State for. The unsafe
condition of a Bank under a Monarch, and the little safety to a Monarch
to have any; or Corporation alone (as London in answer to Amsterdam) to
have so great a wealth or credit, it is, that makes it hard to have a
Bank here. And as to the former, he did tell us how it sticks in the
memory of most merchants how the late King (when by the war between
Holland and France and Spayne all the bullion of Spayne was brought
hither, one-third of it to be coyned; and indeed it was found
advantageous to the merchant to coyne most of it), was persuaded in
a strait by my Lord Cottington to seize upon the money in the Tower,
which, though in a few days the merchants concerned did prevail to get
it released, yet the thing will never be forgot. So home to supper
and to bed, understanding this evening, since I come home, that our
Victuallers are all come in to the fleete, which is good newes. Sir John
Minnes come home tonight not well, from Chatham, where he hath been at
a pay, holding it at Upnor Castle, because of the plague so much in the
towne of Chatham. He hath, they say, got an ague, being so much on the
water.

18th. All the morning at my office; then to the Exchange (with my Lord
Bruncker in his coach) at noon, but it was only to avoid Mr. Chr. Pett's
being invited by me to dinner. So home, calling at my little mercer's
in Lumbard Streete, who hath the pretty wench, like the old Queene, and
there cheapened some stuffs to hang my roome, that I intend to turn into
a closett. So home to dinner, and after dinner comes Creed to discourse
with me about several things of Tangier concernments and accounts, among
others starts the doubt, which I was formerly aware of, but did wink at
it, whether or no Lanyon and his partners be not paid for more than they
should be, which he presses, so that it did a little discompose me;
but, however, I do think no harm will arise thereby. He gone, I to the
office, and there very late, very busy, and so home to supper and to
bed.

19th (Lord's day). Up and to my chamber, and there began to draw out
fair and methodically my accounts of Tangier, in order to shew them to
the Lords. But by and by comes by agreement Mr. Reeves, and after him
Mr. Spong, and all day with them, both before and after dinner, till
ten o'clock at night, upon opticke enquiries, he bringing me a frame
he closes on, to see how the rays of light do cut one another, and in
a darke room with smoake, which is ver