so that one of their swords went up to the hilt against it.  They had horses ready, and are fled.  But what is most strange, Howard sent one challenge, but they could not meet, and then another, and did meet yesterday at the old Pall Mall at St. James’s, and would not to the last tell Jermyn what the quarrel was; nor do any body know.  The Court is much concerned in this fray, and I am glad of it; hoping that it will cause some good laws against it.  After sitting, Sir G. Carteret and I walked a good while in the garden, who told me that Sir W. Batten had made his complaint to him that some of us had a mind to do him a bad turn, but I do not see that Sir George is concerned for him at all, but rather against him.  He professes all love to me, and did tell me how he had spoke of me to my Lord Chancellor, and that if my Lord Sandwich would ask my Lord Chancellor, he should know what he had said of me to him to my advantage, of which I am very glad, and do not doubt that all things will grow better and better every day for me.  Dined at home alone, then to my office, and there till late at night doing business, and so home, eat a bit, and to bed.

20th.  Up early, and to my office, and thence to my Lord Sandwich, whom I found in bed, and he sent for me in.  Among other talk, he do tell me that he hath put me into commission with a great many great persons in the business of Tangier, which is a very great honour to me, and may be of good concernment to me.  By and by comes in Mr. Coventry to us, whom my Lord tells that he is also put into the commission, and that I am there, of which he said he was glad; and did tell my Lord that I was indeed the life of this office, and much more to my commendation beyond measure.  And that, whereas before he did bear me respect for his sake, he do do it now much more for my own; which is a great blessing to me.  Sir G. Carteret having told me what he did yesterday concerning his speaking to my Lord Chancellor about me.  So that on all hands, by God’s blessing, I find myself a very rising man.  By and by comes my Lord Peterborough in, with whom we talked a good while, and he is going tomorrow towards Tangier again.  I perceive there is yet good hopes of peace with Guyland,—­[A Moorish usurper, who had put himself at the head of an army for the purpose of attacking Tangier.—­B.]—­which is of great concernment to Tangier.  And many other things I heard which yet I understand not, and so cannot remember.  My Lord and Lord Peterborough going out to the Solicitor General about the drawing up of this Commission, I went to Westminster Hall with Mr. Moore, and there meeting Mr. Townsend, he would needs take me to Fleet Street, to one Mr. Barwell, squire sadler to the King, and there we and several other Wardrobe-men dined.  We had a venison pasty, and other good plain and handsome dishes; the mistress of the house a pretty, well-carriaged woman, and a fine hand she hath; and her maid a pretty brown lass.