choice; for they have obstructed the giving it by land-tax, which had been
done long since. Having ended my visit, I spoke to Sir Thomas Crew, to
invite him and his brother John to dinner tomorrow, at my house, to meet
Lord Hinchingbroke; and so homewards, calling at the cook's, who is to
dress it, to bespeak him, and then home, and there set things in order for
a very fine dinner, and then to the office, where late very busy and to
good purpose as to dispatch of business, and then home. To bed, my people
sitting up to get things in order against to-morrow. This evening was
brought me what Griffin had, as he says, taken this evening off of the
table in the office, a letter sealed and directed to the Principal
Officers and Commissioners of the Navy. It is a serious and just libel
against our disorder in paying of our money, making ten times more people
wait than we have money for, and complaining by name of Sir W. Batten for
paying away great sums to particular people, which is true. I was sorry
to see this way of reproach taken against us, but more sorry that there is
true ground for it.

28th. Up, and with Sir W. Pen to White Hall (setting his lady and
daughter down by the way at a mercer's in the Strand, where they are going
to lay out some money), where, though it blows hard and rains hard, yet
the Duke of York is gone a-hunting. We therefore lost our labour, and so
back again, and by hackney coach to secure places to get things ready
against dinner, and then home, and did the like there, and to my great
satisfaction: and at noon comes my Lord Hinchingbroke, Sir Thomas Crew,
Mr. John Crew, Mr. Carteret, and Brisband. I had six noble dishes for
them, dressed by a man-cook, and commended, as indeed they deserved, for
exceeding well done. We eat with great pleasure, and I enjoyed myself in
it with reflections upon the pleasures which I at best can expect, yet not
to exceed this; eating in silver plates, and all things mighty rich and
handsome about me. A great deal of fine discourse, sitting almost till