n order to some business with Sir J. Minnes about his accounts, this
afternoon I took him to the Treasury office, where Sir John and I
did stay late paying some money to the men that are saved out of the
Satisfaction that was lost the other day. The King gives them half-pay,
which is more than is used in such cases, for they never used to have
any thing, and yet the men were most outrageously discontented, and
did rail and curse us till I was troubled to hear it, and wished myself
unconcerned therein. Mr. Creede seeing us engaged took leave of us. Here
late, and so home, and at the office set down my journey-journall to
this hour, and so shut up my book, giving God thanks for my good success
therein, and so home, and to supper, and to bed. I hear Mr. Moore is in
a way of recovery. Sir H. Bennet made Secretary of State in Sir Edward
Nicholas's stead; not known whether by consent or not. My brother Tom
and Cooke are come to town I hear this morning, and he sends me word
that his mistress's mother is also come to treat with us about her
daughter's portion and her jointure, which I am willing should be out of
Sturtlow lands.
17th. This morning Tom comes to me, and I advise him how to deal with
his mistress's mother about his giving her a joynture, but I intend to
speak with her shortly, and tell her my mind. Then to my Lord Sandwich
by water, and told him how well things do go in the country with me, of
which he was very glad, and seems to concern himself much for me. Thence
with Mr. Creed to Westminster Hall, and by and by thither comes Captn.
Ferrers, upon my sending for him, and we three to Creed's chamber, and
there sat a good while and drank chocolate. Here I am told how things
go at Court; that the young men get uppermost, and the old serious lords
are out of favour; that Sir H. Bennet, being brought into Sir Edward
Nicholas's place, Sir Charles Barkeley is made Privy Purse; a most
vicious person, and one whom Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, to-day (at which I
laugh to myself), did tell me that he offered his wife L300 per annum to
be his mistress. He also told me that none in Court hath more the
King's ear now than Sir Charles Barkeley, and Sir H. Bennet, and my
Lady Castlemaine, whose interest is now as great as ever and that Mrs.
Haslerigge, the great beauty, is got with child, and now brought to bed,
and lays it to the King or the Duke of York.
[The child was owned by neither of the royal brothers.--B.]
He tell
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