eat a bit of meat at Wilkinson's, and then to the
Privy Seal, and sealed there the first time this month; and, among other
things that passed, there was a patent for Roger Palmer (Madam Palmer's
husband) to be Earl of Castlemaine and Baron of Limbricke in Ireland;
but the honour is tied up to the males got of the body of this wife, the
Lady Barbary: the reason whereof every body knows. That done, by water
to the office, when I found Sir W. Pen had been alone all the night and
was just rose, and so I to him, and with him I found Captain Holmes,
who had wrote his case, and gives me a copy, as he hath many among his
friends, and presented the same to the King and Council. Which I shall
make use of in my attempt of writing something concerning the business
of striking sail, which I am now about. But he do cry out against Sir
John Minnes, as the veriest knave and rogue and coward in the world,
which I was glad to hear, because he has given out bad words concerning
my Lord, though I am sorry it is so. Here Captain Cox then came in, and
he and I staid a good while and so good night. Home and wrote by the
post to my father, and so to bed.

8th (Lord's day). In bed all the morning thinking to take physique,
but it being a frost my wife would not have me. So to dinner at the
Wardrobe, and after a great deal of good discourse with my Lady after
dinner, and among other things of the great christening yesterday at Mr.
Rumbell's, and courtiers and pomp that was there, which I wonder at, I
went away up and down into all the churches almost between that place
and my house, and so home. And then came my brother Tom, and staid and
talked with me, and I hope he will do very well and get money. So
to supper and to bed. This morning as I was in bed, one brings me T.
Trice's answer to my bill in chancery from Mr. Smallwood, which I am
glad to see, though I am afraid it will do me hurt.

9th. To Whitehall, and thence to the Rhenish wine-house, where I met
Mons. Eschar and there took leave of him, he being to go this night to
the Downs towards Portugall, and so spent all the morning. At noon to
dinner to the Wardrobe; where my Lady Wright was, who did talk much upon
the worth and the desert of gallantry; and that there was none fit to
be courtiers, but such as have been abroad and know fashions. Which I
endeavoured to oppose; and was troubled to hear her talk so, though she
be a very wise and discreet lady in other things. From thence Mr. Moor