after supper fell into the rarest discourse with Mr. Hill about Rome and
Italy; but most pleasant that I ever had in my life. At it very late and
then to bed.

28th. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes and W. Batten to White Hall, but no
Committee of Lords (which is like to do the King's business well). So to
Westminster, and there to Jervas's and was a little while with Jane, and
so to London by coach and to the Coffee-house, where certain news of our
peace made by Captain Allen with Argier, which is good news; and that the
Dutch have sent part of their fleete round by Scotland; and resolve to pay
off the rest half-pay, promising the rest in the Spring, hereby keeping
their men. But how true this, I know not. Home to dinner, then come Dr.
Clerke to speak with me about sick and wounded men, wherein he is like to
be concerned. After him Mr. Cutler, and much talk with him, and with him
to White Hall, to have waited on the Lords by order, but no meeting,
neither to-night, which will spoil all. I think I shall get something by
my discourse with Cutler. So home, and after being at my office an hour
with Mr. Povy talking about his business of Tangier, getting him some
money allowed him for freight of ships, wherein I hope to get something
too. He gone, home hungry and almost sick for want of eating, and so to
supper and to bed.

29th. Up, and with Sir W. Batten to the Committee of Lords at the Council
Chamber, where Sir G. Carteret told us what he had said to the King, and
how the King inclines to our request of making us Commissioners of the
Prize office, but meeting him anon in the gallery, he tells me that my
Lord Barkely is angry we should not acquaint him with it, so I found out
my Lord and pacified him, but I know not whether he was so in earnest or
no, for he looked very frowardly. Thence to the Parliament House, and
with Sir W. Batten home and dined with him, my wife being gone to my Lady