Diary, Sep/Oct 1662 | Page 5

instant when to bid last,
which is very pretty. In our discourse in the boat Mr. Coventry told us
how the Fanatiques and the Presbyters, that did intend to rise about this
time, did choose this day as the most auspicious to them in their
endeavours against monarchy: it being fatal twice to the King, and the
day of Oliver's death.
[Cromwell had considered the 3rd of September as the most fortunate
day of his life, on account of his victories at Dunbar and Worcester. It
was also remarkable for the great storm that occurred at the time of his
death; and as being the day on which the Fire of London, in 1666, burnt

with the greatest fury.--B.]
But, blessed be God! all is likely to be quiet, I hope. After the sale I
walked to my brother's, in my way meeting with Dr. Fairbrother, of
whom I enquired what news in Church matters. He tells me, what I
heard confirmed since, that it was fully resolved by the King's new
Council that an indulgence should be granted the Presbyters; but upon
the Bishop of London's speech
[Gilbert Sheldon, born July 19th, 1598; Fellow of All Souls, Oxford,
1622; Warden, 1635; Bishop of London, 1660-63; Archbishop of
Canterbury, 1663. Died November 9th, 1677.]
(who is now one of the most powerful men in England with the King),
their minds were wholly turned. And it is said that my Lord Albemarle
did oppose him most; but that I do believe is only in appearance. He
told me also that most of the Presbyters now begin to wish they had
complied, now they see that no Indulgence will be granted them, which
they hoped for; and that the Bishop of London hath taken good care
that places are supplied with very good and able men, which is the only
thing that will keep all quiet. I took him in the tavern at Puddle dock,
but neither he nor I drank any of the wine we called for, but left it, and
so after discourse parted, and Mr. Townsend not being at home I went
to my brother's, and there heard how his love matter proceeded, which
do not displease me, and so by water to White Hall to my Lord's
lodgings, where he being to go to Hinchingbroke to-morrow morning, I
staid and fiddled with Will. Howe some new tunes very pleasant, and
then my Lord came in and had much kind talk with him, and then to
bed with Mr. Moore there alone. So having taken my leave of my Lord
before I went to bed, I resolved to rise early and be gone without more
speaking to him--

4th. Which I did, and by water betimes to the Tower and so home,
where I shifted myself, being to dine abroad, and so being also trimmed,
which is a thing I have very seldom done of late, I gat to my office and
then met and sit all the morning, and at noon we all to the Trinity
House, where we treated, very dearly, I believe, the officers of the
Ordnance; where was Sir W. Compton and the rest and the Lieutenant
of the Tower. We had much and good music, which was my best
entertainment. Sir Wm. Compton I heard talk with great pleasure of the

difference between the fleet now and in Queen Elisabeth's days; where,
in 88, she had but 36 sail great and small, in the world; and ten rounds
of powder was their allowance at that time against the Spaniard. After
Sir W. Compton and Mr. Coventry, and some of the best of the rest
were gone, I grew weary of staying with Sir Williams both, and the
more for that my Lady Batten and her crew, at least half a score, come
into the room, and I believe we shall pay size for it; but 'tis very
pleasant to see her in her hair under her hood, and how by little and
little she would fain be a gallant; but, Lord! the company she keeps
about her are like herself, that she may be known by them what she is.
Being quite weary I stole from them and to my office, where I did
business till 9 at night, and so to my lodgings to bed.

5th. Up by break of day at 5 o'clock, and down by water to Woolwich:
in my way saw the yacht lately built by our virtuosoes (my Lord
Brunkard and others, with the help of Commissioner Pett also) set out
from Greenwich with the little Dutch bezan, to try for mastery; and
before they got to Woolwich the Dutch beat them half-a-mile (and I
hear this afternoon, that, in coming home, it got above three miles);
which all