Diary, Jul/Aug 1663 | Page 9

him a disgrace, if he could possibly, otherwise he
would never have carried the business so far after that manner, but
would first have consulted my Lord and given him advice what to do
therein for his own honour, which he thought endangered. Creed dined
with me and then walked a while, and so away, and I to my office at
my morning's work till dark night, and so with good content home. To
supper, a little musique, and then to bed.

7th. Up by 4 o'clock and to my office, and there continued all the
morning upon my Navy book to my great content. At noon down by
barge with Sir J. Minnes (who is going to Chatham) to Woolwich, in
our way eating of some venison pasty in the barge, I having neither eat
nor drank to-day, which fills me full of wind. Here also in Mr. Pett's
garden I eat some and the first cherries I have eat this year, off the tree
where the King himself had been gathering some this morning. Thence
walked alone, only part of the way Deane walked with me, complaining
of many abuses in the Yard, to Greenwich, and so by water to Deptford,
where I found Mr. Coventry, and with him up and down all the stores,
to the great trouble of the officers, and by his help I am resolved to fall
hard to work again, as I used to do. So thence he and I by water talking
of many things, and I see he puts his trust most upon me in the Navy,

and talks, as there is reason, slightly of the two old knights, and I
should be glad by any drudgery to see the King's stores and service
looked to as they ought, but I fear I shall never understand half the
miscarriages and tricks that the King suffers by. He tells me what Mr.
Pett did to-day, that my Lord Bristoll told the King that he will impeach
the Chancellor of High Treason: but I find that my Lord Bristoll hath
undone himself already in every body's opinion, and now he
endeavours to raise dust to put out other men's eyes, as well as his own;
but I hope it will not take, in consideration merely that it is hard for a
Prince to spare an experienced old officer, be he never so corrupt;
though I hope this man is not so, as some report him to be. He tells me
that Don John is yet alive, and not killed, as was said, in the great
victory against the Spaniards in Portugall of late. So home, and late at
my office. Thence home and to my musique. This night Mr. Turner's
house being to be emptied out of my cellar, and therefore I think to sit
up a little longer than ordinary. This afternoon, coming from the
waterside with Mr. Coventry, I spied my boy upon Tower Hill playing
with the rest of the boys; so I sent W. Griffin to take him, and he did
bring him to me, and so I said nothing to him, but caused him to be
stripped (for he was run away with his best suit), and so putting on his
other, I sent him going, without saying one word hard to him, though I
am troubled for the rogue, though he do not deserve it. Being come
home I find my stomach not well for want of eating to-day my dinner
as I should do, and so am become full of wind. I called late for some
victuals, and so to bed, leaving the men below in the cellar emptying
the vats up through Mr. Turner's own house, and so with more content
to bed late.

8th. Being weary, and going to bed late last night, I slept till 7 o'clock,
it raining mighty hard, and so did every minute of the day after sadly.
But I know not what will become of the corn this year, we having had
but two fair days these many months. Up and to my office, where all
the morning busy, and then at noon home to dinner alone upon a good
dish of eeles, given me by Michell, the Bewpers' man, and then to my
viall a little, and then down into the cellar and up and down with Mr.
Turner to see where his vault may be made bigger, or another made
him, which I think may well be. And so to my office, where very busy

all day setting things in order my contract books and preparing things
against the next sitting. In the evening I received letters out of the
country, among others from my wife, who methinks writes so coldly
that I am much troubled at