en churches and houses, as far as we could see up the hill of
the City, in a most horrid malicious bloody flame, not like the fine
flame of an ordinary fire. Barbary and her husband away before us. We
staid till, it being darkish, we saw the fire as only one entire arch
of fire from this to the other side the bridge, and in a bow up the
hill for an arch of above a mile long: it made me weep to see it. The
churches, houses, and all on fire and flaming at once; and a horrid
noise the flames made, and the cracking of houses at their ruins.
So home with a sad heart, and there find every body discoursing and
lamenting the fire; and poor Tom Hater come with some few of his goods
saved out of his house, which is burned upon Fish-streets Hall. I
invited him to lie at my house, and did receive his goods, but was
deceived in his lying there, the newes coming every moment of the growth
of the fire; so as we were forced to begin to pack up our owne goods;
and prepare for their removal; and did by moonshine (it being brave
dry, and moon: shine, and warm weather) carry much of my goods into the
garden, and Mr. Hater and I did remove my money and iron chests into my
cellar, as thinking that the safest place. And got my bags of gold into
my office, ready to carry away, and my chief papers of accounts also
there, and my tallys into a box by themselves. So great was our fear, as
Sir W. Batten hath carts come out of the country to fetch away his goods
this night. We did put Mr. Hater, poor man, to bed a little; but he got
but very little rest, so much noise being in my house, taking down of
goods.

3rd. About four o'clock in the morning, my Lady Batten sent me a cart to
carry away all my money, and plate, and best things, to Sir W. Rider's
at Bednall-greene. Which I did riding myself in my night-gowne in the
cart; and, Lord! to see how the streets and the highways are crowded
with people running and riding, and getting of carts at any rate to
fetch away things. I find Sir W. Rider tired with being called up all
night, and receiving things from several friends. His house full of
goods, and much of Sir W. Batten's and Sir W. Pen's I am eased at my
heart to have my treasure so well secured. Then home, with much ado to
find a way, nor any sleep all this night to me nor my poor wife. But
then and all this day she and I, and all my people labouring to get away
the rest of our things, and did get Mr. Tooker to get me a lighter to
take them in, a