yet majesty enough, and by all men's report, not to
be corrupted. After dinner to the Court, where Sir Ellis Layton did make
a very silly motion in our behalf, but did neither hurt nor good. After
him Walker and Wiseman; and then the judge did pronounce his sentence;
for some part of the goods and ship, and the freight of the whole, to
be free, and returned and paid by us; and the remaining, which was the
greater part, to be ours. The loss of so much troubles us, but we have
got a pretty good part, thanks be to God! So we are not displeased nor
yet have cause to triumph, as we did once expect. Having seen the end
of this, I being desirous to be at home to see the issue of any country
letters about my mother, which I expect shall give me tidings of her
death, I directly home and there to the office, where I find no letter
from my father or brother, but by and by the boy tells me that his
mistress sends me word that she hath opened my letter, and that she is
loth to send me any more news. So I home, and there up to my wife in
our chamber, and there received from my brother the newes of my mother's
dying on Monday, about five or six o'clock in the afternoon, and that
the last time she spoke of her children was on Friday last, and her
last words were, "God bless my poor Sam!" The reading hereof did set me
a-weeping heartily, and so weeping to myself awhile, and my wife also to
herself, I then spoke to my wife respecting myself, and indeed, having
some thoughts how much better both for her and us it is than it
might have been had she outlived my father and me or my happy present
condition in the world, she being helpless, I was the sooner at ease in
my mind, and then found it necessary to go abroad with my wife to look
after the providing mourning to send into the country, some to-morrow,
and more against Sunday, for my family, being resolved to put myself
and wife, and Barker and Jane, W. Hewer and Tom, in mourning, and my
two under-mayds, to give them hoods and scarfs and gloves. So to my
tailor's, and up and down, and then home and to my office a little,
and then to supper and to bed, my heart sad and afflicted, though my
judgment at ease.

28th. My tailor come to me betimes this morning, and having given him
directions, I to the office and there all the morning. At noon dined
well. Balty, who is mighty thoughtful how to dispose of his wife, and
would fain have me provide a place for her, which the thoughts of what
I sho