, Mrs. Norbury, and her daughter,
and after them Mr. Norbury, where no great pleasure, my aunt being out
of humour in her fine clothes, and it raining hard. Besides, I was a
little too bold with her about her doating on Dr. Venner. Anon they went
away, and I till past 12 at night at my office, and then home to bed.

9th. Up betimes and walked to Mr. Povy's, and there, not without some
few troublesome questions of his, I got a note, and went and received
L117 5s. of Alderman Viner upon my pretended freight of the "William"
for Tangier, which overbears me on one side with joy and on the other
to think of my condition if I shall be called into examination about it,
and (though in strictness it is due) not be able to give a good account
of it. Home with it, and there comes Captain Taylor to me, and he and
I did set even the business of the ship Union lately gone for Tangier,
wherein I hope to get L50 more, for all which the Lord be praised. At
noon home to dinner, Mr. Hunt and his wife with us, and very pleasant.
Then in the afternoon I carried them home by coach, and I to Westminster
Hall, and thence to Gervas's, and there find I cannot prevail with Jane
to go forth with me, but though I took a good occasion of going to the
Trumpet she declined coming, which vexed me. 'Je avait grande envie
envers elle, avec vrai amour et passion'. Thence home and to my office
till one in the morning, setting to rights in writing this day's two
accounts of Povy and Taylor, and then quietly to bed. This day I had
several letters from several places, of our bringing in great numbers of
Dutch ships.

10th. Lay long, at which I am ashamed, because of so many people
observing it that know not how late I sit up, and for fear of Sir W.
Batten's speaking of it to others, he having staid for me a good while.
At the office all the morning, where comes my Lord Brunkard with his
patent in his hand, and delivered it to Sir J. Minnes and myself, we
alone being there all the day, and at noon I in his coach with him to
the 'Change, where he set me down; a modest civil person he seems to be,
but wholly ignorant in the business of the Navy as possible, but I hope
to make a friend of him, being a worthy man. Thence after hearing the
great newes of so many Dutchmen being brought in to Portsmouth and
elsewhere, which it is expected will either put them upon present
revenge or despair, I with Sir W. Rider and Cutler to dinner all alone
to the Great James, wher