22nd (Lord's day). Up, and to my chamber, and there till noon mighty
busy, setting money matters and other things of mighty moment to rights to
the great content of my mind, I finding that accounts but a little let go
can never be put in order by strangers, for I cannot without much
difficulty do it myself. After dinner to them again till about four
o'clock and then walked to White Hall, where saw nobody almost but walked
up and down with Hugh May, who is a very ingenious man. Among other
things, discoursing of the present fashion of gardens to make them plain,
that we have the best walks of gravell in the world, France having no nor
Italy; and our green of our bowling allies is better than any they have.
So our business here being ayre, this is the best way, only with a little
mixture of statues, or pots, which may be handsome, and so filled with
another pot of such and such a flower or greene as the season of the year
will bear. And then for flowers, they are best seen in a little plat by
themselves; besides, their borders spoil the walks of another garden: and
then for fruit, the best way is to have walls built circularly one within
another, to the South, on purpose for fruit, and leave the walking garden
only for that use. Thence walked through the House, where most people
mighty hush and, methinks, melancholy. I see not a smiling face through
the whole Court; and, in my conscience, they are doubtfull of the conduct
again of the Generalls, and I pray God they may not make their fears
reasonable. Sir Richard Fanshaw is lately dead at Madrid. Guyland is
lately overthrowne wholly in Barbary by the King of Tafiletta. The fleete
cannot yet get clear of the River, but expect the first wind to be out,
and then to be sure they fight. The Queene and Maids of Honour are at
Tunbridge.

23rd. Up, and to my chamber doing several things there of moment, and
then comes Sympson, the Joyner; and he and I with great pains contriving
presses to put my books up in: they now growing numerous, and lying one