, nurse 10s., maid 2s. 6d., and the coach 5s. The business of
buying off the Chimney-money is passed in the House; and so the
King to be satisfied some other way, and the King supplied with
the money raised by this purchasing off of the chimnies.
19th. Nothing but distraction and confusion in the affairs of
the Navy; which makes me wish with all my heart, that I were well
and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton,
where I might live peaceably, and study, and pray for the good of
the King and my country.
20th. Commissioner Middleton [Thomas Middleton, made a
Commissioner of the Navy, 1664.] says, that the fleet was in
such a condition, as to discipline, as if the Devil had commanded
it; so much wickedness of all sorts. Enquiring how it came to
pass that so many ships had miscarried this year, he tells me
that he enquired; and the pilots do say, that they dare not do
nor go but as the Captains will have them; and if they offer to
do otherwise, the Captains swear they will run them through.
He says that he heard Captain Digby (my Lord of Bristoll's son, a
young fellow that never was but one year, if that, in the fleet,)
say that he did hope he should not see a tarpawlin [Tarpawlin, a
sailor.
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