through much business
and answered several people. And then in the evening walked in the
garden, where we conjured him to look after the yard, and for the time
to come that he would take the whole faults and ill management of the
yard upon himself, he having full power and our concurrence to suspend
or do anything else that he thinks fit to keep people and officers to
their duty. He having made good promises, though I fear his performance,
we parted (though I spoke so freely that he could have been angry) good
friends, and in some hopes that matters will be better for the time to
come. So walked to the Hillhouse (which we did view and the yard about
it, and do think to put it off as soon as we can conveniently) and there
made ourselves ready and mounted and rode to Gravesend (my riding Coate
not being to be found I fear it is stole) on our way being overtaken by
Captain Browne that serves the office of the Ordnance at Chatham. All
the way, though he was a rogue and served the late times all along, yet
he kept us in discourse of the many services that he did for many of the
King's party, lords and Dukes, and among others he recovered a dog that
was stolne from Mr. Cary (head-keeper of the buck-hounds to the King)
and preserved several horses of the Duke of Richmond's, and his best
horse he was forst to put out his eyes and keep him for a stallion
to preserve him from being carried away. But he gone at last upon
my enquiry to tell us how (he having been here too for survey of the
Ropeyard) the day's work of the Rope-makers become settled, which
pleased me very well. Being come to our Inn Mr. Coventry and I sat, and
talked till 9 or 10 a-clock and then to bed.

4th. We were called up about four a-clock, and being ready went and took
a Gravesend boat, and to London by nine a-clock. By the way talking of
several businesses of the navy. So to the office, where Sir Wm. Pen (the
first time that he has been with us a great while, he having been long
sick) met us, and there we sat all the morning. My brother John I find
come to town to my house, as I sent for him, on Saturday last; so at
noon home and dined with him, and after dinner and the barber been with
me I walked out with him to my viall maker's and other places and then
left him, and I by water to Blackbury's, and there talked with him about
some masts (and by the way he tells me that Paul's is now going to be
repaired in good earnest), and so with him to his garden close