Carteret to Sir W. Coventry, who is come to his winter lodgings at White
Hall, and there agreed upon a method of paying of tickets; and so I back
again home and to the office, where we sate all the morning, but to little
purpose but to receive clamours for money. At noon home to dinner, where
the two Mrs. Daniels come to see us, and dined with us. After dinner I out
with my wife to Mrs. Pierces, where she hath not been a great while, from
some little unkindness of my wife's to her when she was last here, but she
received us with mighty respect and discretion, and was making herself
mighty fine to go to a great ball to-night at Court, being the Queene's
birthday; so the ladies for this one day do wear laces, but to put them
off again to-morrow. Thence I to my Lord Bruncker's, and with him to Mrs.
Williams's where we met Knipp. I was glad to see the jade. Made her
sing; and she told us they begin at both houses to act on Monday next.
But I fear, after all this sorrow, their gains will be but little. Mrs.
Williams says, the Duke's house will now be much the better of the two,
because of their women; which I am glad to hear. Thence with Lord
Bruncker to White Hall and there spoke with Sir W. Coventry about some
office business, and then I away to Mrs. Pierces, and there saw her new
closet, which is mighty rich and fine. Her daughter Betty grows mighty
pretty. Thence with my wife home and to do business at the office. Then
to Sir W. Batten's, who tells me that the House of Parliament makes mighty
little haste in settling the money, and that he knows not when it will be
done; but they fall into faction, and libells have been found in the
House. Among others, one yesterday, wherein they reckon up divers great
sums to be given away by the King, among others, L10,000 to Sir W.
Coventry, for weare and teare (the point he stood upon to advance that sum
by, for them to give the King); Sir G. Carteret L50,000 for something
else, I think supernumerarys; and so to Matt. Wren L5000 for passing the
Canary Company's patent; and so a great many other sums to other persons.
So home to supper and to bed.
26th. Up, and all the morning and most of the afternoon within doors,
beginning to set my accounts in order from before this fire, I being
behindhand with them ever since; and this day I got most of my tradesmen
to bring in their bills and paid them. Dined at home, and busy again
after dinner, and then abroad by water to Westminster Hall, where I walked
till the evening, and then out, the first time I ever was abroad with Doll
Lane, to the Dog tavern, and there drank with her, a bad face, but good
bodied girle. Did nothing but salute and play with her and talk, and
thence away by coach, home, and so to do a little more in my accounts, and
then to supper and to bed. Nothing done in the House yet as to the
finishing of the bill for money, which is a mighty sad thing, all lying at
stake for it.
27th. Up, and there comes to see me my Lord Belasses, which was a great
honour. He tells me great newes, yet but what I suspected, that Vernatty
is fled, and so hath cheated him and twenty more, but most of all, I
doubt, Mr. Povy. Thence to talk about publique business; he tells me how
the two Houses begin to be troublesome; the Lords to have quarrels one
with another. My Lord Duke of Buckingham having said to the Lord
Chancellor (who is against the passing of the Bill for prohibiting the
bringing over of Irish cattle), that whoever was against the Bill, was
there led to it by an Irish interest, or an Irish understanding, which is
as much as to say he is a Poole; this bred heat from my Lord Chancellor,
and something he [Buckingham] said did offend my Lord of Ossory (my Lord
Duke' of Ormond's son), and they two had hard words, upon which the latter
sends a challenge to the former; of which the former complains to the
House, and so the business is to be heard on Monday next. Then as to the
Commons; some ugly knives, like poignards, to stab people with, about two
or three hundred of them were brought in yesterday to the House, found in
one of the house's rubbish that was burned, and said to be the house of a
Catholique. This and several letters out of the country, saying how high
the Catholiques are everywhere and bold in the owning their religion, have
made the Commons mad, and they presently voted that the King be desired to
put all Catholiques out of employment, and other high things; while the
business of money hangs in the hedge. So that upon the whole, God knows
we are in a sad condition like to be, there being the very beginnings of
the late troubles. He gone, I at the office all the morning. At noon
home to dinner, where Mrs. Pierce and her boy and Knipp, who sings as
well, and is the best company in the world, dined with us, and infinite
merry. The playhouses begin to play next week. Towards evening I took
them out to the New Exchange, and there my wife bought things, and I did
give each of them a pair of Jesimy
[Jessemin (Jasminum), the flowers of which are of a delicate sweet
smell, and often used to perfume gloves. Edmund Howes, Stows
continuator, informs us that sweet or perfumed gloves were first
brought into England by the Earl of Oxford on his return from Italy,
in the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth, during whose reign, and
long afterwards, they were very fashionable. They are frequently
mentioned by Shakespeare. Autolyctis, in the "Winter's Tale," has
among his wares--"Gloves as sweet as damask roses."--B.]
plain gloves, and another of white. Here Knipp and I walked up and down
to see handsome faces, and did see several. Then carried each of them
home, and with great pleasure and content, home myself, where, having writ
several letters, I home, and there, upon some serious discourse between my
wife and I upon the business, I called to us my brother, and there broke
to him our design to send him into the country with some part of our
money, and so did seriously discourse the whole thing, and then away to
supper and to bed. I pray God give a blessing to our resolution, for I do
much fear we shall meet with speedy distractions for want of money.
28th (Lord's day). Up, and to church with my wife, and then home, and
there is come little Michell and his wife, I sent for them, and also tomes
Captain Guy to dine with me, and he and I much talk together. He cries
out of the discipline of the fleete, and confesses really that the true
English valour we talk of is almost spent and worn out; few of the
commanders doing what they should do, and he much fears we shall therefore
be beaten the next year. He assures me we were beaten home the last June
fight, and that the whole fleete was ashamed to hear of our bonefires. He
commends Smith, and cries out of Holmes for an idle, proud, conceited,
though stout fellow. He tells me we are to owe the losse of so many ships
on the sands, not to any fault of the pilots, but to the weather; but in
this I have good authority to fear there was something more. He says the
Dutch do fight in very good order, and we in none at all. He says that in
the July fight, both the Prince and Holmes had their belly-fulls, and were
fain to go aside; though, if the wind had continued, we had utterly beaten
them. He do confess the whole to be governed by a company of fools, and
fears our ruine. After dinner he gone, I with my brother to White Hall
and he to Westminster Abbey. I presently to Mrs. Martin's, and there met
widow Burroughes and Doll, and did tumble them all the afternoon as I
pleased, and having given them a bottle of wine I parted and home by boat
(my brother going by land), and thence with my wife to sit and sup with my
uncle and aunt Wight, and see Woolly's wife, who is a pretty woman, and
after supper, being very merry, in abusing my aunt with Dr. Venner, we
home, and I to do something in my accounts, and so to bed. The Revenge
having her forecastle blown up with powder to the killing of some men in
the River, and the Dyamond's being overset in the careening at Sheernesse,
are further marks of the method all the King's work is now done in. The
Foresight also and another come to disasters in the same place this week
in the cleaning; which is strange.
29th. Up, and to the office to do business, and thither comes to me Sir
Thomas Teddiman, and he and I walked a good while in the garden together,
discoursing of the disorder and discipline of the fleete, wherein he told
me how bad every thing is; but was very wary in speaking any thing to the
dishonour of the Prince or Duke of Albemarle, but do magnify my Lord
Sandwich much before them both, for ability to serve the King, and do
heartily wish for him here. For he fears that we shall be undone the next
year, but that he will, however, see an end of it. To prevent the
necessity of his dining with me I was forced to pretend occasion of going
to Westminster, so away I went, and Mr. Barber, the clerk, having a
request to make to me to get him into employment, did walk along with me,
and by water to Westminster with me, he professing great love to me, and
an able clerk he is. When I come thither I find the new Lord Mayor Bolton
a-swearing at the Exchequer, with some of the Aldermen and Livery; but,
Lord! to see how meanely they now look, who upon this day used to be all
little lords, is a sad sight and worthy consideration. And every body did
reflect with pity upon the poor City, to which they are now coming to
choose and swear their Lord Mayor, compared with what it heretofore was.
Thence by coach (having in the Hall bought me a velvet riding cap, cost me
20s.) to my taylor's, and there bespoke a plain vest, and so to my
goldsmith to bid him look out for some gold for me; and he tells me that
ginnys, which I bought 2,000 of not long ago, and cost me but 18 1/2d.
change, will now cost me 22d.; and but very few to be had at any price.
However, some more I will have, for they are very convenient, and of easy
disposal. So home to dinner and to discourse with my brother upon his
translation of my Lord Bacon's "Faber Fortunae," which I gave him to do
and he has done it, but meanely; I am not pleased with it at all, having
done it only literally, but without any life at all. About five o'clock I
took my wife (who is mighty fine, and with a new fair pair of locks, which
vex me, though like a foole I helped her the other night to buy them), and
to Mrs. Pierces, and there staying a little I away before to White Hall,
and into the new playhouse there, the first time I ever was there, and the
first play I have seen since before the great plague. By and by Mr.
Pierce comes, bringing my wife and his, and Knipp. By and by the King and
Queene, Duke and Duchesse, and all the great ladies of the Court; which,
indeed, was a fine sight. But the play being "Love in a Tub," a silly
play, and though done by the Duke's people, yet having neither Betterton
nor his wife, and the whole thing done ill, and being ill also, I had no
manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the House, though very fine, yet
bad for the voice, for hearing. The sight of the ladies, indeed, was
exceeding noble; and above all, my Lady Castlemayne. The play done by ten
o'clock. I carried them all home, and then home myself, and well
satisfied with the sight, but not the play, we with great content to bed.
30th. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning, and at noon home
to dinner, and then to the office again, where late, very busy, and
dispatching much business. Mr. Hater staying most of the afternoon
abroad, he come to me, poor man, to make excuse, and it was that he had
been looking out for a little house for his family. His wife being much
frightened in the country with the discourses of troubles and disorders
like to be, and therefore durst not be from him, and therefore he is
forced to bring her to towne that they may be together. This is now the
general apprehension of all people; particulars I do not know, but my owne
fears are also great, and I do think it time to look out to save
something, if a storm should come. At night home to supper, and singing
with my wife, who hath lately begun to learn, and I think will come to do
something, though her eare is not good, nor I, I confess, have patience
enough to teach her, or hear her sing now and then a note out of tune, and
am to blame that I cannot bear with that in her which is fit I should do
with her as a learner, and one that I desire much could sing, and so
should encourage her. This I was troubled at, for I do find that I do put
her out of heart, and make her fearfull to sing before me. So after
supper to bed.
31st. Out with Sir W. Batten toward White Hall, being in pain in my cods
by being squeezed the other night in a little coach when I carried Pierce
and his wife and my people. But I hope I shall be soon well again. This
day is a great day at the House, so little to do with the Duke of York,
but soon parted. Coming out of the Court I met Colonell Atkins, who tells
me the whole city rings to-day of Sir Jeremy Smith's killing of Holmes in
a duell, at which I was not much displeased, for I fear every day more and
more mischief from the man, if he lives; but the thing is not true, for in
my coach I did by and by meet Sir Jer. Smith going to Court. So I by
coach to my goldsmith, there to see what gold I can get, which is but
little, and not under 22d. So away home to dinner, and after dinner to my
closett, where I spent the whole afternoon till late at evening of all my
accounts publique and private, and to my great satisfaction I do find that
I do bring my accounts to a very near balance, notwithstanding all the
hurries and troubles I have been put to by the late fire, that I have not
been able to even my accounts since July last before; and I bless God I do
find that I am worth more than ever I yet was, which is L6,200, for which
the Holy Name of God be praised! and my other accounts of Tangier in a
very plain and clear condition, that I am not liable to any trouble from
them; but in fear great I am, and I perceive the whole city is, of some
distractions and disorders among us, which God of his goodness prevent!
Late to supper with my wife and brother, and then to bed. And thus ends
the month with an ill aspect, the business of the Navy standing wholly
still. No credit, no goods sold us, nobody will trust. All we have to do
at the office is to hear complaints for want of money. The Duke of York
himself for now three weeks seems to rest satisfied that we can do nothing
without money, and that all must stand still till the King gets money,
which the Parliament have been a great while about; but are so
dissatisfied with the King's management, and his giving himself up to
pleasures, and not minding the calling to account any of his officers, and
they observe so much the expense of the war, and yet that after we have
made it the most we can, it do not amount to what they have given the King
for the warn that they are backward of giving any more. However,
L1,800,000 they have voted, but the way of gathering it has taken up more
time than is fit to be now lost: The seamen grow very rude, and every
thing out of order; commanders having no power over their seamen, but the
seamen do what they please. Few stay on board, but all coming running up
hither to towne, and nobody can with justice blame them, we owing them so
much money; and their familys must starve if we do not give them money, or
they procure upon their tickets from some people that will trust them. A
great folly is observed by all people in the King's giving leave to so
many merchantmen to go abroad this winter, and some upon voyages where it
is impossible they should be back again by the spring, and the rest will
be doubtfull, but yet we let them go; what the reason of State is nobody
can tell, but all condemn it. The Prince and Duke of Albemarle have got
no great credit by this year's service. Our losses both of reputation and
ships having been greater than is thought have ever been suffered in all
ages put together before; being beat home, and fleeing home the first
fight, and then losing so many ships then and since upon the sands, and
some falling into the enemy's hands, and not one taken this yeare, but the
Ruby, French prize, now at the end of the yeare, by the Frenchmen's
mistake in running upon us. Great folly in both Houses of Parliament,
several persons falling together by the eares, among others in the House
of Lords, the Duke of Buckingham and my Lord Ossory. Such is our case,
that every body fears an invasion the next yeare; and for my part, I do
methinks foresee great unhappiness coming upon us, and do provide for it
by laying by something against a rainy day, dividing what I have, and
laying it in several places, but with all faithfulness to the King in all
respects; my grief only being that the King do not look after his business
himself, and thereby will be undone both himself and his nation, it being
not yet, I believe, too late if he would apply himself to it, to save all,
and conquer the Dutch; but while he and the Duke of York mind their
pleasure, as they do and nothing else, we must be beaten. So late with my
mind in good condition of quiet after the settling all my accounts, and to
bed.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
Being there, and seeming to do something, while we do not
Bill against importing Irish cattle
Bringing over one discontented man, you raise up three
But how many years I cannot tell; but my wife says ten
But pretty! how I took another pretty woman for her
Catholiques are everywhere and bold
Did tumble them all the afternoon as I pleased
Discoursing upon the sad condition of the times
Exceeding kind to me, more than usual, which makes me afeard
Fashion, the King says; he will never change
I did what I would, and might have done anything else
King be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment
King hath lost his power, by submitting himself to this way
So home to supper, and to bed, it being my wedding night
The very rum man must have L200
Time spending, and no money to set anything in hand