25th. All the morning about my Lord's character. Dined to-day with
Captain Clerke on board the Speaker (a very brave ship) where was the
Vice-Admiral, Rear-Admiral, and many other commanders. After dinner home,
not a little contented to see how I am treated, and with what respect made
a fellow to the best commanders in the Fleet. All the afternoon finishing
of the character, which I did and gave it my Lord, it being very
handsomely done and a very good one in itself, but that not truly
Alphabetical. Supped with Mr. Sheply, W. Howe, &c. in Mr. Pierce, the
Purser's cabin, where very merry, and so to bed. Captain Isham came
hither to-day.

26th. This day came Mr. Donne back from London, who brought letters with
him that signify the meeting of the Parliament yesterday. And in the
afternoon by other letters I hear, that about twelve of the Lords met and
had chosen my Lord of Manchester' Speaker of the House of Lords (the young
Lords that never sat yet, do forbear to sit for the present); and Sir
Harbottle Grimstone, Speaker for the House of Commons. The House of Lords
sent to have a conference with the House of Commons, which, after a little
debate, was granted. Dr. Reynolds' preached before the Commons before
they sat. My Lord told me how Sir H. Yelverton (formerly my
school-fellow) was chosen in the first place for Northamptonshire and Mr.
Crew in the second. And told me how he did believe that the Cavaliers
have now the upper hand clear of the Presbyterians. All the afternoon I
was writing of letters, among the rest one to W. Simons, Peter Luellin and
Tom Doling, which because it is somewhat merry I keep a copy of. After
that done Mr. Sheply, W. Howe and I down with J. Goods into my Lord's
storeroom of wine and other drink, where it was very pleasant to observe
the massy timbers that the ship is made of. We in the room were wholly
under water and yet a deck below that. After that to supper, where Tom