there walked to St. James's, where I find the Court mighty full, it being
the Duke or York's birthday; and he mighty fine, and all the musick, one
after another, to my great content. Here I met with Sir H. Cholmly; and
he and I to walk, and to my Lord Barkeley's new house; there to see a new
experiment of a cart, which; by having two little wheeles fastened to the
axle-tree, is said to make it go with half the ease and more, than another
cart but we did not see the trial made. Thence I home, and after dinner
to St. James's, and there met my brethren; but the Duke of York being gone
out, and to-night being a play there; and a great festival, we would not
stay, but went all of us to the King's playhouse, and there saw "The
Faythful Shepherdess" again, that we might hear the French Eunuch sing,
which we did, to our great content; though I do admire his action as much
as his singing, being both beyond all I ever saw or heard. Thence with W.
Pen home, and there to get my people to read, and to supper, and so to
bed.

15th. Up, and all the morning at the office, and at home at dinner,
where, after dinner, my wife and I and Deb. out by coach to the upholsters
in Long Lane, Alderman Reeve's, and then to Alderman Crow's, to see
variety of hangings, and were mightily pleased therewith, and spent the
whole afternoon thereupon; and at last I think we shall pitch upon the
best suit of Apostles, where three pieces for my room will come to almost
L80: so home, and to my office, and then home to supper and to bed. This
day at the Board comes unexpected the warrants from the Duke of York for
Mr. Turner and Hater, for the places they desire, which contents me
mightily.

16th. Up, and busy all the morning at the office, and before noon I took
my wife by coach, and Deb., and shewed her Mr. Wren's hangings and bed, at
St. James's, and Sir W. Coventry's in the Pell Mell, for our satisfaction