the evening with Sir D. Gawden, to Guild Hall, to advise with the
Towne-Clerke about the practice of the City and nation in this case: and
he thinks that it cannot be found self-murder; but if it be, it will fall,
all the estate, to the King. So we parted, and I to my cozens again;
where I no sooner come but news was brought down from his chamber that he
was departed. So, at their entreaty, I presently took coach to White
Hall, and there find Sir W. Coventry; and he carried me to the King, the
Duke of York being with him, and there told my story which I had told him:

[This was not the only time that Pepys took trouble to save the
estate of a friend who had committed suicide. In the "Caveat Book"
in the Record Office, p. 42 of the volume for 1677, is the following
entry: "That no grant pass of the Estate of Francis Gurney of Maldon
in Essex, who drowned himself in his own well on Tuesday night ye
12th of this instant August, at the desire of Samuel Pepys, Esquire,
August 20, 1677."]

and the King, without more ado, granted that, if it was found, the estate
should be to the widow and children. I presently to each Secretary's
office, and there left caveats, and so away back again to my cozens,
leaving a chimney on fire at White Hall, in the King's closet; but no
danger. And so, when I come thither, I find her all in sorrow, but she
and the rest mightily pleased with my doing this for them; and, indeed, it
was a very great courtesy, for people are looking out for the estate, and
the coroner will be sent to, and a jury called to examine his death. This
being well done to my and their great joy, I home, and there to my office,
and so to supper and to bed.

22nd. Up, mightily busy all the morning at the office. At noon with Lord
Brouncker to Sir D. Gawden's, at the Victualling-Office, to dinner, where