r Williams both were, and from thence with
them to the Steelyard, where my Lady Batten and others came to us, and
there we drank and had musique and Captain Cox's company, and he paid
all, and so late back again home by coach, and so to bed.

14th. All the morning at home lying in bed with my wife till 11 o'clock.
Such a habit we have got this winter of lying long abed. Dined at home,
and in the afternoon to the office. There sat late, and so home and to
bed.

15th (Lord's day). To church in the morning, where our young Reader
begun the first day to read. Sir W. Pen dined with me and we were merry.
Again to church and so home, and all alone read till bedtime, and so
to prayers and to bed. I have been troubled this day about a difference
between my wife and her maid Nell, who is a simple slut, and I am afeard
we shall find her a cross-grained wench. I am now full of study about
writing something about our making of strangers strike to us at sea; and
so am altogether reading Selden and Grotius, and such other authors to
that purpose.

16th. Up by five o'clock this morning by candlelight (which I have
not done for many a day), being called upon by one Mr. Bollen by
appointment, who has business to be done with my Lord Privy Seal this
morning, and so by coach, calling Mr. Moore at the Wardrobe, to Chelsy,
and there did get my Lord to seal it. And so back again to Westminster
Hall, and thence to my Lord Sandwich's lodging, where I met my wife
(who had been to see Mrs. Hunt who was brought to bed the other day of a
boy), and got a joint of meat thither from the Cook's, and she and I and
Sarah dined together, and after dinner to the Opera, where there was a
new play ("Cutter of Coleman Street"),

[Cutter, an old word for a rough swaggerer: hence the title of
Cowley's play. It was originally called "The Guardian," when acted
before Prince Charles at Trinity College, Cambridge, on March 12th,
1641.]

made in the year 1658, with reflections much upon the late times; and it
being the first time, the pay was doubled, and so to save money, my wife
and I went up into the gallery, and there sat and saw very well; and a
very good play it is. It seems of Cowly's making. From thence by coach
home, and to bed.

17th. Up and to the Paynter's to see how he went forward in our picture.
So back again to dinner at home, and then was sent for to the Privy
Seal, whither I was forced to go and stay so long and late tha