re (failing at the old place) Sir W. Batten
by and by come home, I walking up and down the house and garden with my
Lady very pleasantly, then to supper very merry, and then back by coach
by dark night. I all the afternoon in the coach reading the treasonous
book of the Court of King James, printed a great while ago, and worth
reading, though ill intended. As soon as I come home, upon a letter from
the Duke of Albemarle, I took boat at about 12 at night, and down
the River in a gally, my boy and I, down to the Hope and so up again,
sleeping and waking, with great pleasure, my business to call upon every
one of

15th. Our victualling ships to set them agoing, and so home, and after
dinner to the King's playhouse, all alone, and saw "Love's Maistresse."
Some pretty things and good variety in it, but no or little fancy in it.
Thence to the Duke of Albemarle to give him account of my day's works,
where he shewed me letters from Sir G. Downing, of four days' date, that
the Dutch are come out and joyned, well-manned, and resolved to board
our best ships, and fight for certain they will. Thence to the Swan at
Herbert's, and there the company of Sarah a little while, and so
away and called at the Harp and Ball, where the mayde, Mary, is very
'formosa'--[handsome]--; but, Lord! to see in what readiness I am, upon
the expiring of my vowes this day, to begin to run into all my pleasures
and neglect of business. Thence home, and being sleepy to bed.

16th. Up betimes, and to the Duke of Albemarle with an account of my
yesterday's actions in writing. So back to the office, where all the
morning very busy. After dinner by coach to see and speak with Mr. Povy,
and after little discourse back again home, where busy upon letters till
past 12 at night, and so home to supper and to bed, weary.

17th. Up, and by appointment to a meeting of Sir John Lawson and Mr.
Cholmly's atturney and Mr. Povy at the Swan taverne at Westminster to
settle their business about my being secured in the payment of money
to Sir J. Lawson in the other's absence. Thence at Langford's, where I
never was since my brother died there. I find my wife and Mercer, having
with him agreed upon two rich silk suits for me, which is fit for me to
have, but yet the money is too much, I doubt, to lay out altogether; but
it is done, and so let it be, it being the expense of the world that
I can the best bear with and the worst spare. Thence home, and after
dinner to the offic