s of
L300 per ann. They gone, I to supper and to bed. This afternoon came my
great store of Coles in, being to Chaldron, so that I may see how long
they will last me.

28th. At the office all the morning, dined, after 'Change, at home, and
then abroad, and seeing "The Bondman" upon the posts, I consulted my
oaths and find I may go safely this time without breaking it; I went
thither, notwithstanding my great desire to have gone to Fleet Alley,
God forgive me, again. There I saw it acted. It is true, for want
of practice, they had many of them forgot their parts a little; but
Betterton and my poor Ianthe outdo all the world. There is nothing more
taking in the world with me than that play. Thence to Westminster to my
barber's, and strange to think how when I find that Jervas himself did
intend to bring home my periwigg, and not Jane his maid, I did desire
not to have it at all, for I had a mind to have her bring it home. I
also went to Mr. Blagrave's about speaking to him for his kinswoman to
come live with my wife, but they are not come to town, and so I home
by coach and to my office, and then to supper and to bed. My present
posture is thus: my wife in the country and my mayde Besse with her and
all quiett there. I am endeavouring to find a woman for her to my mind,
and above all one that understands musique, especially singing. I am the
willinger to keepe one because I am in good hopes to get 2 or L300 per
annum extraordinary by the business of the victualling of Tangier, and
yet Mr. Alsopp, my chief hopes, is dead since my looking after it,
and now Mr. Lanyon, I fear, is, falling sicke too. I am pretty well in
health, only subject to wind upon any cold, and then immediate and great
pains. All our discourse is of a Dutch warr and I find it is likely to
come to it, for they are very high and desire not to compliment us at
all, as far as I hear, but to send a good fleete to Guinny to oppose us
there. My Lord Sandwich newly gone to sea, and I, I think, fallen into
his very good opinion again, at least he did before his going, and by
his letter since, show me all manner of respect and confidence. I am
over-joyed in hopes that upon this month's account I shall find myself
worth L1000, besides the rich present of two silver and gilt flaggons
which Mr. Gauden did give me the other day. I do now live very prettily
at home, being most seriously, quietly, and neatly served by my two
mayds Jane and the girle Su, with both of wh