d a meeting extraordinary there was of Sir W. Coventry, Lord
Bruncker, and myself, about the business of settling the ticket office,
where infinite room is left for abusing the King in the wages of seamen.
Our [meeting] being done, my Lord Bruncker and I to the Tower, to see
the famous engraver, to get him to grave a seale for the office. And did
see some of the finest pieces of work in embossed work, that ever I did
see in my life, for fineness and smallness of the images thereon, and I
will carry my wife thither to shew them her. Here I also did see bars of
gold melting, which was a fine sight. So with my Lord to the Pope's Head
Taverne in Lumbard Streete to dine by appointment with Captain Taylor,
whither Sir W. Coventry come to us, and were mighty merry, and I find
reason to honour him every day more and more. Thence alone to Broade
Street to Sir G. Carteret by his desire to confer with him, who is I
find in great pain about the business of the office, and not a little,
I believe, in fear of falling there, Sir W. Coventry having so great
a pique against him, and herein I first learn an eminent instance how
great a man this day, that nobody would think could be shaken, is the
next overthrown, dashed out of countenance, and every small thing of
irregularity in his business taken notice of, where nobody the other day
durst cast an eye upon them, and next I see that he that the other day
nobody durst come near is now as supple as a spaniel, and sends and
speaks to me with great submission, and readily hears to advice. Thence
home to the office, where busy late, and so home a little to my accounts
publique and private, but could not get myself rightly to know how to
dispose of them in order to passing.

27th. All the morning at the office busy. At noon dined at home, Mr.
Cooke, our old acquaintance at my Lord Sandwich's, come to see and dine
with me, but I quite out of humour, having many other and better things
to thinke of. Thence to the office to settle my people's worke and then
home to my publique accounts of Tangier, which it is strange by meddling
with evening reckonings with Mr. Povy lately how I myself am become
intangled therein, so that after all I could do, ready to breake my head
and brains, I thought of another way, though not so perfect, yet the
only one which this account is capable of. Upon this latter I sat up
till past two in the morning and then to bed.

28th. Up, and with Creed, who come hither betim