least in Aristotle, as I took him for, he not being able to tell me the
definition of final nor which of the 4 Qualitys belonged to each of the 4
Elements. So to prayers, and to bed, among other things being much
satisfied with my new rule.

8th. Up and to my office, whither I search for Brown the mathematical
instrument maker, who now brought me a ruler for measuring timber and
other things so well done and in all things to my mind that I do set up my
trust upon it that I cannot have a better, nor any man else have so good
for this purpose, this being of my own ordering. By and by we sat all the
morning dispatching of business, and then at noon rose, and I with Mr.
Coventry down to the water-side, talking, wherein I see so much goodness
and endeavours of doing the King service, that I do more and more admire
him. It being the greatest trouble to me, he says, in the world to see
not only in the Navy, but in the greatest matters of State, where he can
lay his finger upon the soare (meaning this man's faults, and this man's
office the fault lies in), and yet dare or can not remedy matters. Thence
to the Exchange about several businesses, and so home to dinner, and in
the afternoon took my brother John and Will down to Woolwich by water, and
after being there a good while, and eating of fruit in Sheldon's garden,
we began our walk back again, I asking many things in physiques of my
brother John, to which he gives me so bad or no answer at all, as in the
regions of the ayre he told me that he knew of no such thing, for he never
read Aristotle's philosophy and Des Cartes ownes no such thing, which
vexed me to hear him say. But I shall call him to task, and see what it
is that he has studied since his going to the University. It was late
before we could get from Greenwich to London by water, the tide being
against us and almost past, so that to save time and to be clear of
anchors I landed at Wapping, and so walked home weary enough, walking over
the stones. This night Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes returned [from]