der the house in a vault
made on purpose with pillars, where I played on my flageolette to great
advantage. Back to the Hague, where not finding Mr. Edward, I was much
troubled, but went with the Parson to supper to Commissioner Pett,
where we sat late. And among other mirth Mr. Ackworth vyed wives, each
endeavouring to set his own wife out to the best advantage, he having as
they said an extraordinary handsome wife. But Mr. Dawes could not be got
to say anything of his. After that to our lodging where W. Howe and I
exceeding troubled not to know what is become of our young gentleman. So
to bed.
19th. Up early, hearing nothing of the child, and went to Scheveling,
where I found no getting on board, though the Duke of York sent every
day to see whether he could do it or no. Here I met with Mr. Pinkney and
his sons, and with them went back to the Hague, in our way lighting and
going to see a woman that makes pretty rock-work in shells, &c., which
could I have carried safe I would have bought some of. At the Hague
we went to buy some pictures, where I saw a sort of painting done upon
woollen cloth, drawn as if there was a curtain over it, which was very
pleasant, but dear. Another pretty piece of painting I saw, on which
there was a great wager laid by young Pinkney and me whether it was a
principal or a copy. But not knowing how to decide, it was broken off,
and I got the old man to lay out as much as my piece of gold come to,
and so saved my money, which had been 24s. lost, I fear. While we were
here buying of pictures, we saw Mr. Edward and his company land. Who
told me that they had been at Leyden all night, at which I was very
angry with Mr. Pierce, and shall not be friends I believe a good while.
To our lodging to dinner. After that out to buy some linen to wear
against to-morrow, and so to the barber's. After that by waggon to
Lausdune, where the 365 children were born. We saw the hill where they
say the house stood and sunk wherein the children were born. The basins
wherein the male and female children were baptized do stand over a large
table that hangs upon a wall, with the whole story of the thing in Dutch
and Latin, beginning, "Margarita Herman Comitissa," &c. The thing was
done about 200 years ago.
The town is a little small village which answers much to one of our
small villages, such a one as Chesterton in all respects, and one could
have thought it in England but for the language of the people. We went
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