inster Hall and up
and down, doing not much; then to London, but to prevent Povy's dining
with me (who I see is at the 'Change) I went back again and to Herbert's
at Westminster, there sent for a bit of meat and dined, and then to
my Lord Treasurer's, and there with Sir Philip Warwicke, and thence to
White Hall in my Lord Treasurer's chamber with Sir Philip Warwicke
till dark night, about fower hours talking of the business of the
Navy Charge, and how Sir G. Carteret do order business, keeping us in
ignorance what he do with his money, and also Sir Philip did shew me
nakedly the King's condition for money for the Navy; and he do assure
me, unless the King can get some noblemen or rich money-gentlemen to
lend him money, or to get the City to do it, it is impossible to find
money: we having already, as he says, spent one year's share of the
three-years' tax, which comes to L2,500,000. Being very glad of this
day's discourse in all but that I fear I shall quite lose Sir G.
Carteret, who knows that I have been privately here all this day with
Sir Ph. Warwicke. However, I will order it so as to give him as little
offence as I can. So home to my office, and then to supper and to bed.
8th. Up, and all the morning full of business at the office. At noon
dined with Mr. Povy, and then to the getting some business looked over
of his, and then I to my Lord Chancellor's, where to have spoke with the
Duke of Albemarle, but the King and Council busy, I could not; then
to the Old Exchange and there of my new pretty seamstress bought four
bands, and so home, where I found my house mighty neat and clean.
Then to my office late, till past 12, and so home to bed. The French
Embassadors
[The French ambassadors were Henri de Bourbon, Duc de Verneuil,
natural son of Henry IV. and brother of Henrietta Maria, and M. de
Courtin.--B.]
are come incognito before their train, which will hereafter be very
pompous. It is thought they come to get our King to joyne with the King
of France in helping him against Flanders, and they to do the like to
us against Holland. We have laine a good while with a good fleete at
Harwich. The Dutch not said yet to be out. We, as high as we make our
shew, I am sure, are unable to set out another small fleete, if this
should be worsted. Wherefore, God send us peace! I cry.
9th (Lord's day). To church with my wife in the morning, in her new
light-coloured silk gowne, which is, with her new point, v
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