ach to the
ordinary by the Temple, and there dined alone on a rabbit, and read
a book I brought home from Mrs. Michell's, of the proceedings of the
Parliament in the 3rd and 4th year of the late King, a very good book
for speeches and for arguments of law. Thence to Faythorne, and bought
a head or two; one of them my Lord of Ormond's, the best I ever saw,
and then to Arundell House, where first the Royall Society meet, by
the favour of Mr. Harry Howard, who was there, and has given us his
grandfather's library, a noble gift, and a noble favour and undertaking
it is for him to make his house the seat for this college. Here was an
experiment shown about improving the use of powder for creating of force
in winding up of springs and other uses of great worth. And here was
a great meeting of worthy noble persons; but my Lord Bruncker, who
pretended to make a congratulatory speech upon their coming hither, and
in thanks to Mr. Howard, do it in the worst manner in the world, being
the worst speaker, so as I do wonder at his parts and the unhappiness of
his speaking. Thence home by coach and to the office, and then home to
supper, Mercer and her sister there, and to cards, and then to bed. Mr.
Cowling did this day in the House-lobby tell me of the many complaints
among people against Mr. Townsend in the Wardrobe, and advises me to
think of my Lord Sandwich's concernment there under his care. He did
also tell me upon my demanding it, that he do believe there are some
things on foot for a peace between France and us, but that we shall be
foiled in it.

10th. Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon home and, there
being business to do in the afternoon, took my Lord Bruncker home with
me, who dined with me. His discourse and mine about the bad performances
of the Controller's and Surveyor's places by the hands they are now in,
and the shame to the service and loss the King suffers by it. Then after
dinner to the office, where we and some of the chief of the Trinity
House met to examine the occasion of the loss of The Prince Royall, the
master and mates being examined, which I took and keep, and so broke up,
and I to my letters by the post, and so home and to supper with my mind
at pretty good ease, being entered upon minding my business, and so
to bed. This noon Mrs. Burroughs come to me about business, whom I did
baiser....

11th. Up, being troubled at my being found abed a-days by all sorts
of people, I having got a tric