l into
talke, and I read a copy of verses which her husband showed me, and he
discommended, but the lady commended: and I read them, so as to make the
husband turn to commend them. By and by he and I fell into acquaintance,
having known me formerly at the Exchequer. His name is Nokes, over
against Bow Church. He was servant to Alderman Dashwood. We promised to
meet, if ever we come both to London again; and, at parting, I had a fair
salute on horseback, in Rochester streets, of the lady, and so parted.
Come to Chatham mighty merry, and anon to supper, it being near 9 o'clock
ere we come thither. My Lady Carteret come thither in a coach, by
herself, before us. Great mind they have to buy a little 'hacquenee' that
I rode on from Greenwich, for a woman's horse. Mighty merry, and after
supper, all being withdrawn, Sir G. Carteret did take an opportunity to
speak with much value and kindness to me, which is of great joy to me. So
anon to bed. Mr. Brisband and I together to my content.

4th. Up at five o'clock, and by six walked out alone, with my Lady
Slanning, to the Docke Yard, where walked up and down, and so to Mr.
Pett's, who led us into his garden, and there the lady, the best humoured
woman in the world, and a devout woman (I having spied her on her knees
half an houre this morning in her chamber), clambered up to the top of the
banquetting-house to gather nuts, and mighty merry, and so walked back
again through the new rope house, which is very usefull; and so to the
Hill-house to breakfast and mighty merry. Then they took coach, and Sir
G. Carteret kissed me himself heartily, and my Lady several times, with
great kindnesse, and then the young ladies, and so with much joy, bade
"God be with you!" and an end I think it will be to my mirthe for a great
while, it having been the passage of my whole life the most pleasing for
the time, considering the quality and nature of the business, and my noble
usage in the doing of it, and very many fine journys, entertainments and
great company. I returned into the house for a while to do business there
with Commissioner Pett, and there with the officers of the Chest, where I
saw more of Sir W. Batten's business than ever I did before, for whereas
he did own once under his hand to them that he was accountable for L2200,
of which he had yet paid but L1600, he writes them a letter lately that he
hath but about L50 left that is due to the Chest, but I will do something
in it