t
passing the Victualler's account, and whether Sir George is to pay the
Victualler his money, or the Exchequer; Sir George claiming it to be
his place to save his threepences. It ended in anger, and I believe will
come to be a question before the King and Council. I did what I could to
keep myself unconcerned in it, having some things of my own to do before
I would appear high in anything. Thence to dinner, by Mr. Gauden's
invitation, to the Dolphin, where a good dinner; but what is to myself a
great wonder; that with ease I past the whole dinner without drinking a
drop of wine. After dinner to the office, my head full of business, and
so home, and it being the longest day in the year,--[That is, by the
old style. The new style was not introduced until 1752]--I made all my
people go to bed by daylight. But after I was a-bed and asleep, a
note came from my brother Tom to tell me that my cozen Anne Pepys, of
Worcestershire, her husband is dead, and she married again, and her
second husband in town, and intends to come and see me to-morrow.

13th. Up by 4 o'clock in the morning, and read Cicero's Second Oration
against Catiline, which pleased me exceedingly; and more I discern
therein than ever I thought was to be found in him; but I perceive it
was my ignorance, and that he is as good a writer as ever I read in my
life. By and by to Sir G. Carteret's, to talk with him about yesterday's
difference at the office; and offered my service to look into any old
books or papers that I have, that may make for him. He was well pleased
therewith, and did much inveigh against Mr. Coventry; telling me how he
had done him service in the Parliament, when Prin had drawn up things
against him for taking of money for places; that he did at his desire,
and upon his, letters, keep him off from doing it. And many other things
he told me, as how the King was beholden to him, and in what a miserable
condition his family would be, if he should die before he hath cleared
his accounts. Upon the whole, I do find that he do much esteem of me,
and is my friend, and I may make good use of him. Thence to several
places about business, among others to my brother's, and there Tom
Beneere the barber trimmed me. Thence to my Lady's, and there dined with
her, Mr. Laxton, Gibbons, and Goldgroove with us, and after dinner some
musique, and so home to my business, and in the evening my wife and I,
and Sarah and the boy, a most pleasant walk to Halfway house, a