excellent cheeses, whereof I
had two and Commissioner Pett one. So back again to Woolwich, and going
aboard the Hulke to see the manner of the iron bridles, which we are
making of for to save cordage to put to the chain, I did fall from the
shipside into the ship (Kent), and had like to have broke my left hand,
but I only sprained some of my fingers, which, when I came ashore I sent
to Mrs. Ackworth for some balsam, and put to my hand, and was pretty
well within a little while after. We dined at the White Hart with
several officers with us, and after dinner went and saw the Royal James
brought down to the stern of the Docke (the main business we came for),
and then to the Ropeyard, and saw a trial between Riga hemp and a sort
of Indian grass, which is pretty strong, but no comparison between it
and the other for strength, and it is doubtful whether it will take
tarre or no. So to the yacht again, and carried us almost to London, so
by our oars home to the office, and thence Mr. Pett and I to Mr. Grant's
coffee-house, whither he and Sir J. Cutler came to us and had much
discourse, mixed discourse, and so broke up, and so home where I found
my poor wife all alone at work, and the house foul, it being washing
day, which troubled me, because that tomorrow I must be forced to have
friends at dinner. So to my office, and then home to supper and to bed.

3rd (Shrove Tuesday). Up and walked to the Temple, and by promise
calling Commissioner Pett, he and I to White Hall to give Mr. Coventry
an account of what we did yesterday. Thence I to the Privy Seal Office,
and there got a copy of Sir W. Pen's grant to be assistant to Sir J.
Minnes, Comptroller, which, though there be not much in it, yet I intend
to stir up Sir J. Minnes to oppose, only to vex Sir W. Pen. Thence by
water home, and at noon, by promise, Mrs. Turner and her daughter, and
Mrs. Morrice, came along with Roger Pepys to dinner. We were as merry
as I could be, having but a bad dinner for them; but so much the better,
because of the dinner which I must have at the end of this month. And
here Mrs. The. shewed me my name upon her breast as her Valentine, which
will cost me 20s. After dinner I took them down into the wine-cellar,
and broached my tierce of claret for them. Towards the evening we
parted, and I to the office awhile, and then home to supper and to bed,
the sooner having taken some cold yesterday upon the water, which brings
me my usual pain. This afternoon R