long with Sir W.
Batten and Sir J. Minnes, to speak with my lord about our Prize Office
business; but, being sicke and full of visitants, we could not speak
with him, and so away home. Where Sir Richard Ford did meet us with
letters from Holland this day, that it is likely the Dutch fleete will
not come out this year; they have not victuals to keep them out, and it
is likely they will be frozen before they can get back. Captain Cocke
is made Steward for sick and wounded seamen. So home to supper, where
troubled to hear my poor boy Tom has a fit of the stone, or some other
pain like it. I must consult Mr. Holliard for him. So at one in the
morning home to bed.

23rd. Up and to my office, where close all the morning about my Lord
Treasurer's accounts, and at noon home to dinner, and then to the office
all the afternoon very busy till very late at night, and then to supper
and to bed. This evening Mr. Hollyard came to me and told me that he
hath searched my boy, and he finds he hath a stone in his bladder, which
grieves me to the heart, he being a good-natured and well-disposed boy,
and more that it should be my misfortune to have him come to my house.
Sir G. Carteret was here this afternoon; and strange to see how we plot
to make the charge of this warr to appear greater than it is, because of
getting money.

24th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy answering
of people. About noon out with Commissioner Pett, and he and I to
a Coffee-house, to drink jocolatte, very good; and so by coach to
Westminster, being the first day of the Parliament's meeting. After
the House had received the King's speech, and what more he had to say,
delivered in writing, the Chancellor being sicke, it rose, and I with
Sir Philip Warwicke home and conferred our matters about the charge
of the Navy, and have more to give him in the excessive charge of this
year's expense. I dined with him, and Mr. Povy with us and Sir Edmund
Pooly, a fine gentleman, and Mr. Chichly, and fine discourse we had
and fine talke, being proud to see myself accepted in such company and
thought better than I am. After dinner Sir Philip and I to talk again,
and then away home to the office, where sat late; beginning our sittings
now in the afternoon, because of the Parliament; and they being rose, I
to my office, where late till almost one o'clock, and then home to bed.

25th. Up and at my office all the morning, to prepare an account of the
charge we have