e Comptroller's
place, no man in England was fit for it but me, when Sir J. Minnes, as
he says it is necessary, is removed: but then he knows not what to do
for a man in my place; and in discourse, though I have no mind to the
other, I did bring in Tom Hater to be the fittest man in the world
for it, which he took good notice of. But in the whole I was mightily
pleased, reckoning myself now fifty per cent. securer in my place than
I did before think myself to be. Thence to Unthanke's, and there find
my wife, but not dressed, which vexed me, because going to the Park,
it being a most pleasant day after yesterday's rain, which lays all
the dust, and most people going out thither, which vexed me. So home,
sullen; but then my wife and I by water, with my brother, as high as
Fulham, talking and singing, and playing the rogue with the Western
barge-men, about the women of Woolwich, which mads them, an so back home
to supper and to bed.

15th. Up, and at the Office all the morning. Dined at home and Creed
with me home, and I did discourse about evening some reckonings with him
in the afternoon; but I could not, for my eyes, do it, which troubled
me, and vexed him that would not; but yet we were friends, I advancing
him more without it, and so to walk all the afternoon together in
the garden; and I perceive still he do expect a change in of matters,
especially as to religion, and fits himself for it by professing himself
for it in his discourse. He gone, I to my business at my Office, and so
at night home to supper, and to bed.

16th (Lord's day). My wife and I at church, our pew filled with Mrs.
Backewell, and six more that she brought with her, which vexed me at
her confidence. Dined at home and W. Batelier with us, and I all the
afternoon drawing up a foul draught of my petition to the Duke of
York, about my eyes, for leave to spend three or four months out of the
Office, drawing it so as to give occasion to a voyage abroad which I
did, to my pretty good liking; and then with my wife to Hyde Park, where
a good deal of company, and good weather, and so home to supper and to
bed.

17th. Up, and to several places doing business, and the home to
dinner, and then my wife and I and brother John by coach to the King's
playhouse, and saw "The Spanish Curate" revived, which is a pretty good
play, but my eyes troubled with seeing it, mightily. Thence carried them
and Mr. Gibson, who met me at my Lord Brouncker's with a fair copy of