n
to Woolwich, but seeing I could not get back time enough to dinner,
I returned and home. Whither by and by the dancing-master' came, whom
standing by, seeing him instructing my wife, when he had done with her,
he would needs have me try the steps of a coranto, and what with his
desire and my wife's importunity, I did begin, and then was obliged to
give him entry-money 10s., and am become his scholler. The truth is, I
think it a thing very useful for a gentleman, and sometimes I may have
occasion of using it, and though it cost me what I am heartily sorry
it should, besides that I must by my oath give half as much more to the
poor, yet I am resolved to get it up some other way, and then it will
not be above a month or two in a year. So though it be against my
stomach yet I will try it a little while; if I see it comes to any great
inconvenience or charge I will fling it off. After I had begun with the
steps of half a coranto, which I think I shall learn well enough, he
went away, and we to dinner, and by and by out by coach, and set my wife
down at my Lord Crew's, going to see my Lady Jem. Montagu, who is lately
come to town, and I to St. James's; where Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen and
I staid a good while for the Duke's coming in, but not coming, we walked
to White Hall; and meeting the King, we followed him into the Park,
where Mr. Coventry and he talked of building a new yacht, which the
King is resolved to have built out of his privy purse, he having some
contrivance of his own. The talk being done, we fell off to White Hall,
leaving the King in the Park, and going back, met the Duke going towards
St. James's to meet us. So he turned back again, and to his closett
at White Hall; and there, my Lord Sandwich present, we did our weekly
errand, and so broke up; and I down into the garden with my Lord
Sandwich (after we had sat an hour at the Tangier Committee); and after
talking largely of his own businesses, we begun to talk how matters are
at Court: and though he did not flatly tell me any such thing, yet I do
suspect that all is not kind between the King and the Duke, and that the
King's fondness to the little Duke do occasion it; and it may be that
there is some fear of his being made heir to the Crown. But this my Lord
did not tell me, but is my guess only; and that my Lord Chancellor is
without doubt falling past hopes. He being gone to Chelsey by coach I
to his lodgings, where my wife staid for me, and she from thence