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not so as it was cried up。
24th。 At my Lord Sandwich's; where I was a good while alone with my Lord; and I perceive he confides in me and loves me as he uses to do; and tells me his condition; which is now very well; all I fear is that he will not live within compass。 There come to him this morning his prints of the river Tagus and the City of Lisbon; which he measured with his own hand; and printed by command of the King。 My Lord pleases himself with it; but methinks it ought to have been better done than by Jobing。 Besides I put him upon having some took off upon white sattin; which he ordered presently。 I offered my lord my accounts; and did give him up his old bond for 500l。 and took a new one of him for 700l。; which I am by lending him more money to make up: and am glad of it。
25th。 This noon going to the Exchange; I met a fine fellow with trumpets before him in Leadenhall…street; and upon enquiry I find that he is the clerke of the City Market; and three or four men carried each of them an arrow of a pound weight in their hands。 It seems this Lord Mayor 'Sir John Frederic。' begins again an old custome; that upon the three first days of Bartholomew Fayre; the first; there is a match of wrestling; which was done; and the Lord Mayor there and the Aldermen in Moorefields yesterday: second day; shooting: and to…morrow hunting; And this officer of course is to perform this ceremony of riding through the city; I think to proclaim or challenge any to shoot。 It seems the people of the faire cry out upon it as a great hindrance to them。
26th。 To White Hall; where the Court full of waggons and horses; the King and Court going this day out towards the Bath。 Pleased to see Captn。 Hickes come to me with a list of all the officers of Deptford Yard; wherein he; being a high old Cavalier; do give me an account of every one of them to their reproach in all respects; and discovers many of their knaverys; and tells me; and so I thank God I hear every where; that my name is up for a good husband to the King; and a good man; for which I bless God; and that he did this by particular direction of Mr。 Coventry。
28th。 Cold all night and this morning; and a very great frost they say abroad; which is much; having had no summer at all almost。
SEPTEMBER 2; 1663。 To dinner with my Lord Mayor and the Aldermen; and a very great dinner and most excellent venison; but it almost made me sick by not daring to drink wine。 After dinner into a withdrawing room; and there we talked; among other things; of the Lord Mayor's sword。 They tell me this sword is at least a hundred or two hundred years old; and another that he hath; which is called the Black Sword; which the Lord Mayor wears when he mournes; but properly is their Lenten sword to wear upon Good Friday and other Lent days; is older than that。 Mr。 Lewellin; lately come from Ireland; tells me how the English interest falls mightily there; the Irish party being too great; so that most of the old rebells are found innocent; and their lands; which were forfeited and bought or given to the English; are restored to them; which gives great discontent there among the English。 Going through the City; my Lord Mayor told me how the piller set up by Exeter House is only to show where the pipes of water run to the City; and observed that this City is as well watered as any city in the world; and that the bringing of water to the City hath cost it first and last above 300;000l。; but by the new building; and the building of St。 James's by my Lord St。 Albans; which is now about (and which the City stomach I perceive highly; but dare not oppose it;) were it now to be done; it would not be done for a million of money。
4th。 To Westminster Hall; and there bought the first news books of L'Estrange's writing; he beginning this week; and makes; methinks; but a simple beginning。 'Roger L'Estrange; author of numerous pamphlets and periodical papers。 He was Licenser of the Press to Charles II。 and his successor; and M。P。 for Winchester in James II。's Parliament。 Ob。 1704 aged 88。' This day I read a Proclamation for calling in and commanding every body to apprehend my Lord Bristoll。
5th。 I did inform myself well in things relating to the East Indys; both of the country; and the disappointment the King met with the last voyage; by the knavery of the Portugall Viceroy; and the inconsiderableness of the place of Bombaim; 'Bombay。' if we had had it。 But; above all things; it seems strange to me that matters should not be understood before they went out; and also that such a thing as this; which was expected to be one of the best parts of the Queene's portion; should not be better understood; it being; if we had it; but a poor place; and not really so as was described to our King in the draught of it; but a poor little island; whereas they made the King and Lord Chancellor; and other learned men about the King; believe that that; and other islands which are near it; were all one piece; and so the draught was drawn and presented to the King; and believed by the King; and expected to prove so when our men come thither; but it is quite otherwise。
12th。 Up betimes; and by water to White Hall: and thence to Sir Philip Warwick; and there had half an hour's private discourse with him: and did give him some good satisfaction in our Navy matters; and he also me; as to the money paid and due to the Navy; so as he makes me assured by particulars; that Sir G。 Carteret is paid within 80;000l。 every farthing that we owe to this day; nay to Michaelmas day next have demanded; and that; I am sure is above 50;000l。 more than truly our expences have been; whatever is become of the money。 Home with great content that I have thus begun an acquaintance with him; who is a great man; and a man of as much business as any man in England; which I will endeavour to deserve and keep。
22nd。 This day the King and Queene are to come to Oxford。 I hear my Lady Castlemaine is for certain gone to Oxford to meet him; having lain within here at home this week or two; supposed to have miscarried; but for certain is as great in favour as heretofore; at least Mrs。 Sarah at my Lord's; who hears all from their own family; do say so。 Every day brings news of the Turke's advance into Germany; to the awakening of all the Christian Princes thereabouts; and possessing himself of Hungary。
24th。 I went forth by water to Sir Philip Warwick's; where I was with him a pretty while; and in discourse he tells me; and made it appear to me that the King cannot be in debt to the Navy at this time 5000l。; and it is my opinion that Sir G。 Carteret do owe the King money; and yet the whole Navy debt paid。 Hence I parted; being doubtful of myself that I have not spoke with the gravity and weight that I ought to do in so; great a business。 But I rather hope it is my doubtfulness of myself; and the haste which he was in; some very great personages waiting for him without; while he was with me; that made him willing to be gone。
28th。 To White Hall; where Sir J。 Minnes and I did spend an hour in the Gallery; looking upon the pictures; in which he hath some judgement。 And by and by the Commissioners for Tangier met: and there my Lord Teviott; together with Captain Cuttance; Captain Evans; and Jonas Moore; sent to that purpose; did bring us a brave draught of the Mole to be built there; and report that it is likely to be the most considerable place the King of England hath in the world; and so I am apt to think it will。 After discourse of this; and of supplying the garrison with some more horse; we rose; and Sir J。 Minnes and I home again; finding the street about our house full; Sir R。 Ford beginning his shrievalty to…day: and; what with his and our houses being new painted; the street begins to look a great deal better than it did; and more gracefull。 News that the King comes to town for certain on Thursday next from his great progress。
30th。 In the afternoon by water to White Hall; to the Tangier Committee; where my Lord Teviott; which grieves me to see that his accounts being to be examined by us; there are none of the great men at the Board that in compliment will except against any thing in them; and so none of the little persons d