and it being a very fine, bright, moonshine morning I went and walked all
alone twenty turns in Cornhill, from Gracious Street corner to the Stockes
and back again, from 6 o'clock till past 7, so long that I was weary, and
going to the Comptroller's thinking to find him ready, I found him gone,
at which I was troubled, and being weary went home, and from thence with
my wife by water to Westminster, and put her to my father Bowyer's (they
being newly come out of the country), but I could not stay there, but left
her there. I to the Hall and there met with Col. Slingsby. So hearing
that the Duke of York is gone down this morning, to see the ship sunk
yesterday at Woolwich, he and I returned by his coach to the office, and
after that to dinner. After dinner he came to me again and sat with me at
my house, ands among other discourse he told me that it is expected that
the Duke will marry the Lord Chancellor's daughter at last which is likely
to be the ruin of Mr. Davis and my Lord Barkley, who have carried
themselves so high against the Chancellor; Sir Chas. Barkley swearing that
he and others had lain with her often, which all believe to be a lie. He
and I in the evening to the Coffee House in Cornhill, the first time that
ever I was there, and I found much pleasure in it, through the diversity
of company and discourse. Home and found my wife at my Lady Batten's, and
have made a bargain to go see the ship sunk at Woolwich, where both the
Sir Williams are still since yesterday, and I do resolve to go along with
them. From thence home and up to bed, having first been into my study,
and to ease my mind did go to cast up how my cash stands, and I do find as
near as I can that I am worth in money clear L240, for which God be
praised. This afternoon there was a couple of men with me with a book in
each of their hands, demanding money for pollmoney,
[Pepys seems to have been let off very easily, for, by Act of
Parliament 18 Car. II. cap. I (1666), servants were to pay one
shilling in the pound of their wages, and others from one shilling
to three shillings in the pound.]
and I overlooked the book and saw myself set down Samuel Pepys, gent. 10s.
for himself and for his servants 2s., which I did presently pay without
any dispute, but I fear I have not escaped so, and therefore I have long
ago laid by L10 for them, but I think I am not bound to discover myself.
11th. My wife and I up very early this day, and though the weather was
very bad and the wind high, yet my Lady Batten and her maid and we two did
go by our barge to Woolwich (my Lady being very fearfull) where we found
both Sir Williams and much other company, expecting the weather to be
better, that they might go about weighing up the Assurance, which lies
there (poor ship, that I have been twice merry in, in Captn. Holland's
time,) under water, only the upper deck may be seen and the masts. Captain
Stoakes is very melancholy, and being in search for some clothes and money
of his, which he says he hath lost out of his cabin. I did the first
office of a justice of Peace to examine a seaman thereupon, but could find
no reason to commit him. This last tide the Kingsale was also run aboard
and lost her mainmast, by another ship, which makes us think it ominous to
the Guiny voyage, to have two of her ships spoilt before they go out.
After dinner, my Lady being very fearfull she staid and kept my wife
there, and I and another gentleman, a friend of Sir W. Pen's, went back in
the barge, very merry by the way, as far as Whitehall in her. To the
Privy Seal, where I signed many pardons and some few things else. From
thence Mr. Moore and I into London to a tavern near my house, and there we
drank and discoursed of ways how to put out a little money to the best
advantage, and at present he has persuaded me to put out L250 for L50 per
annum for eight years, and I think I shall do it. Thence home, where I
found the wench washing, and I up to my study, and there did make up an
even L100, and sealed it to lie by. After that to bed.
12th. Troubled with the absence of my wife. This morning I went (after
the Comptroller and I had sat an hour at the office) to Whitehall to dine
with my Lady, and after dinner to the Privy Seal and sealed abundance of
pardons and little else. From thence to the Exchequer and did give my
mother Bowyer a visit and her daughters, the first time that I have seen
them since I went last to sea. From thence up with J. Spicer to his
office and took L100, and by coach with it as far as my father's, where I
called to see them, and my father did offer me six pieces of gold, in lieu
of six pounds that he borrowed of me the other day, but it went against me
to take it of him and therefore did not, though I was afterwards a little
troubled that I did not. Thence home, and took out this L100 and sealed
it up with the other last night, it being the first L200 that ever I saw
together of my own in my life. For which God be praised. So to my Lady
Batten, and sat an hour or two, and talked with her daughter and people in
the absence of her father and mother and my wife to pass away the time.
After that home and to bed, reading myself asleep, while the wench sat
mending my breeches by my bedside.
13th. All the day long looking upon my workmen who this day began to
paint my parlour. Only at noon my Lady Batten and my wife came home, and
so I stepped to my Lady's, where were Sir John Lawson and Captain Holmes,
and there we dined and had very good red wine of my Lady's own making in
England.
14th. Also all this day looking upon my workmen. Only met with the
Comptroller at the office a little both forenoon and afternoon, and at
night step a little with him to the Coffee House where we light upon very
good company and had very good discourse concerning insects and their
having a generative faculty as well as other creatures. This night in
discourse the Comptroller told me among other persons that were heretofore
the principal officers of the Navy, there was one Sir Peter Buck, a Clerk
of the Acts, of which to myself I was not a little proud.
15th. All day at home looking upon my workmen, only at noon Mr. Moore
came and brought me some things to sign for the Privy Seal and dined with
me. We had three eels that my wife and I bought this morning of a man,
that cried them about, for our dinner, and that was all I did to-day.
16th. In the morning to church, and then dined at home. In the afternoon
I to White Hall, where I was surprised with the news of a plot against the
King's person and my Lord Monk's; and that since last night there are
about forty taken up on suspicion; and, amongst others, it was my lot to
meet with Simon Beale, the Trumpeter, who took me and Tom Doling into the
Guard in Scotland Yard, and showed us Major-General Overton, where I heard
him deny that he is guilty of any such things; but that whereas it is said
that he is found to have brought many arms to town, he says it is only to
sell them, as he will prove by oath. From thence with Tom Doling and
Boston and D. Vines (whom we met by the way) to Price's, and there we
drank, and in discourse I learnt a pretty trick to try whether a woman be
a maid or no, by a string going round her head to meet at the end of her
nose, which if she be not will come a great way beyond. Thence to my
Lady's and staid with her an hour or two talking of the Duke of York and
his lady, the Chancellor's daughter, between whom, she tells me, that all
is agreed and he will marry her. But I know not how true yet. It rained
hard, and my Lady would have had me have the coach, but I would not, but
to my father's, where I met my wife, and there supped, and after supper by
link home and to bed.
17th. All day looking after my workmen, only in the afternoon to the
office where both Sir Williams were come from Woolwich, and tell us that,
contrary to their expectations, the Assurance is got up, without much
damage to her body, only to the goods that she hath within her, which
argues her to be a strong, good ship. This day my parlour is gilded,
which do please me well.
18th. All day at home, without stirring at all, looking after my workmen.
19th. At noon I went and dined with my Lady at Whitehall, and so back
again to the office, and after that home to my workmen. This night Mr.
Gauden sent me a great chine of beef and half a dozen of tongues.
20th. All day at home with my workmen, that I may get all done before
Christmas. This day I hear that the Princess Royal has the small pox.
21st. By water to Whitehall (leaving my wife at Whitefriars going to my
father's to buy her a muff and mantle), there I signed many things at the
Privy Seal, and carried L200 from thence to the Exchequer, and laid it up
with Mr. Hales, and afterwards took him and W. Bowyer to the Swan and
drank with them. They told me that this is St. Thomas's [day], and that
by an old custom, this day the Exchequer men had formerly, and do intend
this night to have a supper; which if I could I promised to come to, but
did not. To my Lady's, and dined with her: she told me how dangerously
ill the Princess Royal is and that this morning she was said to be dead.
But she hears that she hath married herself to young Jermyn, which is
worse than the Duke of York's marrying the Chancellor's daughter, which is
now publicly owned. After dinner to the office all the afternoon. At
seven at night I walked through the dirt to Whitehall to see whether my
Lord be come to town, and I found him come and at supper, and I supped
with him. He tells me that my aunt at Brampton has voided a great stone
(the first time that ever I heard she was troubled therewith) and cannot
possibly live long, that my uncle is pretty well, but full of pain still.
After supper home and to bed.
22nd. All the morning with my painters, who will make an end of all this
day I hope. At noon I went to the Sun tavern; on Fish Street hill, to a
dinner of Captn. Teddimans, where was my Lord Inchiquin (who seems to be a
very fine person), Sir W. Pen, Captn. Cuttance, and one Mr. Lawrence (a
fine gentleman now going to Algiers), and other good company, where we had
a very fine dinner, good musique, and a great deal of wine. We staid here
very late, at last Sir W. Pen and I home together, he so overcome with
wine that he could hardly go; I was forced to lead him through the streets
and he was in a very merry and kind mood. I home (found my house clear of
the workmen and their work ended), my head troubled with wine, and I very
merry went to bed, my head akeing all night.
23rd (Lord's day). In the morning to Church, where our pew all covered
with rosemary and baize. A stranger made a dull sermon. Home and found
my wife and maid with much ado had made shift to spit a great turkey sent
me this week from Charles Carter, my old colleague, now minister in
Huntingdonshire, but not at all roasted, and so I was fain to stay till
two o'clock, and after that to church with my wife, and a good sermon
there was, and so home. All the evening at my book, and so to supper and
to bed.
24th. In the morning to the office and Commissioner Pett (who seldom
comes there) told me that he had lately presented a piece of plate (being
a couple of flaggons) to Mr. Coventry, but he did not receive them, which
also put me upon doing the same too; and so after dinner I went and chose
a payre of candlesticks to be made ready for me at Alderman Backwell's. To
the office again in the afternoon till night, and so home, and with the
painters till 10 at night, making an end of my house and the arch before
my door, and so this night I was rid of them and all other work, and my
house was made ready against to-morrow being Christmas day. This day the
Princess Royal died at Whitehall.
25th (Christmas day). In the morning very much pleased to see my house
once more clear of workmen and to be clean, and indeed it is so, far
better than it was that I do not repent of my trouble that I have been at.
In the morning to church, where Mr. Mills made a very good sermon. After
that home to dinner, where my wife and I and my brother Tom (who this
morning came to see my wife's new mantle put on, which do please me very
well), to a good shoulder of mutton and a chicken. After dinner to church
again, my wife and I, where we had a dull sermon of a stranger, which made
me sleep, and so home, and I, before and after supper, to my lute and
Fuller's History, at which I staid all alone in my chamber till 12 at
night, and so to bed.
26th. In the morning to Alderman Backwell's for the candlesticks for Mr.
Coventry, but they being not done I went away, and so by coach to Mr.
Crew's, and there took some money of Mr. Moore's for my Lord, and so to my
Lord's, where I found Sir Thomas Bond (whom I never saw before) with a
message from the Queen about vessells for the carrying over of her goods,
and so with him to Mr. Coventry, and thence to the office (being soundly
washed going through the bridge) to Sir Wm. Batten and Pen (the last of
whom took physic to-day), and so I went up to his chamber, and there
having made an end of the business I returned to White Hall by water, and
dined with my Lady Sandwich, who at table did tell me how much fault was
laid upon Dr. Frazer and the rest of the Doctors, for the death of the
Princess! My Lord did dine this day with Sir Henry Wright, in order to
his going to sea with the Queen. Thence to my father Bowyer's where I met
my wife, and with her home by water.
27th. In the morning to Alderman Backwell's again, where I found the
candlesticks done, and went along with him in his coach to my Lord's and
left the candlesticks with Mr. Shepley. I staid in the garden talking
much with my Lord, who do show me much of his love and do communicate his
mind in most things to me, which is my great content. Home and with my
wife to Sir W. Batten's to dinner, where much and good company. My wife
not very well went home, I staid late there seeing them play at cards, and
so home to bed. This afternoon there came in a strange lord to Sir
William Batten's by a mistake and enters discourse with him, so that we
could not be rid of him till Sir Arn. Breames and Mr. Bens and Sir W. Pen
fell a-drinking to him till he was drunk, and so sent him away. About the
middle of the night I was very ill--I think with eating and drinking too
much--and so I was forced to call the maid, who pleased my wife and I in
her running up and down so innocently in her smock, and vomited in the
bason, and so to sleep, and in the morning was pretty well, only got cold,
and so had pain . . . . as I used to have.
28th. Office day. There all the morning. Dined at home alone with my
wife, and so staid within all the afternoon and evening; at my lute, with
great pleasure, and so to bed with great content.
29th. Within all the morning. Several people to speak with me; Mr.
Shepley for L100; Mr. Kennard and Warren, the merchant, about deals for my
Lord. Captain Robert Blake lately come from the Straights about some
Florence Wine for my Lord, and with him I went to Sir W. Pen, who offering
me a barrel of oysters I took them both home to my house (having by chance
a good piece of roast beef at the fire for dinner), and there they dined
with me, and sat talking all the afternoon-good company. Thence to
Alderman Backwell's and took a brave state-plate and cupp in lieu of the
candlesticks that I had the other day and carried them by coach to my
Lord's and left them there. And so back to my father's and saw my mother,
and so to my uncle Fenner's, whither my father came to me, and there we
talked and drank, and so away; I home with my father, he telling me what
bad wives both my cozen Joyces make to their husbands, which I much
wondered at. After talking of my sister's coming to me next week, I went
home and to bed.
30th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, and being up, I went with Will to my
Lord's, calling in at many churches in my way. There I found Mr. Shepley,
in his Venetian cap, taking physique in his chamber, and with him I sat
till dinner. My Lord dined abroad and my Lady in her chamber, so Mr.
Hetly, Child and I dined together, and after dinner Mr. Child and I spent
some time at the lute, and so promising to prick me some lessons to my
theorbo he went away to see Henry Laws, who lies very sick. I to the Abby
and walked there, seeing the great confusion of people that come there to
hear the organs. So home, calling in at my father's, but staid not, my
father and mother being both forth. At home I fell a-reading of Fuller's
Church History till it was late, and so to bed.
31st. At the office all the morning and after that home, and not staying
to dine I went out, and in Paul's Church-yard I bought the play of "Henry
the Fourth," and so went to the new Theatre (only calling at Mr. Crew's
and eat a bit with the people there at dinner) and saw it acted; but my
expectation being too great, it did not please me, as otherwise I believe
it would; and my having a book, I believe did spoil it a little. That
being done I went to my Lord's, where I found him private at cards with my
Lord Lauderdale and some persons of honour. So Mr. Shepley and I over to
Harper's, and there drank a pot or two, and so parted. My boy taking a
cat home with him from my Lord's, which Sarah had given him for my wife,
we being much troubled with mice. At Whitehall inquiring for a coach,
there was a Frenchman with one eye that was going my way, so he and I
hired the coach between us and he set me down in Fenchurch Street. Strange
how the fellow, without asking, did tell me all what he was, and how he
had ran away from his father and come into England to serve the King, and
now going back again. Home and to bed.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
Asleep, while the wench sat mending my breeches by my bedside
Barkley swearing that he and others had lain with her often
But I think I am not bound to discover myself
But we were friends again as we are always
Cure of the King's evil, which he do deny altogether
Duke of York and Mrs. Palmer did talk to one another very wanton
First time I had given her leave to wear a black patch
First time that ever I heard the organs in a cathedral
Gentlewomen did hold up their heads to be kissed by the King
Have her come not as a sister in any respect, but as a servant
Have not known her this fortnight almost, which is a pain to me
He did very well, but a deadly drinker he is
I took a broom and basted her till she cried extremely
I was a great Roundhead when I was a boy
I was demanded L100, for the fee of the office at 6d. a pound
In discourse he seems to be wise and say little
It not being handsome for our servants to sit so equal with us
Learnt a pretty trick to try whether a woman be a maid or no
Long cloaks being now quite out
Sit up till 2 o'clock that she may call the wench up to wash
Smoke jack consists of a wind-wheel fixed in the chimney
So I took occasion to go up and to bed in a pet
So we went to bed and lay all night in a quarrel
The rest did give more, and did believe that I did so too
There being ten hanged, drawn, and quartered
Thus it was my chance to see the King beheaded at White Hall
To see Major-general Harrison hanged, drawn; and quartered