e his speech to them, giving them thanks for their
subsidys, of which, had he not need, he would not have asked or received
them; and that need, not from any extravagancys of his, he was sure,
in any thing, but the disorders of the times compelling him to be at
greater charge than he hoped for the future, by their care in their
country, he should be: and that for his family expenses and others, he
would labour however to retrench in many things convenient, and would
have all others to do so too. He desired that nothing of old faults
should be remembered, or severity for the same used to any in the
country, it being his desire to have all forgot as well as forgiven.
But, however, to use all care in suppressing any tumults, &c.; assuring
them that the restless spirits of his and their adversaries have great
expectations of something to be done this summer. And promised that
though the Acts about Conventicles and Papists were not ripe for passing
this Session, yet he would take care himself that neither of them should
in this intervall be encouraged to the endangering of the peace; and
that at their next meeting he would himself prepare two bills for them
concerning them. So he concluded, that for the better proceeding of
justice he did think fit to make this a Session, and to prorogue them
to the 16th of March next. His speech was very plain, nothing at all
of spirit in it, nor spoke with any; but rather on the contrary
imperfectly, repeating many times his words though he read all which I
was sorry to see, it having not been hard for him to have got all the
speech without book. So they all went away, the King out of the House at
the upper end, he being by and by to go to Tunbridge to the Queen; and I
in the Painted Chamber spoke with my Lord Sandwich while he was putting
off his robes, who tells me he will now hasten down into the country,
as soon as he can get some money settled on the Wardrobe. Here meeting
Creed, he and I down to the Hall, and I having at Michell's shop wrote
a little letter to Mr. Gauden, to go with his horse, and excusing my not
taking leave or so much as asking after the old lady the widow when we
came away the other day from them, he and I over the water to Fox Hall,
and there sent away the horse with my letter, and then to the new Spring
Garden, walking up and down, but things being dear and little attendance
to be had we went away, leaving much brave company there, and so to a
less house hard by,