and leaving my wife there I and W.
Howe to Mr. Pagett's, and there heard some musique not very good, but
only one Dr. Walgrave, an Englishman bred at Rome, who plays the best
upon the lute that I ever heard man. Here I also met Mr. Hill

[Thomas Hill, a man whose taste for music caused him to be a very
acceptable companion to Pepys. In January, 1664-65, he became
assistant to the secretary of the Prize Office.]

the little merchant, and after all was done we sung. I did well enough a
Psalm or two of Lawes; he I perceive has good skill and sings well, and
a friend of his sings a good base. Thence late walked with them two as
far as my Lord's, thinking to take up my wife and carry them home,
but there being no coach to be got away they went, and I staid a great
while, it being very late, about 10 o'clock, before a coach could be
got. I found my Lord and ladies and my wife at supper. My Lord seems
very kind. But I am apt to think still the worst, and that it is only in
show, my wife and Lady being there. So home, and find my father come to
lie at our house; and so supped, and saw him, poor man, to bed, my heart
never being fuller of love to him, nor admiration of his prudence and
pains heretofore in the world than now, to see how Tom hath carried
himself in his trade; and how the poor man hath his thoughts going to
provide for his younger children and my mother. But I hope they shall
never want. So myself and wife to bed.

13th. Though late, past 12, before we went to bed, yet I heard my poor
father up, and so I rang up my people, and I rose and got something to
eat and drink for him, and so abroad, it being a mighty foul day, by
coach, setting my father down in Fleet Streete and I to St. James's,
where I found Mr. Coventry (the Duke being now come thither for the
summer) with a goldsmith, sorting out his old plate to change for new;
but, Lord! what a deale he hath! I staid and had two or three hours
discourse with him, talking about the disorders of our office, and I
largely to tell him how things are carried by Sir W. Batten and Sir J.
Minnes to my great grief. He seems much concerned also, and for all the
King's matters that are done after the same rate every where else, and
even the Duke's household matters too, generally with corruption, but
most indeed with neglect and indifferency. I spoke very loud and clear
to him my thoughts of Sir J. Minnes and the other, and trust him with
the using of them. T