at 6d. a pound, at which I was surprised, but, however, I did leave it there till I speak with my Lord.  So I carried it to the Exchequer, where at Will’s I found Mr. Spicer, and so lodged it at his office with the rest.  From thence after a pot of ale at Will’s I took boat in the dark and went for all that to the old Swan, and so to Sir Wm. Batten’s, and leaving some of the gallants at cards I went home, where I found my wife much satisfied with my Lord’s discourse and respect to her, and so after prayers to bed.

16th.  Up early to my father’s, where by appointment Mr. Moore came to me, and he and I to the Temple, and thence to Westminster Hall to speak with Mr. Wm. Montagu about his looking upon the title of those lands which I do take as security for L3000 of my Lord’s money.  That being done Mr. Moore and I parted, and in the Hall I met with Mr. Fontleroy (my old acquaintance, whom I had not seen a long time), and he and I to the Swan, and in discourse he seems to be wise and say little, though I know things are changed against his mind.  Thence home by water, where my father, Mr. Snow, and Mr. Moore did dine with me.  After dinner Mr. Snow and I went up together to discourse about the putting out of L80 to a man who lacks the money and would give me L15 per annum for 8 years for it, which I did not think profit enough, and so he seemed to be disappointed by my refusal of it, but I would not now part with my money easily.  He seems to do it as a great favour to me to offer to come in upon a way of getting of money, which they call Bottomry,

["The contract of bottomry is a negotiable instrument, which may be put in suit by the person to whom it is transferred; it is in use in all countries of maritime commerce and interests.  A contract in the nature of a mortgage of a ship, when the owner of it borrows money to enable him to carry on the voyage, and pledges the keel or bottom of the ship as a security for the repayment.  If the ship be lost the lender loses his whole money; but if it returns in safety, then he shall receive back his principal, and also the premium stipulated to be paid, however it may exceed the usual or legal rate of interest.”—­Smyth’s Sailor’s WordBook.]

which I do not yet understand, but do believe there may be something in it of great profit.  After we were parted I went to the office, and there we sat all the afternoon, and at night we went to a barrel of oysters at Sir W. Batten’s, and so home, and I to the setting of my papers in order, which did keep me up late.  So to bed.

17th.  In the morning to Whitehall, where I inquired at the Privy Seal Office for a form for a nobleman to make one his Chaplain.  But I understanding that there is not any, I did draw up one, and so to my Lord’s, and there I did give him it to sign for Mr. Turner to be his first Chaplain.  I did likewise get my Lord to sign my last sea accounts, so that I am even to this day when I have received