[Or hammock-battens:  cleats or battens nailed to the sides of a
     vessel’s beams, from which to suspend the seamen’s hammocks.]

and the abuse now practised in tickets, and more like every day to be.  Also of the great profit Mr. Fen makes of his place, he being, though he demands but 5 per cent. of all he pays, and that is easily computed, but very little pleased with any man that gives him no more.  So to the office, and after office my Lord Brunkerd carried me to Lincolne’s Inne Fields, and there I with my Lady Sandwich (good lady) talking of innocent discourse of good housewifery and husbands for her daughters, and the luxury and looseness of the times and other such things till past 10 o’clock at night, and so by coach home, where a little at my office, and so to supper and to bed.  My Lady tells me how my Lord Castlemayne is coming over from France, and is believed will be made friends with his Lady again.  What mad freaks the Mayds of Honour at Court have:  that Mrs. Jenings, one of the Duchesses mayds, the other day dressed herself like an orange wench, and went up and down and cried oranges; till falling down, or by such accident, though in the evening, her fine shoes were discerned, and she put to a great deale of shame; that such as these tricks being ordinary, and worse among them, thereby few will venture upon them for wives:  my Lady Castlemayne will in merriment say that her daughter (not above a year old or two) will be the first mayde in the Court that will be married.  This day my Lord Sandwich writ me word from the Downes, that he is like to be in towne this week.

22nd.  Lay last night alone, my wife after her bathing lying alone in another bed.  So cold all night.  Up and to the office, where busy all the morning.  At noon at the ’Change, busy; where great talk of a Dutch ship in the North put on shore, and taken by a troop of horse.  Home to dinner and Creed with me.  Thence to Gresham College, where very noble discourse, and thence home busy till past 12 at night, and then home to supper and to bed.  Mrs. Bland come this night to take leave of me and my wife, going to Tangier.

23rd.  This day, by the blessing of Almighty God, I have lived thirty-two years in the world, and am in the best degree of health at this minute that I have been almost in my life time, and at this time in the best condition of estate that ever I was in-the Lord make me thankfull.  Up, and to the office, where busy all the morning.  At noon to the ’Change, where I hear the most horrid and astonishing newes that ever was yet told in my memory, that De Ruyter with his fleete in Guinny hath proceeded to the taking of whatever we have, forts, goods, ships, and men, and tied our men back to back, and thrown them all into the sea, even women and children also.  This a Swede or Hamburgher is come into the River and tells that he saw the thing done.