it being a great day for
the reading over of their new Charter, which the King hath newly given
them.

3d. Early in the morning to the Exchequer, where I told over what money
I had of my Lord's and my own there, which I found to be L970. Thence to
Will's, where Spicer and I eat our dinner of a roasted leg of pork
which Will did give us, and after that to the Theatre, where was acted
"Beggars' Bush," it being very well done; and here the first time that
ever I saw women come upon the stage.

[Downes does not give the cast of this play. After the Restoration
the acting of female characters by women became common. The first
English professional actress was Mrs. Coleman, who acted Ianthe in
Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes," at Rutland House in 1656.]

From thence to my father's, where I found my mother gone by Bird, the
carrier, to Brampton, upon my uncle's great desire, my aunt being now in
despair of life. So home.

4th. Office all the morning, my wife and Pall being gone to my father's
to dress dinner for Mr. Honiwood, my mother being gone out of town.
Dined at home, and Mr. Moore with me, with whom I had been early this
morning at White Hall, at the Jewell Office,

[Several of the Jewel Office rolls are in the British Museum. They
recite all the sums of money given to the King, and the particulars
of all the plate distributed in his name, as well as gloves and
sweetmeats. The Museum possesses these rolls for the 4th, 9th,
18th, 30th, and 31st Eliz.; for the 13th Charles I.; and the 23rd,
24th, 26th, and 27th of Charles II.--B.]

to choose a piece of gilt plate for my Lord, in return of his offering
to the King (which it seems is usual at this time of year, and an Earl
gives twenty pieces in gold in a purse to the King). I chose a gilt
tankard, weighing 31 ounces and a half, and he is allowed 30; so I paid
12s. for the ounce and half over what he is to have; but strange it was
for me to see what a company of small fees I was called upon by a great
many to pay there, which, I perceive, is the manner that courtiers do
get their estates. After dinner Mr. Moore and I to the Theatre, where
was "The Scornful Lady," acted very well, it being the first play that
ever he saw. Thence with him to drink a cup of ale at Hercules Pillars,
and so parted. I called to see my father, who told me by the way
how Will and Mary Joyce do live a strange life together, nothing but
fightin