too hot to wear any other open knees after them. At the office all the
morning, where we had a full Board, viz., Sir G. Carteret, Sir John
Mennes, Sir W. Batten, Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen, Mr. Pett, and myself.
Among many other businesses, I did get a vote signed by all, concerning
my issuing of warrants, which they did not smell the use I intend to
make of it; but it is to plead for my clerks to have their right of
giving out all warrants, at which I am not a little pleased. But a great
difference happened between Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Coventry, about
passing the Victualler's account, and whether Sir George is to pay the
Victualler his money, or the Exchequer; Sir George claiming it to be
his place to save his threepences. It ended in anger, and I believe will
come to be a question before the King and Council. I did what I could to
keep myself unconcerned in it, having some things of my own to do before
I would appear high in anything. Thence to dinner, by Mr. Gauden's
invitation, to the Dolphin, where a good dinner; but what is to myself a
great wonder; that with ease I past the whole dinner without drinking a
drop of wine. After dinner to the office, my head full of business, and
so home, and it being the longest day in the year,--[That is, by the
old style. The new style was not introduced until 1752]--I made all my
people go to bed by daylight. But after I was a-bed and asleep, a
note came from my brother Tom to tell me that my cozen Anne Pepys, of
Worcestershire, her husband is dead, and she married again, and her
second husband in town, and intends to come and see me to-morrow.

13th. Up by 4 o'clock in the morning, and read Cicero's Second Oration
against Catiline, which pleased me exceedingly; and more I discern
therein than ever I thought was to be found in him; but I perceive it
was my ignorance, and that he is as good a writer as ever I read in my
life. By and by to Sir G. Carteret's, to talk with him about yesterday's
difference at the office; and offered my service to look into any old
books or papers that I have, that may make for him. He was well pleased
therewith, and did much inveigh against Mr. Coventry; telling me how he
had done him service in the Parliament, when Prin had drawn up things
against him for taking of money for places; that he did at his desire,
and upon his, letters, keep him off from doing it. And many other things
he told me, as how the King was beholden to him, and in what a miserab