25th (Christmas day). Lay pretty long in bed, and then rose, leaving my
wife desirous to sleep, having sat up till four this morning seeing her
mayds make mince-pies. I to church, where our parson Mills made a good
sermon. Then home, and dined well on some good ribbs of beef roasted and
mince pies; only my wife, brother, and Barker, and plenty of good wine
of my owne, and my heart full of true joy; and thanks to God Almighty
for the goodness of my condition at this day. After dinner, I begun
to teach my wife and Barker my song, "It is decreed," which pleases me
mightily as now I have Mr. Hinxton's base. Then out and walked alone on
foot to the Temple, it being a fine frost, thinking to have seen a play
all alone; but there, missing of any bills, concluded there was none,
and so back home; and there with my brother reducing the names of all
my books to an alphabet, which kept us till 7 or 8 at night, and then
to supper, W. Hewer with us, and pretty merry, and then to my chamber
to enter this day's journal only, and then to bed. My head a little
thoughtfull how to behave myself in the business of the victualling,
which I think will be prudence to offer my service in doing something in
passing the pursers' accounts, thereby to serve the King, get honour to
myself, and confirm me in my place in the victualling, which at present
yields not work enough to deserve my wages.

26th. Up, and walked all the way (it being a most fine frost), to White
Hall, to Sir W. Coventry's chamber, and thence with him up to the
Duke of York, where among other things at our meeting I did offer my
assistance to Sir J. Minnes to do the business of his office, relating
to the Pursers' accounts, which was well accepted by the Duke of York,
and I think I have and shall do myself good in it, if it be taken, for
it will confirm me in the business of the victualling office, which I do
now very little for. Thence home, carrying a barrel of oysters with me.
Anon comes Mr. John Andrews and his wife by invitation from Bow to dine
with me, and young Batelier and his wife with her great belly, which has
spoiled her looks mightily already. Here was also Mercer and Creed,
whom I met coming home, who tells me of a most bitter lampoone now out
against the Court and the management of State from head to foot, mighty
witty and mighty severe. By and by to dinner, a very good one, and
merry. After dinner I put the women into a coach, and they to the Duke's
house, to a