Pepy's Diary. 18 Jul 1663. So to the Temple [Map], Wardrobe, and lastly to Westminster Hall [Map], where I expected some bands made me by Mrs. Lane, and while she went to the starchers for them, I staid at Mrs. Howlett's, who with her husband were abroad, and only their [his daughter] daughter (which I call my wife) was in the shop, and I took occasion to buy a pair of gloves to talk to her, and I find her a pretty spoken girl, and will prove a mighty handsome wench. I could love her very well.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Nov 1663. Home to dinner, and then by coach abroad about several businesses to several places, among others to Westminster Hall [Map], where, seeing Howlett's [his daughter] daughter going out of the other end of the Hall, I followed her if I would to have offered talk to her and dallied with her a little, but I could not overtake her.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1664. After he was gone I went and talked with Mrs. Lane about persuading her to Hawly, and think she will come on, which I wish were done, and so to Mr. Howlett and his wife, and talked about the same, and they are mightily for it, and I bid them promote it, for I think it will be for both their goods and my content. But I was much pleased to look upon their pretty [his daughter] daughter, which is grown a pretty mayd, and will make a fine modest woman.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Apr 1666. After dinner I abroad to carry paper to my old woman, and so to Westminster Hall [Map], and there beyond my intention or design did see and speak with [his daughter] Betty Howlett, at her father's still, and it seems they carry her to her own house to begin the world with her young husband on Monday next, Easter Monday. I please myself with the thoughts of her neighbourhood, for I love the girl mightily.

Pepy's Diary. 13 May 1666. After church time, standing in the Church yarde, she spied me, so I went to her, her father and mother and husband being with her. They desired and I agreed to go home with Mr. Michell, and there had the opportunity to have saluted two or three times Betty and make an acquaintance which they are pleased with, though not so much as I am or they think I am. I staid here an houre or more chatting with them in a little sorry garden of theirs by the Bowling Alley, and so left them and I by water home, and there was in great pain in mind lest Sir W. Pen (age 45), who is going down to the Fleete, should come to me or send for me to be informed in the state of things, and particularly the Victualling, that by my pains he might seem wise. So after spending an houre with my wife pleasantly in her closett, I to bed even by daylight.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Jul 1666. Thence down to the Old Swan [Map], calling at Michell's, he not being within, and there I did steal a kiss or two of [his daughter] her, and staying a little longer, he come in, and her father, whom I carried to Westminster, my business being thither, and so back again home, and very busy all the evening. At night a song in the garden and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Dec 1666. So set them down at White Hall, and I to the Chapel to find Dr. Gibbons (age 51), and from him to the Harp and Ball to transcribe the treble which I would have him to set a bass to. But this took me so much time, and it growing night, I was fearful of missing a coach, and therefore took a coach and to rights to call Michell and his [his daughter] wife at their father Howlett's, and so home, it being cold, and the ground all snow.... They gone I to my chamber, and with my brother and wife did number all my books in my closet, and took a list of their names, which pleases me mightily, and is a jobb I wanted much to have done. Then to supper and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Jan 1667. After walking up and down the Court with him, it being now dark and past six at night, I walked to the Swan [Map] in the Palace yard and there with much ado did get a waterman, and so I sent for the Michells, and they come, and their father Howlett and his wife with them, and there we drank, and so into the boat, poor [his daughter] Betty's head aching.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Feb 1667. At noon home, and there find old Mr. Michell and Howlett come to desire mine and my wife's company to dinner to their son's, and so away by coach with them, it being [his daughter] Betty's wedding-day a year, as also Shrove Tuesday. Here I made myself mighty merry, the two old women being there also, and a mighty pretty dinner we had in this little house, to my exceeding great content, and my wife's, and my heart pleased to see Betty. But I have not been so merry a very great while as with them, every thing pleasing me there as much as among so mean company I could be pleased.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Mar 1668. After dinner by coach to Westminster, and there to St. Margaret's church [Map], thinking to have seen [his daughter] Betty Michell, but she was not there, but met her father and mother and with them to her father's house, where I never was before, but was mighty much made of, with some good strong waters, which they have from their son Michell, and mighty good people they are.