16th. I walked to the Tower; but, Lord! how empty the streets
are and melancholy, so many poor sick people in the streets full
of sores; and so many sad stories overheard as I walk, every body
talking of this dead, and that man sick, and so many in this
place, and so many in that. And they tell me that, in
Westminster, there is never a physician and but one apothecary
left, all being dead; but that there are great hopes of a great
decrease this week: God send it! At the Tower found my Lord
Duke and Duchesse at dinner; so I sat down. And much good cheer,
the Lieutenant and his lady, and several officers with the Duke.
But, Lord! to hear the silly talk was there, would make one mad;
the Duke having none almost but fools about him. I have received
letters from my Lord Sandwich today, speaking very high about the
prize goods, that he would have us to fear nobody, but be very
confident in what we have done, and not to confess any fault or
doubt of what he hath done; for the King hath allowed it, and do
now confirm it, and send orders, as he says, for nothing to be
disturbed that his Lordshipp hath ordered therein as to the
division of the goods to the fleet which do comfort us.
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