Cheate ") I begun ten years ago at Cambridge; and at this time reading it
over to-night I liked it very well, and wondered a little at myself at my
vein at that time when I wrote it, doubting that I cannot do so well now
if I would try.

31st (Lord's day). Up, and in my chamber all day long (but a little at
dinner) settling all my Brampton accounts to this day in very good order,
I having obliged myself by oathe to do that and some other things within
this month, and did also perfectly prepare a state of my estate and
annexed it to my last will and testament, which now is perfect, and,
lastly, I did make up my monthly accounts, and find that I have gained
above L50 this month clear, and so am worth L858 clear, which is the
greatest sum I ever yet was master of, and also read over my usual vowes,
as I do every Lord's day, but with greater seriousness than ordinary, and
I do hope that every day I shall see more and more the pleasure of looking
after my business and laying up of money, and blessed be God for what I
have already been enabled by his grace to do. So to supper and to bed
with my mind in mighty great ease and content, but my head very full of
thoughts and business to dispatch this next month also, and among others
to provide for answering to the Exchequer for my uncle's being
Generall-Receiver in the year 1647, which I am at present wholly unable to
do, but I must find time to look over all his papers.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1663-1664

February 1st. Up (my maids rising early this morning to washing), and
being ready I found Mr. Strutt the purser below with 12 bottles of sacke,
and tells me (which from Sir W. Batten I had heard before) how young Jack