ER 1661

October 1st. This morning my wife and I lay long in bed, and among other
things fell into talk of musique, and desired that I would let her learn
to sing, which I did consider, and promised her she should. So before
I rose, word was brought me that my singing master, Mr. Goodgroome, was
come to teach me and so she rose and this morning began to learn also.
To the office, where busy all day. So to dinner and then to the office
again till night, and then to my study at home to set matters and papers
in order, which, though I can hardly bring myself to do, yet do please
me much when it is done. So eat a bit of bread and cheese, and to bed.

2nd. All this morning at Pegg Kite's with my uncle Fenner, and two
friends of his, appraising her goods that her mother has left; but
the slut is like to prove so troublesome that I am out of heart with
troubling myself in her business. After we had done we all went to a
cook's shop in Bishopsgate Street and dined, and then I took them to the
tavern and did give them a quart of sack, and so parted. I home and then
took my wife out, and in a coach of a gentlewoman's that had been to
visit my Lady Batten and was going home again our way, we went to the
Theatre, but coming late, and sitting in an ill place, I never had so
little pleasure in a play in my life, yet it was the first time that
ever I saw it, "Victoria Corombona." Methinks a very poor play. Then at
night troubled to get my wife home, it being very dark, and so we were
forced to have a coach. So to supper and to bed.

3rd. At the office all the morning; dined at home, and in the afternoon
Mr. Moore came to me, and he and I went to Tower Hill to meet with a
man, and so back all three to my house, and there I signed a bond to Mr.
Battersby, a friend of Mr. Moore's, who lends me L50, the first money
that ever I borrowed upon bond for my own occasion, and so I took them
to the Mitre and a Portugal millon with me; there sat and discoursed in
matters of religion till night with great pleasure, and so parted, and
I home, calling at Sir W. Batten's, where his son and his wife were, who
had yesterday been at the play where we were, and it was good sport to
hear how she talked of it with admiration like a fool. So home, and my
head was not well with the wine that I drank to-day.

4th. By coach to White Hall with Sir W. Pen. So to Mr. Montagu, where
his man, Mons. Eschar, makes a great com plaint against the English,
that they