按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
necessary for the Duke to write in so sharp a style to the office as I had drawn it in： which I yield to him； to consider the present posture of the times and the Duke of York； and whether it were not better to err on that hand than the other。 He told me that he did not think it was necessary for the Duke of York to do； and that it would not suit so well with his nature nor greatness； which last perhaps is true； but then do too truly show the effects of having princes in places where order and discipline should be。 I left it to him to do as the Duke of York pleases； and so fell to other talk； and with great freedom； of public things。 And he told me； upon my several inquiries to that purpose； that he did believe it was not yet resolved whether the Parliament should ever meet more or no； the three great rulers of things now standing thus：The Duke of Buckingham is absolutely against their meeting； as moved thereto by his people that he advises with； the people of the late times； who do never expect to have any thing done by this Parliament for their religion； and who do propose that； by the sale of the Church…lands； they shall be able to put the King out of debt： my Lord Keeper is utterly against putting away this and choosing another Parliament； lest they prove worse than this； and will make all the King's friends； and the King himself； in a desperate condition： my Lord Arlington knows not which is best for him； being to seek whether this or the next will use him worst。 He tells me that he believes that it is intended to call this Parliament； and try them with a sum of money； and if they do not like it； then to send them going； and call another who will； at the ruin of the Church perhaps； please the King with what he will have for a time。 And he tells me； therefore； that he do believe that this policy will be endeavoured by the Church and their friends；to seem to promise the King money when it shall be propounded； but make the King and these great men buy it； dear before they have it。 He tells me that he is really persuaded that the design of the Duke of Buckingham is； by bringing the State into such a condition as； if the King do die without issue； it shall upon his death break into pieces again； and so put by the Duke of York； whom they have disobliged； they know； to that degree as to despair of his pardon。 He tells me that there is no way to rule the King but by brisknesse； which the Duke of Buckingham hath above all men； and that the Duke of York having it not； his best way is what he practices； that is to say； a good temper； which will support him till the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Arlington fall out； which cannot be long first； the former knowing that the latter did； in the time of the Chancellor； endeavour with the Chancellor to hang him at that time； when he was proclaimed against。 And here； by the by； he told me that the Duke of Buckingham did by his friends treat with my Lord Chancellor； by the mediation of Matt。 Wren and Clifford； to fall in with my Lord Chancellor； which； he tells me； he did advise my Lord Chancellor to accept of； as that； that with his own interest and the Duke of York's； would undoubtedly have secured all to him and his family； but that my Lord Chancellor was a man not to be advised； thinking himself too high to be counselled： and so all is come to nothing； for by that means the Duke of Buckingham became desperate； and was forced to fall in with Arlington； to his ruin。 This morning at the Treasury…chamber I did meet Jack Fenn； and there he did show me my Lord Anglesy's petition and the King's answer： the former good and stout； as I before did hear it； but the latter short and weak； saying that he was not by what the King had done hindered from taking the benefit of his laws； and that the reason he had to suspect his mismanagement of his money in Ireland did make him think it unfit to trust him with his Treasury in England till he was satisfied in the former。
15th。 After dinner； W。 How to tell me what hath happened between him and the Commissioners of late； who are hot again； more than ever； about my Lord Sandwich's business of prizes； which I am troubled for； and the more because of the great security and neglect with which I think my Lord do look upon this matter； that may yet； for aught I know； undo him。
17th。 To the office all the morning； where the new Treasurers come their second time； and before they sat down did discourse with the Board； and particularly my Lord Brouncker； about their place； which they challenge as having been heretofore due and given to their predecessor； which； at last； my Lord did own hath been given him only out of courtesy to his quality； and that he did not take it as of right at the Board： so they； for the present； sat down and did give him the place； but I think with an intent to have the Duke of York's directions about it。
20th。 This evening comes Mr。 Billup to me； to read over Mr。 Wren's alterations of my draught of a letter for the Duke of York to sign to the Board； which I like mighty well； they being not considerable； only in mollifying some hard terms which I had thought fit to put in。 From this to other discourse； and do find that the Duke of York and his master； Mr。 Wren； do look upon this service of mine as a very seasonable service to the Duke of York； as that which he will have to show to his enemies in his own justification of his care of the King's business： and I am sure I am heartily glad of it； both for the King's sake and the Duke of York's； and my own also； for if I continue； my work by this means will be the less； and my share in the blame also。
22nd。 This day my boy's livery is come home； the first I ever had； of greene lined with red； and it likes me well enough。
23rd。 To visit my Lord Sandwich； who is now so reserved； or moped rather I think with his own business； that he bids welcome to no man； I think； to his satisfaction。 I met with Mr。 Povy； who tells me： that this discourse which I told him of； of the Duke of Monmouth being made Prince of Wales； hath nothing in it； though he thinks there are all the endeavours used in the world to overthrow the Duke of York。 He would not have me doubt of my safety in the Navy； which I am doubtful of； from the reports of a general removal； but he will endeavour to inform me what he can gather from my Lord Arlington。 That he do think that the Duke of Buckingham hath a mind rather to overthrow all the kingdom； and bring in a Commonwealth； wherein he may think to be General of their Army； or to make himself King； which； he believes； he may be led to by some advice he hath had with conjurors； which he do affect。
25th。 Mr。 Wren and I to his chamber； and there talked： and he seems to hope that these people； the Duke of Buckingham and Arlington； will run themselves off of their legs； they being forced to be always putting the King upon one idle thing or other； against the easiness of his nature； which he will never be able to bear nor they to keep him to； and so will lose themselves。 And； for instance of their little progress； he tells me that my Lord of Ormond is like yet to carry it； and to continue in his command in Ireland； at least； they cannot get the better of him