[190]. “Diary.” 15th February 1664.
[191]. Ibid. 12th September 1664.
There’s Geordie the drinker,
There’s Annie the eater,
There’s Mary the “daughter,”
There’s Willie the cheater.
The Duke of York’s work on behalf of the navy did not begin and end in St James’s or in the Admiralty buildings near the Tower. Later we shall see him on board his flagship at grips with the Dutch, but meanwhile he took care to visit many ships, and Anne was often with him on these expeditions. On 19th May 1665, Lord Peterborough, writing from Harwich, mentions that he is “going on board to compliment the Duchess.”[[193]] The ship on this occasion was the Royal Charles, and a few days later Sir William Coventry seems to be suffering acutely, for, addressing Arlington, he says: “The Duchess and her beautiful Maids are departing, therefore long letters must not be expected from me under such a calamity, would visit their desperation on the Dutch were not the victuallers as cruel as the ladies.”[[194]]
[193]. “Calendar of Domestic State Papers,” ed. by M. A. Everett-Green. Earl of Peterboro’ to Williams.
[194]. “Calendar of Domestic State Papers,” ed. by M. A. Everett-Green. Earl of Peterboro’ to Williams.