against the child; and he was forced to give
it him and took bond of Cave in L100, made at a scrivener's, one Hudson,
I think, in the Old Bayly, to secure John Taylor, and his assigns, &c.
(in consideration of L10 paid him), from all trouble, or charge of meat,
drink, clothes, and breeding of Elizabeth Taylor; and it seems, in
the doing of it, J. Noble was looked upon as the assignee of this John
Taylor. Noble says that he furnished Tom with this money, and is also
bound by another bond to pay him 20s. more this next Easter Monday; but
nothing for either sum appears under Tom's hand. I told him how I
am like to lose a great sum by his death, and would not pay any more
myself, but I would speake to my father about it against the afternoon.
So away he went, and I all the morning in my office busy, and at noon
home to dinner mightily oppressed with wind, and after dinner took coach
and to Paternoster Row, and there bought a pretty silke for a petticoate
for my wife, and thence set her down at the New Exchange, and I leaving
the coat at Unthanke's, went to White Hall, but the Councell meeting
at Worcester House I went thither, and there delivered to the Duke of
Albemarle a paper touching some Tangier business, and thence to the
'Change for my wife, and walked to my father's, who was packing up some
things for the country. I took him up and told him this business of Tom,
at which the poor wretch was much troubled, and desired me that I would
speak with J. Noble, and do what I could and thought fit in it without
concerning him in it. So I went to Noble, and saw the bond that Cave did
give and also Tom's letter that I mentioned above, and upon the whole I
think some shame may come, but that it will be hard from any thing I see
there to prove the child to be his. Thence to my father and told what I
had done, and how I had quieted Noble by telling him that, though we are
resolved to part with no more money out of our own purses, yet if he can
make it appear a true debt that it may be justifiable for us to pay it,
we will do our part to get it paid, and said that I would have it paid
before my own debt. So my father and I both a little satisfied, though
vexed to think what a rogue my brother was in all respects. I took my
wife by coach home, and to my office, where late with Sir W. Warren, and
so home to supper and to bed. I heard to-day that the Dutch have begun
with us by granting letters of marke against us; but I believe it not