] have the command of a ship within this twelve months.
He observed while he was on board the Admirall, when the fleet
was at Portsmouth, that there was a faction there. Holmes
commanded all on the Prince's side, and Sir Jeremy Smith on the
Duke's, and every body that come did apply themselves to one side
or other; and when the Duke of Albemarle was gone away to come
hither, then Sir Jeremy Smith did hang his head, and walked in
the General's ship but like a private commander. He says he was
on board the Prince, when the news come of the burning of London;
and all the Prince said was, that now Shipton's prophecy was out;
and he heard a young commander presently swear, that a citizen's
wife that would not take under half a piece before, would be
contented with half-a-crowne: and made mighty sport of it. My
Lord Chancellor the other day did ask Sir G. Carteret how it come
to pass that his friend Pepys do so much magnify the bad
condition of the fleet. Sir G. Carteret tells me that he
answered him, that I was but the mouth of the rest, and spoke
what they have dictated to me; which did, as he says, presently
take off his displeasure.
Pages:
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986