ave, as nothing almost
can be more. This vexed me; but I resolve to bring it before the Duke,
and try a pull for it.

18th. Up betimes and to Captain Cocke, in his coach which he sent for
me, and he not being ready I walked in the Exchange, which is now made
pretty, by having windows and doors before all their shops, to keep
out the cold. By and by to him, and he being ready, he and I out in his
coach to my Lord Chancellor's; there to Mr. Wren's chamber, who did tell
us the whole of Sir W. Pen's having the order for this ship of ours,
and we went with him to St. James's, and there I did see the copy of it,
which is built upon a suggestion of his having given the King a ship
of his, "The Prosperous," wherein is such a cheat as I have the best
advantage in the world over him, and will make him do reason, or lay him
on his back. This I was very glad of, and having done as far as I could
in it we returned, and I home, and there at the office all the morning,
and at noon with my Lord Bruncker to the Treasurer's office to look over
the clerks who are there making up the books, but in such a manner as it
is a shame to see. Then home to dinner, and after dinner, my mind mighty
full of this business of Sir W. Pen's, to the office, and there busy all
the afternoon. This evening Sir W. Batten and [Sir] W. Pen and I met at
[Sir] W. Batten's house, and there I took an opportunity to break the
business, at which [Sir] W. Pen is much disturbed, and would excuse it
the most he can, but do it so basely, that though he do offer to let go
his pretence to her, and resign up his order for her, and come in only
to ask his share of her (which do very well please me, and give me
present satisfaction), yet I shall remember him for a knave while I
live. But thus my mind is quieted for the present more than I thought
I should be, and am glad that I shall have no need of bidding him open
defiance, which I would otherwise have done, and made a perpetual war
between us. So to the office, and there busy pretty late, and so home
and to supper with my wife, and so to bed.

19th. Up, and all the morning at the office. At noon home to dinner, W.
Hewer and I and my wife, when comes my cozen, Kate Joyce, and an aunt of
ours, Lettice, formerly Haynes, and now Howlett, come to town to see her
friends, and also Sarah Kite, with her little boy in her armes, a very
pretty little boy. The child I like very well, and could wish it my own.
My wife being all unrea