The dividing of the
fleet however is, I hear, voted a miscarriage, and the not
building a fortification at Sheernesse: and I have reason every
hour to expect that they will vote the like of our paying men off
by ticket; and what the consequence of that will be, I know not.
18th. Sir W. Coventry and I did look over the list of
commanders, and found that we could presently recollect thirty-
seven commanders that have been killed in actuall service this
war. He tells me that Sir Fr. Hollis is the main man that hath
prosecuted him hitherto in the business of dividing the fleet,
saying vainly that the want of that letter to the Prince hath
given him that that he shall remember it by to his grave, meaning
the loss of his arme [Vide Note June 10, 1667.] when, God knows,
he is as idle and insignificant a fellow as ever came into the
fleet. I well remember what in mirth he said to me this morning,
when upon this discourse he said if ever there was another Dutch
war they should not find a Secretary; "Nor," said I, "a Clerk of
the Acts, for I see the reward of it; and, thank God, I have
enough of my own to buy me a book and a good fiddle, and I have a
good wife;"--"Why," says he, "I have enough to buy me a good
book, and shall not need a fiddle because I have never a one of
your good wives.
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