in bed, and pretended a little not well
With hangings not fit to be seen with mine
Without importunity or the contrary
Work that is not made the work of any one man

JANUARY 1668-1669

January 1st. Up, and presented from Captain Beckford with a noble silver
warming-pan, which I am doubtful whether to take or no. Up, and with W.
Hewer to the New Exchange, and then he and I to the cabinet-shops, to
look out, and did agree, for a cabinet to give my wife for a New-year's
gift; and I did buy one cost me L11, which is very pretty, of
walnutt-tree, and will come home to-morrow. So back to the old Exchange,
and there met my uncle Wight; and there walked, and met with the
Houblons, and talked with them--gentlemen whom I honour mightily: and so
to my uncle's, and met my wife; and there, with W. Hewer, we dined
with our family, and had a very good dinner, and pretty merry and after
dinner, my wife and I with our coach to the King's playhouse, and there
in a box saw "The Mayden Queene." Knepp looked upon us, but I durst not
shew her any countenance; and, as well as I could carry myself, I found
my wife uneasy there, poor wretch! therefore, I shall avoid that house
as much as I can. So back to my aunt's, and there supped and talked, and
staid pretty late, it being dry and moonshine, and so walked home, and
to bed in very good humour.

2nd. Up, at the office all the morning, and at noon home to dinner,
where I find my cabinet come home, and paid for it, and it pleases me
and my wife well. So after dinner busy late at the office, and so home
and to bed.

3rd (Lord's day). Up, and busy all the morning, getting rooms and dinner
ready for my guests, which were my uncle and aunt Wight, and two of
their cousins, and an old woman, and Mr. Mills and his wife; and a
good dinner, and all our plate out, and mighty fine and merry, only I
a little vexed at burning a new table-cloth myself, with one of my
trencher-salts. Dinner done, I out with W. Hewer and Mr. Spong, who by
accident come to dine with me, and good talk with him: to White Hall by
coach, and there left him, and I with my Lord Brouncker to attend the
Duke of York, and then up and down the House till the evening, hearing
how the King do intend this frosty weather, it being this day the first,
and very hard frost, that hath come this year, and very cold it is. So
home; and to supper and read; and there my wife and I treating about
coming to an allowance to m