he was sent to Spain as ambassador to get him honourably out of the
way (see post, December 6th).]

But, for all this, the King is most firme to my Lord, and so is my Lord
Chancellor, and my Lord Arlington. The Prince, in appearance, kind; the
Duke of Yorke silent, says no hurt; but admits others to say it in his
hearing. Sir W. Pen, the falsest rascal that ever was in the world; and
that this afternoon the Duke of Albemarle did tell him that Pen was
a very cowardly rogue, and one that hath brought all these rogueish
fanatick Captains into the fleete, and swears he should never go out
with the fleete again. That Sir W. Coventry is most kind to Pen still;
and says nothing nor do any thing openly to the prejudice of my Lord. He
agrees with me, that it is impossible for the King [to] set out a fleete
again the next year; and that he fears all will come to ruine, there
being no money in prospect but these prizes, which will bring, it may
be, L20,000, but that will signify nothing in the world for it. That
this late Act of Parliament for bringing the money into the Exchequer,
and making of it payable out there, intended as a prejudice to him and
will be his convenience hereafter and ruine the King's business, and
so I fear it will and do wonder Sir W. Coventry would be led by Sir G.
Downing to persuade the King and Duke to have it so, before they had
thoroughly weighed all circumstances; that for my Lord, the King has
said to him lately that I was an excellent officer, and that my Lord
Chancellor do, he thinks, love and esteem of me as well as he do of any
man in England that he hath no more acquaintance with. So having done
and received from me the sad newes that we are like to have no money
here a great while, not even of the very prizes, I set up my rest

[The phrase "set up my rest" is a metaphor from the once fashionable
game of Primero, meaning, to stand upon the cards you have in your
hand, in hopes they may prove better than those of your adversary.
Hence, to make up your mind, to be determined (see Nares's
"Glossary").]

in giving up the King's service to be ruined and so in to supper, where
pretty merry, and after supper late to Mr. Glanville's, and Sir G.
Carteret to bed. I also to bed, it being very late.

7th. Up, and to Sir G. Carteret, and with him, he being very passionate
to be gone, without staying a minute for breakfast, to the Duke of
Albemarle's and I with him by water