_December 28._--The China Capt. built or reard a new howse this day, and all the neighbours sent hym presentes, _nifon cantange_. So I sent hym a barill _morofack_, 2 bottells Spanish wine, a drid salmon, and halfe a Hollands cheese; and after, went my selfe with the nighbours. Where I saw the seremony was used, the master carpenter of the kinge doing it, and was as followeth: First they brought in all the presentes sent and sett them in ranke before the middell post of the howse, and out of eache one took something of the best and offred it at the foote of the post, and powred wyne upon each severall parcell, doing it in greate humilletie and silence, not soe much as a word spoaken all the while it was a doing. But, being ended, they took the remeander of the presentes, and soe did eate and drink it with much merth and jesting, drinking themselves drunken all or the most parte. They tould me they beleeved that a new howse, being hallowed in this sort, could not chuse but be happie to hym which dwelled in it, for soe their law taught them, ordayned by holy men in tymes past. The shipps company came to the English howse in a maske, and after plaied Christmas ule games in good sort and meryment. _December 29._--I gave Matinga a pece satten, cost 5 _taies_, and a peece of taffety, cost 1 _tay_, to make her a _kerremon_, and 2 _kerremons_ of zelas to Oto and Fuco. And ther was sould and deliverd 10 _cattis_ Priaman pepper to the kinges doctor of phisick, rated at 8 _condrins_ per _catty_, or 8 taies _picull_. And I thought good to note downe how Mr. Hunt, the master, came in a fume ashore, and broake Jno. Cocora the cooks head, at instigation of Jno. Shipperd, he having first misuesed and beaten hym without reason. _December 30._--We bought 732 bags white lyme at 3 _condrins_ per bagg, it being good cheape. And I wrot a letter to Jorge Durois to look out for _morofack_ and cows shewet for shipps use for chirurgion. God send health. A China of Lankyn brought me a present of a barill of Lankyn wyne and a dozen of China cakes. _December 31._--I paid therty _taies_ for a howse for Matinga, that shee was in being for the Company. And the Japon barber Rappado sent me a present of a basket of oringese. I forgot to note downe how I wrot a few lynes to Mr. Jno. Hunt, to have had hym com ashore about Compa. busynes, to have had his advice about bras shivers;[120] but he retorned me a snapish answer.