30th. To White Hall. There met with Mr. May, who was giving
directions about making a close way for people to go dry from the
gate up into the House, to prevent their going through the
galleries; which will be very good. I staid and talked with him
about the state of the King's offices in general, and how ill he
is served, and do still find him an excellent person.
31st. With Mr. Ashburnham; and I made him admire my drawing a
thing presently in shorthand; but, God knows, I have paid dear
for it in my eyes. To the King's house, to see the first day of
Lacy's "Monsieur Ragou," now new acted. The King and Court all
there and mighty merry: a farce. The month ends mighty sadly
with me, my eyes being now past all use almost; and I am mighty
hot upon trying the late printed experiment of paper tubes.
AUGUST 5, 1668. To the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw
"The Guardian;" formerly the same, I find, that was called
"Cutter of Coleman-street;" a silly play. And thence to
Westminster Hall, where I met Fitzgerald; and with him to a
tavern to consider of the instructions for Sir Thomas Allen,
against his going to Algier; he and I being designed to go down
to Portsmouth by the Council's order to-morrow morning.
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