hought it was some
instruments they had that made them sound so. So to White Hall, and saw
the King and Queen at dinner; and observed (which I never did before),
the formality, but it is but a formality, of putting a bit of bread
wiped upon each dish into the mouth of every man that brings a dish; but
it should be in the sauce. Here were some Russes come to see the King
at dinner: among others, the interpreter, a comely Englishman, in the
Envoy's own clothes; which the Envoy, it seems, in vanity did send to
show his fine clothes upon this man's back, which is one, it seems, of
a comelier presence than himself: and yet it is said that none of their
clothes are their own, but taken out of the King's own Wardrobe; and
which they dare not bring back dirty or spotted, but clean, or are
in danger of being beaten, as they say: insomuch that, Sir Charles
Cotterell says, when they are to have an audience they never venture to
put on their clothes till he appears to come to fetch them; and, as soon
as ever they come home, put them off again. I to Sir G. Carteret's
to dinner; where Mr. Cofferer Ashburnham; who told a good story of a
prisoner's being condemned at Salisbury for a small matter. While he was
on the bench with his father-in-law, judge Richardson, and while they
were considering to transport him to save his life, the fellow flung
a great stone at the judge, that missed him, but broke through the
wainscoat. Upon this, he had his hand cut off, and was hanged presently!
Here was a gentleman, one Sheres, one come lately from my Lord Sandwich,
with an express; but, Lord! I was almost ashamed to see him, lest he
should know that I have not yet wrote one letter to my Lord since his
going. I had no discourse with him, but after dinner Sir G. Carteret and
I to talk about some business of his, and so I to Mrs. Martin, where was
Mrs. Burroughs, and also fine Mrs. Noble, my partner in the christening
of Martin's child, did come to see it, and there we sat and talked an
hour, and then all broke up and I by coach home, and there find Mr.
Pelling and Howe, and we to sing and good musique till late, and then to
supper, and Howe lay at my house, and so after supper to bed with much
content, only my mind a little troubled at my late breach of vowes,
which however I will pay my forfeits, though the badness of my eyes,
making me unfit to read or write long, is my excuse, and do put me
upon other pleasures and employment which I should refrai