furiously, a butcher and a waterman. The former had the better all along,
till by and by the latter dropped his sword out of his hand, and the
butcher, whether not seeing his sword dropped I know not, but did give him
a cut over the wrist, so as he was disabled to fight any longer. But,
Lord! to see how in a minute the whole stage was full of watermen to
revenge the foul play, and the butchers to defend their fellow, though
most blamed him; and there they all fell to it to knocking down and
cutting many on each side. It was pleasant to see, but that I stood in
the pit, and feared that in the tumult I might get some hurt. At last the
rabble broke up, and so I away to White Hall and so to St. James's, but I
found not Sir W. Coventry, so into the Park and took a turn or two, it
being a most sweet day, and so by water home, and with my father and wife
walked in the garden, and then anon to supper and to bed. The Duke of
Cambridge very ill still.

28th. Up, and by coach to St. James's, where I find Sir W. Coventry, and
he desirous to have spoke with me. It was to read over a draught of a
letter which he hath made for his brother Commissioners and him to sign to
us, demanding an account of the whole business of the Navy accounts; and I
perceive, by the way he goes about it, that they will do admirable things.
He tells me they have chosen Sir G. Downing their Secretary, who will be
as fit a man as any in the world; and said, by the by, speaking of the
bankers being fearful of Sir G. Downing's being Secretary, he being their
enemy, that they did not intend to be ruled by their Secretary, but do the
business themselves. My heart is glad to see so great hopes of good to
the nation as will be by these men; and it do me good to see Sir W.
Coventry so cheerfull as he now is on the same score. Thence home, and
there fell to seeing my office and closet there made soundly clean, and
the windows cleaned. At which all the morning, and so at noon to dinner.
After dinner my wife away down with Jane and W. Hewer to Woolwich, in