Diary, September 1667 | Page 7

it is believed, these
Commissioners will endeavour to take away. From him I went to see a
great match at tennis, between Prince Rupert and one Captain Cooke,
against Bab. May and the elder Chichly; where the King was, and
Court; and it seems are the best players at tennis in the nation. But this
puts me in mind of what I observed in the morning, that the King,
playing at tennis, had a steele- yard carried to him, and I was told it was
to weigh him after he had done playing; and at noon Mr. Ashburnham
told me that it is only the King's curiosity, which he usually hath of
weighing himself before and after his play, to see how much he loses in

weight by playing: and this day he lost 4 lbs. Thence home and took
my wife out to Mile End Green, and there I drank, and so home, having
a very fine evening. Then home, and I to Sir W. Batten and [Sir] W.
Pen, and there discoursed of Sir W. Coventry's leaving the Duke of
York, and Mr. Wren's succeeding him. They told me both seriously,
that they had long cut me out for Secretary to the Duke of York, if ever
[Sir] W. Coventry left him; which, agreeing with what I have heard
from other hands heretofore, do make me not only think that something
of that kind hath been thought on, but do comfort me to see that the
world hath such an esteem of my qualities as to think me fit for any
such thing. Though I am glad, with all my heart, that I am not so; for it
would never please me to be forced to the attendance that that would
require, and leave my wife and family to themselves, as I must do in
such a case; thinking myself now in the best place that ever man was in
to please his own mind in, and, therefore, I will take care to preserve it.
So to bed, my cold remaining though not so much upon me. This day
Nell, an old tall maid, come to live with us, a cook maid recommended
by Mr. Batelier.

3rd. All the morning, business at the office, dined at home, then in the
afternoon set my wife down at the Exchange, and I to St. James's, and
there attended the Duke of York about the list of ships that we propose
to sell: and here there attended Mr. Wren the first time, who hath not
yet, I think, received the Duke of York's seal and papers. At our coming
hither, we found the Duke and Duchesse all alone at dinner, methought
melancholy; or else I thought so, from the late occasion of the
Chancellor's fall, who, they say, however, takes it very contentedly.
Thence I to White Hall a little, and so took up my wife at the 'Change,
and so home, and at the office late, and so home to supper and to bed,
our boy ill.

4th. By coach to White Hall to the Council-chamber; and there met
with Sir W. Coventry going in, who took me aside, and told me that he
was just come from delivering up his seal and papers to Mr. Wren; and
told me he must now take his leave of me as a naval man,
[One is reminded of Sir Winston Churchill referring to himself in his
correspondence with Franklin Roosevelt in the early days of WW II., as

"Former Naval Person." D.W.]
but that he shall always bear respect to his friends there, and
particularly to myself, with great kindness; which I returned to him
with thanks, and so, with much kindness parted: and he into, the
Council. I met with Sir Samuel Morland, who chewed me two orders
upon the Exchequer, one of L600, and another of L400, for money
assigned to him, which he would have me lend him money upon, and
he would allow 12 per cent. I would not meddle with them, though they
are very good; and would, had I not so much money out already on
public credit. But I see by this his condition all trade will be bad. I staid
and heard Alderman Barker's case of his being abused by the Council
of Ireland, touching his lands there: all I observed there is the silliness
of the King, playing with his dog all the while, and not minding the
business,
[Lord Rochester wrote
"His very dog at council board Sits grave and wise as any lord."
Poems, 1697; p. 150.--The king's dogs were constantly stolen from him,
and he advertised for their return. Some of these amusing
advertisements are printed in "Notes and Queries" (seventh series, vol.
vii., p. 26).]
and what he said