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bury; 'Francis; eleventh Earl of Shrewsbury; died of his wounds March 16th following。' Sir John Talbot; 'Sir John Talbot; a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber; M。P。 for Knaresborough。' and one Bernard Howard 'Bernard Howard; eighth son of Henry Frederic Earl of Arundel。' on the other side: and all about; my Lady Shrewsbury; 'Anna Maria; daughter of Robert Earl of Cardigan; the Duke of Buckingham's mistress; and said to have held his horse; in the habit of a page; while he was fighting with her husband。 She married; secondly; George Rodney Bridges; son of Sir Thomas Bridges of Keynsham; Somerset; and died April 20; 1702。' who is at this time; and hath for a great while been; a mistress to the Duke of Buckingham。 And so her husband challenged him; and they met yesterday in a close near Barne…Elmes and there fought: and my Lord Shrewsbury is run through the body; from the right breast through the shoulder; and Sir John Talbot all along up one of his armes; and Jenkins killed upon the place; and the rest all in a little measure wounded。 This will make the world think that the King hath good counsellors about him; when the Duke of Buckingham; the greatest man about him; is a fellow of no more sobriety than to fight about a mistress。 And this may prove a very bad accident to the Duke of Buckingham; but that my Lady Castlemaine do rule all at this time as much as ever she did; and she will; it is believed; keep all matters well with the Duke of Buckingham: though this is a time that the King will be very backward; I suppose; to appear in such a business。 And it is pretty to hear how the King had some notice of this challenge a week or two ago; and did give it to my Lord Generall to confine the Duke; or take security that he should not do any such thing as fight: and the Generall trusted to the King that he; sending for him; would do it; and the King trusted to the Generall。 And it is said that my Lord Shrewsbury's case is to be feared; that he may die too; and that may make it much worse for the Duke of Buckingham: and I shall not be much sorry for it; that we may have some sober man come in his room to assist in the Government。 Creed tells me of Mr。 Harry Howard's giving the Royall Society a piece of ground next to his house to build a college on: which is a most generous act。 And he tells me he is a very fine person; and understands and speaks well; and no rigid Papist neither; but one that would not have a Protestant servant leave his religion; which he was going to do; thinking to recommend himself to his master by it; saying; that he had rather have an honest Protestant than a knavish Catholique。 I was not called in to the Council and therefore home; first informing myself that my Lord Hinchingbroke hath been married this week to my Lord Burlington's daughter: so that that great business is over; and I am mighty glad of it; though I am not satisfied that I have not a favour sent me。
19th。 Lord Shrewsbury is likely to do well。
20th。 To Drumbleby's the pipe…maker; there to advise about the making of a flageolet to go low and soft; and he do show me a way which do do; and also a fashion of having two pipes of the same note fastened together; so as I can play on one; and then echo it upon the other; which is mighty pretty。 So to my Lord Crewe's to dinner; where we hear all the good news of our making a league now with Holland against the French Power coming over them or us: which is the first good act that hath been done a great while; and done secretly and with great seeming wisdom; and is certainly good for us at this time; while we are in no condition to resist the French; if he should come over hither: and then a little time of peace will give us time to lay up something; which these Commissioners of the Treasury are doing; and the world do begin to see that they will do the King's work for him; if he will let them。 My Lord told a good story of Mr。 Newman; the Minister in New England; who wrote the Concordance; of his foretelling his death and preaching a funeral sermon; and did at last bid the angels do their office; and died。 It seems there is great presumption that there will be a Toleration granted: so that the Presbyterians do hold up their heads; but they will hardly trust the King or the Parliament what to yield them; though most of the sober party be for some kind of allowance to be given them。 Lord Gerard is likely to meet with ill; the next sitting of Parliament; about Carr being set in the pillory; and I am glad of it。 And it is mighty acceptable to the world to hear; that among other reductions the King do reduce his Guards: which do please mightily。
21st。 Comes news from Kate Joyce that; if I would see her husband alive; I must come presently。 So I to him; and and his breath rattled in the throate; and they did lay pigeons to his feet; and all despair of him。 It seems on Thursday last he went sober and quiet to Islington; and behind one of the inns (the White Lion) did fling himself into a pond: was spied by a poor woman; and got out by some people; and set on his head and got to life: and so his wife and friends sent for。 He confessed his doing the thing; being led by the Devil; and do declare his reason to be his trouble in having forgot to serve God as he ought since he came to his new employment: 'He kept a tavern。' and I believe that; and the sense of his great loss by the fire; did bring him to it; for he grew sick; and worse and worse to this day。 The friends that were there being now in fear that the goods and estate would be seized on; though he lived all this while; because of his endeavouring to drown himself; my cosen did endeavour to remove what she could of plate out of the house; and desired me to take my flagons; which I did; but in great fear all the way of being seized; though there was no reason for it; he not being dead。 So with Sir D。 Gauden to Guild Hall to advise with the Towne…Clerke about the practice of the City and nation in this case: and he thinks it cannot be found selfe…murder; but if it be; it will fall; all the estate; to the King。 So I to my cosen's again; where I no sooner come but find that he was departed。 So at their entreaty I presently to White Hall; and there find Sir W。 Coventry; and he carried me to the King; the Duke of York being with him; and there told my story which I had told him; and the King; without more ado; granted that; if it was found; the estate should be to the widow and children: which indeed was every great courtesy; for people are looking out for the estate。
22nd。 At noon with any Lord Brouncker to Sir D。 Gauden's; at the Victualling…office; to dinner; where I have not dined since he was Sheriffe。 He expected us: and a good dinner; and much good company; and a fine house; and especially two rooms very fine; he hath built there。 His lady a good lady; but my Lord led himself and me to a great absurdity in kissing all the ladies; but the finest of all the company; leaving her out I know not how; and I was loath to do it; since he omitted it。 Here little Chaplin dined; who is like to be Sheriffe the next year; and a pretty humoured little man he is: and Mr。 Talents the younger; of Magdalene College; Chaplain to the Sheriffe; which I was glad to see; though not much acquainted with him。
23rd。 At the office all the morning; and at noon find the Bishop of Lincolne 'Dr。 William Fuller; translated from Limerick 1667。' come to dine with us; and after him comes Mr。 Brisband。 And there mighty good company。 But the Bishop a very extraordinary good…natured man; and one that is mightily pleased; as well as I am; that I live so near Bugden; 'At Brampton。' the seat of his bishopricke; where he is like to reside; and indeed I am glad of it。 In discourse we think ourselves safe for this year; by this league with Holland; which pleases every body; and; they say; vexes France; insomuch that De l'Estrade; the French Embassador in Holland; when he heard it; told the States that he would have them not forget that his master is in the head of 100;000 men; and is but 28 years old; which was a great speech。 The Bishop tells me he thinks that the great business of Toleration will not; notwithstanding this talk; be carried this P