After _Mother_ had left, went into the Paddock, to feed the Colts with Bread; and while they were putting their Noses into _Robin's_ Pockets, _Dick_ brought out the two Ponies, and set me on one of them, and we had a mad Scamper through the Meadows and down the Lanes; I leading. Just at the Turne of _Holford's Close_, came shorte upon a Gentleman walking under the Hedge, clad in a sober, genteel Suit, and of most beautifulle Countenance, with Hair like a Woman's, of a lovely pale brown, long and silky, falling over his Shoulders. I nearlie went over him, for _Clover's_ hard Forehead knocked agaynst his Chest; but he stoode it like a Rock; and lookinge firste at me and then at _Dick_, he smiled and spoke to my Brother, who seemed to know him, and turned about and walked by us, sometimes stroaking _Clover's_ shaggy Mane. I felte a little ashamed; for _Dick_ had sett me on the Poney just as I was, my Gown somewhat too shorte for riding: however, I drewe up my Feet and let _Clover_ nibble a little Grasse, and then got rounde to the neare Side, our new Companion stille between us. He offered me some wild Flowers, and askt me theire Names; and when I tolde them, he sayd I knew more than he did, though he accounted himselfe a prettie fayre Botaniste: and we went on thus, talking of the Herbs and Simples in the Hedges; and I sayd how prettie some of theire Names were, and that, methought, though Adam had named alle the Animals in Paradise, perhaps Eve had named alle the Flowers. He lookt earnestlie at me, on this, and muttered "prettie." Then _Dick_ askt of him News from _London_, and he spoke, methought, reservedlie; ever and anon turning his bright, thoughtfulle Eyes on me. At length, we parted at the Turn of the Lane. I askt _Dick_ who he was, and he told me he was one Mr. _John Milton_, the Party to whom _Father_ owed five hundred Pounds. He was the Sonne of a _Buckinghamshire_ Gentleman, he added, well connected, and very scholarlike, but affected towards the Parliament. His Grandsire, a zealous Papiste, formerly lived in _Oxon_, and disinherited the Father of this Gentleman for abjuring the _Romish_ Faith. When I found how faire a Gentleman was _Father's_ Creditor, I became the more interested in deare _Mother's_ Successe. _May 13th, 1643_.