to Portugal by venturing some money by them, and he will give me an answer
to it shortly. So home and sent for the Barber, and after that to bed.

16th. So soon as word was brought me that Mr. Coventry was come with the
barge to the Towre, I went to him, and found him reading of the Psalms in
short hand (which he is now busy about), and had good sport about the long
marks that are made there for sentences in divinity, which he is never
like to make use of. Here he and I sat till the Comptroller came and then
we put off for Deptford, where we went on board the King's pleasure boat
that Commissioner Pett is making, and indeed it will be a most pretty
thing. From thence to Commr. Pett's lodging, and there had a good
breakfast, and in came the two Sir Wms. from Walthamstow, and so we sat
down and did a great deal of public business about the fitting of the
fleet that is now going out. That done we went to the Globe and there had
a good dinner, and by and by took barge again and so home. By the way they
would have me sing, which I did to Mr. Coventry, who went up to Sir
William Batten's, and there we staid and talked a good while, and then
broke up and I home, and then to my father's and there lay with my wife.

17th. By land and saw the arches, which are now almost done and are very
fine, and I saw the picture of the ships and other things this morning,
set up before the East Indy House, which are well done. So to the office,
and that being done I went to dinner with Sir W. Batten, and then home to
my workmen, and saw them go on with great content to me. Then comes Mr.
Allen of Chatham, and I took him to the Mitre and there did drink with
him, and did get of him the song that pleased me so well there the other
day, "Of Shitten come Shites the beginning of love." His daughters are to
come to town to-morrow, but I know not whether I shall see them or no.
That done I went to the Dolphin by appointment and there I met Sir Wms.
both and Mr. Castle, and did eat a barrel of oysters and two lobsters,