The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Apr/May 1664
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Title: Diary of Samuel Pepys, Apr/May 1664
Author: Samuel Pepys, Translator: Mynors Bright, Editor: Wheatley
Release Date: June, 2003 [Etext #4148]
[Yes, we are about one year ahead of schedule]
[The actual date this file first posted = 11/09/01]
Edition: 10
Language: English
The Project Gutenberg Etext of Diary of Samuel Pepys, Apr/May 1664
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THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.
CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE FELLOW
AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE
(Unabridged)
WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES
EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY
HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
APRIL & MAY
1664
April 1st. Up and to my office, where busy till noon, and then to the
'Change, where I found all the merchants concerned with the presenting
their complaints to the Committee of Parliament appointed to receive them
this afternoon against the Dutch. So home to dinner, and thence by
coach, setting my wife down at the New Exchange, I to White Hall; and
coming too soon for the Tangier Committee walked to Mr. Blagrave for a
song. I left long ago there, and here I spoke with his kinswoman, he not
being within, but did not hear her sing, being not enough acquainted with
her, but would be glad to have her, to come and be at my house a week now
and then. Back to White Hall, and in the Gallery met the Duke of Yorke
(I also saw the Queene going to the Parke, and her Mayds of Honour: she
herself looks ill, and methinks Mrs. Stewart is grown fatter, and not so
fair as she was); and he called me to him, and discoursed a good while
with me; and after he was gone, twice or thrice staid and called me again
to him, the whole length of the house: and at last talked of the Dutch;
and I perceive do much wish that the Parliament will find reason to fall
out with them. He gone, I by and by found that the Committee of Tangier
met at the Duke of Albemarle's, and so I have lost my labour. So with
Creed to the 'Change, and there took up my wife and left him, and we two
home, and I to walk in the garden with W. Howe, whom we took up, he
having been to see us, he tells me how Creed has been questioned before
the Council about a letter that has been met with, wherein he is
mentioned by some fanatiques as a serviceable friend to them, but he says
he acquitted himself well in it, but, however, something sticks against
him, he says, with my Lord, at which I am not very sorry, for I believe
he is a false fellow. I walked with him to Paul's, he telling me how my
Lord is little at home, minds his carding and little else, takes little
notice of any body; but that he do not think he is displeased, as I fear,
with me, but is strange to all, which makes me the less troubled. So
walked back home, and late at the office. So home and to bed. This day
Mrs. Turner did lend me, as a rarity, a manuscript of one Mr. Wells, writ
long ago, teaching the method of building a ship, which pleases me
mightily. I was at it to-night, but durst not stay long at it, I being
come to have a great pain and water in my eyes after candle-light.
2nd. Up and to my office, and afterwards sat, where great contest with
Sir W. Batten and Mr. Wood, and that doating fool Sir J. Minnes, that
says whatever Sir W. Batten says, though never minding whether to the
King's profit or not. At noon to the Coffee-house, where excellent
discourse with Sir W. Petty, who proposed it as a thing that is truly
questionable, whether there really be any difference between waking and
dreaming, that it is hard not only to tell how we know when we do a thing
really or in a dream, but also to know what the difference [is] between
one and the other. Thence to the 'Change, but having at this discourse
long afterwards with Sir Thomas Chamberlin, who tells me what I heard
from others, that the complaints of most Companies were yesterday
presented to the Committee of Parliament against the Dutch, excepting
that of the East India, which he tells me was because they would not be
said to be the first and only cause of a warr with Holland, and that it
is very probable, as well as most necessary, that we fall out with that
people. I went to the 'Change, and there found most people gone, and so
home to dinner, and thence to Sir W. Warren's, and with him past the
whole afternoon, first looking over two ships' of Captain Taylor's and
Phin. Pett's now in building, and am resolved to learn something of the
art, for I find it is not hard and very usefull, and thence to Woolwich,
and after seeing Mr. Falconer, who is very ill, I to the yard, and there
heard Mr. Pett tell me several things of Sir W. Batten's ill managements,
and so with Sir W. Warren walked to Greenwich, having good discourse, and
thence by water, it being now moonshine and 9 or 10 o'clock at night, and
landed at Wapping, and by him and his man safely brought to my door, and
so he home, having spent the day with him very well. So home and eat
something, and then to my office a while, and so home to prayers and to
bed.
3rd (Lord's day). Being weary last night lay long, and called up by W.
Joyce. So I rose, and his business was to ask advice of me, he being
summonsed to the House of Lords to-morrow, for endeavouring to arrest my
Lady Peters
[Elizabeth, daughter of John Savage, second Earl Rivers, and first
wife to William, fourth Lord Petre, who was, in 1678, impeached by
the Commons of high treason, and died under confinement in the
Tower, January 5th, 1683, s. p.--B.]
for a debt. I did give him advice, and will assist him. He staid all
the morning, but would not dine with me. So to my office and did
business. At noon home to dinner, and being set with my wife in the
kitchen my father comes and sat down there and dined with us. After
dinner gives me an account of what he had done in his business of his
house and goods, which is almost finished, and he the next week expects
to be going down to Brampton again, which I am glad of because I fear the
children of my Lord that are there for fear of any discontent. He being
gone I to my office, and there very busy setting papers in order till
late at night, only in the afternoon my wife sent for me home, to see her
new laced gowne, that is her gown that is new laced; and indeed it
becomes her very nobly, and is well made. I am much pleased with it. At
night to supper, prayers, and to bed.
4th. Up, and walked to my Lord Sandwich's; and there spoke with him
about W. Joyce, who told me he would do what was fit in so tender a
point. I can yet discern a coldness in him to admit me to any discourse
with him. Thence to Westminster, to the Painted Chamber, and there met
the two Joyces. Will in a very melancholy taking. After a little
discourse I to the Lords' House before they sat; and stood within it a
good while, while the Duke of York came to me and spoke to me a good
while about the new ship' at Woolwich. Afterwards I spoke with my Lord
Barkeley and my Lord Peterborough about it. And so staid without a good
while, and saw my Lady Peters, an impudent jade, soliciting all the Lords
on her behalf. And at last W. Joyce was called in; and by the
consequences, and what my Lord Peterborough told me, I find that he did
speak all he said to his disadvantage, and so was committed to the Black
Rod: which is very hard, he doing what he did by the advice of my Lord
Peters' own steward. But the Sergeant of the Black Rod did direct one of
his messengers to take him in custody, and so he was peaceably conducted
to the Swan with two Necks, in Tuttle Street, to a handsome dining-room;
and there was most civilly used, my uncle Fenner, and his brother
Anthony, and some other friends being with him. But who would have
thought that the fellow that I should have sworn could have spoken before
all the world should in this be so daunted, as not to know what he said,
and now to cry like a child. I protest, it is very strange to observe.
I left them providing for his stay there to-night and getting a petition
against tomorrow, and so away to Westminster Hall, and meeting Mr.
Coventry, he took me to his chamber, with Sir William Hickeman, a member
of their House, and a very civill gentleman. Here we dined very
plentifully, and thence to White Hall to the Duke's, where we all met,
and after some discourse of the condition of the Fleete, in order to a
Dutch warr, for that, I perceive, the Duke hath a mind it should come to,
we away to the office, where we sat, and I took care to rise betimes, and
so by water to Halfway House, talking all the way good discourse with Mr.
Wayth, and there found my wife, who was gone with her mayd Besse to have
a walk. But, Lord! how my jealous mind did make me suspect that she
might have some appointment to meet somebody. But I found the poor souls
coming away thence, so I took them back, and eat and drank, and then
home, and after at the office a while, I home to supper and to bed. It
was a sad sight, me thought, to-day to see my Lord Peters coming out of
the House fall out with his lady (from whom he is parted) about this
business; saying that she disgraced him. But she hath been a handsome
woman, and is, it seems, not only a lewd woman, but very high-spirited.
5th. Up very betimes, and walked to my cozen Anthony Joyce's, and thence
with him to his brother Will, in Tuttle Street, where I find him pretty
cheery over [what] he was yesterday (like a coxcomb), his wife being come
to him, and having had his boy with him last night. Here I staid an hour
or two and wrote over a fresh petition, that which was drawn by their
solicitor not pleasing me, and thence to the Painted chamber, and by and
by away by coach to my Lord Peterborough's, and there delivered the
petition into his hand, which he promised most readily to deliver to the
House today. Thence back, and there spoke to several Lords, and so did
his solicitor (one that W. Joyce hath promised L5 to if he be released).
Lord Peterborough presented a petition to the House from W. Joyce: and a
great dispute, we hear, there was in the House for and against it. At
last it was carried that he should be bayled till the House meets again
after Easter, he giving bond for his appearance. This was not so good as
we hoped, but as good as we could well expect. Anon comes the King and
passed the Bill for repealing the Triennial Act, and another about Writs
of Errour. I crowded in and heard the King's speech to them; but he
speaks the worst that ever I heard man in my life worse than if he read
it all, and he had it in writing in his hand. Thence, after the House
was up, and I inquired what the order of the House was, I to W. Joyce,'
with his brother, and told them all. Here was Kate come, and is a comely
fat woman. I would not stay dinner, thinking to go home to dinner, and
did go by water as far as the bridge, but thinking that they would take
it kindly my being there, to be bayled for him if there was need, I
returned, but finding them gone out to look after it, only Will and his
wife and sister left and some friends that came to visit him, I to
Westminster Hall, and by and by by agreement to Mrs. Lane's lodging,
whither I sent for a lobster, and with Mr. Swayne and his wife eat it,
and argued before them mightily for Hawly, but all would not do, although
I made her angry by calling her old, and making her know what herself is.
Her body was out of temper for any dalliance, and so after staying there
3 or 4 hours, but yet taking care to have my oath safe of not staying a
quarter of an hour together with her, I went to W. Joyce, where I find
the order come, and bayle (his father and brother) given; and he paying
his fees, which come to above L2, besides L5 he is to give one man, and
his charges of eating and drinking here, and 10s. a-day as many days as
he stands under bayle: which, I hope, will teach him hereafter to hold
his tongue better than he used to do. Thence with Anth. Joyce's wife
alone home talking of Will's folly, and having set her down, home myself,
where I find my wife dressed as if she had been abroad, but I think she
was not, but she answering me some way that I did not like I pulled her
by the nose, indeed to offend her, though afterwards to appease her I
denied it, but only it was done in haste. The poor wretch took it mighty
ill, and I believe besides wringing her nose she did feel pain, and so
cried a great while, but by and by I made her friends, and so after
supper to my office a while, and then home to bed. This day great
numbers of merchants came to a Grand Committee of the House to bring in
their claims against the Dutch. I pray God guide the issue to our good!
6th. Up and to my office, whither by and by came John Noble, my father's
old servant, to speake with me. I smelling the business, took him home;
and there, all alone, he told me how he had been serviceable to my
brother Tom, in the business of his getting his servant, an ugly jade,
Margaret, with child. She was brought to bed in St. Sepulchre's parish
of two children; one is dead, the other is alive; her name Elizabeth, and
goes by the name of Taylor, daughter to John Taylor. It seems Tom did a
great while trust one Crawly with the business, who daily got money of
him; and at last, finding himself abused, he broke the matter to J.
Noble, upon a vowe of secresy. Tom's first plott was to go on the other
side the water and give a beggar woman something to take the child. They
did once go, but did nothing, J. Noble saying that seven years hence the
mother might come to demand the child and force him to produce it, or to
be suspected of murder. Then I think it was that they consulted, and got
one Cave, a poor pensioner in St. Bride's parish to take it, giving him
L5, he thereby promising to keepe it for ever without more charge to
them. The parish hereupon indite the man Cave for bringing this child
upon the parish, and by Sir Richard Browne he is sent to the Counter.
Cave thence writes to Tom to get him out. Tom answers him in a letter of
his owne hand, which J. Noble shewed me, but not signed by him, wherein
he speaks of freeing him and getting security for him, but nothing as to
the business of the child, or anything like it: so that forasmuch as I
could guess, there is nothing therein to my brother's prejudice as to the
main point, and therefore I did not labour to tear or take away the
paper. Cave being released, demands L5 more to secure my brother for
ever against the child; and he was forced to give it him and took bond of
Cave in L100, made at a scrivener's, one Hudson, I think, in the Old
Bayly, to secure John Taylor, and his assigns, &c. (in consideration of
L10 paid him), from all trouble, or charge of meat, drink, clothes, and
breeding of Elizabeth Taylor; and it seems, in the doing of it, J. Noble
was looked upon as the assignee of this John Taylor. Noble says that he
furnished Tom with this money, and is also bound by another bond to pay
him 20s. more this next Easter Monday; but nothing for either sum appears
under Tom's hand. I told him how I am like to lose a great sum by his
death, and would not pay any more myself, but I would speake to my father
about it against the afternoon. So away he went, and I all the morning
in my office busy, and at noon home to dinner mightily oppressed with
wind, and after dinner took coach and to Paternoster Row, and there
bought a pretty silke for a petticoate for my wife, and thence set her
down at the New Exchange, and I leaving the coat at Unthanke's, went to
White Hall, but the Councell meeting at Worcester House I went thither,
and there delivered to the Duke of Albemarle a paper touching some
Tangier business, and thence to the 'Change for my wife, and walked to my
father's, who was packing up some things for the country. I took him up
and told him this business of Tom, at which the poor wretch was much
troubled, and desired me that I would speak with J. Noble, and do what I
could and thought fit in it without concerning him in it. So I went to
Noble, and saw the bond that Cave did give and also Tom's letter that I
mentioned above, and upon the whole I think some shame may come, but that
it will be hard from any thing I see there to prove the child to be his.
Thence to my father and told what I had done, and how I had quieted Noble
by telling him that, though we are resolved to part with no more money
out of our own purses, yet if he can make it appear a true debt that it
may be justifiable for us to pay it, we will do our part to get it paid,
and said that I would have it paid before my own debt. So my father and
I both a little satisfied, though vexed to think what a rogue my brother
was in all respects. I took my wife by coach home, and to my office,
where late with Sir W. Warren, and so home to supper and to bed. I heard
to-day that the Dutch have begun with us by granting letters of marke
against us; but I believe it not.
7th. Up and to my office, where busy, and by and by comes Sir W. Warren
and old Mr. Bond in order to the resolving me some questions about masts
and their proportions, but he could say little to me to my satisfaction,
and so I held him not long but parted. So to my office busy till noon
and then to the 'Change, where high talke of the Dutch's protest against
our Royall Company in Guinny, and their granting letters of marke against
us there, and every body expects a warr, but I hope it will not yet be
so, nor that this is true. Thence to dinner, where my wife got me a
pleasant French fricassee of veal for dinner, and thence to the office,
where vexed to see how Sir W. Batten ordered things this afternoon (vide
my office book, for about this time I have begun, my notions and
informations encreasing now greatly every day, to enter all occurrences
extraordinary in my office in a book by themselves), and so in the
evening after long discourse and eased my mind by discourse with Sir W.
Warren, I to my business late, and so home to supper and to bed.
8th. Up betimes and to the office, and anon, it begunn to be fair after
a great shower this morning, Sir W. Batten and I by water (calling his
son Castle by the way, between whom and I no notice at all of his letter
the other day to me) to Deptford, and after a turn in the yard, I went
with him to the Almes'-house to see the new building which he, with some
ambition, is building of there, during his being Master of Trinity House;
and a good worke it is, but to see how simply he answered somebody
concerning setting up the arms of the corporation upon the door, that and
any thing else he did not deny it, but said he would leave that to the
master that comes after him. There I left him and to the King's yard
again, and there made good inquiry into the business of the poop
lanterns, wherein I found occasion to correct myself mightily for what I
have done in the contract with the platerer, and am resolved, though I
know not how, to make them to alter it, though they signed it last night,
and so I took Stanes
[Among the State Papers is a petition of Thomas Staine to the Navy
Commissioners "for employment as plateworker in one or two
dockyards. Has incurred ill-will by discovering abuses in the great
rates given by the king for several things in the said trade. Begs
the appointment, whereby it will be seen who does the work best and
cheapest, otherwise he and all others will be discouraged from
discovering abuses in future, with order thereon for a share of the
work to be given to him" ("Calendar," Domestic, 1663-64, p. 395)]
home with me by boat and discoursed it, and he will come to reason when I
can make him to understand it. No sooner landed but it fell a mighty
storm of rain and hail, so I put into a cane shop and bought one to walk
with, cost me 4s. 6d., all of one joint. So home to dinner, and had an
excellent Good Friday dinner of peas porridge and apple pye. So to the
office all the afternoon preparing a new book for my contracts, and this
afternoon come home the office globes done to my great content. In the
evening a little to visit Sir W. Pen, who hath a feeling this day or two
of his old pain. Then to walk in the garden with my wife, and so to my
office a while, and then home to the only Lenten supper I have had of
wiggs--[Buns or teacakes.]-- and ale, and so to bed. This morning
betimes came to my office to me boatswain Smith of Woolwich, telling me a
notable piece of knavery of the officers of the yard and Mr. Gold in
behalf of a contract made for some old ropes by Mr. Wood, and I believe I
shall find Sir W. Batten of the plot (vide my office daybook).
[These note-books referred to in the Diary are not known to exist
now.]
9th. The last night, whether it was from cold I got to-day upon the
water I know not, or whether it was from my mind being over concerned
with Stanes's business of the platery of the navy, for my minds was
mighty troubled with the business all night long, I did wake about one
o'clock in the morning, a thing I most rarely do, and pissed a little
with great pain, continued sleepy, but in a high fever all night, fiery
hot, and in some pain. Towards morning I slept a little and waking found
myself better, but . . . . --[After what was just allowed print above,
what could have required censorship here? D.W.]--with some pain, and
rose I confess with my clothes sweating, and it was somewhat cold too,
which I believe might do me more hurt, for I continued cold and apt to
shake all the morning, but that some trouble with Sir J. Minnes and Sir
W. Batten kept me warm. At noon home to dinner upon tripes, and so
though not well abroad with my wife by coach to her Tailor's and the New
Exchange, and thence to my father's and spoke one word with him, and
thence home, where I found myself sick in my stomach and vomited, which I
do not use to do. Then I drank a glass or two of Hypocras, and to the
office to dispatch some business, necessary, and so home and to bed, and
by the help of Mithrydate--[An opiate?? D.W.]--slept very well.
10th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, and then up and my wife dressed
herself, it being Easter day, but I not being so well as to go out, she,
though much against her will, staid at home with me; for she had put on
her new best gowns, which indeed is very fine now with the lace; and this
morning her taylor brought home her other new laced silks gowns with a
smaller lace, and new petticoats, I bought the other day both very
pretty. We spent the day in pleasant talks and company one with another,
reading in Dr. Fuller's book what he says of the family of the Cliffords
and Kingsmills, and at night being myself better than I was by taking a
glyster,--[Pepy's spells this procedure sometimes with a 'c' and
sometimes with a 'g' but a clyster however spelt is what today is termed
and enema. D.W.]--which did carry away a great deal of wind, I after
supper at night went to bed and slept well.
11th. Lay long talking with my wife, then up and to my chamber preparing
papers against my father comes to lie here for discourse about country
business. Dined well with my wife at home, being myself not yet thorough
well, making water with some pain, but better than I was, and all my fear
of an ague gone away. In the afternoon my father came to see us, and he
gone I up to my morning's work again, and so in the evening a little to
the office and to see Sir W. Batten, who is ill again, and so home to
supper and to bed.
12th. Up, and after my wife had dressed herself very fine in her new
laced gown, and very handsome indeed, W. Howe also coming to see us, I
carried her by coach to my uncle Wight's and set her down there, and W.
Howe and I to the Coffee-house, where we sat talking about getting of him
some place under my Lord of advantage if he should go to sea, and I would
be glad to get him secretary and to out Creed if I can, for he is a
crafty and false rogue. Thence a little to the 'Change, and thence took
him to my uncle Wight's, where dined my father, poor melancholy man, that
used to be as full of life as anybody, and also my aunt's brother, Mr.
Sutton, a merchant in Flanders, a very sober, fine man, and Mr. Cole and
his lady; but, Lord! how I used to adore that man's talke, and now
methinks he is but an ordinary man, his son a pretty boy indeed, but his
nose unhappily awry. Other good company and an indifferent, and but
indifferent dinner for so much company, and after dinner got a coach,
very dear, it being Easter time and very foul weather, to my Lord's, and
there visited my Lady, and leaving my wife there I and W. Howe to Mr.
Pagett's, and there heard some musique not very good, but only one Dr.
Walgrave, an Englishman bred at Rome, who plays the best upon the lute
that I ever heard man. Here I also met Mr. Hill
[Thomas Hill, a man whose taste for music caused him to be a very
acceptable companion to Pepys. In January, 1664-65, he became
assistant to the secretary of the Prize Office.]
the little merchant, and after all was done we sung. I did well enough a
Psalm or two of Lawes; he I perceive has good skill and sings well, and a
friend of his sings a good base. Thence late walked with them two as far
as my Lord's, thinking to take up my wife and carry them home, but there
being no coach to be got away they went, and I staid a great while, it
being very late, about 10 o'clock, before a coach could be got. I found
my Lord and ladies and my wife at supper. My Lord seems very kind. But
I am apt to think still the worst, and that it is only in show, my wife
and Lady being there. So home, and find my father come to lie at our
house; and so supped, and saw him, poor man, to bed, my heart never being
fuller of love to him, nor admiration of his prudence and pains
heretofore in the world than now, to see how Tom hath carried himself in
his trade; and how the poor man hath his thoughts going to provide for
his younger children and my mother. But I hope they shall never want.
So myself and wife to bed.
13th. Though late, past 12, before we went to bed, yet I heard my poor
father up, and so I rang up my people, and I rose and got something to
eat and drink for him, and so abroad, it being a mighty foul day, by
coach, setting my father down in Fleet Streete and I to St. James's,
where I found Mr. Coventry (the Duke being now come thither for the
summer) with a goldsmith, sorting out his old plate to change for new;
but, Lord! what a deale he hath! I staid and had two or three hours
discourse with him, talking about the disorders of our office, and I
largely to tell him how things are carried by Sir W. Batten and Sir J.
Minnes to my great grief. He seems much concerned also, and for all the
King's matters that are done after the same rate every where else, and
even the Duke's household matters too, generally with corruption, but
most indeed with neglect and indifferency. I spoke very loud and clear
to him my thoughts of Sir J. Minnes and the other, and trust him with the
using of them. Then to talk of our business with the Dutch; he tells me
fully that he believes it will not come to a warr; for first, he showed
me a letter from Sir George Downing, his own hand, where he assures him
that the Dutch themselves do not desire, but above all things fear it,
and that they neither have given letters of marke against our shipps in
Guinny, nor do De Ruyter
[Michael De Ruyter, the Dutch admiral, was born 1607. He served
under Tromp in the war against England in 1653, and was Lieutenant
Admiral General of Holland in 1665. He died April 26th, 1676, of
wounds received in a battle with the French off Syracuse. Among the
State Papers is a news letter (dated July 14th, 1664) containing
information as to the views of the Dutch respecting a war with
England. "They are preparing many ships, and raising 6,000 men, and
have no doubt of conquering by sea." "A wise man says the States
know how to master England by sending moneys into Scotland for them
to rebel, and also to the discontented in England, so as to place
the King in the same straits as his father was, and bring him to
agree with Holland" ("Calendar," 1663-64, p. 642).]
stay at home with his fleet with an eye to any such thing, but for want
of a wind, and is now come out and is going to the Streights. He tells
me also that the most he expects is that upon the merchants' complaints,
the Parliament will represent them to the King, desiring his securing of
his subjects against them, and though perhaps they may not directly see
fit, yet even this will be enough to let the Dutch know that the
Parliament do not oppose the King, and by that means take away their
hopes, which was that the King of England could not get money or do
anything towards a warr with them, and so thought themselves free from
making any restitution, which by this they will be deceived in. He tells
me also that the Dutch states are in no good condition themselves,
differing one with another, and that for certain none but the states of
Holland and Zealand will contribute towards a warr, the others reckoning
themselves, being inland, not concerned in the profits of warr or peace.
But it is pretty to see what he says, that those here that are forward
for a warr at Court, they are reported in the world to be only designers
of getting money into the King's hands, they that elsewhere are for it
have a design to trouble the kingdom and to give the Fanatiques an
opportunity of doing hurt, and lastly those that are against it (as he
himself for one is very cold therein) are said to be bribed by the Dutch.
After all this discourse he carried me in his coach, it raining still,
to, Charing Cross, and there put me into another, and I calling my father
and brother carried them to my house to dinner, my wife keeping bed all
day . . . . . All the afternoon at the office with W. Boddam looking
over his particulars about the Chest of Chatham, which shows enough what
a knave Commissioner Pett hath been all along, and how Sir W. Batten hath
gone on in getting good allowance to himself and others out of the poors'
money. Time will show all. So in the evening to see Sir W. Pen, and
then home to my father to keep him company, he being to go out of town,
and up late with him and my brother John till past 12 at night to make up
papers of Tom's accounts fit to leave with my cozen Scott. At last we
did make an end of them, and so after supper all to bed.
14th. Up betimes, and after my father's eating something, I walked out
with him as far as Milk Streete, he turning down to Cripplegate to take
coach; and at the end of the streete I took leave, being much afeard I
shall not see him here any more, he do decay so much every day, and so I
walked on, there being never a coach to be had till I came to Charing
Cross, and there Col. Froud took me up and carried me to St. James's,
where with Mr. Coventry and Povy, &c., about my Lord Peterborough's
accounts, but, Lord! to see still what a puppy that Povy is with all his
show is very strange. Thence to Whitehall and W. C[oventry] and I and
Sir W. Rider resolved upon a day to meet and make an end of all the.
business. Thence walked with Creed to the Coffee-house in Covent Garden,
where no company, but he told me many fine experiments at Gresham
College; and some demonstration that the heat and cold of the weather do
rarify and condense the very body of glasse, as in a bolt head' with cold
water in it put into hot water, shall first by rarifying the glasse make
the water sink, and then when the heat comes to the water makes that rise
again, and then put into cold water makes the water by condensing the
glass to rise, and then when the cold comes to the water makes it sink,
which is very pretty and true, he saw it tried. Thence by coach home,
and dined above with my wife by her bedside, she keeping her bed . . .
. . So to the office, where a great conflict with Wood and Castle about
their New England masts? So in the evening my mind a little vexed, but
yet without reason, for I shall prevail, I hope, for the King's profit,
and so home to supper and to bed.
15th. Up and all the morning with Captain Taylor at my house talking
about things of the Navy, and among other things I showed him my letters
to Mr. Coventry, wherein he acknowledges that nobody to this day did ever
understand so much as I have done, and I believe him, for I perceive he
did very much listen to every article as things new to him, and is
contented to abide by my opinion therein in his great contest with us
about his and Mr. Wood's masts. At noon to the 'Change, where I met with
Mr. Hill, the little merchant, with whom, I perceive, I shall contract a
musical acquaintance; but I will make it as little troublesome as I can.
Home and dined, and then with my wife by coach to the Duke's house, and
there saw "The German Princess" acted, by the woman herself; but never
was any thing so well done in earnest, worse performed in jest upon the
stage; and indeed the whole play, abating the drollery of him that acts
her husband, is very simple, unless here and there a witty sprinkle or
two. We met and sat by Dr. Clerke. Thence homewards, calling at Madam
Turner's, and thence set my wife down at my aunt Wight's and I to my
office till late, and then at to at night fetched her home, and so again
to my office a little, and then to supper and to bed.
16th. Up and to the office, where all the morning upon the dispute of
Mr. Wood's masts, and at noon with Mr. Coventry to the African House; and
after a good and pleasant dinner, up with him, Sir W. Rider, the simple
Povy, of all the most ridiculous foole that ever I knew to attend to
business, and Creed and Vernatty, about my Lord Peterborough's accounts;
but the more we look into them, the more we see of them that makes
dispute, which made us break off, and so I home, and there found my wife
and Besse gone over the water to Half-way house, and after them, thinking
to have gone to Woolwich, but it was too late, so eat a cake and home,
and thence by coach to have spoke with Tom Trice about a letter I met
with this afternoon from my cozen Scott, wherein he seems to deny
proceeding as my father's attorney in administering for him in my brother
Tom's estate, but I find him gone out of town, and so returned vexed home
and to the office, where late writing a letter to him, and so home and to
bed.
17th (Lord's day). Up, and I put on my best cloth black suit and my
velvet cloake, and with my wife in her best laced suit to church, where
we have not been these nine or ten weeks. The truth is, my jealousy hath
hindered it, for fear she should see Pembleton. He was here to-day, but
I think sat so as he could not see her, which did please me, God help me!
mightily, though I know well enough that in reason this is nothing but my
ridiculous folly. Home to dinner, and in the afternoon, after long
consulting whether to go to Woolwich or no to see Mr. Falconer, but
indeed to prevent my wife going to church, I did however go to church
with her, where a young simple fellow did preach: I slept soundly all the
sermon, and thence to Sir W. Pen's, my wife and I, there she talking with
him and his daughter, and thence with my wife walked to my uncle Wight's
and there supped, where very merry, but I vexed to see what charges the
vanity of my aunt puts her husband to among her friends and nothing at
all among ours. Home and to bed. Our parson, Mr. Mills, his owne
mistake in reading of the service was very remarkable, that instead of
saying, "We beseech thee to preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the
earth," he cries, "Preserve to our use our gracious Queen Katherine."
18th. Up and by coach to Westminster, and there solicited W. Joyce's
business again; and did speake to the Duke of Yorke about it, who did
understand it very well. I afterwards did without the House fall in
company with my Lady Peters, and endeavoured to mollify her; but she told
me she would not, to redeem her from hell, do any thing to release him;
but would be revenged while she lived, if she lived the age of
Methusalem. I made many friends, and so did others. At last it was
ordered by the Lords that it should be referred to the Committee of
Privileges to consider. So I, after discoursing with the Joyces, away by
coach to the 'Change; and there, among other things, do hear that a Jew
hath put in a policy of four per cent. to any man, to insure him against
a Dutch warr for four months; I could find in my heart to take him at
this offer, but however will advise first, and to that end took coach to
St. James's, but Mr. Coventry was gone forth, and I thence to Westminster
Hall, where Mrs. Lane was gone forth, and so I missed of my intent to be
with her this afternoon, and therefore meeting Mr. Blagrave, went home
with him, and there he and his kinswoman sang, but I was not pleased with
it, they singing methought very ill, or else I am grown worse to please
than heretofore. Thence to the Hall again, and after meeting with
several persons, and talking there, I to Mrs. Hunt's (where I knew my
wife and my aunt Wight were about business), and they being gone to walk
in the parke I went after them with Mrs. Hunt, who staid at home for me,
and finding them did by coach, which I had agreed to wait for me, go with
them all and Mrs. Hunt and a kinswoman of theirs, Mrs. Steward, to Hide
Parke, where I have not been since last year; where I saw the King with
his periwigg, but not altered at all; and my Lady Castlemayne in a coach
by herself, in yellow satin and a pinner on; and many brave persons. And
myself being in a hackney and full of people, was ashamed to be seen by
the world, many of them knowing me. Thence in the evening home, setting
my aunt at home, and thence we sent for a joynt of meat to supper, and
thence to the office at 11 o'clock at night, and so home to bed.
19th. Up and to St. James's, where long with Mr. Coventry, Povy, &c., in
their Tangier accounts, but such the folly of that coxcomb Povy that we
could do little in it, and so parted for the time, and I to walk with
Creed and Vernaty in the Physique Garden in St. James's Parke; where I
first saw orange-trees, and other fine trees. So to Westminster Hall,
and thence by water to the Temple, and so walked to the 'Change, and
there find the 'Change full of news from Guinny, some say the Dutch have
sunk our ships and taken our fort, and others say we have done the same
to them. But I find by our merchants that something is done, but is yet
a secret among them. So home to dinner, and then to the office, and at
night with Captain Tayler consulting how to get a little money by letting
him the Elias to fetch masts from New England. So home to supper and to
bed.
20th. Up and by coach to Westminster, and there solicited W. Joyce's
business all the morning, and meeting in the Hall with Mr. Coventry, he
told me how the Committee for Trade have received now all the complaints
of the merchants against the Dutch, and were resolved to report very
highly the wrongs they have done us (when, God knows! it is only our owne
negligence and laziness that hath done us the wrong) and this to be made
to the House to-morrow. I went also out of the Hall with Mrs. Lane to
the Swan at Mrs. Herbert's in the Palace Yard to try a couple of bands,
and did (though I had a mind to be playing the fool with her) purposely
stay but a little while, and kept the door open, and called the master
and mistress of the house one after another to drink and talk with me,
and showed them both my old and new bands. So that as I did nothing so
they are able to bear witness that I had no opportunity there to do
anything. Thence by coach with Sir W. Pen home, calling at the Temple
for Lawes's Psalms, which I did not so much (by being against my oath)
buy as only lay down money till others be bound better for me, and by
that time I hope to get money of the Treasurer of the Navy by bills,
which, according to my oath, shall make me able to do it. At home dined,
and all the afternoon at a Committee of the Chest, and at night comes my
aunt and uncle Wight and Nan Ferrers and supped merrily with me, my uncle
coming in an hour after them almost foxed. Great pleasure by discourse
with them, and so, they gone, late to bed.
21st. Up pretty betimes and to my office, and thither came by and by Mr.
Vernaty and staid two hours with me, but Mr. Gauden did not come, and so
he went away to meet again anon. Then comes Mr. Creed, and, after some
discourse, he and I and my wife by coach to Westminster (leaving her at
Unthanke's, her tailor's) Hall, and there at the Lords' House heard that
it is ordered, that, upon submission upon the knee both to the House and
my Lady Peters, W. Joyce shall be released. I forthwith made him submit,
and aske pardon upon his knees; which he did before several Lords. But
my Lady would not hear it; but swore she would post the Lords, that the
world might know what pitifull Lords the King hath; and that revenge was
sweeter to her than milk; and that she would never be satisfied unless he
stood in a pillory, and demand pardon there. But I perceive the Lords
are ashamed of her, and so I away calling with my wife at a place or two
to inquire after a couple of mayds recommended to us, but we found both
of them bad. So set my wife at my uncle Wight's and I home, and
presently to the 'Change, where I did some business, and thence to my
uncle's and there dined very well, and so to the office, we sat all the
afternoon, but no sooner sat but news comes my Lady Sandwich was come to
see us, so I went out, and running up (her friend however before me) I
perceive by my dear Lady blushing that in my dining-room she was doing
something upon the pott, which I also was ashamed of, and so fell to some
discourse, but without pleasure through very pity to my Lady. She tells
me, and I find true since, that the House this day have voted that the
King be desired to demand right for the wrong done us by the Dutch, and
that they will stand by him with their lives fortunes: which is a very
high vote, and more than I expected. What the issue will be, God knows!
My Lady, my wife not being at home, did not stay, but, poor, good woman,
went away, I being mightily taken with her dear visitt, and so to the
office, where all the afternoon till late, and so to my office, and then
to supper and to bed, thinking to rise betimes tomorrow.
22nd. Having directed it last night, I was called up this morning before
four o'clock. It was full light enough to dress myself, and so by water
against tide, it being a little coole, to Greenwich; and thence, only
that it was somewhat foggy till the sun got to some height, walked with
great pleasure to Woolwich, in my way staying several times to listen to
the nightingales. I did much business both at the Ropeyarde and the
other, and on floate I discovered a plain cheat which in time I shall
publish of Mr. Ackworth's. Thence, having visited Mr. Falconer also, who
lies still sick, but hopes to be better, I walked to Greenwich, Mr. Deane
with me. Much good discourse, and I think him a very just man, only a
little conceited, but yet very able in his way, and so he by water also
with me also to towne. I home, and immediately dressing myself, by coach
with my wife to my Lord Sandwich's, but they having dined we would not
'light but went to Mrs. Turner's, and there got something to eat, and
thence after reading part of a good play, Mrs. The., my wife and I, in
their coach to Hide Parke, where great plenty of gallants, and pleasant
it was, only for the dust. Here I saw Mrs. Bendy, my Lady Spillman's
faire daughter that was, who continues yet very handsome. Many others I
saw with great content, and so back again to Mrs. Turner's, and then took
a coach and home. I did also carry them into St. James's Park and shewed
them the garden. To my office awhile while supper was making ready, and
so home to supper and to bed.
23rd (Coronation day). Up, and after doing something at my office, and,
it being a holiday, no sitting likely to be, I down by water to Sir W.
Warren's, who hath been ill, and there talked long with him good
discourse, especially about Sir W. Batten's knavery and his son Castle's
ill language of me behind my back, saying that I favour my fellow
traytours, but I shall be even with him. So home and to the 'Change,
where I met with Mr. Coventry, who himself is now full of talke of a
Dutch warr; for it seems the Lords have concurred in the Commons' vote
about it; and so the next week it will be presented to the King, insomuch
that he do desire we would look about to see what stores we lack, and buy
what we can. Home to dinner, where I and my wife much troubled about my
money that is in my Lord Sandwich's hand, for fear of his going to sea
and be killed; but I will get what of it out I can. All the afternoon,
not being well, at my office, and there doing much business, my thoughts
still running upon a warr and my money. At night home to supper and to
bed.
24th (Lord's day). Up, and all the morning in my chamber setting some of
my private papers in order, for I perceive that now publique business
takes up so much of my time that I must get time a-Sundays or a-nights to
look after my owne matters. Dined and spent all the afternoon talking
with my wife, at night a little to the office, and so home to supper and
to bed.
25th. Up, and with Sir W. Pen by coach to St. James's and there up to
the Duke, and after he was ready to his closet, where most of our talke
about a Dutch warr, and discoursing of things indeed now for it. The
Duke, which gives me great good hopes, do talk of setting up a good
discipline in the fleete. In the Duke's chamber there is a bird, given
him by Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, comes from the East Indys, black the
greatest part, with the finest collar of white about the neck; but talks
many things and neyes like the horse, and other things, the best almost
that ever I heard bird in my life. Thence down with Mr. Coventry and Sir
W. Rider, who was there (going along with us from the East Indya house
to-day) to discourse of my Lord Peterborough's accounts, and then walked
over the Parke, and in Mr. Cutler's coach with him and Rider as far as
the Strand, and thence I walked to my Lord Sandwich's, where by agreement
I met my wife, and there dined with the young ladies; my Lady, being not
well, kept her chamber. Much simple discourse at table among the young
ladies. After dinner walked in the garden, talking, with Mr. Moore about
my Lord's business. He told me my Lord runs in debt every day more and
more, and takes little care how to come out of it. He counted to me how
my Lord pays use now for above L9000, which is a sad thing, especially
considering the probability of his going to sea, in great danger of his
life, and his children, many of them, to provide for. Thence, the young
ladies going out to visit, I took my wife by coach out through the city,
discoursing how to spend the afternoon; and conquered, with much ado,
a desire of going to a play; but took her out at White Chapel, and to
Bednal Green; so to Hackney, where I have not been many a year, since a
little child I boarded there. Thence to Kingsland, by my nurse's house,
Goody Lawrence, where my brother Tom and I was kept when young. Then to
Newington Green, and saw the outside of Mrs. Herbert's house, where she
lived, and my Aunt Ellen with her; but, Lord! how in every point I find
myself to over-value things when a child. Thence to Islington, and so to
St. John's to the Red Bull, and there: saw the latter part of a rude
prize fought, but with good pleasure enough; and thence back to
Islington, and at the King's Head, where Pitts lived, we 'light and eat
and drunk for remembrance of the old house sake, and so through Kingsland
again, and so to Bishopsgate, and so home with great pleasure. The
country mighty pleasant, and we with great content home, and after supper
to bed, only a little troubled at the young ladies leaving my wife so
to-day, and from some passages fearing my Lady might be offended. But I
hope the best.
26th. Up, and to my Lord Sandwich's, and coming a little too early, I
went and saw W. Joyce, and by and by comes in Anthony, they both owning a
great deal of kindness received from me in their late business, and
indeed I did what I could, and yet less I could not do. It has cost the
poor man above L40; besides, he is likely to lose his debt. Thence to my
Lord's, and by and by he comes down, and with him (Creed with us) I rode
in his coach to St. James's, talking about W. Joyce's business mighty
merry, and my Lady Peters, he says, is a drunken jade, he himself having
seen her drunk in the lobby of their House. I went up with him to the
Duke, where methought the Duke did not shew him any so great fondness as
he was wont; and methought my Lord was not pleased that I should see the
Duke made no more of him, not that I know any thing of any unkindnesse,
but I think verily he is not as he was with him in his esteem. By and by
the Duke went out and we with him through the Parke, and there I left him
going into White Hall, and Creed and I walked round the Parke, a pleasant
walk, observing the birds, which is very pleasant; and so walked to the
New Exchange, and there had a most delicate dish of curds and creame, and
discourse with the good woman of the house, a discreet well-bred woman,
and a place with great delight I shall make it now and then to go
thither. Thence up, and after a turn or two in the 'Change, home to the
Old Exchange by coach, where great newes and true, I saw by written
letters, of strange fires seen at Amsterdam in the ayre, and not only
there, but in other places thereabout. The talke of a Dutch warr is not
so hot, but yet I fear it will come to it at last. So home and to the
office, where we sat late. My wife gone this afternoon to the buriall of
my she-cozen Scott, a good woman; and it is a sad consideration how the
Pepys's decay, and nobody almost that I know in a present way of
encreasing them. At night late at my office, and so home to my wife to
supper and to bed.
27th. Up, and all the morning very busy with multitude of clients, till
my head began to be overloaded. Towards noon I took coach and to the
Parliament house door, and there staid the rising of the House, and with
Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Coventry discoursed of some tarr that I have been
endeavouring to buy, for the market begins apace to rise upon us, and I
would be glad first to serve the King well, and next if I could I find
myself now begin to cast how to get a penny myself. Home by coach with
Alderman Backewell in his coach, whose opinion is that the Dutch will not
give over the business without putting us to some trouble to set out a
fleete; and then, if they see we go on well, will seek to salve up the
matter. Upon the 'Change busy. Thence home to dinner, and thence to the
office till my head was ready to burst with business, and so with my wife
by coach, I sent her to my Lady Sandwich and myself to my cozen Roger
Pepys's chamber, and there he did advise me about our Exchequer business,
and also about my brother John, he is put by my father upon interceding
for him, but I will not yet seem the least to pardon him nor can I in my
heart. However, he and I did talk how to get him a mandamus for a
fellowship, which I will endeavour. Thence to my Lady's, and in my way
met Mr. Sanchy, of Cambridge, whom I have not met a great while. He
seems a simple fellow, and tells me their master, Dr. Rainbow, is newly
made Bishop of Carlisle. To my Lady's, and she not being well did not
see her, but straight home with my wife, and late to my office,
concluding in the business of Wood's masts, which I have now done and I
believe taken more pains in it than ever any Principall officer in this
world ever did in any thing to no profit to this day. So, weary, sleepy,
and hungry, home and to bed. This day the Houses attended the King, and
delivered their votes to him: upon the business of the Dutch; and he
thanks them, and promises an answer in writing.
28th. Up and close at my office all the morning. To the 'Change busy at
noon, and so home to dinner, and then in the afternoon at the office till
night, and so late home quite tired with business, and without joy in
myself otherwise than that I am by God's grace enabled to go through it
and one day, hope to have benefit by it. So home to supper and to bed.
29th. Up betimes, and with Sir W. Rider and Cutler to White Hall. Rider
and I to St. James's, and there with Mr. Coventry did proceed strictly
upon some fooleries of Mr. Povy's in my Lord Peterborough's accounts,
which will touch him home, and I am glad of it, for he is the most
troublesome impertinent man that ever I met with. Thence to the 'Change,
and there, after some business, home to dinner, where Luellin and Mount
came to me and dined, and after dinner my wife and I by coach to see my
Lady Sandwich, where we find all the children and my Lord removed, and
the house so melancholy that I thought my Lady had been dead, knowing
that she was not well; but it seems she hath the meazles, and I fear the
small pox, poor lady. It grieves me mightily; for it will be a sad houre
to the family should she miscarry. Thence straight home and to the
office, and in the evening comes Mr. Hill the merchant and another with
him that sings well, and we sung some things, and good musique it seemed
to me, only my mind too full of business to have much pleasure in it.
But I will have more of it. They gone, and I having paid Mr. Moxon for
the work he has done for the office upon the King's globes, I to my
office, where very late busy upon Captain Tayler's bills for his masts,
which I think will never off my hand. Home to supper and to bed.
30th. Up and all the morning at the office. At noon to the 'Change,
where, after business done, Sir W. Rider and Cutler took me to the Old
James and there did give me a good dish of mackerell, the first I have
seen this year, very good, and good discourse. After dinner we fell to
business about their contract for tarr, in which and in another business
of Sir W. Rider's, canvas, wherein I got him to contract with me, I held
them to some terms against their wills, to the King's advantage, which I
believe they will take notice of to my credit. Thence home, and by water
by a gally down to Woolwich, and there a good while with Mr. Pett upon
the new ship discoursing and learning of him. Thence with Mr. Deane to
see Mr: Falconer, and there find him in a way to be well. So to the
water (after much discourse with great content with Mr. Deane) and home
late, and so to the office, wrote to, my father among other things my
continued displeasure against my brother John, so that I will give him
nothing more out of my own purse, which will trouble the poor man, but
however it is fit that I should take notice of my brother's ill carriage
to me. Then home and till 12 at night about my month's accounts, wherein
I have just kept within compass, this having been a spending month.
So my people being all abed I put myself to bed very sleepy. All the
newes now is what will become of the Dutch business, whether warr or
peace. We all seem to desire it, as thinking ourselves to have
advantages at present over them; for my part I dread it. The Parliament
promises to assist the King with lives and fortunes, and he receives it
with thanks and promises to demand satisfaction of the Dutch. My poor
Lady Sandwich is fallen sick three days since of the meazles. My Lord
Digby's business is hushed up, and nothing made of it; he is gone, and
the discourse quite ended. Never more quiet in my family all the days of
my life than now, there being only my wife and I and Besse and the little
girl Susan, the best wenches to our content that we can ever expect.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
MAY
1664
May 1st (Lord's day). Lay long in bed. Went not to church, but staid at
home to examine my last night's accounts, which I find right, and that I
am L908 creditor in the world, the same I was last month. Dined, and
after dinner down by water with my wife and Besse with great pleasure as
low as Greenwich and so back, playing as it were leisurely upon the water
to Deptford, where I landed and sent my wife up higher to land below
Half-way house. I to the King's yard and there spoke about several
businesses with the officers, and so with Mr. Wayth consulting about
canvas, to Half-way house where my wife was, and after eating there we
broke and walked home before quite dark. So to supper, prayers, and to
bed.
2nd. Lay pretty long in bed. So up and by water to St. James's, and
there attended the Duke with Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes, and having
done our work with him walked to Westminster Hall, and after walking
there and talking of business met Mr. Rawlinson and by coach to the
'Change, where I did some business, and home to dinner, and presently by
coach to the King's Play-house to see "The Labyrinth," but, coming too
soon, walked to my Lord's to hear how my Lady do, who is pretty well; at
least past all fear. There by Captain Ferrers meeting with an
opportunity of my Lord's coach, to carry us to the Parke anon, we
directed it to come to the play-house door; and so we walked, my wife and
I and Madamoiselle. I paid for her going in, and there saw "The
Labyrinth," the poorest play, methinks, that ever I saw, there being
nothing in it but the odd accidents that fell out, by a lady's being bred
up in man's apparel, and a man in a woman's. Here was Mrs. Stewart, who
is indeed very pretty, but not like my Lady Castlemayne, for all that.
Thence in the coach to the Parke, where no pleasure; there being much
dust, little company, and one of our horses almost spoiled by falling
down, and getting his leg over the pole; but all mended presently, and
after riding up and down, home. Set Madamoiselle at home; and we home,
and to my office, whither comes Mr. Bland, and pays me the debt he
acknowledged he owed me for my service in his business of the Tangier
Merchant, twenty pieces of new gold, a pleasant sight. It cheered my
heart; and he being gone, I home to supper, and shewed them my wife; and
she, poor wretch, would fain have kept them to look on, without any other
design but a simple love to them; but I thought it not convenient, and so
took them into my own hand. So, after supper, to bed.
3rd. Up, and being ready, went by agreement to Mr. Bland's and there
drank my morning draft in good chocollatte, and slabbering my band sent
home for another, and so he and I by water to White Hall, and walked to
St. James's, where met Creed and Vernatty, and by and by Sir W. Rider,
and so to Mr. Coventry's chamber, and there upon my Lord Peterborough's
accounts, where I endeavoured to shew the folly and punish it as much as
I could of Mr. Povy; for, of all the men in the world, I never knew any
man of his degree so great a coxcomb in such imployments. I see I have
lost him forever, but I value it not; for he is a coxcomb, and, I doubt,
not over honest, by some things which I see; and yet, for all his folly,
he hath the good lucke, now and then, to speak his follies in as good
words, and with as good a show, as if it were reason, and to the purpose,
which is really one of the wonders of my life. Thence walked to
Westminster Hall; and there, in the Lords' House, did in a great crowd,
from ten o'clock till almost three, hear the cause of Mr. Roberts, my
Lord Privy Seal's son, against Win, who by false ways did get the father
of Mr. Roberts's wife (Mr. Bodvill) to give him the estate and disinherit
his daughter. The cause was managed for my Lord Privy Seal by Finch the
Solicitor [General]; but I do really think that he is truly a man of as
great eloquence as ever I heard, or ever hope to hear in all my life.
Thence, after long staying to speak with my Lord Sandwich, at last he
coming out to me and speaking with me about business of my Lord
Peterborough, I by coach home to the office, where all the afternoon,
only stept home to eat one bit and to the office again, having eaten
nothing before to-day. My wife abroad with my aunt Wight and Norbury.
I in the evening to my uncle Wight's, and not finding them come home,
they being gone to the Parke and the Mulberry garden, I went to the
'Change, and there meeting with Mr. Hempson, whom Sir W. Batten has
lately turned out of his place, merely because of his coming to me when
he came to town before he went to him, and there he told me many
rogueries of Sir W. Batten, how he knows and is able to prove that
Captain Cox of Chatham did give him L10 in gold to get him to certify for
him at the King's coming in, and that Tom Newborne did make [the] poor
men give him L3 to get Sir W. Batten to cause them to be entered in the
yard, and that Sir W. Batten had oftentimes said: "by God, Tom, you shall
get something and I will have some on't." His present clerk that is come
in Norman's' room has given him something for his place; that they live
high and (as Sir Francis Clerk's lady told his wife) do lack money as
well as other people, and have bribes of a piece of sattin and cabinetts
and other things from people that deal with him, and that hardly any body
goes to see or hath anything done by Sir W. Batten but it comes with a
bribe, and that this is publickly true that his wife was a whore, and
that he had libells flung within his doors for a cuckold as soon as he
was married; that he received L100 in money and in other things to the
value of L50 more of Hempson, and that he intends to give him back but
L50; that he hath abused the Chest and hath now some L1000 by him of it.
I met also upon the 'Change with Mr. Cutler, and he told me how for
certain Lawson hath proclaimed warr again with Argier, though they had at
his first coming given back the ships which they had taken, and all their
men; though they refused afterwards to make him restitution for the goods
which they had taken out of them. Thence to my uncle Wight's, and he not
being at home I went with Mr. Norbury near hand to the Fleece, a mum
house--[?? D.W.]--in Leadenhall, and there drunk mum and by and by broke
up, it being about 11 o'clock at night, and so leaving them also at home,
went home myself and to bed.
4th. Up, and my new Taylor, Langford, comes and takes measure of me for
a new black cloth suit and cloake, and I think he will prove a very
carefull fellow and will please me well. Thence to attend my Lord
Peterborough in bed and give him an account of yesterday's proceeding
with Povy. I perceive I labour in a business will bring me little
pleasure; but no matter, I shall do the King some service. To my Lord's
lodgings, where during my Lady's sickness he is, there spoke with him
about the same business. Back and by water to my cozen Scott's. There
condoled with him the loss of my cozen, his wife, and talked about his
matters, as atturney to my father, in his administering to my brother
Tom. He tells me we are like to receive some shame about the business of
his bastarde with Jack Noble; but no matter, so it cost us no money.
Thence to the Coffee-house and to the 'Change a while. News uncertain
how the Dutch proceed. Some say for, some against a war. The plague
increases at Amsterdam. So home to dinner, and after dinner to my
office, where very late, till my eyes (which begin to fail me nowadays by
candlelight) begin to trouble me. Only in the afternoon comes Mr. Peter
Honiwood to see me and gives me 20s., his and his friends' pence for my
brother John, which, God forgive my pride, methinks I think myself too
high to take of him; but it is an ungratefull pitch of pride in me, which
God forgive. Home at night to supper and to bed.
5th. Up betimes to my office, busy, and so abroad to change some plate
for my father to send to-day by the carrier to Brampton, but I observe
and do fear it may be to my wrong that I change spoons of my uncle
Robert's into new and set a P upon them that thereby I cannot claim them
hereafter, as it was my brother Tom's practice. However, the matter of
this is not great, and so I did it. So to the 'Change, and meeting Sir
W. Warren, with him to a taverne, and there talked, as we used to do, of
the evils the King suffers in our ordering of business in the Navy, as
Sir W. Batten now forces us by his knavery. So home to dinner, and to
the office, where all the afternoon, and thence betimes home, my eyes
beginning every day to grow less and less able to bear with long reading
or writing, though it be by daylight; which I never observed till now.
So home to my wife, and after supper to bed.
6th. This morning up and to my office, where Sympson my joyner came to
work upon altering my closet, which I alter by setting the door in
another place, and several other things to my great content. Busy at it
all day, only in the afternoon home, and there, my books at the office
being out of order, wrote letters and other businesses. So at night with
my head full of the business of my closet home to bed, and strange it is
to think how building do fill my mind and put out all other things out of
my thoughts.
7th. Betimes at my office with the joyners, and giving order for other
things about it. By and by we sat all the morning. At noon to dinner,
and after dinner comes Deane of Woolwich, and I spent, as I had
appointed, all the afternoon with him about instructions which he gives
me to understand the building of a ship, and I think I shall soon
understand it. In the evening a little to my office to see how the work
goes forward there, and then home and spent the evening also with Mr.
Deane, and had a good supper, and then to bed, he lying at my house.
8th (Lord's day). This day my new tailor, Mr. Langford, brought me home
a new black cloth suit and cloake lined with silk moyre, and he being
gone, who pleases me very well with his work and I hope will use me
pretty well, then Deane and I to my chamber, and there we repeated my
yesterday's lesson about ships all the morning, and I hope I shall soon
understand it. At noon to dinner, and strange how in discourse he cries
up chymistry from some talk he has had with an acquaintance of his, a
chymist, when, poor man, he understands not one word of it. But I
discern very well that it is only his good nature, but in this of
building ships he hath taken great pains, more than most builders I
believe have. After dinner he went away, and my wife and I to church,
and after church to Sir W. Pen, and there sat and talked with him, and
the perfidious rogue seems, as he do always, mightily civil to us, though
I know he hates and envies us. So home to supper, prayers, and to bed.
9th. Up and to my office all the morning, and there saw several things
done in my work to my great content, and at noon home to dinner, and
after dinner in Sir W. Pen's coach he set my wife and I down at the New
Exchange, and after buying some things we walked to my Lady Sandwich's,
who, good lady, is now, thanks be to God! so well as to sit up, and sent
to us, if we were not afeard, to come up to her. So we did; but she was
mightily against my wife's coming so near her; though, poor wretch! she
is as well as ever she was, as to the meazles, and nothing can I see upon
her face. There we sat talking with her above three hours, till six
o'clock, of several things with great pleasure and so away, and home by
coach, buying several things for my wife in our way, and so after looking
what had been done in my office to-day, with good content home to supper
and to bed. But, strange, how I cannot get any thing to take place in my
mind while my work lasts at my office. This day my wife and I in our way
to Paternoster Row to buy things called upon Mr. Hollyard to advise upon
her drying up her issue in her leg, which inclines of itself to dry up,
and he admits of it that it should be dried up.
10th. Up and at my office looking after my workmen all the morning, and
after the office was done did the same at night, and so home to supper
and to bed.
11th. Up and all day, both forenoon and afternoon, at my office to see
it finished by the joyners and washed and every thing in order, and
indeed now my closet is very convenient and pleasant for me. My uncle
Wight came to me to my office this afternoon to speak with me about Mr.
Maes's business again, and from me went to my house to see my wife, and
strange to think that my wife should by and by send for me after he was
gone to tell me that he should begin discourse of her want of children
and his also, and how he thought it would be best for him and her to have
one between them, and he would give her L500 either in money or jewells
beforehand, and make the child his heir. He commended her body, and
discoursed that for all he knew the thing was lawful. She says she did
give him a very warm answer, such as he did not excuse himself by saying
that he said this in jest, but told her that since he saw what her mind
was he would say no more to her of it, and desired her to make no words
of it. It seemed he did say all this in a kind of counterfeit laugh, but
by all words that passed, which I cannot now so well set down, it is
plain to me that he was in good earnest, and that I fear all his kindness
is but only his lust to her. What to think of it of a sudden I know not,
but I think not to take notice yet of it to him till I have thought
better of it. So with my mind and head a little troubled I received a
letter from Mr. Coventry about a mast for the Duke's yacht, which with
other business makes me resolve to go betimes to Woolwich to-morrow. So
to supper and to bed.
12th. Up by 4 o'clock and by water to Woolwich, where did some business
and walked to Greenwich, good discourse with Mr. Deane best part of the
way; there met by appointment Commissioner Pett, and with him to
Deptford, where did also some business, and so home to my office, and at
noon Mrs. Hunt and her cozens child and mayd came and dined with me. My
wife sick . . . . in bed. I was troubled with it, but, however,
could not help it, but attended them till after dinner, and then to the
office and there sat all the afternoon, and by a letter to me this
afternoon from Mr. Coventry I saw the first appearance of a warr with
Holland. So home; and betimes to bed because of rising to-morrow.
13th. Up before three o'clock, and a little after upon the water, it
being very light as at noon, and a bright sunrising; but by and by a
rainbow appeared, the first that ever in a morning I saw, and then it
fell a-raining a little, but held up again, and I to Woolwich, where
before all the men came to work I with Mr. Deane spent two hours upon the
new ship, informing myself in the names and natures of many parts of her
to my great content, and so back again, without doing any thing else, and
after shifting myself away to Westminster, looking after Mr. Maes's
business and others. In the Painted Chamber I heard a fine conference
between some of the two Houses upon the Bill for Conventicles. The Lords
would be freed from having their houses searched by any but the Lord
Lieutenant of the County; and upon being found guilty, to be tried only
by their peers; and thirdly, would have it added, that whereas the Bill
says, "That that, among other things, shall be a conventicle wherein any
such meeting is found doing any thing contrary to the Liturgy of the
Church of England," they would have it added, "or practice." The Commons
to the Lords said, that they knew not what might hereafter be found out
which might be called the practice of the Church of England; for there
are many things may be said to be the practice of the Church, which were
never established by any law, either common, statute, or canon; as
singing of psalms, binding up prayers at the end of the Bible, and
praying extempore before and after sermon: and though these are things
indifferent, yet things for aught they at present know may be started,
which may be said to be the practice of the Church which would not be fit
to allow. For the Lords' priviledges, Mr. Walter told them how tender
their predecessors had been of the priviledges of the Lords; but,
however, where the peace of the kingdom stands in competition with them,
they apprehend those priviledges must give place. He told them that he
thought, if they should owne all to be the priviledges of the Lords which
might be demanded, they should be led like the man (who granted leave to
his neighbour to pull off his horse's tail, meaning that he could not do
it at once) that hair by hair had his horse's tail pulled off indeed: so
the Commons, by granting one thing after another, might be so served by
the Lords. Mr. Vaughan, whom I could not to my grief perfectly hear, did
say, if that they should be obliged in this manner to, exempt the Lords
from every thing, it would in time come to pass that whatever (be [it]
never so great) should be voted by the Commons as a thing penall for a
commoner, the contrary should be thought a priviledge to the Lords: that
also in this business, the work of a conventicle being but the work of an
hour, the cause of a search would be over before a Lord Lieutenant, who
may be many miles off, can be sent for; and that all this dispute is but
about L100; for it is said in the Act, that it shall be banishment or
payment of L100. I thereupon heard the Duke of Lenox say, that there
might be Lords who could not always be ready to lose L100, or some such
thing: They broke up without coming to any end in it. There was also in
the Commons' House a great quarrel about Mr. Prin, and it was believed
that he should have been sent to the Towre, for adding something to a
Bill (after it was ordered to be engrossed) of his own head--a Bill for
measures for wine and other things of that sort, and a Bill of his owne
bringing in; but it appeared he could not mean any hurt in it. But,
however, the King was fain to write in his behalf, and all was passed
over. But it is worth my remembrance, that I saw old Ryly the Herald,
and his son; and spoke to his son, who told me in very bad words
concerning Mr. Prin, that the King had given him an office of keeping the
Records; but that he never comes thither, nor had been there these six
months: so that I perceive they expect to get his imployment from him.
Thus every body is liable to be envied and supplanted. At noon over to
the Leg, where Sir G. Ascue, Sir Robt. Parkhurst and Sir W. Pen dined.
A good dinner and merry. Thence to White Hall walking up and down a
great while, but the Council not meeting soon enough I went homeward,
calling upon my cozen Roger Pepys, with whom I talked and heard so much
from him of his desire that I would see my brother's debts paid, and
things still of that nature tending to my parting with what I get with
pain to serve others' expenses that I was cruelly vexed. Thence to Sir
R. Bernard, and there heard something of Pigott's delay of paying our
money, that that also vexed me mightily. So home and there met with a
letter from my cozen Scott, which tells me that he is resolved to meddle
no more with our business, of administering for my father, which
altogether makes me almost distracted to think of the trouble that I am
like to meet with by other folks' business more than ever I hope to have
by my owne. So with great trouble of mind to bed.
14th. Up, full of pain, I believe by cold got yesterday. So to the
office, where we sat, and after office home to dinner, being in
extraordinary pain. After dinner my pain increasing I was forced to go
to bed, and by and by my pain rose to be as great for an hour or two as
ever I remember it was in any fit of the stone, both in the lower part of
my belly and in my back also. No wind could I break. I took a glyster,
but it brought away but a little, and my height of pain followed it. At
last after two hours lying thus in most extraordinary anguish, crying and
roaring, I know not what, whether it was my great sweating that may do
it, but upon getting by chance, among my other tumblings, upon my knees,
in bed, my pain began to grow less and less, till in an hour after I was
in very little pain, but could break no wind, nor make any water, and so
continued, and slept well all night.
15th (Lord's day). Rose, and as I had intended without reference to this
pain, took physique, and it wrought well with me, my wife lying from me
to-night, the first time she did in the same house ever since we were
married, I think (unless while my father was in town, that he lay with
me). She took physique also to-day, and both of our physiques wrought
well, so we passed our time to-day, our physique having done working,
with some pleasure talking, but I was not well, for I could make no water
yet, but a drop or two with great pain, nor break any wind. In the
evening came Mr. Vernatty to see me and discourse about my Lord
Peterborough's business, and also my uncle Wight and Norbury, but I took
no notice nor showed any different countenance to my uncle Wight, or he
to me, for all that he carried himself so basely to my wife the last
week, but will take time to make my use of it. So, being exceeding hot,
to bed, and slept well.
16th. Forced to rise because of going to the Duke to St. James's, where
we did our usual business, and thence by invitation to Mr. Pierces the
chyrurgeon, where I saw his wife, whom I had not seen in many months
before. She holds her complexion still, but in everything else, even in
this her new house and the best rooms in it, and her closet which her
husband with some vainglory took me to show me, she continues the eeriest
slattern that ever I knew in my life. By and by we to see an experiment
of killing a dogg by letting opium into his hind leg. He and Dr. Clerke
did fail mightily in hitting the vein, and in effect did not do the
business after many trials; but with the little they got in, the dogg did
presently fall asleep, and so lay till we cut him up, and a little dogg
also, which they put it down his throate; he also staggered first, and
then fell asleep, and so continued. Whether he recovered or no, after
I was gone, I know not, but it is a strange and sudden effect. Thence
walked to Westminster Hall, where the King was expected to come to
prorogue the House, but it seems, afterwards I hear, he did not come.
I promised to go again to Mr. Pierce's, but my pain grew so great,
besides a bruise I got to-day in my right testicle, which now vexes me as
much as the other, that I was mighty melancholy, and so by coach home and
there took another glyster, but find little good by it, but by sitting
still my pain of my bruise went away, and so after supper to bed, my wife
and I having talked and concluded upon sending my father an offer of
having Pall come to us to be with us for her preferment, if by any means
I can get her a husband here, which, though it be some trouble to us, yet
it will be better than to have her stay there till nobody will have her
and then be flung upon my hands.
17th. Slept well all night and lay long, then rose and wrote my letter
to my father about Pall, as we had resolved last night. So to dinner and
then to the office, finding myself better than I was, and making a little
water, but not yet breaking any great store of wind, which I wonder at,
for I cannot be well till I do do it. After office home and to supper
and with good ease to bed, and endeavoured to tie my hands that I might
not lay them out of bed, by which I believe I have got cold, but I could
not endure it.
18th. Up and within all the morning, being willing to keep as much as I
could within doors, but receiving a very wakening letter from Mr.
Coventry about fitting of ships, which speaks something like to be done,
I went forth to the office, there to take order in things, and after
dinner to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier, but did little. So home
again and to Sir W. Pen, who, among other things of haste in this new
order for ships, is ordered to be gone presently to Portsmouth to look
after the work there. I staid to discourse with him, and so home to
supper, where upon a fine couple of pigeons, a good supper; and here I
met a pretty cabinet sent me by Mr. Shales, which I give my wife, the
first of that sort of goods I ever had yet, and very conveniently it
comes for her closett. I staid up late finding out the private boxes,
but could not do some of them, and so to bed, afraid that I have been too
bold to-day in venturing in the cold. This day I begun to drink butter-
milke and whey, and I hope to find great good by it.
19th. Up, and it being very rayny weather, which makes it cooler than it
was, by coach to Charing Cross with Sir W. Pen, who is going to
Portsmouth this day, and left him going to St. James's to take leave of
the Duke, and I to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier; where God
forgive how our Report of my Lord Peterborough's accounts was read over
and agreed to by the Lords, without one of them understanding it! And
had it been what it would, it had gone: and, besides, not one thing
touching the King's profit in it minded or hit upon. Thence by coach
home again, and all the morning at the office, sat, and all the afternoon
till 9 at night, being fallen again to business, and I hope my health
will give me leave to follow it. So home to supper and to bed, finding
myself pretty well. A pretty good stool, which I impute to my whey to-
day, and broke wind also.
20th. Up and to my office, whither by and by comes Mr. Cholmely, and
staying till the rest of the company come he told me how Mr. Edward
Montagu is turned out of the Court, not [to] return again. His fault, I
perceive, was his pride, and most of all his affecting to seem great with
the Queene and it seems indeed had more of her eare than any body else,
and would be with her talking alone two or three hours together; insomuch
that the Lords about the King, when he would be jesting with them about
their wives, would tell the King that he must have a care of his wife
too, for she hath now the gallant: and they say the King himself did once
ask Montagu how his mistress (meaning the Queene) did. He grew so proud,
and despised every body, besides suffering nobody, he or she, to get or
do any thing about the Queene, that they all laboured to do him a good
turn. They also say that he did give some affront to the Duke of
Monmouth, which the King himself did speak to him of. But strange it is
that this man should, from the greatest negligence in the world, come to
be the miracle of attendance, so as to take all offices from everybody,
either men or women, about the Queene. Insomuch that he was observed as
a miracle, but that which is the worst, that which in a wise manner
performed [would] turn to his greatest advantage, was by being so
observed employed to his greatest wrong, the world concluding that there
must be something more than ordinary to cause him to do this. So he is
gone, nobody pitying but laughing at him; and he pretends only that he is
gone to his father, that is sick in the country. By and by comes Povy,
Creed, and Vernatty, and so to their accounts, wherein more trouble and
vexation with Povy. That being done, I sent them going and myself fell
to business till dinner. So home to dinner very pleasant. In the
afternoon to my office, where busy again, and by and by came a letter
from my father so full of trouble for discontents there between my mother
and servants, and such troubles to my father from hence from Cave that
hath my brother's bastard that I know not what in the world to do, but
with great trouble, it growing night, spent some time walking, and
putting care as much as I could out of my head, with my wife in the
garden, and so home to supper and to bed.
21st. Up, called by Mr. Cholmely, and walked with him in the garden till
others came to another Committee of Tangier, as we did meet as we did use
to do, to see more of Povy's folly, and so broke up, and at the office
sat all the morning, Mr. Coventry with us, and very hot we are getting
out some ships. At noon to the 'Change, and there did some business,
and thence home to dinner, and so abroad with my wife by coach to the New
Exchange, and there laid out almost 40s. upon her, and so called to see
my Lady Sandwich, whom we found in her dining-room, which joyed us
mightily; but she looks very thin, poor woman, being mightily broke.
She told us that Mr. Montagu is to return to Court, as she hears, which
I wonder at, and do hardly believe. So home and to my office, where
late, and so home to supper and to bed.
22nd (Lord's day). Up and by water to White Hall to my Lord's lodgings,
and with him walked to White Hall without any great discourse, nor do I
find that he do mind business at all. Here the Duke of Yorke called me
to him, to ask me whether I did intend to go with him to Chatham or no.
I told him if he commanded, but I did believe there would be business
here for me, and so he told me then it would be better to stay, which I
suppose he will take better than if I had been forward to go. Thence,
after staying and seeing the throng of people to attend the King to
Chappell (but, Lord! what a company of sad, idle people they are) I
walked to St. James's with Colonell Remes, where staid a good while and
then walked to White Hall with Mr. Coventry, talking about business.
So meeting Creed, took him with me home and to dinner, a good dinner,
and thence by water to Woolwich, where mighty kindly received by Mrs.
Falconer and her husband, who is now pretty well again, this being the
first time I ever carried my wife thither. I walked to the Docke, where
I met Mrs. Ackworth alone at home, and God forgive me! what thoughts I
had, but I had not the courage to stay, but went to Mr. Pett's and walked
up and down the yard with him and Deane talking about the dispatch of the
ships now in haste, and by and by Creed and my wife and a friend of Mr.
Falconer's came with the boat and called me, and so by water to Deptford,
where I landed, and after talking with others walked to Half-way house
with Mr. Wayth talking about the business of his supplying us with
canvas, and he told me in discourse several instances of Sir W. Batten's
cheats. So to Half-way house, whither my wife and them were gone before,
and after drinking there we walked, and by water home, sending Creed and
the other with the boat home. Then wrote a letter to Mr. Coventry, and
so a good supper of pease, the first I eat this year, and so to bed.
23rd. Up and to the office, where Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, and
myself met and did business, we being in a mighty hurry. The King is
gone down with the Duke and a great crew this morning by break of day to
Chatham. Towards noon I and my wife by water to Woolwich, leaving my
wife at Mr. Falconer's, and Mr. Hater and I with some officers of the
yard on board to see several ships how ready they are. Then to Mr.
Falconer's to a good dinner, having myself carried them a vessel of
sturgeon and a Lamprey pie, and then to the Yarde again, and among other
things did at Mr. Ackworth's obtain a demonstration of his being a knave;
but I did not discover it, till it be a little more seasonable. So back
to the Ropeyard and took my wife and Mr. Hater back, it raining mighty
hard of a sudden, but we with the tilt
[Tilt (A.S. teld) represents a tent or awning. It was used for a
cloth covering for a cart or waggon, or for a canopy or awning over
a portion of a boat.]
kept ourselves dry. So to Deptford, did some business there; but, Lord!
to see how in both places the King's business, if ever it should come to
a warr, is likely to be done, there not being a man that looks or speaks
like a man that will take pains, or use any forecast to serve the King,
at which I am heartily troubled. So home, it raining terribly, but we
still dry, and at the office late discoursing with Sir J. Minnes and Sir
W. Batten, who like a couple of sots receive all I say but to little
purpose. So late home to supper and to bed.
24th. Up and to the office, where Sir J. Minnes and I sat all the
morning, and after dinner thither again, and all the afternoon hard at
the office till night, and so tired home to supper and to bed. This day
I heard that my uncle Fenner is dead, which makes me a little sad, to see
with what speed a great many of my friends are gone, and more, I fear,
for my father's sake, are going.
25th. Took physique betimes and to sleep, then up, it working all the
morning. At noon dined, and in the afternoon in my chamber spending two
or three hours to look over some unpleasant letters and things of trouble
to answer my father in, about Tom's business and others, that vexed me,
but I did go through it and by that means eased my mind very much. This
afternoon also came Tom and Charles Pepys by my sending for, and received
of me L40 in part towards their L70 legacy of my uncle's. Spent the
evening talking with my wife, and so to bed.
26th. Up to the office, where we sat, and I had some high words with Sir
W. Batten about canvas, wherein I opposed him and all his experience,
about seams in the middle, and the profit of having many breadths and
narrow, which I opposed to good purpose, to the rejecting of the whole
business. At noon home to dinner, and thence took my wife by coach, and
she to my Lady Sandwich to see her. I to Tom Trice, to discourse about
my father's giving over his administration to my brother, and thence to
Sir R. Bernard, and there received L19 in money, and took up my father's
bond of L21, that is L40, in part of Piggot's L209 due to us, which L40
he pays for 7 roods of meadow in Portholme. Thence to my wife, and
carried her to the Old Bayly, and there we were led to the Quest House,
by the church, where all the kindred were by themselves at the buriall of
my uncle Fenner; but, Lord! what a pitiful rout of people there was of
them, but very good service and great company the whole was. And so anon
to church, and a good sermon, and so home, having for ease put my L19
into W. Joyce's hand, where I left it. So to supper and to bed, being in
a little pain from some cold got last night lying without anything upon
my feet.
27th. Up, not without some pain by cold, which makes me mighty
melancholy, to think of the ill state of my health. To the office, where
busy till my brains ready to drop with variety of business, and vexed for
all that to see the service like to suffer by other people's neglect.
Vexed also at a letter from my father with two troublesome ones enclosed
from Cave and Noble, so that I know not what to do therein. At home to
dinner at noon. But to comfort my heart, Captain Taylor this day brought
me L20 he promised me for my assistance to him about his masts. After
dinner to the office again, and thence with Mr. Wayth to St. Catherine's
to see some variety of canvas's, which indeed was worth my seeing, but
only I was in some pain, and so took not the delight I should otherwise
have done. So home to the office, and there busy till late at night, and
so home to supper and to bed. This morning my taylor brought me a very
tall mayde to be my cook-mayde; she asked L5, but my wife offered her but
L3 10s.--whether she will take it or no I know not till to-morrow, but I
am afeard she will be over high for us, she having last been a chamber
mayde, and holds up her head, as my little girle Su observed.
28th. Up pretty well as to pain and wind, and to the office, where we
sat close and did much business. At noon I to the 'Change, and thence to
Mr. Cutler's, where I heard Sir W. Rider was, where I found them at
dinner and dined with them, he having yesterday and to-day a fit of a
pain like the gout, the first time he ever had it. A good dinner. Good
discourse, Sir W. Rider especially much fearing the issue of a Dutch
warr, wherein I very highly commend him. Thence home, and at the office
a while, and then with Mr. Deane to a second lesson upon my Shipwrightry,
wherein I go on with great pleasure. He being gone I to the office late,
and so home to supper and to bed. But, Lord! to see how my very going to
the 'Change, and being without my gowne, presently brought me wind and
pain, till I came home and was well again; but I am come to such a pass
that I shall not know what to do with myself, but I am apt to think that
it is only my legs that I take cold in from my having so long worn a
gowne constantly.
29th (Whitsunday. King's Birth and Restauration day). Up, and having
received a letter last night desiring it from Mr. Coventry, I walked to
St. James's, and there he and I did long discourse together of the
business of the office, and the warr with the Dutch; and he seemed to
argue mightily with the little reason that there is for all this. For
first, as to the wrong we pretend they have done us: that of the East
Indys, for their not delivering of Poleron, it is not yet known whether
they have failed or no; that of their hindering the Leopard cannot amount
to above L3,000 if true; that of the Guinny Company, all they had done us
did not amount to above L200 or L300 he told me truly; and that now, from
what Holmes, without any commission, hath done in taking an island and
two forts, hath set us much in debt to them; and he believes that Holmes
will have been so puffed up with this, that he by this time hath been
enforced with more strength than he had then, hath, I say, done a great
deale more wrong to them. He do, as to the effect of the warr, tell me
clearly that it is not any skill of the Dutch that can hinder our trade
if we will, we having so many advantages over them, of winds, good ports,
and men; but it is our pride, and the laziness of the merchant. He seems
to think that there may be some negotiation which may hinder a warr this
year, but that he speaks doubtfully as unwilling I perceive to be thought
to discourse any such thing. The main thing he desired to speake with me
about was, to know whether I do understand my Lord Sandwich's intentions
as to going to sea with this fleete; saying, that the Duke, if he desires
it, is most willing to it; but thinking that twelve ships is not a fleete
fit for my Lord to be troubled to go out with, he is not willing to offer
it to him till he hath some intimations of his mind to go, or not. He
spoke this with very great respect as to my Lord, though methinks it is
strange they should not understand one another better at this time than
to need another's mediation. Thence walked over the Parke to White Hall,
Mr. Povy with me, and was taken in a very great showre in the middle of
the Parke that we were very wet. So up into, the house and with him to
the King's closett, whither by and by the King came, my Lord Sandwich
carrying the sword. A Bishopp preached, but he speaking too low for me
to hear behind the King's closett, I went forth and walked and discoursed
with Colonell Reames, who seems a very willing man to be informed in his
business of canvas, which he is undertaking to strike in with us to serve
the Navy. By and by my Lord Sandwich came forth, and called me to him:
and we fell into discourse a great while about his business, wherein he
seems to be very open with me, and to receive my opinion as he used to
do; and I hope I shall become necessary to him again. He desired me to
think of the fitness, or not, for him to offer himself to go to sea; and
to give him my thoughts in a day or two. Thence after sermon among the
ladies on the Queene's side; where I saw Mrs. Stewart, very fine and
pretty, but far beneath my Lady Castlemayne. Thence with Mr. Povy home
to dinner; where extraordinary cheer. And after dinner up and down to
see his house. And in a word, methinks, for his perspective upon his
wall in his garden, and the springs rising up with the perspective in the
little closett; his room floored above with woods of several colours,
like but above the best cabinet-work I ever saw; his grotto and vault,
with his bottles of wine, and a well therein to keep them cool; his
furniture of all sorts; his bath at the top of his house, good pictures,
and his manner of eating and drinking; do surpass all that ever I did see
of one man in all my life. Thence walked home and found my uncle Wight
and Mr. Rawlinson, who supped with me. They being gone, I to bed, being
in some pain from my being so much abroad to-day, which is a most strange
thing that in such warm weather the least ayre should get cold and wind
in me. I confess it makes me mighty sad and out of all content in the
world.
30th. Lay long, the bells ringing, it being holiday, and then up and all
the day long in my study at home studying of shipmaking with great
content till the evening, and then came Mr. Howe and sat and then supped
with me. He is a little conceited, but will make a discreet man. He
being gone, a little to my office, and then home to bed, being in much
pain from yesterday's being abroad, which is a consideration of mighty
sorrow to me.
31st. Up, and called upon Mr. Hollyard, with whom I advised and shall
fall upon some course of doing something for my disease of the wind,
which grows upon me every day more and more. Thence to my Lord
Sandwich's, and while he was dressing I below discoursed with Captain
Cooke, and I think if I do find it fit to keep a boy at all I had as good
be supplied from him with one as any body. By and by up to my Lord, and
to discourse about his going to sea, and the message I had from Mr.
Coventry to him. He wonders, as he well may, that this course should be
taken, and he every day with the Duke, who, nevertheless, seems most
friendly to him, who hath not yet spoke one word to my Lord of his desire
to have him go to sea. My Lord do tell me clearly that were it not that
he, as all other men that were of the Parliament side, are obnoxious to
reproach, and so is forced to bear what otherwise he would not, he would
never suffer every thing to be done in the Navy, and he never be
consulted; and it seems, in the naming of all these commanders for this
fleete, he hath never been asked one question. But we concluded it
wholly inconsistent with his honour not to go with this fleete, nor with
the reputation which the world hath of his interest at Court; and so he
did give me commission to tell Mr. Coventry that he is most willing to
receive any commands from the Duke in this fleete, were it less than it
is, and that particularly in this service. With this message I parted,
and by coach to the office, where I found Mr. Coventry, and told him
this. Methinks, I confess, he did not seem so pleased with it as I
expected, or at least could have wished, and asked me whether I had told
my Lord that the Duke do not expect his going, which I told him I had.
But now whether he means really that the Duke, as he told me the other
day, do think the Fleete too small for him to take or that he would not
have him go, I swear I cannot tell. But methinks other ways might have
been used to put him by without going in this manner about it, and so I
hope it is out of kindness indeed. Dined at home, and so to the office,
where a great while alone in my office, nobody near, with Bagwell's wife
of Deptford, but the woman seems so modest that I durst not offer any
courtship to her, though I had it in my mind when I brought her in to me.
But I am resolved to do her husband a courtesy, for I think he is a man
that deserves very well. So abroad with my wife by coach to St. James's,
to one Lady Poultny's, where I found my Lord, I doubt, at some vain
pleasure or other. I did give him a short account of what I had done
with Mr. Coventry, and so left him, and to my wife again in the coach,
and with her to the Parke, but the Queene being gone by the Parke to
Kensington, we staid not but straight home and to supper (the first time
I have done so this summer), and so to my office doing business, and then
to my monthly accounts, where to my great comfort I find myself better
than I was still the last month, and now come to L930. I was told to-
day, that upon Sunday night last, being the King's birth-day, the King
was at my Lady Castlemayne's lodgings (over the hither-gates at Lambert's
lodgings) dancing with fiddlers all night almost; and all the world
coming by taking notice of it, which I am sorry to hear. The discourse
of the town is only whether a warr with Holland or no, and we are
preparing for it all we can, which is but little. Myself subject more
than ordinary to pain by winde, which makes me very sad, together with
the trouble which at present lies upon me in my father's behalf, rising
from the death of my brother, which are many and great. Would to God
they were over!
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
Bath at the top of his house
Fear all his kindness is but only his lust to her
Fetch masts from New England
Find myself to over-value things when a child
Generally with corruption, but most indeed with neglect
I slept soundly all the sermon
In a hackney and full of people, was ashamed to be seen
In my dining-room she was doing something upon the pott
Methought very ill, or else I am grown worse to please
Mrs. Lane was gone forth, and so I missed of my intent
Saw "The German Princess" acted, by the woman herself
Slabbering my band sent home for another
That hair by hair had his horse's tail pulled off indeed
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of The Diary of Samuel Pepys, v32
by Samuel Pepys, Unabridged, transcribed by Bright, edited by Wheatley