of their books and papers very foolish。 But that that he is offended with； is his being made so contemptible； as that any should dare to make a gentleman a subject for the mirth of the world： and that therefore he had told Tom Killigrew that he should tell his actors； whoever they were； that did offer at any thing like representing him； that he would not complain to my Lord Chamberlain； which was too weak； nor get him beaten； as Sir Charles Sedley is said to have done； but that he would cause his nose to be cut。 He told me how that the Duke of Buckingham did himself some time since desire to join with him； of all men in England； and did bid him propound to himself to be Chief Minister of State； saying that he would bring it about； but that he refused to have any thing to do with any faction； and that the Duke of Buckingham did； within these few days； say that； of all men in England； he would have chosen Sir W。 Coventry to have joined entire with。 He tells me that he fears their prevailing against the Duke of York； and that their violence will force them to it； as being already beyond his pardon。 He repeated to me many examples of challengings of Privy…counsellers and others； but never any proceeded against with that severity which he is； it never amounting with others to more than a little confinement。 He tells me of his being weary of the Treasury； and of the folly； ambition； and desire of popularity of Sir Thomas Clifford； and yet the rudeness of his tongue and passions； when angry。
7th （Lord's day）。 To the Tower to see Sir W。 Coventry； who had H。 Jermin and a great many more with him； and more while I was there came in： so that I do hear that there was not less than sixty coaches there yesterday and the other day； which I hear also that there is great exception taken at by the King； and the Duke of Buckingham； but it cannot be helped。 I to White Hall； and there hear that there are letters come from Sir Thomas Allen； that he hath made some kind of peace with Argier； upon which the King and Duke of York； being to go out of town to…morrow； are met at my Lord Arlington's： so I there； and by Mr。 Wren was desired to stay to see if there were occasion for their speaking with me； which I did； walking without； with Charles Porter； talking of a great many things： and I perceive all the world is against the Duke of Buckingham's acting thus high； and do prophecy nothing but ruin from it。 But he do well observe that the church lands cannot certainly come to much； if the King shall be persuaded to take them； they being leased out for long leases。 By and by after two hours' stay they rose； having； as Wren tells me； resolved upon sending six ships to the Streights forthwith； not being contented with the peace upon the terms they demand； which are； that all our ships； where any Turks or Moores shall be found slaves； shall be prizes； which will imply that they must be searched； I hear that to…morrow the King and Duke of York set out for Newmarket； by three in the morning； to some foot and horse… races； to be abroad ten or twelve days。 So I without seeing the Duke of York； but Mr。 Wren showed me the order of Council about the balancing Store…keeper's accounts； passed the Council in the very terms I drew it； only I did put in my name as he that presented the book of Hosier's preparing； and that is left out； I mean my name； which is no great matter。
8th。 To White Hall； from whence the King and the Duke of York went by three in the morning； and had the misfortune to be overset with the Duke of York； the Duke of Monmouth； and the Prince； ＇Rupert。＇ at the King's gate in Holborne； and the King all dirty； but no hurt。 How it come to pass I know not； but only it was dark； and the torches did not； they say； light the coach as they should do。 I thought this morning to have seen my Lord Sandwich before he went out of town； but I came half an hour too late； which troubles me； I having not seen him since my Lady Pall died。 And so to the Privy…Seal office； to examine what records I could find there for my help in the great business I am put upon of defending the present constitution of the Navy； but there could not have liberty without order from him that is in present； waiting； Mr。 Bickerstaffe； who is out of town。
9th。 Up； and to the Tower； and there find Sir W。 Coventry alone writing down his journall； which； he tells me； he now keeps of the material things； upon which I told him； （and he is the only man I ever told it to； I think；） that I kept it most strictly these eight or ten years； and I am sorry almost that I told it him； it not being necessary； nor maybe convenient； to have it known。 Here he showed me the petition he had sent to the King by my Lord Keeper； which was not to desire any admittance to employment； but submitting himself therein humbly to his Majesty； but prayed the removal of his displeasure； and that he might be set free。 He tells me that my Lord Keeper did acquaint the King with the substance of it； not showing him the petition； who answered； that he was disposing of his employments； and when that was done he might be led to discharge him： and this is what he expects； and what he seems to desire。 But by this discourse he was pleased to take occasion to show me and read to me his account； which he hath kept by him under his own hand； of all his discourse and the King's answers to him upon the great business of my Lord Clarendon； and how he had first moved the Duke of York with it twice at good distance； one after another； but without success； showing me thereby the simplicity and reasons of his so doing； and the manner of it； and the King's accepting it； telling him that he was not satisfied in his management； and did discover some dissatisfaction against him for his opposing the laying aside of my Lord Treasurer at Oxford； which was a secret the King had not discovered。 And really I was mighty proud to be privy to this great transaction； it giving me great conviction of the noble nature and ends of Sir W。 Coventry in it； and considerations in general of the consequences of great men's actions； and the uncertainty of their estates； and other very serious considerations。
11th。 Up； and to Sir W。 Coventry to the Tower； who tells me that he hears that the Commission is gone down to the King with a blank to fill for his place in the Treasury： and he believes it will be filled with one of our Treasurers of the Navy； but which he knows not； but he believes it will be Osborne。 We walked down to the stone…walk； which is called； it seems； my Lord of Northumberland's walk； being paved by some one of that title that was prisoner there； and at the end of it there is a piece of iron upon the wall with his arms upon it； and holes to put in a peg for every turn they make upon that walk。
12th。 With great content spent all the morning looking over the Navy accounts of several years； and the several patents of the Treasurers。 W。 Hewer carried me to Nott's； the famous bookbinder that bound for my Lord Chancellor's library： and here I did take occasion for curiosity to bespeak a book to be bound； only that I might have one of his binding。
13th。 That which put me in good humour both at noon and night； is the fancy that I am this day made a captain of one of the King's ships； Mr。 Wren having this day sent me the Duke of York's commission to be Captain of 〃The Jerzy；〃 in order to my being of a Court…martiall for examining the loss of 〃The Defyance〃 and other things； which do give me occasion of much mirth； and may be of some use to me； at least I shall get a little money for the time I have it； it being designed that I must really be a captain to be able to sit in this Court。
15th。 Up； and by water with W。 Hewer to the Temple； and thence to the Rolls； where I made enquiry for several rolls； and was soon informed in the manner of it： and so spent the whole morning with W。 Hewer； he taking little notes in short hand； while I hired a clerk there to read to me about twelve or more several rolls which I did call for。 And it was great pleasure to me to see the method wherein their rolls are kept； that when the master of the office； one Mr。 Case； do call for them； （who is a man that I have heretofore known by coming to my Lord Sandwich's；） he did most readily turn to them。 At noon they shut up； and W。 Hewer and I did walk to the Cocke； at the end of Suffolke…street； where I never was； a great ordinary mightily cried up； and there bespoke a pullet： which； while dressing； he and I walked into St。 James's Park； and thence back and dined very handsome with good soup and a pullet for 4s。 6d。 the whole。 Thence back to the Rolls； and did a little more business： and so by water to White Hall； whither I went to speak with Mr。 Williamson （that if he hath any papers relating to the Navy I might see them； which he promises me。） And so by water home with； great content for what I have this day found； having got almost as much as I desire of the history of the Navy； from 1618 to 1642； when the King and Parliament fell out。
16th。 Comes to me Mr。 Evelyn of Deptford； a worthy good man； and dined with me （but a bad dinner）： who is grieved for and speaks openly to me his thoughts of the times； and our ruin approaching； and all by the fo