lls me, Sir R. Ford
also, both of whom are very witty men. He being gone Sir W. Rider came
and staid with me till about 12 at night, having found ourselves work
till that time, about understanding the measuring of Mr. Wood's masts,
which though I did so well before as to be thought to deal very hardly
against Wood, yet I am ashamed I understand it no better, and do hope
yet, whatever be thought of me, to save the King some more money,
and out of an impatience to breake up with my head full of confused
confounded notions, but nothing brought to a clear comprehension, I was
resolved to sit up and did till now it is ready to strike 4 o'clock, all
alone, cold, and my candle not enough left to light me to my owne house,
and so, with my business however brought to some good understanding, and
set it down pretty clear, I went home to bed with my mind at good quiet,
and the girl sitting up for me (the rest all a-bed). I eat and drank a
little, and to bed, weary, sleepy, cold, and my head akeing.

18th. Called up to the office and much against my will I rose, my head
aching mightily, and to the office, where I did argue to good purpose
for the King, which I have been fitting myself for the last night
against Mr. Wood about his masts, but brought it to no issue. Very full
of business till noon, and then with Mr. Coventry to the African House,
and there fell to my Lord Peterborough's accounts, and by and by to
dinner, where excellent discourse, Sir G. Carteret and others of the
African Company with us, and then up to the accounts again, which were
by and by done, and then I straight home, my head in great pain, and
drowsy, so after doing a little business at the office I wrote to my
father about sending him the mastiff was given me yesterday. I home and
by daylight to bed about 6 o'clock and fell to sleep, wakened about 12
when my wife came to bed, and then to sleep again and so till morning,
and then:

19th. Up in good order in my head again and shaved myself, and then to
the office, whither Mr. Cutler came, and walked and talked with me a
great while; and then to the 'Change together; and it being early, did
tell me several excellent examples of men raised upon the 'Change by
their great diligence and saving; as also his owne fortune, and how
credit grew upon him; that when he was not really worth L1100, he had
credit for L100,000 of Sir W. Rider how he rose; and others. By and by
joyned with us Sir John Bankes; who told us sev