wretch, whom I could love with all
my heart, being so good and innocent company. Thence to Westminster to
Mr. Blagrave's, and there, after singing a thing or two over, I spoke to
him about a woman for my wife, and he offered me his kinswoman, which I
was glad of, but she is not at present well, but however I hope to have
her. Thence to my Lord Chancellor's, and thence with Mr. Coventry, who
appointed to meet me there, and with him to the Attorney General, and
there with Sir Ph. Warwicke consulted of a new commission to be had
through the Broad Seale to enable us to make this contract for Tangier
victualling. So home, and there talked long with Will about the young
woman of his family which he spoke of for to live with my wife, but
though she hath very many good qualitys, yet being a neighbour's child
and young and not very staid, I dare not venture of having her, because
of her being able to spread any report of our family upon any discontent
among the heart of our neighbours. So that my dependance is upon Mr.
Blagrave, and so home to supper and to bed. Last night, at 12 o'clock,
I was waked with knocking at Sir W. Pen's door; and what was it but
people's running up and down to bring him word that his brother,

[George Penn, the elder brother of Sir W. Penn, was a wealthy
merchant at San Lucar, the port of Seville. He was seized as a
heretic by the Holy Office, and cast into a dungeon eight feet
square and dark as the grave. There he remained three years, every
month being scourged to make him confess his crimes. At last, after
being twice put to the rack, he offered to confess whatever they
would suggest. His property, L12,000, was then confiscated, his
wife, a Catholic, taken from him, and he was banished from Spain for
ever.--M. B.]

who hath been a good while, it seems, sicke, is dead.

2nd. At the office all the morning. At noon dined, and then to, the
'Change, and there walked two hours or more with Sir W. Warren, who
after much discourse in general of Sir W. Batten's dealings, he fell to
talk how every body must live by their places, and that he was willing,
if I desired it, that I should go shares with him in anything that he
deals in. He told me again and again, too, that he confesses himself
my debtor too for my service and friendship to him in his present great
contract of masts, and that between this and Christmas he shall be in
stocke and will pay it me. T