Diary, December 1664 | Page 6

looks better
than he did, methinks, before his voyage; and, I think, a little more
stern than he used to do. Thence to the Temple to my cozen Roger
Pepys, thinking to have met the Doctor to have discoursed our business,
but he came not, so I home, and there by agreement came my Lord
Rutherford, Povy, Gauden, Creed, Alderman Backewell, about Tangier
business of accounts between Rutherford and Gauden. Here they were
with me an hour or more, then after drinking away, and Povy and Creed
staid and eat with me; but I was sorry I had no better cheer for Povy;
for the foole may be useful, and is a cunning fellow in his way, which
is a strange one, and that, that I meet not in any other man, nor can
describe in him. They late with me, and when gone my boy and I to
musique, and then to bed.

8th. Up, and to my office, where all the morning busy. At noon dined at
home, and then to the office, where we sat all the afternoon. In the
evening comes my aunt and uncle Wight, Mrs. Norbury, and her
daughter, and after them Mr. Norbury, where no great pleasure, my

aunt being out of humour in her fine clothes, and it raining hard.
Besides, I was a little too bold with her about her doating on Dr.
Venner. Anon they went away, and I till past 12 at night at my office,
and then home to bed.

9th. Up betimes and walked to Mr. Povy's, and there, not without some
few troublesome questions of his, I got a note, and went and received
L117 5s. of Alderman Viner upon my pretended freight of the
"William" for Tangier, which overbears me on one side with joy and on
the other to think of my condition if I shall be called into examination
about it, and (though in strictness it is due) not be able to give a good
account of it. Home with it, and there comes Captain Taylor to me, and
he and I did set even the business of the ship Union lately gone for
Tangier, wherein I hope to get L50 more, for all which the Lord be
praised. At noon home to dinner, Mr. Hunt and his wife with us, and
very pleasant. Then in the afternoon I carried them home by coach, and
I to Westminster Hall, and thence to Gervas's, and there find I cannot
prevail with Jane to go forth with me, but though I took a good
occasion of going to the Trumpet she declined coming, which vexed
me. 'Je avait grande envie envers elle, avec vrai amour et passion'.
Thence home and to my office till one in the morning, setting to rights
in writing this day's two accounts of Povy and Taylor, and then quietly
to bed. This day I had several letters from several places, of our
bringing in great numbers of Dutch ships.

10th. Lay long, at which I am ashamed, because of so many people
observing it that know not how late I sit up, and for fear of Sir W.
Batten's speaking of it to others, he having staid for me a good while.
At the office all the morning, where comes my Lord Brunkard with his
patent in his hand, and delivered it to Sir J. Minnes and myself, we
alone being there all the day, and at noon I in his coach with him to the
'Change, where he set me down; a modest civil person he seems to be,
but wholly ignorant in the business of the Navy as possible, but I hope
to make a friend of him, being a worthy man. Thence after hearing the
great newes of so many Dutchmen being brought in to Portsmouth and
elsewhere, which it is expected will either put them upon present
revenge or despair, I with Sir W. Rider and Cutler to dinner all alone to

the Great James, where good discourse, and, I hope, occasion of getting
something hereafter. After dinner to White Hall to the Fishery, where
the Duke was with us. So home, and late at my office, writing many
letters, then home to supper and to bed. Yesterday come home, and this
night I visited Sir W. Pen, who dissembles great respect and love to me,
but I understand him very well. Major Holmes is come from Guinny,
and is now at Plymouth with great wealth, they say.

11th (Lord's day). Up and to church alone in the morning. Dined at
home, mighty pleasantly. In the afternoon I to the French church, where
much pleased with the three sisters of the parson, very handsome,
especially in their noses, and sing prettily. I heard a