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 there walked, and stood and saw the
wrestling, which I never saw so much of before, between the north and
west countrymen. So home, and this night had our bed set up in our room
that we called the Nursery, where we lay, and I am very much pleased
with the room.

29th. By a letter from the Duke complaining of the delay of the ships
that are to be got ready, Sir Williams both and I went to Deptford and
there examined into the delays, and were satisfyed. So back again home
and staid till the afternoon, and then I walked to the Bell at the
Maypole in the Strand, and thither came to me by appointment Mr.
Chetwind, Gregory, and Hartlibb, so many of our old club, and Mr. Kipps,
where we staid and drank and talked with much pleasure till it was late,
and so I walked home and to bed. Mr. Chetwind by chewing of tobacco
is become very fat and sallow, whereas he was consumptive, and in our
discourse he fell commending of "Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity," as
the best book, and the only one that made him a Christian, which puts me
upon the buying of it, which I will do shortly.

30th (Lord's day). To church, where we observe the trade of briefs is
come now up to so constant a course every Sunday, that we reso