17th. Some discourse of the Queene's being very sick, if not
dead, the Duke and Duchesse of York being sent for betimes this
morning to come to White Hall to her.
18th. The parson, Mr. Mills, I perceive, did not know whether to
pray for the Queene or no, and so said nothing about her; which
makes me fear she is dead. But enquiring of Sir J. Minnes, he
told me that he heard she was better last night.
19th. Waked with a very high wind, and said to my wife, "I pray
God I hear not of the death of any great person, this wind is so
high! fearing that the Queene might be dead. So up; and going
by coach with Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes to St. James's,
they tell me that Sir W. Compton, who it is true had been a
little sickly for a week or fortnight, but was very well upon
Friday at night last at the Tangier Committee with us, was
dead,--died yesterday: at which I was most exceedingly
surprised, he being, and so all the world saying that he was, one
of the worthyest men and best officers of State now in England;
and so in my conscience he was: of the best temper, valour,
ability of mind, integrity, worth, fine person, and diligence of
any one man he hath left behind him in the three kingdoms; and
yet not forty years old, or if so, that is all.
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