I gott Mr. Hesketh, Mr. Dobson's man, a priest, to drawe the ruines of Osney 2 or 3 wayes before 'twas pulld downe[X]. Now the very foundation is digged-up.
In Aprill I fell sick of the small pox at Trinity College; and when I recovered, after Trinity weeke[154], my father sent for me into the country again: where I conversed[155] with none but servants and rustiques and soldiers quartred, to my great griefe (Odi prophanum vulgus et arceo), for in those dayes fathers were not acquainted with their children. It was a most sad life to me, then in the prime of my youth, not to have the benefitt of an ingeniose conversation and scarce any good bookes—almost a consumption. This sad life I did lead in the country till 1646, at which time I gott (with much adoe) leave of my father to lett me goe to the Middle Temple, April the 6th 1646; admitted....
24 June following, Oxon was surrendred, and then came to London many of the king's party, with whom I[156] grew acquainted (many of them I knew before). I loved not debauches[157], but their martiall conversation was not so fitt for the muses.
Novemb. 6, I returned to Trinity College in Oxon again to my great joy; was much made of by the fellowes; had their learned conversation, lookt on bookes, musique. Here and at Middle Temple (off and on) I (for the most part) enjoyd the greatest felicity of my life (ingeniose youths, as[158] rosebudds, imbibe the morning dew[159]) till Dec. 1648 (Christmas Eve's eve) I was sent for from Oxon home again to my sick father, who never recovered. Where I was engaged to looke after his country businesse and solicite a lawe-suite.
Anno 165-, Octob. ..., my father dyed, leaving me debts 1800 li. and bro<thers'> portions 1000 li.
Quid digni feci, hîc process. viam? Truly nothing; only umbrages, sc. Osney abbey ruines, etc., antiquities. Cos, a wheatstone, exors ipse secandi, e.g. <my> universall character[160] <: that> which was neglected and quite forgott and had sunk had not I engaged[161] in the worke, to carry on the worke—name them[162].
He began to enter into pocket memorandum bookes philosophicall and antiquarian remarques, Anno Domini 1654, at Llantrithid.
Anno 16—I began my lawe-suite on the entaile in Brecon[Y], which lasted till ..., and it cost me 1200 li.
Anno —— I was to have maried Mris K. Ryves, who died when to be maried, 2000 li. +[163], besides counting care of her brother, 1000 li. per annum.