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afraid it will ruin all： telling me that it is matter of the greatest grief to him in the world； that he should be put upon this trust of being a Parliament…man； because he says nothing is done； that he can see； out of any truth and sincerity； but mere envy and design。 Then into the Great Garden up to the Banqueting House； and there by my Lord's glass we drew in the species very pretty。 ＇This word is here used as an optical term； and signifies the image painted on the retina of the eye； and the rays of light reflected from the several points of the surface of objects。＇ Afterwards to nine… pins； Creed and I playing against my Lord and Cooke。
28th。 By water to the Royal Theatre； but that was so full they told us we could have no room。 And so to the Duke's house； and there saw 〃Hamlett〃 done； giving us fresh reason never to think enough of Betterton。 Who should we see come upon the stage but Gosnell； my wife's maid？ but neither spoke； danced； nor sung； which I was sorry for。
29th。 This day is kept strictly as a holy…day； being the King's Coronation。 Creed and I abroad； and called at several churches； and it is a wonder to see； and by that to guess the ill temper of the City； at this time； either to religion in general； or to the King； that in some churches there was hardly ten people； and those poor people。 To the Duke's house； and there saw 〃The Slighted Mayde；〃 ＇A comedy； by Sir Robert Stapylton。＇ wherein Gosnell acted AEromena； a great part； and did it very well。 Then with Creed to see the German Princesse； ＇Mary Carleton； of whom see more June 7 following； and April 15； 1664。＇ at the Gate… house； at Westminster。
31st。 This month the greatest news is； the height and heat that the Parliament is in； in enquiring into the revenue； which displeases the Court； and their backwardness to give the King any money。 Their enquiring into the selling of places do trouble a great many； among the chief； my Lord Chancellor （against whom particularly it is carried）； and Mr。 Coventry； for which I am sorry。 The King of France was given out to be poisoned and dead； but it proves to be the meazles： and he is well； or likely to be soon well again。 I find myself growing in the esteem and credit that I have in the office； and I hope falling to my business again will confirm me in it。
JUNE 1； 1663。 The Duke having been a…hunting to…day； and so lately come home and gone to bed； we could not see him； and we walked away。 And I with Sir J。 Minnes to the Strand May…pole； and there light out of his coach； and walked to the New Theatre； which； since the King's players are gone to the Royal one； is this day begun to be employed by the fencers to play prizes at。 And here I come and saw the first prize I ever saw in my life： and it was between one Mathews； who did beat at all weapons； and one Westwicke； who was soundly cut several times both in the head and legs； that he was all over blood： and other deadly blows they did give and take in very good earnest； till Westwicke was in a sad pickle。 They fought at eight weapons； three boutes at each weapon。 This being upon a private quarrel； they did it in good earnest； and I felt one of the swords； and found it to be very little； if at all blunter on the edge； than the common swords are。 Strange to see what a deal of money is flung to them both upon the stage between every boute。 This day I hear at Court of the great plot which was lately discovered in Ireland； made among the Presbyters and others； designing to cry up the Covenant； and to secure Dublin Castle and other places； and they have debauched a good part of the army there； promising them ready money。 Some of the Parliament there； they say； are guilty； and some withdrawn upon it； several persons taken； and among others a son of Scott's； that was executed here for the King's murder。 What reason the King hath； I know not； but it seems he is doubtfull of Scotland： and this afternoon； when I was there； the Council was called extraordinary； and they were opening the letter this last post's coming and going between Scotland and us and other places。 The King of France is well again。
2nd。 To St。 James's； to Mr。 Coventry； where I had an hour's private talk with him concerning his own condition； at present being under the censure of the House； being concerned with others in the Bill for selling of offices。 He tells me； that though he thinks himself to suffer much in his fame hereby； yet he values nothing more of evil to hang over him； for that it is against no statute； as is pretended； nor more than what his predecessors time out of mind have taken； and that so soon as he found himself to be in an errour； he did desire to have his fees set； which was done； and since that time he hath not taken a token more。 He undertakes to prove； that he did never take a token of any captain to get him employed in his life beforehand； or demanded any thing： and for the other accusation； that the Cavaliers are not employed； he looked over the list of them now in the service； and of the twenty…seven that are employed； thirteen have been heretofore always under the King； two neutralls； and the other twelve men of great courage； and such as had either the King's particular command or great recommendation to put them in； and none by himself。 Besides that； he sees it is not the King's nor Duke's opinion that the whole party of the late officers should be rendered desperate。 And lastly； he confesses that the more of the Cavaliers are put in； the less of discipline hath followed in the fleet； and that； whenever there comes occasion； it must be the old ones that must do any good。 He tells me； that he cannot guess whom all this should come from； but he suspects Sir G。 Carteret； as I also do； at least that he is pleased with it。 But he tells me that he will bring Sir G。 Carteret to be the first adviser and instructor of him what is to make his place of benefit to him； telling him that Smith did make his place worth 5000l。 and he believed 7000l。 to him the first year； besides something else greater than all this； which he forbore to tell me。 It seems one Sir Thomas Tomkins ＇M。P。 for Weobly； and one of the proposed Knights of the Royal Oak； for Herefordshire。＇ of the House； that makes many mad motions； did bring it into the House； saying that a letter was left at his lodgings； subscribed by one Benson； （which is a feigned name； for there is no such in the Navy；） telling how many places in the Navy have been sold。 And by another letter； left in the same manner since； nobody appearing； he writes him that there is one Hughes and another Butler （both rogues； that have for their roguery been turned out of their places；） that will swear that Mr。 Coventry did sell their places and other things。 I offered him my service； and will with all my heart serve him； but he tells me he do not think it convenient to meddle； or to any purpose。 To Westminster Hall； where I hear more of the plot from Ireland； which it seems hath been hatching； and known to the Lord Lieutenant a great while； and kept close till within three days that it should have taken effect。
4th。 In the Hall a good while； where I heard that this day the Archbishop of Canterbury； Juxon； ＇William