to be had of Mr. Daniel and his companion; and
so we parted from him, and then met the Duke [of York], and gave him the
same account: and so broke up, and I left them going to the surgeon's
and I myself by water to the 'Change, and to several people did give
account of the business. So home about four o'clock to dinner, and was
followed by several people to be told the newes, and good newes it is.
God send we may hear a good issue of this day's business! After I
had eat something I walked to Gresham College, where I heard my Lord
Bruncker was, and there got a promise of the receipt of the fine
varnish, which I shall be glad to have. Thence back with Mr. Hooke to
my house and there lent some of my tables of naval matters, the names
of rigging and the timbers about a ship, in order to Dr. Wilkins' book
coming out about the Universal Language. Thence, he being gone, to the
Crown, behind the 'Change, and there supped at the club with my Lord
Bruncker, Sir G. Ent, and others of Gresham College; and all our
discourse is of this fight at sea, and all are doubtful of the successe,
and conclude all had been lost if the Prince had not come in, they
having chased us the greatest part of Saturday and Sunday. Thence with
my Lord Bruncker and Creed by coach to White Hall, where fresh letters
are come from Harwich, where the Gloucester, Captain Clerke, is come in,
and says that on Sunday night upon coming in of the Prince, the Duke did
fly; but all this day they have been fighting; therefore they did face
again, to be sure. Captain Bacon of The Bristoll is killed. They cry
up Jenings of The Ruby, and Saunders of The Sweepstakes. They condemn
mightily Sir Thomas Teddiman for a coward, but with what reason time
must shew. Having heard all this Creed and I walked into the Parke
till 9 or 10 at night, it being fine moonshine, discoursing of the
unhappinesse of our fleete, what it would have been if the Prince
had not come in, how much the Duke hath failed of what he was so
presumptuous of, how little we deserve of God Almighty to give us better
fortune, how much this excuses all that was imputed to my Lord Sandwich,
and how much more he is a man fit to be trusted with all those matters
than those that now command, who act by nor with any advice, but rashly
and without any order. How bad we are at intelligence that should give
the Prince no sooner notice of any thing but let him come to Dover
without notice of any fight, or where the fleete