26th Found Mr Pierce at our Inn, who told us he had lost his journey, for my Lord was gone from Hinchingbroke to London on Thursday last, at which I was a little put to a stand.

27th Up by four o’clock Mr Blayton and I took horse and straight to Saffron Walden where at the White Hart we set up our horses, and took the master of the house to shew us Audly End House, who took us on foot through the park, and so to the house, where the housekeeper shewed us all the house, in which the stateliness of the ceilings, chimney-pieces, and form of the whole was exceedingly worth seeing. He took us into the cellar, where we drank most admirable drink, a health to the King Here I played on my flageolette, there being an excellent echo He shewed us excellent pictures, two especially, those of the four Evangelists and Henry VIII In our going, my landlord carried us through a very old hospital or almshouse, where forty poor people was maintained, a very old foundation, and over the chimneypiece was an inscription in brass Orate pro anima Thomae Bird, &c⁴⁴. They brought me a draft of their drink in a brown bowl, tipt with silver, which I drank off, and at the bottom was a picture of the Virgin with the child in her arms, done in silver So we took leave, the road pretty good, but the weather rainy to Eping.

28th Up in the morning Then to London through the forest, where we found the way good, but only in one path, which we kept as if we had rode through a kennel all the way. We found the shops all shut, and the militia of the red regiment in arms at the old Exchange, among whom I found and spoke to Nich Osborne, who told me that it was a thanksgiving-day through the City for the return of the Parliament At Paul’s I light, Mr Blayton holding my horse, where I found Dr Reynolds in the pulpit, and General Monk there, who was to have a great entertainment at Grocers’ Hall.

29th To my office Mr Moore told me how my Lord is chosen General at Sea by the Council, and that it is thought that Monk will be joined with him therein This day my Lord came to the House, the first time since he come to town, but he had been at the Council before.

March 1st I went to Mr Crewe’s, whither Mr Thomas was newly come to town, being sent with Sir H Yelverton, my old school-fellow at Paul’s School, to bring the thanks of the country to General Monk for the return of the Parliament.

2nd I went early to my Lord at Mr Crewe’s where I spoke to him Here were a great many come to see him, as Secretary Thurloe,⁴⁵ who is now by the Parliament chosen again Secretary of State To Westminster Hall, where I saw Sir G Booth at liberty. This day I hear the City militia is put into good posture, and it is thought that Monk will not be able to do any great matter against them now, if he had a mind I understand that my Lord Lambert did yesterday send a letter to the Council, and that to-night he is to come and appear to the Council in person Sir Arthur Haselrigge do not yet appear in the House Great is the talk of a single person, and that it would now be Charles, George, or Richard again For the last of which my Lord St John is said to speak high Great also is the dispute now in the House, in whose name the writs shall run for the next Parliament, and it is said that Mr Prin, in open House, said, ‘In King Charles’s’.

3rd To Westminster Hall, where I found that my Lord was last night voted one of the Generals at Sea, and Monk the other I met my Lord in the Hall, who bid me come to him at noon. After dinner I to Warwick House, in Holborne, to my Lord where he dined with my Lord of Manchester,⁴⁶ Sir Dudley North,⁴⁷ my Lord Fiennes,⁴⁸ and my Lord Barkley⁴⁹ I staid in the great hall, talking with some gentlemen there, till they all come out. Then I, by coach with my Lord, to Mr Crewe’s, in our way talking of publick things He told me he feared there was new design hatching, as if Monk had a mind to get into the saddle Returning, met with Mr Gifford who told me, as I hear from many, that things are in a very doubtful posture, some of the Parliament being willing to keep the power in their hands. After I had left him, I met with Tom Harper, he talked huge high that my Lord Protector would come in place again, which indeed is much discoursed of again, though I do not see it possible.

4th Lord’s day To Mr Gunning’s, an excellent sermon upon charity.