Diary, October 1665 | Page 7

Commission, and so not
impower'd to determine, sent an expresse to his Majesty and Council to
know what they should do."]
And here he showed me his gardens, which are for variety of
evergreens, and hedge of holly, the finest things I ever saw in my life.
[Evelyn purchased Sayes Court, Deptford, in 1653, and laid out his
gardens, walks, groves, enclosures, and plantations, which afterwards
became famous for their beauty. When he took the place in hand it was
nothing but an open field of one hundred acres, with scarcely a hedge
in it.]
Thence in his coach to Greenwich, and there to my office, all the way
having fine discourse of trees and the nature of vegetables. And so to
write letters, I very late to Sir W. Coventry of great concernment, and
so to my last night's lodging, but my wife is gone home to Woolwich.
The Bill, blessed be God! is less this week by 740 of what it was the
last week. Being come to my lodging I got something to eat, having eat
little all the day, and so to bed, having this night renewed my promises
of observing my vowes as I used to do; for I find that, since I left them
off, my mind is run a'wool-gathering and my business neglected.

6th. Up, and having sent for Mr. Gawden he come to me, and he and I
largely discoursed the business of his Victualling, in order to the adding
of partners to him or other ways of altering it, wherein I find him ready
to do anything the King would have him do. So he and I took his coach
and to Lambeth and to the Duke of Albemarle about it, and so back
again, where he left me. In our way discoursing of the business and
contracting a great friendship with him, and I find he is a man most
worthy to be made a friend, being very honest and gratefull, and in the
freedom of our discourse he did tell me his opinion and knowledge of
Sir W. Pen to be, what I know him to be, as false a man as ever was
born, for so, it seems, he hath been to him. He did also tell me,
discoursing how things are governed as to the King's treasure, that,
having occasion for money in the country, he did offer Alderman
Maynell to pay him down money here, to be paid by the Receiver in
some county in the country, upon whom Maynell had assignments, in
whose hands the money also lay ready. But Maynell refused it, saying

that he could have his money when he would, and had rather it should
lie where it do than receive it here in towne this sickly time, where he
hath no occasion for it. But now the evil is that he hath lent this money
upon tallys which are become payable, but he finds that nobody looks
after it, how long the money is unpaid, and whether it lies dead in the
Receiver's hands or no, so the King he pays Maynell 10 per cent. while
the money lies in his Receiver's hands to no purpose but the benefit of
the Receiver. I to dinner to the King's Head with Mr. Woolly, who is
come to instruct me in the business of my goods, but gives me not so
good comfort as I thought I should have had. But, however, it will be
well worth my time though not above 2 or L300. He gone I to my
office, where very busy drawing up a letter by way of discourse to the
Duke of Albemarle about my conception how the business of the
Victualling should be ordered, wherein I have taken great pains, and I
think have hitt the right if they will but follow it. At this very late and
so home to our lodgings to bed.

7th. Up and to the office along with Mr. Childe, whom I sent for to
discourse about the victualling business, who will not come into
partnership (no more will Captain Beckford ), but I do find him a
mighty understanding man, and one I will keep a knowledge of. Did
business, though not much, at the office; because of the horrible crowd
and lamentable moan of the poor seamen that lie starving in the streets
for lack of money. Which do trouble and perplex me to the heart; and
more at noon when we were to go through them, for then a whole
hundred of them followed us; some cursing, some swearing, and some
praying to us. And that that made me more troubled was a letter come
this afternoon from the Duke of Albemarle, signifying the Dutch to be
in sight,