the afternoon to set his chamber in order, and then to the office
leaving him at home, and late at night after all business was done I
called Will and told him my reason of taking a boy, and that it is
of necessity, not out of any unkindness to him, nor should be to his
injury, and then talked about his landlord's daughter to come to my
wife, and I think it will be. So home and find my boy a very schoole
boy, that talks innocently and impertinently, but at present it is a
sport to us, and in a little time he will leave it. So sent him to bed,
he saying that he used to go to bed at eight o'clock, and then all of
us to bed, myself pretty well pleased with my choice of a boy. All the
newes this day is, that the Dutch are, with twenty-two sayle of ships
of warr, crewsing up and down about Ostend; at which we are alarmed. My
Lord Sandwich is come back into the Downes with only eight sayle,
which is or may be a prey to the Dutch, if they knew our weakness and
inability to set out any more speedily.

28th (Lord's day). Up the first time I have had great while. Home to
dined, and with my boy alone to church anybody to attend me to church a
dinner, and there met Creed, who, and we merry together, as his learning
is such and judgment that I cannot but be pleased with it. After dinner
I took him to church, into our gallery, with me, but slept the best part
of the sermon, which was a most silly one. So he and I to walk to the
'Change a while, talking from one pleasant discourse to another, and
so home, and thither came my uncle Wight and aunt, and supped with us
mighty merry. And Creed lay with us all night, and so to bed, very merry
to think how Mr. Holliard (who came in this evening to see me) makes
nothing, but proving as a most clear thing that Rome is Antichrist.

29th. Up betimes, intending to do business at my office, by 5 o'clock,
but going out met at my door Mr. Hughes come to speak with me about
office business, and told me that as he came this morning from Deptford
he left the King's yarde a-fire. So I presently took a boat and down,
and there found, by God's providence, the fire out; but if there had
been any wind it must have burned all our stores, which is a most
dreadfull consideration. But leaving all things well I home, and out
abroad doing many errands, Mr. Creed also out, and my wife to her
mother's, and Creed and I met at my Lady Sandwich's and there dined; but
my Lady is become as handsome, I think, as ever she