all well. But by and by Sir W. Batten and Sir R. Ford do tell me, that
the seamen have been at some prisons, to release some seamen, and the
Duke of Albemarle is in armes, and all the Guards at the other end of
the town; and the Duke of Albemarle is gone with some forces to Wapping,
to quell the seamen; which is a thing of infinite disgrace to us. I sat
long talking with them; and, among other things, Sir R. Ford did make me
understand how the House of Commons is a beast not to be understood,
it being impossible to know beforehand the success almost of any small
plain thing, there being so many to think and speak to any business, and
they of so uncertain minds and interests and passions. He did tell me,
and so did Sir W. Batten, how Sir Allen Brodericke and Sir Allen Apsly
did come drunk the other day into the House, and did both speak for half
an hour together, and could not be either laughed, or pulled, or bid
to sit down and hold their peace, to the great contempt of the King's
servants and cause; which I am grieved at with all my heart. We were
full in discourse of the sad state of our times, and the horrid shame
brought on the King's service by the just clamours of the poor seamen,
and that we must be undone in a little time. Home full of trouble on
these considerations, and, among other things, I to my chamber, and
there to ticket a good part of my books, in order to the numbering of
them for my easy finding them to read as I have occasion. So to supper
and to bed, with my heart full of trouble.

20th. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and here
among other things come Captain Cocke, and I did get him to sign me a
note for the L100 to pay for the plate he do present me with, which I am
very glad of. At noon home to dinner, where was Balty come, who is well
again, and the most recovered in his countenance that ever I did see.
Here dined with me also Mrs. Batters, poor woman! now left a sad widow
by the drowning of her husband the other day. I pity her, and will do
her what kindness I can; yet I observe something of ill-nature in myself
more than should be, that I am colder towards her in my charity than I
should be to one so painful as he and she have been and full of kindness
to their power to my wife and I. After dinner out with Balty, setting
him down at the Maypole in the Strand, and then I to my Lord Bellasses,
and there spoke with Mr. Moone about some business, and so away home
to my busines