4th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and this morning
Sir W. Pen went to Chatham to look: after the ships now going out thence,
and particularly that wherein the Duke and himself go. He took Sir G.
Ascue with: him, whom, I believe, he hath brought into play. At noon to
the 'Change and thence home, where I found my aunt James and the two she
joyces. They dined and were merry with us. Thence after dinner to a
play, to see "The Generall;" which is so dull and so ill-acted, that I
think it is the worst. I ever saw or heard in all my days. I happened to
sit near; to Sir Charles Sidly; who I find a very witty man, and he did at
every line take notice of the dullness of the poet and badness of the
action, that most pertinently; which I was mightily taken with; and among
others where by Altemire's command Clarimont, the Generall, is commanded
to rescue his Rivall, whom she loved, Lucidor, he, after a great deal of
demurre, broke out; "Well, I'le save my Rivall and make her confess, that
I deserve, while he do but possesse." "Why, what, pox," says Sir Charles
Sydly, "would he have him have more, or what is there more to be had of a
woman than the possessing her?" Thence-setting all them at home, I home
with my wife and Mercer, vexed at my losing my time and above 20s. in
money, and neglecting my business to see so bad a play. To-morrow they
told us should be acted, or the day after, a new play, called "The
Parson's Dreame," acted all by women. So to my office, and there did
business; and so home to supper and to bed.

5th. Up betimes and to my office, and thence by coach to New Bridewell to
meet with Mr. Poyntz to discourse with him (being Master of the Workhouse
there) about making of Bewpers for us. But he was not within; however his
clerke did lead me up and down through all the house, and there I did with
great pleasure see the many pretty works, and the little children
employed, every one to do something, which was a very fine sight, and