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of the houses rubbish that was burned； and said to be the house of a Catholique。 This and several letters out of the country； saying how high the Catholiques are every where and bold in the owning their religion； hath made the Commons mad； and they presently voted that the King be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment； and other high things； while the business of money hangs in the hedge。
28th。 Captain Guy to dine with me； and he and I much talk together。 He cries out of the discipline of the fleet； and confesses really that； the true English valour we talk of； is almost spent and worn out； few of the commanders doing what they should do； and he much fears we shall therefore be beaten the next year。 He assures me we were beaten home the last June fight； and that the whole fleet was ashamed to hear of our bonfires。 He commends Smith and cries out of Holmes for an idle； proud； conceited； though stout fellow。 He tells me we are to owe the loss of so many ships on the sands； not to any fault of the pilots； but to the weather； but in this I have good authority to fear there was something more。 He says the Dutch do fight in very good order； and we in none at all。 He says that in the July fight； both the Prince and Holmes had their belly…fulls； and were fain to go aside； though； if the wind had continued； we had utterly beaten them。 He do confess the whole to be governed by a company of fools； and fears our ruine。 The Revenge having her forecastle blown up with powder to the killing of some men in the River； and the Dyamond's being overset in the careening at Sheernese； are further marks of the method all the King's work is now done in。 The Foresight also and another come to disasters in the same place this week in the cleaning； which is strange。
29th。 Up； and to the office to do business； and thither comes to me Sir Thomas Teddiman； and he and I walked a good while in the garden together； discoursing of the disorder and discipline of the fleet； wherein he told me how bad every thing is； but was very wary in speaking any to the dishonour of the Prince or Duke of Albemarle； but do magnify my Lord Sandwich much before them both； from ability to serve the King； and do heartily wish for him here。 For he fears that we shall be undone the next year； but that he will； however； see an end of it。 To Westminster； and I find the new Lord Mayor Bolton a…swearing at the Exchequer； with some of the Aldermen and Livery； but Lord！ to see how meanely they now look； who upon this day used to be all little lords； is a sad sight and worthy consideration。 And every body did reflect with pity upon the poor City； to which they are now coming to choose and swear their Lord Mayor； compared with what it heretofore was。 To my goldsmith to bid him look out for some gold for me； and he tells me that ginnys； which I bought 2000 of not long ago； and cost me 18 1/2d。 change； will now cost me 22d。； and but very few to be had at any price。 However； some more I will have； for they are very convenient； and of easy disposal。 To White Hall； and into the new playhouse there； the first time I ever was there； and the first play I have seen since before the great plague。 By and by Mr。 Pierce comes； bringing my wife and his； and Knipp。 By and by the King and Queen； Duke and Duchesse； and all the great ladies of the Court； which； indeed； was a fine sight。 But the play； being 〃Love in a Tub；〃 ＇A comedy； by Sir George Etheridge。＇ a silly play； and though done by the Duke's people； yet having neither Beterton nor his wife； ＇Vide Note to Feb。 1； 1663…4。＇ and the whole thing done ill； and being ill also； I had no manner of pleasure in the play。 Besides； the House； though very fine； yet bad for the voice； for hearing。 The sight of the ladies； indeed； was exceeding noble； and above all； my Lady Castlemaine。 The play done by ten o'clock。
NOVEMBER 2； 1666。 On board the Ruby French prize； the only ship of war we have taken from any of our enemies this year。 It seems a very good ship； but with galleries quite round the sterne to walk in as a balcone； which will be taken down。
4th。 My taylor's man brings my vest home； and coat to wear with it and belt； and silver…hilted sword。 I waited in the gallery till the Council was up； and did speak with Mr。 Cooling； my Lord Chamberlain's secretary； who tells me my Lord Generall is become mighty low in all people's opinion； and that he hath received several slurs from the King and Duke of York。 The people at Court do see the difference between his and the Prince's management； and my Lord Sandwich's。 That this business which he is put upon of crying out against the Catholiques and turning them out of all employment； will undo him； when he comes to turn the officers out of the Army； and this is a thing of his own seeking。 That he is grown a drunken sot； and drinks with nobody but Troutbecke； whom nobody else will keep company with。 Of whom he told me this story； that once the Duke of Albemarle in his drink taking notice as of a wonder that Nan Hide should ever come to be Duchesse of York： 〃Nay；〃 says Troutbecke； 〃ne'er wonder at that； for if you will give me another bottle of wine； I will tell you as great； if not greater； a miracle。〃 And what was that； but that our dirty Besse （meaning his Duchesse） should come to be Duchesse of Albemarle？
5th。 To my Lady Peterborough； who had sent to speak with me。 She makes mighty mourn of the badness of the times； and her family as to money。 My Lord's passionateness for want thereof； and his want of coming in of rents； and no wages from the Duke of York。 No money to be had there for wages or disbursements； and therefore prays my assistance about his pension。 To my Lord Crewe's； and there dined； and mightily made of。 Here my Lord； and Sir Thomas Crewe； Mr。 John； and Dr； Crewe； ＇Nathaniel； afterwards Bishop of Durham and Baron Crewe。＇ and two strangers。 The best family in the world for goodness and sobriety。 Here beyond my expectation I met my Lord Hinchingbroke； who is come to town two days since from Hinchingbroke； and brought his sister and brother Carteret with him； who are at Sir G。 Carteret's。 After dinner I and Sir Thomas Crewe went aside to discourse of public matters； and do find by him that all the country gentlemen are publickly jealous of the courtiers in the Parliament； and that they do doubt every thing that they propose； and that the true reason why the country…gentlemen are for a land…tax and against a general excise； is； because they are fearful that if the latter be granted； they shall never get it down again； whereas the land…tax will be but for so much； and when the war ceases； there will be no ground got by the court to keep it up。 He says the House would be very glad to get something against Sir G。 Carteret； and will not let their inquiries die till they have got something。 He do； from what he hath heard at the Committee for examining the burning of the City； conclude it as a thing certain； that it was done by plots； it being proved by many witnesses that endeavours were made in several places to encrease the fire； and that both in City and country it was bragged by several Papists； that upon such a day or in such a time we shoul