第 176 节
作者:
敏儿不觉 更新:2022-11-28 19:16 字数:9322
inst breakers of the Act for Uniformity should be put in execution: and it was moved in the House that if any people had a mind to bring any new laws into the House about religion; they might come as a proposer of new laws did in Athens; with ropes about their necks。 By and by the King comes to the Lords' House; and there tells them of his league with Holland; and the necessity of a fleet; and his debts; and; therefore; want of money; and his desire that they would think of some way to bring in all his Protestant subjects to a right understanding and peace one with another; meaning the Bill of Comprehension。 The Commons coming to their House; it was moved that the vote passed this morning might be suspended; because of the King's Speech; till the House was full and called over; two days hence: but it was denied; so furious they are against this Bill; and thereby a great blow either given to the King or Presbyters; or; which is the rather of the two; to the House itself; by denying a thing desired by the King; and so much desired by much the greater part of the nation。 Whatever the consequence be; if the King be a man of any stomach and heat; all do believe that he will resent this vote。 Read over and agreed upon the deed of settlement to our minds: my sister to have 600l。 presently; and she to be joyntured in 60l。 per annum; wherein I am very well satisfied。
11th。 To Pemberton's 'Francis Pemberton; afterwards knighted; and made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench 1679。' chamber。 It was pretty here to see the heaps of money upon this lawyer's table; and more; to see how he had not since last night spent any time upon our business; but begun with telling us that we were not at all concerned in that Act; which was a total mistake; by his not having read over the Act at all。
12th。 My cosen Roger told me the pleasant passage of a fellow's bringing a bag of letters to…day into the lobby of the House; where he left them; and withdrew himself without observation。 The bag being opened; the letters were found all of one size; and directed with one hand: a letter to most of the Members of the House。 The House was acquainted with it; and voted they should be brought in and one opened by the Speaker; wherein if he found any thing unfit to communicate; to propose a Committee to be chosen for it。 The Speaker opening one; found it only a case with a libell in it; printed: a satire most sober and bitter as ever I read; and every letter was the same。 So the House fell a… scrambling for them like boys; and my cosen Roger had one directed to him; which he lent me to read。
13th。 Mr。 Brisband tells me in discourse that Tom Killigrew hath a fee out of the Wardrobe for cap and bells; under the title of the King's Foole or Jester; and may revile or jeere any body; the greatest person without offence; by the privilege of his place。 This morning Sir G。 Carteret come to the office to see and talk with me: and he assures me that to this day the King is the most kind man to my Lord Sandwich in the whole world; that he himself do not now mind any publick business; but suffers things to go on at Court as they will; he seeing all likely to come to ruin: that this morning the Duke of York sent to him to come to make up one of a Committee of the Council for Navy Affairs; upon which; when he came; he told the Duke of York that he was none of them: which shows how things are now…a…days ordered; that there should be a Committee for the Navy; and the Lord Admirall knows not the persons of it; and that Sir G。 Carteret and my Lord Anglesy should be left out of it; and men wholly improper put into it。 I do hear of in hands that there is great difference at this day between my Lord Arlington and Sir W。 Coventry; which I am sorry for。
14th。 I to my office to perfect my Narrative about prize…goods; and did carry it to the Commissioners of Accounts; who did receive it with great kindness; and express great value of and respect to me: and my heart is at rest that it is lodged there in so full truth and plainness; though it may hereafter prove some loss to me。 But here I do see they are entered into many enquiries about prizes; by the great attendance of commanders and others before them; which is a work I am not sorry for。 Thence I away; with my head busy but my heart at pretty good ease; to visit Colonell Thomson; one of the Committee of Accounts; who among the rest is mighty kind to me; and is likely to mind our business more than any; and I would be glad to have a good understanding with him。 Thence after dinner to White Hall to attend the Duke of York; where I did let him know too the troublesome life we lead; and particularly myself; by being obliged to such attendances every day as I am; on one Committee or other。 And I do find the Duke of York himself troubled; and willing not to be troubled with occasions of having his name used among the Parliament though he himself do declare that he did give directions to Lord Brouncker to discharge the men at Chatham by ticket; and will own it if the House call for it; but not else。 Thence I attended the King and Council; and some of the rest of us; in a business to be heard about the value of a ship of one Dorrington's。 And it was pretty to observe how Sir W。 Pen; making use of this argument against the validity of an oath; against the King; being made by the master's mate of the ship; who was but a fellow of about 23 years of age; the master of the ship; against whom we pleaded; did say that he did think himself at that age capable of being master's mate of any ship; and do know that he; Sir W。 Pen; was so himself; and in no better degree at that age himself: which word did strike Sir W。 Pen mad; and made him open his mouth no more; and I saw the King and Duke of York wink at one another at it。 This done; we into the Gallery; and there I walked with several people; and among others my Lord Brouncker; who I do find under much trouble still about the business of the tickets; his very case being brought in; as is said; this day in the Report of the miscarriages。 And he seems to lay much of it on me; which I did clear and satisfy him in; and would be glad with all my heart to serve him in; and have done it more than he hath done for himself; he not deserving the least blame; but commendations; for this。 I met with my cosen Roger Pepys and Creed; and from them understand that the report was read to…day of the Miscarriages; wherein my Lord Sandwich is named about the business I mentioned this morning; but I will be at rest; for it can do him no hurt。 Our business of tickets is soundly up; and many others; so they went over them again; and spent all the morning on the first; which is the dividing of the fleet; wherein hot work was; and that among great men; Privy… counsellors; and; they say; Sir W。 Coventry; but I do not much fear it; but do hope that it will show a little of the Duke of Albemarle and the Prince to have been advisers in it: but whereas they ordered that the King's Speech should be considered to…day; they took no notice of it at all; but are really come to despise the King in all possible ways of showing it。 And it was the other day a strange saying; as I am told by my cosen Roger Pepys; in the House; when it was moved that the King's Speech should be considered; that though the first part of the Speech; meaning the league that is there talked of; be the only good publick thing that hath been done since the King come into England; yet it might bear with being put off to consider till Friday next; which was this day。 Secretary Morrice did this day in the House; when they talked of intelligence; say that he was allowed but 700l。 a…year for intelligence; whereas in Cromwell's time he did allow 70;000l。 a…year for it; and was confirmed therein by Colonell。 Birch; who said that thereby Cromwell carried the secrets of all the princes of Europe at his girdle。 The House is in a most broken condition; nobody adhering to any thing; but reviling and finding fault: and now quite mad at the Undertakers; as they are commonly called; Littleton; Lord Vaughan; Sir R。 Howard; and others that are brought over to the Court; and did undertake to get the King money: but they despise and will not hear them in the House; and the Court do as much; seeing that they cannot be useful to them; as was expected。 In short; it is plain that the King will never be able to do any thing with this Parliament; and that the only likely way to do better (for it cannot do worse) is to break this and call another Parliament; and some do think that it is intended。 I was told to…night that my Lady Castlemaine is so great a gamester as to have won 15;000l。 in one night; and lost 25;000l。 in another night at play; and hath played 1000l。 and 1500l。 at a cast。
16th。 Mr。 Hollier 'He was a Surgeon。' dined with my wife and me。 Much discourse about the bad state of the Church; and how the Clergy are come to be men of no worth in the world; and; as the world do now generally discourse; they must be reformed: and I believe the Hierarchy will in a little time be shaken; whether they will or no; the King being offended with them and set upon it; as I hear。
17th。 Great high words in the House on Saturday last upon the fir