k over papers, and discourse
of business against the Court till the evening; and then rode to
Hinchingbroke (Will with me), and there to my Lady's chamber and saw
her, but, it being night, and my head full of business, staid not long,
but drank a cup of ale below, and so home again, and to supper, and to
bed, being not quiet in mind till I speak with Piggott, to see how his
business goes, whose land lies mortgaged to my late uncle, but never
taken up by him, and so I fear the heire at law will do it and that we
cannot, but my design is to supplant him by pretending bonds as well as
a mortgage for the same money, and so as executor have the benefit of
the bonds.

12th (Lord's day). Made myself fine with Captain Ferrers's lace band,
being lothe to wear my own new scallop, it is so fine; and, after the
barber had done with us, to church, where I saw most of the gentry of
the parish; among others, Mrs. Hanbury, a proper lady, and Mr. Bernard
and his Lady, with her father, my late Lord St. John, who looks now like
a very plain grave man. Mr. Wells preached a pretty good sermon, and
they say he is pretty well in his witts again. So home to dinner, and
so to walk in the garden, and then to Church again, and so home, there
coming several people about business, and among others Mr. Piggott, who
gives me good assurance of his truth to me and our business, in which I
am very much pleased, and tells me what my uncle Thomas said to him and
what he designs, which (in fine) is to be admitted to the estate as well
as we, which I must endeavour to oppose as well as I can. So to supper,
but my mind is so full of our business that I am no company at all, and
then their drink do not please me, till I did send to Goody Stanks for
some of her's which is very small and fresh, with a little taste of
wormewood, which ever after did please me very well. So after supper to
bed, thinking of business, but every night getting my brother John to go
up with me for discourse sake, while I was making unready.

[That is, "undressing." So of the French lords leaping over the
walls in their shirts

"Alenc. How now, my lords! what all unready so?
Bast. Unready! ay, and glad we 'scaped so well."
Henry VI., act ii., sc. i.--M. B.]

13th. Up to Hinchingbroke, and there with Mr. Sheply did look all over
the house, and I do, I confess, like well of the alteracions, and do
like the staircase, but ther