for he is a very villain. At noon home to dinner, where, and at the
office, all the afternoon, troubled at what I have this morning heard, at
least my mind full of thoughts upon it, and so at night after supper to
bed.

31st. Up, and by water to Sir W. Coventry's, there to talk with him about
business of the Navy, and received from him direction what to advise the
Duke of York at this time, which was, to submit and give way to the King's
naming a man or two, that the people about him have a mind should be
brought into the Navy, and perhaps that may stop their fury in running
further against the whole; and this, he believes, will do it. After much
discourse with him, I walked out with him into St. James's Park, where,
being afeard to be seen with him, he having not leave yet to kiss the
King's hand, but notice taken, as I hear, of all that go to him, I did
take the pretence of my attending the Tangier Committee, to take my leave,
though to serve him I should, I think, stick at nothing. At the
Committee, this morning, my Lord Middleton declares at last his being
ready to go, as soon as ever money can be made ready to pay the garrison:
and so I have orders to get money, but how soon I know not. Thence home,
and there find Mr Sheres, for whom I find my moher of late to talk with
mighty kindness; and particularly he hath shewn himself to be a poet, and
that she do mightily value him for. He did not stay to dine with us, but
we to dinner; and then, in the afternoon, my wife being very well dressed
by her new maid, we abroad, to make a visit to Mrs. Pickering; but she
abroad again, and so we never yet saw her. Thence to Dancre's, and there,
saw our pictures which are in doing; and I did choose a view of Rome
instead of Hampton Court; and mightily pleased I shall be in them. Here
were Sir Charles Cotterell and his son bespeaking something; both
ingenious men. Thence my wife and I to the Park; and pretty store of
company; and so home with great content the month, my mind in pretty good