25th.  All the morning about my Lord’s character.  Dined to-day with Captain Clerke on board the Speaker (a very brave ship) where was the Vice-Admiral, Rear-Admiral, and many other commanders.  After dinner home, not a little contented to see how I am treated, and with what respect made a fellow to the best commanders in the Fleet.  All the afternoon finishing of the character, which I did and gave it my Lord, it being very handsomely done and a very good one in itself, but that not truly Alphabetical.  Supped with Mr. Sheply, W. Howe, &c. in Mr. Pierce, the Purser’s cabin, where very merry, and so to bed.  Captain Isham came hither to-day.

26th.  This day came Mr. Donne back from London, who brought letters with him that signify the meeting of the Parliament yesterday.  And in the afternoon by other letters I hear, that about twelve of the Lords met and had chosen my Lord of Manchester’ Speaker of the House of Lords (the young Lords that never sat yet, do forbear to sit for the present); and Sir Harbottle Grimstone, Speaker for the House of Commons.  The House of Lords sent to have a conference with the House of Commons, which, after a little debate, was granted.  Dr. Reynolds’ preached before the Commons before they sat.  My Lord told me how Sir H. Yelverton (formerly my school-fellow) was chosen in the first place for Northamptonshire and Mr. Crew in the second.  And told me how he did believe that the Cavaliers have now the upper hand clear of the Presbyterians.  All the afternoon I was writing of letters, among the rest one to W. Simons, Peter Luellin and Tom Doling, which because it is somewhat merry I keep a copy of.  After that done Mr. Sheply, W. Howe and I down with J. Goods into my Lord’s storeroom of wine and other drink, where it was very pleasant to observe the massy timbers that the ship is made of.  We in the room were wholly under water and yet a deck below that.  After that to supper, where Tom Guy supped with us, and we had very good laughing, and after that some musique, where Mr. Pickering beginning to play a bass part upon the viall did it so like a fool that I was ashamed of him.  After that to bed.

27th.  This morning Burr was absent again from on board, which I was troubled at, and spoke to Mr. Pierce, Purser, to speak to him of it, and it is my mind.  This morning Pim [the tailor] spent in my cabin, putting a great many ribbons to a suit.  After dinner in the afternoon came on board Sir Thomas Hatton and Sir R. Maleverer going for Flushing; but all the world know that they go where the rest of the many gentlemen go that every day flock to the King at Breda.

[The King arrived at Breda on the 14th April.  Sir W. Lower writes ("Voiage and Residence of Charles ii. in Holland,” p. 5):  “Many considerations obliged him to depart the territories under the obedience of the King of Spain in this conjuncture of affairs.”]

They supped here, and my Lord treated them as he do