I happened to sit near to Sir Charles
Sedley: who I find a very witty man, and he did at every line
take notice of the dullness of the poet and badness of the
action, that most pertinently; which I was mightily taken with.
5th. To the Musique-meeting at the Post-office, where I was once
before. And thither anon come all the Gresham College, and a
great deal of noble company: and the new instrument was brought
called the Arched Viall, where being tuned with lute-strings, and
played on with kees like an organ, a piece of parchment is always
kept moving; and the strings, which by the kees are pressed down
upon it, are grated in imitation of a bow, by the parchment; and
so it is intended to resemble several vyalls played on with one
bow, but so basely and so harshly, that it will never do. But
after three hours' stay it could not be fixed in tune: and so
they were fain to go to some other musique of instruments. This
morning, by three o'clock, the Prince [Rupert.] and King, and
Duke with him, went down the River, and the Prince under sail
the next tide after, and so is gone from the Hope.
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