Diary, May 1660 | Page 8

a gentleman with me, an officer of Dunkirk going
over, who came to me for an order and told me he was lately with my
uncle and Aunt Fenner and that Kate's fits of the convulsions did hold
her still. It fell very well to-day, a stranger preached here for Mr. Ibbot,
one Mr. Stanley, who prayed for King Charles, by the Grace of God,
&c., which gave great contentment to the gentlemen that were on board
here, and they said they would talk of it, when they come to Breda, as
not having it done yet in London so publickly. After they were gone
from on board, my Lord writ a letter to the King and give it to me to
carry privately to Sir William Compton' on board the Assistance, which
I did, and after a health to his Majesty on board there, I left them under
sail for Breda. Back again and found them at sermon. I went up to my
cabin and looked over my accounts, and find that, all my debts paid and
my preparations to sea paid for, I have L640 clear in my purse. After
supper to bed.

7th. This morning Captain Cuttance sent me 12 bottles of Margate ale.
Three of them I drank presently with some friends in the Coach. My
Lord went this morning about the flag-ships in a boat, to see what
alterations there must be, as to the arms and flags. He did give me order
also to write for silk flags and scarlett waistcloathes.
[Waist-cloths are the painted canvas coverings of the hammocks which
are stowed in the waist-nettings.]
For a rich barge; for a noise of trumpets,
[A set or company of musicians, an expression constantly used by old
writers without any disparaging meaning. It is sometimes applied to
voices as well as to instruments.]
and a set of fidlers. Very great deal of company come today, among
others Mr. Bellasses, Sir Thomas Lenthropp, Sir Henry Chichley,

Colonel Philip Honiwood, and Captain Titus, the last of whom my
Lord showed all our cabins, and I suppose he is to take notice what
room there will be for the King's entertainment. Here were also all the
Jurates of the town of Dover come to give my Lord a visit, and after
dinner all went away. I could not but observe that the Vice-Admiral
after dinner came into the great cabin below, where the Jurates and I
and the commanders for want of room dined, and there told us we must
drink a health to the King, and himself called for a bottle of wine, and
begun his and the Duke of York's. In the afternoon I lost 5s. at ninepins.
After supper musique, and to bed. Having also among us at the Coach
table wrote a letter to the French ambassador, in French, about the
release of a ship we had taken. After I was in bed Mr. Sheply and W.
Howe came and sat in my cabin, where I gave them three bottles of
Margate ale, and sat laughing and very merry, till almost one o'clock in
the morning, and so good night.

8th. All the morning busy. After dinner come several persons of honour,
as my Lord St. John and others, for convoy to Flushing, and great
giving of them salutes. My Lord and we at nine-pins: I lost 9s. While
we were at play Mr. Cook brings me word of my wife. He went to
Huntsmore to see her, and brought her and my father Bowyer to
London, where he left her at my father's, very well, and speaks very
well of her love to me. My letters to-day tell me how it was intended
that the King should be proclaimed to-day in London, with a great deal
of pomp. I had also news who they are that are chosen of the Lords and
Commons to attend the King. And also the whole story of what we did
the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King's declaration, and my
name at the bottom of it. After supper some musique and to bed. I
resolving to rise betimes to- morrow to write letters to London.

9th. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two
Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord
do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and
promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carried this
morning to Sir Peter Killigrew,
[Sir Peter Killigrew, Knight, of Arwenack, Cornwall, was known as
"Peter the Post," from the alacrity with which he despatched "like wild

fire" all the messages and other commissions entrusted to him in the
King's cause. His son Peter,