s leave set them to work in the
garden, in the corner against the mayne-guard, a most unlikely place. It
being cold, Mr. Lee and I did sit all the day till three o'clock by the
fire in the Governor's house; I reading a play of Fletcher's, being "A
Wife for a Month," wherein no great wit or language. Having done we went
to them at work, and having wrought below the bottom of the foundation
of the wall, I bid them give over, and so all our hopes ended; and so
went home, taking Mr. Leigh with me, and after drunk a cup of wine he
went away, and I to my office, there reading in Sir W. Petty's book, and
so home and to bed, a little displeased with my wife, who, poor wretch,
is troubled with her lonely life, which I know not how without great
charge to help as yet, but I will study how to do it.

20th. Up and had L100 brought me by Prior of Brampton in full of his
purchase money for Barton's house and some land. So to the office, and
thence with Mr. Coventry in his coach to St. James's, with great content
and pride to see him treat me so friendly; and dined with him, and so
to White Hall together; where we met upon the Tangier Commission, and
discoursed many things thereon; but little will be done before my Lord
Rutherford comes there, as to the fortification or Mole. That done, my
Lord Sandwich and I walked together a good while in the Matted Gallery,
he acquainting me with his late enquiries into the Wardrobe business to
his content; and tells me how things stand. And that the first year was
worth about L3000 to him, and the next about as much; so that at this
day, if he were paid, it will be worth about L7000 to him. But it
contents me above all things to see him trust me as his confidant: so
I bid him good night, he being to go into the country, to keep his
Christmas, on Monday next. So by coach home and to my office, being post
night, and then home and to bed.

21st (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, so up to Church, and so home to
dinner alone with my wife very pleasant. After dinner I walked to my
brother's, where he told me some hopes he had of bringing his business
to pass still of his mistress, but I do find they do stand upon terms
that will not be either fit or in his power to grant, and therefore
I did dislike his talk and advised him to give it quite over. Thence
walked to White Hall, and there to chappell, and from thence up stairs,
and up and down the house and gallerys on the King's and Queen's side,
and so throu