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between him and his wife； the King held his peace； and said no more； but wished him to do what he pleased with him； which was very noble。 I met with Fenn； and he tells me； as I 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 came 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 things 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 it is a bit 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 good principles of doing good。 Mr。 May showed 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。 Asburnham told us； that he remembers since the only fruit in request； and eaten by the King and Queene 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 hankerchers； and but three bands to his neck； he swore。 Mr。 Townsend pleaded want of money and the owing of the linendraper 5000l。； and that he hath of late got many rich things made； beds and sheets and saddles； without money； and that 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； nor was a man apt （and that； I think； is true） to do any man any kindness of his own nature； though I do know 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 1000l。 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 tradesman for what money he receives for him； but this； 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 they 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 1/2lbs。 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 to preserve it。
3rd。 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。
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； but that he shall always bear respect to his friends there； ＇The officers of the Navy。＇ 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。 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； and what he said was mighty weak： but my Lord Keeper I observed to be a mighty able man。 To the Duke of York's playhouse； and there saw 〃Mustapha；〃 which the more I see the more I like； and is a most admirable poem； and bravely acted； only both Betterton and Harris could not con