therein appears in my account of his case in writing by itself.  Certain newes of the Dutch being abroad on our coast with twenty-four great ships.  This done Sir W. Batten and I back again to London, and in the way met my Lady Newcastle going with her coaches and footmen all in velvet:  herself, whom I never saw before, as I have heard her often described, for all the town-talk is now-a-days of her extravagancies, with her velvetcap, her hair about her ears; many black patches, because of pimples about her mouth; naked-necked, without any thing about it, and a black just-au-corps.  She seemed to me a very comely woman:  but I hope to see more of her on Mayday.  My mind is mightily of late upon a coach.  At home, to the office, where late spending all the evening upon entering in long hand our late passages with Carcasse for memory sake, and so home in great pain in my back by the uneasiness of Sir W. Batten’s coach driving hard this afternoon over the stones to prevent coming too late.  So at night to supper in great pain, and to bed, where lay in great pain, not able to turn myself all night.

27th.  Up with much pain, and to the office, where all the morning.  At noon home to dinner, W. Hewer with us.  This noon I got in some coals at 23s. per chaldron, a good hearing, I thank God-having not been put to buy a coal all this dear time, that during this war poor people have been forced to give 45s. and 50s., and L3.  In the afternoon (my wife and people busy these late days, and will be for some time, making of shirts and smocks) to the office, where late, and then home, after letters, and so to supper and to bed, with much pleasure of mind, after having dispatched business.  This afternoon I spent some time walking with Mr. Moore, in the garden, among other things discoursing of my Lord Sandwich’s family, which he tells me is in a very bad condition, for want of money and management, my Lord’s charging them with bills, and nobody, nor any thing provided to answer them.  He did discourse of his hopes of being supplied with L1900 against a present bill from me, but I took no notice of it, nor will do it.  It seems Mr. Sheply doubts his accounts are ill kept, and every thing else in the family out of order, which I am grieved to hear of.

28th (Lord’s day).  Lay long, my pain in my back being still great, though not so great as it was.  However, up and to church, where a lazy sermon, and then home and to dinner, my wife and I alone and Barker.  After dinner, by water—­the day being mighty pleasant, and the tide serving finely, I up (reading in Boyle’s book of colours), as high as Barne Elmes, and there took one turn alone, and then back to Putney Church, where I saw the girls of the schools, few of which pretty; and there I come into a pew, and met with little James Pierce, which I was much pleased at, the little rogue being very glad to see me:  his master, Reader to the Church.  Here was a good sermon and much company, but I sleepy,