for the King’s person, when he knew that all England declared for a free parliament, and departed from Holland without order, as soon as he understood that there was nothing that could longer oppose the re- establishment of monarchal government, with a design to crave letters of recommendation to General Monk.  This lord considered him, as well because of the birth of his wife, which is illustrious, as because Downing had expressed some respect for him in a time when that eminent person could not yet discover his intentions.  He had his letters when he arrived at midnight at the house of the Spanish Embassador, as we have said.  He presented them forthwith to the King, who arose from table a while after, read the letters, receiv’d the submissions of Downing, and granted him the pardon and grace which he asked for him to whom he could deny nothing.  Some daies after the King knighted him, and would it should be believed, that the strong aversions which this minister of the Protector had made appear against him on all occasions, and with all sorts of persons indifferently, even a few daies before the publick and general declaration of all England, proceeded not from any evil intention, but only from a deep dissimulation, wherewith he was constrained to cover his true sentiments, for fear to prejudice the affairs of his Majesty.”—­Sir William Lowers Relation . . . of the Voiage and Residence which . . .  Charles the ii. hath made in Holland, Hague, 1660, folio, pp. 72-73.]

By the same token he called me to him when I was going to write the order, to tell me that I must write him Sir G. Downing.  My Lord lay in the roundhouse to-night.  This evening I was late writing a French letter myself by my Lord’s order to Monsieur Kragh, Embassador de Denmarke a la Haye, which my Lord signed in bed.  After that I to bed, and the Doctor, and sleep well.

23rd.  The Doctor and I waked very merry, only my eye was very red and ill in the morning from yesterday’s hurt.  In the morning came infinity of people on board from the King to go along with him.  My Lord, Mr. Crew, and others, go on shore to meet the King as he comes off from shore, where Sir R. Stayner bringing His Majesty into the boat, I hear that His Majesty did with a great deal of affection kiss my Lord upon his first meeting.  The King, with the two Dukes and Queen of Bohemia, Princess Royal, and Prince of Orange, came on board, where I in their coming in kissed the King’s, Queen’s, and Princess’s hands, having done the other before.  Infinite shooting off of the guns, and that in a disorder on purpose, which was better than if it had been otherwise.  All day nothing but Lords and persons of honour on board, that we were exceeding full.  Dined in a great deal of state, the Royall company by themselves in the coach, which was a blessed sight to see.  I dined with Dr. Clerke, Dr. Quarterman, and Mr. Darcy in my cabin.  This morning Mr. Lucy came on board, to whom and his company of the King’s