e sake, and dine there, which they embraced, and so [Sir] W.
Batten and I (setting [Sir] W. Pen down at Mark Lane end) straight to
Bow, to the Queen's Head, and there bespoke our dinner, carrying meat
with us from London; and anon comes [Sir] W. Pen with my wife and Lady
Batten, and then Mr. Lowder with his mother and wife. While [Sir] W.
Batten and I were alone, we had much friendly discourse, though I will
never trust him far; but we do propose getting "The Flying Greyhound,"
our privateer, to us and [Sir] W. Pen at the end of the year when we
call her home, by begging her of the King, and I do not think we shall
be denied her. They being come, we to oysters and so to talk, very
pleasant I was all day, and anon to dinner, and I made very good
company. Here till the evening, so as it was dark almost before we got
home (back again in the same method, I think, we went), and spent the
night talking at Sir W. Batten's, only a little at my office, to look
over the Victualler's contract, and draw up some arguments for him to
plead for his charges in transportation of goods beyond the ports which
the letter of one article in his contract do lay upon him. This done
I home to supper and to bed. Troubled a little at my fear that my Lord
Bruncker should tell Sir W. Coventry of our neglecting the office this
afternoon (which was intended) to look after our pleasures, but nothing
will fall upon me alone about this.

15th. Up, and pleased at Tom's teaching of Barker something to sing a
3rd part to a song, which will please mightily. So I to the office all
the morning, and at noon to the 'Change, where I do hear that letters
this day come to Court do tell us that we are likely not to agree, the
Dutch demanding high terms, and the King of France the like, in a most
braving manner. The merchants do give themselves over for lost, no man
knowing what to do, whether to sell or buy, not knowing whether peace
or war to expect, and I am told that could that be now known a man might
get L20,000 in a week's time by buying up of goods in case there should
be war. Thence home and dined well, and then with my wife, set her at
Unthanke's and I to Sir G. Carteret, where talked with the ladies a
while, and my Lady Carteret talks nothing but sorrow and afflictions
coming on us, and indeed I do fear the same. So away and met Dr. Fuller,
Bishop of Limricke, and walked an hour with him in the Court talking of
newes only, and he do think that matters will