eat pull back to me in my fortune. But I
must be contented and bring it to an issue one way or other. Publique
matters stand thus: The King is bringing, as is said, his family, and
Navy, and all other his charges, to a less expence. In the mean time,
himself following his pleasures more than with good advice he would do;
at least, to be seen to all the world to do so. His dalliance with my
Lady Castlemaine being publique, every day, to his great reproach; and
his favouring of none at Court so much as those that are the confidants
of his pleasure, as Sir H. Bennet and Sir Charles Barkeley; which, good
God! put it into his heart to mend, before he makes himself too much
contemned by his people for it! The Duke of Monmouth is in so great
splendour at Court, and so dandled by the King, that some doubt, if the
King should have no child by the Queen (which there is yet no appearance
of), whether he would not be acknowledged for a lawful son; and that
there will be a difference follow upon it between the Duke of York and
him; which God prevent! My Lord Chancellor is threatened by people to be
questioned, the next sitting of the Parliament, by some spirits that do
not love to see him so great: but certainly he is a good servant to the
King. The Queen-Mother is said to keep too great a Court now; and her
being married to my Lord St. Albans is commonly talked of; and that they
had a daughter between them in France, how true, God knows. The Bishopps
are high, and go on without any diffidence in pressing uniformity; and
the Presbyters seem silent in it, and either conform or lay down, though
without doubt they expect a turn, and would be glad these endeavours of
the other Fanatiques would take effect; there having been a plot lately
found, for which four have been publickly tried at the Old Bayley and
hanged. My Lord Sandwich is still in good esteem, and now keeping his
Christmas in the country; and I in good esteem, I think, as any man can
be, with him. Mr. Moore is very sickly, and I doubt will hardly get over
his late fit of sickness, that still hangs on him. In fine, for the good
condition of myself, wife, family, and estate, in the great degree that
it is, and for the public state of the nation, so quiett as it is, the
Lord God be praised!

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS FOR DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, 1962 N.S.:

Afeard of being louzy
Afeard that my Lady Castlemaine will keep still with the King
Afraid now to bring