wit lies, and confirming some pretty sayings, which are generally like
paradoxes, by some argument smartly and pleasantly urged, which takes with
people who do not trouble themselves to examine the force of an argument,
which pleases them in the delivery, upon a subject which they like;
whereas, as by many particular instances of mine, and others, out of
Osborne, he did really find fault and weaken the strength of many of
Osborne's arguments, so as that in downright disputation they would not
bear weight; at least, so far, but that they might be weakened, and better
found in their rooms to confirm what is there said. He shewed finely
whence it happens that good writers are not admired by the present age;
because there are but few in any age that do mind anything that is
abstruse and curious; and so longer before any body do put the true
praise, and set it on foot in the world, the generality of mankind
pleasing themselves in the easy delights of the world, as eating,
drinking, dancing, hunting, fencing, which we see the meanest men do the
best, those that profess it. A gentleman never dances so well as the
dancing master, and an ordinary fiddler makes better musique for a
shilling than a gentleman will do after spending forty, and so in all the
delights of the world almost. Thence to the 'Change, and after doing much
business, home, taking Commissioner Pett with me, and all alone dined
together. He told me many stories of the yard, but I do know him so well,
and had his character given me this morning by Hempson, as well as my own
too of him before, that I shall know how to value any thing he says either
of friendship or other business. He was mighty serious with me in
discourse about the consequence of Sir W. Petty's boat, as the most
dangerous thing in the world, if it should be practised by endangering our
losse of the command of the seas and our trade, while the Turkes and
others shall get the use of them, which, without doubt, by bearing more
sayle will go faster than any other ships, and, not being of burden, our
merchants cannot have the use of them and so will be at the mercy of their
enemies. So that I perceive he is afeard that the honour of his trade
will down, though (which is a truth) he pretends this consideration to
hinder the growth of this invention. He being gone my wife and I took
coach and to Covent Garden, to buy a maske at the French House, Madame
Charett's, for my wife; in the way observing the streete full of coaches
at the new play, "The Indian Queene;" which for show, they say, exceeds
"Henry the Eighth." Thence back to Mrs. Turner's and sat a while with
them talking of plays and I know not what, and so called to see Tom, but
not at home, though they say he is in a deep consumption, and Mrs. Turner
and Dike and they say he will not live two months to an end. So home and
to the office, and then to supper and to bed.
28th. Up and to the office, where all the morning sitting, and at noon
upon several things to the 'Change, and thence to Sir G. Carteret's to
dinner of my own accord, and after dinner with Mr. Wayth down to Deptford
doing several businesses, and by land back again, it being very cold, the
boat meeting me after my staying a while for him at an alehouse by
Redriffe stairs. So home, and took Will coming out of my doors, at which
I was a little moved, and told my wife of her keeping him from the office
(though God knows my base jealous head was the cause of it), which she
seemed troubled at, and that it was only to discourse with her about
finding a place for her brother. So I to my office late, Mr. Commander
coming to read over my will in order to the engrossing it, and so he being
gone I to other business, among others chiefly upon preparing matters
against Creed for my profit, and so home to supper and bed, being mightily
troubled with my left eye all this evening from some dirt that is got into
it.
29th. Up, and after shaving myself (wherein twice now, one after another,
I have cut myself much, but I think it is from the bluntness of the razor)
there came Mr. Deane to me and staid with me a while talking about masts,
wherein he prepared me in several things against Mr. Wood, and also about
Sir W. Petty's boat, which he says must needs prove a folly, though I do
not think so unless it be that the King will not have it encouraged. At
noon, by appointment, comes Mr. Hartlibb and his wife, and a little before
them Messrs. Langley and Bostocke (old acquaintances of mine at
Westminster, clerks), and after shewing them my house and drinking they
set out by water, my wife and I with them down to Wapping on board the
"Crowne," a merchantman, Captain Floyd, a civil person. Here was
Vice-Admiral Goodson, whom the more I know the more I value for a serious
man and staunch. Here was Whistler the flagmaker, which vexed me, but it
mattered not. Here was other sorry company and the discourse poor, so
that we had no pleasure there at all, but only to see and bless God to
find the difference that is now between our condition and that heretofore,
when we were not only much below Hartlibb in all respects, but even these
two fellows above named, of whom I am now quite ashamed that ever my
education should lead me to such low company, but it is God's goodness
only, for which let him be praised. After dinner I. broke up and with my
wife home, and thence to the Fleece in Cornhill, by appointment, to meet
my Lord Marlborough, a serious and worthy gentleman, who, after doing our
business, about the company, he and they began to talk of the state of the
Dutch in India, which is like to be in a little time without any controll;
for we are lost there, and the Portuguese as bad. Thence to the
Coffee-house, where good discourse, specially of Lt.-Coll. Baron touching
the manners of the Turkes' Government, among whom he lived long. So to my
uncle Wight's, where late playing at cards, and so home.
30th. Up, and a sorry sermon of a young fellow I knew at Cambridge; but
the day kept solemnly for the King's murder, and all day within doors
making up my Brampton papers, and in the evening Mr. Commander came and we
made perfect and signed and sealed my last will and testament, which is so
to my mind, and I hope to the liking of God Almighty, that I take great
joy in myself that it is done, and by that means my mind in a good
condition of quiett. At night to supper and to bed. This evening, being
in a humour of making all things even and clear in the world, I tore some
old papers; among others, a romance which (under the title of "Love a
Cheate ") I begun ten years ago at Cambridge; and at this time reading it
over to-night I liked it very well, and wondered a little at myself at my
vein at that time when I wrote it, doubting that I cannot do so well now
if I would try.
31st (Lord's day). Up, and in my chamber all day long (but a little at
dinner) settling all my Brampton accounts to this day in very good order,
I having obliged myself by oathe to do that and some other things within
this month, and did also perfectly prepare a state of my estate and
annexed it to my last will and testament, which now is perfect, and,
lastly, I did make up my monthly accounts, and find that I have gained
above L50 this month clear, and so am worth L858 clear, which is the
greatest sum I ever yet was master of, and also read over my usual vowes,
as I do every Lord's day, but with greater seriousness than ordinary, and
I do hope that every day I shall see more and more the pleasure of looking
after my business and laying up of money, and blessed be God for what I
have already been enabled by his grace to do. So to supper and to bed
with my mind in mighty great ease and content, but my head very full of
thoughts and business to dispatch this next month also, and among others
to provide for answering to the Exchequer for my uncle's being
Generall-Receiver in the year 1647, which I am at present wholly unable to
do, but I must find time to look over all his papers.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1663-1664
February 1st. Up (my maids rising early this morning to washing), and
being ready I found Mr. Strutt the purser below with 12 bottles of sacke,
and tells me (which from Sir W. Batten I had heard before) how young Jack
Davis has railed against Sir W. Batten for his endeavouring to turn him
out of his place, at which for the fellow's sake, because it will likely
prove his ruin, I am sorry, though I do believe he is a very arch rogue. I
took Strutt by coach with me to White Hall, where I set him down, and I to
my Lord's, but found him gone out betimes to the Wardrobe, which I am glad
to see that he so attends his business, though it troubles me that my
counsel to my prejudice must be the cause of it. They tell me that he
goes into the country next week, and that the young ladies come up this
week before the old lady. Here I hear how two men last night, justling
for the wall about the New Exchange, did kill one another, each thrusting
the other through; one of them of the King's Chappell, one Cave, and the
other a retayner of my Lord Generall Middleton's. Thence to White Hall;
where, in the Duke's chamber, the King came and stayed an hour or two
laughing at Sir W. Petty, who was there about his boat; and at Gresham
College in general; at which poor Petty was, I perceive, at some loss; but
did argue discreetly, and bear the unreasonable follies of the King's
objections and other bystanders with great discretion; and offered to take
oddes against the King's best boates; but the King would not lay, but
cried him down with words only. Gresham College he mightily laughed at,
for spending time only in weighing of ayre, and doing nothing else since
they sat. Thence to Westminster Hall, and there met with diverse people,
it being terme time. Among others I spoke with Mrs. Lane, of whom I
doubted to hear something of the effects of our last meeting about a
fortnight or three weeks ago, but to my content did not. Here I met with
Mr. Pierce, who tells me of several passages at Court, among others how
the King, coming the other day to his Theatre to see "The Indian Queene"
(which he commends for a very fine thing), my Lady Castlemaine was in the
next box before he came; and leaning over other ladies awhile to whisper
to the King, she rose out of the box and went into the King's, and set
herself on the King's right hand, between the King and the Duke of York;
which, he swears, put the King himself, as well as every body else, out of
countenance; and believes that she did it only to show the world that she
is not out of favour yet, as was believed. Thence with Alderman Maynell
by his coach to the 'Change, and there with several people busy, and so
home to dinner, and took my wife out immediately to the King's Theatre, it
being a new month, and once a month I may go, and there saw "The Indian
Queene" acted; which indeed is a most pleasant show, and beyond my
expectation; the play good, but spoiled with the ryme, which breaks the
sense. But above my expectation most, the eldest Marshall did do her part
most excellently well as I ever heard woman in my life; but her voice not
so sweet as Ianthe's; but, however, we came home mightily contented. Here
we met Mr. Pickering and his mistress, Mrs. Doll Wilde; he tells me that
the business runs high between the Chancellor and my Lord Bristoll against
the Parliament; and that my Lord Lauderdale and Cooper open high against
the Chancellor; which I am sorry for. In my way home I 'light and to the
Coffee-house, where I heard Lt. Coll. Baron tell very good stories of his
travels over the high hills in Asia above the clouds, how clear the heaven
is above them, how thicke like a mist the way is through the cloud that
wets like a sponge one's clothes, the ground above the clouds all dry and
parched, nothing in the world growing, it being only a dry earth, yet not
so hot above as below the clouds. The stars at night most delicate bright
and a fine clear blue sky, but cannot see the earth at any time through
the clouds, but the clouds look like a world below you. Thence home and
to supper, being hungry, and so to the office, did business, specially
about Creed, for whom I am now pretty well fitted, and so home to bed.
This day in Westminster Hall W. Bowyer told me that his father is dead
lately, and died by being drowned in the river, coming over in the night;
but he says he had not been drinking. He was taken with his stick in his
hand and cloake over his shoulder, as ruddy as before he died. His horse
was taken overnight in the water, hampered in the bridle, but they were so
silly as not to look for his master till the next morning, that he was
found drowned.
2nd. Up and to the office, where, though Candlemas day, Mr. Coventry and
Sir W. Pen and I all the morning, the others being at a survey at
Deptford. At noon by coach to the 'Change with Mr. Coventry, thence to
the Coffee-house with Captain Coeke, who discoursed well of the good
effects in some kind of a Dutch warr and conquest (which I did not
consider before, but the contrary) that is, that the trade of the world is
too little for us two, therefore one must down: 2ndly, that though our
merchants will not be the better husbands by all this, yet our wool will
bear a better price by vaunting of our cloths, and by that our tenants
will be better able to pay rents, and our lands will be more worth, and
all our owne manufactures, which now the Dutch outvie us in; that he
thinks the Dutch are not in so good a condition as heretofore because of
want of men always, and now from the warrs against the Turke more than
ever. Then to the 'Change again, and thence off to the Sun Taverne with
Sir W. Warren, and with him discoursed long, and had good advice, and
hints from him, and among other things he did give me a payre of gloves
for my wife wrapt up in paper, which I would not open, feeling it hard;
but did tell him that my wife should thank him, and so went on in
discourse. When I came home, Lord! in what pain I was to get my wife out
of the room without bidding her go, that I might see what these gloves
were; and, by and by, she being gone, it proves a payre of white gloves
for her and forty pieces in good gold, which did so cheer my heart, that I
could eat no victuals almost for dinner for joy to think how God do bless
us every day more and more, and more yet I hope he will upon the increase
of my duty and endeavours. I was at great losse what to do, whether tell
my wife of it or no, which I could hardly forbear, but yet I did and will
think of it first before I do, for fear of making her think me to be in a
better condition, or in a better way of getting money, than yet I am.
After dinner to the office, where doing infinite of business till past to
at night to the comfort of my mind, and so home with joy to supper and to
bed. This evening Mr. Hempson came and told me how Sir W, Batten his
master will not hear of continuing him in his employment as Clerk of the
Survey at Chatham, from whence of a sudden he has removed him without any
new or extraordinary cause, and I believe (as he himself do in part write,
and J. Norman do confess) for nothing but for that he was twice with me
the other day and did not wait upon him. So much he fears me and all that
have to do with me. Of this more in the Mem. Book of my office upon this
day, there I shall find it.
3rd. Up, and after a long discourse with my cozen Thomas Pepys, the
executor, I with my wife by coach to Holborn, where I 'light, and she to
her father's, I to the Temple and several places, and so to the 'Change,
where much business, and then home to dinner alone; and so to the Mitre
Taverne by appointment (and there met by chance with W. Howe come to buy
wine for my Lord against his going down to Hinchingbroke, and I private
with him a great while discoursing of my Lord's strangeness to me; but he
answers that I have no reason to think any such thing, but that my Lord is
only in general a more reserved man than he was before) to meet Sir W.
Rider and Mr. Clerke, and there after much ado made an end, giving Mr.
Custos L202 against Mr. Bland, which I endeavoured to bring down but could
not, and think it is well enough ended for Mr. Bland for all that. Thence
by coach to fetch my wife from her brother's, and found her gone home.
Called at Sir Robert Bernard's about surrendering my estate in reversion
to the use of my life, which will be done, and at Roger Pepys, who was
gone to bed in pain of a boyle that he could not sit or stand. So home,
where my wife is full of sad stories of her good-natured father and
roguish brother, who is going for Holland and his wife, to be a soldier.
And so after a little at the office to bed. This night late coming in my
coach, coming up Ludgate Hill, I saw two gallants and their footmen taking
a pretty wench, which I have much eyed, lately set up shop upon the hill,
a seller of riband and gloves. They seek to drag her by some force, but
the wench went, and I believe had her turn served, but, God forgive me!
what thoughts and wishes I had of being in their place. In Covent Garden
to-night, going to fetch home my wife, I stopped at the great
Coffee-house' there, where I never was before; where Dryden the poet (I
knew at Cambridge), and all the wits of the town, and Harris the player,
and Mr. Hoole of our College. And had I had time then, or could at ether
times, it will be good coming thither, for there, I perceive, is very
witty and pleasant discourse. But I could not tarry, and as it was late,
they were all ready to go away.
4th. Up and to the office, where after a while sitting, I left the board
upon pretence of serious business, and by coach to Paul's School, where I
heard some good speeches of the boys that were to be elected this year.
Thence by and by with Mr. Pullen and Barnes (a great Non-Conformist) with
several others of my old acquaintance to the Nag's Head Taverne, and there
did give them a bottle of sacke, and away again and I to the School, and
up to hear the upper form examined; and there was kept by very many of the
Mercers, Clutterbucke, a Barker, Harrington, and others; and with great
respect used by them all, and had a noble dinner. Here they tell me, that
in Dr. Colett's will he says that he would have a Master found for the
School that hath good skill in Latin, and (if it could be) one that had
some knowledge of the Greeke; so little was Greeke known here at that
time. Dr. Wilkins and one Mr. Smallwood, Posers. After great pleasure
there, and specially to Mr. Crumlum, so often to tell of my being a
benefactor to the School, I to my bookseller's and there spent an hour
looking over Theatrum Urbium and Flandria illustrata, with excellent cuts,
with great content. So homeward, and called at my little milliner's,
where I chatted with her, her husband out of the way, and a mad merry slut
she is. So home to the office, and by and by comes my wife home from the
burial of Captain Grove's wife at Wapping (she telling me a story how her
mayd Jane going into the boat did fall down and show her arse in the
boat), and alone comes my uncle Wight and Mr. Maes with the state of their
case, which he told me very discreetly, and I believe is a very hard one,
and so after drinking a bottle of ale or two they gone, and I a little
more to the office, and so home to prayers and to bed. This evening I
made an end of my letter to Creed about his pieces of eight, and sent it
away to him. I pray God give good end to it to bring me some money, and
that duly as from him.
5th. Up, and down by water, a brave morning, to Woolwich, and there spent
an houre or two to good purpose, and so walked to Greenwich and thence to
Deptford, where I found (with Sir W. Batten upon a survey) Sir J. Minnes,
Sir W. Pen, and my Lady Batten come down and going to dinner. I dined with
them, and so after dinner by water home, all the way going and coming
reading "Faber Fortunae," which I can never read too often. At home a
while with my wife, and so to my office, where till 8 o'clock, and then
home to look over some Brampton papers, and my uncle's accounts as
Generall-Receiver of the County for 1647 of our monthly assessment, which,
contrary to my expectation, I found in such good order and so, thoroughly
that I did not expect, nor could have thought, and that being done, having
seen discharges for every farthing of money he received, I went to bed
late with great quiett.
6th. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and so at noon
to the 'Change, where I met Mr. Coventry, the first time I ever saw him
there, and after a little talke with him and other merchants, I up and
down about several businesses, and so home, whither came one Father
Fogourdy, an Irish priest, of my wife's and her mother's acquaintance in
France, a sober, discreet person, but one that I would not have converse
with my wife for fear of meddling with her religion, but I like the man
well. Thence with my wife abroad, and left her at Tom's, while I abroad
about several businesses and so back to her, myself being vexed to find at
my first coming Tom abroad, and all his books, papers, and bills loose
upon the open table in the parlour, and he abroad, which I ranted at him
for when he came in. Then by coach home, calling at my cozen Scott's, who
(she) lies dying, they say, upon a miscarriage. My wife could not be
admitted to see her, nor anybody. At home to the office late writing
letters, and then home to supper and to bed. Father Fogourdy confirms to
me the newes that for certain there is peace between the Pope and King of
France.
7th (Lord's day). Up and to church, and thence home, my wife being ill
. . . kept her bed all day, and I up and dined by her bedside, and then
all the afternoon till late at night writing some letters of business to
my father stating of matters to him in general of great import, and other
letters to ease my mind in the week days that I have not time to think of,
and so up to my wife, and with great mirth read Sir W. Davenant's two
speeches in dispraise of London and Paris, by way of reproach one to
another, and so to prayers and to bed.
8th. Up, and by coach called upon Mr. Phillips, and after a little talk
with him away to my Lord Sandwich's, but he being gone abroad, I staid a
little and talked with Mr. Howe, and so to Westminster in term time, and
there met Mr. Pierce, who told me largely how the King still do doat upon
his women, even beyond all shame; and that the good Queen will of herself
stop before she goes sometimes into her dressing-room, till she knows
whether the King be there, for fear he should be, as she hath sometimes
taken him, with Mrs. Stewart; and that some of the best parts of the
Queen's joynture are, contrary to faith, and against the opinion of my
Lord Treasurer and his Council, bestowed or rented, I know not how, to my
Lord Fitz-Harding and Mrs. Stewart, and others of that crew that the King
do doat infinitely upon the Duke of Monmouth, apparently as one that he
intends to have succeed him. God knows what will be the end of it! After
he was gone I went and talked with Mrs. Lane about persuading her to
Hawly, and think she will come on, which I wish were done, and so to Mr.
Howlett and his wife, and talked about the same, and they are mightily for
it, and I bid them promote it, for I think it will be for both their goods
and my content. But I was much pleased to look upon their pretty
daughter, which is grown a pretty mayd, and will make a fine modest woman.
Thence to the 'Change by coach, and after some business done, home to
dinner, and thence to Guildhall, thinking to have heard some pleading, but
there were no Courts, and so to Cade's, the stationer, and there did look
upon some pictures which he promised to give me the buying of, but I found
he would have played the Jacke with me, but at last he did proffer me what
I expected, and I have laid aside L10 or L12 worth, and will think of it,
but I am loth to lay out so much money upon them. So home a little vexed
in my mind to think how to-day I was forced to compliment W. Howe and
admit myself to an equality with Mr. Moore, which is come to challenge in
his discourse with me, but I will admit it no more, but let me stand or
fall, I will show myself as strange to them as my Lord do himself to me.
After at the office till 9 o'clock, I home in fear of some pain by taking
cold, and so to supper and to bed.
9th. Up and to the office, where sat all the morning. At noon by coach
with Mr. Coventry to the 'Change, where busy with several people. Great
talke of the Dutch proclaiming themselves in India, Lords of the Southern
Seas, and deny traffick there to all ships but their owne, upon pain of
confiscation; which makes our merchants mad. Great doubt of two ships of
ours, the "Greyhound" and another, very rich, coming from the Streights,
for fear of the Turkes. Matters are made up between the Pope and the King
of France; so that now all the doubt is, what the French will do with
their armies. Thence home, and there found Captain Grove in mourning for
his wife, and Hawly, and they dined with me. After dinner, and Grove
gone, Hawly and I talked of his mistress, Mrs. Lane, and I seriously
advising him and inquiring his condition, and do believe that I shall
bring them together. By and by comes Mr. Moore, with whom much good
discourse of my Lord, and among other things told me that my Lord is
mightily altered, that is, grown very high and stately, and do not admit
of any to come into his chamber to him, as heretofore, and that I must not
think much of his strangeness to me, for it was the same he do to every
body, and that he would not have me be solicitous in the matter, but keep
off and give him now and then a visit and no more, for he says he himself
do not go to him now a days but when he sends for him, nor then do not
stay for him if he be not there at the hour appointed, for, says he, I do
find that I can stand upon my own legs and I will not by any over
submission make myself cheap to any body and contemptible, which was the
doctrine of the world that I lacked most, and shall follow it. I
discoursed with him about my money that my Lord hath, and the L1000 that I
stand bound with him in, to my cozen Thomas Pepys, in both which I will
get myself at liberty as soon as I can; for I do not like his being angry
and in debt both together to me; and besides, I do not perceive he looks
after paying his debts, but runs farther and farther in. He being gone,
my wife and I did walk an houre or two above in our chamber, seriously
talking of businesses. I told her my Lord owed me L700, and shewed her
the bond, and how I intended to carry myself to my Lord. She and I did
cast about how to get Captain Grove for my sister, in which we are mighty
earnest at present, and I think it would be a good match, and will
endeavour it. So to my office a while, then home to supper and to bed.