, to have the contract
perfected, and offers me twenty pieces in gold, as Deering had done some
time since himself, but I both then and now refused it, resolving not
to be bribed to dispatch business, but will have it done however out of
hand forthwith. So he gone, I to supper and to bed.

8th. Up and to the office, where all the morning we sat. At noon I home
to dinner alone, and after dinner Bagwell's wife waited at the door, and
went with me to my office.... So parted, and I to Sir W. Batten's, and
there sat the most of the afternoon talking and drinking too much with
my Lord Bruncker, Sir G. Smith, G. Cocke and others very merry. I drunk
a little mixed, but yet more than I should do. So to my office a little,
and then to the Duke of Albemarle's about some business. The streets
mighty empty all the way, now even in London, which is a sad sight. And
to Westminster Hall, where talking, hearing very sad stories from Mrs.
Mumford; among others, of Mrs. Michell's son's family. And poor Will,
that used to sell us ale at the Hall-door, his wife and three children
died, all, I think, in a day. So home through the City again, wishing I
may have taken no ill in going; but I will go, I think, no more thither.
Late at the office, and then home to supper, having taken a pullet
home with me, and then to bed. The news of De Kuyter's coming home
is certain; and told to the great disadvantage of our fleete, and the
praise of De Kuyter; but it cannot be helped, nor do I know what to say
to it.

9th. Up betimes to my office, where Tom Hater to the writing of letters
with me, which have for a good while been in arreare, and we close at it
all day till night, only made a little step out for half an houre in
the morning to the Exchequer about striking of tallys, but no good done
therein, people being most out of towne. At noon T. Hater dined with
me, and so at it all the afternoon. At night home and supped, and
after reading a little in Cowley's poems, my head being disturbed with
overmuch business to-day, I to bed.

10th. Up betimes, and called upon early by my she-cozen Porter, the
turner's wife, to tell me that her husband was carried to the Tower,
for buying of some of the King's powder, and would have my helpe, but
I could give her none, not daring any more to appear in the business,
having too much trouble lately therein. By and by to the office, where
we sat all the morning; in great trouble to see the Bill this week rise
so hig