Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/263

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THE TIMES OF CHARLES THE SECOND.
147

though most wish he would stay in town for more reasons besides his health.[1]

I am ever, your most faithful Servant,

Halifax.

23rd.At night I went to the Prince, to let him know that the French Ambassador had been to all the towns, which he was a little surprised at, and was very much out of humour, for he told me he believed we should not do it. I told him I did not despair as much as he, for I had been talking with two principal men of the States, and they give me good hopes. I have had the good luck to have got the kindness of a good many of them, and they say that they believe I am an honest man, and that they may believe what I say.

24th.The French Ambassador was up at six

  1. Charles's life at Newmarket was one after his own heart. Sir John Reresby thus describes it: "The manner of the King's dividing his time at this place was thus—he walked in the morning till ten of the clock; then he went to the Cock Pit till dinner time; about three he went to the horse races; at six he returned to the Cock Pit, for an hour only; then he went to the play, though the actors were but of a terrible sort; from thence to supper; then to the Duchess of Portsmouth's till bed-time; and so to his own apartment to take his rest."—Reresby's Mem. 288.
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