Here I saw this week's Bill of Mortality,
wherein, blessed be God! there is above 1800 decrease, being the
first considerable decrease we have had. Most excellent
discourse with Mr. Evelyn touching all manner of learning;
wherein I find him a very fine gentleman, and particularly of
paynting, in which he tells me the beautifull Mrs. Middleton is
rare, and his own wife do brave things.
29th. Sir Martin Noell [He had been a Farmer of the Excise and
Customs before the Restoration. The messenger described in
Hudibras, Part III. Canto II. 1407, as disturbing the Cabal with
the account of the mobs burning Rumps, is said to have keen
intended for Sir Martin Noell.] is this day dead of the plague
in London.
October 1, 1665. Embarked on board the Bezan, and come to the
fleet about two of the clock. My Lord received us mighty kindly,
and did discourse to us of the Dutch fleet being abroad, eighty-
five of them still.
2nd. Having sailed all night, (and I do wonder how they in the
dark could find the way) we got by morning to Gillingham, and
thence all walked to Chatham; and there with Commissioner Pett
viewed the Yard; and among other things, a team of four horses
come close by us, he being with me, drawing a piece of timber
that I am confident one man could easily have carried upon his
back, I made the horses be taken away, and a man or two to take
the timber away with their hands.
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