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t 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 fleet this year； and that of hired merchantmen； 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 fleet all at once in condition for service。 Thence with Mr。 Wren in his coach； for discourse' sake： and he told me how the business of the Parliament is wholly laid aside； it being over…ruled 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。
25th。 My wife showed me many excellent prints of Nantueil's and others； which W。 Batelier hath at my desire brought me out of France； of the King's and Colbert's and others； most excellent； to my great content。
26th。 To the office； and then to White Hall； leaving my wife at Unthanke's； and I to the Secretary's chamber； where I was by particular order this day summonsed to attend； as I find Sir D。 Gauden also was。 And here was the King and the Cabinet met； and being called in； among the rest I find my Lord Privy Seale； whom I never before knew to be in so much play as to be of the Cabinet。 The business is that the Algerines have broke the peace with us by taking out some Spaniards and goods out of an English ship which had the Duke of York's pass； of which advice came this day； and the King is resolved to stop Sir Thomas Allen's fleet from coming home till he hath amends made him for this affront； and therefore sent for us to advise about victuals to be sent to that fleet； and some more ships： wherein I answered them to what they demanded of me： which was but some few mean things； but I see that on all these occasions they seem to rely most upon me。
27th。 To the Duke of York's playhouse； and there saw 〃The Five Hours' Adventure；〃 which hath not been acted a good while before； but once； and is a most excellent play I must confess。
28th。 Going home to supper with my wife； and to get her to read to me； I did find that Mr。 Sheres hath beyond his promise not only got me a candlestick made me； after a form he remembers to have seen in Spain； for keeping the light from one's eyes； but hath got it done in silver very neat； and designs to give it me in thanks for my paying him his 100l。 in money for his service at Tangier； which was ordered him； but I do intend to force him to make me pay for it。 But I yet； without his direction； cannot tell how it is to be made use of。
29th。 To the Duke of York； where I did give a severe account of our proceedings； and what we found in the business of Sir W。 Jenings's demand of supernumeraries。 I thought it a good occasion to make an example of him； for he is a proud idle fellow； and it did meet with the Duke of York's acceptance and well…liking； and he did call him in after I had done； and did not only give him a soft rebuke； but condemns him to pay both their victuals and wages； or right himself of the purser。 This I was glad of； and so were all the rest of us； though I know I have made myself an immortal enemy by it。
31st （Lord's day）。 To church and there did hear the Doctor that is lately turned Divine； Dr。 Waterhouse。 He preaches in a devout manner； not elegant nor very persuasive； but seems to mean well； and that he would preach holily； and was mighty passionate against people that make a scoff of religion。
1668…69。 FEBRUARY 1。 Meeting Mr。 Povy； he and I away to Dancre's to speak something touching the pictures I am getting him to make for me； And thence he carried me to Mr。 Streeter's ＇Robert Streater appointed Serjeant Painter at the Restoration。 Ob。 1680。＇ the famous history…painter over the way； whom I have often heard of； but did never see him before； and there I found him and Dr。 Wren and several virtuosos looking upon the paintings which he is making for the new Theatre at Oxford： and indeed they look as if they would be very fine； and the rest think better than those of Rubens in the Banqueting house： at White Hall； but I do not so fully think so。 But they will certainly be very noble； and I am mightily pleased to have the fortune to see this man and his work； which is very famous。 And he a very civil little man； and lame； but lives very handsomely。 So thence to my Lord Bellasses； and met him within： my business only to see a chimney…piece of Dancres doing in distemper； with egg to keep off the glaring of the light； which I must have done for my room： and indeed it is pretty； but I must confess I do think it is not altogether so beautiful as the oyle pictures； but I will have some of one and some of another。 So to the King's playhouse； thinking to have seen。 〃The Heyresse；〃 first acted on Saturday last： but when we come thither we find no play there； Kinaston； that did act a part therein in abuse to Sir Charles Sedley； being last night exceedingly beaten with sticks by two or three that saluted him； so as he is mightily bruised and forced to keep his bed。
2nd。 To dinner at noon； where I find Mr。 Sheres； and there made a short dinner； and carried him with us to the King's playhouse； where 〃The Heyresse；〃 notwithstanding Kinaston's being beaten； is acted： and they say the King is very angry with Sir Charles Sedley for his being beaten； but he do deny it。 But his part is done by Beeston； who is fain to read it out of a book all the while； and thereby spoils the part； and almost the play； it being one of the best parts in it： and though the design is in the first conception of it pretty good； yet it is but an indifferent play； wrote； they say； by my Lord Newcastle。 ＇〃The Heiress〃 does not appear in the list of the Duke of Newcastle's works； nor can I find any mention of it elsewhere。＇ But it was pleasant to see Beeston come in with others； supposing it to be dark； and yet he is forced to read his part by the light of the candles： and this I observing to a gentleman that sat by me； he was mightily pleased therewith； and spread it up and down。 But that that pleased me most in the play is the first song that Knipp sings （she singing three or four）； and indeed it was very finely sung； so as to make the whole house clap her。
5th。 Betimes to Sir W。 Coventry's； meaning by my visit to keep fresh my interest in him。 And he tells me how it hath been talked that he was to go one of the Commissioners to Irela