which is very fine, and I believe we shall employ it for the Navy, for
the King's grounds are not sufficient to supply our defence if a warr
comes. Thence back to the 'Change, where great talke of the forwardnesse
of the Dutch, which puts us all to a stand, and particularly myself for
my Lord Sandwich, to think him to lie where he is for a sacrifice, if
they should begin with us. So home and Creed with me, and to dinner, and
after dinner I out to my office, taking in Bagwell's wife, who I knew
waited for me, but company came to me so soon that I could have no
discourse with her, as I intended, of pleasure. So anon abroad with
Creed walked to Bartholomew Fayre, this being the last day, and there
saw the best dancing on the ropes that I think I ever saw in my life,
and so all say, and so by coach home, where I find my wife hath had her
head dressed by her woman, Mercer, which is to come to her to-morrow,
but my wife being to go to a christening tomorrow, she came to do her
head up to-night. So a while to my office, and then to supper and to
bed.

8th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning. At noon dined at
home, and I by water down to Woolwich by a galley, and back again in the
evening. All haste made in setting out this Guinny fleete, but yet not
such as will ever do the King's business if we come to a warr. My wife
this afternoon being very well dressed by her new woman, Mary Mercer,
a decayed merchant's daughter that our Will helps us to, did go to the
christening of Mrs. Mills, the parson's wife's child, where she never
was before. After I was come home Mr. Povey came to me and took me out
to supper to Mr. Bland's, who is making now all haste to be gone for
Tangier. Here pretty merry, and good discourse, fain to admire the
knowledge and experience of Mrs. Bland, who I think as good a merchant
as her husband. I went home and there find Mercer, whose person I like
well, and I think will do well, at least I hope so. So to my office a
while and then to bed.

9th. Up, and to put things in order against dinner. I out and bought
several things, among others, a dozen of silver salts; home, and to the
office, where some of us met a little, and then home, and at noon comes
my company, namely, Anthony and Will Joyce and their wives, my aunt
James newly come out of Wales, and my cozen Sarah Gyles. Her husband did
not come, and by her I did understand afterwards, that it was because he
was not yet able to pay me the 40