dinner one of my people come up to me, and told me a man come from
Huntingdon would speak with me, how my heart come into my mouth doubting
that my father, who has been long sicke, was dead. It put me into a
trembling, but, blessed be [God]! it was no such thing, but a countryman
come about ordinary business to me, to receive L50 paid to my father in
the country for the Perkins's for their legacy, upon the death of their
mother, by my uncle's will. So though I get nothing at present, at least
by the estate, I am fain to pay this money rather than rob my father, and
much good may it do them that I may have no more further trouble from
them. I hear to-day that Tom Woodall, the known chyrurgeon, is killed at
Somerset House by a Frenchman, but the occasion Sir W. Batten could not
tell me.

2nd. Up, and to the office, where sitting all the morning, and among
other things did agree upon a distribution of L30,000 and odd, which is
the only sum we hear of like to come out of all the Poll Bill for the use
of this office for buying of goods. I did herein some few courtesies for
particular friends I wished well to, and for the King's service also, and
was therefore well pleased with what was done. Sir W. Pen this day did
bring an order from the Duke of York for our receiving from him a small
vessel for a fireship, and taking away a better of the King's for it, it
being expressed for his great service to the King. This I am glad of, not
for his sake, but that it will give me a better ground, I believe, to ask
something for myself of this kind, which I was fearful to begin. This do
make Sir W. Pen the most kind to me that can be. I suppose it is this,
lest it should find any opposition from me, but I will not oppose, but
promote it. After dinner, with my wife, to the King's house to see "The
Mayden Queene," a new play of Dryden's, mightily commended for the
regularity of it, and the strain and wit; and, the truth is, there is a
comical part done by Nell,