have mercy on us! for we can
send forth no ships without men, nor will men go without money, every day
bringing us news of new mutinies among the seamen; so that our condition
is like to be very miserable. Thence to Westminster Hall, and there met
all the Houblons, who do laugh at this discourse of the French, and say
they are verily of opinion it is nothing but to send to their plantation
in the West Indys, and that we at Court do blow up a design of invading
us, only to make the Parliament make more haste in the money matters, and
perhaps it may be so, but I do not believe we have any such plot in our
heads. After them, I, with several people, among others Mr. George
Montagu, whom I have not seen long, he mighty kind. He tells me all is
like to go ill, the King displeasing the House of Commons by evading their
Bill for examining Accounts, and putting it into a Commission, though
therein he hath left out Coventry and I and named all the rest the
Parliament named, and all country Lords, not one Courtier: this do not
please them. He tells me he finds the enmity almost over for my Lord
Sandwich, and that now all is upon the Vice-Chamberlain, who bears up well
and stands upon his vindication, which he seems to like well, and the
others do construe well also. Thence up to the Painted Chamber, and there
heard a conference between the House of Lords and Commons about the Wine
Patent; which I was exceeding glad to be at, because of my hearing
exceeding good discourses, but especially from the Commons; among others,
Mr. Swinfen, and a young man, one Sir Thomas Meres: and do outdo the
Lords infinitely. So down to the Hall and to the Rose Taverne, while Doll
Lane come to me, and we did 'biber a good deal de vino, et je did give
elle twelve soldis para comprare elle some gans' for a new anno's gift
. . . . Thence to the Hall again, and with Sir W. Pen by coach to the
Temple, and there 'light and eat a bit at an ordinary by, and then alone
to the King's House, and there saw "The Custome of the Country," the
second time of its being acted, wherein Knipp does the Widow well; but, of
all the plays that ever I did see, the worst-having neither plot,
language, nor anything in the earth that is acceptable; only Knipp sings a
little song admirably. But fully the worst play that ever I saw or I
believe shall see. So away home, much displeased for the loss of so much
time, and disobliging my wife by being there without her. So, by