little, but so excellent as, though I must confess I do think
the colouring of the flesh to be a little forced, yet the painting is
so extraordinary, as I do never expect to see the like again. Here I
did see Mrs. Stewart's picture as when a young maid, and now just done
before her having the smallpox: and it would make a man weep to see what
she was then, and what she is like to be, by people's discourse,
now. Here I saw my Lord Generall's picture, and my Lord Arlington and
Ashly's, and several others; but among the rest one Swinfen, that was
Secretary to my Lord Manchester, Lord Chamberlain, with Cooling, done so
admirably as I never saw any thing: but the misery was, this fellow died
in debt, and never paid Cooper for his picture; but, it being seized on
by his creditors, among his other goods, after his death, Cooper himself
says that he did buy it, and give L25 out of his purse for it, for what
he was to have had but L30. Being infinitely satisfied with this sight,
and resolving that my wife shall be drawn by him when she comes out of
the country, I away with Harris and Hales to the Coffee-house, sending
my people away, and there resolve for Hales to begin Harris's head for
me, which I will be at the cost of. After a little talk, I away to White
Hall and Westminster, where I find the Parliament still bogling about
the raising of this money: and every body's mouth full now; and Mr. Wren
himself tells me that the Duke of York declares to go to sea himself
this year; and I perceive it is only on this occasion of distaste of the
Parliament against W. Pen's going, and to prevent the Prince's: but I
think it is mighty hot counsel for the Duke of York at this time to go
out of the way; but, Lord! what a pass are all our matters come to!
At noon by appointment to Cursitor's Alley, in Chancery Lane, to meet
Captain Cocke and some other creditors of the Navy, and their Counsel,
Pemberton, North, Offly, and Charles Porter; and there dined, and talked
of the business of the assignments on the Exchequer of the L1,250,000
on behalf of our creditors; and there I do perceive that the Counsel had
heard of my performance in the Parliamenthouse lately, and did value
me and what I said accordingly. At dinner we had a great deal of good
discourse about Parliament: their number being uncertain, and always
at the will of the King to encrease, as he saw reason to erect a new
borough. But all concluded that the bane of the Parliament hath be