it is the noblest romance and example of a brave lady that
ever I read in my life. Pretty to hear them talk of yesterday's play,
and I durst not own to my wife to have seen it. Thence home and to [Sir]
W. Batten!'s, where we have made a bargain for the ending of some of the
trouble about some of our prizes for L1400. So home to look on my new
books that I have lately bought, and then to supper and to bed.

17th. Up, and with the two Sir Williams by coach to the Duke of York,
who is come to St. James's, the first time we have attended him there
this year. In our way, in Tower Street, we saw Desbrough walking on
foot: who is now no more a prisoner, and looks well, and just as he used
to do heretofore. When we come to the Duke of York's I was spoke to
by Mr. Bruncker on behalf of Carcasse. Thence by coach to Sir G.
Carteret's, in London, there to pass some accounts of his, and at it
till dinner, and then to work again a little, and then go away, and my
wife being sent for by me to the New Exchange I took her up, and there
to the King's playhouse (at the door met with W. Joyce in the street,
who come to our coach side, but we in haste took no notice of him, for
which I was sorry afterwards, though I love not the fellow, yet for his
wife's sake), and saw a piece of "Rollo," a play I like not much, but
much good acting in it: the house very empty. So away home, and I a
little to the office, and then to Sir Robert Viner's, and so back,
and find my wife gone down by water to take a little ayre, and I to
my chamber and there spent the night in reading my new book, "Origines
Juridiciales," which pleases me. So to supper and to bed.

18th. Up, and to read more in the "Origines," and then to the office,
where the news is strong that not only the Dutch cannot set out a fleete
this year, but that the French will not, and that he hath given the
answer to the Dutch Embassador, saying that he is for the King of
England's, having an honourable peace, which, if true, is the best
news we have had a good while. At the office all the morning, and there
pleased with the little pretty Deptford woman I have wished for long,
and she hath occasion given her to come again to me. After office I to
the 'Change a little, and then home and to dinner, and then by coach
with my wife to the Duke of York's house, and there saw "The Wits," a
play I formerly loved, and is now corrected and enlarged: but, though I
like the acting, yet I like not much in the