e, which was all my guests. I had
for them, after oysters, at first course, a hash of rabbits, a lamb, and
a rare chine of beef. Next a great dish of roasted fowl, cost me about
30s., and a tart, and then fruit and cheese. My dinner was noble and
enough. I had my house mighty clean and neat; my room below with a
good fire in it; my dining-room above, and my chamber being made a
withdrawing-chamber; and my wife's a good fire also. I find my new table
very proper, and will hold nine or ten people well, but eight with great
room. After dinner the women to cards in my wife's chamber, and the Dr.
and Mr. Pierce in mine, because the dining-room smokes unless I keep
a good charcoal fire, which I was not then provided with. At night to
supper, had a good sack posset and cold meat, and sent my guests away
about ten o'clock at night, both them and myself highly pleased with our
management of this day; and indeed their company was very fine, and Mrs.
Clerke a very witty, fine lady, though a little conceited and proud. So
weary, so to bed. I believe this day's feast will cost me near L5.

14th. Lay very long in bed, till with shame forced to rise, being called
up by Mr. Bland about business. He being gone I went and staid upon
business at the office and then home to dinner, and after dinner staid
a little talking pleasant with my wife, who tells me of another woman
offered by her brother that is pretty and can sing, to which I do listen
but will not appear over forward, but I see I must keep somebody for
company sake to my wife, for I am ashamed she should live as she do.
So to the office till 10 at night upon business, and numbering and
examining part of my sea-manuscript with great pleasure, my wife sitting
working by me. So home to supper and to bed.

15th. Up and to my office preparing things, by and by we met and sat Mr.
Coventry and I till noon, and then I took him to dine with me, I having
a wild goose roasted, and a cold chine of beef and a barrel of oysters.
We dined alone in my chamber, and then he and I to fit ourselves for
horseback, he having brought me a horse; and so to Deptford, the ways
being very dirty. There we walked up and down the Yard and Wett Dock,
and did our main business, which was to examine the proof of our new way
of the call-books, which we think will be of great use. And so to horse
again, and I home with his horse, leaving him to go over the fields to
Lambeth, his boy at my house taking home his hor