down; which they do not like. That
Harry Coventry was scolded at by the King severely the other day; and
that his answer was that, if he must not speak what he thought in this
business in Parliament, he must not come thither. And he says that by
this very business Harry Coventry hath got more fame and common esteem
than any gentleman in England hath at this day, and is an excellent and
able person. That the King, who not long ago did say of Bristoll, that
he was a man able in three years to get himself a fortune in any kingdom
in the world, and lose all again in three months, do now hug him, and
commend his parts every where, above all the world. How fickle is
this man [the King], and how unhappy we like to be! That he fears some
furious courses will be taken against the Duke of York; and that he hath
heard that it was designed, if they cannot carry matters against the
Chancellor, to impeach the Duke of York himself, which God forbid! That
Sir Edward Nicholas, whom he served while Secretary, is one of the best
men in the world, but hated by the Queen-Mother, for a service he did
the old King against her mind and her favourites; and that she and my
Lady Castlemayne did make the King to lay him aside: but this man says
that he is one of the most perfect heavenly and charitable men in
the whole world. That the House of Commons resolve to stand by their
proceedings, and have chosen a Committee to draw up the reasons thereof
to carry to the Lords; which is likely to breed great heat between
them. That the Parliament, after all this, is likely to give the King
no money; and, therefore, that it is to be wondered what makes the King
give way to so great extravagancies, which do all tend to the making him
less than he is, and so will, every day more and more: and by this means
every creature is divided against the other, that there never was so
great an uncertainty in England, of what would, be the event of things,
as at this day; nobody being at ease, or safe. Being full of his
discourse, and glad of the rencontre, I to White Hall; and there got
into the theater-room, and there heard both the vocall and instrumentall
musick, where the little fellow' stood keeping time; but for my part,
I see no great matter, but quite the contrary in both sorts of musique.
The composition I believe is very good, but no more of delightfulness to
the eare or understanding but what is very ordinary. Here was the King
and Queen, and some of the ladi