[The Prince de Ligne had no niece, and probably Pepys has made some
     mistake in the name.  Charles at one time made an offer of marriage
     to Mazarin’s niece, Hortense Mancini.]

and that he hath two sons already by her:  which I am sorry to hear; but yet am gladder that it should be so, than that the Duke of York and his family should come to the crown, he being a professed friend to the Catholiques.

19th.  By coach to Whitehall with Colonel Slingsby (carrying Mrs. Turner with us) and there he and I up into the house, where we met with Sir G. Carteret:  who afterwards, with the Duke of York, my Lord Sandwich, and others, went into a private room to consult:  and we were a little troubled that we were not called in with the rest.  But I do believe it was upon something very private.  We staid walking in the gallery; where we met with Mr. Slingsby, that was formerly a, great friend of Mons. Blondeau, who showed me the stamps of the King’s new coyne; which is strange to see, how good they are in the stamp and bad in the money, for lack of skill to make them.  But he says Blondeau will shortly come over, and then we shall have it better, and the best in the world.

[Peter Blondeau, medallist, was invited to London from Paris in 1649, and appointed by the Council of State to coin their money; but the moneyers succeeded in driving him out of the country.  Soon after the Restoration he returned, and was appointed engineer to the mint.]

The Comptroller and I to the Commissioners of Parliament, and after some talk away again and to drink a cup of ale.  He tells me, he is sure that the King is not yet married, as it is said; nor that it is known who he will have.  To my Lord’s and found him dined, and so I lost my dinner, but I staid and played with him and Mr. Child, &c., some things of four parts, and so it raining hard and bitter cold (the first winter day we have yet had this winter), I took coach home and spent the evening in reading of a Latin play, the “Naufragium Joculare.”  And so to bed.

20th.  All the morning at the office, dined at home and my brother Tom with me, who brought me a pair of fine slippers which he gave me.  By and by comes little Luellin and friend to see me, and then my coz Stradwick, who was never here before.  With them I drank a bottle of wine or two, and to the office again, and there staid about business late, and then all of us to Sir W. Pen’s, where we had, and my Lady Batten, Mrs. Martha, and my wife, and other company, a good supper, and sat playing at cards and talking till 12 at night, and so all to our lodgings.

21st.  To Westminster by coach with Sir W. Pen, and in our way saw the city begin to build scaffolds against the Coronacion.  To my Lord, and there found him out of doors.  So to the Hall and called for some caps that I have a making there, and here met with Mr. Hawley, and with him to Will’s and drank, and then by coach with Mr. Langley our old friend into the city.  I set him down by the way, and I home and there staid all day within, having found Mr. Moore, who staid with me till late at night talking and reading some good books.  Then he went away, and I to bed.