been very busy writing this evening at home, and had a fire: I am spending my
second half-bushel of coals; and now am in bed, and 'tis late.

13. I dined to-day in the City, and then went to christen Will Frankland's[8]
child; and Lady Falconbridge[9] was one of the godmothers: this is a daughter
of Oliver Cromwell, and extremely like him by his pictures that I have seen.
I stayed till almost eleven, and am now come home and gone to bed. My
business in the City was, to thank Stratford for a kindness he has done me,
which now I will tell you. I found Bank Stock was fallen thirty-four in the
hundred, and was mighty desirous to buy it; but I was a little too late for
the cheapest time, being hindered by business here; for I was so wise to guess
to a day when it would fall. My project was this: I had three hundred pounds
in Ireland; and so I writ to Mr. Stratford in the City, to desire he would buy
me three hundred pounds in Bank Stock, and that he should keep the papers, and
that I would be bound to pay him for them; and, if it should rise or fall, I
would take my chance, and pay him interest in the meantime. I showed my
letter to one or two people who understand those things; and they said money
was so hard to be got here, that no man would do it for me. However,
Stratford, who is the most generous man alive, has done it: but it costs one
hundred pounds and a half, that is, ten shillings; so that three hundred
pounds cost me three hundred pounds and thirty shillings. This was done about
a week ago, and I can have five pounds for my bargain already. Before it
fell, it was one hundred and thirty pounds; and we are sure it will be the
same again. I told you I writ to your mother, to desire that Lady Giffard
would do the same with what she owes you; but she tells your mother she has no
money. I would to God all you had in the world was there. Whenever you lend
money, take this rule, to have two people bound, who have both visible
fortunes; for they will hardly die together; and, when one dies, you fall upon
the other, and make him add another security: and if Rathburn (now I have his
name) pays you in your money, let me know, and I will direct Parvisol