pt her all the day with us, I going down to
Deptford, and, Lord! to see with what itching desire I did endeavour to
see Bagwell's wife, but failed, for which I am glad, only I observe the
folly of my mind that cannot refrain from pleasure at a season above all
others in my life requisite for me to shew my utmost care in. I walked
both going and coming, spending my time reading of my Civill and
Ecclesiastical Law book. Being returned home, I took my wife and Mrs.
Barbary and Mercer out by coach and went our Grand Tour, and baited at
Islington, and so late home about 11 at night, and so with much pleasure
to bed.

17th. Up, lying long, being wearied yesterday with long walking. So
to the office, where all the morning with fresh occasion of vexing at
myself for my late neglect of business, by which I cannot appear half so
usefull as I used to do. Home at noon to dinner, and then to my office
again, where I could not hold my eyes open for an houre, but I drowsed
(so little sensible I apprehend my soul is of the necessity of minding
business), but I anon wakened and minded my business, and did a great
deale with very great pleasure, and so home at night to supper and to
bed, mightily pleased with myself for the business that I have done, and
convinced that if I would but keepe constantly to do the same I might
have leisure enough and yet do all my business, and by the grace of God
so I will. So to bed.

18th. Up by 5 o'clock, and so down by water to Deptford and Blackewall
to dispatch some business. So walked to Dickeshoare, and there took boat
again and home, and thence to Westminster, and attended all the morning
on the Exchequer for a quarter's tallys for Tangier. But, Lord! to see
what a dull, heavy sort of people they are there would make a man mad.
At noon had them and carried them home, and there dined with great
content with my people, and within and at the office all the afternoon
and night, and so home to settle some papers there, and so to bed, being
not very well, having eaten too much lobster at noon at dinner with Mr.
Hollyard, he coming in and commending it so much.

19th. Up, and to the office all the morning. At noon took Mr. Deane
(lately come to towne) home with me to dinner, and there after giving
him some reprimands and good advice about his deportment in the place
where by my interest he is at Harwich, and then declaring my resolution
of being his friend still, we did then fall to discourse about his