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re defeated in their expectation of being of the Commission； now they would put it into such hands as it shall get no credit from： for if they do look to the bottom and see the King's case； they think they are then bound to give the King money； whereas they would be excused from that； and therefore endeavour to make this business of the Accounts to signify little。 Comes Captain Cocke to me； and there he tells me； to my great satisfaction； that Sir Robert Brookes did dine with him to…day； and that he told him； speaking of me； that he would make me the darling of the House of Commons； so much he is satisfied concerning me。 And this Cocke did tell me that I might give him thanks for it； and I do think it may do me good； for he do happen to be held a considerable person； of a young man； both for sobriety and ability。
9th。 Comes Sir G。 Carteret to talk with me； who seems to think himself safe as to his particular； but do doubt what will become of the whole kingdom； things being so broke in pieces。 He tells me that the King himself did the other day very particularly tell the whole story of my Lord Sandwich's not following the Dutch ships； with which he is charged； and shows the reasons of it to be the only good course he could have taken； and do discourse it very knowingly。 This I am glad of； though； as the King is now； his favour； for aught I see； serves very little in stead at this day； but rather is an argument against a man； and the King do not concern himself to relieve or justify any body； but is wholly negligent of every body's concernment。
10th。 The King did send a message to the House to…day that he would adjourn them on the 17th instant to February； by which time； at least； I shall have more respite to prepare things on my own behalf and the office； against their return。
11th。 I met Harris the player； and talked of 〃Catiline；〃 which is to be suddenly acted at the King's house； and there all agree that it cannot be well done at that house； there not being good actors enough： and Burt ＇Davies； says Burt； ranked in the list of good actors without possessing superior talents。DRAMATIC MISCELLANIES。＇ acts Cicero； which they all conclude he will not be able to do well。 The King gives them 500l。 for robes； there being； as they say； to be sixteen scarlet robes。 Comes Sir W。 Warren ＇I have been recently informed that Charles II。； April 12； 1662； knighted a rich tradesman of Wapping； named WILLIAM WARREN； and there is still in that parish a place called 〃SIR WILLIAM WARREN'S SQUARE；〃 perhaps built on the site of the knight's residence。＇ to talk about some business of his and mine： and he； I find； would have me not to think that the Parliament； in the mind they are in； and having so many good offices in their view to dispose of； will leave any of the King's officers in； but will rout all； though I am likely to escape as well as any； if any can escape。 And I think he is in the right； and I do look for it accordingly。
12th。 My bookseller did give me a list of the twenty who were mentioned for the Commission in Parliament for the Accounts： and it is strange that of the twenty the Parliament could not think fit to choose their nine； but were fain to add three that were not in the list of the twenty； they being many of them factious people and ringleaders in the late troubles； so that Sir John Talbot did fly out and was very hot in the business of Wildman's being named； and took notice how he was entertained in the bosom of the Duke of Buckingham； a Privy…counsellor； and that it was fit to be observed by the House； and punished。 The men that I know of the nine I like very well； that is； Mr。 Pierrepoint； Lord Brereton； ＇William； third Lord Brereton； of Leaghlin in Ireland； M。P。 for Cheshire； where he possessed an estate which he disposed of on account of the exigences of the times； and his father's losses in the cause of Charles I。 He was educated at Breda； and was an accomplished and amiable nobleman； and one of the Founders of the Royal Society； Ob。 1679。＇ and Sir William Turner； and I do think the rest are so too； but such as will not be able to do this business as it ought to be to do any good with。 Here I did also see their votes against my Lord Chief Justice Keeling； that his proceedings were illegal； and that he was a contemner of Magna Charta； the great preserver of our lives； freedoms and properties； and an introduction to arbitrary government； which is very high language； and of the same sound with that in the year 1640。 This day my Lord Chancellor's letter was burned at the 'Change。
13th。 To Westminster； to the Parliament…door； to speak with Roger： and here I saw my Lord Keeling go into the House to the bar； to have his business heard by the whole House to…day； and a great crowd of people to stare upon him。 Here I hear that the Lord's Bill for banishing and disabling my Lord Clarendon from bearing any office； or being in the King's dominions； and it being made felony for any to correspond with him but his own children； is brought to the Commons； but they will not agree to it； being not satisfied with that as sufficient； but will have a Bill of Attainder brought in against him： but they make use of this against the Lords； that they that would not think there was cause enough to commit him without hearing； will have him banished without hearing。 By and by comes out my cosen Roger to me； he being not willing to be in the House at the business of my Lord Keeling； lest he should be called upon to complain against him for his abusing him at Cambridge。 Among other news it is now fresh that the King of Portugall is deposed； and his brother made King； and that my Lord Sandwich is gone from Madrid with great honour to Lisbon； to make up at this juncture a peace to the advantage； as the Spaniard would have it； of Spain。 I wish it may be for my Lord's honour； if it be so； but it seems my Lord is in mighty estimation in Spain。 With my cosen Roger to Westminster Hall； and there we met the House rising： and they have voted my Lord Chief Justice Keeling's proceedings illegal； but that out of particular respect to him and the mediation of a great many； they have resolved to proceed no further against him。
16th。 To Westminster； where I find the House mighty busy upon a petition against my Lord Gerard； which lays heavy things to his charge； of his abusing the King in his Guards； and very hot the House is upon it。
17th。 This day I do hear at White Hall that the Duke of Monmouth is sick； and in danger of the small…pox。
19th。 To the office； where Commissioner Middleton first took his place at the Board as Surveyor of the Navy； and indeed I think will be an excellent officer； I am sure much beyond what his predecessor was。 This evening the King by message （which he never did before） hath passed several Bills； among others that for the Accounts and for banishing my Lord Chancellor； and hath adjourned the House to February； at which I am glad； hoping in this time to get leisure to state my Tangier Accounts； and to prepare better for the Parliament's enquiries。 Here I hear how the House of Lords with great severity； if not tyranny； have proceeded against poor Carr； who only erred in the manner of th