we met with all our fellow officers, and there after a hot debate about
the business of paying off the Fleet, and how far we should join with the
Commissioners of Parliament, which is now the great business of this month
more to determine, and about which there is a great deal of difference
between us, and then how far we should be assistants to them therein.
That being done, he and I back again home, where I met with my father and
mother going to my cozen Snow's to Blackwall, and had promised to bring me
and my wife along with them, which we could not do because we are to go to
the Dolphin to-day to a dinner of Capt. Tayler's. So at last I let my
wife go with them, and I to the tavern, where Sir William Pen and the
Comptroller and several others were, men and women; and we had a very
great and merry dinner; and after dinner the Comptroller begun some
sports, among others the naming of people round and afterwards demanding
questions of them that they are forced to answer their names to, which do
make very good sport. And here I took pleasure to take the forfeits of
the ladies who would not do their duty by kissing of them; among others a
pretty lady, who I found afterwards to be wife to Sir W. Batten's son.
Home, and then with my wife to see Sir W. Batten, who could not be with us
this day being ill, but we found him at cards, and here we sat late,
talking with my Lady and others and Dr. Whistler,
[Daniel Whistler, M.D., Fellow of Merton College, whose inaugural
dissertation on Rickets in 1645 contains the earliest printed
account of that disease. He was Gresham Professor of Geometry,
1648-57, and held several offices at the College of Physicians,
being elected President in 1683. He was one of the original Fellows
of the Royal Society. Dr. Munk, in his "Roll of the Royal College
of Physicians," speaks very unfavourably of Whistler, and says that
he defrauded the college. He died May 11th, 1684.]
who I found good company and a very ingenious man. So home and to bed.
5th. Washing-day. My wife and I by water to Westminster. She to her
mother's and I to Westminster Hall, where I found a full term, and here I
went to Will's, and there found Shaw and Ashwell and another Bragrave (who
knew my mother wash-maid to my Lady Veere), who by cursing and swearing
made me weary of his company and so I went away. Into the Hall and there
saw my Lord Treasurer (who was sworn to-day at the Exchequer, with a great
company of Lords and persons of honour to attend him) go up to the
Treasury Offices, and take possession thereof; and also saw the heads of
Cromwell, Bradshaw, and Ireton, set up upon the further end of the Hall.
Then at Mrs. Michell's in the Hall met my wife and Shaw, and she and I and
Captain Murford to the Dog, and there I gave them some wine, and after
some mirth and talk (Mr. Langley coming in afterwards) I went by coach to
the play-house at the Theatre, our coach in King Street breaking, and so
took another. Here we saw Argalus and Parthenia, which I lately saw, but
though pleasant for the dancing and singing, I do not find good for any
wit or design therein. That done home by coach and to supper, being very
hungry for want of dinner, and so to bed.
6th. Called up by my Cozen Snow, who sat by me while I was trimmed, and
then I drank with him, he desiring a courtesy for a friend, which I have
done for him. Then to the office, and there sat long, then to dinner,
Captain Murford with me. I had a dish of fish and a good hare, which was
sent me the other day by Goodenough the plasterer. So to the office
again, where Sir W. Pen and I sat all alone, answering of petitions and
nothing else, and so to Sir W. Batten's, where comes Mr. Jessop (one whom
I could not formerly have looked upon, and now he comes cap in hand to us
from the Commissioners of the Navy, though indeed he is a man of a great
estate and of good report), about some business from them to us, which we
answered by letter. Here I sat long with Sir W., who is not well, and
then home and to my chamber, and some little, music, and so to bed.
7th. With Sir W. Batten and Pen to Whitehall to Mr. Coventry's chamber,
to debate upon the business we were upon the other day morning, and thence
to Westminster Hall. And after a walk to my Lord's; where, while I and my
Lady were in her chamber in talk, in comes my Lord from sea, to our great
wonder. He had dined at Havre de Grace on Monday last, and came to the
Downs the next day, and lay at Canterbury that night; and so to Dartford,
and thence this morning to White Hall. All my friends his servants well.
Among others, Mr. Creed and Captain Ferrers tell me the stories of my Lord
Duke of Buckingham's and my Lord's falling out at Havre de Grace, at
cards; they two and my Lord St. Alban's playing. The Duke did, to my
Lord's dishonour, often say that he did in his conscience know the
contrary to what he then said, about the difference at cards; and so did
take up the money that he should have lost to my Lord. Which my Lord
resenting, said nothing then, but that he doubted not but there were ways
enough to get his money of him. So they parted that night; and my Lord
sent for Sir R. Stayner and sent him the next morning to the Duke, to know
whether he did remember what he said last night, and whether he would own
it with his sword and a second; which he said he would, and so both sides
agreed. But my Lord St. Alban's, and the Queen and Ambassador Montagu,
did waylay them at their lodgings till the difference was made up, to my
Lord's honour; who hath got great reputation thereby. I dined with my
Lord, and then with Mr. Shepley and Creed (who talked very high of France
for a fine country) to the tavern, and then I home. To the office, where
the two Sir Williams had staid for me, and then we drew up a letter to the
Commissioners of Parliament again, and so to Sir W. Batten, where I staid
late in talk, and so home, and after writing the letter fair then I went
to bed.
8th. At the office all the morning. At noon to the Exchange to meet Mr.
Warren the timber merchant, but could not meet with him. Here I met with
many sea commanders, and among others Captain Cuttle, and Curtis, and
Mootham, and I, went to the Fleece Tavern to drink; and there we spent
till four o'clock, telling stories of Algiers, and the manner of the life
of slaves there! And truly Captn. Mootham and Mr. Dawes (who have been
both slaves there) did make me fully acquainted with their condition
there: as, how they eat nothing but bread and water. At their redemption
they pay so much for the water they drink at the public fountaynes, during
their being slaves. How they are beat upon the soles of their feet and
bellies at the liberty of their padron. How they are all, at night,
called into their master's Bagnard; and there they lie. How the poorest
men do use their slaves best. How some rogues do live well, if they do
invent to bring their masters in so much a week by their industry or
theft; and then they are put to no other work at all. And theft there is
counted no great crime at all. Thence to Mr. Rawlinson's, having met my
old friend Dick Scobell, and there I drank a great deal with him, and so
home and to bed betimes, my head aching.
9th. To my Lord's with Mr. Creed (who was come to me this morning to get
a bill of imprest signed), and my Lord being gone out he and I to the
Rhenish wine-house with Mr. Blackburne. To whom I did make known my fears
of Will's losing of his time, which he will take care to give him good
advice about. Afterwards to my Lord's and Mr. Shepley and I did make even
his accounts and mine. And then with Mr. Creed and two friends of his (my
late landlord Jones' son one of them), to an ordinary to dinner, and then
Creed and I to Whitefriars' to the Play-house, and saw "The Mad Lover,"
the first time I ever saw it acted, which I like pretty well, and home.
10th (Lord's day). Took physique all day, and, God forgive me, did spend
it in reading of some little French romances. At night my wife and I did
please ourselves talking of our going into France, which I hope to effect
this summer. At noon one came to ask for Mrs. Hunt that was here
yesterday, and it seems is not come home yet, which makes us afraid of
her. At night to bed.
11th. At the office all the morning. Dined at home, and then to the
Exchequer, and took Mr. Warren with me to Mr. Kennard, the master joiner,
at Whitehall, who was at a tavern, and there he and I to him, and agreed
about getting some of my Lord's deals on board to-morrow. Then with young
Mr. Reeve home to his house, who did there show me many pretty pleasures
in perspectives,
['Telescope' and 'microscope' are both as old as Milton, but for long
while 'perspective' (glass being sometimes understood and sometimes
expressed) did the work of these. It is sometimes written
'prospective.' Our present use of 'perspective' does not, I suppose,
date farther back than Dryden.--Trench's Select Glossary.--M. B.]
that I have not seen before, and I did buy a little glass of him cost me
5s. And so to Mr. Crew's, and with Mr. Moore to see how my father and
mother did, and so with him to Mr. Adam Chard's' (the first time I ever
was at his house since he was married) to drink, then we parted, and I
home to my study, and set some papers and money in order, and so to bed.
12th. To my Lord's, and there with him all the morning, and then (he
going out to dinner) I and Mr. Pickering, Creed, and Captain Ferrers to
the Leg in the Palace to dinner, where strange Pickering's impertinences.
Thence the two others and I after a great dispute whither to go, we went
by water to Salsbury Court play-house, where not liking to sit, we went
out again, and by coach to the Theatre, and there saw "The Scornfull
Lady," now done by a woman, which makes the play appear much better than
ever it did to me. Then Creed and I (the other being lost in the crowd)
to drink a cup of ale at Temple Bar, and there we parted, and I (seeing my
father and mother by the way) went home.
13th. At the office all the morning; dined at home, and poor Mr. Wood
with me, who after dinner would have borrowed money of me, but I would
lend none. Then to Whitehall by coach with Sir W. Pen, where we did very
little business, and so back to Mr. Rawlinson's, where I took him and gave
him a cup of wine, he having formerly known Mr. Rawlinson, and here I met
my uncle Wight, and he drank with us, and with him to Sir W. Batten's,
whither I sent for my wife, and we chose Valentines' against to-morrow.
[The observation of St. Valentine's day is very ancient in this
country. Shakespeare makes Ophelia sing
"To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window
To be your Valentine."
Hamlet, act iv. sc. 5.--M. B.]
My wife chose me, which did much please me; my Lady Batten Sir W. Pen, &c.
Here we sat late, and so home to bed, having got my Lady Batten to give me
a spoonful of honey for my cold.
14th (Valentine's day). Up early and to Sir W. Batten's, but would not go
in till I asked whether they that opened the door was a man or a woman,
and Mingo, who was there, answered a woman, which, with his tone, made me
laugh; so up I went and took Mrs. Martha for my Valentine (which I do only
for complacency), and Sir W. Batten he go in the same manner to my wife,
and so we were very merry. About 10 o'clock we, with a great deal of
company, went down by our barge to Deptford, and there only went to see
how forward Mr. Pett's yacht is; and so all into the barge again, and so
to Woolwich, on board the Rose-bush, Captain Brown's' ship, that is
brother-in-law to Sir W. Batten, where we had a very fine dinner, dressed
on shore, and great mirth and all things successfull; the first time I
ever carried my wife a-ship-board, as also my boy Wayneman, who hath all
this day been called young Pepys, as Sir W. Pen's boy young Pen. So home
by barge again; good weather, but pretty cold. I to my study, and began
to make up my accounts for my Lord, which I intend to end tomorrow. To
bed. The talk of the town now is, who the King is like to have for his
Queen: and whether Lent shall be kept with the strictness of the King's
proclamation;
["A Proclamation for restraint of killing, dressing, and eating of
Flesh in Lent or on fish-dayes appointed by the law to be observed,"
was dated 29th January, 1660-61].
which it is thought cannot be, because of the poor, who cannot buy fish.
And also the great preparation for the King's crowning is now much thought
upon and talked of.
15th. At the office all the morning, and in the afternoon at making up my
accounts for my Lord to-morrow; and that being done I found myself to be
clear (as I think) L350 in the world, besides my goods in my house and all
things paid for.
16th. To my Lord in the morning, who looked over my accounts and agreed
to them. I did also get him to sign a bill (which do make my heart merry)
for L60 to me, in consideration of my work extraordinary at sea this last
voyage, which I hope to get paid. I dined with my Lord and then to the
Theatre, where I saw "The Virgin Martyr," a good but too sober a play for
the company. Then home.
17th (Lord's day). A most tedious, unreasonable, and impertinent sermon,
by an Irish Doctor. His text was "Scatter them, O Lord, that delight in
war." Sir Wm. Batten and I very much angry with the parson. And so I to
Westminster as soon as I came home to my Lord's, where I dined with Mr.
Shepley and Howe. After dinner (without speaking to my Lord), Mr. Shepley
and I into the city, and so I home and took my wife to my uncle Wight's,
and there did sup with them, and so home again and to bed.
18th. At the office all the morning, dined at home with a very good
dinner, only my wife and I, which is not yet very usual. In the afternoon
my wife and I and Mrs. Martha Batten, my Valentine, to the Exchange, and
there upon a payre of embroydered and six payre of plain white gloves I
laid out 40s. upon her. Then we went to a mercer's at the end of Lombard
Street, and there she bought a suit of Lutestring--[More properly called
"lustring"; a fine glossy silk.]--for herself, and so home. And at night
I got the whole company and Sir Wm. Pen home to my house, and there I did
give them Rhenish wine and sugar, and continued together till it was late,
and so to bed. It is much talked that the King is already married to the
niece of the Prince de Ligne,
[The Prince de Ligne had no niece, and probably Pepys has made some
mistake in the name. Charles at one time made an offer of marriage
to Mazarin's niece, Hortense Mancini.]
and that he hath two sons already by her: which I am sorry to hear; but
yet am gladder that it should be so, than that the Duke of York and his
family should come to the crown, he being a professed friend to the
Catholiques.
19th. By coach to Whitehall with Colonel Slingsby (carrying Mrs. Turner
with us) and there he and I up into the house, where we met with Sir G.
Carteret: who afterwards, with the Duke of York, my Lord Sandwich, and
others, went into a private room to consult: and we were a little troubled
that we were not called in with the rest. But I do believe it was upon
something very private. We staid walking in the gallery; where we met
with Mr. Slingsby, that was formerly a, great friend of Mons. Blondeau,
who showed me the stamps of the King's new coyne; which is strange to see,
how good they are in the stamp and bad in the money, for lack of skill to
make them. But he says Blondeau will shortly come over, and then we shall
have it better, and the best in the world.
[Peter Blondeau, medallist, was invited to London from Paris in
1649, and appointed by the Council of State to coin their money; but
the moneyers succeeded in driving him out of the country. Soon
after the Restoration he returned, and was appointed engineer to the
mint.]
The Comptroller and I to the Commissioners of Parliament, and after some
talk away again and to drink a cup of ale. He tells me, he is sure that
the King is not yet married, as it is said; nor that it is known who he
will have. To my Lord's and found him dined, and so I lost my dinner, but
I staid and played with him and Mr. Child, &c., some things of four parts,
and so it raining hard and bitter cold (the first winter day we have yet
had this winter), I took coach home and spent the evening in reading of a
Latin play, the "Naufragium Joculare." And so to bed.
20th. All the morning at the office, dined at home and my brother Tom
with me, who brought me a pair of fine slippers which he gave me. By and
by comes little Luellin and friend to see me, and then my coz Stradwick,
who was never here before. With them I drank a bottle of wine or two, and
to the office again, and there staid about business late, and then all of
us to Sir W. Pen's, where we had, and my Lady Batten, Mrs. Martha, and my
wife, and other company, a good supper, and sat playing at cards and
talking till 12 at night, and so all to our lodgings.
21st. To Westminster by coach with Sir W. Pen, and in our way saw the
city begin to build scaffolds against the Coronacion. To my Lord, and
there found him out of doors. So to the Hall and called for some caps
that I have a making there, and here met with Mr. Hawley, and with him to
Will's and drank, and then by coach with Mr. Langley our old friend into
the city. I set him down by the way, and I home and there staid all day
within, having found Mr. Moore, who staid with me till late at night
talking and reading some good books. Then he went away, and I to bed.
22nd. All the morning at the office. At noon with my wife and Pall to my
father's to dinner, where Dr. Thos. Pepys and my coz Snow and Joyce
Norton. After dinner came The. Turner, and so I home with her to her
mother, good woman, whom I had not seen through my great neglect this half
year, but she would not be angry with me. Here I staid all the afternoon
talking of the King's being married, which is now the town talk, but I
believe false. In the evening Mrs. The. and Joyce took us all into the
coach home, calling in Bishopsgate Street, thinking to have seen a new
Harpsicon--[The harpsichord is an instrument larger than a spinet, with
two or three strings to a note.]--that she had a making there, but it was
not done, and so we did not see it. Then to my home, where I made very
much of her, and then she went home. Then my wife to Sir W. Batten's, and
there sat a while; he having yesterday sent my wife half-a-dozen pairs of
gloves, and a pair of silk stockings and garters, for her Valentine's
gift. Then home and to bed.
23rd. This my birthday, 28 years. This morning Sir W. Batten, Pen, and I
did some business, and then I by water to Whitehall, having met Mr.
Hartlibb by the way at Alderman Backwell's. So he did give me a glass of
Rhenish wine at the Steeleyard, and so to Whitehall by water. He
continues of the same bold impertinent humour that he was always of and
will ever be. He told me how my Lord Chancellor had lately got the Duke
of York and Duchess, and her woman, my Lord Ossory's and a Doctor, to make
oath before most of the judges of the kingdom, concerning all the
circumstances of their marriage. And in fine, it is confessed that they
were not fully married till about a month or two before she was brought to
bed; but that they were contracted long before, and time enough for the
child to be legitimate.
[The Duke of York's marriage took place September 3rd, 1660. Anne
Hyde was contracted to the Duke at Breda, November 24th, 1659.]
But I do not hear that it was put to the judges to determine whether it
was so or no. To my Lord and there spoke to him about his opinion of the
Light, the sea-mark that Captain Murford is about, and do offer me an
eighth part to concern myself with it, and my Lord do give me some
encouragement in it, and I shall go on. I dined herewith Mr. Shepley and
Howe. After dinner to Whitehall Chappell with Mr. Child, and there did
hear Captain Cooke and his boy make a trial of an Anthem against tomorrow,
which was brave musique. Then by water to Whitefriars to the Play-house,
and there saw "The Changeling," the first time it hath been acted these
twenty years, and it takes exceedingly. Besides, I see the gallants do
begin to be tyred with the vanity and pride of the theatre actors who are
indeed grown very proud and rich. Then by link home, and there to my book
awhile and to bed. I met to-day with Mr. Townsend, who tells me that the
old man is yet alive in whose place in the Wardrobe he hopes to get my
father, which I do resolve to put for. I also met with the Comptroller,
who told me how it was easy for us all, the principal officers, and proper
for us, to labour to get into the next Parliament; and would have me to
ask the Duke's letter, but I shall not endeavour it because it will spend
much money, though I am sure I could well obtain it. This is now 28 years
that I am born. And blessed be God, in a state of full content, and great
hopes to be a happy man in all respects, both to myself and friends.
24th (Sunday). Mr. Mills made as excellent a sermon in the morning
against drunkenness as ever I heard in my life. I dined at home; another
good one of his in the afternoon. My Valentine had her fine gloves on at
church to-day that I did give her. After sermon my wife and I unto Sir
Wm. Batten and sat awhile. Then home, I to read, then to supper and to
bed.
25th. Sir Wm. Pen and I to my Lord Sandwich's by coach in the morning to
see him, but he takes physic to-day and so we could not see him. So he
went away, and I with Luellin to Mr. Mount's chamber at the Cockpit, where
he did lie of old, and there we drank, and from thence to W. Symons where
we found him abroad, but she, like a good lady, within, and there we did
eat some nettle porrige, which was made on purpose to-day for some of
their coming, and was very good. With her we sat a good while, merry in
discourse, and so away, Luellin and I to my Lord's, and there dined. He
told me one of the prettiest stories, how Mr. Blurton, his friend that was
with him at my house three or four days ago, did go with him the same day
from my house to the Fleet tavern by Guildhall, and there (by some
pretence) got the mistress of the house into their company, and by and by
Luellin calling him Doctor she thought that he really was so, and did
privately discover her disease to him, which was only some ordinary
infirmity belonging to women, and he proffering her physic, she desired
him to come some day and bring it, which he did. After dinner by water to
the office, and there Sir W. Pen and I met and did business all the
afternoon, and then I got him to my house and eat a lobster together, and
so to bed.
26th (Shrove Tuesday). I left my wife in bed, being indisposed . . . I
to Mrs. Turner's, who I found busy with The. and Joyce making of things
ready for fritters, so to Mr. Crew's and there delivered Cotgrave's
Dictionary' to my Lady Jemimah, and then with Mr. Moore to my coz Tom
Pepys, but he being out of town I spoke with his lady, though not of the
business I went about, which was to borrow L1000 for my Lord. Back to
Mrs. Turner's, where several friends, all strangers to me but Mr. Armiger,
dined. Very merry and the best fritters that ever I eat in my life.
After that looked out at window; saw the flinging at cocks.
[The cruel custom of throwing at cocks on Shrove Tuesday is of
considerable antiquity. It is shown in the first print of Hogarth's
"Four Stages of Cruelty."]
Then Mrs. The. and I, and a gentleman that dined there and his daughter, a
perfect handsome young and very tall lady that lately came out of the
country, and Mr. Thatcher the Virginall Maister to Bishopsgate Street, and
there saw the new Harpsicon made for Mrs. The. We offered L12, they
demanded L14. The Master not being at home, we could make no bargain, so
parted for to-night. So all by coach to my house, where I found my
Valentine with my wife, and here they drank, and then went away. Then I
sat and talked with my Valentine and my wife a good while, and then saw
her home, and went to Sir W. Batten to the Dolphin, where Mr. Newborne,
&c., were, and there after a quart or two of wine, we home, and I to bed
. . . .