25th (Lady-day). Up betimes and to my office, where all the morning, at
noon dined and to the Exchange, and thence to the Sun Tavern, to my Lord
Rutherford, and dined with him, and some others, his officers, and Scotch
gentlemen, of fine discourse and education. My Lord used me with great
respect, and discoursed upon his business as with one that he did esteem
of, and indeed I do believe that this garrison is likely to come to
something under him. By and by he went away, forgetting to take leave of
me, my back being turned, looking upon the aviary, which is there very
pretty, and the birds begin to sing well this spring. Thence home and to
my office till night, reading over and consulting upon the book and Ruler
that I bought this morning of Browne concerning the lyne of numbers, in
which I find much pleasure. This evening came Captain Grove about hiring
ships for Tangier. I did hint to him my desire that I could make some
lawfull profit thereof, which he promises that he will tell me of all that
he gets and that I shall have a share, which I did not demand, but did
silently consent to it, and money I perceive something will be got
thereby. At night Mr. Bland came and sat with me at my office till late,
and so I home and to bed. This day being washing day and my maid Susan
ill, or would be thought so, put my house so out of order that we had no
pleasure almost in anything, my wife being troubled thereat for want of a
good cook-maid, and moreover I cannot have my dinner as I ought in memory
of my being cut for the stone, but I must have it a day or two hence.

26th. Up betimes and to my office, leaving my wife in bed to take her
physique, myself also not being out of some pain to-day by some cold that
I have got by the sudden change of the weather from hot to cold. This day
is five years since it pleased God to preserve me at my being cut of the
stone, of which I bless God I am in all respects well. Only now and then
upon taking cold I have some pain, but otherwise in very good health