society: and this day I did pay
my admission money, 40s. to the society. Here was very fine discourses
and experiments, but I do lacke philosophy enough to understand them,
and so cannot remember them. Among others, a very particular account of
the making of the several sorts of bread in France, which is accounted
the best place for bread in the world. So home, where very busy getting
an answer to some question of Sir Philip Warwicke touching the expense
of the navy, and that being done I by coach at 8 at night with my wife
and Mercer to Sir Philip's and discoursed with him (leaving them in the
coach), and then back with them home and to supper and to bed.

2nd. Begun this day to rise betimes before six o'clock, and, going down
to call my people, found Besse and the girle with their clothes on,
lying within their bedding upon the ground close by the fireside, and
a candle burning all night, pretending they would rise to scoure. This
vexed me, but Besse is going and so she will not trouble me long. Up,
and by water to Burston about my Lord's plate, and then home to the
office, so there all the morning sitting. At noon dined with Sir W.
Batten (my wife being gone again to-day to buy things, having bought
nothing yesterday for lack of Mrs. Pierces company), and thence to the
office again, where very busy till 12 at night, and vexed at my wife's
staying out so late, she not being at home at 9 o'clock, but at last she
is come home, but the reason of her stay I know not yet. So shut up my
books, and home to supper and to bed.

3rd. Up, and abroad about several things, among others to see Mr. Peter
Honiwood, who was at my house the other day, and I find it was for
nothing but to pay me my brother John's Quarterage. Thence to see Mrs.
Turner, who takes it mighty ill I did not come to dine with the Reader,
her husband, which, she says, was the greatest feast that ever was yet
kept by a Reader, and I believe it was well. But I am glad I did not go,
which confirms her in an opinion that I am growne proud. Thence to the
'Change, and to several places, and so home to dinner and to my office,
where till 12 at night writing over a discourse of mine to Mr. Coventry
touching the Fishermen of the Thames upon a reference of the business
by him to me concerning their being protected from presse. Then home to
supper and to bed.

4th. Up very betimes, and walked, it being bitter cold, to Ratcliffe,
to the plate-maker's and back again. To