answers all questions so wittily, that for certain
he is an arch rogue, and bred in this towne; but my Lady will not
believe it, but ordered victuals to be given him, and I think will keep
him as a footboy for their eldest son. After dinner to chappell in the
Tower with the Lieutenant, with the keyes carried before us, and
the Warders and Gentleman-porter going before us. And I sat with the
Lieutenant in his pew, in great state, but slept all the sermon. None,
it seems, of the prisoners in the Tower that are there now, though they
may, will come to prayers there. Church being done, I back to Sir John's
house and there left him and home, and by and by to Sir W. Pen, and
staid a while talking with him about Sir J. Minnes his folly in his
office, of which I am sicke and weary to speak of it, and how the King
is abused in it, though Pen, I know, offers the discourse only like a
rogue to get it out of me, but I am very free to tell my mind to him, in
that case being not unwilling he should tell him again if he will or any
body else. Thence home, and walked in the garden by brave moonshine with
my wife above two hours, till past 8 o'clock, then to supper, and after
prayers to bed.

29th. Up and by coach with Sir W. Pen to Charing Cross, and there I
'light, and to Sir Phillip Warwick to visit him and discourse with him
about navy business, which I did at large and he most largely with me,
not only about the navy but about the general Revenue of England, above
two hours, I think, many staying all the while without, but he seemed
to take pains to let me either understand the affairs of the Revenue or
else to be a witness of his pains and care in stating it. He showed me
indeed many excellent collections of the State of the Revenue in former
Kings and the late times, and the present. He showed me how the very
Assessments between 1643 and 1659, which were taxes (besides Excise,
Customes, Sequestrations, Decimations, King and Queene's and Church
Lands, or any thing else but just the Assessments), come to above
fifteen millions. He showed me a discourse of his concerning the
Revenues of this and foreign States. How that of Spayne was great, but
divided with his kingdoms, and so came to little. How that of France
did, and do much exceed ours before for quantity; and that it is at the
will of the Prince to tax what he will upon his people; which is not
here. That the Hollanders have the best manner of tax, which is only
upon the expe