called at Sir Theophilus Biddulph's, a sober,
discreet man, to discourse of the preventing of the plague in Greenwich,
and Woolwich, and Deptford, where in every place it begins to grow very
great. We appointed another meeting, and so walked together to Greenwich
and there parted, and Pett and I to the office, where all the morning, and
after office done I to Sir J. Minnes and dined with him, and thence to
Deptford thinking to have seen Bagwell, but did not, and so straight to
Redriffe, and home, and late at my business to dispatch away letters, and
then home to bed, which I did not intend, but to have staid for altogether
at Woolwich, but I made a shift for a bed for Tom, whose bed is gone to
Woolwich, and so to bed.

30th. Up betimes and to my business of settling my house and papers, and
then abroad and met with Hadley, our clerke, who, upon my asking how the
plague goes, he told me it encreases much, and much in our parish; for,
says he, there died nine this week, though I have returned but six: which
is a very ill practice, and makes me think it is so in other places; and
therefore the plague much greater than people take it to be. Thence, as I
intended, to Sir R. Viner's, and there found not Mr. Lewes ready for me,
so I went forth and walked towards Moorefields to see (God forbid my
presumption!) whether I could see any dead corps going to the grave; but,
as God would have it, did not. But, Lord! how every body's looks, and
discourse in the street is of death, and nothing else, and few people
going up and down, that the towne is like a place distressed and forsaken.
After one turne there back to Viner's, and there found my business ready
for me, and evened all reckonings with them to this day to my great
content. So home, and all day till very late at night setting my Tangier
and private accounts in order, which I did in both, and in the latter to
my great joy do find myself yet in the much best condition that ever I was
in, finding myself worth L2180 and odd, besides plate and goods, which I
value at L250 more, which is a very great blessing to me. The Lord make me
thankfull! and of this at this day above L1800 in cash in my house, which
speaks but little out of my hands in desperate condition, but this is very
troublesome to have in my house at this time. So late to bed, well pleased
with my accounts, but weary of being so long at them.

31st. Up and, after putting several things in order to my removal, to