I by and by to Mr. Povy’s to see him, who is yet in his chamber not well, and thence by his advice to one Lovett’s, a varnisher, to see his manner of new varnish, but found not him at home, but his wife, a very beautiful woman, who shewed me much variety of admirable work, and is in order to my having of some papers fitted with his lines for my use for tables and the like.  I know not whether I was more pleased with the thing, or that I was shewed it by her, but resolved I am to have some made.  So home to my office late, and then to supper and to bed.  My wife tells me that she hears that my poor aunt James hath had her breast cut off here in town, her breast having long been out of order.  This day, after I had suffered my owne hayre to grow long, in order to wearing it, I find the convenience of periwiggs is so great, that I have cut off all short again, and will keep to periwiggs.

6th.  Up, and all day at the office, but a little at dinner, and there late till past 12.  So home to bed, pleased as I always am after I have rid a great deal of work, it being very satisfactory to me.

7th (Lord’s day).  Up, and to church with my wife.  Home and dined.  After dinner come Mr. Andrews and spent the afternoon with me, about our Tangier business of the victuals, and then parted, and after sermon comes Mr. Hill and a gentleman, a friend of his, one Mr. Scott, that sings well also, and then comes Mr. Andrews, and we all sung and supped, and then to sing again and passed the Sunday very pleasantly and soberly, and so I to my office a little, and then home to prayers and to bed.  Yesterday begun my wife to learn to, limn of one Browne,

     [Alexander Browne, a printseller, who taught drawing, and practised
     it with success.  He published in 1669, “Ars Pictoria, or an Academy
     treating of Drawing, Painting, Limning and Etching.”]

which Mr. Hill helps her to, and, by her beginning upon some eyes, I think she will [do] very fine things, and I shall take great delight in it.

8th.  Up very betimes, and did much business before I went out with several persons, among others Captain Taylor, who would leave the management of most of his business now he is going to Harwich, upon me, and if I can get money by it, which I believe it will, I shall take some of it upon me.  Thence with Sir W. Batten to the Duke of Albemarle’s and there did much business, and then to the ’Change, and thence off with Sir W. Warren to an ordinary, where we dined and sat talking of most usefull discourse till 5 in the afternoon, and then home, and very busy till late, and so home and to bed.

9th.  Up betimes, and to my business at the office, where all the morning.  At noon comes Mrs. The.  Turner, and dines with us, and my wife’s painting-master staid and dined; and I take great pleasure in thinking that my wife will really come to something in that business.  Here dined also Luellin.  So after dinner to my office, and there very busy till almost midnight, and so home to supper and to bed.  This day we have newes of eight ships being taken by some of ours going into the Texel, their two men of warr, that convoyed them, running in.  They come from about Ireland, round to the north.