of his
supplying us with canvas, and he told me in discourse several instances
of Sir W. Batten's cheats. So to Half-way house, whither my wife and
them were gone before, and after drinking there we walked, and by water
home, sending Creed and the other with the boat home. Then wrote a
letter to Mr. Coventry, and so a good supper of pease, the first I eat
this year, and so to bed.

23rd. Up and to the office, where Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, and
myself met and did business, we being in a mighty hurry. The King is
gone down with the Duke and a great crew this morning by break of day
to Chatham. Towards noon I and my wife by water to Woolwich, leaving my
wife at Mr. Falconer's, and Mr. Hater and I with some officers of the
yard on board to see several ships how ready they are. Then to Mr.
Falconer's to a good dinner, having myself carried them a vessel of
sturgeon and a Lamprey pie, and then to the Yarde again, and among
other things did at Mr. Ackworth's obtain a demonstration of his being
a knave; but I did not discover it, till it be a little more seasonable.
So back to the Ropeyard and took my wife and Mr. Hater back, it raining
mighty hard of a sudden, but we with the tilt

[Tilt (A.S. teld) represents a tent or awning. It was used for a
cloth covering for a cart or waggon, or for a canopy or awning over
a portion of a boat.]

kept ourselves dry. So to Deptford, did some business there; but, Lord!
to see how in both places the King's business, if ever it should come to
a warr, is likely to be done, there not being a man that looks or speaks
like a man that will take pains, or use any forecast to serve the King,
at which I am heartily troubled. So home, it raining terribly, but we
still dry, and at the office late discoursing with Sir J. Minnes and
Sir W. Batten, who like a couple of sots receive all I say but to little
purpose. So late home to supper and to bed.

24th. Up and to the office, where Sir J. Minnes and I sat all the
morning, and after dinner thither again, and all the afternoon hard at
the office till night, and so tired home to supper and to bed. This day
I heard that my uncle Fenner is dead, which makes me a little sad, to
see with what speed a great many of my friends are gone, and more, I
fear, for my father's sake, are going.

25th. Took physique betimes and to sleep, then up, it working all the
morning. At noon dined, and in the afternoon in my chamber spending
two or three