things did finish a contract with Cocke for hemp, by which I hope to get
my money due from him paid presently. At noon home to dinner, only eating
a bit, and with much kindness taking leave of Mr. Hill who goes away
to-day, and so I by water saving the tide through Bridge and to Sir G.
Downing by appointment at Charing Crosse, who did at first mightily please
me with informing me thoroughly the virtue and force of this Act, and
indeed it is ten times better than ever I thought could have been said of
it, but when he come to impose upon me that without more ado I must get by
my credit people to serve in goods and lend money upon it and none could
do it better than I, and the King should give me thanks particularly in
it, and I could not get him to excuse me, but I must come to him though to
no purpose on Saturday, and that he is sure I will bring him some bargains
or other made upon this Act, it vexed me more than all the pleasure I took
before, for I find he will be troublesome to me in it, if I will let him
have as much of my time as he would have. So late I took leave and in the
cold (the weather setting in cold) home to the office and, after my
letters being wrote, home to supper and to bed, my wife being also gone to
London.
13th. Up betimes and finished my journall for five days back, and then
after being ready to my Lord Bruncker by appointment, there to order the
disposing of some money that we have come into the office, and here to my
great content I did get a bill of imprest to Captain Cocke to pay myself
in part of what is coming to me from him for my Lord Sandwich's
satisfaction and my owne, and also another payment or two wherein I am
concerned, and having done that did go to Mr. Pierce's, where he and his
wife made me drink some tea, and so he and I by water together to London.
Here at a taverne in Cornhill he and I did agree upon my delivering up to
him a bill of Captain Cocke's, put into my hand for Pierce's use upon
evening of reckonings about the prize goods, and so away to the 'Change,
and there hear the ill news, to my great and all our great trouble, that
the plague is encreased again this week, notwithstanding there hath been a
day or two great frosts; but we hope it is only the effects of the late
close warm weather, and if the frosts continue the next week, may fall
again; but the town do thicken so much with people, that it is much if the
plague do not grow again upon us. Off the 'Change invited by Sheriff
Hooker, who keeps the poorest, mean, dirty table in a dirty house that
ever I did see any Sheriff of London; and a plain, ordinary, silly man I
think he is, but rich; only his son, Mr. Lethulier, I like, for a pretty,
civil, understanding merchant; and the more by much, because he happens to
be husband to our noble, fat, brave lady in our parish, that I and my wife
admire so. Thence away to the Pope's Head Taverne, and there met first
with Captain Cocke, and dispatched my business with him to my content, he
being ready to sign his bill of imprest of L2,000, and gives it me in part
of his payment to me, which glads my heart. He being gone, comes Sir W.
Warren, who advised with me about several things about getting money, and
L100 I shall presently have of him. We advised about a business of
insurance, wherein something may be saved to him and got to me, and to
that end he and I did take a coach at night and to the Cockepitt, there to
get the Duke of Albemarle's advice for our insuring some of our Sounde
goods coming home under Harman's convoy, but he proved shy of doing it
without knowledge of the Duke of Yorke, so we back again and calling at my
house to see my wife, who is well; though my great trouble is that our
poor little parish is the greatest number this weeke in all the city
within the walls, having six, from one the last weeke; and so by water to
Greenwich leaving Sir W. Warren at home, and I straight to my Lord
Bruncker, it being late, and concluded upon insuring something and to send
to that purpose to Sir W. Warren to come to us to-morrow morning. So I
home and, my mind in great rest, to bed.
14th. Up, and to the office a while with my Lord Bruncker, where we
directed Sir W. Warren in the business of the insurance as I desired, and
ended some other businesses of his, and so at noon I to London, but the
'Change was done before I got thither, so I to the Pope's Head Taverne,
and there find Mr. Gawden and Captain Beckford and Nick Osborne going to
dinner, and I dined with them and very exceeding merry we were as I had
[not] been a great while, and dinner being done I to the East India House
and there had an assignment on Mr. Temple for the L2,000 of Cocke's, which
joyed my heart; so, having seen my wife in the way, I home by water and to
write my letters and then home to bed.
15th. Up, and spent all the morning with my Surveyors of the Ports for
the Victualling, and there read to them what instructions I had provided
for them and discoursed largely much of our business and the business of
the pursers. I left them to dine with my people, and to my Lord
Bruncker's where I met with a great good dinner and Sir T. Teddiman, with
whom my Lord and I were to discourse about the bringing of W. Howe to a
tryall for his jewells, and there till almost night, and so away toward
the office and in my way met with Sir James Bunce; and after asking what
newes, he cried "Ah!" says he (I know [not] whether in earnest or jest),
"this is the time for you," says he, "that were for Oliver heretofore; you
are full of employment, and we poor Cavaliers sit still and can get
nothing;" which was a pretty reproach, I thought, but answered nothing to
it, for fear of making it worse. So away and I to see Mrs. Penington, but
company being to come to her, I staid not, but to the office a little and
so home, and after supper to bed.
16th. Up, and met at the office; Sir W. Batten with us, who come from
Portsmouth on Monday last, and hath not been with us to see or discourse
with us about any business till this day. At noon to dinner, Sir W.
Warren with me on boat, and thence I by water, it being a fearfull cold,
snowing day to Westminster to White Hall stairs and thence to Sir G.
Downing, to whom I brought the happy newes of my having contracted, as we
did this day with Sir W. Warren, for a ship's lading of Norway goods here
and another at Harwich to the value of above L3,000, which is the first
that hath been got upon the New Act, and he is overjoyed with it and tells
me he will do me all the right to Court about it in the world, and I am
glad I have it to write to Sir W. Coventry to-night. He would fain have
me come in L200 to lend upon the Act, but I desire to be excused in doing
that, it being to little purpose for us that relate to the King to do it,
for the sum gets the King no courtesy nor credit. So I parted from him
and walked to Westminster Hall, where Sir W. Warren, who come along with
me, staid for me, and there I did see Betty Howlet come after the
sicknesse to the Hall. Had not opportunity to salute her, as I desired,
but was glad to see her and a very pretty wench she is. Thence back,
landing at the Old Swan and taking boat again at Billingsgate, and setting
ashore we home and I to the office . . . . and there wrote my letters,
and so home to supper and to bed, it being a great frost. Newes is come
to-day of our Sounde fleete being come, but I do not know what Sir W.
Warren hath insured.
17th (Lord's day). After being trimmed word brought me that Cutler's
coach is, by appointment, come to the Isle of Doggs for me, and so I over
the water; and in his coach to Hackney, a very fine, cold, clear, frosty
day. At his house I find him with a plain little dinner, good wine, and
welcome. He is still a prating man; and the more I know him, the less I
find in him. A pretty house he hath here indeed, of his owne building.
His old mother was an object at dinner that made me not like it; and,
after dinner, to visit his sicke wife I did not also take much joy in, but
very friendly he is to me, not for any kindnesse I think he hath to any
man, but thinking me, I perceive, a man whose friendship is to be looked
after. After dinner back again and to Deptford to Mr. Evelyn's, who was
not within, but I had appointed my cozen Thos. Pepys of Hatcham to meet me
there, to discourse about getting his L1000 of my Lord Sandwich, having
now an opportunity of my having above that sum in my hands of his. I
found this a dull fellow still in all his discourse, but in this he is
ready enough to embrace what I counsel him to, which is, to write
importunately to my Lord and me about it and I will look after it. I do
again and again declare myself a man unfit to be security for such a sum.
He walked with me as far as Deptford upper towne, being mighty respectfull
to me, and there parted, he telling me that this towne is still very bad
of the plague. I walked to Greenwich first, to make a short visit to my
Lord Bruncker, and next to Mrs. Penington and spent all the evening with
her with the same freedom I used to have and very pleasant company. With
her till one of the clock in the morning and past, and so to my lodging to
bed, and
18th. Betimes, up, it being a fine frost, and walked it to Redriffe,
calling and drinking at Half-way house, thinking, indeed, to have
overtaken some of the people of our house, the women, who were to walk the
same walke, but I could not. So to London, and there visited my wife, and
was a little displeased to find she is so forward all of a spurt to make
much of her brother and sister since my last kindnesse to him in getting
him a place, but all ended well presently, and I to the 'Change and up and
down to Kingdon and the goldsmith's to meet Mr. Stephens, and did get all
my money matters most excellently cleared to my complete satisfaction.
Passing over Cornhill I spied young Mrs. Daniel and Sarah, my landlady's
daughter, who are come, as I expected, to towne, and did say they spied me
and I dogged them to St. Martin's, where I passed by them being shy, and
walked down as low as Ducke Lane and enquired for some Spanish books, and
so back again and they were gone. So to the 'Change, hoping to see them in
the streete, and missing them, went back again thither and back to the
'Change, but no sight of them, so went after my business again, and,
though late, was sent to by Sir W. Warren (who heard where I was) to
intreat me to come dine with him, hearing that I lacked a dinner, at the
Pope's Head; and there with Mr. Hinton, the goldsmith, and others, very
merry; but, Lord! to see how Dr. Hinton come in with a gallant or two from
Court, and do so call "Cozen" Mr. Hinton, the goldsmith, but I that know
him to be a beggar and a knave, did make great sport in my mind at it.
[John Hinton, M.D., a strong royalist, who attended Henrietta Maria
in her confinement at Exeter when she gave birth to the Princess
Henrietta. He was knighted by Charles II., and appointed physician
in ordinary to the king and queen. His knighthood was a reward for
having procured a private advance of money from his kinsman, the
goldsmith, to enable the Duke of Albemarle to pay the army (see
"Memorial to King Charles II. from Sir John Hinton, A.D. 1679,"
printed in Ellis's "Original Letters," 3rd series, vol. iv.,
p 296).]
After dinner Sir W. Warren and I alone in another room a little while
talking about business, and so parted, and I hence, my mind full of
content in my day's worke, home by water to Greenwich, the river beginning
to be very full of ice, so as I was a little frighted, but got home well,
it being darke. So having no mind to do any business, went home to my
lodgings, and there got little Mrs. Tooker, and Mrs. Daniel, the,
daughter, and Sarah to my chamber to cards and sup with me, when in comes
Mr. Pierce to me, who tells me how W. Howe has been examined on shipboard
by my Lord Bruncker to-day, and others, and that he has charged him out of
envy with sending goods under my Lord's seale and in my Lord Bruncker's
name, thereby to get them safe passage, which, he tells me, is false, but
that he did use my name to that purpose, and hath acknowledged it to my
Lord Bruncker, but do also confess to me that one parcel he thinks he did
use my Lord Bruncker's name, which do vexe me mightily that my name should
be brought in question about such things, though I did not say much to him
of my discontent till I have spoke with my Lord Bruncker about it. So he
being gone, being to go to Oxford to-morrow, we to cards again late, and
so broke up, I having great pleasure with my little girle, Mrs. Tooker.
19th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning. At noon by agreement
comes Hatcham Pepys to dine with me. I thought to have had him to Sir J.
Minnes to a good venison pasty with the rest of my fellows, being invited,
but seeing much company I went away with him and had a good dinner at
home. He did give me letters he hath wrote to my Lord and Moore about my
Lord's money to get it paid to my cozen, which I will make good use of. I
made mighty much of him, but a sorry dull fellow he is, fit for nothing
that is ingenious, nor is there a turd of kindnesse or service to be had
from him. So I shall neglect him if I could get but him satisfied about
this money that I may be out of bonds for my Lord to him. To see that
this fellow could desire me to helpe him to some employment, if it were
but of L100 per annum: when he is not worth less than, I believe, L20,000.
He gone, I to Sir J. Minnes, and thence with my Lord Bruncker on board the
Bezan to examine W. Howe again, who I find upon this tryall one of much
more wit and ingenuity in his answers than ever I expected, he being very
cunning and discreet and well spoken in them. I said little to him or
concerning him; but, Lord! to see how he writes to me a-days, and styles
me "My Honour." So much is a man subjected and dejected under afflictions
as to flatter me in that manner on this occasion. Back with my Lord to
Sir J. Minnes, where I left him and the rest of a great deale of company,
and so I to my office, where late writing letters and then home to bed.
20th. Up, and was trimmed, but not time enough to save my Lord Bruncker's
coach or Sir J. Minnes's, and so was fain to walk to Lambeth on foot, but
it was a very fine frosty walke, and great pleasure in it, but troublesome
getting over the River for ice. I to the Duke of Albemarle, whither my
brethren were all come, but I was not too late. There we sat in discourse
upon our Navy business an houre, and thence in my Lord Bruncker's coach
alone, he walking before (while I staid awhile talking with Sir G. Downing
about the Act, in which he is horrid troublesome) to the Old Exchange.
Thence I took Sir Ellis Layton to Captain Cocke's, where my Lord Bruncker
and Lady Williams dine, and we all mighty merry; but Sir Ellis Layton one
of the best companions at a meale in the world. After dinner I to the
Exchange to see whether my pretty seamstress be come again or no, and I
find she is, so I to her, saluted her over her counter in the open
Exchange above, and mightily joyed to see her, poor pretty woman! I must
confess I think her a great beauty. After laying out a little money there
for two pair of thread stockings, cost 8s., I to Lumbard Streete to see
some business to-night there at the goldsmith's, among others paying in
L1258 to Viner for my Lord Sandwich's use upon Cocke's account. I was
called by my Lord Bruncker in his coach with his mistresse, and Mr. Cottle
the lawyer, our acquaintance at Greenwich, and so home to Greenwich, and
thence I to Mrs. Penington, and had a supper from the King's Head for her,
and there mighty merry and free as I used to be with her, and at last,
late, I did pray her to undress herself into her nightgowne, that I might
see how to have her picture drawne carelessly (for she is mighty proud of
that conceit), and I would walk without in the streete till she had done.
So I did walk forth, and whether I made too many turns or no in the darke
cold frosty night between the two walls up to the Parke gate I know not,
but she was gone to bed when I come again to the house, upon pretence of
leaving some papers there, which I did on purpose by her consent. So I
away home, and was there sat up for to be spoken with my young Mrs.
Daniel, to pray me to speake for her husband to be a Lieutenant. I had
the opportunity here of kissing her again and again, and did answer that I
would be very willing to do him any kindnesse, and so parted, and I to
bed, exceedingly pleased in all my matters of money this month or two, it
having pleased God to bless me with several opportunities of good sums,
and that I have them in effect all very well paid, or in my power to have.
But two things trouble me; one, the sicknesse is increased above 80 this
weeke (though in my owne parish not one has died, though six the last
weeke); the other, most of all, which is, that I have so complexed an
account for these last two months for variety of layings out upon Tangier,
occasions and variety of gettings that I have not made even with myself
now these 3 or 4 months, which do trouble me mightily, finding that I
shall hardly ever come to understand them thoroughly again, as I used to
do my accounts when I was at home.
21st. At the office all the morning. At noon all of us dined at Captain
Cocke's at a good chine of beef, and other good meat; but, being all
frost-bitten, was most of it unroast; but very merry, and a good dish of
fowle we dressed ourselves. Mr. Evelyn there, in very good humour. All
the afternoon till night pleasant, and then I took my leave of them and to
the office, where I wrote my letters, and away home, my head full of
business and some trouble for my letting my accounts go so far that I have
made an oathe this night for the drinking no wine, &c., on such penalties
till I have passed my accounts and cleared all. Coming home and going to
bed, the boy tells me his sister Daniel has provided me a supper of little
birds killed by her husband, and I made her sup with me, and after supper
were alone a great while, and I had the pleasure of her lips, she being a
pretty woman, and one whom a great belly becomes as well as ever I saw
any. She gone, I to bed. This day I was come to by Mrs. Burrows, of
Westminster, Lieutenant Burrows (lately dead) his wife, a most pretty
woman and my old acquaintance; I had a kiss or two of her, and a most
modest woman she is.
22nd. Up betimes and to my Lord Bruncker to consider the late
instructions sent us for the method of our signing bills hereafter and
paying them. By and by, by agreement, comes Sir J. Minnes and Sir W.
Batten, and then to read them publicly and consider of putting them in
execution. About this all the morning, and, it appearing necessary for
the Controller to have another Clerke, I recommended Poynter to him, which
he accepts, and I by that means rid of one that I fear would not have been
fit for my turne, though he writes very well. At noon comes Mr. Hill to
towne, and finds me out here, and brings Mr. Houbland, who met him here.
So I was compelled to leave my Lord and his dinner and company, and with
them to the Beare, and dined with them and their brothers, of which Hill
had his and the other two of his, and mighty merry and very fine company
they are, and I glad to see them. After dinner I forced to take leave of
them by being called upon by Mr. Andrews, I having sent for him, and by a
fine glosse did bring him to desire tallys for what orders I have to pay
him and his company for Tangier victualls, and I by that means cleared to
myself L210 coming to me upon their two orders, which is also a noble
addition to my late profits, which have been very considerable of late,
but how great I know not till I come to cast up my accounts, which burdens
my mind that it should be so backward, but I am resolved to settle to
nothing till I have done it. He gone, I to my Lord Bruncker's, and there
spent the evening by my desire in seeing his Lordship open to pieces and
make up again his watch, thereby being taught what I never knew before;
and it is a thing very well worth my having seen, and am mightily pleased
and satisfied with it. So I sat talking with him till late at night,
somewhat vexed at a snappish answer Madam Williams did give me to herself,
upon my speaking a free word to her in mirthe, calling her a mad jade.
She answered, we were not so well acquainted yet. But I was more at a
letter from my Lord Duke of Albemarle to-day, pressing us to continue our
meetings for all Christmas, which, though every body intended not to have
done, yet I am concluded in it, who intended nothing else. But I see it
is necessary that I do make often visits to my Lord Duke, which nothing
shall hinder after I have evened my accounts, and now the river is frozen
I know not how to get to him. Thence to my lodging, making up my Journall
for 8 or 9 days, and so my mind being eased of it, I to supper and to bed.
The weather hath been frosty these eight or nine days, and so we hope for
an abatement of the plague the next weeke, or else God have mercy upon us!
for the plague will certainly continue the next year if it do not.
23rd. At my office all the morning and home to dinner, my head full of
business, and there my wife finds me unexpectedly. But I not being at
leisure to stay or talk with her, she went down by coach to Woolwich,
thinking to fetch Mrs. Barbary to carry her to London to keep her
Christmas with her, and I to the office. This day one come to me with
four great turkies, as a present from Mr. Deane, at Harwich, three of
which my wife carried in the evening home with her to London in her coach
(Mrs. Barbary not being to be got so suddenly, but will come to her the
next week), and I at my office late, and then to my lodgings to bed.
24th (Sunday). Up betimes, to my Lord Duke of Albemarle by water, and
after some talke with him about business of the office with great content,
and so back again and to dinner, my landlady and her daughters with me,
and had mince-pies, and very merry at a mischance her young son had in
tearing of his new coate quite down the outside of his sleeve in the whole
cloth, one of the strangest mishaps that ever I saw in my life. Then to
church, and placed myself in the Parson's pew under the pulpit, to hear
Mrs. Chamberlain in the next pew sing, who is daughter to Sir James Bunch,
of whom I have heard much, and indeed she sings very finely, and from
church met with Sir W. Warren and he and I walked together talking about
his and my businesses, getting of money as fairly as we can, and, having
set him part of his way home, I walked to my Lord Bruncker, whom I heard
was at Alderman Hooker's, hoping to see and salute Mrs. Lethulier, whom I
did see in passing, but no opportunity of beginning acquaintance, but a
very noble lady she is, however the silly alderman got her. Here we sat
talking a great while, Sir The. Biddulph and Mr. Vaughan, a son-in-law of
Alderman Hooker's. Hence with my Lord Bruncker home and sat a little with
him and so home to bed.
25th (Christmas-day). To church in the morning, and there saw a wedding
in the church, which I have not seen many a day; and the young people so
merry one with another, and strange to see what delight we married people
have to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition, every man and
woman gazing and smiling at them. Here I saw again my beauty Lethulier.
Thence to my Lord Bruncker's by invitation and dined there, and so home to
look over and settle my papers, both of my accounts private, and those of
Tangier, which I have let go so long that it were impossible for any soul,
had I died, to understand them, or ever come to any good end in them. I
hope God will never suffer me to come to that disorder again.
26th. Up, and to the office, where Sir J. Minnes and my Lord Bruncker and
I met, to give our directions to the Commanders of all the ships in the
river to bring in lists of their ships' companies, with entries,
discharges, &c., all the last voyage, where young Seymour, among 20 that
stood bare, stood with his hat on, a proud, saucy young man. Thence with
them to Mr. Cuttle's, being invited, and dined nobly and neatly; with a
very pretty house and a fine turret at top, with winding stairs and the
finest prospect I know about all Greenwich, save the top of the hill, and
yet in some respects better than that. Here I also saw some fine writing
worke and flourishing of Mr. Hore, he one that I knew long ago, an
acquaintance of Mr. Tomson's at Westminster, that is this man's clerk. It
is the story of the several Archbishops of Canterbury, engrossed in
vellum, to hang up in Canterbury Cathedrall in tables, in lieu of the old
ones, which are almost worn out. Thence to the office a while, and so to
Captain Cocke's and there talked, and home to look over my papers, and so
to bed.