went with Mr. Blackburne and his wife to London to a christening of a Brother’s child of his on Tower Hill, and I to a play, “The Scorn-full Lady,” and that being done, I went homewards, and met Mr. Moore, who had been at my house, and took him to my father’s, and we three to Standing’s to drink.  Here Mr. Moore told me how the House had this day voted the King to have all the Excise for ever.  This day I do also hear that the Queen’s going to France is stopt, which do like, me well, because then the King will be in town the next month, which is my month again at the Privy Seal.  From thence home, where when I come I do remember that I did leave my boy Waineman at Whitehall with order to stay there for me in the court, at which I was much troubled, but about 11 o’clock at night the boy came home well, and so we all to bed.

28th.  This morning went to Whitehall to my Lord’s, where Major Hart did pay me; L23 14s. 9d., due to me upon my pay in my Lord’s troop at the time of our disbanding, which is a great blessing to have without taking any law in the world for.  But now I must put an end to any hopes of getting any more, so that I bless God for this.  From thence with Mr. Shepley and Pinkney to the Sun, and did give them a glass of wine and a peck of oysters for joy of my getting this money.  So home, where I found that Mr. Creed had sent me the L11 5s. that is due to me upon the remains of account for my sea business, which is also so much clear money to me, and my bill of impresse

[For “bill of impress” In Italian ‘imprestare’ means “to lend.”  In the ancient accounts of persons officially employed by the crown, money advanced, paid on, account, was described as “de prestito,” or “in prestitis.”—­M.  B.]

for L30 is also cleared, so that I am wholly clear as to the sea in all respects.  To the office, and was there till late at night, and among the officers do hear that they may have our salaries allowed by the Treasurer, which do make me very glad, and praise God for it.  Home to supper, and Mr. Hater supped with me, whom I did give order to take up my money of the Treasurer to-morrow if it can be had.  So to bed.

29th.  In the morning seeing a great deal of foul water come into my parlour from under the partition between me and Mr. Davis, I did step thither to him and tell him of it, and he did seem very ready to have it stopt, and did also tell me how thieves did attempt to rob his house last night, which do make us all afraid.  This noon I being troubled that the workmen that I have to do my door were called to Mr. Davis’s away, I sent for them, when Mr. Davis sent to inquire a reason of, and I did give him a good one, that they were come on purpose to do some work with me that they had already begun, with which he was well pleased, and I glad, being unwilling to anger them.  In the afternoon Sir W. Batten and I met and did sell the ship Church for L440; and we asked L391, and that being done, I went home, and