From the diary of Samuel Pepys (1663-1703)
Thence, mighty merry and much pleased with the dinner and company, and they with me, I parted; and there was set upon by the poor wretches, whom I did give word and some little money to; and the poor people went away like lambs, and in good earnest are not to be censured if their necessities drive them to bad Courses of stealing or the like, while they lack the wherewith to live. And saving only this night, and a day or two about the same business about a monty or six weeks ago, I do end this month with the greatest content, and may say that these last three months, for joy, health and profit, have been much the greatest that ever I received in all my life in any twelve months almost in my life---having nothing upon me but the consideration of the sickliness of the season during this great plague to mortify mee. -- Pepys' Diary, 30 Sep. 1665