About 10 a clock at night a fyer began in the north parte of the citty of Edo; but it was calme wether; otherwais much hurt had byn donne. Yet ther were a few howses of pristes (or boses) servantes with 5 pagon temples burned in 3 divers places a greate distance one from an other, many merchantes howses and tradesmens howses betwixt, and yet it passed over all them without doing harme, and only burned downe the other, as aforsaid; which many esteeme a handy work of God.
November 14.—I forgot to note downe how the night past, when the fire was neare to the King of Firandos howse and Cakayemon Donos, I sent 8 or 10 men to have holpen them, yf need required; but the streetes were so stopped that non could passe but one as a messenger, to tell them of my good meanyng, which they took in good part.
November 15.—There was presentes geven to Andrea and Maddalyna, his wife, Mrs. Adams sister, in repect they had
sent us presentes of 2 barsos wyne, frute, and a fresh salmon, and came from Orengaua, 2 daies journey, to vizet us, viz. 1 peece velvett, 1 pece damask, and 5 mas wight corall.
Mr. Nealson fell sick on a sudden of a fever with a bloody flux, in greate extremety; so we sent for one of kinges chirurgions, to take his councell, Mr. Nealson being very ernest to be lett blood; but he councelled the contrary, saying it was nothing but an extreme cold he had taken which drove hym into this excesse or fever, which, out of dowbt, was his syting in his shert and a gowne 2 or 3 howrs together on the topp of the howse, to look at the fyre when the pagods were burned 2 nightes past.
November 16.—Yisternight about 10 a clock was an other fyre.
November 17.—We went to see the Emperours eldest brothers howse, called Shrongo Samma, being envited to doe it per the ould Emperours cook, who sent me a present at Shrongo and came hither and vizeted me 2 or 3 tymes since with presentes, besides this frenship. So I sent hym a peece of damask for a present.
This howse we saw cost the workmanshipp, besides the tymber and all other stuffe, 34000 bars of Oban gould at 13l. 10s. str. per bar. And his 2 yonger brothers have made 2 other howses adjoynying unto yt, not much inferior to the others. And it is to be considered that all these buildinges are of tymber, covering and all, but soe guilded over with gould, both within and without, that it sheweth most gloriouse to the eye, but endureth but 20 or 30 yeares, and then build an other new; which they accompt a greate glory and take it a base thing to dwell in a howse builded by his predecessors.
Capt. Adames went to Court againe to get our dispach, but did nothing. Soe he talked with Chawno Shogero Dono about my departure from hence to morrow, I having
busynes at Miaco and else where, and that Capt. Adames, havyng busynes to stay heare 4 or 5 daies after me, might bring it with hym.