Forest Hill, Oxon, May 1st, 1643.

EVENTEENTH Birthdaye. A Gypsie Woman at the Gate woulde faine have tolde my Fortune; but Mother chased her away, saying she had

doubtlesse harboured in some of the low Houses

A

one,

Houses in Oxford, and mighte bring us the Plague. Coulde have cried for Vexation; she had promised to tell me the Colour of my Husband's Eyes; but Mother says she believes I shall never have I am soe sillie. Father gave me a gold Piece. Dear Mother is chafed, methinks, touching this Debt of five hundred Pounds, which Father says he knows not how to pay. Indeed, he sayd, overnighte, his whole personal Estate amounts to but five hundred Pounds, his Timber and Wood to four hundred more, or thereabouts; and the Tithes and Messuages of Whateley are no great Matter, being mortgaged for about as much moore, and he hath lent Sights of Money to them that won't pay, so 'tis hard to be thus prest. Poor Father! 'twas good of him to give me this gold Piece.

May

May 2nd.

YOUSIN Rose married to Master Roger Agnew. Present, Father, Mother, and Brother of Rose. Father, Mother, Dick, Bob, Harry, and I; Squire Paice and his Daughter Audrey; an olde Aunt of Master Roger's, and one of his Cousins, a stiffebacked Man with large Eares, and such a long Nose! Cousin Rose looked bew

tifulle-pitie so faire a Girl should marry Prest so olde a Man-'tis thoughte he wants not manie Years of fifty.

May 7th.

EW Misfortunes in the

Poultrie Yarde.

Poor Mo

ther's Loyalty cannot stand
the Demands for her best
Chickens, Ducklings, &c.,

for the Use of his Majesty's

Officers since the King hath beene in
Oxford. She accuseth my Father of having

beene

beene wonne over by a few faire Speeches to be more of a Royalist than his natu ral Temper inclineth him to; which, of course, he will not admit.

W

May 8th.

HOLE Day taken up in a Visit to Rose, now a Week married, and growne quite matronlie already. We reached Sheepscote about an Hour before Noone. A long, broade, strait Walke of green Turf, planted with Hollyoaks, Sunflowers, &c., and some earlier Flowers alreadie in Bloom, led up to the rusticall Porch of a truly farm-like House, with low gable Roofs, a long lattice Window on either Side the Doore, and three Casements above. Such, and no more, is Rose's House! But she is happy, for she came running forthe, soe soone as she hearde Clover's Feet, and helped me from my Saddle all smiling, tho' she had not expected to see us. We had Curds and

Creame;