1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 77 tyme were about a hundred saile of ships

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 77

tyme were about a hundred saile of ships of all syzes, bound for severall
places, to tlie other sydc, and immediately agreed with the master of a ship
for my passage to England, and brought my baggage aboard. I did not go
into the towne because the pest was in it, yet wee bought our provisions
from thence.

The Kings yacht being come downe and ankered in the haven, I went August 24.
aboard of her, and revealed to the captaine what I was, and what my errand
or business, desireing that he would take me along. But then he was more
averse, saying he would have resolved to have hazarded the takeing of a
private person, but could by no meanes, without express order, adventure to
take me in. So I was forced to desist.

In the morning, it was expected that our fleet should set saile the next August 25.
day, but notice haveing come that the Hollands fleet was gone from Flushing,
they were at a stand what to do.

After noone wee did see the Hollands fleet at sea of from Blankenburg, August jc.
which put all the confused counsels of the masters of the shipps to a resolu-
tion of not adventuring out till a safer season. Whereupon I resolved to
returne to Bruges, and take up a lodging there, being more convenient to
stay there, as a shipboard, or at Ostend, where the aire was unwholesome
and vivres dearer.

I went to Bruges, and tooke a lodging in the Esel street, at the signe August 27.
of the King of Great Brittaine.

I went to Ostend, and brought my baggage back to Bruges, paying August i'9.
halfc fraught, and that with much ado. I writt to Hamburg, and ffriends
in Mosko.

Hearing that Mrs. Plowden was come to Gent, upon the account of August 3).
entring herself a nunne in that convent, where her daughter was abbess, I
resolved to go thither, and perswaded my landlord, Mr. Frazer, a good
merry man, to go along with me. Wee went in a great boat along the
river or channell called Albertlna. Wee had all sorts of company on this
boat, and were merry. A mile short of Gent, wee quitted our boat, and
lodged in ane innes ; the boates not being permitted to go to Gent, because
the pcstlence was in Bruges.

Wee hired a waggon early, and came to Gent, and lodged at the signe August 31.
of the Starr. I went immediately and heard devotion, and went to the
English Nunnes monastery, and spoke with Mrs. Plowden, who was exceed-