strange, Howard sent one challenge, but they could not meet, and then
another, and did meet yesterday at the old Pall Mall at St. James's, and
would not to the last tell Jermyn what the quarrel was; nor do any body
know. The Court is much concerned in this fray, and I am glad of it;
hoping that it will cause some good laws against it. After sitting, Sir
G. Carteret and I walked a good while in the garden, who told me that Sir
W. Batten had made his complaint to him that some of us had a mind to do
him a bad turn, but I do not see that Sir George is concerned for him at
all, but rather against him. He professes all love to me, and did tell me
how he had spoke of me to my Lord Chancellor, and that if my Lord Sandwich
would ask my Lord Chancellor, he should know what he had said of me to him
to my advantage, of which I am very glad, and do not doubt that all things
will grow better and better every day for me. Dined at home alone, then
to my office, and there till late at night doing business, and so home,
eat a bit, and to bed.

20th. Up early, and to my office, and thence to my Lord Sandwich, whom I
found in bed, and he sent for me in. Among other talk, he do tell me that
he hath put me into commission with a great many great persons in the
business of Tangier, which is a very great honour to me, and may be of
good concernment to me. By and by comes in Mr. Coventry to us, whom my
Lord tells that he is also put into the commission, and that I am there,
of which he said he was glad; and did tell my Lord that I was indeed the
life of this office, and much more to my commendation beyond measure. And
that, whereas before he did bear me respect for his sake, he do do it now
much more for my own; which is a great blessing to me. Sir G. Carteret
having told me what he did yesterday concerning his speaking to my Lord
Chancellor about me. So that on all hands, by God's blessing, I find
myself a very rising man. By and by comes my Lord Peterborough in, with
whom we talked a good while, and he is going tomorrow towards Tangier