I thought, as to laying it to heart, as the matter
deserved, but did promise to look after the getting
of money for us, and I believe Sir W. Coventry will
add what force he can to it. I did speak to
[Sir] W. Coventry about Balty’s warrant, which
is ready, and about being Deputy Treasurer, which
he very readily and friendlily agreed to, at which
I was glad, and so away and by coach back to Broad-streete
to Sir G. Carteret’s, and there found my brother
passing his accounts, which I helped till dinner,
and dined there, and many good stories at dinner,
among others about discoveries of murder, and Sir J.
Minnes did tell of the discovery of his own great-grandfather’s
murder, fifteen years after he was murdered.
Thence, after dinner, home and by water to Redriffe,
and walked (fine weather) to Deptford, and there did
business and so back again, walked, and pleased with
a jolly femme that I saw going and coming in the way,
which je could avoir been contented pour avoir staid
with if I could have gained acquaintance con elle,
but at such times as these I am at a great loss, having
not confidence, no alcune ready wit. So home
and to the office, where late, and then home to supper
and bed. This evening Mrs. Turner come to my
office, and did walk an hour with me in the garden,
telling me stories how Sir Edward Spragge hath lately
made love to our neighbour, a widow, Mrs. Hollworthy,
who is a woman of estate, and wit and spirit, and
do contemn him the most, and sent him away with the
greatest scorn in the world; she tells me also odd
stories how the parish talks of Sir W. Pen’s
family, how poorly they clothe their daughter so soon
after marriage, and do say that Mr. Lowther was married
once before, and some such thing there hath been,
whatever the bottom of it is. But to think of
the clatter they make with his coach, and his owne
fine cloathes, and yet how meanly they live within
doors, and nastily, and borrowing everything of neighbours
is a most shitten thing.
2nd. Up, and to the office, where all the morning
sitting, and much troubled, but little business done
for want of money, which makes me mighty melancholy.
At noon home to dinner, and Mr. Deane with me, who
hath promised me a very fine draught of the Rupert,
which he will make purposely for me with great perfection,
which I will make one of the beautifullest things
that ever was seen of the kind in the world, she being
a ship that will deserve it. Then to the office,
where all the afternoon very busy, and in the evening
weary home and there to sing, but vexed with the unreadiness
of the girle’s voice to learn the latter part
of my song, though I confess it is very hard, half
notes. So to supper and to bed.