there may be some negotiation which may hinder a warr this year, but that
he speaks doubtfully as unwilling I perceive to be thought to discourse
any such thing. The main thing he desired to speake with me about was, to
know whether I do understand my Lord Sandwich's intentions as to going to
sea with this fleete; saying, that the Duke, if he desires it, is most
willing to it; but thinking that twelve ships is not a fleete fit for my
Lord to be troubled to go out with, he is not willing to offer it to him
till he hath some intimations of his mind to go, or not. He spoke this
with very great respect as to my Lord, though methinks it is strange they
should not understand one another better at this time than to need
another's mediation. Thence walked over the Parke to White Hall, Mr. Povy
with me, and was taken in a very great showre in the middle of the Parke
that we were very wet. So up into, the house and with him to the King's
closett, whither by and by the King came, my Lord Sandwich carrying the
sword. A Bishopp preached, but he speaking too low for me to hear behind
the King's closett, I went forth and walked and discoursed with Colonell
Reames, who seems a very willing man to be informed in his business of
canvas, which he is undertaking to strike in with us to serve the Navy.
By and by my Lord Sandwich came forth, and called me to him: and we fell
into discourse a great while about his business, wherein he seems to be
very open with me, and to receive my opinion as he used to do; and I hope
I shall become necessary to him again. He desired me to think of the
fitness, or not, for him to offer himself to go to sea; and to give him my
thoughts in a day or two. Thence after sermon among the ladies on the
Queene's side; where I saw Mrs. Stewart, very fine and pretty, but far
beneath my Lady Castlemayne. Thence with Mr. Povy home to dinner; where
extraordinary cheer. And after dinner up and down to see his house. And
in a word, methinks, for his perspective upon his wall in his garden, and
the springs rising up with the perspective in the little closett; his room
floored above with woods of several colours, like but above the best