h the
Dutch, which will find us work. Late at the office entering my Journall
for 8 days past, the greatness of my business hindering me of late to
put it down daily, but I have done it now very true and particularly,
and hereafter will, I hope, be able to fall into my old way of doing it
daily. So to my lodging, and there had a good pullet to my supper, and
so to bed, it being very cold again, God be thanked for it!

17th. Up, and all day long busy at the office, mighty busy, only stepped
to my lodging and had a fowl for my dinner, and at night my wife and
Mercer comes to me, which troubled me a little because I am to be mighty
busy to-morrow all day seriously about my accounts. So late from my
office to her, and supped, and so to bed.

18th. Up, and after some pleasant discourse with my wife (though my
head full of business) I out and left her to go home, and myself to
the office, and thence by water to the Duke of Albemarle's, and so back
again and find my wife gone. So to my chamber at my lodgings, and to the
making of my accounts up of Tangier, which I did with great difficulty,
finding the difference between short and long reckonings where I
have had occasion to mix my moneys, as I have of late done my Tangier
treasure upon other occasions, and other moneys upon that. However,
I was at it late and did it pretty perfectly, and so, after eating
something, to bed, my mind eased of a great deal of figures and
castings.

19th. Up, and to my accounts again, and stated them very clear and fair,
and at noon dined at my lodgings with Mr. Hater and W. Hewer at table
with me, I being come to an agreement yesterday with my landlady for L6
per month, for so many rooms for myself, them, and my wife and mayde,
when she shall come, and to pay besides for my dyett. After dinner I did
give them my accounts and letters to write against I went to the Duke of
Albemarle's this evening, which I did; and among other things, spoke to
him for my wife's brother, Balty, to be of his guard, which he kindly
answered that he should. My business of the Victualling goes on as I
would have it; and now my head is full how to make some profit of it to
myself or people. To that end, when I came home, I wrote a letter to
Mr. Coventry, offering myself to be the Surveyor Generall, and am apt
to think he will assist me in it, but I do not set my heart much on it,
though it would be a good helpe. So back to my office, and there till
past one before I c