27th.  At my waking, I found the tops of the houses covered with snow, which is a rare sight, that I have not seen these three years.  Up, and put my people to perfect the cleaning of my house, and so to the office, where we sat till noon; and then we all went to the next house upon Tower Hill, to see the coming by of the Russia Embassador; for whose reception all the City trained-bands do attend in the streets, and the King’s life-guards, and most of the wealthy citizens in their black velvet coats, and gold chains (which remain of their gallantry at the King’s coming in), but they staid so long that we went down again home to dinner.  And after I had dined, I heard they were coming, and so I walked to the Conduit in the Quarrefowr,

[In two ordinances of the reign of Edward III., printed in Riley’s “Memorials of London” (pp. 300, 389), this is called the “Carfukes,” which nearly approaches the name of the “Carfax,” at Oxford, where four ways also met.  Pepys’s form of the word is nearer quatre voies, the French equivalent of quadrivium.]

at the end of Gracious-street and Cornhill; and there (the spouts thereof running very near me upon all the people that were under it) I saw them pretty well go by.  I could not see the Embassador in his coach; but his attendants in their habits and fur caps very handsome, comely men, and most of them with hawkes upon their fists to present to the King.  But Lord! to see the absurd nature of Englishmen, that cannot forbear laughing and jeering at every thing that looks strange.  So back and to the office, and there we met and sat till seven o’clock, making a bargain with Mr. Wood for his masts of New England; and then in Mr. Coventry’s coach to the Temple, but my cozen Roger Pepys not being at leisure to speak to me about my business, I presently walked home, and to my office till very late doing business, and so home, where I found my house more and more clear and in order, and hope in a day or two now to be in very good condition there and to my full content.  Which God grant!  So to supper and to bed.

28th.  A very hard frost; which is news to us after having none almost these three years.  Up and to Ironmongers’ Hall by ten o’clock to the funeral of Sir Richard Stayner.  Here we were, all the officers of the Navy, and my Lord Sandwich, who did discourse with us about the fishery, telling us of his Majesty’s resolution to give L200 to every man that will set out a Busse;

     [A small sea-vessel used in the Dutch herring-fishery.]

and advising about the effects of this encouragement, which will be a very great matter certainly.  Here we had good rings, and by and by were to take coach; and I being got in with Mr. Creed into a four-horse coach, which they come and told us were only for the mourners, I went out, and so took this occasion to go home.  Where I staid all day expecting Gosnell’s coming, but there came an excuse from her that she had not heard yet from her mother, but that she will come next week, which I wish she may, since I must keep one that I may have some pleasure therein.  So to my office till late writing out a copy of my uncle’s will, and so home and to bed.