and find my boy a very schoole boy, that talks innocently and
impertinently, but at present it is a sport to us, and in a little time he
will leave it. So sent him to bed, he saying that he used to go to bed at
eight o'clock, and then all of us to bed, myself pretty well pleased with
my choice of a boy. All the newes this day is, that the Dutch are, with
twenty-two sayle of ships of warr, crewsing up and down about Ostend; at
which we are alarmed. My Lord Sandwich is come back into the Downes with
only eight sayle, which is or may be a prey to the Dutch, if they knew our
weakness and inability to set out any more speedily.

28th (Lord's day). Up the first time I have had great while. Home to
dined, and with my boy alone to church anybody to attend me to church a
dinner, and there met Creed, who, and we merry together, as his learning
is such and judgment that I cannot but be pleased with it. After dinner I
took him to church, into our gallery, with me, but slept the best part of
the sermon, which was a most silly one. So he and I to walk to the
'Change a while, talking from one pleasant discourse to another, and so
home, and thither came my uncle Wight and aunt, and supped with us mighty
merry. And Creed lay with us all night, and so to bed, very merry to
think how Mr. Holliard (who came in this evening to see me) makes nothing,
but proving as a most clear thing that Rome is Antichrist.

29th. Up betimes, intending to do business at my office, by 5 o'clock,
but going out met at my door Mr. Hughes come to speak with me about office
business, and told me that as he came this morning from Deptford he left
the King's yarde a-fire. So I presently took a boat and down, and there
found, by God's providence, the fire out; but if there had been any wind
it must have burned all our stores, which is a most dreadfull
consideration. But leaving all things well I home, and out abroad doing
many errands, Mr. Creed also out, and my wife to her mother's, and Creed