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then (and to my grief did see the poor wretch look on me and see me look
on her, and then let drop a tear or two, which do make my heart relent at
this minute that I am writing this with great trouble of mind, for she is
indeed my sacrifice, poor girle); and my wife did tell me in bed by the
by of my looking on other people, and that the only way is to put things
out of sight, and this I know she means by Deb., for she tells me that
her Aunt was here on Monday, and she did tell her of her desire of
parting with Deb., but in such kind terms on both sides that my wife is
mightily taken with her. I see it will be, and it is but necessary, and
therefore, though it cannot but grieve me, yet I must bring my mind to
give way to it. We had a great deal of do this day at the Office about
Clutterbucke,--[See note to February 4th, 1663-64]--I declaring my
dissent against the whole Board's proceedings, and I believe I shall go
near to shew W. Pen a very knave in it, whatever I find my Lord
Brouncker.
4th. Up, and by coach to White Hall; and there I find the King and Duke
of York come the last night, and every body's mouth full of my Lord
Anglesey's suspension being sealed; which it was, it seems, yesterday;
so that he is prevented in his remedy at the Council; and, it seems, the
two new Treasurers did kiss the King's hand this morning, brought in by
my Lord Arlington. They walked up and down together the Court this day,
and several people joyed them; but I avoided it, that I might not be seen
to look either way. This day also I hear that my Lord Ormond is to be
declared in Council no more Deputy Governor of Ireland, his commission
being expired: and the King is prevailed with to take it out of his
hands; which people do mightily admire, saying that he is the greatest
subject of any prince in Christendome, and hath more acres of land than
any, and hath done more for his Prince than ever any yet did. But all
will not do; he must down, it seems, the Duke of Buckingham carrying all
before him. But that, that troubles me most is, that they begin to talk
that the Duke of York's regiment is ordered to be disbanded; and more,
that undoubtedly his Admiralty will follow: which do shake me mightily,
and I fear will have ill consequences in the nation, for these counsels
are very mad. The Duke of York do, by all men's report, carry himself
wonderfull submissive to the King, in the most humble manner in the
world; but yet, it seems, nothing must be spared that tends to, the
keeping out of the Chancellor; and that is the reason of all this. The
great discourse now is, that the Parliament shall be dissolved and
another called, which shall give the King the Deane and Chapter lands;
and that will put him out of debt. And it is said that Buckingham do
knownly meet daily with Wildman and other Commonwealth-men; and that when
he is with them, he makes the King believe that he is with his wenches;
and something looks like the Parliament's being dissolved, by Harry
Brouncker's being now come back, and appears this day the first day at
White Hall; but hath not been yet with the King, but is secure that he
shall be well received, I hear. God bless us, when such men as he shall
be restored! But that, that pleases me most is, that several do tell me
that Pen is to be removed; and others, that he hath resigned his place;
and particularly Spragg tells me for certain that he hath resigned it,
and is become a partner with Gawden in the Victualling: in which I think
he hath done a very cunning thing; but I am sure I am glad of it; and it
will be well for the King to have him out of this Office. Thence by
coach, doing several errands, home and there to dinner, and then to the
Office, where all the afternoon till late at night, and so home. Deb.
hath been abroad to-day with her friends, poor girle, I believe toward
the getting of a place. This day a boy is sent me out of the country
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