s
come to us, and after dinner we walked to the King's play-house, all in
dirt, they being altering of the stage to make it wider. But God knows
when they will begin to act again; but my business here was to see the
inside of the stage and all the tiring-rooms and machines; and, indeed,
it was a sight worthy seeing. But to see their clothes, and the various
sorts, and what a mixture of things there was; here a wooden-leg, there
a ruff, here a hobbyhorse, there a crown, would make a man split himself
to see with laughing; and particularly Lacy's wardrobe, and
Shotrell's. But then again, to think how fine they show on the stage by
candle-light, and how poor things they are to look now too near hand,
is not pleasant at all. The machines are fine, and the paintings very
pretty. Thence mightily satisfied in my curiosity I away with my Lord to
see him at her house again, and so take leave and by coach home and
to the office, and thence sent for to Sir G. Carteret by and by to the
Broad Streete, where he and I walked two or three hours till it was
quite darke in his gallery talking of his affairs, wherein I assure
him all will do well, and did give him (with great liberty, which he
accepted kindly) my advice to deny the Board nothing they would aske
about his accounts, but rather call upon them to know whether there was
anything more they desired, or was wanting. But our great discourse and
serious reflections was upon the bad state of the kingdom in general,
through want of money and good conduct, which we fear will undo all.
Thence mightily satisfied with this good fortune of this discourse with
him I home, and there walked in the darke till 10 o'clock at night in
the garden with Sir W. Warren, talking of many things belonging to us
particularly, and I hope to get something considerably by him before
the year be over. He gives me good advice of circumspection in my place,
which I am now in great mind to improve; for I think our office stands
on very ticklish terms, the Parliament likely to sit shortly and likely
to be asked more money, and we able to give a very bad account of the
expence of what we have done with what they did give before. Besides,
the turning out the prize officers may be an example for the King giving
us up to the Parliament's pleasure as easily, for we deserve it as
much. Besides, Sir G. Carteret did tell me tonight how my Lord Bruncker
himself, whose good-will I could have depended as much on as any, did