oad by coach to Hales's, and there
sat till night, mightily pleased with my picture, which is now almost
finished. So by coach home, it being the fast day and to my chamber and
so after supper to bed, consulting how to send my wife into the country
to advise about Pall's marriage, which I much desire, and my father too,
and two or three offers are now in hand.

5th. Up, and before office time to Lumbard Streete, and there at Viner's
was shewn the silver plates, made for Captain Cocke to present my Lord
Bruncker; and I chose a dozen of the same weight to be bespoke for
myself, which he told me yesterday he would give me on the same
occasion. To the office, where the falsenesse and impertinencies of Sir
W. Pen would make a man mad to think of. At noon would have avoided, but
could not, dining with my Lord Bruncker and his mistresse with Captain
Cocke at the Sun Taverne in Fish Streete, where a good dinner, but
the woman do tire me, and indeed how simply my Lord Bruncker, who is
otherwise a wise man, do proceed at the table in serving of Cocke,
without any means of understanding in his proposal, or defence when
proposed, would make a man think him a foole. After dinner home, where
I find my wife hath on a sudden, upon notice of a coach going away
to-morrow, taken a resolution of going in it to Brampton, we having
lately thought it fit for her to go to satisfy herself and me in the
nature of the fellow that is there proposed to my sister. So she to fit
herself for her journey and I to the office all the afternoon till late,
and so home and late putting notes to "It is decreed, nor shall thy
fate, &c." and then to bed. The plague is, to our great grief, encreased
nine this week, though decreased a few in the total. And this encrease
runs through many parishes, which makes us much fear the next year.

6th. Up mighty betimes upon my wife's going this day toward Brampton. I
could not go to the coach with her, but W. Hewer did and hath leave from
me to go the whole day's journey with her. All the morning upon business
at the office, and at noon dined, and Mrs. Hunt coming lent her L5 on
her occasions and so carried her to Axe Yard end at Westminster and
there left her, a good and understanding woman, and her husband I
perceive thrives mightily in his business of the Excise. Thence to Mr.
Hales and there sat, and my picture almost finished, which by the word
of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce (who come in accidently) is mighty like, and I
a