of a peace made upon good terms, by Sir J. Lawson, with the Argier men,
which is most excellent news? He hath also sent each of us some
anchovies, olives, and muscatt; but I know not yet what that is, and am
ashamed to ask. After supper home, and to bed, resolving to make up this
week in seeing plays and pleasure, and so fall to business next week again
for a great while.

23rd. At the office good part of the morning, and then about noon with my
wife on foot to the Wardrobe. My wife went up to the dining room to my
Lady Paulina, and I staid below talking with Mr. Moore in the parley,
reading of the King's and Chancellor's late speeches at the proroguing of
the Houses of Parliament. And while I was reading, news was brought me
that my Lord Sandwich is come and gone up to my Lady, which put me into
great suspense of joy, so I went up waiting my Lord's coming out of my
Lady's chamber, which by and by he did, and looks very well, and my soul
is glad to see him. He very merry, and hath left the King and Queen at
Portsmouth, and is come up to stay here till next Wednesday, and then to
meet the King and Queen at Hampton Court. So to dinner, Mr. Browne, Clerk
of the House of Lords, and his wife and brother there also; and my Lord
mighty merry; among other things, saying that the Queen is a very
agreeable lady, and paints still. After dinner I showed him my letter
from Teddiman about the news from Argier, which pleases him exceedingly;
and he writ one to the Duke of York about it, and sent it express. There
coming much company after dinner to my Lord, my wife and I slunk away to
the Opera, where we saw "Witt in a Constable," the first time that it is
acted; but so silly a play I never saw I think in my life. After it was
done, my wife and I to the puppet play in Covent Garden, which I saw the
other day, and indeed it is very pleasant. Here among the fidlers I first
saw a dulcimere