and 20s. a month more to teach me
to sing, and so we began, and I hope I have come to something in it. His
first song is "La cruda la bella." He gone my brother Tom comes, with
whom I made even with my father and the two drapers for the cloths I
sent to sea lately. At home all day, in the afternoon came Captain
Allen and his daughter Rebecca and Mr. Hempson, and by and by both Sir
Williams, who sat with me till it was late, and I had a very gallant
collation for them. At night to bed.

26th. To Westminster about several businesses, then to dine with my Lady
at the Wardrobe, taking Dean Fuller along with me; then home, where I
heard my father had been to find me about special business; so I took
coach and went to him, and found by a letter to him from my aunt that my
uncle Robert is taken with a dizziness in his head, so that they desire
my father to come down to look after his business, by which we guess
that he is very ill, and so my father do think to go to-morrow. And so
God's will be done. Back by water to the office, there till night, and
so home to my musique and then to bed.

27th. To my father's, and with him to Mr. Starling's to drink our
morning draft, and there I told him how I would have him speak to my
uncle Robert, when he comes thither, concerning my buying of land, that
I could pay ready money L600 and the rest by L150 per annum, to make up
as much as will buy L50 per annum, which I do, though I not worth above
L500 ready money, that he may think me to be a greater saver than I am.
Here I took my leave of my father, who is going this morning to my uncle
upon my aunt's letter this week that he is not well and so needs my
father's help. At noon home, and then with my Lady Batten, Mrs.
Rebecca Allen, Mrs. Thompson, &c., two coaches of us, we went and saw
"Bartholomew Fayre" acted very well, and so home again and staid at
Sir W. Batten's late, and so home to bed. This day Mr. Holden sent me a
bever, which cost me L4 5s.

[Whilst a hat (see January 28th, 1660-61, ante) cost only 35s. See
also Lord Sandwich's vexation at his beaver being stolen, and a hat
only left in lieu of it, April 30th, 1661, ante; and April 19th and
26th, 1662, Post.--B.]

28th. At home all the morning practising to sing, which is now my great
trade, and at noon to my Lady and dined with her. So back and to the
office, and there sat till 7 at night, and then Sir W. Pen and I in
his coach went to Moorefields, and