releasing Sir W. Coventry; which do put me in some hopes that there may
be, in this absence, some accommodation made between the Duke of York and
the Duke of Buckingham and; Arlington. So home, to supper, and to bed.

21st (Lord's day). Up, and by water over to Southwarke; and then, not
getting a boat, I forced to walk to Stangate; and so over to White Hall,
in a scull; where up to the Duke of York's dressing-room, and there met
Harry Saville, and understand that Sir W. Coventry is come to his house
last night. I understand by Mr. Wren that his friends having, by
Secretary Trevor and my Lord Keeper, applied to the King upon his first
coming home, and a promise made that he should be discharged this day, my
Lord Arlington did anticipate them, by sending a warrant presently for his
discharge which looks a little like kindness, or a desire of it; which God
send! though I fear the contrary: however, my heart is glad that he is
out. Thence up and down the House. Met with Mr. May, who tells me the
story of his being put by Sir John Denham's place, of Surveyor of the
King's Works, who it seems, is lately dead, by the unkindness of the Duke
Buckingham, who hath brought in Dr. Wren: though, he tells me, he hath
been his servant for twenty years together in all his wants and dangers,
saving him from want of bread by his care and management, and with a
promise of having his help in his advancement, and an engagement under his
hand for L1000 not yet paid, and yet the Duke of Buckingham so ungrateful
as to put him by: which is an ill thing, though Dr. Wren is a worthy man.
But he tells me that the King is kind to him, and hath promised him a
pension of L300 a-year out of the Works; which will be of more content to
him than the place, which, under their present wants of money, is a place
that disobliges most people, being not able to do what they desire to
their lodgings. Here meeting with Sir H. Cholmly and Povy, that tell me
that my Lord Middleton is resolved in the Cabal that he shall not go to
Tangier; and that Sir Edward Harlow [Harley], whom I know not, is