on," dated June 11th,
1655. The author writes: "The very planting of tobacco hath proved
the decay of my trade, for since it hath been planted in
Glostershire, especially at Winchcomb, my trade hath proved nothing
worth." He adds: "Then 'twas a merry world with me, for indeed
before tobacco was there planted, there being no kind of trade to
employ men, and very small tillage, necessity compelled poor men to
stand my friends by stealing of sheep and other cattel, breaking of
hedges, robbing of orchards, and what not."]

The place, she says, is a miserable poor place. They gone, I to the
office, where all the afternoon very busy, and at night, when my eyes
were weary of the light, I and my wife to walk in the garden, and then
home to supper and pipe, and then to bed.

20th. At the office doing business all the morning. At noon expected
Creed to have come to dine with me and brought Mr. Sheres (the gentleman
lately come from my Lord Sandwich) with him; but they come not, so
there was a good dinner lost. After dinner my wife and Jane about some
business of hers abroad, and then I to the office, where, having done
my business, I out to pay some debts: among others to the taverne at the
end of Billiter Lane, where my design was to see the pretty mistress of
the house, which I did, and indeed is, as I always thought, one of the
modestest, prettiest, plain women that ever I saw. Thence was met in the
street by Sir W. Pen, and he and I by coach to the King's playhouse, and
there saw "The Mad Couple," which I do not remember that I have seen; it
is a pretty pleasant play. Thence home, and my wife and I to walk in the
garden, she having been at the same play with Jane, in the 18d. seat, to
shew Jane the play, and so home to supper and to bed.

21st. All the morning at the office, dined at home, and expected Sheres
again, but he did not come, so another dinner lost by the folly of
Creed. After having done some business at the office, I out with my
wife to Sheres's lodging and left an invitation for him to dine with
me tomorrow, and so back and took up my wife at the Exchange, and then
kissed Mrs. Smith's pretty hand, and so with my wife by coach to take
some ayre (but the way very dirty) as far as Bow, and so drinking (as
usual) at Mile End of Byde's ale, we home and there busy at my letters
till late, and so to walk by moonshine with my wife, and so to bed. The
King, Duke of York, and th