger Pepys, who goes out of town to-day. So
to Westminster Hall, and there at Mrs. Michell's shop sent for beer and
sugar and drink, and made great cheer with it among her and Mrs. Howlett,
her neighbour, and their daughters, especially Mrs. Howlett's daughter,
Betty, which is a pretty girl, and one I have long called wife, being, I
formerly thought, like my own wife. After this good neighbourhood, which
I do to give them occasion of speaking well and commending me in some
company that now and then I know comes to their shop, I went to the Six
clerks' office, and there had a writ for Tom Trice, and paid 20s. for it
to Wilkinson, and so up and down to many places, among others to the viall
maker's, and there saw the head, which now pleases me mightily, and so
home, and being sent for presently to Mr. Bland's, where Mr. Povy and
Gauden and I were invited to dinner, which we had very finely and great
plenty, but for drink, though many and good, I drank nothing but small
beer and water, which I drank so much that I wish it may not do me hurt.
They had a kinswoman, they call daughter, in the house, a short, ugly,
red-haired slut, that plays upon the virginalls, and sings, but after such
a country manner I was weary of it, but yet could not but commend it. So
by and by after dinner comes Monsr. Gotier, who is beginning to teach her,
but, Lord! what a droll fellow it is to make her hold open her mouth, and
telling this and that so drolly would make a man burst, but himself I
perceive sings very well. Anon we sat dawn again to a collacon of
cheesecakes, tarts, custards, and such like, very handsome, and so up and
away home, where I at the office a while, till disturbed by, Mr. Hill, of
Cambridge, with whom I walked in the garden a while, and thence home and
then in my dining room walked, talking of several matters of state till 11
at night, giving him a glass of wine. I was not unwilling to hear him
talk, though he is full of words, yet a man of large conversation,
especially among the Presbyters and Independents; he tells me that