there find the bottom of the first pillar laid. And here was a shed set
up, and hung with tapestry, and a canopy of state, and some good victuals
and wine, for the King, who, it seems, did it; and so a great many people,
as Tom Killigrew, and others of the Court there, and there I did eat a
mouthful and drink a little, and do find Mr. Gawden in his gowne as
Sheriffe, and understand that the King hath this morning knighted him upon
the place, which I am mightily pleased with; and I think the other
Sheriffe, who is Davis, the little fellow, my schoolfellow,--the
bookseller, who was one of Audley's' Executors, and now become Sheriffe;
which is a strange turn, methinks. Here mighty merry (there being a good
deal of good company) for a quarter of an hour, and so I away and to
Westminster Hall, where I come just as the House rose; and there, in the
Hall, met with Sir W. Coventry, who is in pain to defend himself in the
business of tickets, it being said that the paying of the ships at Chatham
by ticket was by his direction, and he hath wrote to me to find his
letters, and shew them him, but I find none; but did there argue the case
with him, and I think no great blame can be laid on us for that matter,
only I see he is fearfull. And he tells me his mistake in the House the
other day, which occasions him much trouble, in shewing of the House the
Duke of Albemarle's letter about the good condition of Chatham, which he
is sorry for, and, owns as a mistake, the thing not being necessary to
have been done; and confesses that nobody can escape from such error, some
times or other. He says the House was well satisfied with my Report
yesterday; and so several others told me in the Hall that my Report was
very good and satisfactory, and that I have got advantage by it in the
House: I pray God it may prove so! And here, after the Hall pretty empty,
I did walk a few turns with Commissioner Pett, and did give the poor weak
man some advice for his advantage how to better his pleading for himself,
which I think he will if he can remember and practise, for I would not
have the man suffer what he do not deserve, there being enough of what he