nk a cup of horse-radish ale,
which he and a friend of his troubled with the stone have been drinking
of, which we did and then walked into the fields as far almost as Sir
G. Whitmore's, all the way talking of Russia, which, he says, is a
sad place; and, though Moscow is a very great city, yet it is from the
distance between house and house, and few people compared with this, and
poor, sorry houses, the Emperor himself living in a wooden house, his
exercise only flying a hawk at pigeons and carrying pigeons ten or
twelve miles off and then laying wagers which pigeon shall come soonest
home to her house. All the winter within doors, some few playing at
chesse, but most drinking their time away. Women live very slavishly
there, and it seems in the Emperor's court no room hath above two or
three windows, and those the greatest not a yard wide or high, for
warmth in winter time; and that the general cure for all diseases there
is their sweating houses, or people that are poor they get into their
ovens, being heated, and there lie. Little learning among things of
any sort. Not a man that speaks Latin, unless the Secretary of State
by chance. Mr. Pargiter and I walked to the 'Change together and there
parted, and so I to buy more things and then home, and after a little
at my office, home to supper and to bed. This day old Hardwicke came and
redeemed a watch he had left with me in pawne for 40s. seven years ago,
and I let him gave it. Great talk that the Dutch will certainly be out
this week, and will sail directly to Guinny, being convoyed out of the
Channel with 42 sail of ships.

17th. Up and to the office, where Mr. Coventry very angry to see things
go so coldly as they do, and I must needs say it makes me fearful every
day of having some change of the office, and the truth is, I am of late
a little guilty of being remiss myself of what I used to be, but I hope
I shall come to my old pass again, my family being now settled again.
Dined at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my
businesses in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting
afternoon's work. This day my aunt Wight sent my wife a new scarfe, with
a compliment for the many favours she had received of her, which is the
several things we have sent her. I am glad enough of it, for I see my
uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them.
So home to supper and to bed.

18th (Lord's day). Up and to church all of us. A