["The experiment of trying to poison a dog with some of the Macassar powder in which a needle had been dipped was made, but without success.”—­Pepys himself made a communication at this meeting of the information he had received from the master of the Jersey ship, who had been in company of Major Holmes in the Guinea voyage, concerning the pendulum watches (Birch’s “History,” vol. ii., p. 23).]

but it had no effect all the time we sat there.  We anon broke up and I home, where late at my office, my wife not coming home.  I to bed, troubled, about 12 or past.

16th.  Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, my wife coming home from the water this morning, having lain with them on board “The Prince” all night.  At noon home to dinner, where my wife told me the unpleasant journey she had yesterday among the children, whose fear upon the water and folly made it very unpleasing to her.  A good dinner, and then to the office again.  This afternoon Mr. Harris, the sayle-maker, sent me a noble present of two large silver candlesticks and snuffers, and a slice to keep them upon, which indeed is very handsome.  At night come Mr. Andrews with L36, the further fruits of my Tangier contract, and so to bed late and weary with business, but in good content of mind, blessing God for these his benefits.

17th.  Up and to my office, and then with Sir W. Batten to St. James’s, where many come to take leave, as was expected, of the Duke, but he do not go till Monday.  This night my Lady Wood died of the small-pox, and is much lamented among the great persons for a good-natured woman and a good wife, but for all that it was ever believed she was as others are.  The Duke did give us some commands, and so broke up, not taking leave of him.  But the best piece of newes is, that instead of a great many troublesome Lords, the whole business is to be left with the Duke of Albemarle to act as Admirall in his stead; which is a thing that do cheer my heart.  For the other would have vexed us with attendance, and never done the business.  Thence to the Committee of Tangier, where the Duke a little, and then left us and we staid.  A very great Committee, the Lords Albemarle, Sandwich, Barkely, Fitzharding, Peterborough, Ashley, Sir Thos.  Ingram, Sir G. Carteret and others.  The whole business was the stating of Povy’s accounts, of whom to say no more, never could man say worse himself nor have worse said of him than was by the company to his face; I mean, as to his folly and very reflecting words to his honesty.  Broke up without anything but trouble and shame, only I got my businesses done to the signing of two bills for the Contractors and Captain Taylor, and so come away well pleased, and home, taking up my wife at the ’Change, to dinner.  After dinner out again bringing my wife to her father’s again at Charing Cross, and I to the Committee again, where a new meeting of trouble about Povy, who still makes his business