r W. Pen's at
a venison pasty with the rest of our fellows, but I could not get time,
but sent for a bit home, and so between one and two o'clock got on
horseback at our back gate, with my man Will with me, both well-mounted
on two grey horses. We rode and got to Ware before night; and so
resolved to ride on to Puckeridge, which we did, though the way was bad,
and the evening dark before we got thither, by help of company riding
before us; and among others, a gentleman that took up at the same inn,
the Falcon, with me, his name Mr. Brian, with whom I supped, and was
very good company, and a scholar. He tells me, that it is believed
the Queen is with child, for that the coaches are ordered to ride very
easily through the streets. After supper we paid the reckoning together,
and so he to his chamber and I to bed, very well, but my feet being much
cramped by my new hard boots that I bought the other day of Wotton were
in much pain. Will lay in another bed in the chamber with me.

10th. Up, and between eight and nine mounted again; but my feet so
swelled with yesterday's pain, that I could not get on my boots, which
vexed me to the blood, but was forced to pay 4s. for a pair of old shoes
of my landlord's, and so rid in shoes to Cambridge; but the way so good
that but for a little rain I had got very well thither, and set up at
the Beare: and there being spied in the street passing through the town
my cozen Angier came to me, and I must needs to his house, which I did;
and there found Dr. Fairbrother, with a good dinner, a barrel of good
oysters, a couple of lobsters, and wine. But, above all, telling me that
this day there is a Congregation for the choice of some officers in the
University, he after dinner gets me a gown, cap, and hood, and carries
me to the Schooles, where Mr. Pepper, my brother's tutor, and this day
chosen Proctor, did appoint a M.A. to lead me into the Regent House,
where I sat with them, and did [vote] by subscribing papers thus: "Ego
Samuel Pepys eligo Magistrum Bernardum Skelton, (and which was more
strange, my old schoolfellow and acquaintance, and who afterwards did
take notice of me, and we spoke together), alterum e taxatoribus hujus
Academiae in annum sequentem." The like I did for one Biggs, for the
other Taxor, and for other officers, as the Vice-Proctor (Mr. Covell),
for Mr. Pepper, and which was the gentleman that did carry me into the
Regent House. This being done, and the Congregation dissol