Diary, Nov/Dec 1663 | Page 6

he would pay the 5s.,
which was so poor that I was ashamed of it, and did it only to save
contending with him. There, after agreeing a day for him and I to meet
and seal our agreement, I parted and home, and at the office by
agreement came Mr. Shales, and there he and I discourse till late the
business of his helping me in the discovery of some arrears of
provisions and stores due to the stores at Portsmouth, out of which I
may chance to get some money, and save the King some too, and
therefore I shall endeavour to do the fellow some right in other things
here to his advantage between Mr. Gauden and him. He gone my wife
and I to her arithmetique, in which she pleases me well, and so to the
office, there set down my Journall, and so home to supper and to bed.
A little troubled to see how my family is out of order by Will's being
there, and also to hear that Jane do not please my wife as I expected
and would have wished.

6th. This morning waking, my wife was mighty-earnest with me to
persuade me that she should prove with child since last night, which, if
it be, let it come, and welcome. Up to my office, whither Commissioner
Pett came, newly come out of the country, and he and I walked together
in the garden talking of business a great while, and I perceive that by
our countenancing of him he do begin to pluck up his head, and will do
good things I hope in the yard. Thence, he being gone, to my office and
there dispatched many people, and at noon to the 'Change to the
coffee-house, and among other things heard Sir John Cutler say, that of
his owne experience in time of thunder, so many barrels of beer as have
a piece of iron laid upon them will not be soured, and the others will.
Thence to the 'Change, and there discoursed with many people, and I
hope to settle again to my business and revive my report of following
of business, which by my being taken off for a while by sickness and,
laying out of money has slackened for a little while. Home, and there
found Mrs. Hunt, who dined very merry, good woman; with us. After
dinner came in Captain Grove, and he and I alone to talk of many
things, and among many others of the Fishery, in which he gives the
such hopes that being at this time full of projects how to get a little

honestly, of which some of them I trust in God will take, I resolved this
afternoon to go and consult my Lord Sandwich about it, and so, being
to carry home Mrs. Hunt, I took her and my wife by coach and set them
at Axe Yard, and I to my Lord's and thither sent for Creed and
discoursed with him about it, and he and I to White Hall, where Sir G.
Carteret and my Lord met me very fortunately, and wondered first to
see me in my perruque, and I am glad it is over, and then, Sir G.
Carteret being gone, I took my Lord aside, who do give me the best
advice he can, and telling me how there are some projectors, by name
Sir Edward Ford, who would have the making of farthings,
[Sir Edward Ford, son of Sir William Ford of Harting, born at Up Park
in 1605. "After the Restoration he invented a mode of coining farthings.
Each piece was to differ minutely from another to prevent forgery. He
failed in procuring a patent for these in England, but obtained one for
Ireland. He died in Ireland before he could carry his design into
execution, on September 3rd, 1670" ("Dictionary of National
Biography ").]
and out of that give so much to the King for the maintenance of the
Fishery; but my Lord do not like that, but would have it go as they
offered the last year, and so upon my desire he promises me when it is
seasonable to bring me into the commission with others, if any of them
take, and I perceive he and Mr. Coventry are resolved to follow it hard.
Thence, after walking a good while in the Long gallery, home to my
Lord's lodging, my Lord telling me how my father did desire him to
speak to me about my giving of my sister something, which do vex me
to see that he should trouble my Lord in it, but however it is a good
occasion for me to tell my Lord my condition, and so I was glad of it.
After that we