was to know in what time all the King's ships might be repaired, fit for
service. The Surveyor answered, in two years, and not sooner. I did give
them hopes that, with supplies of money suitable, we might have them all
fit for sea some part of the summer after this. Then they demanded in
what time we could set out forty ships. It was answered, as they might be
chosen of the newest and most ready, we could, with money, get forty ready
against May. The King seemed mighty full that we should have money to do
all that we desired, and satisfied that, without it, nothing could be
done: and so, without determining any thing, we were dismissed; and I
doubt all will end in some little fleete this year, and those of hired
merchant-men, which would indeed be cheaper to the King, and have many
conveniences attending it, more than to fit out the King's own; and this,
I perceive, is designed, springing from Sir W. Coventry's counsel; and the
King and most of the Lords, I perceive, full of it, to get the King's
fleete all at once in condition for service. Thence I with Mr. Wren in
his coach to my cozen Turner's for discourse sake, and in our way he told
me how the business of the Parliament is wholly laid aside, it being
overruled now, that they shall not meet, but must be prorogued, upon this
argument chiefly, that all the differences between the two Houses, and
things on foot, that were matters of difference and discontent, may be
laid aside, and must begin again, if ever the House shall have a mind to
pursue them. They must begin all anew. Here he set me down, and I to my
cozen Turner, and stayed and talked a little; and so took my wife, and
home, and there to make her read, and then to supper, and to bed. At
supper come W. Batelier and supped with us, and told us many pretty things
of France, and the greatness of the present King.

25th. Up, and to the Committee of Tangier, where little done, and thence
I home by my own coach, and busy after dinner at my office all the
afternoon till late at night, that my eyes were tired. So home, and my