that might have been made a wife for the King himself), about six months
since, that this great person hath given the pox to------; and discoursed
how much this would oblige the Kingdom if the King would banish some of
these great persons publiquely from the Court, and wished it with all
their hearts. We set out so late that it grew dark, so as we doubted the
losing of our way; and a long time it was, or seemed, before we could get
to the water-side, and that about eleven at night, where, when we come,
all merry (only my eye troubled me, as I said), we found no ferryboat was
there, nor no oares to carry us to Deptford. However, afterwards oares
was called from the other side at Greenwich; but, when it come, a
frolique, being mighty merry, took us, and there we would sleep all night
in the coach in the Isle of Doggs. So we did, there being now with us my
Lady Scott, and with great pleasure drew up the glasses, and slept till
daylight, and then some victuals and wine being brought us, we ate a bit,
and so up and took boat, merry as might be; and when come to Sir G.
Carteret's, there all to bed.

25th. Our good humour in every body continuing, and there I slept till
seven o'clock. Then up and to the office, well refreshed, my eye only
troubling me, which by keeping a little covered with my handkercher and
washing now and then with cold water grew better by night. At noon to the
'Change, which was very thin, and thence homeward, and was called in by
Mr. Rawlinson, with whom I dined and some good company very harmlessly
merry. But sad the story of the plague in the City, it growing mightily.
This day my Lord Brunker did give me Mr. Grant's' book upon the Bills of
Mortality, new printed and enlarged. Thence to my office awhile, full of
business, and thence by coach to the Duke of Albemarle's, not meeting one
coach going nor coming from my house thither and back again, which is very
strange. One of my chief errands was to speak to Sir W. Clerke about my
wife's brother, who importunes me, and I doubt he do want mightily, but I