day upon the bench
at the Sessions house. So I dined there, and went to White Hall, where I
met with Sir W. Batten and Pen, who with the Comptroller, Treasurer, and
Mr. Coventry (at his chamber) made up a list of such ships as are fit
to be kept out for the winter guard, and the rest to be paid off by the
Parliament when they can get money, which I doubt will not be a great
while. That done, I took coach, and called my wife at my father's, and
so homewards, calling at Thos. Pepys the turner's for some things that
we wanted. And so home, where I fell to read "The Fruitless Precaution"
(a book formerly recommended by Dr. Clerke at sea to me), which I read
in bed till I had made an end of it, and do find it the best writ tale
that ever I read in my life. After that done to sleep, which I did not
very well do, because that my wife having a stopping in her nose she
snored much, which I never did hear her do before.

16th. This morning my brother Tom came to me, with whom I made even for
my last clothes to this day, and having eaten a dish of anchovies with
him in the morning, my wife and I did intend to go forth to see a play
at the Cockpit this afternoon, but Mr. Moore coming to me, my wife
staid at home, and he and I went out together, with whom I called at
the upholsters and several other places that I had business with, and
so home with him to the Cockpit, where, understanding that "Wit without
money" was acted, I would not stay, but went home by water, by the way
reading of the other two stories that are in the book that I read last
night, which I do not like so well as it. Being come home, Will. told
me that my Lord had a mind to speak with me to-night; so I returned
by water, and, coming there, it was only to enquire how the ships were
provided with victuals that are to go with him to fetch over the Queen,
which I gave him a good account of. He seemed to be in a melancholy
humour, which, I was told by W. Howe, was for that he had lately lost
a great deal of money at cards, which he fears he do too much addict
himself to now-a-days. So home by water and to bed.

17th. Office day. At noon came Mr. Creed to me, whom I took along
with me to the Feathers in Fish Street, where I was invited by Captain
Cuttance to dinner, a dinner made by Mr. Dawes and his brother. We had
two or three dishes of meat well done; their great design was to get me
concerned in a business of theirs about a vessel of theirs that is in
the service,