27 November 1673 – 3 December 1673

On St. Andrew's day I first saw the new Duchess of York, and the Duchess of Modena, her mother.

To Gresham College, whither the city had invited the Royal Society by many of their chief aldermen and magistrates, who gave us a collation, to welcome us to our first place of assembly, from whence we had been driven to give place to the City, on their making it their Exchange on the dreadful conflagration, till their new Exchange was finished, which it now was. The Society having till now been entertained and having met at Arundel House.

I dined with some friends, and visited the sick; thence, to an almshouse, where was prayers and relief, some very ill and miserable. It was one of the best days I ever spent in my life.

There was at dinner my Lord Lockhart, designed Ambassador for France, a gallant and sober person.