11th. Up, and with W. Hewer by water to Somerset House; and there I to my
Lord Brouncker, before he went forth to the Duke of York, and there told
him my confidence that I should make Middleton appear a fool, and that it
was, I thought, best for me to complain of the wrong he hath done; but
brought it about, that my Lord desired me I would forbear, and promised
that he would prevent Middleton till I had given in my answer to the
Board, which I desired: and so away to White Hall, and there did our usual
attendance and no word spoke before the Duke of York by Middleton at all;
at which I was glad to my heart, because by this means I have time to draw
up my answer to my mind. So with W. Hewer by coach to Smithfield, but met
not Mr. Dickering, he being not come, and so he [Will] and I to a cook's
shop, in Aldersgate Street; and dined well for 19 1/2 d., upon roast beef,
pleasing ourselves with the infinite strength we have to prove Middleton a
coxcomb; and so, having dined, we back to Smithfield, and there met
Dickering, and up and down all the afternoon about horses, and did see the
knaveries and tricks of jockeys. Here I met W. Joyce, who troubled me
with his impertinencies a great while, and the like Mr. Knepp, who, it
seems, is a kind of a jockey, and would fain have been doing something for
me, but I avoided him, and the more for fear of being troubled thereby
with his wife, whom I desire but dare not see, for my vow to my wife. At
last went away and did nothing, only concluded upon giving L50 for a fine
pair of black horses we saw this day se'nnight; and so set Mr. Dickering
down near his house, whom I am much beholden to, for his care herein, and
he hath admirable skill, I perceive, in this business, and so home, and
spent the evening talking and merry, my mind at good ease, and so to bed.

12th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon home to
dinner, and so the like mighty busy, late, all the afternoon, that I might
be ready to go to the drawing up of my answer to Middleton to-morrow, and
therefore home to supper and to bed. I hear this day that there is fallen
down a new house, not quite finished, in Lumbard Street, and that there
have been several so, they making use of bad mortar and bricks; but no
hurt yet, as God hath ordered it. This day was brought home my pair of
black coach-horses, the first I ever was master of. They cost me L50, and
are a fine pair.

13th (Lord's day). Up, and wi