Having done this discourse with Sir G. Carteret, and signified my great
satisfaction in it, which they seem to look upon as something, I went away
and by coach home, and there find my wife making of tea, a drink which Mr.
Pelling, the Potticary, tells her is good for her cold and defluxions. I
to the office (whither come Mr. Carcasse to me to sue for my favour to
him), and Sir W. Pen's, where I find Mr. Lowther come to town after the
journey, and after a small visit to him, I to the office to do much
business, and then in the evening to Sir W. Batten's, to see how he did;
and he is better than he was. He told me how Mrs. Lowther had her train
held up yesterday by her page, at his house in the country; which is so
ridiculous a piece of pride as I am ashamed of. He told me also how he
hears by somebody that my Lord Bruncker's maid hath told that her lady
Mrs. Williams had sold her jewels and clothes to raise money for something
or other; and indeed the last night a letter was sent from her to me, to
send to my Lord, with about five pieces of gold in it, which methought at
the time was but a poor supply. I then to Sir W. Pen, who continues a
little ill, or dissembles it, the latter of which I am apt to believe.
Here I staid but little, not meaning much kindness in it; and so to the
office, and dispatched more business; and then home at night, and to
supper with my wife, and who should come in but Mr. Pelling, and supped
with us, and told us the news of the town; how the officers of the Navy
are cried out upon, and a great many greater men; but do think that I
shall do well enough; and I think, if I have justice, I shall. He tells
me of my Lord Duke of Buckingham, his dining to-day at the Sun, and that
he was mighty merry; and, what is strange, tells me that really he is at
this day a very popular man, the world reckoning him to suffer upon no
other account than that he did propound in Parliament to have all the
questions that had to do with the receipt of the taxes and prizes; but
they must be very silly that do think he can do any thing out of good
intention. After a great deal of tittle-tattle with this honest man, he