第 197 节
作者:
敏儿不觉 更新:2022-11-28 19:17 字数:9321
ll go in the patent; at least; at the time when Sir Richard Browne asked the King the names of D。Gauden's security; the King told him it was not yet necessary for him to declare them。 And by and by; when the Duke of York and we had done; Wren brought into the closet Captain Cox and James Temple about business of the Guinea Company; and talking something of the Duke of Buckingham's concernment therein; says the Duke of York; 〃I shall give the Devil his due;〃 as they say the Duke of Buckingham hath paid in his money to the Company; or something of that kind; wherein he would do right to him。 The Duke of York told me how these people do begin to cast dirt upon the business that passed the Council lately touching Supernumeraries; as passed by virtue of his authority there; there being not liberty for any man to withstand what the Duke of York advises there; which; he told me; they bring only as an argument to insinuate the putting of the Admiralty into Commission; which by all men's discourse is now designed; and I perceive the same by him。 This being done; and going from him; I up and down the house to hear news: and there every body's mouth full of changes; and among others; the Duke of York's regiment of Guards that was raised during the late war at sea it is to be disbanded: and also; that this day the King do intend to declare that the Duke of Ormond is no more Deputy of Ireland; but that he will put it into Commission。 This day our new Treasurers did kiss the King's hand; who complimented them; as they say; very highly;that he had for a long time been abused in his Treasury; and that he was now safe in their hands。 I saw them walk up and down the Court together all this morning; the first time I ever saw Osborne; who is a comely gentleman。 This day I was told that my Lord Anglesy did deliver a petition on Wednesday in Council to the King; laying open; that whereas he had heard that his Majesty had made such a disposal of his place; which he had formerly granted him for life upon a valuable consideration; and that without any thing laid to his charge; and during a Parliament's sessions; he prayed that his Majesty would be pleased to let his case be heard before the Council and the Judges of the land; who were his proper Counsel in all matters of right: to which; I am told; the King; after my Lord's being withdrawn; concluded upon his giving him an answer some few days hence; and so he was called in and told so。 At the Treasurer's; Sir Thomas Clifford; where I did eat some oysters; which while we were at; in comes my Lord Keeper and much company; and so I thought it best to withdraw。 And so away; and to the Swedes Agent's; and there met Mr。 Povy; where the agent would have me stay and dine; there being only them and Joseph Williamson; and Sir Thomas Clayton; 'Thomas Clayton; M。D。; Professor of Physic; and Anatomy Lecturer at Oxford; for which University he was chosen Member 1660; and afterwards; knighted and made Warden of Merton College。' but what he is I know not。 Here much extraordinary noble discourse of foreign princes; and particularly the greatness of the King of France; and of his being fallen into the right way of making the kingdom great。 I was mightily pleased with this company and their discourse。
6th。 To see Roger Pepys at his lodgings next door to Arundell… house; a barber's。 And there I did see a book; which my Lord Sandwich hath promised one to me of; 〃A Description of the Escuriall in Spain;〃 which I have a great desire to have; though I took it for a finer book when he promised it me。
9th。 The Duke of York told me that Sir W。 Pen had been with him this morning to ask whether it would be fit for him to sit at the office now; because of his resolution to be gone and to become concerned in the Victualling。 The Duke of York answered; Yes; till his contract was signed。 Thence I to Lord Sandwich's; and there to see him; but was made to stay very long; as his best friends are; and when I came to him had little pleasure; his head being full of his own business; I think。 Thence to White Hall with him to a Committee of Tangier; a day appointed for him to give an account of Tangier; and what he did and found there; which; though he had admirable matter for it; and his doings there were good; and would have afforded a noble account; yet he did it with a mind so low and mean; and delivered in so poor a manner; that it appeared nothing at all; nor any body seemed to value it; whereas he might have shown himself to have merited extraordinary thanks; and been held to have done a very great service: whereas now; all that cost the King hath been at for his journey through Spain thither; seems to be almost lost。 After we were up; Creed and I walked together; and did talk a good while of the weak Report my Lord made; and were troubled for it; I fearing that either his mind and judgment are depressed; or that he do it out of his great neglect; and so that he do all the rest of his affairs accordingly。
11th。 To the office; where by a speciall desire the new Treasurers came; and there did show their Patent and the Great Seal for the suspension of my Lord Anglesy: and here did sit and discourse of the business of the office; and brought Mr。 Hutchinson with them; who; I hear; is to be their Paymaster; in the room of Mr。 Waith。 For it seems they do turn out every servant that belongs to the present Treasurer; and so for Fenn do bring in Mr。 Littleton; Sir Thomas's brother; and oust all the rest。 But Mr。 Hutchinson do already see that his work now will be another kind of thing than before; as to the trouble of it。
13th。 Up; and with Sir W。 Pen by coach to White Hall; where to the Duke of York; and there did our usual business。 And thence I to the Commissioners of the Treasury; where I staid and heard an excellent case argued between my Lord Gerard and the town of Newcastle; about a piece of ground which that Lord hath got a grant of under the Exchequer Seal; which they were endeavouring to get of the King under the Great Seal。 I liked mightily the Counsel for the town; Shaftow their recorder; and Mr。 Offly。 But I was troubled; and so were the Lords; 'The Lords Commissioners。' to hear my Lord fly out against their 'The inhabitants of Newcastle。' great pretence of merit from the King for their sufferings and loyalty; telling them that they might thank him for that repute which they have for their loyalty; for that it was he that forced them to be so against their wills; when he was there: and; moreover; did offer a paper to the Lords to read from the town; sent in 1648; but the Lords would not read it; but I believe it was something about bringing the King to trial; or some such thing; in that year。 Thence I to the Three Tuns Tavern by Charing Cross; and there dined with W。 Pen; Sir J。 Minnes; and Commissioner Middleton; and as merry as my mind could be; that hath so much trouble upon it at home。 And thence to White Hall; and there staid in Mr。 Wren's chamber with him reading over my draught of a letter; which Mr。 Gibson then attended me with; and there he did like all; but doubted whether it would be 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