18th.  Up, and to my office about my great business betimes, and so to the office, where all the morning.  At noon dined, and then to the office all the afternoon also, and in the evening to Sir W. Coventry’s, but he not within, I took coach alone to the Park, to try to meet him there, but did not; but there were few coaches, but among the few there were in two coaches our two great beauties, my Lady Castlemayne and Richmond; the first time I saw the latter since she had the smallpox.  I had much pleasure to see them, but I thought they were strange one to another.  Thence going out I met a coach going, which I thought had Knepp in it, so I went back, but it was not she.  So back to White Hall and there took water, and so home, and busy late about my great letter to the Duke of York, and so to supper and to bed . . . .

19th.  Up betimes, and all day and afternoon without going out, busy upon my great letter to the Duke of York, which goes on to my content.  W. Hewer and Gibson I employ with me in it.  This week my people wash, over the water, and so I little company at home.  In the evening, being busy above, a great cry I hear, and go down; and what should it be but Jane, in a fit of direct raving, which lasted half-an-hour.  Beyond four or five of our strength to keep her down; and, when all come to all, a fit of jealousy about Tom, with whom she is in love.  So at night, I, and my wife, and W. Hewer called them to us, and there I did examine all the thing, and them, in league.  She in love, and he hath got her to promise him to marry, and he is now cold in it, so that I must rid my hands of them, which troubles me, and the more because my head is now busy upon other greater things.  I am vexed also to be told by W. Hewer that he is summoned to the Commissioners of Accounts about receiving a present of L30 from Mr. Mason, the timber merchant, though there be no harm in it, that will appear on his part, he having done them several lawful kindnesses and never demanded anything, as they themselves have this day declared to the Commissioners, they being forced up by the discovery of somebody that they in confidence had once told it to.  So to supper vexed and my head full of care, and so to bed.

20th.  Betimes at my business again, and so to the office, and dined with Brouncker and J. Minnes, at Sir W. Pen’s at a bad pasty of venison, and so to work again, and at it till past twelve at night, that I might get my great letter

[In the Pepysian Library is a Ms. (No. 2242), entitled, “Papers conteyning my addresse to his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke, Lord High Admirall of England, &c., by letter dated the 20th of August, 1668, humbly tendering him my advice touching the present State of the Office of the Navy, with his Royall Highness’s proceedings upon the same, and their result.”]

to the Duke of York ready against to-morrow, which I shall do, to my great content.  So to bed.