n to talk with W.
Hewer about business of the differences at present among the people of
our office, and so to my journall and to bed. This night going through
bridge by water, my waterman told me how the mistress of the Beare
tavern, at the bridge-foot, did lately fling herself into the Thames,
and drowned herself; which did trouble me the more, when they tell me
it was she that did live at the White Horse tavern in Lumbard Streete,
which was a most beautiful woman, as most I have seen. It seems she hath
had long melancholy upon her, and hath endeavoured to make away with
herself often.

25th. Lay long in bed, talking with pleasure with my poor wife, how she
used to make coal fires, and wash my foul clothes with her own hand for
me, poor wretch! in our little room at my Lord Sandwich's; for which I
ought for ever to love and admire her, and do; and persuade myself she
would do the same thing again, if God should reduce us to it. So up and
by coach abroad to the Duke of Albemarle's about sending soldiers down
to some ships, and so home, calling at a belt-maker's to mend my belt,
and so home and to dinner, where pleasant with my wife, and then to the
office, where mighty busy all the day, saving going forth to the 'Change
to pay for some things, and on other occasions, and at my goldsmith's
did observe the King's new medall, where, in little, there is Mrs.
Steward's face as well done as ever I saw anything in my whole life,
I think: and a pretty thing it is, that he should choose her face
to represent Britannia by. So at the office late very busy and much
business with great joy dispatched, and so home to supper and to bed.

26th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning. And here did receive
another reference from Sir W. Coventry about the business of some of the
Muster-Masters, concerning whom I had returned their small performances,
which do give me a little more trouble for fear [Sir] W. Coventry should
think I had a design to favour my brother Balty, and to that end to
disparage all the rest. But I shall clear all very well, only it do
exercise my thoughts more than I am at leisure for. At home find Balty
and his wife very fine, which I did not like, for fear he do spend too
much of his money that way, and lay [not] up anything. After dinner to
the office again, where by and by Lord Bruncker, [Sir] W. Batten, [Sir]
J. Minnes and I met about receiving Carcasses answers to the depositions
against him. Wherein I d