["Two experiments were made for the finding out a way to breathe
     under water, useful for divers.”  The first was on a bird and the
     second on “a kitling” (Birch’s “History,” vol. ii., p. 25).]

nay, and this ayre is to be made by putting together a liquor and some body that ferments, the steam of that do do the work.  Thence home, and thence to White Hall, where the house full of the Duke’s going to-morrow, and thence to St. James’s, wherein these things fell out:  (1) I saw the Duke, kissed his hand, and had his most kind expressions of his value and opinion of me, which comforted me above all things in the world, (2) the like from Mr. Coventry most heartily and affectionately. (3) Saw, among other fine ladies, Mrs. Middleton,

[Jane, daughter to Sir Robert Needham, is frequently mentioned in the “Grammont Memoirs,” and Evelyn calls her “that famous and indeed incomparable beauty” ("Diary,” August 2nd, 1683).  Her portrait is in the Royal Collection amongst the beauties of Charles ii.’s Court.  Sir Robert Needham was related to John Evelyn.]

a very great beauty I never knew or heard of before; (4) I saw Waller the poet, whom I never saw before.  So, very late, by coach home with W. Pen, who was there.  To supper and to bed, with my heart at rest, and my head very busy thinking of my several matters now on foot, the new comfort of my old navy business, and the new one of my employment on Tangier.

23rd.  Up and to my Lord Sandwich, who follows the Duke this day by water down to the Hope, where “The Prince” lies.  He received me, busy as he was, with mighty kindness and joy at my promotions; telling me most largely how the Duke hath expressed on all occasions his good opinion of my service and love for me.  I paid my thanks and acknowledgement to him; and so back home, where at the office all the morning.  At noon to the ’Change.  Home, and Lewellin dined with me.  Thence abroad, carried my wife to Westminster by coach, I to the Swan, Herbert’s, and there had much of the good company of Sarah and to my wish, and then to see Mrs. Martin, who was very kind, three weeks of her month of lying in is over.  So took up my wife and home, and at my office a while, and thence to supper and to bed.  Great talk of noises of guns heard at Deale, but nothing particularly whether in earnest or not.

24th.  Up betimes, and by agreement to the Globe taverne in Fleet Street to Mr. Clerke, my sollicitor, about the business of my uncle’s accounts, and we went with one Jefferys to one of the Barons (Spelman), and there my accounts were declared and I sworn to the truth thereof to my knowledge, and so I shall after a few formalities be cleared of all.  Thence to Povy’s, and there delivered him his letters of greatest import to him that is possible, yet dropped by young Bland, just come from Tangier, upon the road by Sittingburne, taken up and sent to Mr. Pett, at