[The old palace at Greenwich had just been pulled down, and a new
building commenced by Charles II., only one wing of which was
completed, at the expense of L36,000, under the auspices of Webb,
Inigo Jones's kinsman and executor. In 1694 the unfinished edifice
was granted by William and Mary to trustees for the use and service
of a Naval Hospital; and it has been repeatedly enlarged and
improved till it has arrived at its present splendour.--B.]

I to the Park, there to see the prospect of the hill, to judge of Dancre's
picture, which he hath made thereof for me: and I do like it very well:
and it is a very pretty place. Thence to Deptford, but staid not,
Uthwayte being out of the way: and so home, and then to the Ship Tavern,
Morrice's, and staid till W. Hewer fetched his uncle Blackburne by
appointment to me, to discourse of the business of the Navy in the late
times; and he did do it, by giving me a most exact account in writing, of
the several turns in the Admiralty and Navy, of the persons employed
therein, from the beginning of the King's leaving the Parliament, to his
Son's coming in, to my great content; and now I am fully informed in all I
at present desire. We fell to other talk; and I find by him that the
Bishops must certainly fall, and their hierarchy; these people have got so
much ground upon the King and kingdom as is not to be got again from them:
and the Bishops do well deserve it. But it is all the talk, I find, that
Dr. Wilkins, my friend, the Bishop of Chester, shall be removed to
Winchester, and be Lord Treasurer. Though this be foolish talk, yet I do
gather that he is a mighty rising man, as being a Latitudinarian, and the
Duke of Buckingham his great friend. Here we staid talking till to at
night, where I did never drink before since this man come to the house,
though for his pretty wife's sake I do fetch my wine from this, whom I
could not nevertheless get para see to-night, though her husband did seem