women I ever saw. So home, and at my office a while busy, then to my
uncle Wight's, whither it seems my wife went after sermon and there
supped, but my aunt and uncle in a very ill humour one with another, but I
made shift with much ado to keep them from scolding, and so after supper
home and to bed without prayers, it being cold, and to-morrow washing day.

10th. Up and, it being rainy, in Sir W. Pen's coach to St. James's, and
there did our usual business with the Duke, and more and more preparations
every day appear against the Dutch, and (which I must confess do a little
move my envy) Sir W. Pen do grow every day more and more regarded by the
Duke,

["The duke had decided that the English fleet should consist of
three squadrons to be commanded by himself, Prince Rupert, and Lord
Sandwich, from which arrangement the two last, who were land
admirals; had concluded that Penn would have no concern in this
fleet. Neither the duke, Rupert, nor Sandwich had ever been engaged
in an encounter of fleets . . . . Penn alone of the four was
familiar with all these things. By the duke's unexpected
announcement that he should take Penn with him into his own ship,
Rupert and Sandwich at once discovered that they would be really and
practically under Penn's command in everything."]

because of his service heretofore in the Dutch warr which I am confident
is by some strong obligations he hath laid upon Mr. Coventry; for Mr.
Coventry must needs know that he is a man of very mean parts, but only a
bred seaman: Going home in coach with Sir W. Batten he told me how Sir J.
Minnes by the means of Sir R. Ford was the last night brought to his house
and did discover the reason of his so long discontent with him, and now
they are friends again, which I am sorry for, but he told it me so plainly