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NOVEMBER 1; 1667。 I this morning before chapel visited Sir G。 Carteret; who is vexed to see how things are likely to go; but cannot help it; and yet seems to think himself mighty safe。 I also visited my Lord Hinchingbroke; at his chamber at White Hall; where I found Mr。 Turner; Moore; and Creed talking of my Lord Sandwich; whose case I doubt is but bad; and; I fear; will not escape being worse。 To the King's playhouse; and there saw a silly play and an old one; 〃The Taming Of a Shrew。〃
2nd。 To the King's playhouse; and there saw 〃Henry the Fourth;〃 and; contrary to expectation; was pleased in nothing more than in Cartwright's speaking of Falstaffe's speech about 〃What is Honour?〃 'William Cartwright; one of Killigrew's Company at the original establishment of Drury…lane。 By his will; dated 1686; he left his books; pictures; and furniture to Dulwich College; where his portrait still remains。' The house full of Parliament… men; it being holyday with them: and it was observable how a gentleman of good habit sitting just before us; eating of some fruit in the midst of the play; did drop down as dead; being choked; but with much ado Orange Mall did thrust her finger down his throat; and brought him to life again。
4th。 To Westminster; and there landing at the New Exchange stairs; I to Sir W。 Coventry: and there he read over to me the Prince's and Duke of Albemarle's Narratives; wherein they are very severe against him and our office。 But Sir W。 Coventry do contemn them; only that their persons and qualities are great; and so I do perceive he is afraid of them; though he will not confess it。 But he do say that; if he can get out of these briars; he will never trouble himself with Princes nor Dukes again。 He finds several things in their Narratives which are both inconsistent and foolish; as well as untrue。 Sir H。 Cholmly owns Sir W。 Coventry; in his opinion; to be one of the worthiest men in the nation; as I do really think he is。 He tells me he do think really that they will cut off my Lord Chancellor's head; the Chancellor at this day having as much pride as is possible to those few that venture their fortunes by coming to see him; and that the Duke of York is troubled much; knowing that those that fling down the Chancellor cannot stop there; but will do something to him; to prevent his having it in his power hereafter to avenge himself and father…in…law upon them。 And this Sir H。 Cholmly fears may be by divorcing the Queene and getting another; or declaring the Duke of Monmouth legitimate: which God forbid! He tells me he do verily believe that there will come in an impeachment of High Treason against my Lord of Ormond; among other things; for ordering the quartering of soldiers in Ireland on free quarters; which; it seems; is High Treason in that country; and was one of the things that lost the Lord Strafford his head; and the law is not yet repealed; which; he says; was a mighty oversight of him not to have repealed (which he might with ease have done); or have justified himself by an Act。
7th。 At noon resolved with Sir W。 Pen to go to see 〃The Tempest;〃 an old play of Shakespeare's; acted; I hear; the first day; And so my wife; and girl; and W。 Hewer by themselves; and Sir W。 Pen and I afterwards by ourselves: and forced to sit in the side balcony over against the musique…room at the Duke's House; close by my Lady Dorset 'Frances; daughter of Lionel Earl of Middlesex; wife of Richard fifth Earl of Dorset。' and a great many great ones。 The house mighty full; the King and Court there: and the most innocent play that ever I saw; and a curious piece of musique in an echo of half sentences; the echo repeating the former half while the man goes on to the latter; which is mighty pretty。 The play has no great wit; but yet good above ordinary plays。
9th。 The House very busy; and like to be so all day; about my Lord Chancellor's impeachment; whether Treason or not。
10th。 To White Hall; to speak with Sir W。 Coventry; and there; beyond all we looked for do hear that the Duke of York hath got and is full of the small…pox。 And so we to his lodgings; and there find most of the family going to St。 James's; and the gallery…doors locked up; that nobody might pass to nor fro: and so a sad house; I am sorry to see。 I am sad to consider the effects of his death if he should miscarry; but Dr。 Frazier tells me that he is in as good condition as a man can be in his case。 They appeared last night: it seems he was let blood on Friday。
11th。 Sir G。 Carteret and I towards the Temple in coach together; and there he did tell me how the King do all he can in the world to overthrow my Lord Chancellor; and that notice is taken of every man about the King that is not seen to promote the ruine of the Chancellor; and that this being another great day in his business; he dares not but be there。 He tells me that as soon as Secretary Morrice brought the Great Seale from my Lord Chancellor; Bab。 May fell upon his knees and catched the King about the legs; and joyed him; and said that this was the first time that ever he could call him King of England; being freed from this great man: which was a most ridiculous saying。 And he told me that when first my Lord Gerard; a great while ago; came to the King; and told him that the Chancellor did say openly that the King was a lazy person and not fit to govern (which is now made one of the things in people's mouths against the Chancellor;) 〃Why;〃 says the King; 〃that is no news; for he hath told me so twenty times; and but the other day he told me so;〃 and made matter of mirth at it: but yet this light discourse is likely to prove bad to him。
12th。 Up; and to the office; where sat all the morning; and there hear that the Duke of York do yet do very well with his small…pox: pray God he may continue to do so! This morning also; to my astonishment; I hear that yesterday my Lord Chancellor; to another of his Articles; that of betraying the King's councils to his enemies; is voted to have matter against him for an impeachment of High Treason; and that this day the impeachment is to be carried up to the House of Lords: which is very high; and I am troubled at it; for God knows what will follow; since they that do this must do more to secure themselves against any that will revenge this; if it ever come in their power!
13th。 To Westminster: where I find the House sitting; and in a mighty heat about Commissioner Pett; that they would have him impeached; though the Committee have yet brought in but part of their Report: and this heat of the House is much heightened by Sir Thomas Clifford telling them; that he was the man that did; out of his own purse; employ people at the out…ports to prevent the King of Scotts to escape after the battle of Worcester。 The house was in a great heat all this day about it; and at last it was carried; however; that it should be referred back to the Committee to make further enquiry。 By and by I met with Mr。 Wren; who tells me that the Duke of York is in as good condition as is possible for a man in his condition of the small… pox。 He; I perceive; is mightily concerned in the business of my Lord Chancellor; the impeachment against whom is go