Tuesday January 1 1683[/4]. It is likely that we have let the French King know that if he takes any more townes or cityes in Flanders it will break our measures here &c and cause us to do many things contrary to our inclination &c and force us to enter into the Alliance with Holland and Spain &c thereupon the King of France will forbeare &c then the Emperour will not come in with any forces by vertue of the alliance to helpe Spain because we do not come in, then Amsterdam will not come in, nor will send no forces because the Emperour sends none &c. Then consequently Spain must be content to swallow such a destructive peace as France thinks fitt to cram down their throats. Nothing in prospect can prevent this unless the Turk and the Emperour make a peace which is not very improbable, because they make equall preparations for a war and then the Emperor and Amsterdam &c will effectually enable the Spaniard to make a potent War with France.

[P408] First the Sweete Speaker Will : Williams I saw with his head full of Votes and empty of Law. He huggs the Phanaticks for the money they bring he for the same reason would be for the King.

Hee's true to Religion, but false to his wife, and thinks not enough to be Speaker for life But though Williams now inherit the Chaire for while he sate in it Jone brought him an heire.

William Thomson came next who was left in the lurch his Cassett and all his preferments in th’ Church A Surfitt he got of a damn'd Tory Quean and now is a Phanatick who once was a Dean

John Darnell came in who walkes with a grace with figures and Tropes in his Speech and his face His Cadencies once the good Dean did defend for which sometimes a cast Clyent did send

Sir Spaniell Winnington that wretched thing who fetches and carryes what ever they bring Hee'le leape over a stick like a Dog in a String first hey for the Commons then hey for the King

But Letchmore resolves he will never reclaime like his namesake old Nick he will still be the same He scaped a Rope narrowly once heretofore and now deserves hanging upon the same score.