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eing left now in the garrison but four captains。 This happened the 3rd of May last; being not before that day twelvemonth of his entering into his government there: but at his going out in the morning he said to some of his officers; 〃Gentlemen let us look to ourselves; for it was this day three years that so many brave Englishmen were knocked on the head by the Moores; when Fines made his sally out。〃
4th。 Mr。 Coventry discoursing this noon about Sir W。 Batten; (what a sad fellow he is!) told me how the King told him the other day how Sir W。 Batten; being in the ship with him and Prince Rupert when they expected to fight with Warwicke; did walk up and down sweating with a napkin under his throat to dry up his sweat: and that Prince Rupert being a most jealous man; and particularly of Batten; do walk up and down swearing bloodily to the King; that Batten had a mind to betray them to…day; and that the napkin was a signal; 〃but; by God;〃 says he; 〃if things go ill; the first thing I will do is to shoot him。〃 He discoursed largely and bravely to me concerning the different sorts of valours; the active and passive valour。 For the latter; he brought as an instance General Blake; who; in the defending of Taunton and Lime for the Parliament; did through his sober sort of valour defend it the most opiniastrement that ever any man did any thing; and yet never was the man that ever made an attaque by land or sea; but rather avoyded it on all; even fair occasions。 On the other side; Prince Rupert; the boldest attaquer in the world for personal courage; and yet in the defending of Bristol no man did any thing worse; he wanting the patience and seasoned head to consult and advise for defence; and to bear with the evils of a siege。 The like he says of my Lord Teviott; who was the boldest adventurer of his person in the world; and from a mean man in few years was come to this greatness of command and repute only by the death of all his officers; he many times having the luck of being the only survivor of them all; by venturing upon services for the King of France that nobody else would; and yet no man upon a defence; he being all fury and no judgment in a fight。 He tells me above all of the Duke of York; that he is more himself and more of judgment is at hand in him in the middle of a desperate service; than at other times; as appeared in the business of Dunkirke; wherein no man ever did braver things; or was in hotter service in the close of that day; being surrounded with enemies; and then; contrary to the advice of all about him; his counsel carried himself and the rest through them safe; by advising that he might make his passage with but a dozen with him; 〃For;〃 says he; 〃the enemy cannot move after me so fast with a great body; and with a small one we shall be enough to deal with them:〃 and though he is a man naturally martiall to the hottest degree; yet a man that never in his life talks one word of himself or service of his own; but only that he saw such or such a thing; and lays it down for a maxime that a Hector can have no courage。 He told me also; as a great instance of some men; that the Prince of Conde's excellence is; that there not being a more furious man in the world; danger in fight never disturbs him more than just to make him civill; and to command in words of great obligation to his officers and men; but without any the least disturbance in his judgment or spirit。
6th。 By barge with Sir W。 Batten to Trinity House。 Here were my Lord Sandwich; Mr。 Coventry; my Lord Craven; and others。 A great dinner; and good company。 Mr。 Prin also; who would not drink any health; no; not the King's; but sat down with his hat on all the while; but nobody took notice of it to him at all。
11th。 With my wife only to take the ayre; it being very warm and pleasant; to Bowe and Old Ford: and thence to Hackney。 There light; and played at shuffle…board; eat cream and good cherries: and so with good refreshment home。
13th。 Spent the whole morning reading of some old Navy books; wherein the order that was observed in the Navy then; above what it is now; is very observable。
15th。 At home; to look after things for dinner。 And anon at noon comes Mr。 Creed by chance; and by and by the three young ladies: 'Lord Sandwich's daughters。' and very merry we were with our pasty; very well baked; and a good dish of roasted chickens; pease; lobsters; strawberries。 But after dinner to cards: and about five o'clock; by water down to Greenwich; and up to the top of the hill; and there played upon the ground at cards。 And so to the Cherry Garden; and then by water singing finely to the Bridge; and there landed; and so took boat again; and to Somerset House。 And by this time; the tide being against us; it was past ten of the clock; and such a troublesome passage; in regard of my Lady Paulina's fearfullness; that in all my life I never did see any poor wretch in that; condition。 Being come hither; there waited for them their coach; but it being so late; I doubted what to do how to get them home。 After half an hour's stay in the street; I sent my wife home by coach with Mr。 Creed's boy; and myself and Creed in the coach home with them。 But; Lord! the fear that my Lady Paulina was in every step of the way: and indeed at this time of the night it was no safe thing to go that road; so that I was even afraid myself; though I appeared otherwise。 We come safe; however; to their house; where we knocked them up; my Lady and all the family being in bed。 So put them into doors and leaving them with the maids; bade them good night。
16th。 The talk upon the 'Change is; that De Ruyter is dead; with fifty men of his own ship; of the plague; at Cales: that the Holland Embassador here do endeavour to sweeten us with fair words; and things like to be peaceable。
20th。 I to the Duke; where we did our usual business。 And among other discourse of the Dutch; he was merrily saying how they print that Prince Rupert; Duke of Albemarle; and my Lord Sandwich; are to be Generalls; and soon after is to follow them 〃Vieux Pen:〃 and so the Duke called him in mirth Old Pen。 They have; it seems; lately wrote to the King; to assure him that their setting…out ships was only to defend their fishing…trade; and to stay near home; not to annoy the King's subjects; and to desire that he would do the like with his ships: which the King laughs at; but yet is troubled they should think him such a child; to suffer them to bring home their fish and East India Company's ships; and then they will not care for us。 To my Lord's lodgings; and were merry with the young ladies; who made a great story of their appearing before their mother the morning after we carried them; the last week; home so late; and that their mother took it very well; at least without any anger。 Here I heard how the rich widow; my Lady Gold; is married to one Neale; after he had received a box on the eare by her brother (who was there a sentinel; in behalf of some courtier;) at the door; but made him draw; and wounded him。 She called Neale up to her; and sent for a priest; married presently; and went to bed。 The brother sent to the Court; and had a serjeant sent for Neale; but Neale sent for him up to be seen in bed; and she owned him for her husband: and so all is past。
23rd。 W。 How was with me this afternoon; to desire some things to be got ready for my Lord against his going down to his ship; which will be soon; for it seems the King and both the Queenes intend to visit him。 The Lord knows how my Lord will get out of this charge; for Mr。 Moore tells me to…day that he is 10;000l。 in debt: and this will; with many other things that daily will grow upon him; (while he minds his pleasure as he do;) set him further backward。
24th。 To White Hall; and Mr。 Pierce showed me the Queene's bed。 chamber; and her closet; where she had nothing but some pretty pious pictures; and books of devotion; and her holy water at her head as she sleeps; with a clock by her bed…side; wherein a lamp burns that tells her the time of the night at any time。 Thence with him to the Park; and there met the Queene coming from Chapell; with her Maids of Honour; all in silver…lace gowns again; which is new to me; and