the King himself), about six months since, that this great person hath
given the pox to------; and discoursed how much this would oblige the
Kingdom if the King would banish some of these great persons publiquely
from the Court, and wished it with all their hearts. We set out so late
that it grew dark, so as we doubted the losing of our way; and a long
time it was, or seemed, before we could get to the water-side, and
that about eleven at night, where, when we come, all merry (only my eye
troubled me, as I said), we found no ferryboat was there, nor no oares
to carry us to Deptford. However, afterwards oares was called from the
other side at Greenwich; but, when it come, a frolique, being mighty
merry, took us, and there we would sleep all night in the coach in the
Isle of Doggs. So we did, there being now with us my Lady Scott, and
with great pleasure drew up the glasses, and slept till daylight, and
then some victuals and wine being brought us, we ate a bit, and so up
and took boat, merry as might be; and when come to Sir G. Carteret's,
there all to bed.

25th. Our good humour in every body continuing, and there I slept till
seven o'clock. Then up and to the office, well refreshed, my eye only
troubling me, which by keeping a little covered with my handkercher and
washing now and then with cold water grew better by night. At noon to
the 'Change, which was very thin, and thence homeward, and was called
in by Mr. Rawlinson, with whom I dined and some good company very
harmlessly merry. But sad the story of the plague in the City, it
growing mightily. This day my Lord Brunker did give me Mr. Grant's'
book upon the Bills of Mortality, new printed and enlarged. Thence to
my office awhile, full of business, and thence by coach to the Duke
of Albemarle's, not meeting one coach going nor coming from my house
thither and back again, which is very strange. One of my chief errands
was to speak to Sir W. Clerke about my wife's brother, who importunes
me, and I doubt he do want mightily, but I can do little for him there
as to employment in the army, and out of my purse I dare not for fear
of a precedent, and letting him come often to me is troublesome and
dangerous too, he living in the dangerous part of the town, but I will
do what I can possibly for him and as soon as I can. Mightily troubled
all this afternoon with masters coming to me about Bills of Exchange and
my signing them upon my Goldsmiths, but I did send for them all