Produced by David Widger
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
1661 N.S. COMPLETE
JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH
1660-61
1660-61. At the end of the last and the beginning of this year, I do live
in one of the houses belonging to the Navy Office, as one of the principal
officers, and have done now about half a year. After much trouble with
workmen I am now almost settled; my family being, myself, my wife, Jane,
Will. Hewer, and Wayneman,--[Will Wayneman appears by this to have been
forgiven for his theft (see ante). He was dismissed on July 8th,
1663.]--my girle's brother. Myself in constant good health, and in a most
handsome and thriving condition. Blessed be Almighty God for it. I am now
taking of my sister to come and live with me. As to things of State.--The
King settled, and loved of all. The Duke of York matched to my Lord
Chancellor's daughter, which do not please many. The Queen upon her
return to France with the Princess Henrietta. The Princess of Orange
lately dead, and we into new mourning for her. We have been lately
frighted with a great plot, and many taken up on it, and the fright not
quite over. The Parliament, which had done all this great good to the
King, beginning to grow factious, the King did dissolve it December 29th
last, and another likely to be chosen speedily. I take myself now to be
worth L300 clear in money, and all my goods and all manner of debts paid,
which are none at all.
1660-61. January 1st. Called up this morning by Mr. Moore, who brought
me my last things for me to sign for the last month, and to my great
comfort tells me that my fees will come to L80 clear to myself, and about
L25 for him, which he hath got out of the pardons, though there be no fee
due to me at all out of them. Then comes in my brother Thomas, and after
him my father, Dr. Thomas Pepys, my uncle Fenner and his two sons
(Anthony's' only child dying this morning, yet he was so civil to come,
and was pretty merry) to breakfast; and I had for them a barrel of
oysters, a dish of neat's tongues, and a dish of anchovies, wine of all
sorts, and Northdown ale. We were very merry till about eleven o'clock,
and then they went away. At noon I carried my wife by coach to my cozen,
Thomas Pepys, where we, with my father, Dr. Thomas, cozen Stradwick,
Scott, and their wives, dined. Here I saw first his second wife, which is
a very respectfull woman, but his dinner a sorry, poor dinner for a man of
his estate, there being nothing but ordinary meat in it. To-day the King
dined at a lord's, two doors from us. After dinner I took my wife to
Whitehall, I sent her to Mrs. Pierces (where we should have dined today),
and I to the Privy Seal, where Mr. Moore took out all his money, and he
and I went to Mr. Pierces; in our way seeing the Duke of York bring his
Lady this day to wait upon the Queen, the first time that ever she did
since that great business; and the Queen is said to receive her now with
much respect and love; and there he cast up the fees, and I told the
money, by the same token one L100 bag, after I had told it, fell all about
the room, and I fear I have lost some of it. That done I left my friends
and went to my Lord's, but he being not come in I lodged the money with
Mr. Shepley, and bade good night to Mr. Moore, and so returned to Mr.
Pierces, and there supped with them, and Mr. Pierce, the purser, and his
wife and mine, where we had a calf's head carboned,
[Meat cut crosswise and broiled was said to be carboned. Falstaff
says in "King Henry IV.," Part L, act v., sc. 3, "Well, if Percy be
alive, I'll pierce him. If he do come in my way, so; if he do not,
if I come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado of me."]
but it was raw, we could not eat it, and a good hen. But she is such a
slut that I do not love her victualls. After supper I sent them home by
coach, and I went to my Lord's and there played till 12 at night at cards
at Best with J. Goods and N. Osgood, and then to bed with Mr. Shepley.
2d. Up early, and being called up to my Lord he did give me many commands
in his business. As about taking care to write to my uncle that Mr.
Barnewell's papers should be locked up, in case he should die, he being
now suspected to be very ill. Also about consulting with Mr. W. Montagu
for the settling of the L4000 a-year that the King had promised my Lord.
As also about getting of Mr. George Montagu to be chosen at Huntingdon
this next Parliament, &c. That done he to White Hall stairs with much
company, and I with him; where we took water for Lambeth, and there coach
for Portsmouth. The Queen's things were all in White Hall Court ready to
be sent away, and her Majesty ready to be gone an hour after to Hampton
Court to-night, and so to be at Ports mouth on Saturday next. I by water
to my office, and there all the morning, and so home to dinner, where I
found Pall (my sister) was come; but I do not let her sit down at table
with me, which I do at first that she may not expect it hereafter from me.
After dinner I to Westminster by water, and there found my brother Spicer
at the Leg with all the rest of the Exchequer men (most of whom I now do
not know) at dinner. Here I staid and drank with them, and then to Mr.
George Montagu about the business of election, and he did give me a piece
in gold; so to my Lord's and got the chest of plate brought to the
Exchequer, and my brother Spicer put it into his treasury. So to Will's
with them to a pot of ale, and so parted. I took a turn in the Hall, and
bought the King and Chancellor's speeches at the dissolving the Parliament
last Saturday. So to my Lord's, and took my money I brought 'thither last
night and the silver candlesticks, and by coach left the latter at
Alderman Backwell's, I having no use for them, and the former home. There
stood a man at our door, when I carried it in, and saw me, which made me a
little afeard. Up to my chamber and wrote letters to Huntingdon and did
other business. This day I lent Sir W. Batten and Captn. Rider my chine
of beef for to serve at dinner tomorrow at Trinity House, the Duke of
Albemarle being to be there and all the rest of the Brethren, it being a
great day for the reading over of their new Charter, which the King hath
newly given them.
3d. Early in the morning to the Exchequer, where I told over what money I
had of my Lord's and my own there, which I found to be L970. Thence to
Will's, where Spicer and I eat our dinner of a roasted leg of pork which
Will did give us, and after that to the Theatre, where was acted "Beggars'
Bush," it being very well done; and here the first time that ever I saw
women come upon the stage.
[Downes does not give the cast of this play. After the Restoration
the acting of female characters by women became common. The first
English professional actress was Mrs. Coleman, who acted Ianthe in
Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes," at Rutland House in 1656.]
From thence to my father's, where I found my mother gone by Bird, the
carrier, to Brampton, upon my uncle's great desire, my aunt being now in
despair of life. So home.
4th. Office all the morning, my wife and Pall being gone to my father's
to dress dinner for Mr. Honiwood, my mother being gone out of town. Dined
at home, and Mr. Moore with me, with whom I had been early this morning at
White Hall, at the Jewell Office,
[Several of the Jewel Office rolls are in the British Museum. They
recite all the sums of money given to the King, and the particulars
of all the plate distributed in his name, as well as gloves and
sweetmeats. The Museum possesses these rolls for the 4th, 9th,
18th, 30th, and 31st Eliz.; for the 13th Charles I.; and the 23rd,
24th, 26th, and 27th of Charles II.--B.]
to choose a piece of gilt plate for my Lord, in return of his offering to
the King (which it seems is usual at this time of year, and an Earl gives
twenty pieces in gold in a purse to the King). I chose a gilt tankard,
weighing 31 ounces and a half, and he is allowed 30; so I paid 12s. for
the ounce and half over what he is to have; but strange it was for me to
see what a company of small fees I was called upon by a great many to pay
there, which, I perceive, is the manner that courtiers do get their
estates. After dinner Mr. Moore and I to the Theatre, where was "The
Scornful Lady," acted very well, it being the first play that ever he saw.
Thence with him to drink a cup of ale at Hercules Pillars, and so parted.
I called to see my father, who told me by the way how Will and Mary Joyce
do live a strange life together, nothing but fighting, &c., so that
sometimes her father has a mind to have them divorced. Thence home.
5th. Home all the morning. Several people came to me about business,
among others the great Tom Fuller, who came to desire a kindness for a
friend of his, who hath a mind to go to Jamaica with these two ships that
are going, which I promised to do. So to Whitehall to my Lady, whom I
found at dinner and dined with her, and staid with her talking all the
afternoon, and thence walked to Westminster Hall. So to Will's, and drank
with Spicer, and thence by coach home, staying a little in Paul's
Churchyard, to bespeak Ogilby's AEsop's Fables and Tully's Officys to be
bound for me. So home and to bed.
6th (Lord's day). My wife and I to church this morning, and so home to
dinner to a boiled leg of mutton all alone. To church again, where,
before sermon, a long Psalm was set that lasted an hour, while the sexton
gathered his year's contribucion through the whole church. After sermon
home, and there I went to my chamber and wrote a letter to send to Mr.
Coventry, with a piece of plate along with it, which I do preserve among
my other letters. So to supper, and thence after prayers to bed.
7th. This morning, news was brought to me to my bedside, that there had
been a great stir in the City this night by the Fanatiques, who had been
up and killed six or seven men, but all are fled.
["A great rising in the city of the Fifth-monarchy men, which did
very much disturb the peace and liberty of the people, so that all
the train-bands arose in arms, both in London and Westminster, as
likewise all the king's guards; and most of the noblemen mounted,
and put all their servants on coach horses, for the defence of his
Majesty, and the peace of his kingdom."--Rugge's Diurnal. The
notorious Thomas Venner, the Fifth-monarchy man, a cooper and
preacher to a conventicle in Swan Alley, Coleman Street, with a
small following (about fifty in number) took arms on the 6th January
for the avowed purpose of establishing the Millennium. He was a
violent enthusiast, and persuaded his followers that they were
invulnerable. After exciting much alarm in the City, and
skirmishing with the Trained Bands, they marched to Caen Wood. They
were driven out by a party of guards, but again entered the City,
where they were overpowered by the Trained Bands. The men were
brought to trial and condemned; four, however, were acquitted and
two reprieved. The execution of some of these men is mentioned by
Pepys under date January 19th and 21st. "A Relation of the
Arraignment and Trial of those who made the late Rebellious
Insurrections in London, 1661," is reprinted in "Somers Tracts,"
vol. vii. (1812), p. 469.]
My Lord Mayor and the whole City had been in arms, above 40,000. To the
office, and after that to dinner, where my brother Tom came and dined with
me, and after dinner (leaving 12d. with the servants to buy a cake with at
night, this day being kept as Twelfth day) Tom and I and my wife to the
Theatre, and there saw "The Silent Woman." The first time that ever I did
see it, and it is an excellent play. Among other things here, Kinaston,
the boy; had the good turn to appear in three shapes: first, as a poor
woman in ordinary clothes, to please Morose; then in fine clothes, as a
gallant, and in them was clearly the prettiest woman in the whole house,
and lastly, as a man; and then likewise did appear the handsomest man in
the house. From thence by link to my cozen Stradwick's, where my father
and we and Dr. Pepys, Scott, and his wife, and one Mr. Ward and his; and
after a good supper, we had an excellent cake, where the mark for the
Queen was cut, and so there was two queens, my wife and Mrs. Ward; and the
King being lost, they chose the Doctor to be King, so we made him send for
some wine, and then home, and in our way home we were in many places
strictly examined, more than in the worst of times, there being great
fears of these Fanatiques rising again: for the present I do not hear that
any of them are taken. Home, it being a clear moonshine and after 12
o'clock at night. Being come home we found that my people had been very
merry, and my wife tells me afterwards that she had heard that they had
got young Davis and some other neighbours with them to be merry, but no
harm.
8th. My wife and I lay very long in bed to-day talking and pleasing one
another in discourse. Being up, Mr. Warren came, and he and I agreed for
the deals that my Lord is to, have. Then Will and I to Westminster, where
I dined with my Lady. After dinner I took my Lord Hinchinbroke and Mr.
Sidney to the Theatre, and shewed them "The Widdow," an indifferent good
play, but wronged by the women being to seek in their parts. That being
done, my Lord's coach waited for us, and so back to my Lady's, where she
made me drink of some Florence wine, and did give me two bottles for my
wife. From thence walked to my cozen Stradwick's, and there chose a small
banquet and some other things against our entertainment on Thursday next.
Thence to Tom Pepys and bought a dozen of trenchers, and so home. Some
talk to-day of a head of Fanatiques that do appear about Barnett, but I do
not believe it. However, my Lord Mayor, Sir Richd. Browne, hath carried
himself very honourably, and hath caused one of their meeting-houses in
London to be pulled down.
9th. Waked in the morning about six o'clock, by people running up and
down in Mr. Davis's house, talking that the Fanatiques were up in arms in
the City. And so I rose and went forth; where in the street I found every
body in arms at the doors. So I returned (though with no good courage at
all, but that I might not seem to be afeared), and got my sword and
pistol, which, however, I had no powder to charge; and went to the door,
where I found Sir R. Ford, and with him I walked up and down as far as the
Exchange, and there I left him. In our way, the streets full of
Train-band, and great stories, what mischief these rogues have done; and I
think near a dozen have been killed this morning on both sides. Seeing the
city in this condition, the shops shut, and all things in trouble, I went
home and sat, it being office day, till noon. So home, and dined at home,
my father with me, and after dinner he would needs have me go to my uncle
Wight's (where I have been so long absent that I am ashamed to go). I
found him at home and his wife, and I can see they have taken my absence
ill, but all things are past and we good friends, and here I sat with my
aunt till it was late, my uncle going forth about business. My aunt being
very fearful to be alone. So home to my lute till late, and then to bed,
there being strict guards all night in the City, though most of the
enemies, they say, are killed or taken. This morning my wife and Pall
went forth early, and I staid within.
10th. There comes Mr. Hawley to me and brings me my money for the quarter
of a year's salary of my place under Downing that I was at sea. So I did
give him half, whereof he did in his nobleness give the odd 5s, to my
Jane. So we both went forth (calling first to see how Sir W. Pen do, whom
I found very ill), and at the Hoop by the bridge we drank two pints of
wormwood and sack. Talking of his wooing afresh of Mrs. Lane, and of his
going to serve the Bishop of London. Thence by water to Whitehall, and
found my wife at Mrs. Hunt's. Leaving her to dine there, I went and dined
with my Lady, and staid to talk a while with her. After dinner Will.
comes to tell me that he had presented my piece of plate to Mr. Coventry,
who takes it very kindly, and sends me a very kind letter, and the plate
back again; of which my heart is very glad. So to Mrs. Hunt, where I
found a Frenchman, a lodger of hers, at dinner, and just as I came in was
kissing my wife, which I did not like, though there could not be any hurt
in it. Thence by coach to my Uncle Wight's with my wife, but they being
out of doors we went home, where, after I had put some papers in order and
entered some letters in my book which I have a mind to keep, I went with
my wife to see Sir W. Pen, who we found ill still, but he do make very
much of it. Here we sat a great while, at last comes in Mr. Davis and his
lady (who takes it very ill that my wife never did go to see her), and so
we fell to talk. Among other things Mr. Davis told us the particular
examinations of these Fanatiques that are taken: and in short it is this,
of all these Fanatiques that have done all this, viz., routed all the
Trainbands that they met with, put the King's life-guards to the run,
killed about twenty men, broke through the City gates twice; and all this
in the day-time, when all the City was in arms; are not in all about 31.
Whereas we did believe them (because they were seen up and down in every
place almost in the City, and had been about Highgate two or three days,
and in several other places) to be at least 500. A thing that never was
heard of, that so few men should dare and do so much mischief. Their word
was, "The King Jesus, and the heads upon the gates." Few of them would
receive any quarter, but such as were taken by force and kept alive;
expecting Jesus to come here and reign in the world presently, and will
not believe yet but their work will be carried on though they do die. The
King this day came to town.
11th. Office day. This day comes news, by letters from Portsmouth, that
the Princess Henrietta is fallen sick of the meazles on board the London,
after the Queen and she was under sail. And so was forced to come back
again into Portsmouth harbour; and in their way, by negligence of the
pilot, run upon the Horse sand. The Queen and she continue aboard, and do
not intend to come on shore till she sees what will become of the young
Princess. This news do make people think something indeed, that three of
the Royal Family should fall sick of the same disease, one after another.
This morning likewise, we had order to see guards set in all the King's
yards; and so we do appoint who and who should go to them. Sir Wm. Batten
to Chatham, Colonel Slingsby and I to Deptford and Woolwich. Portsmouth
being a garrison, needs none. Dined at home, discontented that my wife do
not go neater now she has two maids. After dinner comes in Kate Sterpin
(whom we had not seen a great while) and her husband to see us, with whom
I staid a while, and then to the office, and left them with my wife. At
night walked to Paul's Churchyard, and bespoke some books against next
week, and from thence to the Coffeehouse, where I met Captain Morrice, the
upholster, who would fain have lent me a horse to-night to have rid with
him upon the Cityguards, with the Lord Mayor, there being some new
expectations of these rogues; but I refused by reason of my going out of
town tomorrow. So home to bed.
12th. With Colonel Slingsby and a friend of his, Major Waters (a deaf and
most amorous melancholy gentleman, who is under a despayr in love, as the
Colonel told me, which makes him bad company, though a most good-natured
man), by water to Redriffe, and so on foot to Deptford (our servants by
water), where we fell to choosing four captains to command the guards, and
choosing the places where to keep them, and other things in order
thereunto. We dined at the Globe, having our messenger with us to take
care for us. Never till now did I see the great authority of my place,
all the captains of the fleet coming cap in hand to us. Having staid very
late there talking with the Colonel, I went home with Mr. Davis,
storekeeper (whose wife is ill and so I could not see her), and was there
most prince-like lodged, with so much respect and honour that I was at a
loss how to behave myself.
13th. In the morning we all went to church, and sat in the pew belonging
to us, where a cold sermon of a young man that never had preached before.
Here Commissioner came with his wife and daughters, the eldest being his
wife's daughter is a very comely black woman.--[The old expression for a
brunette.]--So to the Globe to dinner, and then with Commissioner Pett to
his lodgings there (which he hath for the present while he is building the
King's yacht, which will be a pretty thing, and much beyond the
Dutchman's), and from thence with him and his wife and daughter-in-law by
coach to Greenwich Church, where a good sermon, a fine church, and a great
company of handsome women. After sermon to Deptford again; where, at the
Commissioner's and the Globe, we staid long. And so I to Mr. Davis's to
bed again. But no sooner in bed, but we had an alarm, and so we rose: and
the Comptroller comes into the Yard to us; and seamen of all the ships
present repair to us, and there we armed with every one a handspike, with
which they were as fierce as could be. At last we hear that it was only
five or six men that did ride through the guard in the town, without
stopping to the guard that was there; and, some say, shot at them. But
all being quiet there, we caused the seamen to go on board again: And so
we all to bed (after I had sat awhile with Mr. Davis in his study, which
is filled with good books and some very good song books) I likewise to
bed.
14th. The arms being come this morning from the Tower, we caused them to
be distributed. I spent much time walking with Lieutenant Lambert,
walking up and down the yards, who did give me much light into things
there, and so went along with me and dined with us. After dinner Mrs.
Pett, her husband being gone this morning with Sir W. Batten to Chatham,
lent us her coach, and carried us to Woolwich, where we did also dispose
of the arms there and settle the guards. So to Mr. Pett's, the
shipwright, and there supped, where he did treat us very handsomely (and
strange it is to see what neat houses all the officers of the King's yards
have), his wife a proper woman, and has been handsome, and yet has a very
pretty hand. Thence I with Mr. Ackworth to his house, where he has a very
pretty house, and a very proper lovely woman to his wife, who both sat
with me in my chamber, and they being gone, I went to bed, which was also
most neat and fine.
15th. Up and down the yard all the morning and seeing the seamen
exercise, which they do already very handsomely. Then to dinner at Mr.
Ackworth's, where there also dined with us one Captain Bethell, a friend
of the Comptroller's. A good dinner and very handsome. After that and
taking our leaves of the officers of the yard, we walked to the waterside
and in our way walked into the rope-yard, where I do look into the
tar-houses and other places, and took great notice of all the several
works belonging to the making of a cable. So after a cup of burnt
wine--[Burnt wine was somewhat similar to mulled wine, and a favourite
drink]--at the tavern there, we took barge and went to Blackwall and
viewed the dock and the new Wet dock, which is newly made there, and a
brave new merchantman which is to be launched shortly, and they say to be
called the Royal Oak. Hence we walked to Dick-Shore, and thence to the
Towre and so home. Where I found my wife and Pall abroad, so I went to see
Sir W. Pen, and there found Mr. Coventry come to see him, and now had an
opportunity to thank him, and he did express much kindness to me. I sat a
great while with Sir Wm. after he was gone, and had much talk with him. I
perceive none of our officers care much for one another, but I do keep in
with them all as much as I can. Sir W. Pen is still very ill as when I
went. Home, where my wife not yet come home, so I went up to put my papers
in order, and then was much troubled my wife was not come, it being 10
o'clock just now striking as I write this last line. This day I hear the
Princess is recovered again. The King hath been this afternoon at
Deptford, to see the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building, which will
be very pretty; as also that that his brother at Woolwich is in making. By
and by comes in my boy and tells me that his mistress do lie this night at
Mrs. Hunt's, who is very ill, with which being something satisfied, I went
to bed.
16th. This morning I went early to the Comptroller's and so with him by
coach to Whitehall, to wait upon Mr. Coventry to give him an account of
what we have done, which having done, I went away to wait upon my Lady;
but coming to her lodgings I find that she is gone this morning to Chatham
by coach, thinking to meet me there, which did trouble me exceedingly, and
I did not know what to do, being loth to follow her, and yet could not
imagine what she would do when she found me not there. In this trouble, I
went to take a walk in Westminster Hall and by chance met with Mr. Child,
who went forth with my Lady to-day, but his horse being bad, he come back
again, which then did trouble me more, so that I did resolve to go to her;
and so by boat home and put on my boots, and so over to Southwarke to the
posthouse, and there took horse and guide to Dartford and thence to
Rochester (I having good horses and good way, come thither about
half-an-hour after daylight, which was before 6 o'clock and I set forth
after two), where I found my Lady and her daughter Jem., and Mrs. Browne'
and five servants, all at a great loss, not finding me here, but at my
coming she was overjoyed. The sport was how she had intended to have kept
herself unknown, and how the Captain (whom she had sent for) of the
Charles had forsoothed
[To forsooth is to address in a polite and ceremonious manner.
"Your city-mannerly word forsooth, use it not too often in any
case."--Ben Jonson's Poetaster, act iv., sc. 1.]
her, though he knew her well and she him. In fine we supped merry and so
to bed, there coming several of the Charles's men to see me before, I got
to bed. The page lay with me.
17th. Up, and breakfast with my Lady. Then come Captains Cuttance and
Blake to carry her in the barge on board; and so we went through Ham
Creeke to the Soverayne (a goodly sight all the way to see the brave ships
that lie here) first, which is a most noble ship. I never saw her before.
My Lady Sandwich, my Lady Jemimah, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Grace, and Mary and
the page, my lady's servants and myself, all went into the lanthorn
together. From thence to the Charles, where my lady took great pleasure
to see all the rooms, and to hear me tell her how things are when my Lord
is there. After we had seen all, then the officers of the ship had
prepared a handsome breakfast for her, and while she was pledging my
Lord's health they give her five guns. That done, we went off, and then
they give us thirteen guns more. I confess it was a great pleasure to
myself to see the ship that I begun my good fortune in. From thence on
board the Newcastle, to show my Lady the difference between a great and a
small ship. Among these ships I did give away L7. So back again and went
on shore at Chatham, where I had ordered the coach to wait for us. Here I
heard that Sir William Batten and his lady (who I knew were here, and did
endeavour to avoyd) were now gone this morning to London. So we took
coach, and I went into the coach, and went through the town, without
making stop at our inn, but left J. Goods to pay the reckoning. So I rode
with my lady in the coach, and the page on the horse that I should have
rid on--he desiring it. It begun to be dark before we could come to
Dartford, and to rain hard, and the horses to fayle, which was our great
care to prevent, for fear of my Lord's displeasure, so here we sat up for
to-night, as also Captains Cuttance and Blake, who came along with us. We
sat and talked till supper, and at supper my Lady and I entered into a
great dispute concerning what were best for a man to do with his
estate--whether to make his elder son heir, which my Lady is for, and I
against, but rather to make all equall. This discourse took us much time,
till it was time to go to bed; but we being merry, we bade my Lady
goodnight, and intended to have gone to the Post-house to drink, and hear
a pretty girl play of the cittern (and indeed we should have lain there,
but by a mistake we did not), but it was late, and we could not hear her,
and the guard came to examine what we were; so we returned to our Inn and
to bed, the page and I in one bed, and the two captains in another, all in
one chamber, where we had very good mirth with our most abominable
lodging.
18th. The Captains went with me to the post-house about 9 o'clock, and
after a morning draft I took horse and guide for London; and through some
rain, and a great wind in my face, I got to London at eleven o'clock. At
home found all well, but the monkey loose, which did anger me, and so I
did strike her till she was almost dead, that they might make her fast
again, which did still trouble me more. In the afternoon we met at the
office and sat till night, and then I to see my father who I found well,
and took him to Standing's' to drink a cup of ale. He told me my aunt at
Brampton is yet alive and my mother well there. In comes Will Joyce to us
drunk, and in a talking vapouring humour of his state, and I know not
what, which did vex me cruelly. After him Mr. Hollier had learned at my
father's that I was here (where I had appointed to meet him) and so he did
give me some things to take for prevention. Will Joyce not letting us
talk as I would I left my father and him and took Mr. Hollier to the
Greyhound, where he did advise me above all things, both as to the stone
and the decay of my memory (of which I now complain to him), to avoid
drinking often, which I am resolved, if I can, to leave off. Hence home,
and took home with me from the bookseller's Ogilby's AEsop, which he had
bound for me, and indeed I am very much pleased with the book. Home and
to bed.
19th. To the Comptroller's, and with him by coach to White Hall; in our
way meeting Venner and Pritchard upon a sledge, who with two more Fifth
Monarchy men were hanged to-day, and the two first drawn and quartered.
Where we walked up and down, and at last found Sir G. Carteret, whom I had
not seen a great while, and did discourse with him about our assisting the
Commissioners in paying off the Fleet, which we think to decline. Here
the Treasurer did tell me that he did suspect Thos. Hater to be an
informer of them in this work, which we do take to be a diminution of us,
which do trouble me, and I do intend to find out the truth. Hence to my
Lady, who told me how Mr. Hetley is dead of the small-pox going to
Portsmouth with my Lord. My Lady went forth to dinner to her father's,
and so I went to the Leg in King Street and had a rabbit for myself and my
Will, and after dinner I sent him home and myself went to the Theatre,
where I saw "The Lost Lady," which do not please me much. Here I was
troubled to be seen by four of our office clerks, which sat in the
half-crown box and I in the 1s. 6d. From thence by link, and bought two
mouse traps of Thomas Pepys, the Turner, and so went and drank a cup of
ale with him, and so home and wrote by post to Portsmouth to my Lord and
so to bed.
20th (Lord's day). To Church in the morning. Dined at home. My wife and
I to Church in the afternoon, and that being done we went to see my uncle
and aunt Wight. There I left my wife and came back, and sat with Sir W.
Pen, who is not yet well again. Thence back again to my wife and supped
there, and were very merry and so home, and after prayers to write down my
journall for the last five days, and so to bed.
21st. This morning Sir W. Batten, the Comptroller and I to Westminster,
to the Commissioners for paying off the Army and Navy, where the Duke of
Albemarle was; and we sat with our hats on, and did discourse about paying
off the ships and do find that they do intend to undertake it without our
help; and we are glad of it, for it is a work that will much displease the
poor seamen, and so we are glad to have no hand in it. From thence to the
Exchequer, and took L200 and carried it home, and so to the office till
night, and then to see Sir W. Pen, whither came my Lady Batten and her
daughter, and then I sent for my wife, and so we sat talking till it was
late. So home to supper and then to bed, having eat no dinner to-day. It
is strange what weather we have had all this winter; no cold at all; but
the ways are dusty, and the flyes fly up and down, and the rose-bushes are
full of leaves, such a time of the year as was never known in this world
before here. This day many more of the Fifth Monarchy men were hanged.
22nd. To the Comptroller's house, where I read over his proposals to the
Lord Admiral for the regulating of the officers of the Navy, in which he
hath taken much pains, only he do seem to have too good opinion of them
himself. From thence in his coach to Mercer's Chappell, and so up to the
great hall, where we met with the King's Councell for Trade, upon some
proposals of theirs for settling convoys for the whole English trade, and
that by having 33 ships (four fourth-rates, nineteen fifths, ten sixths)
settled by the King for that purpose, which indeed was argued very finely
by many persons of honour and merchants that were there. It pleased me
much now to come in this condition to this place, where I was once a
petitioner for my exhibition in Paul's School; and also where Sir G.
Downing (my late master) was chairman, and so but equally concerned with
me. From thence home, and after a little dinner my wife and I by coach
into London, and bought some glasses, and then to Whitehall to see Mrs.
Fox, but she not within, my wife to my mother Bowyer, and I met with Dr.
Thomas Fuller, and took him to the Dog, where he tells me of his last and
great book that is coming out: that is, his History of all the Families in
England;' and could tell me more of my own, than I knew myself. And also
to what perfection he hath now brought the art of memory; that he did
lately to four eminently great scholars dictate together in Latin, upon
different subjects of their proposing, faster than they were able to
write, till they were tired; and by the way in discourse tells me that the
best way of beginning a sentence, if a man should be out and forget his
last sentence (which he never was), that then his last refuge is to begin
with an Utcunque. From thence I to Mr. Bowyer's, and there sat a while,
and so to Mr. Fox's, and sat with them a very little while, and then by
coach home, and so to see Sir Win. Pen, where we found Mrs. Martha Batten
and two handsome ladies more, and so we staid supper and were very merry,
and so home to bed.
23rd. To the office all the morning. My wife and people at home busy to
get things ready for tomorrow's dinner. At noon, without dinner, went
into the City, and there meeting with Greatorex, we went and drank a pot
of ale. He told me that he was upon a design to go to Teneriffe to try
experiments there. With him to Gresham Colledge
[Gresham College occupied the house of Sir Thomas Gresham, in
Bishopsgate Street, from 1596, when Lady Gresham, Sir Thomas's
widow, died. The meeting which Pepys attended was an early one of
the Royal Society, which was incorporated by royal charter in 1663.]
(where I never was before), and saw the manner of the house, and found
great company of persons of honour there; thence to my bookseller's, and
for books, and to Stevens, the silversmith, to make clean some plate
against to-morrow, and so home, by the way paying many little debts for
wine and pictures, &c., which is my great pleasure. Home and found all
things in a hurry of business, Slater, our messenger, being here as my
cook till very late. I in my chamber all the evening looking over my
Osborn's works and new Emanuel Thesaurus Patriarchae. So late to bed,
having ate nothing to-day but a piece of bread and cheese at the ale-house
with Greatorex, and some bread and butter at home.
24th. At home all day. There dined with me Sir William Batten and his
lady and daughter, Sir W. Pen, Mr. Fox (his lady being ill could not
come), and Captain Cuttance; the first dinner I have made since I came
hither. This cost me above L5, and merry we were--only my chimney smokes.
In the afternoon Mr. Hater bringing me my last quarter's salary, which I
received of him, and so I have now Mr. Barlow's money in my hands. The
company all go away, and by and by Sir Wms. both and my Lady Batten and
his daughter come again and supped with me and talked till late, and so to
bed, being glad that the trouble is over.
25th. At the office all the morning. Dined at home and Mr. Hater with
me, and so I did make even with him for the last quarter. After dinner he
and I to look upon the instructions of my Lord Northumberland's, but we
were interrupted by Mr. Salisbury's coming in, who came to see me and to
show me my Lord's picture in little, of his doing. And truly it is
strange to what a perfection he is come in a year's time. From thence to
Paul's Churchyard about books, and so back again home. This night comes
two cages, which I bought this evening for my canary birds, which Captain
Rooth this day sent me. So to bed.
26th. Within all the morning. About noon comes one that had formerly
known me and I him, but I know not his name, to borrow L5 of me, but I had
the wit to deny him. There dined with me this day both the Pierces' and
their wives, and Captain Cuttance, and Lieutenant Lambert, with whom we
made ourselves very merry by taking away his ribbans and garters, having
made him to confess that he is lately married. The company being gone I
went to my lute till night, and so to bed.
27th (Lord's day). Before I rose, letters come to me from Portsmouth,
telling me that the Princess is now well, and my Lord Sandwich set sail
with the Queen and her yesterday from thence for France. To church,
leaving my wife sick . . . . at home, a poor dull sermon of a stranger.
Home, and at dinner was very angry at my people's eating a fine pudding
(made me by Slater, the cook, last Thursday) without my wife's leave. To
church again, a good sermon of Mr. Mills, and after sermon Sir W. Pen and
I an hour in the garden talking, and he did answer me to many things, I
asked Mr. Coventry's opinion of me, and Sir W. Batten's of my Lord
Sandwich, which do both please me. Then to Sir W. Batten's, where very
merry, and here I met the Comptroller and his lady and daughter (the first
time I ever saw them) and Mrs. Turner, who and her husband supped with us
here (I having fetched my wife thither), and after supper we fell to
oysters, and then Mr. Turner went and fetched some strong waters, and so
being very merry we parted, and home to bed. This day the parson read a
proclamation at church, for the keeping of Wednesday next, the 30th of
January, a fast for the murther of the late King.
28th. At the office all the morning; dined at home, and after dinner to
Fleet Street, with my sword to Mr. Brigden (lately made Captain of the
Auxiliaries) to be refreshed, and with him to an ale-house, where I met
Mr. Davenport; and after some talk of Cromwell, Ireton and Bradshaw's
bodies being taken out of their graves to-day,
["The bodies of Oliver Cromwell, Henry Ireton, John Bradshaw, and
Thomas Pride, were dug up out of their graves to be hanged at
Tyburn, and buried under the gallows. Cromwell's vault having been
opened, the people crowded very much to see him."--Rugge's Diurnal.]
I went to Mr. Crew's and thence to the Theatre, where I saw again "The
Lost Lady," which do now please me better than before; and here I sitting
behind in a dark place, a lady spit backward upon me by a mistake, not
seeing me, but after seeing her to be a very pretty lady, I was not
troubled at it at all. Thence to Mr. Crew's, and there met Mr. Moore, who
came lately to me, and went with me to my father's, and with him to
Standing's, whither came to us Dr. Fairbrother, who I took and my father
to the Bear and gave a pint of sack and a pint of claret.
He do still continue his expressions of respect and love to me, and tells
me my brother John will make a good scholar. Thence to see the Doctor at
his lodging at Mr. Holden's, where I bought a hat, cost me 35s. So home
by moonshine, and by the way was overtaken by the Comptroller's coach, and
so home to his house with him. So home and to bed. This noon I had my
press set up in my chamber for papers to be put in.
29th. Mr. Moore making up accounts with me all this morning till Lieut.
Lambert came, and so with them over the water to Southwark, and so over
the fields to Lambeth, and there drank, it being a most glorious and warm
day, even to amazement, for this time of the year. Thence to my Lord's,
where we found my Lady gone with some company to see Hampton Court, so we
three went to Blackfryers (the first time I ever was there since plays
begun), and there after great patience and little expectation, from so
poor beginning, I saw three acts of "The Mayd in ye Mill" acted to my
great content. But it being late, I left the play and them, and by water
through bridge home, and so to Mr. Turner's house, where the Comptroller,
Sir William Batten, and Mr. Davis and their ladies; and here we had a most
neat little but costly and genteel supper, and after that a great deal of
impertinent mirth by Mr. Davis, and some catches, and so broke up, and
going away, Mr. Davis's eldest son took up my old Lady Slingsby in his
arms, and carried her to the coach, and is said to be able to carry three
of the biggest men that were in the company, which I wonder at. So home
and to bed.
30th (Fast day). The first time that this day hath been yet observed: and
Mr. Mills made a most excellent sermon, upon "Lord forgive us our former
iniquities;" speaking excellently of the justice of God in punishing men
for the sins of their ancestors. Home, and John Goods comes, and after
dinner I did pay him L30 for my Lady, and after that Sir W. Pen and I into
Moorfields and had a brave talk, it being a most pleasant day, and besides
much discourse did please ourselves to see young Davis and Whitton, two of
our clerks, going by us in the field, who we observe to take much pleasure
together, and I did most often see them at play together. Back to the Old
James in Bishopsgate Street, where Sir W. Batten and Sir Wm. Rider met him
about business of the Trinity House. So I went home, and there understand
that my mother is come home well from Brampton, and had a letter from my
brother John, a very ingenious one, and he therein begs to have leave to
come to town at the Coronacion. Then to my Lady Batten's; where my wife
and she are lately come back again from being abroad, and seeing of
Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw hanged and buried at Tyburn. Then I home.
["Jan. 30th was kept as a very solemn day of fasting and prayer.
This morning the carcases of Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw (which
the day before had been brought from the Red Lion Inn, Holborn),
were drawn upon a sledge to Tyburn, and then taken out of their
coffins, and in their shrouds hanged by the neck, until the going
down of the sun. They were then cut down, their heads taken off,
and their bodies buried in a grave made under the gallows. The
coffin in which was the body of Cromwell was a very rich thing, very
full of gilded hinges and nails."--Rugge's Diurnal.]
31st. This morning with Mr. Coventry at Whitehall about getting a ship to
carry my Lord's deals to Lynne, and we have chosen the Gift. Thence at
noon to my Lord's, where my Lady not well, so I eat a mouthfull of dinner
there, and thence to the Theatre, and there sat in the pit among the
company of fine ladys, &c.; and the house was exceeding full, to see
Argalus and Parthenia, the first time that it hath been acted: and indeed
it is good, though wronged by my over great expectations, as all things
else are. Thence to my father's to see my mother, who is pretty well
after her journey from Brampton. She tells me my aunt is pretty well, yet
cannot live long. My uncle pretty well too, and she believes would marry
again were my aunt dead, which God forbid. So home.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1660-61
February 1st (Friday). A full office all this morning, and busy about
answering the Commissioners of Parliament to their letter, wherein they
desire to borrow two clerks of ours, which we will not grant them. After
dinner into London and bought some books, and a belt, and had my sword new
furbished. To the alehouse with Mr. Brigden and W. Symons. At night
home. So after a little music to bed, leaving my people up getting things
ready against to-morrow's dinner.
2nd. Early to Mr. Moore, and with him to Sir Peter Ball, who proffers my
uncle Robert much civility in letting him continue in the grounds which he
had hired of Hetley who is now dead. Thence home, where all things in a
hurry for dinner, a strange cook being come in the room of Slater, who
could not come. There dined here my uncle Wight and my aunt, my father
and mother, and my brother Tom, Dr. Fairbrother and Mr. Mills, the parson,
and his wife, who is a neighbour's daughter of my uncle Robert's, and
knows my Aunt Wight and all her and my friends there; and so we had
excellent company to-day. After dinner I was sent for to Sir G.
Carteret's, where he was, and I found the Comptroller, who are upon
writing a letter to the Commissioners of Parliament in some things a
rougher stile than our last, because they seem to speak high to us. So
the Comptroller and I thence to a tavern hard by, and there did agree upon
drawing up some letters to be sent to all the pursers and Clerks of the
Cheques to make up their accounts. Then home; where I found the parson
and his wife gone. And by and by the rest of the company, very well
pleased, and I too; it being the last dinner I intend to make a great
while, it having now cost me almost L15 in three dinners within this
fortnight. In the evening comes Sir W. Pen, pretty merry, to sit with me
and talk, which we did for an hour or two, and so good night, and I to
bed.
3d (Lord's day). This day I first begun to go forth in my coat and sword,
as the manner now among gentlemen is. To Whitehall. In my way heard Mr.
Thomas Fuller preach at the Savoy upon our forgiving of other men's
trespasses, shewing among other things that we are to go to law never to
revenge, but only to repayre, which I think a good distinction. So to
White Hall; where I staid to hear the trumpets and kettle-drums, and then
the other drums, which are much cried up, though I think it dull, vulgar
musique. So to Mr. Fox's, unbid; where I had a good dinner and special
company. Among other discourse, I observed one story, how my Lord of
Northwich, at a public audience before the King of France, made the Duke
of Anjou cry, by making ugly faces as he was stepping to the King, but
undiscovered.
[This story relates to circumstances which had occurred many years
previously. George, Lord Goring, was sent by Charles I. as
Ambassador Extraordinary to France in 1644, to witness the oath of
Louis XIV. to the observance of the treaties concluded with England
by his father, Louis XIII., and his grandfather, Henry IV. Louis
XIV. took this oath at Ruel, on July 3rd, 1644, when he was not yet
six years of age, and when his brother Philippe, then called Duke of
Anjou, was not four years old. Shortly after his return home, Lord
Goring was created, in September, 1644, Earl of Norwich, the title
by which he is here mentioned. Philippe, Duke of Anjou, who was
frightened by the English nobleman's ugly faces, took the title of
Duke of Orleans after the death of his uncle, Jean Baptiste Gaston,
in 1660. He married his cousin, Henrietta of England.--B.]
And how Sir Phillip Warwick's' lady did wonder to have Mr. Darcy' send for
several dozen bottles of Rhenish wine to her house, not knowing that the
wine was his. Thence to my Lord's; where I am told how Sir Thomas Crew's
Pedro, with two of his countrymen more, did last night kill one soldier of
four that quarrelled with them in the street, about 10 o'clock. The other
two are taken; but he is now hid at my Lord's till night, that he do
intend to make his escape away. So up to my Lady, and sat and talked with
her long, and so to Westminster Stairs, and there took boat to the bridge,
and so home, where I met with letters to call us all up to-morrow morning
to Whitehall about office business.