Diary, Mar/Apr 1659/60 | Page 6

he had in England, to do me good. And asked me whether I could,
without too much inconvenience, go to sea as his secretary, and bid me
think of it. He also began to talk of things of State, and told me that he
should want one in that capacity at sea, that he might trust in, and
therefore he would have me to go. He told me also, that he did believe
the King would come in, and did discourse with me about it, and about
the affection of the people and City, at which I was full glad. After he
was gone, I waiting upon him through the garden till he came to the
Hall, where I left him and went up to my office, where Mr. Hawly
brought one to me, a seaman, that had promised Rio to him if he get
him a purser's place, which I think to endeavour to do. Here comes my
uncle Tom, whom I took to Will's and drank with, poor man, he comes
to inquire about the knights of Windsor, of which he desires to get to be
one.
[The body of Poor Knights of Windsor was founded by Edward III. The

intention of the king with regard to the poor knights was to provide
relief and comfortable subsistence for such valiant soldiers as happened
in their old age to fall into poverty and decay. On September 20th,
1659, a Report having been read respecting the Poor Knights of
Windsor, the House "ordered that it be referred to a Committee, to look
into the revenue for maintenance of the Poor Knights of Windsor," &c.
(See Tighe and Davis's "Annals of Windsor.")]
While we were drinking, in comes Mr. Day, a carpenter in Westminster,
to tell me that it was Shrove Tuesday, and that I must go with him to
their yearly Club upon this day, which I confess I had quite forgot. So I
went to the Bell, where were Mr. Eglin, Veezy, Vincent a butcher, one
more, and Mr. Tanner, with whom I played upon a viall, and he a
viallin, after dinner, and were very merry, with a special good dinner, a
leg of veal and bacon, two capons and sausages and fritters, with
abundance of wine. After that I went home, where I found Kate Sterpin
who hath not been here a great while before. She gone I went to see
Mrs. Jem, at whose chamber door I found a couple of ladies, but she
not being there, we hunted her out, and found that she and another had
hid themselves behind a door. Well, they all went down into the
dining-room, where it was full of tag, rag, and bobtail, dancing, singing,
and drinking, of which I was ashamed, and after I had staid a dance or
two I went away. Going home, called at my Lord's for Mr. Sheply, but
found him at the Lion with a pewterer, that he had bought pewter
to-day of. With them I drank, and so home and wrote by the post, by
my Lord's command, for J. Goods to come up presently. For my Lord
intends to go forthwith into the Swiftsure till the Nazeby be ready. This
day I hear that the Lords do intend to sit, and great store of them are
now in town, and I see in the Hall to-day. Overton at Hull do stand out,
but can, it is thought, do nothing; and Lawson, it is said, is gone with
some ships thither, but all that is nothing. My Lord told me, that there
was great endeavours to bring in the Protector again; but he told me,
too, that he did believe it would not last long if he were brought in; no,
nor the King neither (though he seems to think that he will come in),
unless he carry himself very soberly and well. Every body now drinks
the King's health without any fear, whereas before it was very private
that a man dare do it. Monk this day is feasted at Mercers' Hall, and is
invited one after another to all the twelve Halls in London! Many think

that he is honest yet, and some or more think him to be a fool that
would raise himself, but think that he will undo himself by
endeavouring it. My mind, I must needs remember, has been very much
eased and joyed at my Lord's great expressions of kindness this day,
and in discourse thereupon my wife and I lay awake an hour or two in
our bed.

7th. (Ash Wednesday.) In the morning I went to my Lord at Mr. Crew's,
in my way Washington overtook me and told me upon my question
whether he knew of any place now void that I might