Diary, January 1666/67 | Page 9

dinner, and presently
afterward at my office again. I understand my father is pretty well again,
blessed be God! and would have my Br[other] John comedown to him
for a little while. Busy till night, pleasing myself mightily to see what a
deal of business goes off of a man's hands when he stays by it, and then,
at night, before it was late (yet much business done) home to supper,
discourse with my wife, and to bed. Sir W. Batten tells me the Lords do
agree at last with the Commons about the word "Nuisance" in the Irish
Bill, and do desire a good correspondence between the two Houses; and
that the King do intend to prorogue them the last of this month.

15th. Up, and to the office, where busy all the morning. Here my Lord
Bruncker would have made me promise to go with him to a play this
afternoon, where Knipp acts Mrs. Weaver's great part in "The Indian

Emperour," and he says is coming on to be a great actor. But I am so
fell to my business, that I, though against my inclination, will not go.
At noon, dined with my wife and were pleasant, and then to the office,
where I got Mrs. Burroughs 'sola cum ego, and did toucher ses
mamailles' . . . . She gone, I to my business and did much, and among
other things to-night we were all mightily troubled how to prevent the
sale of a great deal of hemp, and timber-deals, and other good goods
to-morrow at the candle by the Prize Office, where it will be sold for
little, and we shall be found to want the same goods and buy at
extraordinary prices, and perhaps the very same goods now sold, which
is a most horrid evil and a shame. At night home to supper and to bed
with my mind mighty light to see the fruits of my diligence in having
my business go off my hand so merrily.

16th. Up, and by coach to White Hall, and there to the Duke of York as
usual. Here Sir W. Coventry come to me aside in the Duke's chamber,
to tell that he had not answered part of a late letter of mine, because
'littera scripta manet'. About his leaving the office, he tells me, [it is]
because he finds that his business at Court will not permit him to attend
it; and then he confesses that he seldom of late could come from it with
satisfaction, and therefore would not take the King's money for nothing.
I professed my sorrow for it, and prayed the continuance of his favour;
which he promised. I do believe he hath [done] like a very wise man in
reference to himself; but I doubt it will prove ill for the King, and for
the office. Prince Rupert, I hear to-day, is very ill; yesterday given over,
but better to-day. This day, before the Duke of York, the business of
the Muster-Masters was reported, and Balty found the best of the whole
number, so as the Duke enquired who he was, and whether he was a
stranger by his two names, both strange, and offered that he and one
more, who hath done next best, should have not only their owne, but
part of the others' salary, but that I having said he was my
brother-in-law, he did stop, but they two are ordered their pay, which I
am glad of, and some of the rest will lose their pay, and others be laid
by the heels. I was very glad of this being ended so well. I did also, this
morning, move in a business wherein Mr. Hater hath concerned me,
about getting a ship, laden with salt from France, permitted to unload,
coming in after the King's declaration was out, which I have hopes by

some dexterity to get done. Then with the Duke of York to the King, to
receive his commands for stopping the sale this day of some
prize-goods at the Prize- Office, goods fit for the Navy; and received
the King's commands, and carried them to the Lords' House, to my
Lord Ashly, who was angry much thereat, and I am sorry it fell to me
to carry the order, but I cannot help it. So, against his will, he signed a
note I writ to the Commissioners of Prizes, which I carried and
delivered to Kingdone, at their new office in Aldersgate Streete.
Thence a little to the Exchange, where it was hot that the Prince was
dead, but I did rectify it. So home to dinner, and found Balty, told him
the good news, and then after dinner away, I presently to White Hall,
and did give the Duke of