the Duchess of Albemarle's earnest interposition for another. He is
a fanatic, it is true, but all hands will be needed for the work cut
out; there is less danger of them in harbour than at sea, and profit
will convert most of them" ("Calendar of State Papers," Domestic,
1664-65, p. 68).]

and Colonell Middleton, the first to be Commissioner for Harwich and the
latter for Portsmouth, I away to the 'Change, and there did very much
business, so home to dinner, and Mr. Duke, our Secretary for the Fishery,
dined with me. After dinner to discourse of our business, much to my
content, and then he away, and I by water among the smiths on the other
side, and to the alehouse with one and was near buying 4 or 5 anchors, and
learned something worth my knowing of them, and so home and to my office,
where late, with my head very full of business, and so away home to supper
and to bed.

5th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, at noon to the 'Change,
and thence home to dinner, and so with my wife to the Duke's house to a
play, "Macbeth," a pretty good play, but admirably acted. Thence home;
the coach being forced to go round by London Wall home, because of the
bonefires; the day being mightily observed in the City. To my office late
at business, and then home to supper, and to bed.

6th (Lord's day). Up and with my wife to church. Dined at home. And I
all the afternoon close at my office drawing up some proposals to present
to the Committee for the Fishery to-morrow, having a great good intention
to be serviceable in the business if I can. At night, to supper with my
uncle Wight, where very merry, and so home. To prayers and to bed.

7th. Up and with Sir W. Batten to White Hall, where mighty thrusting