11th.  At the office this morning, Sir G. Carteret with us; and we agreed upon a letter to the Duke of York, to tell him the sad condition of this office for want of money; how men are not able to serve us more without some money; and that now the credit of the office is brought so low, that none will sell us any thing without our personal security given for the same.  All the afternoon abroad about several businesses, and at night home and to bed.

12th.  Wednesday, a day kept between a fast and a feast, the Bishops not being ready enough to keep the fast for foul weather before fair weather came; and so they were forced to keep it between both.

[A Form of Prayer was published to be used in London on the 12th, and in the country on the 19th of June, being the special days appointed for a general fast to be kept in the respective places for averting those sicknesses and diseases, that dearth and scarcity, which justly may be feared from the late immoderate rain and waters:  for a thanksgiving also for the blessed change of weather; and the begging the continuance of it to us for our comfort:  And likewise for beseeching a Blessing upon the High Court of Parliament now assembled:  Set forth by his Majesty’s authority.  A sermon was preached before the Commons by Thomas Greenfield, preacher of Lincoln’s Inn.  The Lords taxed themselves for the poor—­an earl, 30s., a baron, 20s.  Those absent from prayers were to pay a forfeit.—­B.]

I to Whitehall, and there with Captain Rolt and Ferrers we went to Lambeth to drink our morning draft, where at the Three Mariners, a place noted for their ale, we went and staid awhile very merry, and so away.  And wanting a boat, we found Captain Bun going down the river, and so we went into his boat having a lady with him, and he landed them at Westminster and me at the Bridge.  At home all day with my workmen, and doing several things, among others writing the letter resolved of yesterday to the Duke.  Then to White Hall, where I met my Lord, who told me he must have L300 laid out in cloth, to give in Barbary, as presents among the Turks.  At which occasion of getting something I was very glad.  Home to supper, and then to Sir R. Slingsby, who with his brother and I went to my Lord’s at the Wardrobe, and there staid a great while, but he being now taking his leave of his friends staid out late, and so they went away.  Anon came my Lord in, and I staid with him a good while, and then to bed with Mr. Moore in his chamber.

13th.  I went up and down to Alderman Backwell’s, but his servants not being up, I went home and put on my gray cloth suit and faced white coat, made of one of my wife’s pettycoates, the first time I have had it on, and so in a riding garb back again and spoke with Mr. Shaw at the Alderman’s, who offers me L300 if my Lord pleases to buy this cloth with, which pleased me well.  So to the Wardrobe and got my Lord to order Mr. Creed to imprest so much