t. from the King and the
Army, for fifteen or sixteen months' interest; out of which he gains
soundly, his expense being about L130,000 per annum; and hath no trouble
in it, compared, as I told him, to the trouble I must have to bring in
an account of interest. I was, however, glad of being thus enlightened,
and so away to the other council door, and there got in and hear a piece
of a cause, heard before the King, about a ship deserted by her fellows
(who were bound mutually to defend each other), in their way to
Virginy, and taken by the enemy, but it was but meanly pleaded. Then all
withdrew, and by and by the Council rose, and I spoke with the Duke of
York, and he told me my business was done, which I found accordingly in
Sir Edward Walker's books. And so away, mightily satisfied, to Arundell
House, and there heard a little good discourse, and so home, and there
to Sir W. Batten, where I heard the examinations in two of our prizes,
which do make but little for us, so that I do begin to doubt their
proving prize, which troubled me. So home to supper with my wife, and
after supper my wife told me how she had moved to W. Hewer the
business of my sister for a wife to him, which he received with mighty
acknowledgements, as she says, above anything; but says he hath no
intention to alter his condition: so that I am in some measure sorry she
ever moved it; but I hope he will think it only come from her. So after
supper a little to the office, to enter my journall, and then home to
bed. Talk there is of a letter to come from Holland, desiring a place of
treaty; but I do doubt it. This day I observe still, in many places, the
smoking remains of the late fire: the ways mighty bad and dirty. This
night Sir R. Ford told me how this day, at Christ Church Hospital,
they have given a living over L200 per annum to Mr. Sanchy, my old
acquaintance, which I wonder at, he commending him mightily; but am glad
of it. He tells me, too, how the famous Stillingfleete was a Bluecoat
boy. The children at this day are provided for in the country by the
House, which I am glad also to hear.

17th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning sitting. At noon home
to dinner, and then to the office busy also till very late, my heart
joyed with the effects of my following my business, by easing my head of
cares, and so home to supper and to bed.

18th. Up, and most of the morning finishing my entry of my journall
during the late fire out of loose p