nd there was
with Cocke an hour or so. The jade, whether I would not give her money
or not enough; she would not offer to invite to do anything, but on the
contrary saying she had no time, which I was glad of, for I had no mind
to meddle with her, but had my end to see what a cunning jade she was,
to see her impudent tricks and ways of getting money and raising the
reckoning by still calling for things, that it come to 6 or 7 shillings
presently. So away home, glad I escaped without any inconvenience,
and there came Mr. Hill, Andrews and Seignor Pedro, and great store of
musique we had, but I begin to be weary of having a master with us, for
it spoils, methinks, the ingenuity of our practice. After they were
gone comes Mr. Bland to me, sat till 11 at night with me, talking of
the garrison of Tangier and serving them with pieces of eight. A mind he
hath to be employed there, but dares not desire any courtesy of me, and
yet would fain engage me to be for him, for I perceive they do all find
that I am the busy man to see the King have right done him by inquiring
out other bidders. Being quite tired with him, I got him gone, and so to
bed.

30th. All the morning at the office; at noon to the 'Change, where great
talke of a rich present brought by an East India ship from some of the
Princes of India, worth to the King L70,000 in two precious stones.
After dinner to the office, and there all the afternoon making an end
of several things against the end of the month, that I may clear all my
reckonings tomorrow; also this afternoon, with great content, I finished
the contracts for victualling of Tangier with Mr. Lanyon and the rest,
and to my comfort got him and Andrews to sign to the giving me L300 per
annum, by which, at least, I hope to be a L100 or two the better. Wrote
many letters by the post to ease my mind of business and to clear my
paper of minutes, as I did lately oblige myself to clear every thing
against the end of the month. So at night with my mind quiet and
contented to bed. This day I sent a side of venison and six bottles of
wine to Kate Joyce.

31st (Lord's day). Up, and to church, where I have not been these many
weeks. So home, and thither, inviting him yesterday, comes Mr. Hill, at
which I was a little troubled, but made up all very well, carrying him
with me to Sir J. Minnes, where I was invited and all our families to a
venison pasty. Here good cheer and good discourse. After dinner Mr.
Hill and I to m