Wren, which I am glad of, he
being a very ingenious man; and so Sir W. Coventry says of him,
though he knows him little; but particularly commends him for the
book he writ in answer to "Harrington's Oceana," which for that
reason I intend to buy. He tells me the true reason is, that he
being a man not willing to undertake more business than he can go
through, and being desirous to have his whole time to spend upon
the business of the Treasury, and a little for his own ease, he
did desire this of the Duke of York. He assures me that the
kindness with which he goes away from the Duke of York, is one of
the greatest joys that ever he had in the world. I used some
freedom with him, telling him how the world hath discoursed of
his having offended the Duke of York, about the late business of
the Chancellor. He does not deny it, but says that perhaps the
Duke of York might have some reason for it, he opposing him in a
thing wherein he was so earnest: but tells me, that
notwithstanding all that, the Duke of York does not now, nor can
blame him; for he was the man that did propose the removal of the
Chancellor; and that he did still persist in it, and at this day
publickly owns it, and is glad of it: but that the Duke of York
knows that he did first speak of it to the Duke of York before he
spoke to any mortal creature besides, which was fair dealing:
and the Duke of York was then of the same mind with him, and did
speak of it to the King, though since, for reasons best known to
himself, he afterwards altered.
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