urse. After dinner we fell to
business about their contract for tarr, in which and in another business
of Sir W. Rider's, canvas, wherein I got him to contract with me, I held
them to some terms against their wills, to the King's advantage, which I
believe they will take notice of to my credit. Thence home, and by water
by a gally down to Woolwich, and there a good while with Mr. Pett upon
the new ship discoursing and learning of him. Thence with Mr. Deane
to see Mr. Falconer, and there find him in a way to be well. So to the
water (after much discourse with great content with Mr. Deane) and home
late, and so to the office, wrote to, my father among other things my
continued displeasure against my brother John, so that I will give him
nothing more out of my own purse, which will trouble the poor man, but
however it is fit that I should take notice of my brother's ill carriage
to me. Then home and till 12 at night about my month's accounts, wherein
I have just kept within compass, this having been a spending month. So
my people being all abed I put myself to bed very sleepy. All the newes
now is what will become of the Dutch business, whether warr or peace.
We all seem to desire it, as thinking ourselves to have advantages at
present over them; for my part I dread it. The Parliament promises to
assist the King with lives and fortunes, and he receives it with thanks
and promises to demand satisfaction of the Dutch. My poor Lady Sandwich
is fallen sick three days since of the meazles. My Lord Digby's business
is hushed up, and nothing made of it; he is gone, and the discourse
quite ended. Never more quiet in my family all the days of my life than
now, there being only my wife and I and Besse and the little girl Susan,
the best wenches to our content that we can ever expect.

MAY 1664

May 1st (Lord's day). Lay long in bed. Went not to church, but staid at
home to examine my last night's accounts, which I find right, and that
I am L908 creditor in the world, the same I was last month. Dined, and
after dinner down by water with my wife and Besse with great pleasure
as low as Greenwich and so back, playing as it were leisurely upon the
water to Deptford, where I landed and sent my wife up higher to land
below Half-way house. I to the King's yard and there spoke about several
businesses with the officers, and so with Mr. Wayth consulting about
canvas, to Half-way house where my wife was, and after eating there we
broke