he could not help
me. So my wife and Mercer ventured into a pew, and I into another. A
knight and his lady very civil to me when they come, and the like to my
wife in hers, being Sir G. Viner and his lady--rich in jewells, but most
in beauty--almost the finest woman that ever I saw. That which we went
chiefly to see was the young ladies of the schools,--[Hackney was long
famous for its boarding schools.]--whereof there is great store, very
pretty; and also the organ, which is handsome, and tunes the psalm, and
plays with the people; which is mighty pretty, and makes me mighty earnest
to have a pair at our church, I having almost a mind to give them a pair,
if they would settle a maintenance on them for it. I am mightily taken
with them. So, church done, we to coach and away to Kingsland and
Islington, and there eat and drank at the Old House, and so back, it
raining a little, which is mighty welcome, it having not rained in many
weeks, so that they say it makes the fields just now mighty sweet. So
with great pleasure home by night. Set down Mercer, and I to my chamber,
and there read a great deal in Rycaut's Turkey book with great pleasure,
and so eat and to bed. My sore throat still troubling me, but not so
much. This night I do come to full resolution of diligence for a good
while, and I hope God will give me the grace and wisdom to perform it.

22nd. Up pretty betimes, my throat better, and so drest me, and to White
Hall to see Sir W. Coventry, returned from Portsmouth, whom I am almost
ashamed to see for fear he should have been told how often I have been at
plays, but it is better to see him at first than afterward. So walked to
the Old Swan and drank at Michell's, and then to White Hall and over the
Park to St. James's to [Sir] W. Coventry, where well received, and good
discourse. He seems to be sure of a peace; that the King of France do not
intend to set out a fleete, for that he do design Flanders. Our
Embassadors set out this week. Thence I over the Park to Sir G. Carteret,
and after him by coach to the Lord Chancellor's house, the first time I
have been therein; and it is very noble, and brave pictures of the ancient
and present nobility, never saw better. Thence with him to London, mighty
merry in the way. Thence home, and find the boy out of the house and
office, and by and by comes in and hath been to Mercer's. I did pay his
coat for him. Then to my chamber, my wife comes home with linen she h