the morning, and at
noon to the 'Change, in my going met with Luellin and told him how I had
received a letter and bill for L50 from Mr. Deering, and delivered it
to him, which he told me he would receive for me. To which I consented,
though professed not to desire it if he do not consider himself
sufficiently able by the service I have done, and that it is rather my
desire to have nothing till he be further sensible of my service. From
the 'Change I brought him home and dined with us, and after dinner I
took my wife out, for I do find that I am not able to conquer myself as
to going to plays till I come to some new vowe concerning it, and that I
am now come, that is to say, that I will not see above one in a month
at any of the publique theatres till the sum of 50s. be spent, and then
none before New Year's Day next, unless that I do become worth L1000
sooner than then, and then am free to come to some other terms, and so
leaving him in Lombard Street I took her to the King's house, and there
met Mr. Nicholson, my old colleague, and saw "The Usurper," which is
no good play, though better than what I saw yesterday. However, we rose
unsatisfied, and took coach and home, and I to the office late writing
letters, and so to supper and to bed.

3rd (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, and then rose and with a fire in my
chamber staid within all day, looking over and settling my accounts in
good order, by examining all my books, and the kitchen books, and I find
that though the proper profit of my last year was but L305, yet I did by
other gain make it up L444., which in every part of it was unforeseen
of me, and therefore it was a strange oversight for lack of examining my
expenses that I should spend L690 this year, but for the time to come
I have so distinctly settled all my accounts in writing and the
particulars of all my several layings out, that I do hope I shall
hereafter make a better judgment of my spendings than ever. I dined with
my wife in her chamber, she in bed, and then down again and till 11 at
night, and broke up and to bed with great content, but could not make
an end of writing over my vows as I purposed, but I am agreed in every
thing how to order myself for the year to come, which I trust in God
will be much for my good. So up to prayers and to bed. This evening Sir
W. Pen came to invite me against next Wednesday, being Twelfth day, to
his usual feast, his wedding day.

4th. Up betimes, and my wife being read