Diary, Jun/Jul/Aug 1661 | Page 7

Then to the office, and there sat awhile. So home and at
night to bed, where we lay in Sir R. Slingsby's lodgings in the dining
room there in one green bed, my house being now in its last work of
painting and whiting.

11th. At the office this morning, Sir G. Carteret with us; and we agreed
upon a letter to the Duke of York, to tell him the sad condition of this
office for want of money; how men are not able to serve us more
without some money; and that now the credit of the office is brought so
low, that none will sell us any thing without our personal security given
for the same. All the afternoon abroad about several businesses, and at
night home and to bed.

12th. Wednesday, a day kept between a fast and a feast, the Bishops not
being ready enough to keep the fast for foul weather before fair weather
came; and so they were forced to keep it between both.
[A Form of Prayer was published to be used in London on the 12th, and
in the country on the 19th of June, being the special days appointed for
a general fast to be kept in the respective places for averting those
sicknesses and diseases, that dearth and scarcity, which justly may be
feared from the late immoderate rain and waters: for a thanksgiving
also for the blessed change of weather; and the begging the continuance
of it to us for our comfort: And likewise for beseeching a Blessing
upon the High Court of Parliament now assembled: Set forth by his
Majesty's authority. A sermon was preached before the Commons by

Thomas Greenfield, preacher of Lincoln's Inn. The Lords taxed
themselves for the poor--an earl, 30s., a baron, 20s. Those absent from
prayers were to pay a forfeit.--B.]
I to Whitehall, and there with Captain Rolt and Ferrers we went to
Lambeth to drink our morning draft, where at the Three Mariners, a
place noted for their ale, we went and staid awhile very merry, and so
away. And wanting a boat, we found Captain Bun going down the river,
and so we went into his boat having a lady with him, and he landed
them at Westminster and me at the Bridge. At home all day with my
workmen, and doing several things, among others writing the letter
resolved of yesterday to the Duke. Then to White Hall, where I met my
Lord, who told me he must have L300 laid out in cloth, to give in
Barbary, as presents among the Turks. At which occasion of getting
something I was very glad. Home to supper, and then to Sir R. Slingsby,
who with his brother and I went to my Lord's at the Wardrobe, and
there staid a great while, but he being now taking his leave of his
friends staid out late, and so they went away. Anon came my Lord in,
and I staid with him a good while, and then to bed with Mr. Moore in
his chamber.

13th. I went up and down to Alderman Backwell's, but his servants not
being up, I went home and put on my gray cloth suit and faced white
coat, made of one of my wife's pettycoates, the first time I have had it
on, and so in a riding garb back again and spoke with Mr. Shaw at the
Alderman's, who offers me L300 if my Lord pleases to buy this cloth
with, which pleased me well. So to the Wardrobe and got my Lord to
order Mr. Creed to imprest so much upon me to be paid by Alderman
Backwell. So with my Lord to Whitehall by water, and he having taken
leave of the King, comes to us at his lodgings and from thence goes to
the garden stairs and there takes barge, and at the stairs was met by Sir
R. Slingsby, who there took his leave of my Lord, and I heard my Lord
thank him for his kindness to me, which Sir Robert answered much to
my advantage. I went down with my Lord in the barge to Deptford, and
there went on board the Dutch yacht and staid there a good while, W.
Howe not being come with my Lord's things, which made my Lord
very angry. By and by he comes and so we set sayle, and anon went to
dinner, my Lord and we very merry; and after dinner I went down

below and there sang, and took leave of W. Howe, Captain Rolt, and
the rest of my friends, then went up and took leave of my Lord, who
give me his hand and parted with great respect. So went and Captain
Ferrers with me into our