Diary, August 1665 | Page 6

the time, considering the quality and nature of
the business, and my noble usage in the doing of it, and very many fine
journys, entertainments and great company. I returned into the house
for a while to do business there with Commissioner Pett, and there with
the officers of the Chest, where I saw more of Sir W. Batten's business
than ever I did before, for whereas he did own once under his hand to
them that he was accountable for L2200, of which he had yet paid but
L1600, he writes them a letter lately that he hath but about L50 left that
is due to the Chest, but I will do something in it and that speedily. That
being done I took horse, and Mr. Barrow with me bore me company to
Gravesend, discoursing of his business, wherein I vexed him, and he
me, I seeing his frowardness, but yet that he is in my conscience a very
honest man, and some good things he told me, which I shall remember
to the King's advantage. There I took boat alone, and, the tide being
against me, landed at Blackwall and walked to Wapping, Captain Bowd
whom I met with talking with me all the way, who is a sober man. So
home, and found all things well, and letters from Dover that my Lord
Hinchingbroke is arrived at Dover, and would be at Scott's hall this
night, where the whole company will meet. I wish myself with them.
After writing a few letters I took boat and down to Woolwich very late,
and there found my wife and her woman upon the key hearing a fellow
in a barge, that lay by, fiddle. So I to them and in, very merry, and to
bed, I sleepy and weary.

5th. In the morning up, and my wife showed me several things of her
doing, especially one fine woman's Persian head mighty finely done,
beyond what I could expect of her; and so away by water, having

ordered in the yarde six or eight bargemen to be whipped, who had last
night stolen some of the King's cordage from out of the yarde. I to
Deptford, and there by agreement met with my Lord Bruncker, and
there we kept our office, he and I, and did what there was to do, and at
noon parted to meet at the office next week. Sir W. Warren and I
thence did walk through the rain to Half-Way House, and there I eat a
piece of boiled beef and he and I talked over several businesses, among
others our design upon the mast docke, which I hope to compass and
get 2 or L300 by. Thence to Redriffe, where we parted, and I home,
where busy all the afternoon. Stepped to Colvill's to set right a business
of money, where he told me that for certain De Ruyter is come home,
with all his fleete, which is very ill newes, considering the charge we
have been at in keeping a fleete to the northward so long, besides the
great expectation of snapping him, wherein my Lord Sandwich will I
doubt suffer some dishonour. I am told also of a great ryott upon
Thursday last in Cheapside; Colonell Danvers, a delinquent, having
been taken, and in his way to the Tower was rescued from the captain
of the guard, and carried away; only one of the rescuers being taken. I
am told also that the Duke of Buckingham is dead, but I know not of a
certainty. So home and very late at letters, and then home to supper and
to bed.

6th (Lord's day). Dressed and had my head combed by my little girle,
to whom I confess 'que je sum demasiado kind, nuper ponendo mes
mains in su des choses de son breast, mais il faut que je' leave it lest it
bring me to 'alcun major inconvenience'. So to my business in my
chamber, look over and settling more of my papers than I could the two
last days I have spent about them. In the evening, it raining hard, down
to Woolwich, where after some little talk to bed.

7th. Up, and with great pleasure looking over my wife's pictures, and
then to see my Lady Pen, whom I have not seen since her coming
hither, and after being a little merry with her, she went forth and I staid
there talking with Mrs. Pegg and looking over her pictures, and
commended them; but, Lord! so far short of my wife's, as no

comparison. Thence to my wife, and there spent, talking, till noon,
when by appointment Mr. Andrews come out of the country to speake
with me about their Tangier business, and so having done with him and