the Duke for the fitting out of four ships forthwith from Portsmouth (I
know not yet for what) so I was forced to make Will get them wrote, and
signed them in bed and sent them away by express. And so to sleep.

24th (Midsummer day). Up early and to my office, putting things in order
against we sit. There came to me my cozen Harry Alcocke, whom I much
respect, to desire (by a letter from my father to me, where he had been
some days) my help for him to some place. I proposed the sea to him, and
I think he will take it, and I hope do well. Sat all the morning, and I
bless God I find that by my diligence of late and still, I do get ground
in the office every day. At noon to the Change, where I begin to be known
also, and so home to dinner, and then to the office all the afternoon
dispatching business. At night news is brought me that Field the rogue
hath this day cast me at Guildhall in L30 for his imprisonment, to which I
signed his commitment with the rest of the officers; but they having been
parliament-men, that he hath begun the law with me; and threatens more,
but I hope the Duke of York will bear me out. At night home, and Mr.
Spong came to me, and so he and I sat singing upon the leads till almost
ten at night and so he went away (a pretty, harmless, and ingenious man),
and I to bed, in a very great content of mind, which I hope by my care
still in my business will continue to me.

25th. Up by four o'clock, and put my accounts with my Lord into a very
good order, and so to my office, where having put many things in order I
went to the Wardrobe, but found my Lord gone to Hampton Court. After
discourse with Mr. Shepley we parted, and I into Thames Street, beyond the
Bridge, and there enquired among the shops the price of tarre and oyle,
and do find great content in it, and hope to save the King money by this
practice. So home to dinner, and then to the Change, and so home again,
and at the office preparing business against to-morrow all the afternoon.