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answered； that what he did was in obedience to the King's commands； and that he did not think any man fit to serve a prince； that did not know how to retire and live a country life。
31st。 At the office all the morning； where by Sir W。 Pen I do hear that the Seal was fetched away to the King yesterday from the Lord Chancellor by Secretary Morrice； which puts me into a great horror。 In the evening Mr。 Ball of the Excise…office tells me that the Seal is delivered to Sir Orlando Bridgeman； the man of the whole nation that is the best spoken of； and will please most people； and therefore I am mighty glad of it。 He was then at my Lord Arlington's； whither I went； expecting to see him come out； but staid so long； and Sir W。 Coventry coming there； whom I had not a mind should see me there idle upon a post…night； I went home without seeing him； but he is there with his Seal in his hand。
SEPTEMBER 1； 1667。 Our new Lord…keeper Bridgeman； did this day； the first time； attend the King to chapel with his Seal。 Sir H。 Cholmly tells me there are hopes that the women also will have a rout； and particularly that my Lady Castlemaine is coming to a composition with the King to be gone； but how true this is； I know not； Blancfort is made Privy…purse to the Duke of York； the Attorney General is made Chief Justice in the room of my Lord Bridgeman； the Solicitor…general is made Attorney…general； and Sir Edward Turner made Solicitor…general。 ＇According to Beatson； no change took place in these officers at this time。＇ It is pretty to see how strange every body looks； nobody knowing whence this arises ； whether from my Lady Castlemaine； Bab。 May； and their faction； or from the Duke of York； notwithstanding his great appearing of defence of the Chancellor； or from Sir William Coventry； and some few with him。 But greater changes are yet expected。
2nd。 This day is kept in the City as a publick fast for the fire this day twelve months： but I was not at church； being commanded with the rest to attend the Duke of York； and therefore with Sir J。 Minnes to St。 James's； where we had much business before the Duke of York； and observed all things to be very kind between the Duke of York and Sir W。 Coventry； which did mightily joy me。 When we had done； Sir W。 Coventry called me down with him to his chamber； and there told me that he is leaving the Duke of York's service； which I was amazed at。 But he tells me that it is not with the least unkindness on the Duke of York's side； though he expects （and I told him he was in the right） it will be interpreted otherwise； because done just at this time； 〃but；〃 says he； 〃I did desire it a good while since； and the Duke of York did with much entreaty grant it； desiring that I would say nothing of it； that he might have time and liberty to choose his successor； without being importuned for others whom he should not like：〃 and that he hath chosen Mr。 Wren； which I am glad of； he being a very ingenious man； and so Sir W。 Coventry says of him； though he knows him little； but particularly commends him for the book he writ in answer to 〃Harrington's Oceana；〃 which for that reason I intend to buy。 He tells me the true reason is； that he being a man not willing to undertake more business than he can go through； and being desirous to have his whole time to spend upon the business of the Treasury； and a little for his own ease； he did desire this of the Duke of York。 He assures me that the kindness with which he goes away from the Duke of York； is one of the greatest joys that ever he had in the world。 I used some freedom with him； telling him how the world hath discoursed of his having offended the Duke of York； about the late business of the Chancellor。 He does not deny it； but says that perhaps the Duke of York might have some reason for it； he opposing him in a thing wherein he was so earnest： but tells me； that notwithstanding all that； the Duke of York does not now； nor can blame him； for he was the man that did propose the removal of the Chancellor； and that he did still persist in it； and at this day publickly owns it； and is glad of it： but that the Duke of York knows that he did first speak of it to the Duke of York before he spoke to any mortal creature besides； which was fair dealing： and the Duke of York was then of the same mind with him； and did speak of it to the King； though since； for reasons best known to himself； he afterwards altered。 I did then desire to know； what was the great matter that grounded his desire of the Chancellor's removal？ He told me many things not fit to be spoken； and yet not any thing of his being unfaithful to the King； but； INSTAR OMNIUM； he told me that while he was so great at the Council… board； and in the administration of matters； there was no room for any body to propose any remedy to what was amiss； or to compass any thing； though never so good； for the kingdom； unless approved of by the Chancellor； he managing all things with that greatness； which now will be removed； that the King may have the benefit of others' advice。 I then told him that the world hath an opinion that he hath joined himself with my Lady Castlemaine's faction： but in this business； he told me； he cannot help it； but says they are in an errour； for he will never while he lives； truckle under any body or any faction； but do just as his own reason and judgment directs； and when he cannot use that freedom； he will have nothing to do in public affairs： but then he added that he never was the man that ever had any discourse with my Lady Castlemaine； or with others from her； about this or any public business； or ever made her a visit； or at least not this twelve…month； or been in her lodgings but when called on any business to attend the King there； nor hath had any thing to do in knowing her mind in this business。 He ended all with telling me that he knows that he that serves a prince must expect and be contented to stand all fortunes； and be provided to retreat； and that he is most willing to do whatever the King shall please。 And so we parted； he setting me down out of his coach at Charing Cross； and desired me to tell Sir W。 Pen what he had told me of his leaving the Duke of York's service； that his friends might not be the last that know it。 I took a coach and went homewards； but then turned again； and to White Hall； where I met with many people； and among other things do learn that there is some fear that Mr。 Brouncker is got into the King's favour； and will be cherished there； which will breed ill will between the King and Duke of York； he lodging at this time in White Hall since he was put away from the Duke of York； and he is great with Bab。 May； my Lady Castlemaine； and that wicked crew。 But I find this denied by Sir G。 Carteret； who tells me that he is sure he hath no kindness from the King； that the King at first； indeed； did endeavour to persuade the Duke of York from putting him away； but when； besides this business of his ill words concerning his Majesty in the business of the Chancellor； he told him that he hath had a long time a mind to put him away for his ill offices； done between him and his wife； the King held his peace； and said no more； but wished him to do what he pl