coming to my Lord Ashly, yesterday morning, to
tell him what prize-goods he would have saved for the Navy, and not
sold, according to the King's order on the 17th, he fell quite out with
him in high terms; and he says, too, that they did go on to the sale
yesterday, even of the very hempe, and other things, at which I am
astonished, and will never wonder at the ruine of the King's affairs, if
this be suffered. At noon dined, and Mr. Pierce come to see me, he newly
come from keeping his Christmas in the country. So to the office, where
very busy, but with great pleasure till late at night, and then home to
supper and to bed.

20th (Lord's day). Up betimes and down to the Old Swan, there called on
Michell and his wife, which in her night linen appeared as pretty almost
as ever to my thinking I saw woman. Here I drank some burnt brandy. They
shewed me their house, which, poor people, they have built, and is very
pretty. I invited them to dine with me, and so away to White Hall to Sir
W. Coventry, with whom I have not been alone a good while, and very kind
he is, and tells me how the business is now ordered by order of council
for my Lord Bruncker to assist Sir J. Minnes in all matters of accounts
relating to the Treasurer, and Sir W. Pen in all matters relating to
the victuallers' and pursers' accounts, which I am very glad of, and
the more for that I think it will not do me any hurt at all. Other
discourse, much especially about the heat the House was in yesterday
about the ill management of the Navy, which I was sorry to hear; though
I think they were well answered, both by Sir G. Carteret and [Sir] W.
Coventry, as he informs me the substance of their speeches. Having done
with him, home mightily satisfied with my being with him, and coming
home I to church, and there, beyond expectation, find our seat, and all
the church crammed, by twice as many people as used to be: and to my
great joy find Mr. Frampton in the pulpit; so to my great joy I hear him
preach, and I think the best sermon, for goodness and oratory, without
affectation or study, that ever I heard in my life. The truth is, he
preaches the most like an apostle that ever I heard man; and it was
much the best time that ever I spent in my life at church. His text,
Ecclesiastes xi., verse 8th--the words, "But if a man live many years,
and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for
they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity." He done, I