Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/264

148 o'clock in the morning visiting the towns; to some he spoke in soft words, but most he threatened, and spoke the most slightingly and contemptibly of us that it was possible. He was with all the towns of North Holland, and there he was mightily put to it, for those poor creatures could not understand a word of either French or Latin. This proceeding is very extraordinary, and blamed by those who are of his own party. At eleven the States met, but, the deputies being not yet come, they adjourned till to-morrow.

In the evening I was with the Prince; I found him mightily incensed against the French Ambassador; and he says, since the beginning of the Government he did not know what to think of our business, there was never any thing like it, and was impatient for Mr. Van Beuninghen coming from Amsterdam. I encouraged him all I could with telling him, that though the Parliament would grumble at the Court, yet they would be pleased with an alliance with this State, and would maintain it. I find he hath a good opinion of Freeman, and an ill one of Carr. He thinks it necessary for the King to have somebody at Amsterdam; he thought a merchant a proper man. As I came from the Prince, Monsieur Van Beuninghen and