The Vice-Admiral dined with us, and in the afternoon my Lord called me to
give him the commission for him, which I did, and he gave it him himself.
A very pleasant afternoon, and I upon the deck all the day, it was so
clear that my Lord's glass shewed us Calais very plain, and the cliffs
were as plain to be seen as Kent, and my Lord at first made me believe
that it was Kent. At night, after supper, my Lord called for the
Rear-Admiral's commission, which I brought him, and I sitting in my study
heard my Lord discourse with him concerning D. King's and Newberry's being
put out of commission. And by the way I did observe that my Lord did
speak more openly his mind to me afterwards at night than I can find that
he did to the Rear-Admiral, though his great confidant. For I was with
him an hour together, when he told me clearly his thoughts that the King
would carry it, and that he did think himself very happy that he was now
at sea, as well for his own sake, as that he thought he might do his
country some service in keeping things quiet. To bed, and shifting myself
from top to toe, there being J. Goods and W. Howe sat late by my bedside
talking. So to sleep, every day bringing me a fresh sense of the pleasure
of my present life.

18th. This morning very early came Mr. Edward Montagu on board, but what
was the business of his coming again or before without any servant and
making no stay at all I cannot guess. This day Sir R. Stayner, Mr.
Sheply, and as many of my Lord's people as could be spared went to Dover
to get things ready against to-morrow for the election there. I all the
afternoon dictating in my cabin (my own head being troubled with
multiplicity of business) to Burr, who wrote for me above a dozen letters,
by which I have made my mind more light and clear than I have had it yet
since I came on board. At night sent a packet to London, and Mr. Cook
returned hence bringing me this news, that the Sectaries do talk high what