prating, lying fellow.  But it was pleasant this morning to hear Hollis give me the account what, he says, he told the King in Commissioner Pett’s presence, whence it was that his ship was fit sooner than others, telling the King how he dealt with the several Commissioners and agents of the Ports where he comes, offering Lanyon to carry him a Ton or two of goods to the streights, giving Middleton an hour or two’s hearing of his stories of Barbadoes, going to prayer with Taylor, and standing bare and calling, “If it please your Honour,” to Pett, but Sir W. Pen says that he tells this story to every body, and believes it to be a very lie.  At night comes Captain Cocke to see me, and he and I an hour in the garden together.  He tells me there have been great endeavours of bringing in the Presbyterian interest, but that it will not do.  He named to me several of the insipid lords that are to command the armies that are to be raised.  He says the King and Court are all troubled, and the gates of the Court were shut up upon the first coming of the Dutch to us, but they do mind the business no more than ever:  that the bankers, he fears, are broke as to ready-money, though Viner had L100,000 by him when our trouble begun:  that he and the Duke of Albemarle have received into their own hands, of Viner, the former L10,000, and the latter L12,000, in tallies or assignments, to secure what was in his hands of theirs; and many other great men of our. masters have done the like; which is no good sign, when they begin to fear the main.  He and every body cries out of the office of the Ordnance, for their neglects, both at Gravesend and Upnor, and everywhere else.  He gone, I to my business again, and then home to supper and to bed.  I have lately played the fool much with our Nell, in playing with her breasts.  This night, late, comes a porter with a letter from Monsieur Pratt, to borrow L100 for my Lord Hinchingbroke, to enable him to go out with his troop in the country, as he is commanded; but I did find an excuse to decline it.  Among other reasons to myself, this is one, to teach him the necessity of being a good husband, and keeping money or credit by him.

18th.  Up, and did this morning dally with Nell . . . which I was afterward troubled for.  To the office, and there all the morning.  Peg Pen come to see me, and I was glad of it, and did resolve to have tried her this afternoon, but that there was company with elle at my home, whither I got her.  Dined at home, W. Hewer with me, and then to the office, and to my Lady Pen’s, and did find occasion for Peg to go home with me to my chamber, but there being an idle gentleman with them, he went with us, and I lost my hope.  So to the office, and by and by word was brought me that Commissioner Pett is brought to the Tower, and there laid up close prisoner; which puts me into a fright, lest they may do the same with us as they do with him.  This puts me upon hastening what I am doing with my people, and