ho is in her
riding-suit, to see him, which she hath not done these many months I
think. By and by in comes Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten, and so we sat
talking. Among other things, Sir J. Minnes brought many fine expressions
of Chaucer, which he doats on mightily, and without doubt he is a very
fine poet.

[Pepys continued through life an admirer of Chaucer, and we have the
authority of Dryden himself for saying that we owe his character of
the Good Parson to Pepys's recommendation.]

Sir W. Pen continues lame of the gout, that he cannot rise from his
chair. So after staying an hour with him, we went home and to supper,
and so to prayers and bed.

15th. Up betimes, and anon my wife rose and did give me her keys, and
put other things in order and herself against going this morning into
the country. I was forced to go to Thames Street and strike up a bargain
for some tarr, to prevent being abused therein by Hill, who was with me
this morning, and is mightily surprised that I should tell him what I
can have the same tarr with his for. Thence home, but finding my wife
gone, I took coach and after her to her inn, where I am troubled to see
her forced to sit in the back of the coach, though pleased to see her
company none but women and one parson; she I find is troubled at all,
and I seemed to make a promise to get a horse and ride after them; and
so, kissing her often, and Ashwell once, I bid them adieu. So home by
coach, and thence by water to Deptford to the Trinity House, where I
came a little late; but I found them reading their charter, which they
did like fools, only reading here and there a bit, whereas they ought to
do it all, every word, and then proceeded to the election of a maister,
which was Sir W. Batten, without any control, who made a heavy, short
speech to them, moving them to give thanks to the late Maister for his
pains, which he said was very great, and giving them thanks for their
choice of him, wherein he would serve them to the best of his power.
Then to the choice of their assistants and wardens, and so rose. I might
have received 2s. 6d. as a younger Brother, but I directed one of the
servants of the House to receive it and keep it. Thence to church, where
Dr. Britton preached a sermon full of words against the Nonconformists,
but no great matter in it, nor proper for the day at all. His text was,
"With one mind and one mouth give glory to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ