Sir William Temple's quitting, and will write to dissuade him as soon as he can; he does not know what to say to the King; when a man is resolved, 'tis to no purpose to give him advice.
24th.Some of the merchants dined with me; Monsieur Lente desired to know what good news I brought. At night I was with the Prince; he told me that he had considered what was best to be said to Monsieur Van Beuninghen and every body else; that the King does not think they care for any alliance with him; that he believes they think themselves strong enough to stand upon their own legs; that if they would make any offer to him, he should accept it with all the joy and satisfaction imaginable, but that he did not love to be perpetually refused: that the King thinks he can live without an alliance as well as they. In the evening I was with Monsr. Zulickem; he told me of a man at Amsterdam who cured the gout, with giving drops. The Prince told me he would write to the Duke of the report that there was of his using the Duke of Monmouth too well; he says he will apply himself more to business than ever when he comes into England, and will declare that he hates the Duchess of Portsmouth.
25th.I heard, by a servant of mine, that the
