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.
MAY & JUNE
1662
May 1st. Sir G. Carteret, Sir W. Pen, and myself, with our clerks, set
out this morning from Portsmouth very early, and got by noon to
Petersfield; several officers of the Yard accompanying us so far. Here we
dined and were merry. At dinner comes my Lord Carlingford from London,
going to Portsmouth: tells us that the Duchess of York is brought to bed
of a girl,--[Mary, afterwards Queen of England.]--at which I find nobody
pleased; and that Prince Rupert and the Duke of Buckingham are sworn of
the Privy Councell. He himself made a dish with eggs of the butter of the
Sparagus, which is very fine meat, which I will practise hereafter. To
horse again after dinner, and got to Gilford, where after supper I to bed,
having this day been offended by Sir W. Pen's foolish talk, and I
offending him with my answers. Among others he in discourse complaining
of want of confidence, did ask me to lend him a grain or two, which I told
him I thought he was better stored with than myself, before Sir George.
So that I see I must keep a greater distance than I have done, and I hope
I may do it because of the interest which I am making with Sir George. To
bed all alone, and my Will in the truckle bed.
[According to the original Statutes of Corpus Christi Coll. Oxon,
a Scholar slept in a truckle bed below each Fellow. Called also
"a trindle bed." Compare Hall's description of an obsequious tutor:
"He lieth in a truckle bed
While his young master lieth o'er his head."
Satires, ii. 6, 5.
The bed was drawn in the daytime under the high bed of the tutor.
See Wordsworth's "University Life in the Eighteenth Century."--M. B.]
2nd. Early to coach again and to Kingston, where we baited a little, and
presently to coach again and got early to London, and I found all well at
home, and Mr. Hunt and his wife had dined with my wife to-day, and been
very kind to my wife in my absence. After I had washed myself, it having
been the hottest day that has been this year, I took them all by coach to
Mrs. Hunt's, and I to Dr. Clerke's lady, and gave her her letter and
token. She is a very fine woman, and what with her person and the number
of fine ladies that were with her, I was much out of countenance, and
could hardly carry myself like a man among them; but however, I staid till
my courage was up again, and talked to them, and viewed her house, which
is most pleasant, and so drank and good-night. And so to my Lord's
lodgings, where by chance I spied my Lady's coach, and found her and my
Lady Wright there, and so I spoke to them, and they being gone went to Mr.
Hunt's for my wife, and so home and to bed.
3rd. Sir W. Pen and I by coach to St. James's, and there to the Duke's
Chamber, who had been a-hunting this morning and is come back again.
Thence to Westminster, where I met Mr. Moore, and hear that Mr. Watkins'
is suddenly dead since my going. To dinner to my Lady Sandwich, and Sir
Thomas Crew's children coming thither, I took them and all my Ladys to the
Tower and showed them the lions
[The Tower Menagerie was not abolished until the reign of
William IV.]
and all that was to be shown, and so took them to my house, and there made
much of them, and so saw them back to my Lady's. Sir Thomas Crew's
children being as pretty and the best behaved that ever I saw of their
age. Thence, at the goldsmith's, took my picture in little,--[Miniature
by Savill]--which is now done, home with me, and pleases me exceedingly
and my wife. So to supper and to bed, it being exceeding hot.
4th (Lord's day). Lay long talking with my wife, then Mr. Holliard came
to me and let me blood, about sixteen ounces, I being exceedingly full of
blood and very good. I begun to be sick; but lying upon my back I was
presently well again, and did give him 5s. for his pains, and so we
parted, and I, to my chamber to write down my journall from the beginning
of my late journey to this house. Dined well, and after dinner, my arm
tied up with a black ribbon, I walked with my wife to my brother Tom's;
our boy waiting on us with his sword, which this day he begins to wear, to
outdo Sir W. Pen's boy, who this day, and Six W. Batten's too, begin to
wear new livery; but I do take mine to be the neatest of them all. I led
my wife to Mrs. Turner's pew, and the church being full, it being to hear
a Doctor who is to preach a probacon sermon, I went out to the Temple and
there walked, and so when church was done went to Mrs. Turner's, and after
a stay there, my wife and I walked to Grays Inn, to observe fashions of
the ladies, because of my wife's making some clothes. Thence homewards,
and called in at Antony Joyce's, where we found his wife brought home sick
from church, and was in a convulsion fit. So home and to Sir W. Pen's and
there supped, and so to prayers at home and to bed.
5th. My arme not being well, I staid within all the morning, and dined
alone at home, my wife being gone out to buy some things for herself, and
a gown for me to dress myself in. And so all the afternoon looking over
my papers, and at night walked upon the leads, and so to bed.
6th. This morning I got my seat set up on the leads, which pleases me
well. So to the office, and thence to the Change, but could not meet with
my uncle Wight. So home to dinner and then out again to several places to
pay money and to understand my debts, and so home and walked with my wife
on the leads, and so to supper and to bed. I find it a hard matter to
settle to business after so much leisure and pleasure.
7th. Walked to Westminster; where I understand the news that Mr. Montagu
is this last night come to the King with news, that he left the Queen and
fleet in the Bay of Biscay, coming this wayward; and that he believes she
is now at the Isle of Scilly. So at noon to my Lord Crew's and there
dined, and after dinner Sir Thos. Crew and I talked together, and among
other instances of the simple light discourse that sometimes is in the
Parliament House, he told me how in the late business of Chymny money,
when all occupiers were to pay, it was questioned whether women were under
that name to pay, and somebody rose and said that they were not occupiers,
but occupied. Thence to Paul's Church Yard; where seeing my Lady's
Sandwich and Carteret, and my wife (who this day made a visit the first
time to my Lady Carteret), come by coach, and going to Hide Park, I was
resolved to follow them; and so went to Mrs. Turner's: and thence found
her out at the Theatre, where I saw the last act of the "Knight of the
Burning Pestle," which pleased me not at all. And so after the play done,
she and The. Turner and Mrs. Lucin and I, in her coach to the Park; and
there found them out, and spoke to them; and observed many fine ladies,
and staid till all were gone almost. And so to Mrs. Turner's, and there
supped, and so walked home, and by and by comes my wife home, brought by
my Lady Carteret to the gate, and so to bed.
8th. At the office all the morning doing business alone, and then to the
Wardrobe, where my, Lady going out with the children to dinner I staid
not, but returned home, and was overtaken in St. Paul's Churchyard by Sir
G. Carteret in his coach, and so he carried me to the Exchange, where I
staid awhile. He told me that the Queen and the fleet were in Mount's Bay
on Monday last, and that the Queen endures her sickness pretty well. He
also told me how Sir John Lawson hath done some execution upon the Turks
in the Straight, of which I am glad, and told the news the first on the
Exchange, and was much followed by merchants to tell it. So home and to
dinner, and by and by to the office, and after the rest gone (my Lady
Albemarle being this day at dinner at Sir W. Batten's) Sir G. Carteret
comes, and he and I walked in the garden, and, among other discourse,
tells me that it is Mr. Coventry that is to come to us as a Commissioner
of the Navy; at which he is much vexed, and cries out upon Sir W. Pen, and
threatens him highly. And looking upon his lodgings, which are now
enlarging, he in passion cried, "Guarda mi spada; for, by God, I may
chance to keep him in Ireland, when he is there:" for Sir W. Pen is going
thither with my Lord Lieutenant. But it is my design to keep much in with
Sir George; and I think I have begun very well towards it. So to the
office, and was there late doing business, and so with my head full of
business I to bed.
9th. Up and to my office, and so to dinner at home, and then to several
places to pay my debts, and then to Westminster to Dr. Castle, who
discoursed with me about Privy Seal business, which I do not much mind, it
being little worth, but by Watkins's--[clerk of the Privy Seal]--late
sudden death we are like to lose money. Thence to Mr. de Cretz, and there
saw some good pieces that he hath copyed of the King's pieces, some of
Raphael and Michael Angelo; and I have borrowed an Elizabeth of his
copying to hang up in my house, and sent it home by Will. Thence with Mr.
Salisbury, who I met there, into Covent Garden to an alehouse, to see a
picture that hangs there, which is offered for 20s., and I offered
fourteen--but it is worth much more money--but did not buy it, I having no
mind to break my oath. Thence to see an Italian puppet play that is
within the rayles there, which is very pretty, the best that ever I saw,
and great resort of gallants. So to the Temple and by water home, and so
walk upon the leads, and in the dark there played upon my flageolette, it
being a fine still evening, and so to supper and to bed. This day I paid
Godfrey's debt of 40 and odd pounds. The Duke of York went last night to
Portsmouth; so that I believe the Queen is near.
10th. By myself at the office all the morning drawing up instructions for
Portsmouth yard in those things wherein we at our late being there did
think fit to reform, and got them signed this morning to send away
to-night, the Duke being now there. At noon to the Wardrobe; there dined.
My Lady told me how my Lady Castlemaine do speak of going to lie in at
Hampton Court; which she and all our ladies are much troubled at, because
of the King's being forced to show her countenance in the sight of the
Queen when she comes. Back to the office and there all afternoon, and in
the evening comes Sir G. Carteret, and he and I did hire a ship for
Tangier, and other things together; and I find that he do single me out to
join with me apart from the rest, which I am much glad of. So home, and
after being trimmed, to bed.
11th (Lord's day). To our church in the morning, where, our Minister
being out of town, a dull, flat Presbiter preached. Dined at home, and my
wife's brother with us, we having a good dish of stewed beef of Jane's own
dressing, which was well done, and a piece of sturgeon of a barrel sent me
by Captain Cocke. In the afternoon to White Hall; and there walked an
hour or two in the Park, where I saw the King now out of mourning, in a
suit laced with gold and silver, which it was said was out of fashion.
Thence to the Wardrobe; and there consulted with the ladies about our
going to Hampton Court to-morrow, and thence home, and after settled
business there my wife and I to the Wardrobe, and there we lay all night
in Captain Ferrers' chambers, but the bed so soft that I could not sleep
that hot night.
12th. Mr. Townsend called us up by four o'clock; and by five the three
ladies, my wife and I, and Mr. Townsend, his son and daughter, were got to
the barge and set out. We walked from Mortlake to Richmond, and so to
boat again. And from Teddington to Hampton Court Mr. Townsend and I
walked again. And then met the ladies, and were showed the whole house by
Mr. Marriott; which is indeed nobly furnished, particularly the Queen's
bed, given her by the States of Holland; a looking-glass sent by the
Queen-mother from France, hanging in the Queen's chamber, and many brave
pictures. So to Mr. Marriott's, and there we rested ourselves and drank.
And so to barge again, and there we had good victuals and wine, and were
very merry; and got home about eight at night very well. So my wife and I
took leave of my Ladies, and home by a hackney-coach, the easiest that
ever I met with, and so to bed.
14th. All the morning at Westminster and elsewhere about business, and
dined at the Wardrobe; and after dinner, sat talking an hour or two alone
with my Lady. She is afeard that my Lady Castlemaine will keep still with
the King, and I am afeard she will not, for I love her well. Thence to my
brother's, and finding him in a lie about the lining of my new morning
gown, saying that it was the same with the outside, I was very angry with
him and parted so. So home after an hour stay at Paul's Churchyard, and
there came Mr. Morelock of Chatham, and brought me a stately cake, and I
perceive he has done the same to the rest, of which I was glad; so to bed.
15th. To Westminster; and at the Privy Seal I saw Mr. Coventry's seal for
his being Commissioner with us, at which I know not yet whether to be glad
or otherwise. So doing several things by the way, I walked home, and
after dinner to the office all the afternoon. At night, all the bells of
the town rung, and bonfires made for the joy of the Queen's arrival, who
came and landed at Portsmouth last night. But I do not see much thorough
joy, but only an indifferent one, in the hearts of people, who are much
discontented at the pride and luxury of the Court, and running in debt.
16th. Up early, Mr. Hater and I to the office, and there I made an end of
my book of contracts which I have been making an abstract of. Dined at
home, and spent most of the day at the office. At night to supper and
bed.
17th. Upon a letter this morning from Mr. Moore, I went to my cozen
Turner's chamber, and there put him drawing a replication to Tom Trice's
answer speedily. So to Whitehall and there met Mr. Moore, and I walked
long in Westminster Hall, and thence with him to the Wardrobe to dinner,
where dined Mrs. Sanderson, the mother of the maids, and after dinner my
Lady and she and I on foot to Pater Noster Row to buy a petticoat against
the Queen's coming for my Lady, of plain satin, and other things; and
being come back again, we there met Mr. Nathaniel Crew
[Nathaniel Crew, born 1633, fifth son of John, first Lord Crew; he
himself became third Lord Crew in 1697. Sub-Rector of Lincoln
College, Oxford, 1659. Took orders in 1664, and was Rector of
Lincoln College in 1668; Dean of Chichester, 1669; Bishop of Oxford,
1671; Bishop of Durham, 1674; sworn of the Privy Council in 1676.
He was very subservient to James II., and at the Revolution was
excepted from the general pardon of May, 1690, but he was allowed to
keep possession of the bishopric of Durham.]
at the Wardrobe with a young gentleman, a friend and fellow student of
his, and of a good family, Mr. Knightly, and known to the Crews, of whom
my Lady privately told me she hath some thoughts of a match for my Lady
Jemimah. I like the person very well, and he hath L2000 per annum. Thence
to the office, and there we sat, and thence after writing letters to all
my friends with my Lord at Portsmouth, I walked to my brother Tom's to see
a velvet cloak, which I buy of Mr. Moore. It will cost me L8 10s.; he
bought it for L6 10s., but it is worth my money. So home and find all
things made clean against to-morrow, which pleases me well. So to bed.
18th (Whitsunday). By water to White Hall, and thereto chappell in my pew
belonging to me as Clerk of the Privy Seal; and there I heard a most
excellent sermon of Dr. Hacket, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, upon
these words: "He that drinketh this water shall never thirst." We had an
excellent anthem, sung by Captain Cooke and another, and brave musique.
And then the King came down and offered, and took the sacrament upon his
knees; a sight very well worth seeing. Hence with Sir G. Carteret to his
lodging to dinner with his Lady and one Mr. Brevin, a French Divine, we
were very merry, and good discourse, and I had much talk with my Lady.
After dinner, and so to chappell again; and there had another good anthem
of Captain Cooke's. Thence to the Councell-chamber; where the King and
Councell sat till almost eleven o'clock at night, and I forced to walk up
and down the gallerys till that time of night. They were reading all the
bills over that are to pass to-morrow at the House, before the King's
going out of town and proroguing the House. At last the Councell risen,
and Sir G. Carteret telling me what the Councell hath ordered about the
ships designed to carry horse from Ireland to Portugall, which is now
altered. I got a coach and so home, sending the boat away without me. At
home I found my wife discontented at my being abroad, but I pleased her.
She was in her new suit of black sarcenet and yellow petticoat very
pretty. So to bed.
19th. Long in bed, sometimes scolding with my wife, and then pleased
again, and at last up, and put on my riding cloth suit, and a camelott
coat new, which pleases me well enough. To the Temple about my
replication, and so to my brother Tom's, and there hear that my father
will be in town this week. So home, the shops being but some shut and
some open. I hear that the House of Commons do think much that they
should be forced to huddle over business this morning against the
afternoon, for the King to pass their Acts, that he may go out of town.
[To ears accustomed to the official words of speeches from the
throne at the present day, the familiar tone of the following
extracts from Charles's speech to the Commons, on the 1st of March;
will be amusing: "I will conclude with putting you in mind of the
season of the year, and the convenience of your being in the
country, in many respects, for the good and welfare of it; for you
will find much tares have been sowed there in your absence. The
arrival of my wife, who I expect some time this month, and the
necessity of my own being out of town to meet her, and to stay some
time before she comes hither, makes it very necessary that the
Parliament be adjourned before Easter, to meet again in the winter .
. . . . The mention of my wife's arrival puts me in mind to
desire you to put that compliment upon her, that her entrance into
the town may be with more decency than the ways will now suffer it
to be; and, to that purpose, I pray you would quickly pass such laws
as are before you, in order to the amending those ways, and that she
may not find Whitehall surrounded with water." Such a bill passed
the Commons on the 24th June. From Charles's Speech, March 1st,
1662.--B.]
But he, I hear since, was forced to stay till almost nine o'clock at night
before he could have done, and then he prorogued them; and so to Gilford,
and lay there. Home, and Mr. Hunt dined with me, and were merry. After
dinner Sir W. Pen and his daughter, and I and my wife by coach to the
Theatre, and there in a box saw "The Little Thief" well done. Thence to
Moorefields, and walked and eat some cheesecake and gammon of bacon, but
when I was come home I was sick, forced to vomit it up again. So my wife
walking and singing upon the leads till very late, it being pleasant and
moonshine, and so to bed.
10th. Sir W. Pen and I did a little business at the office, and so home
again. Then comes Dean Fuller after we had dined, but I got something for
him, and very merry we were for an hour or two, and I am most pleased with
his company and goodness. At last parted, and my wife and I by coach to
the Opera, and there saw the 2nd part of "The Siege of Rhodes," but it is
not so well done as when Roxalana was there, who, it is said, is now owned
by my Lord of Oxford.
[For note on Mrs. Davenport, who was deceived by a pretended
marriage with the Earl of Oxford, see ante. Lord Oxford's first
wife died in 1659. He married, in 1672, his second wife, Diana
Kirke, of whom nothing more need be said than that she bore an
inappropriate Christian name.]
Thence to Tower-wharf, and there took boat, and we all walked to Halfeway
House, and there eat and drank, and were pleasant, and so finally home
again in the evening, end so good night, this being a very pleasant life
that we now lead, and have long done; the Lord be blessed, and make us
thankful. But, though I am much against too much spending, yet I do think
it best to enjoy some degree of pleasure now that we have health, money,
and opportunity, rather than to leave pleasures to old age or poverty,
when we cannot have them so properly.
21st. My wife and I by water to Westminster, and after she had seen her
father (of whom lately I have heard nothing at all what he does or her
mother), she comes to me to my Lord's lodgings, where she and I staid
walking in White Hall garden. And in the Privy-garden saw the finest
smocks and linnen petticoats of my Lady Castlemaine's, laced with rich
lace at the bottom, that ever I saw; and did me good to look upon them. So
to Wilkinson's, she and I and Sarah to dinner, where I had a good quarter
of lamb and a salat. Here Sarah told me how the King dined at my Lady
Castlemaine's, and supped, every day and night the last week; and that the
night that the bonfires were made for joy of the Queen's arrivall, the
King was there; but there was no fire at her door, though at all the rest
of the doors almost in the street; which was much observed: and that the
King and she did send for a pair of scales and weighed one another; and
she, being with child, was said to be heaviest. But she is now a most
disconsolate creature, and comes not out of doors, since the King's going.
But we went to the Theatre to "The French Dancing Master," and there with
much pleasure gazed upon her (Lady Castlemaine); but it troubles us to see
her look dejectedly and slighted by people already. The play pleased us
very well; but Lacy's part, the Dancing Master, the best in the world.
Thence to my brother Tom's, in expectation to have met my father to-night
come out of the country, but he is not yet come, but here we found my
uncle Fenner and his old wife, whom I had not seen since the wedding
dinner, nor care to see her. They being gone, my wife and I went and saw
Mrs. Turner, whom we found not well, and her two boys Charles and Will
come out of the country, grown very plain boys after three years being
under their father's care in Yorkshire. Thence to Tom's again, and there
supped well, my she cozen Scott being there and my father being not come,
we walked home and to bed.
22d. This morning comes an order from the Secretary of State, Nicholas,
for me to let one Mr. Lee, a Councellor, to view what papers I have
relating to passages of the late times, wherein Sir H. Vane's hand is
employed, in order to the drawing up his charge; which I did, and at noon
he, with Sir W. Pen and his daughter, dined with me, and he to his work
again, and we by coach to the Theatre and saw "Love in a Maze." The play
hath little in it but Lacy's part of a country fellow, which he did to
admiration. So home, and supped with Sir W. Pen, where Sir W. Batten and
Captn. Cocke came to us, to whom I have lately been a great stranger. This
night we had each of us a letter from Captain Teddiman from the Streights,
of a peace made upon good terms, by Sir J. Lawson, with the Argier men,
which is most excellent news? He hath also sent each of us some
anchovies, olives, and muscatt; but I know not yet what that is, and am
ashamed to ask. After supper home, and to bed, resolving to make up this
week in seeing plays and pleasure, and so fall to business next week again
for a great while.
23rd. At the office good part of the morning, and then about noon with my
wife on foot to the Wardrobe. My wife went up to the dining room to my
Lady Paulina, and I staid below talking with Mr. Moore in the parley,
reading of the King's and Chancellor's late speeches at the proroguing of
the Houses of Parliament. And while I was reading, news was brought me
that my Lord Sandwich is come and gone up to my Lady, which put me into
great suspense of joy, so I went up waiting my Lord's coming out of my
Lady's chamber, which by and by he did, and looks very well, and my soul
is glad to see him. He very merry, and hath left the King and Queen at
Portsmouth, and is come up to stay here till next Wednesday, and then to
meet the King and Queen at Hampton Court. So to dinner, Mr. Browne, Clerk
of the House of Lords, and his wife and brother there also; and my Lord
mighty merry; among other things, saying that the Queen is a very
agreeable lady, and paints still. After dinner I showed him my letter
from Teddiman about the news from Argier, which pleases him exceedingly;
and he writ one to the Duke of York about it, and sent it express. There
coming much company after dinner to my Lord, my wife and I slunk away to
the Opera, where we saw "Witt in a Constable," the first time that it is
acted; but so silly a play I never saw I think in my life. After it was
done, my wife and I to the puppet play in Covent Garden, which I saw the
other day, and indeed it is very pleasant. Here among the fidlers I first
saw a dulcimere
[The dulcimer (or psaltery) consisted of a flat box, acting as a
resonating chamber, over which strings of wire were stretched: These
were struck by little hammers.]
played on with sticks knocking of the strings, and is very pretty. So by
water home, and supped with Sir William Pen very merry, and so to bed.
24th. To the Wardrobe, and there again spoke with my Lord, and saw W.
Howe, who is grown a very pretty and is a sober fellow. Thence abroad
with Mr. Creed, of whom I informed myself of all I had a mind to know.
Among other things, the great difficulty my Lord hath been in all this
summer for lack of good and full orders from the King; and I doubt our
Lords of the Councell do not mind things as the late powers did, but their
pleasures or profit more. That the Juego de Toros is a simple sport, yet
the greatest in Spain. That the Queen hath given no rewards to any of the
captains or officers, but only to my Lord Sandwich; and that was a bag of
gold, which was no honourable present, of about L1400 sterling. How
recluse the Queen hath ever been, and all the voyage never come upon the
deck, nor put her head out of her cabin; but did love my Lord's musique,
and would send for it down to the state-room, and she sit in her cabin
within hearing of it. That my Lord was forced to have some clashing with
the Council of Portugall about payment of the portion, before he could get
it; which was, besides Tangier and a free trade in the Indys, two millions
of crowns, half now, and the other half in twelve months. But they have
brought but little money; but the rest in sugars and other commoditys, and
bills of exchange. That the King of Portugall is a very fool almost, and
his mother do all, and he is a very poor Prince. After a morning draft at
the Star in Cheapside, I took him to the Exchange, thence home, but my
wife having dined, I took him to Fish Street, and there we had a couple of
lobsters, and dined upon them, and much discourse. And so I to the
office, and that being done, Sir W. Pen and I to Deptford by water to
Captain Rooth's to see him, he being very sick, and by land home, calling
at Halfway house, where we eat and drank. So home and to bed.
25th (Lord's day). To trimming myself, which I have this week done every
morning, with a pumice stone,--[Shaving with pumice stone.]--which I
learnt of Mr. Marsh, when I was last at Portsmouth; and I find it very
easy, speedy, and cleanly, and shall continue the practice of it. To
church, and heard a good sermon of Mr. Woodcocke's at our church; only in
his latter prayer for a woman in childbed, he prayed that God would
deliver her from the hereditary curse of child-bearing, which seemed a
pretty strange expression. Dined at home, and Mr. Creed with me. This
day I had the first dish of pease I have had this year. After discourse
he and I abroad, and walked up and down, and looked into many churches,
among others Mr. Baxter's at Blackfryers. Then to the Wardrobe, where I
found my Lord takes physic, so I did not see him, but with Captn. Ferrers
in Mr. George Montagu's coach to Charing Cross; and there at the Triumph
tavern he showed me some Portugall ladys, which are come to town before
the Queen. They are not handsome, and their farthingales a strange dress.
[Farthingales had gone out of fashion in England during the reign of
Charles I., and therefore their use by the Portuguese ladies
astonished the English. Evelyn also remarks in his Diary on this
ugly custom (May 30th, 1662).]
Many ladies and persons of quality come to see them. I find nothing in
them that is pleasing; and I see they have learnt to kiss and look freely
up and down already, and I do believe will soon forget the recluse
practice of their own country. They complain much for lack of good water
to drink. So to the Wardrobe back on foot and supped with my Lady, and so
home, and after a walk upon the leads with my wife, to prayers and bed.
The King's guards and some City companies do walk up and down the town
these five or six days; which makes me think, and they do say, there are
some plots in laying. God keep us.
26th. Up by four o'clock in the morning, and fell to the preparing of
some accounts for my Lord of Sandwich. By and by, by appointment comes
Mr. Moore, and, by what appears to us at present, we found that my Lord is
above L7,000 in debt, and that he hath money coming into him that will
clear all, and so we think him clear, but very little money in his purse.
So to my Lord's, and after he was ready, we spent an hour with him, giving
him an account thereof; and he having some L6,000 in his hands, remaining
of the King's, he is resolved to make use of that, and get off of it as
well as he can, which I like well of, for else I fear he will scarce get
beforehand again a great while. Thence home, and to the Trinity House;
where the Brethren (who have been at Deptford choosing a new Maister;
which is Sir J. Minnes, notwithstanding Sir W. Batten did contend highly
for it: at which I am not a little pleased, because of his proud lady)
about three o'clock came hither, and so to dinner. I seated myself close
by Mr. Prin, who, in discourse with me, fell upon what records he hath of
the lust and wicked lives of the nuns heretofore in England, and showed me
out of his pocket one wherein thirty nuns for their lust were ejected of
their house, being not fit to live there, and by the Pope's command to be
put, however, into other nunnerys. I could not stay to end dinner with
them, but rose, and privately went out, and by water to my brother's, and
thence to take my wife to the Redd Bull, where we saw "Doctor Faustus,"
but so wretchedly and poorly done, that we were sick of it, and the worse
because by a former resolution it is to be the last play we are to see
till Michaelmas. Thence homewards by coach, through Moorefields, where we
stood awhile, and saw the wrestling. At home, got my lute upon the leads,
and there played, and so to bed.
27th. To my Lord this morning, and thence to my brother's, where I found
my father, poor man, come, which I was glad to see. I staid with him till
noon, and then he went to my cozen Scott's to dinner, who had invited him.
He tells me his alterations of the house and garden at Brampton, which
please me well. I could not go with him, and so we parted at Ludgate, and
I home to dinner, and to the office all the afternoon, and musique in my
chamber alone at night, and so to bed.
28th. Up early to put things in order in my chamber, and then to my
Lord's, with whom I spoke about several things, and so up and down in
several places about business with Mr. Creed, among others to Mr. Wotton's
the shoemaker, and there drank our morning draft, and then home about
noon, and by and by comes my father by appointment to dine with me, which
we did very merrily, I desiring to make him as merry as I can, while the
poor man is in town. After dinner comes my uncle Wight and sat awhile and
talked with us, and thence we three to the Mum House at Leadenhall, and
there sat awhile. Then I left them, and to the Wardrobe, where I found my
Lord gone to Hampton Court. Here I staid all the afternoon till late with
Creed and Captain Ferrers, thinking whether we should go to-morrow
together to Hampton Court, but Ferrers his wife coming in by and by to the
house with the young ladies (with whom she had been abroad), she was
unwilling to go, whereupon I was willing to put off our going, and so
home, but still my mind was hankering after our going to-morrow. So to
bed.
29th. At home all the morning. At noon to the Wardrobe, and dined with
my Lady, and after dinner staid long talking with her; then homeward, and
in Lumbard Street was called out of a window by Alderman Backwell, where I
went, and saluted his lady, a very pretty woman. Here was Mr. Creed, and
it seems they have been under some disorder in fear of a fire at the next
door, and had been removing their goods, but the fire was over before I
came. Thence home, and with my wife and the two maids, and the boy, took
boat and to Foxhall,
[Foxhall, Faukeshall, or Vauxhall, a manor in Surrey, properly
Fulke's. Hall, and so called from Fulke de Breaute, the notorious
mercenary follower of King John. The manor house was afterwards
known as Copped or Copt Hall. Sir Samuel Morland obtained a lease
of the place, and King Charles made him Master of Mechanics, and
here "he (Morland), anno 1667, built a fine room," says Aubrey, "the
inside all of looking-glass and fountains, very pleasant to behold."
The gardens were formed about 1661, and originally called the "New
Spring Gardens," to distinguish them from the "Old Spring Gardens"
at Charing Cross, but according to the present description by Pepys
there was both an Old and a New Spring Garden at Vauxhall.
Balthazar Monconys, who visited England early in the reign of
Charles II., describes the 'Jardins Printemps' at Lambeth as having
lawns and gravel walks, dividing squares of twenty or thirty yards
enclosed with hedges of gooseberry trees, within which were planted
roses.]
where I had not been a great while. To the Old Spring Garden, and there
walked long, and the wenches gathered pinks. Here we staid, and seeing
that we could not have anything to eat, but very dear, and with long stay,
we went forth again without any notice taken of us, and so we might have
done if we had had anything. Thence to the New one, where I never was
before, which much exceeds the other; and here we also walked, and the boy
crept through the hedge and gathered abundance of roses, and, after a long
walk, passed out of doors as we did in the other place, and here we had
cakes and powdered beef--[salt beef]--and ale, and so home again by water
with much pleasure. This day, being the King's birth-day, was very
solemnly observed; and the more, for that the Queen this day comes to
Hampton Court. In the evening, bonfires were made, but nothing to the
great number that was heretofore at the burning of the Rump. So to bed.
30th. This morning I made up my accounts, and find myself 'de claro'
worth about L530, and no more, so little have I increased it since my last
reckoning; but I confess I have laid out much money in clothes. Upon a
suddaine motion I took my wife, and Sarah and Will by water, with some
victuals with us, as low as Gravesend, intending to have gone into the
Hope to the Royal James, to have seen the ship and Mr. Shepley, but
meeting Mr. Shepley in a hoy, bringing up my Lord's things, she and I went
on board, and sailed up with them as far as half-way tree, very glad to
see Mr. Shepley. Here we saw a little Turk and a negroe, which are
intended for pages to the two young ladies. Many birds and other pretty
noveltys there was, but I was afeard of being louzy, and so took boat
again, and got to London before them, all the way, coming and going,
reading in the "Wallflower" with great pleasure. So home, and thence to
the Wardrobe, where Mr. Shepley was come with the things. Here I staid
talking with my Lady, who is preparing to go to-morrow to Hampton Court.
So home, and at ten o'clock at night Mr. Shepley came to sup with me. So
we had a dish of mackerell and pease, and so he bid us good night, going
to lie on board the hoy, and I to bed.
31st. Lay long in bed, and so up to make up my Journall for these two or
three days past. Then came Anthony Joyce, who duns me for money for the
tallow which he served in lately by my desire, which vexes me, but I must
get it him the next by my promise. By and by to White Hall, hearing that
Sir G. Carteret was come to town, but I could not find him, and so back to
Tom's, and thence I took my father to my house, and there he dined with
me, discoursing of our businesses with uncle Thomas and T. Trice. After
dinner he departed and I to the office where we met, and that being done I
walked to my Brother's and the Wardrobe and other places about business,
and so home, and had Sarah to comb my head clean, which I found so foul
with powdering and other troubles, that I am resolved to try how I can
keep my head dry without powder; and I did also in a suddaine fit cut off
all my beard, which I had been a great while bringing up, only that I may
with my pumice-stone do my whole face, as I now do my chin, and to save
time, which I find a very easy way and gentile. So she also washed my
feet in a bath of herbs, and so to bed. This month ends with very fair
weather for a great while together. My health pretty well, but only wind
do now and then torment me . . . extremely. The Queen is brought a few
days since to Hampton Court; and all people say of her to be a very fine
and handsome lady, and very discreet; and that the King is pleased enough
with her which, I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine's nose out of joynt.
The Court is wholly now at Hampton. A peace with Argier is lately made;
which is also good news. My father is lately come to town to see us, and
though it has cost and will cost more money, yet I am pleased with the
alteraeons on my house at Brampton. My Lord Sandwich is lately come with
the Queen from sea, very well and in good repute. Upon an audit of my
estate I find myself worth about L530 'de claro'. The Act for Uniformity
is lately printed,
["An Act for the Uniformity of public prayers and administration of
sacraments and other rites and ceremonies, and for establishing the
form of making, ordaining, and consecrating bishops, priests, and
deacons in the Church of England."]
which, it is thought, will make mad work among the Presbyterian ministers.
People of all sides are very much discontented; some thinking themselves
used, contrary to promise, too hardly; and the other, that they are not
rewarded so much as they expected by the King. God keep us all. I have
by a late oath obliged myself from wine and plays, of which I find good
effect.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
JUNE
1662
June 1st (Lord's day). At church in the morning. A stranger made a very
good sermon. Dined at home, and Mr. Spong came to see me; so he and I sat
down a little to sing some French psalms, and then comes Mr. Shepley and
Mr. Moore, and so we to dinner, and after dinner to church again, where a
Presbyter made a sad and long sermon, which vexed me, and so home, and so
to walk on the leads, and supper and to prayers and bed.
2nd. Up early about business and then to the Wardrobe with Mr. Moore, and
spoke to my Lord about the exchange of the crusados
[Cruzado, a Portuguese coin of 480 reis. It is named from a cross
which it bears on one side, the arms of Portugal being on the other.
It varied in value at different periods from 2s. 3d. to 4s.]
into sterling money, and other matters. So to my father at Tom's, and
after some talk with him away home, and by and by comes my father to
dinner with me, and then by coach, setting him down in Cheapside, my wife
and I to Mrs. Clarke's at Westminster, the first visit that ever we both
made her yet. We found her in a dishabille, intending to go to Hampton
Court to-morrow. We had much pretty discourse, and a very fine lady she
is. Thence by water to Salisbury Court, and Mrs. Turner not being at
home, home by coach, and so after walking on the leads and supper to bed.
This day my wife put on her slasht wastecoate, which is very pretty.
3rd. Up by four o'clock and to my business in my chamber, to even
accounts with my Lord and myself, and very fain I would become master of
L1000, but I have not above L530 toward it yet. At the office all the
morning, and Mr. Coventry brought his patent and took his place with us
this morning. Upon our making a contract, I went, as I use to do, to draw
the heads thereof, but Sir W. Pen most basely told me that the Comptroller
is to do it, and so begun to employ Mr. Turner about it, at which I was
much vexed, and begun to dispute; and what with the letter of the Duke's
orders, and Mr. Barlow's letter, and the practice of our predecessors,
which Sir G. Carteret knew best when he was Comptroller, it was ruled for
me. What Sir J. Minnes will do when he comes I know not, but Sir W. Pen
did it like a base raskall, and so I shall remember him while I live.
After office done, I went down to the Towre Wharf, where Mr. Creed and
Shepley was ready with three chests of the crusados, being about L6000,
ready to bring to shore to my house, which they did, and put it in my
further cellar, and Mr. Shepley took the key. I to my father and Dr.
Williams and Tom Trice, by appointment, in the Old Bayly, to Short's, the
alehouse, but could come to no terms with T. Trice. Thence to the
Wardrobe, where I found my Lady come from Hampton Court, where the Queen
hath used her very civilly; and my Lady tells me is a most pretty woman,
at which I am glad. Yesterday (Sir R. Ford told me) the Aldermen of the
City did attend her in their habits, and did present her with a gold Cupp
and L1000 in gold therein. But, he told me, that they are so poor in
their Chamber, that they were fain to call two or three Aldermen to raise
fines to make up this sum, among which was Sir W. Warren. Home and to the
office, where about 8 at night comes Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Batten,
and so we did some business, and then home and to bed, my mind troubled
about Sir W. Pen, his playing the rogue with me to-day, as also about the
charge of money that is in my house, which I had forgot; but I made the
maids to rise and light a candle, and set it in the dining-room, to scare
away thieves, and so to sleep.
4th. Up early, and Mr. Moore comes to me and tells me that Mr. Barnwell
is dead, which troubles me something, and the more for that I believe we
shall lose Mr. Shepley's company. By and by Sir W. Batten and I by water
to Woolwich; and there saw an experiment made of Sir R. Ford's Holland's
yarn (about which we have lately had so much stir; and I have much
concerned myself for our ropemaker, Mr. Hughes, who has represented it as
bad), and we found it to be very bad, and broke sooner than, upon a fair
triall, five threads of that against four of Riga yarn; and also that some
of it had old stuff that had been tarred, covered over with new hemp,
which is such a cheat as hath not been heard of. I was glad of this
discovery, because I would not have the King's workmen discouraged (as Sir
W. Batten do most basely do) from representing the faults of merchants'
goods, where there is any. After eating some fish that we had bought upon
the water at Falconer's, we went to Woolwich, and there viewed our frames
of our houses, and so home, and I to my Lord's, who I find resolved to buy
Brampton Manor of Sir Peter Ball,
[Sir Peter Ball was the Queen's Attorney-General, and Evelyn
mentions, in his Diary (January 11th, 1661-62), having received from
him the draft of an act against the nuisance of the smoke of
London.]
at which I am glad. Thence to White Hall, and showed Sir G. Carteret the
cheat, and so to the Wardrobe, and there staid and supped with my Lady. My
Lord eating nothing, but writes letters to-night to several places, he
being to go out of town to-morrow. So late home and to bed.
5th. To the Wardrobe, and there my Lord did enquire my opinion of Mr.
Moore, which I did give to the best advantage I could, and by that means
shall get him joined with Mr. Townsend in the Wardrobe business. He did
also give me all Mr. Shepley's and Mr. Moore's accounts to view, which I
am glad of, as being his great trust in me, and I would willingly keep up
a good interest with him. So took leave of him (he being to go this day)
and to the office, where they were just sat down, and I showed them
yesterday's discovery, and have got Sir R. Ford to be my enemy by it; but
I care not, for it is my duty, and so did get his bill stopped for the
present. To dinner, and found Dr. Thos. Pepys at my house; but I was
called from dinner by a note from Mr. Moore to Alderman Backwell's, to see
some thousands of my Lord's crusados weighed, and we find that 3,000 come
to about L530 or 40 generally. Home again and found my father there; we
talked a good while and so parted. We met at the office in the afternoon
to finish Mr. Gauden's accounts, but did not do them quite. In the
evening with Mr. Moore to Backwell's with another 1,200 crusados and saw
them weighed, and so home and to bed.
6th. At my office all alone all the morning, and the smith being with me
about other things, did open a chest that hath stood ever since I came to
the office, in my office, and there we found a modell of a fine ship,
which I long to know whether it be the King's or Mr. Turner's. At noon to
the Wardrobe by appointment to meet my father, who did come and was well
treated by my Lady, who tells me she has some thoughts to send her two
little boys to our house at Brampton, but I have got leave for them to go
along with me and my wife to Hampton Court to-morrow or Sunday. Thence to
my brother Tom's, where we found a letter from Pall that my mother is
dangerously ill in fear of death, which troubles my father and me much,
but I hope it is otherwise, the letter being four days old since it was
writ. Home and at my office, and with Mr. Hater set things in order till
evening, and so home and to bed by daylight. This day at my father's
desire I lent my brother Tom L20, to be repaid out of the proceeds of
Sturtlow when we can sell it. I sent the money all in new money by my boy
from Alderman Backwell's.
7th. To the office, where all the morning, and I find Mr. Coventry is
resolved to do much good, and to enquire into all the miscarriages of the
office. At noon with him and Sir W. Batten to dinner at Trinity House;
where, among others, Sir J. Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower, was, who
says that yesterday Sir H. Vane had a full hearing at the King's Bench,
and is found guilty; and that he did never hear any man argue more simply
than he in all his life, and so others say. My mind in great trouble
whether I should go as I intended to Hampton Court to-morrow or no. At
last resolved the contrary, because of the charge thereof, and I am afraid
now to bring in any accounts for journeys, and so will others I suppose
be, because of Mr. Coventry's prying into them. Thence sent for to Sir G.
Carteret's, and there talked with him a good while. I perceive, as he
told me, were it not that Mr. Coventry had already feathered his nest in
selling of places, he do like him very well, and hopes great good from
him. But he complains so of lack of money, that my heart is very sad,
under the apprehension of the fall of the office. At my office all the
afternoon, and at night hear that my father is gone into the country, but
whether to Richmond as he intended, and thence to meet us at Hampton Court
on Monday, I know not, or to Brampton. At which I am much troubled. In
the evening home and to bed.
8th (Lord's day). Lay till church-time in bed, and so up and to church,
and there I found Mr. Mills come home out of the country again, and
preached but a lazy sermon. Home and dined with my wife, and so to church
again with her. Thence walked to my Lady's, and there supped with her,
and merry, among other things, with the parrott which my Lord hath brought
from the sea, which speaks very well, and cries Pall so pleasantly, that
made my Lord give it my Lady Paulina; but my Lady, her mother, do not like
it. Home, and observe my man Will to walk with his cloak flung over his
shoulder, like a Ruffian, which, whether it was that he might not be seen
to walk along with the footboy, I know not, but I was vexed at it; and
coming home, and after prayers, I did ask him where he learned that
immodest garb, and he answered me that it was not immodest, or some such
slight answer, at which I did give him two boxes on the ears, which I
never did before, and so was after a little troubled at it.