of their acting,
which I could not neither refrain from sometimes, though I was sorry for
it. So away hence home, where to the office to do business a while, and
then home to supper and to read, and then to bed. I was prettily served
this day at the playhouse-door, where, giving six shillings into the
fellow's hand for us three, the fellow by legerdemain did convey one
away, and with so much grace faced me down that I did give him but five,
that, though I knew the contrary, yet I was overpowered by his so grave
and serious demanding the other shilling, that I could not deny him,
but was forced by myself to give it him. After I come home this evening
comes a letter to me from Captain Allen, formerly Clerk of the Ropeyard
at Chatham, and whom I was kind to in those days, who in recompense of
my favour to him then do give me notice that he hears of an accusation
likely to be exhibited against me of my receiving L50 of Mason, the
timber merchant, and that his wife hath spoke it. I am mightily beholden
to Captain Allen for this, though the thing is to the best of my memory
utterly false, and I do believe it to be wholly so, but yet it troubles
me to have my name mentioned in this business, and more to consider how
I may be liable to be accused where I have indeed taken presents,
and therefore puts me on an enquiry, into my actings in this kind and
prepare against a day of accusation.

25th. Up, having lain the last night the first night that I have lain
with my wife since she was last ill, which is about eight days. To the
office, where busy all the morning. At noon comes W. Howe to me, to
advise what answer to give to the business of the prizes, wherein I did
give him the best advice I could; but am sorry to see so many things,
wherein I doubt it will not be prevented but Sir Roger Cuttance and
Mr. Pierce will be found very much concerned in goods beyond the
distribution, and I doubt my Lord Sandwich too, which troubles me
mightily. He gone I to dinner, and thence set my wife at the New
Exchange, and I to Mr. Clerke, my solicitor, to the Treasury chamber,
but the Lords did not sit, so I by water with him to the New Exchange,
and there we parted, and I took my wife and Deb. up, and to the Nursery,
where I was yesterday, and there saw them act a comedy, a pastorall,
"The Faythful Shepherd," having the curiosity to see whether they did a
comedy better than a tragedy; but they do it both alike, in the meanest
manner, that I wa