into the playhouse; and there, after all staying above
an hour for the players, the King and all waiting, which was absurd, saw
"Henry the Fifth" well done by the Duke's people, and in most excellent
habits, all new vests, being put on but this night. But I sat so high and
far off, that I missed most of the words, and sat with a wind coming into
my back and neck, which did much trouble me. The play continued till
twelve at night; and then up, and a most horrid cold night it was, and
frosty, and moonshine. But the worst was, I had left my cloak at Sir G.
Carteret's, and they being abed I was forced to go home without it. So by
chance got a coach and to the Golden Lion Taverne in the Strand, and there
drank some mulled sack, and so home, where find my poor wife staying for
me, and then to bed mighty cold.

29th. Up, called up with newes from Sir W. Batten that Hogg hath brought
in two prizes more: and so I thither, and hear the particulars, which are
good; one of them, if prize, being worth L4,000: for which God be thanked!
Then to the office, and have the newes brought us of Captain Robinson's
coming with his fleete from Gottenburgh: dispersed, though, by foul
weather. But he hath light of five Dutch men-of-war, and taken three,
whereof one is sunk; which is very good newes to close up the year with,
and most of our merchantmen already heard of to be safely come home,
though after long lookings-for, and now to several ports, as they could
make them. At noon home to dinner, where Balty is and now well recovered.
Then to the office to do business, and at night, it being very cold, home
to my chamber, and there late writing, but my left eye still very sore. I
write by spectacles all this night, then to supper and to bed. This day's
good news making me very lively, only the arrears of much business on my
hands and my accounts to be settled for the whole year past do lie as a
weight on my mind.

30th (Lord's day). Lay long, however up and to church, where Mills made a
good sermon. Here was a collection for the sexton; but it come into my
head why we should be more bold in making the collection while the psalm
is singing, than in the sermon or prayer. Home, and, without any
strangers, to dinner, and then all the afternoon and evening in my chamber
preparing all my accounts in good condition against to-morrow, to state
them for the whole year past, to which God give me a good issue when I
come to close them! So to