er, and so home and I to the office,
where ended my letters, and then to my chamber with my boy to lay up
some papers and things that lay out of order against to-morrow, to make
it clear against the feast that I am to have. Here Mr. Pelling come to
sit with us, and talked of musique and the musicians of the town, and so
to bed, after supper.

11th. Up, and with Mr. Gawden to the Exchequer. By the way, he tells me
this day he is to be answered whether he must hold Sheriffe or no; for
he would not hold unless he may keep it at his office, which is out of
the city (and so my Lord Mayor must come with his sword down, whenever
he comes thither), which he do, because he cannot get a house fit for
him in the city, or else he will fine for it. Among others that they
have in nomination for Sheriffe, one is little Chaplin, who was his
servant, and a very young man to undergo that place; but as the city
is now, there is no great honour nor joy to be had, in being a public
officer. At the Exchequer I looked after my business, and when done went
home to the 'Change, and there bought a case of knives for dinner, and a
dish of fruit for 5s., and bespoke other things, and then home, and here
I find all things in good order, and a good dinner towards. Anon comes
Sir W. Batten and his lady, and Mr. Griffith, their ward, and Sir W. Pen
and his lady, and Mrs. Lowther, who is grown, either through pride or
want of manners, a fool, having not a word to say almost all dinner;
and, as a further mark of a beggarly, proud fool, hath a bracelet of
diamonds and rubies about her wrist, and a sixpenny necklace about
her neck, and not one good rag of clothes upon her back; and Sir John
Chichly in their company, and Mrs. Turner. Here I had an extraordinary
good and handsome dinner for them, better than any of them deserve or
understand, saving Sir John Chichly and Mrs. Turner, and not much mirth,
only what I by discourse made, and that against my genius. After dinner
I took occasion to break up the company soon as I could, and all parted,
Sir W. Batten and I by water to White Hall, there to speak with the
Commissioners of the Treasury, who are mighty earnest for our hastening
all that may be the paying off of the Seamen, now there is money, and
are considering many other thins for easing of charge, which I am glad
of, but vexed to see that J. Duncomb should be so pressing in it as if
none of us had like care with him. Having done there, I by coach to