W. Pen by coach to White Hall, by
the way observing Sir W. Pen's carrying a favour to Sir W. Coventry, for
his daughter's wedding, and saying that there was others for us, when we
will fetch them, which vexed me, and I am resolved not to wear it
when he orders me one. His wedding hath been so poorly kept, that I am
ashamed of it; for a fellow that makes such a flutter as he do. When
we come to the Duke of York here, I heard discourse how Harris of his
play-house is sick, and everybody commends him, and, above all
things, for acting the Cardinall. Here they talk also how the King's
viallin,--[violin]-- Bannister, is mad that the King hath a Frenchman
come to be chief of some part of the King's musique, at which the
Duke of York made great mirth. Then withdrew to his closett, all our
business, lack of money and prospect of the effects of it, such as made
Sir W. Coventry say publickly before us all, that he do heartily wish
that his Royal Highness had nothing to do in the Navy, whatever
become of him; so much dishonour, he says, is likely to fall under the
management of it. The Duke of York was angry, as much as he could be, or
ever I saw him, with Sir G. Carteret, for not paying the masters of some
ships on Monday last, according to his promise, and I do think Sir G.
Carteret will make himself unhappy by not taking some course either
to borrow more money or wholly lay aside his pretence to the charge
of raising money, when he hath nothing to do to trouble himself with.
Thence to the Exchequer, and there find the people in readiness to
dispatch my tallies to-day, though Ash Wednesday. So I back by coach to
London to Sir Robt. Viner's and there got L100, and come away with it
and pay my fees round, and so away with the 'Chequer men to the Leg in
King Street, and there had wine for them; and here was one in company
with them, that was the man that got the vessel to carry over the King
from Bredhemson, who hath a pension of 200 per annum, but ill paid,
and the man is looking after getting of a prizeship to live by; but the
trouble is, that this poor man, who hath received no part of his money
these four years, and is ready to starve almost, must yet pay to the
Poll Bill for this pension. He told me several particulars of the King's
coming thither, which was mighty pleasant, and shews how mean a thing
a king is, how subject to fall, and how like other men he is in his
afflictions. Thence with my tallies home, and a little dinne