Events have followed too quick and thick for me to note 'em. Firste, _Father's_ Embassade to _Cambray_, which I shoulde have grieved at more on our owne Accounts, had it not broken off alle further Collision with _Will_. Thoroughlie homesick, while abroad, poor _Father_ was; then, on his Return, he noe sooner sett his Foot a-land, than the King summoned him to _Woodstock_. 'Twas a Couple o' Nights after he left us, that _Will_ and I were roused by _Patteson's_ shouting beneath our Window, "Fire, Fire, quoth _Jeremiah_!" and the House was a-fire, sure enow. Greate Part of the Men's Quarter, together with alle the Out-houses and Barns, consumed without Remedie, and alle through the Carelessnesse of _John Holt_. Howbeit, noe Lives were lost, nor any one much hurt; and we thankfullie obeyed deare _Father's_ Behest, soe soone as we received the same, that we woulde get us to Church, and there, upon our Knees, return humble and harty Thanks to ALMIGHTY GOD for our late Deliverance from a fearfulle Death. Alsoe, at _Father's_ Desire, we made up to the poor People on our Premises theire various Losses, which he bade us doe, even if it left him without soe much as a Spoon. But then came an equallie unlookt-for, and more appalling Event: the Fall of my _Lord Cardinall_, whereby my Father was shortlie raised to the highest Pinnacle of professional Greatnesse; being made _Lord Chancellor_, to the Content, in some Sort, of _Wolsey_ himself, who sayd he was the onlie Man fit to be his Successor. The unheard-of Splendour of his Installation dazzled the Vulgar; while the Wisdom that marked the admirable Discharge of his daylie Duties, won the Respect of alle thinking Men, but surprized none who alreadie knew _Father_. On the Day succeeding his being sworn in, _Patteson_ marched hither, and thither, bearing a huge Placard, inscribed, "Partnership Dissolved;" and apparelled himself in an old Suit, on which he had bestowed a Coating of black Paint, with Weepers of white Paper; assigning for't that "his Brother was dead." "For now," quoth he, "that they've made him _Lord Chancellor_, we shall ne'er see Sir _Thomas_ more." Now, although the poor _Cardinall_ was commonlie helde to shew much Judgment in his Decisions, owing to the naturall Soundness of his Understanding, yet, being noe Lawyer, Abuses had multiplied during his Chancellorship, more especiallie in the Way of enormous Fees and Gratuities. _Father_, not content with shunning base Lucre in his proper Person, will not let anie one under him, to his Knowledge, touch a Bribe; whereat _Dancey_, after his funny Fashion, complains, saying,-- "The Fingers of my _Lord Cardinall's_ veriest Door-keepers were tipt with Gold, but I, since I married your Daughter, have got noe Pickings; which in your Case may be commendable, but in mine is nothing profitable." _Father_, laughing, makes Answer,--