with my boy after me
through all the dirt and the streets full of people; till at last, at
the Mewes, I saw the Spanish coach go, with fifty drawn swords at least
to guard it, and our soldiers shouting for joy. And so I followed the
coach, and then met it at York House, where the embassador lies; and
there it went in with great state. So then I went to the French house,
where I observe still, that there is no men in the world of a more
insolent spirit where they do well, nor before they begin a matter, and
more abject if they do miscarry, than these people are; for they all
look like dead men, and not a word among them, but shake their heads.
The truth is, the Spaniards were not only observed to fight most
desperately, but also they did outwitt them; first in lining their own
harness with chains of iron that they could not be cut, then in setting
their coach in the most advantageous place, and to appoint men to guard
every one of their horses, and others for to guard the coach, and others
the coachmen. And, above all, in setting upon the French horses and
killing them, for by that means the French were not able to stir. There
were several men slain of the French, and one or two of the Spaniards,
and one Englishman by a bullet. Which is very observable, the French
were at least four to one in number, and had near 100 case of pistols
among them, and the Spaniards had not one gun among them; which is for
their honour for ever, and the others' disgrace. So, having been very
much daubed with dirt, I got a coach, and home where I vexed my wife in
telling of her this story, and pleading for the Spaniards against the
French. So ends this month; myself and family in good condition
of health, but my head full of my Lord's and my own and the office
business; where we are now very busy about the business of sending
forces to Tangier,

[This place so often mentioned, was first given up to the English
fleet under Lord Sandwich, by the Portuguese, January 30th, 1662;
and Lord Peterborough left governor, with a garrison. The greatest
pains were afterwards taken to preserve the fortress, and a fine
mole was constructed at a vast expense, to improve the harbour. At
length, after immense sums of money had been wasted there, the House
of Commons expressed a dislike to the management of the garrison,
which they suspected to be a nursery for a popish army, and seemed
disinclined to maintain