right thigh, which is the plague. To
my office, where late writing letters, and getting myself prepared with
business for Hampton Court to-morrow, and so having caused a good pullet
to be got for my supper, all alone, I very late to bed. All the news is
great: that we must of necessity fall out with France, for He will side
with the Dutch against us. That Alderman Backewell is gone over (which
indeed he is) with money, and that Ostend is in our present possession.
But it is strange to see how poor Alderman Backewell is like to be
put to it in his absence, Mr. Shaw his right hand being ill. And the
Alderman's absence gives doubts to people, and I perceive they are in
great straits for money, besides what Sir G. Carteret told me about
fourteen days ago. Our fleet under my Lord Sandwich being about the
latitude 55 (which is a great secret) to the Northward of the Texell.
So to bed very late. In my way I called upon Sir W. Turner, and at Mr.
Shelcrosse's (but he was not at home, having left his bill with Sir W.
Turner), that so I may prove I did what I could as soon as I had money
to answer all bills.

23rd (Lord's day). Up very betimes, called by Mr. Cutler, by
appointment, and with him in his coach and four horses over London
Bridge to Kingston, a very pleasant journey, and at Hampton Court by
nine o'clock, and in our way very good and various discourse, as he is
a man, that though I think he be a knave, as the world thinks him, yet
a man of great experience and worthy to be heard discourse. When we come
there, we to Sir W. Coventry's chamber, and there discoursed long with
him, he and I alone, the others being gone away, and so walked together
through the garden to the house, where we parted, I observing with a
little trouble that he is too great now to expect too much familiarity
with, and I find he do not mind me as he used to do, but when I reflect
upon him and his business I cannot think much of it, for I do not
observe anything but the same great kindness from him. I followed the
King to chappell, and there hear a good sermon; and after sermon with
my Lord Arlington, Sir Thomas Ingram and others, spoke to the Duke
about Tangier, but not to much purpose. I was not invited any whither
to dinner, though a stranger, which did also trouble me; but yet I
must remember it is a Court, and indeed where most are strangers; but,
however, Cutler carried me to Mr. Marriott's the house-keeper, and there
we had a very good dinner