it, which troubled
me, and vexed him that would not; but yet we were friends, I advancing
him more without it, and so to walk all the afternoon together in
the garden; and I perceive still he do expect a change in of matters,
especially as to religion, and fits himself for it by professing himself
for it in his discourse. He gone, I to my business at my Office, and so
at night home to supper, and to bed.

16th (Lord's day). My wife and I at church, our pew filled with Mrs.
Backewell, and six more that she brought with her, which vexed me at
her confidence. Dined at home and W. Batelier with us, and I all the
afternoon drawing up a foul draught of my petition to the Duke of
York, about my eyes, for leave to spend three or four months out of the
Office, drawing it so as to give occasion to a voyage abroad which I
did, to my pretty good liking; and then with my wife to Hyde Park, where
a good deal of company, and good weather, and so home to supper and to
bed.

17th. Up, and to several places doing business, and the home to
dinner, and then my wife and I and brother John by coach to the King's
playhouse, and saw "The Spanish Curate" revived, which is a pretty good
play, but my eyes troubled with seeing it, mightily. Thence carried them
and Mr. Gibson, who met me at my Lord Brouncker's with a fair copy of my
petition, which I thought to shew the Duke of York this night, but could
not, and therefore carried them to the Park, where they had never been,
and so home to supper and to bed. Great the news now of the French
taking St. Domingo, in Spaniola, from the Spaniards, which troubles
us, that they should have it, and have the honour of taking it, when we
could not.

18th. Up, and to St. James's and other places, and then to the office,
where all the morning. At noon home and dined in my wife's chamber, she
being much troubled with the tooth-ake, and I staid till a surgeon of
hers come, one Leeson, who hath formerly drawn her mouth, and he advised
her to draw it: so I to the Office, and by and by word is come that
she hath drawn it, which pleased me, it being well done. So I home, to
comfort her, and so back to the office till night, busy, and so home to
supper and to bed.

19th. With my coach to St. James's; and there finding the Duke of York
gone to muster his men, in Hyde Park, I alone with my boy thither, and
there saw more, walking out of my coach as other gentlemen did, of a
soldier's trade, than ever I did in my l