at I value nothing near it. So going home, and my coach stopping in
Newgate Market over against a poulterer's shop, I took occasion to buy
a rabbit, but it proved a deadly old one when I came to eat it, as I did
do after an hour being at my office, and after supper again there till
past 11 at night. So home,, and to bed. This day Mr. Coventry did tell
us how the Duke did receive the Dutch Embassador the other day; by
telling him that, whereas they think us in jest, he believes that the
Prince (Rupert) which goes in this fleete to Guinny will soon tell them
that we are in earnest, and that he himself will do the like here, in
the head of the fleete here at home, and that for the meschants, which
he told the Duke there were in England, which did hope to do themselves
good by the King's being at warr, says he, the English have ever united
all this private difference to attend foraigne, and that Cromwell,
notwithstanding the meschants in his time, which were the Cavaliers, did
never find them interrupt him in his foraigne businesses, and that he
did not doubt but to live to see the Dutch as fearfull of provoking the
English, under the government of a King, as he remembers them to have
been under that of a Coquin. I writ all this story to my Lord Sandwich
tonight into the Downes, it being very good and true, word for word from
Mr. Coventry to-day.

7th. Lay long to-day, pleasantly discoursing with my wife about the
dinner we are to have for the Joyces, a day or two hence. Then up and
with Mr. Margetts to Limehouse to see his ground and ropeyarde there,
which is very fine, and I believe we shall employ it for the Navy, for
the King's grounds are not sufficient to supply our defence if a warr
comes. Thence back to the 'Change, where great talke of the forwardnesse
of the Dutch, which puts us all to a stand, and particularly myself for
my Lord Sandwich, to think him to lie where he is for a sacrifice, if
they should begin with us. So home and Creed with me, and to dinner, and
after dinner I out to my office, taking in Bagwell's wife, who I knew
waited for me, but company came to me so soon that I could have no
discourse with her, as I intended, of pleasure. So anon abroad with
Creed walked to Bartholomew Fayre, this being the last day, and there
saw the best dancing on the ropes that I think I ever saw in my life,
and so all say, and so by coach home, where I find my wife hath had her
head dressed by her woman, Mercer, which is