uld within doors, but receiving a very wakening letter from Mr.
Coventry about fitting of ships, which speaks something like to be done,
I went forth to the office, there to take order in things, and after
dinner to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier, but did little. So home
again and to Sir W. Pen, who, among other things of haste in this new
order for ships, is ordered to be gone presently to Portsmouth to look
after the work there. I staid to discourse with him, and so home to
supper, where upon a fine couple of pigeons, a good supper; and here I
met a pretty cabinet sent me by Mr. Shales, which I give my wife, the
first of that sort of goods I ever had yet, and very conveniently it
comes for her closett. I staid up late finding out the private boxes,
but could not do some of them, and so to bed, afraid that I have been
too bold to-day in venturing in the cold. This day I begun to drink
butter-milke and whey, and I hope to find great good by it.

19th. Up, and it being very rayny weather, which makes it cooler than
it was, by coach to Charing Cross with Sir W. Pen, who is going to
Portsmouth this day, and left him going to St. James's to take leave
of the Duke, and I to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier; where God
forgive how our Report of my Lord Peterborough's accounts was read over
and agreed to by the Lords, without one of them understanding it! And
had it been what it would, it had gone: and, besides, not one thing
touching the King's profit in it minded or hit upon. Thence by coach
home again, and all the morning at the office, sat, and all the
afternoon till 9 at night, being fallen again to business, and I hope
my health will give me leave to follow it. So home to supper and to bed,
finding myself pretty well. A pretty good stool, which I impute to my
whey to-day, and broke wind also.

20th. Up and to my office, whither by and by comes Mr. Cholmely, and
staying till the rest of the company come he told me how Mr. Edward
Montagu is turned out of the Court, not [to] return again. His fault,
I perceive, was his pride, and most of all his affecting to seem great
with the Queene and it seems indeed had more of her eare than any body
else, and would be with her talking alone two or three hours together;
insomuch that the Lords about the King, when he would be jesting with
them about their wives, would tell the King that he must have a care
of his wife too, for she hath now the gallant: and they say the King
h