grow very rude, and every thing out of order; commanders having no power over their seamen, but the seamen do what they please.  Few stay on board, but all coming running up hither to towne, and nobody can with justice blame them, we owing them so much money; and their familys must starve if we do not give them money, or they procure upon their tickets from some people that will trust them.  A great folly is observed by all people in the King’s giving leave to so many merchantmen to go abroad this winter, and some upon voyages where it is impossible they should be back again by the spring, and the rest will be doubtfull, but yet we let them go; what the reason of State is nobody can tell, but all condemn it.  The Prince and Duke of Albemarle have got no great credit by this year’s service.  Our losses both of reputation and ships having been greater than is thought have ever been suffered in all ages put together before; being beat home, and fleeing home the first fight, and then losing so many ships then and since upon the sands, and some falling into the enemy’s hands, and not one taken this yeare, but the Ruby, French prize, now at the end of the yeare, by the Frenchmen’s mistake in running upon us.  Great folly in both Houses of Parliament, several persons falling together by the eares, among others in the House of Lords, the Duke of Buckingham and my Lord Ossory.  Such is our case, that every body fears an invasion the next yeare; and for my part, I do methinks foresee great unhappiness coming upon us, and do provide for it by laying by something against a rainy day, dividing what I have, and laying it in several places, but with all faithfulness to the King in all respects; my grief only being that the King do not look after his business himself, and thereby will be undone both himself and his nation, it being not yet, I believe, too late if he would apply himself to it, to save all, and conquer the Dutch; but while he and the Duke of York mind their pleasure, as they do and nothing else, we must be beaten.  So late with my mind in good condition of quiet after the settling all my accounts, and to bed.

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     Being there, and seeming to do something, while we do not
     Bill against importing Irish cattle
     Bringing over one discontented man, you raise up three
     But how many years I cannot tell; but my wife says ten
     But pretty! how I took another pretty woman for her
     Catholiques are everywhere and bold
     Did tumble them all the afternoon as I pleased
     Discoursing upon the sad condition of the times
     Exceeding kind to me, more than usual, which makes me afeard
     Fashion, the King says; he will never change
     I did what I would, and might have done anything else
     King be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment
     King hath lost his power, by submitting himself to this way
     So home to supper, and to bed, it being my wedding night
     The very rum man must have L200
     Time spending, and no money to set anything in hand