20th.  This morning I rose early and went to my house to put things in a little order against my going, which I conceive will be to-morrow (the weather still very rainy).  After that to my Lord, where I found very great deal of business, he giving me all letters and papers that come to him about business, for me to give him account of when we come on shipboard.  Hence with Capt.  Isham by coach to Whitehall to the Admiralty.  He and I and Chetwind, Doling and Luellin dined together at Marsh’s at Whitehall.  So to the Bull Head whither W. Simons comes to us and I gave them my foy

     [Foy.  A feast given by one who is about to leave a place.  In Kent,
     according to Grose, a treat to friends, either at going abroad or
     coming home.  See Diary, November 25th, 1661.]

against my going to sea; and so we took leave one of another, they promising me to write to me to sea.  Hither comes Pim’s boy, by my direction, with two monteeres—­[Monteeres, montero (Spanish), a kind of huntsman’s cap.]—­for me to take my choice of, and I chose the saddest colour and left the other for Mr. Sheply.  Hence by coach to London, and took a short melancholy leave of my father and mother, without having them to drink, or say anything of business one to another.  And indeed I had a fear upon me I should scarce ever see my mother again, she having a great cold then upon her.  Then to Westminster, where by reason of rain and an easterly wind, the water was so high that there was boats rowed in King Street and all our yard was drowned, that one could not go to my house, so as no man has seen the like almost, most houses full of water.

["In this month the wind was very high, and caused great tides, so that great hurt was done to the inhabitants of Westminster, King Street being quite drowned.  The Maidenhead boat was cast away, and twelve persons with her.  Also, about Dover the waters brake in upon the mainland; and in Kent was very much damage done; so that report said, there was L20,000 worth of harm done.”—­Rugge’s Diurnal.—­B.]

Then back by coach to my Lord’s; where I met Mr. Sheply, who staid with me waiting for my Lord’s coming in till very late.  Then he and I, and William Howe went with our swords to bring my Lord home from Sir H. Wright’s.  He resolved to go to-morrow if the wind ceased.  Sheply and I home by coach.  I to Mrs. Crisp’s, who had sat over a good supper long looking for me.  So we sat talking and laughing till it was very late, and so Laud and I to bed.

21st.  To my Lord’s, but the wind very high against us, and the weather bad we could not go to-day; here I did very much business, and then to my Lord Widdrington’s from my Lord, with his desire that he might have the disposal of the writs of the Cinque Ports.  My Lord was very civil to me, and called for wine, and writ a long letter in answer.  Thence I went to a tavern over against Mr. Pierce’s with judge Advocate Fowler and Mr.