usual business with the Duke, and more and more
preparations every day appear against the Dutch, and (which I must
confess do a little move my envy) Sir W. Pen do grow every day more and
more regarded by the Duke,

["The duke had decided that the English fleet should consist of
three squadrons to be commanded by himself, Prince Rupert, and Lord
Sandwich, from which arrangement the two last, who were land
admirals; had concluded that Penn would have no concern in this
fleet. Neither the duke, Rupert, nor Sandwich had ever been engaged
in an encounter of fleets.... Penn alone of the four was
familiar with all these things. By the duke's unexpected
announcement that he should take Penn with him into his own ship,
Rupert and Sandwich at once discovered that they would be really and
practically under Penn's command in everything."]

because of his service heretofore in the Dutch warr which I am confident
is by some strong obligations he hath laid upon Mr. Coventry; for Mr.
Coventry must needs know that he is a man of very mean parts, but only
a bred seaman: Going home in coach with Sir W. Batten he told me how Sir
J. Minnes by the means of Sir R. Ford was the last night brought to his
house and did discover the reason of his so long discontent with him,
and now they are friends again, which I am sorry for, but he told it me
so plainly that I see there is no thorough understanding between them,
nor love, and so I hope there will be no great combination in any thing,
nor do I see Sir J. Minnes very fond as he used to be. But: Sir W.
Batten do raffle still against Mr. Turner and his wife, telling me he
is a false fellow, and his wife a false woman, and has rotten teeth
and false, set in with wire, and as I know they are so, so I am glad
he finds it so. To the Coffee-house, and thence to the 'Change, and
therewith Sir W. Warren to the Coffee-house behind the 'Change, and sat
alone with him till 4 o'clock talking of his businesses first and then
of business in general, and discourse how I might get money and how to
carry myself to advantage to contract no envy and yet make the world
see my pains; which was with great content to me, and a good friend and
helpe I am like to find him, for which God be thanked! So home to dinner
at 4 o'clock, and then to the office, and there late, and so home to
supper and to bed, having sat up till past twelve at night to look over
the accoun