Diary, 1665 N.S. Complete | Page 9

withdrew, and the merchants were called in. Staying
without, my Lord Fitz Harding come thither, and fell to discourse of
Prince Rupert, and made nothing to say that his disease was the pox
and that he must be fluxed, telling the horrible degree of the disease
upon him with its breaking out on his head. But above all I observed
how he observed from the Prince, that courage is not what men take it
to be, a contempt of death; for, says he, how chagrined the Prince was
the other day when he thought he should die, having no more mind to it
than another man. But, says he, some men are more apt to think they
shall escape than another man in fight, while another is doubtfull he
shall be hit. But when the first man is sure he shall die, as now the
Prince is, he is as much troubled and apprehensive of it as any man else;
for, says he, since we told [him] that we believe he would overcome his
disease, he is as merry, and swears and laughs and curses, and do all the
things of a [man] in health, as ever he did in his life; which, methought,
was a most extraordinary saying before a great many persons there of
quality. So by and by with Sir W. Pen home again, and after supper to
the office to finish my vows, and so to bed.

16th. Up and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall, where
we did our business with the Duke. Thence I to Westminster Hall and
walked up and down. Among others Ned Pickering met me and tells
me how active my Lord is at sea, and that my Lord Hinchingbroke is
now at Rome, and, by all report, a very noble and hopefull gentleman.
Thence to Mr. Povy's, and there met Creed, and dined well after his old
manner of plenty and curiosity. But I sat in pain to think whether he
would begin with me again after dinner with his enquiry after my bill,
but he did not, but fell into other discourse, at which I was glad, but
was vexed this morning meeting of Creed at some bye questions that he
demanded of me about some such thing, which made me fear he meant
that very matter, but I perceive he did not. Thence to visit my Lady
Sandwich and so to a Tangier Committee, where a great company of
the new Commissioners, Lords, that in behalfe of my Lord Bellasses
are very loud and busy and call for Povy's accounts, but it was a most
sorrowful thing to see how he answered to questions so little to the

purpose, but to his owne wrong. All the while I sensible how I am
concerned in my bill of L100 and somewhat more. So great a trouble is
fear, though in a case that at the worst will bear enquiry. My Lord
Barkeley was very violent against Povy. But my Lord Ashly, I observe,
is a most clear man in matters of accounts, and most ingeniously did
discourse and explain all matters. We broke up, leaving the thing to a
Committee of which I am one. Povy, Creed, and I staid discoursing, I
much troubled in mind seemingly for the business, but indeed only on
my own behalf, though I have no great reason for it, but so painfull a
thing is fear. So after considering how to order business, Povy and I
walked together as far as the New Exchange and so parted, and I by
coach home. To the office a while, then to supper and to bed. This
afternoon Secretary Bennet read to the Duke of Yorke his letters,,
which say that Allen
[Among the State Papers is a letter from Captain Thomas Allin to Sir
Richard Fanshaw, dated from "The Plymouth, Cadiz Bay," December
25th, 1664, in which he writes: "On the 19th attacked with his seven
ships left, a Dutch fleet of fourteen, three of which were men-of- war;
sunk two vessels and took two others, one a rich prize from Smyrna;
the others retired much battered. Has also taken a Dutch prize laden
with iron and planks, coming from Lisbon" ("Calendar," Domestic,
1664-65, p. 122).]
has met with the Dutch Smyrna fleet at Cales,--[The old form of the
name Cadiz.]--and sunk one and taken three. How true or what these
ships are time will show, but it is good newes and the newes of our
ships being lost is doubted at dales and Malaga. God send it false!

17th. Up and walked to Mr. Povy's by appointment, where I found him
and Creed busy about fitting things for the Committee, and thence we
to my Lord Ashly's, where