or six months, which is a brave
trade. He gone I to the office, and there all the afternoon late doing
much business, and then to see Sir W. Batten, whose leg is all but better
than it was, and like to do well. I by discourse do perceive he and his
Lady are to their hearts out with my Lord Bruncker and Mrs. Williams, to
which I added something, but, I think, did not venture too far with them.
But, Lord! to see to what a poor content any acquaintance among these
people, or the people of the world, as they now-adays go, is worth; for my
part I and my wife will keep to one another and let the world go hang, for
there is nothing but falseness in it. So home to supper and hear my wife
and girle sing a little, and then to bed with much content of mind.

6th. Up, and with [Sir] W. Pen to White Hall by coach, and by the way
agreed to acquaint [Sir] W. Coventry with the business of Mr. Carcasse,
and he and I spoke to Sir W. Coventry that we might move it to the Duke of
York, which I did in a very indifferent, that is, impartial manner, but
vexed I believe Lord Bruncker. Here the Duke of York did acquaint us, and
the King did the like also, afterwards coming in, with his resolution of
altering the manner of the war this year; that is, we shall keep what
fleete we have abroad in several squadrons: so that now all is come out;
but we are to keep it as close as we can, without hindering the work that
is to be done in preparation to this. Great preparations there are to
fortify Sheernesse and the yard at Portsmouth, and forces are drawing down
to both those places, and elsewhere by the seaside; so that we have some
fear of an invasion; and the Duke of York himself did declare his
expectation of the enemy's blocking us up here in the River, and therefore
directed that we should send away all the ships that we have to fit out
hence. Sir W. Pen told me, going with me this morning to White Hall, that
for certain the Duke of Buckingham is brought into the Tower, and that he
hath had an hour's private conference with the King before he was sent
thither. To Westminster Hall. There bought some news books, and, as
every where else, hear every body complain of the dearness of coals, being
at L4 per chaldron, the weather, too, being become most bitter cold, the
King saying to-day that it was the coldest day he ever knew in England.
Thence by coach to my Lord Crew's, where very welcome. Here I find they
are in doubt where the Duke of Buc