Sunday 8 October 1665  (Lord’s day). Up and, after being
trimmed, to the office, whither I upon a letter from the Duke of
Albemarle to me, to order as many ships forth out of the river
as I can presently, to joyne to meet the Dutch; having ordered
all the Captains of the ships in the river to come to me, I did
some business with them, and so to Captain Cocke’s to dinner, he
being in the country. But here his brother Solomon was, and, for
guests, myself, Sir G. Smith, and a very fine lady, one Mrs.
Penington, and two more gentlemen. But, both [before] and after
dinner, most witty discourse with this lady, who is a very fine
witty lady, one of the best I ever heard speake, and indifferent
handsome. There after dinner an houre or two, and so to the
office, where ended my business with the Captains; and I think
of twenty-two ships we shall make shift to get out seven. (God
helpe us! men being sick, or provisions lacking.) And so to
write letters to Sir Ph. Warwicke, Sir W. Coventry, and Sir G.
Carteret to Court a