London; but I hope the King will give us some satisfaction for that.  But now the plague is abated almost to nothing, and I intending to get to London as fast as I can.  My family, that is my wife and maids, having been there these two or three weeks.  The Dutch war goes on very ill, by reason of lack of money; having none to hope for, all being put into disorder by a new Act that is made as an experiment to bring credit to the Exchequer, for goods and money to be advanced upon the credit of that Act.  I have never lived so merrily (besides that I never got so much) as I have done this plague time, by my Lord Bruncker’s and Captain Cocke’s good company, and the acquaintance of Mrs. Knipp, Coleman and her husband, and Mr. Laneare, and great store of dancings we have had at my cost (which I was willing to indulge myself and wife) at my lodgings.  The great evil of this year, and the only one indeed, is the fall of my Lord of Sandwich, whose mistake about the prizes hath undone him, I believe, as to interest at Court; though sent (for a little palliating it) Embassador into Spayne, which he is now fitting himself for.  But the Duke of Albemarle goes with the Prince to sea this next year, and my Lord very meanly spoken of; and, indeed, his miscarriage about the prize goods is not to be excused, to suffer a company of rogues to go away with ten times as much as himself, and the blame of all to be deservedly laid upon him.

     [According to Granville Penn ("Memorials of Sir W. Penn,” ii. 488 n.)
     L2000 went to Lord Sandwich and L8000 among eight others.]

My whole family hath been well all this while, and all my friends I know of, saving my aunt Bell, who is dead, and some children of my cozen Sarah’s, of the plague.  But many of such as I know very well, dead; yet, to our great joy, the town fills apace, and shops begin to be open again.  Pray God continue the plague’s decrease! for that keeps the Court away from the place of business, and so all goes to rack as to publick matters, they at this distance not thinking of it.

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     A most conceited fellow and not over much in him
     A pretty man, I would be content to break a commandment with him
     Among many lazy people that the diligent man becomes necessary
     Delight to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition
     Great many silly stories they tell of their sport
     His enemies have done him as much good as he could wish
     How little merit do prevail in the world, but only favour
     I am a foole to be troubled at it, since I cannot helpe it
     L10,000 to the Prince, and half-a-crowne to my Lord of Sandwich
     Left him with some Commanders at the table taking tobacco
     One whom a great belly becomes as well as ever I saw any
     Pleases them mightily, and me not at all
     See how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody
     The boy is well, and offers to be searched