discourse and others are
of the King's coming, and we begin to speak of it very freely. And heard
how in many churches in London, and upon many signs there, and upon
merchants' ships in the river, they had set up the King's arms. In the
afternoon the Captain would by all means have me up to his cabin, and
there treated me huge nobly, giving me a barrel of pickled oysters,
and opened another for me, and a bottle of wine, which was a very great
favour. At night late singing with W. Howe, and under the barber's hands
in the coach. This night there came one with a letter from Mr. Edw.
Montagu to my Lord, with command to deliver it to his own hands. I do
believe that he do carry some close business on for the King.

[Pepys's guess at E. Montagu's business is confirmed by Clarendon's
account of his employment of him to negotiate with Lord Sandwich on
behalf of the King. ("History of the Rebellion," book xvi.)--Notes
and Queries, vol. x. p. 3--M. B.]

This day I had a large letter from Mr. Moore, giving me an account of
the present dispute at London that is like to be at the beginning of
the Parliament, about the House of Lords, who do resolve to sit with the
Commons, as not thinking themselves dissolved yet. Which, whether it
be granted or no, or whether they will sit or no, it will bring a great
many inconveniences. His letter I keep, it being a very well writ one.

22d (Easter Sunday). Several Londoners, strangers, friends of the
Captains, dined here, who, among other things told us, how the King's
Arms are every day set up in houses and churches, particularly in
Allhallows Church in Thames-street, John Simpson's church, which being
privately done was, a great eye-sore to his people when they came to
church and saw it. Also they told us for certain, that the King's statue
is making by the Mercers' Company (who are bound to do it) to set up in
the Exchange. After sermon in the afternoon I fell to writing letters
against to-morrow to send to London. After supper to bed.

23rd. All the morning very busy getting my packet ready for London, only
for an hour or two had the Captain and Mr. Sheply in my cabin at the
barrel of pickled oysters that the Captain did give me on Saturday last.
After dinner I sent Mr. Dunn to London with the packet. This afternoon
I had 40s. given me by Captain Cowes of the Paradox.' In the evening the
first time that we had any sport among the seamen, and indeed there was
extrao