coach and away to Hales's, where my wife is sitting; and, indeed, her face
and necke, which are now finished, do so please me that I am not myself
almost, nor was not all the night after in writing of my letters, in
consideration of the fine picture that I shall be master of. Thence home
and to the office, where very late, and so home to supper and to bed.

9th. Up, and being ready, to the Cockpitt to make a visit to the Duke of
Albemarle, and to my great joy find him the same man to me that [he has
been] heretofore, which I was in great doubt of, through my negligence in
not visiting of him a great while; and having now set all to rights there,
I am in mighty ease in my mind and I think shall never suffer matters to
run so far backward again as I have done of late, with reference to my
neglecting him and Sir W. Coventry. Thence by water down to Deptford,
where I met my Lord Bruncker and Sir W. Batten by agreement, and to
measuring Mr. Castle's new third-rate ship, which is to be called the
Defyance.

[William Castell wrote to the Navy Commissioners on February 17th,
1665-66, to inform them that the "Defiance" had gone to Longreach,
and again, on February 22nd, to say that Mr. Grey had no masts large
enough for the new ship. Sir William Batten on March 29th asked for
the consent of the Board to bring the "Defiance" into dock ("
Calendar of State Papers," Domestic, 1665-66, pp. 252, 262, 324).]

And here I had my end in saving the King some money and getting myself
some experience in knowing how they do measure ships. Thence I left them
and walked to Redriffe, and there taking water was overtaken by them in
their boat, and so they would have me in with them to Castle's house,
where my Lady Batten and Madam Williams were, and there dined and a deale
of doings. I had a good dinner and counterfeit mirthe and pleasure with