is better than to go to a lecture; for here my executors, that must part with this, will be sure to be well convinced of the invention before they do part with their money. I saw the Duke, kissed his hand, and had his most kind expressions of his value and opinion of me, which comforted me above all things in the world: the like from Mr Coventry most heartily and affectionately. Saw, among other fine ladies, Mrs Middleton,¹⁷ a very great beauty; and I saw Waller¹⁸ the poet, whom I never saw before.

23rd. To my Lord Sandwich, who follows the Duke this day by water down to the Hope, where the Prince lies. He received me, busy as he was, with mighty kindness and joy at my promotions; telling me most largely how the Duke hath expressed on all occasions his good opinion of my service and love for me. I paid my thanks and acknowledgement to him; and so back home, where at the office all the morning.

27th. Up betimes to Mr Povy’s, and there did sign and seal my agreement with him about my place of being treasurer for Tangier. Thence to the Duke of Albemarle, the first time that we officers of the Navy have waited upon him since the Duke of York’s going, who hath deputed him to be Admirall in his absence. And I find him a quiet heavy man, that will help business when he can, and hinder nothing. I did afterwards alone give him thanks for his favour to me about my Tangier business, which he received kindly, and did speak much of his esteem of me. Thence, and did the same to Sir H. Bennet, who did the like to me very fully.

April 1st. With Sir G. Carteret, Sir W. Batten, and Sir J. Minnes to my Lord Treasurer, and there did lay open the expence for the six months past, and an estimate of the seven months to come, to November next: the first arising to above £500,000, and the latter will, as we judge, come to above £1,000,000. But to see how my Lord Treasurer did bless himself, crying he would do no more than he could, nor give more money than he had, if the occasion and expence were never so great, which is but a bad story.

3rd. To a play at the Duke’s, of my Lord Orrery’s, called Mustapha,¹⁹ which being not good, made Beterton’s part and lanthe’s but ordinary too. All the pleasure of the play was, the King and my Lady Castlemaine were there; and pretty witty Nell,²⁰ at the King’s house, and the younger Marshall sat next us; which pleased me mightily.

6th. Great talk of a new Comet; and it is certain do appear as bright as the late one at the best; but I have not seen it myself.

7th. Sir Philip Warwick did show me nakedly the King’s condition for money for the Navy; and he do assure me, unless the King can get some noblemen or rich money-gentlemen to lend him money, or to get the City to do it, it is impossible to find money: we having already, as he says, spent one year’s share of the three-years tax, which comes to £2,500,000.

10th. My Lord Brouncker took me and Sir Thomas Harvy, in his coach to the Park, which is very troublesome with the dust; and ne’er a great beauty there to-day but Mrs Middleton.

12th. Sir G. Carteret, my Lord Brouncker, Sir Thomas Harvy, and myself, down to my Lord Treasurer’s chamber to him and the Chancellor, and the Duke of Albemarle; and there I did give them a large account of the charge of the Navy, and want of money. But strange to see how they hold up their hands, crying, ‘What shall we do?’ says my Lord Treasurer, ‘Why what means all this, Mr Pepys? This is true, you say; but what would you have me to do? I have given all I can for my life. Why will not people lend their money? Why will they not trust the King as well as Oliver? Why do our prizes come to nothing, that yielded so much heretofore?’ And this was all we could get, and went away without other answer.

16th. Captain Taylor can, as he says, show the very originall Charter to Worcester, of King Edgar’s, wherein he stiles himself, Rex Marium Britanniae, &c.; which is the great text that Mr Selden and others do quote, but imperfectly and upon trust. But he hath the very originall, which he says he will show me.

17th. To the Duke of Albemarle’s, where he showed me Mr Coventry’s letters, how three Dutch privateers are taken, in one whereof Everson’s son is captaine. But they have killed poor Captaine Golding in the