Diary, November 1666 | Page 8

we here, that a fatal day is to be expected shortly, of some great
mischiefe to the remainder of this day; whether by the Papists, or what,
they are not certain. But the day is disputed; some say next Friday,
others a day sooner, others later, and I hope all will prove a foolery. But
it is observable how every body's fears are busy at this time.

8th. Up, and before I went to the office I spoke with Mr. Martin for his
advice about my proceeding in the business of the private man-of-war,
he having heretofore served in one of them, and now I have it in my
thoughts to send him purser in ours. After this discourse I to the office,
where I sat all the morning, Sir W. Coventry with us, where he hath not
been a great while, Sir W. Pen also, newly come from the Nore, where

he hath been some time fitting of the ships out. At noon home to dinner
and then to the office awhile, and so home for my sword, and there find
Mercer come to see her mistresse. I was glad to see her there, and my
wife mighty kind also, and for my part, much vexed that the jade is not
with us still. Left them together, designing to go abroad to-morrow
night to Mrs. Pierces to dance; and so I to Westminster Hall, and there
met Mr. Grey, who tells me the House is sitting still (and now it was
six o'clock), and likely to sit till midnight; and have proceeded fair to
give the King his supply presently; and herein have done more to-day
than was hoped for. So to White Hall to Sir W. Coventry, and there
would fain have carried Captain Cocke's business for his bargain of
hemp, but am defeated and disappointed, and know hardly how to carry
myself in it between my interest and desire not to offend Sir W.
Coventry. Sir W. Coventry did this night tell me how the business is
about Sir J. Minnes; that he is to be a Commissioner, and my Lord
Bruncker and Sir W. Pen are to be Controller joyntly, which I am very
glad of, and better than if they were either of them alone; and do hope
truly that the King's business will be better done thereby, and infinitely
better than now it is. Thence by coach home, full of thoughts of the
consequence of this alteration in our office, and I think no evil to me.
So at my office late, and then home to supper and to bed. Mr. Grey did
assure me this night, that he was told this day, by one of the greater
Ministers of State in England, and one of the King's Cabinet, that we
had little left to agree on between the Dutch and us towards a peace, but
only the place of treaty; which do astonish me to hear, but I am glad of
it, for I fear the consequence of the war. But he says that the King,
having all the money he is like to have, we shall be sure of a peace in a
little time.

9th. Up and to the office, where did a good deale of business, and then
at noon to the Exchange and to my little goldsmith's, whose wife is
very pretty and modest, that ever I saw any. Upon the 'Change, where I
seldom have of late been, I find all people mightily at a losse what to
expect, but confusion and fears in every man's head and heart. Whether
war or peace, all fear the event will be bad. Thence home and with my
brother to dinner, my wife being dressing herself against night; after
dinner I to my closett all the afternoon, till the porter brought my vest

back from the taylor's, and then to dress myself very fine, about 4 or 5
o'clock, and by that time comes Mr. Batelier and Mercer, and away by
coach to Mrs. Pierces, by appointment, where we find good company: a
fair lady, my Lady Prettyman, Mrs. Corbet, Knipp; and for men,
Captain Downing, Mr. Lloyd, Sir W. Coventry's clerk, and one Mr.
Tripp, who dances well. After some trifling discourse, we to dancing,
and very good sport, and mightily pleased I was with the company.
After our first bout of dancing, Knipp and I to sing, and Mercer and
Captain Downing (who loves and understands musique) would by all
means have my song of "Beauty, retire." which Knipp had spread
abroad; and he extols it above any thing he ever heard, and, without
flattery, I know it is good in its kind. This being done and going to
dance again, comes news that White Hall was on fire;