Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain, but upon taking of cold.48 I lived in Axe Yard,49 having my wife, and servant Jane, and no more in family than us three. My wife. …50 gave me hopes of her being with child, but on the last day of the year. … [the hope was belied.]
The condition of the State was thus; viz. the Rump, after being disturbed by my Lord Lambert,51 was lately returned to sit again. The officers of the Army all forced to yield. Lawson52 lies still in the river, and Monk53 is with his army in Scotland. Only my Lord Lambert is not yet come into the Parliament, nor is it expected that he will without being forced to it. The new Common Council of the City do speak very high; and had sent to Monk their sword-bearer, to acquaint him with their desires for a free and full Parliament, which is at present the desires, and the hopes, and expectation of all. Twenty-two of the old secluded members54 having been at the House-door the last week to demand entrance, but it was denied them; and it is believed that [neither] they nor the people will be satisfied till the House be filled. My own private condition very handsome, and esteemed rich, but indeed very poor; besides my goods of my house, and my office, which at present is somewhat uncertain. Mr. Downing master of my office.55
. This morning (we living lately in the garret) I rose, put on my suit with great skirts, having not lately worn any other, clothes but them. Went to Mr. Gunning’s56 chapel at Exeter House,57 where he made a very good sermon upon these words:—“That in the fullness of time God sent his Son, made of a woman,” etc.; showing, that, by “made under the law,” is meant his circumcision, which is solemnized this day. Dined at home in the garret, where my wife dressed the remains of a turkey, and in the doing of it she burned her hand. I stayed at home all the afternoon, looking over my accounts; then went with my wife to my father’s, and in going observed the great posts which the City have set up at the Conduit in Fleet-street.58 Supt at my father’s, where in came Mrs. The. Turner59 and Madam Morrice, and supt with us. After that my wife and I went home with them, and so to our own home.
. In the morning before I went forth old East brought me a dozen of bottles of sack, and I gave him a shilling for his pains. Then I went to Mr. Sheply60 who was drawing of sack in the wine cellar to send to other places as a gift from my Lord, and told me that my Lord had given him order to give me the dozen of bottles. Thence I went to the Temple to speak with Mr. Calthropp about the £60 due to my Lord,61 but missed of him, he being abroad. Then I went to Mr. Crew’s62 and borrowed £10 of Mr. Andrewes for my own use, and so went to my office, where there was nothing to do. Then I walked a great while in Westminster Hall, where I heard that Lambert was coming up to London; that my Lord Fairfax63 was in the head of the Irish brigade, but it was not certain what he would declare for. The House was today upon finishing the act for the Council of State, which they did; and for the indemnity to the soldiers; and were to sit again thereupon in the afternoon. Great talk that many places have declared for a free Parliament; and it is believed that they will be forced to fill up the House with the old members. From the Hall I called at home, and so went to Mr. Crew’s (my wife she was to go to her father’s), thinking to have dined, but I came too late, so Mr. Moore64 and I and another gentleman went out and drank a cup of ale together in the new market,65 and there I eat some bread and cheese for my dinner. After that Mr. Moore and I went as far as Fleet-street together and parted, he going into the City, I to find Mr. Calthrop, but failed again of finding him, so returned to Mr. Crew’s again, and from thence went along with Mrs. Jemimah66 home, and there she taught me how to play at cribbage.67 Then I went home, and finding my wife gone to see Mrs. Hunt, I went to Will’s,68 and there sat with Mr. Ashwell talking and singing till nine o’clock, and so home, there, having not eaten anything but bread and cheese, my wife cut me a slice of brawn which I received from my Lady,69 which proves as good as ever I had any. So to bed, and my wife had a very bad night of it through wind and cold.
. I went out in the morning, it being a great frost, and walked to Mrs. Turner’s70 to stop her from coming to see me today, because of Mrs. Jem’s coming, thence I went to the Temple to speak with Mr. Calthrop, and walked in his chamber an hour, but could not see him, so went to Westminster, where I found soldiers in
