worse and worse, and broke up with the most open shame again to him, and high words to him of disgrace that they would not trust him with any more money till he had given an account of this.  So broke up.  Then he took occasion to desire me to step aside, and he and I by water to London together.  In the way, of his owne accord, he proposed to me that he would surrender his place of Treasurer’ to me to have half the profit.  The thing is new to me; but the more I think the more I like it, and do put him upon getting it done by the Duke.  Whether it takes or no I care not, but I think at present it may have some convenience in it.  Home, and there find my wife come home and gone to bed, of a cold got yesterday by water.  At the office Bellamy come to me again, and I am in hopes something may be got by his business.  So late home to supper and bed.

18th.  Up and to the office, where all the morning.  At noon to the ’Change, and took Mr. Hill along with me to Mr. Povy’s, where we dined, and shewed him the house to his good content, and I expect when we meet we shall laugh at it.  But I having business to stay, he went away, and Povy and Creed and I to do some business upon Povy’s accounts all the afternoon till late at night, where, God help him! never man was so confounded, and all his people about him in this world as he and his are.  After we had done something [to the] purpose we broke up, and Povy acquainted me before Creed (having said something of it also this morning at our office to me) what he had done in speaking to the Duke and others about his making me Treasurer, and has carried it a great way, so as I think it cannot well be set back.  Creed, I perceive, envies me in it, but I think as that will do me no hurte, so if it did I am at a great losse to think whether it were not best for me to let it wholly alone, for it will much disquiett me and my business of the Navy, which in this warr will certainly be worth all my time to me.  Home, continuing in this doubtfull condition what to think of it, but God Almighty do his will in it for the best.  To my office, where late, and then home to supper and to bed.

19th (Lord’s day).  Mr. Povy sent his coach for me betimes, and I to him, and there to our great trouble do find that my Lord FitzHarding do appear for Mr. Brunkard

[Henry Brouncker, younger brother of William, Viscount Brouncker, President of the Royal Society.  He was Groom of the Bedchamber to the Duke of York, and succeeded to the office of Cofferer on the death of William Ashburnham in 1671.  His character was bad, and his conduct in the sea-fight of 1665 was impugned.  He was expelled from the House of Commons, but succeeded to his brother’s title in 1684.  He died in January, 1687.]

to be Paymaster upon Povy’s going out, by a former promise of the Duke’s, and offering to give as much as any for it.  This put us all into a great dumpe, and so we went to Creed’s new