rvy, and myself, to Sir W. Pen's
house, where some other company. It is instead of a wedding dinner for
his daughter, whom I saw in palterly clothes, nothing new but a bracelet
that her servant had given her, and ugly she is, as heart can wish. A
sorry dinner, not any thing handsome or clean, but some silver plates
they borrowed of me. My wife was here too. So a great deal of talk, and
I seemingly merry, but took no pleasure at all. We had favours given us
all, and we put them in our hats, I against my will, but that my Lord
and the rest did, I being displeased that he did carry Sir W. Coventry's
himself several days ago, and the people up and down the town long
since, and we must have them but to-day. After dinner to talk a little,
and then I away to my office, to draw up a letter of the state of the
Office and Navy for the Duke of York against Sunday next, and at it
late, and then home to supper and to bed, talking with my wife of the
poorness and meanness of all that Sir W. Pen and the people about us do,
compared with what we do.

23rd. This day I am, by the blessing of God, 34 years old, in very
good health and mind's content, and in condition of estate much beyond
whatever my friends could expect of a child of theirs, this day 34
years. The Lord's name be praised! and may I be ever thankful for it.
Up betimes to the office, in order to my letter to the Duke of York
to-morrow, and then the office met and spent the greatest part about
this letter. At noon home to dinner, and then to the office again very
close at it all the day till midnight, making an end and writing fair
this great letter and other things to my full content, it abundantly
providing for the vindication of this office, whatever the success be of
our wants of money. This evening Sir W. Batten come to me to the office
on purpose, out of spleen (of which he is full to Carcasse!), to tell
me that he is now informed of many double tickets now found of Carcasses
making which quite overthrows him. It is strange to see how, though I
do believe this fellow to be a rogue, and could be contented to have
him removed, yet to see him persecuted by Sir W. Batten, who is as bad
himself, and that with so much rancour, I am almost the fellow's friend.
But this good I shall have from it, that the differences between Sir W.
Batten and my Lord Bruncker will do me no hurt.

24th (Lord's day). Up, and with [Sir] W. Batten, by coach; he set me
down at my Lord Bruncker's (