Diary, September 1667 | Page 6

do hear from
some others, that the business of the Chancellor's had proceeded from
something of a mistake, for the Duke of York did first tell the King that
the Chancellor had a desire to be eased of his great trouble; and that the
King, when the Chancellor come to him, did wonder to hear him deny
it, and the Duke of York was forced to deny to the King that ever he did
tell him so in those terms: but the King did answer that he was sure that
he did say some such thing to him; but, however, since it had gone so
far, did desire him to be contented with it, as a thing very convenient
for him as well as for himself (the King), and so matters proceeded, as
we find. Now it is likely the Chancellor might, some time or other, in a
compliment or vanity, say to the Duke of York, that he was weary of
this burden, and I know not what; and this comes of it. Some people,
and myself among them, are of good hope from this change that things
are reforming; but there are others that do think but that it is a hit of
chance, as all other our greatest matters are, and that there is no general
plot or contrivance in any number of people what to do next, though, I
believe, Sir W. Coventry may in himself have further designs; and so
that, though other changes may come, yet they shall be accidental and
laid upon [not] good principles of doing good. Mr. May shewed me the
King's new buildings, in order to their having of some old sails for the
closing of the windows this winter. I dined with Sir G. Carteret, with
whom dined Mr. Jack Ashburnham and Dr. Creeton, who I observe to
be a most good man and scholar. In discourse at dinner concerning the
change of men's humours and fashions touching meats, Mr.
Ashburnham told us, that he remembers since the only fruit in request,
and eaten by the King and Queen at table as the best fruit, was the
Katharine payre, though they knew at the time other fruits of France
and our own country. After dinner comes in Mr. Townsend; and there I
was witness of a horrid rateing, which Mr. Ashburnham, as one of the
Grooms of the King's Bedchamber, did give him for want of linen for
the King's person; which he swore was not to be endured, and that the

King would not endure it, and that the King his father, would have
hanged his Wardrobe-man should he have been served so the King
having at this day no handkerchers, and but three bands to his neck, he
swore. Mr. Townsend answered want of money, and the owing of the
linen-draper L5000; and that he hath of late got many rich things
made--beds, and sheets, and saddles, and all without money, and he can
go no further but still this old man, indeed, like an old loving servant,
did cry out for the King's person to be neglected. But, when he was
gone, Townsend told me that it is the grooms taking away the King's
linen at the quarter's end, as their fees, which makes this great want: for,
whether the King can get it or no, they will run away at the quarter's
end with what he hath had, let the King get more as he can. All the
company gone, Sir G. Carteret and I to talk: and it is pretty to observe
how already he says that he did always look upon the Chancellor
indeed as his friend, though he never did do him any service at all, nor
ever got any thing by him, nor was he a man apt, and that, I think, is
true, to do any man any kindness of his own nature; though I do know
that he was believed by all the world to be the greatest support of Sir G.
Carteret with the King of any man in England: but so little is now made
of it! He observes that my Lord Sandwich will lose a great friend in
him; and I think so too, my Lord Hinchingbroke being about a match
calculated purely out of respect to my Lord Chancellor's family. By and
by Sir G. Carteret, and Townsend, and I, to consider of an answer to the
Commissioners of the Treasury about my Lord Sandwich's profits in
the Wardrobe; which seem, as we make them, to be very small, not
L1000 a-year; but only the difference in measure at which he buys and
delivers out to the King, and then 6d. in the pound from the tradesmen
for what money he receives for him; but this,