ly. Sir J. Lawson is
come to Greenwich; but his wound in his knee yet very bad. Jonas Poole,
in the Vantguard, did basely, so as to be, or will be, turned out of his
ship. Captain Holmes

[Captain Robert Holmes (afterwards knighted). Sir William Coventry,
in a letter to Lord Arlington (dated from "The Royal Charles,"
Southwold Bay, June 13th), writes: "Capt. Holmes asked to be rear
admiral of the white squadron in place of Sansum who was killed, but
the Duke gave the place to Captain Harman, on which he delivered up
his commission, which the Duke received, and put Captain Langhorne
in his stead" ("Calendar of State Papers," Domestic, 1664-65, p.
423).]

expecting upon Sansum's death to be made Rear-admirall to the Prince
(but Harman is

[John Harman, afterwards knighted. He had served with great
reputation in several naval fights, and was desperately wounded in
1673, while]

put in) hath delivered up to the Duke his commission, which the Duke
took and tore. He, it seems, had bid the Prince, who first told him of
Holmes's intention, that he should dissuade him from it; for that he
was resolved to take it if he offered it. Yet Holmes would do it, like
a rash, proud coxcombe. But he is rich, and hath, it seems, sought an
occasion of leaving the service. Several of our captains have done ill.
The great ships are the ships do the business, they quite deadening the
enemy. They run away upon sight of "The Prince."

["The Prince" was Lord Sandwich's ship; the captain was Roger
Cuttance. It was put up at Chatham for repair at this date.]

It is strange to see how people do already slight Sir William Barkeley,

[Sir William Berkeley, see note, vol. iii., p. 334. His behaviour
after the death of his brother, Lord Falmouth, is severely commented
on in "Poems on State Affairs," vol. i., p. 29

"Berkeley had heard it soon, and thought not good
To venture more of royal Harding's blood;
To be immortal he was not of age,
And did e'en now the Indian Prize presage;
And judged it safe and decent, cost what cost,
To lose the day, since his dear brother's lost.
With his whole squadron straight away he bore,
And, like good boy, promised to fight no more."--B.]

my Lord FitzHarding's brother, who, three months since, was the deligh