which I did, and he gave it him himself.  A very pleasant afternoon, and I upon the deck all the day, it was so clear that my Lord’s glass shewed us Calais very plain, and the cliffs were as plain to be seen as Kent, and my Lord at first made me believe that it was Kent.  At night, after supper, my Lord called for the Rear-Admiral’s commission, which I brought him, and I sitting in my study heard my Lord discourse with him concerning D. King’s and Newberry’s being put out of commission.  And by the way I did observe that my Lord did speak more openly his mind to me afterwards at night than I can find that he did to the Rear-Admiral, though his great confidant.  For I was with him an hour together, when he told me clearly his thoughts that the King would carry it, and that he did think himself very happy that he was now at sea, as well for his own sake, as that he thought he might do his country some service in keeping things quiet.  To bed, and shifting myself from top to toe, there being J. Goods and W. Howe sat late by my bedside talking.  So to sleep, every day bringing me a fresh sense of the pleasure of my present life.

18th.  This morning very early came Mr. Edward Montagu on board, but what was the business of his coming again or before without any servant and making no stay at all I cannot guess.  This day Sir R. Stayner, Mr. Sheply, and as many of my Lord’s people as could be spared went to Dover to get things ready against to-morrow for the election there.  I all the afternoon dictating in my cabin (my own head being troubled with multiplicity of business) to Burr, who wrote for me above a dozen letters, by which I have made my mind more light and clear than I have had it yet since I came on board.  At night sent a packet to London, and Mr. Cook returned hence bringing me this news, that the Sectaries do talk high what they will do, but I believe all to no purpose, but the Cavaliers are something unwise to talk so high on the other side as they do.  That the Lords do meet every day at my Lord of Manchester’s, and resolve to sit the first day of the Parliament.  That it is evident now that the General and the Council do resolve to make way for the King’s coming.  And it is now clear that either the Fanatiques must now be undone, or the gentry and citizens throughout England, and clergy must fall, in spite of their militia and army, which is not at all possible I think.  At night I supped with W. Howe and Mr. Luellin (being the first time that I had been so long with him) in the great cabin below.  After that to bed, and W. Howe sat by my bedside, and he and I sang a psalm or two and so I to sleep.

19th.  A great deal of business all this day, and Burr being gone to shore without my leave did vex me much.  At dinner news was brought us that my Lord was chosen at Dover.  This afternoon came one Mr. Mansell on board as a Reformado, to whom my Lord did shew exceeding great respect, but upon what account I do not yet know.  This day it has rained much, so that when I came to go to bed I found it wet through, so I was fain to wrap myself up in a dry sheet, and so lay all night.