at by the great log, it being now a very good fire,
with my wife, and ate a bit and so home. The news this day is a letter
that speaks absolutely Monk's concurrence with this Parliament, and
nothing else, which yet I hardly believe. After dinner to-day my
father showed me a letter from my Uncle Robert, in answer to my last,
concerning my money which I would have out of my Coz. Beck's' hand,
wherein Beck desires it four months longer, which I know not how to
spare.

27th. Going to my office I met with Tom Newton, my old comrade, and took
him to the Crown in the Palace, and gave him his morning draft. And as
he always did, did talk very high what he would do with the Parliament,
that he would have what place he would, and that he might be one of the
Clerks to the Council if he would. Here I staid talking with him till
the offices were all shut, and then I looked in the Hall, and was told
by my bookseller, Mrs. Michell, that Mr. G. Montagu had inquired there
for me. So I went to his house, and was forced by him to dine with him,
and had a plenteous brave dinner and the greatest civility that ever I
had from any man. Thence home and so to Mrs. Jem, and played with her
at cards, and coming home again my wife told me that Mr. Hawly had been
there to speak with me, and seemed angry that I had not been at the
office that day, and she told me she was afraid that Mr. Downing may
have a mind to pick some hole in my coat. So I made haste to him, but
found no such thing from him, but he sent me to Mr. Sherwin's about
getting Mr. Squib to come to him tomorrow, and I carried him an answer.
So home and fell a writing the characters for Mr. Downing, and about
nine at night Mr. Hawly came, and after he was gone I sat up till almost
twelve writing, and--wrote two of them. In the morning up early and
wrote another, my wife lying in bed and reading to me.

28th. I went to Mr. Downing and carried him three characters, and then
to my office and wrote another, while Mr. Frost staid telling money. And
after I had done it Mr. Hawly came into the office and I left him and
carried it to Mr. Downing, who then told me that he was resolved to be
gone for Holland this morning. So I to my office again, and dispatch my
business there, and came with Mr. Hawly to Mr. Downing's lodging, and
took Mr. Squib from White Hall in a coach thither with me, and there we
waited in his chamber a great while, till he came in; and in the mean
time, sent all his things