nt home, where I found Kate Sterpin who hath not been
here a great while before. She gone I went to see Mrs. Jem, at whose
chamber door I found a couple of ladies, but she not being there, we
hunted her out, and found that she and another had hid themselves behind
a door. Well, they all went down into the dining-room, where it was full
of tag, rag, and bobtail, dancing, singing, and drinking, of which I was
ashamed, and after I had staid a dance or two I went away. Going home,
called at my Lord's for Mr. Sheply, but found him at the Lion with a
pewterer, that he had bought pewter to-day of. With them I drank, and so
home and wrote by the post, by my Lord's command, for J. Goods to come
up presently. For my Lord intends to go forthwith into the Swiftsure
till the Nazeby be ready. This day I hear that the Lords do intend to
sit, and great store of them are now in town, and I see in the Hall
to-day. Overton at Hull do stand out, but can, it is thought, do
nothing; and Lawson, it is said, is gone with some ships thither, but
all that is nothing. My Lord told me, that there was great endeavours to
bring in the Protector again; but he told me, too, that he did believe
it would not last long if he were brought in; no, nor the King neither
(though he seems to think that he will come in), unless he carry himself
very soberly and well. Every body now drinks the King's health without
any fear, whereas before it was very private that a man dare do it. Monk
this day is feasted at Mercers' Hall, and is invited one after another
to all the twelve Halls in London! Many think that he is honest yet, and
some or more think him to be a fool that would raise himself, but think
that he will undo himself by endeavouring it. My mind, I must needs
remember, has been very much eased and joyed at my Lord's great
expressions of kindness this day, and in discourse thereupon my wife and
I lay awake an hour or two in our bed.

7th. (Ash Wednesday.) In the morning I went to my Lord at Mr. Crew's,
in my way Washington overtook me and told me upon my question whether
he knew of any place now void that I might have, by power over friends,
that this day Mr. G. Montagu was to be made 'Custos Rotulorum' for
Westminster, and that by friends I might get to be named by him Clerk of
the Peace, with which I was, as I am at all new things, very much joyed,
so when I came to Mr. Crew's, I spoke to my Lord about it, who told me
he believed Mr. Montagu had already pr