Coventry, who was with me, how that Lord Anglesey did take notice of our
reading his long and sharp letter to the Board; but that it was the
better, at least he said so. The Duke of York, I perceive, is earnest in
it, and will have good effects of it; telling W. Coventry that it was a
letter that might have come from the Commissioners of Accounts, but it was
better it should come first from him. I met Lord Brouncker, who, I
perceive, and the rest, do smell that it comes from me, but dare not find
fault with it; and I am glad of it, it being my glory and defence that I
did occasion and write it. So by water home, and did spend the evening
with W. Hewer, telling him how we are all like to be turned out, Lord
Brouncker telling me this evening that the Duke of Buckingham did, within
few hours, say that he had enough to turn us all out which I am not sorry
for at all, for I know the world will judge me to go for company; and my
eyes are such as I am not able to do the business of my Office as I used,
and would desire to do, while I am in it. So with full content, declaring
all our content in being released of my employment, my wife and I to bed,
and W. Hewer home, and so all to bed.

31st. Up, and to my office, there to set my journal for all the last
week, and so by water to Westminster to the Exchequer, and thence to the
Swan, and there drank and did baiser la fille there, and so to the New
Exchange and paid for some things, and so to Hercules Pillars,' and there
dined all alone, while I sent my shoe to have the heel fastened at
Wotton's, and thence to White Hall to the Treasury chamber, where did a
little business, and thence to the Duke of York's playhouse and there met
my wife and Deb. and Mary Mercer and Batelier, where also W. Hewer was,
and saw "Hamlet," which we have not seen this year before, or more; and
mightily pleased with it; but, above all, with Betterton, the best part I
believe, that ever man acted. Thence to the Fayre, and saw
"Polichinelle," and so home, and after a little supper to bed. This night