Diary, Mar/Apr 1662/63 | Page 6

did as before, and so home, good discourse in our
way, Sir J. Minnes being good company, though a simple man enough
as to the business of his office, but we did discourse at large again
about Sir W. Pen's patent to be his assistant, and I perceive he is
resolved never to let it pass. To my office, and thence to Sir W. Batten's,
where Major Holmes was lately come from the Streights, but do tell me
strange stories of the faults of Cooper his master, put in by me, which I
do not believe, but am sorry to hear and must take some course to have
him removed, though I believe that the Captain is proud, and the fellow
is not supple enough to him. So to my office again to set down my
Journall, and so home and to bed. This evening my boy Waynman's
brother was with me, and I did tell him again that I must part with the
boy, for I will not keep him. He desires my keeping him a little longer
till he can provide for him, which I am willing for a while to do. This
day it seems the House of Commons have been very high against the
Papists, being incensed by the stir which they make for their having an
Indulgence; which, without doubt, is a great folly in them to be so hot
upon at this time, when they see how averse already the House have
showed themselves from it. This evening Mr. Povy was with me at my

office, and tells me that my Lord Sandwich is this day so ill that he is
much afeard of him, which puts me to great pain, not more for my own
sake than for his poor family's.

7th. Up betimes, and to the office, where some of us sat all the morning.
At noon Sir W. Pen began to talk with me like a counterfeit rogue very
kindly about his house and getting bills signed for all our works, but he
is a cheating fellow, and so I let him talk and answered nothing. So we
parted. I to dinner, and there met The. Turner, who is come on foot in a
frolique to beg me to get a place at sea for John, their man, which is a
rogue; but, however, it may be, the sea may do him good in reclaiming
him, and therefore I will see what I can do. She dined with me; and
after dinner I took coach, and carried her home; in our way, in
Cheapside, lighting and giving her a dozen pair of white gloves as my
Valentine. Thence to my Lord Sandwich, who is gone to Sir W.
Wheeler's for his more quiet being, where he slept well last night, and I
took him very merry, playing at cards, and much company with him.
So I left him, and Creed and I to Westminster Hall, and there walked a
good while. He told me how for some words of my Lady Gerard's
[Jane, wife of Lord Gerard (see ante, January 1st, 1662-63). The king
had previously put a slight upon Lady Gerard, probably at the
instigation of Lady Castlemaine, as the two ladies were not friends. On
the 4th of January of this same year Lady Gerard had given a supper to
the king and queen, when the king withdrew from the party and
proceeded to the house of Lady Castlemaine, and remained there
throughout the evening (see Steinman's "Memoir of Barbara, Duchess
of Cleveland," 1871, p. 47).]
against my Lady Castlemaine to the Queen, the King did the other day
affront her in going out to dance with her at a ball, when she desired it
as the ladies do, and is since forbid attending the Queen by the King;
which is much talked of, my Lord her husband being a great favourite.
Thence by water home and to my office, wrote by the post and so home
to bed.

8th (Lord's day). Being sent to by Sir J. Minnes to know whether I
would go with him to White Hall to-day, I rose but could not get ready
before he was gone, but however I walked thither and heard Dr. King,

Bishop of Chichester, make a good and eloquent sermon upon these
words, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." Thence (the chappell
in Lent being hung with black, and no anthem sung after sermon, as at
other times), to my Lord Sandwich at Sir W. Wheeler's. I found him out
of order, thinking himself to be in a fit of an ague, but in the afternoon
he was very cheery. I dined with Sir William, where a good but short
dinner, not better than one of