of the way, while Sir J. Lawson himself was upon the
deck, to the endangering of the whole fleete.
It therefore troubles my Lord that Mr. Coventry should
not mention a word of him in his relation. I
did, in answer, offer that I was sure the relation
was not compiled by Mr. Coventry, but by L’Estrange,
out of several letters, as I could witness; and that
Mr. Coventry’s letter that he did give the Duke
of Albemarle did give him as much right as the Prince,
for I myself read it first and then copied it out,
which I promised to show my Lord, with which he was
somewhat satisfied. From that discourse my Lord
did begin to tell me how much he was concerned to
dispose of his children, and would have my advice and
help; and propounded to match my Lady Jemimah to Sir
G. Carteret’s eldest son, which I approved of,
and did undertake the speaking with him about it as
from myself, which my Lord liked. So parted,
with my head full of care about this business.
Thence home to the ’Change, and so to dinner,
and thence by coach to Mr. Povy’s. Thence
by appointment with him and Creed to one Mr. Finch;
one of the Commissioners for the Excise, to be informed
about some things of the Excise, in order to our settling
matters therein better for us for our Tangier business.
I find him a very discreet, grave person. Thence
well satisfied I and Creed to Mr. Fox at White Hall
to speak with him about the same matter, and having
some pretty satisfaction from him also, he and I took
boat and to Fox Hall, where we spent two or three hours
talking of several matters very soberly and contentfully
to me, which, with the ayre and pleasure of the garden,
was a great refreshment to me, and, ’methinks,
that which we ought to joy ourselves in. Thence
back to White Hall, where we parted, and I to find
my Lord to receive his farther direction about his
proposal this morning. Wherein I did that I should
first by another hand break my intentions to Sir G.
Carteret. I pitched upon Dr. Clerke, which my
Lord liked, and so I endeavoured but in vain to find
him out to-night. So home by hackney-coach,
which is become a very dangerous passage now-a-days,
the sickness increasing mightily, and to bed.
24th (Midsummer-day). Up very betimes, by six,
and at Dr. Clerke’s at Westminster by 7 of the
clock, having over night by a note acquainted him
with my intention of coming, and there I, in the best
manner I could, broke my errand about a match between
Sir G. Carteret’s eldest son and my Lord Sandwich’s
eldest daughter, which he (as I knew he would) took
with great content: and we both agreed that my
Lord and he, being both men relating to the sea, under
a kind aspect of His Majesty, already good friends,
and both virtuous and good familys, their allyance
might be of good use to us; and he did undertake to
find out Sir George this morning, and put the business
in execution. So being both well pleased with
the proposition, I saw his niece there and made her
sing me two or three songs very prettily, and so home