the horseboat, the wind and tide being against us, without towing; so we had some difference with some watermen, who would not tow them over under 20s., whereupon I swore to send one of them to sea and will do it.  Anon some others come to me and did it for 10s.  By and by comes Sir G. Carteret, and so we set out for Chatham:  in my way overtaking some company, wherein was a lady, very pretty, riding singly, her husband in company with her.  We fell into talke, and I read a copy of verses which her husband showed me, and he discommended, but the lady commended:  and I read them, so as to make the husband turn to commend them.  By and by he and I fell into acquaintance, having known me formerly at the Exchequer.  His name is Nokes, over against Bow Church.  He was servant to Alderman Dashwood.  We promised to meet, if ever we come both to London again; and, at parting, I had a fair salute on horseback, in Rochester streets, of the lady, and so parted.  Come to Chatham mighty merry, and anon to supper, it being near 9 o’clock ere we come thither.  My Lady Carteret come thither in a coach, by herself, before us.  Great mind they have to buy a little ‘hacquenee’ that I rode on from Greenwich, for a woman’s horse.  Mighty merry, and after supper, all being withdrawn, Sir G. Carteret did take an opportunity to speak with much value and kindness to me, which is of great joy to me.  So anon to bed.  Mr. Brisband and I together to my content.

4th.  Up at five o’clock, and by six walked out alone, with my Lady Slanning, to the Docke Yard, where walked up and down, and so to Mr. Pett’s, who led us into his garden, and there the lady, the best humoured woman in the world, and a devout woman (I having spied her on her knees half an houre this morning in her chamber), clambered up to the top of the banquetting-house to gather nuts, and mighty merry, and so walked back again through the new rope house, which is very usefull; and so to the Hill-house to breakfast and mighty merry.  Then they took coach, and Sir G. Carteret kissed me himself heartily, and my Lady several times, with great kindnesse, and then the young ladies, and so with much joy, bade “God be with you!” and an end I think it will be to my mirthe for a great while, it having been the passage of my whole life the most pleasing for the time, considering the quality and nature of the business, and my noble usage in the doing of it, and very many fine journys, entertainments and great company.  I returned into the house for a while to do business there with Commissioner Pett, and there with the officers of the Chest, where I saw more of Sir W. Batten’s business than ever I did before, for whereas he did own once under his hand to them that he was accountable for L2200, of which he had yet paid but L1600, he writes them a letter lately that he hath but about L50 left that is due to the Chest, but I will do something in it and that speedily.  That being done I took horse, and Mr. Barrow with me bore me company to Gravesend,