W. Batten, who fell sick yesterday morning: He is asleep: and so I could
not see him; but in an hour after, word is brought me that he is so ill,
that it is believed he cannot live till to-morrow, which troubles me and
my wife mightily, partly out of kindness, he being a good neighbour and
partly because of the money he owes me, upon our bargain of the late
prize. So home and to supper and to bed.

5th. Up, and to the Office; and there all the morning; none but my Lord
Anglesey and myself; but much surprized with the news of the death of
Sir W. Batten, who died this morning, having been but two days sick. Sir
W. Pen and I did dispatch a letter this morning to Sir W. Coventry,
to recommend Colonel Middleton, who we think a most honest and
understanding man, and fit for that place. Sir G. Carteret did also come
this morning, and walked with me in the garden; and concluded not to
concern [himself] or have any advice made to Sir W. Coventry, in behalf
of my Lord Sandwich's business; so I do rest satisfied, though I do
think they are all mad, that they will judge Sir W. Coventry an enemy,
when he is indeed no such man to any body, but is severe and just, as he
ought to be, where he sees things ill done. At noon home, and by coach
to Temple Bar to a India shop, and there bought a gown and sash, which
cost me 26s., and so she [Mrs. Pepys] and Willet away to the 'Change,
and I to my Lord Crew, and there met my Lord Hinchingbroke and Lady
Jemimah, and there dined with them and my Lord, where pretty merry, and
after dinner my Lord Crew and Hinchingbroke and myself went aside to
discourse about my Lord Sandwich's business, which is in a very ill
state for want of money, and so parted, and I to my tailor's, and there
took up my wife and Willet, who staid there for me, and to the Duke
of York's playhouse, but the house so full, it being a new play, "The
Coffee House," that we could not get in, and so to the King's house:
and there, going in, met with Knepp, and she took us up into the
tireing-rooms: and to the women's shift, where Nell was dressing
herself, and was all unready, and is very pretty, prettier than I
thought. And so walked all up and down the house above, and then below
into the scene-room, and there sat down, and she gave us fruit and here
I read the questions to Knepp, while she answered me, through all her
part of "Flora's Figary's," which was acted to-day. But, Lord! to see
how they were both painted would make a man