n,
thinking to speak with him, but he is at White Hall with the King,
before whom the puppet plays I saw this summer in Covent-garden are
acted this night. Hither this night my scallop,

[A lace band, the edges of which were indented with segments of
circles, so as to resemble a scallop shell. The word "scallop" was
used till recently for a part of a lady's dress embroidered and cut
to resemble a scallop shell.]

bought and got made by Captain Ferrers' lady, is sent, and I brought it
home, a very neat one. It cost me about L3, and L3 more I have given him
to buy me another. I do find myself much bound to go handsome, which I
shall do in linen, and so the other things may be all the plainer. Here
I staid playing some new tunes to parts with Wm. Howe, and, my Lord not
coming home, I came home late on foot, my boy carrying a link, and so
eat a bit and to bed, my head full of ordering of businesses against
my journey to-morrow, that there may be nothing done to my wrong in
my absence. This day Sir W. Pen did speak to me from Sir J. Minnes to
desire my best chamber of me, and my great joy is that I perceive he do
not stand upon his right, which I was much afraid of, and so I hope I
shall do well enough with him for it, for I will not part with it by
fair means, though I contrive to let him have another room for it.

9th. Up early about my business to get me ready for my journey. But
first to the office; where we sat all the morning till noon, and then
broke up; and I bid them adieu for a week, having the Duke's leave got
me by Mr. Coventry. To whom I did give thanks for my newes yesterday of
the Duke's words to my Lord Sandwich concerning me, which he took well;
and do tell me so freely his love and value of me, that my mind is now
in as great a state of quiett as to my interest in the office, as I
could ever wish to be. I should this day have dined at Sir W. Pen's at
a venison pasty with the rest of our fellows, but I could not get time,
but sent for a bit home, and so between one and two o'clock got on
horseback at our back gate, with my man Will with me, both well-mounted
on two grey horses. We rode and got to Ware before night; and so
resolved to ride on to Puckeridge, which we did, though the way was bad,
and the evening dark before we got thither, by help of company riding
before us; and among others, a gentleman that took up at the same inn,
the Falcon, with me, his name Mr. Brian, with whom I s