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
1660
May 1st. This morning I was told how the people of Deal have set up two
or three Maypoles, and have hung up their flags upon the top of them, and
do resolve to be very merry to-day. It being a very pleasant day, I
wished myself in Hide Park. This day I do count myself to have had full
two years of perfect cure for the stone, for which God of heaven be
blessed. This day Captain Parker came on board, and without his
expectation I had a commission for him for the Nonsuch frigate
[The "Nonsuch" was a fourth-rate of thirty-two guns, built at
Deptford in 1646 by Peter Pett, jun. The captain was John Parker.]
(he being now in the Cheriton), for which he gave me a French pistole.
Captain H. Cuttance has commission for the Cheriton. After dinner to
nine-pins, and won something. The rest of the afternoon in my cabin
writing and piping. While we were at supper we heard a great noise upon
the Quarter Deck, so we all rose instantly, and found it was to save the
coxon of the Cheriton, who, dropping overboard, could not be saved, but
was drowned. To-day I put on my suit that was altered from the great
skirts to little ones. To-day I hear they were very merry at Deal,
setting up the King's flag upon one of their maypoles, and drinking his
health upon their knees in the streets, and firing the guns, which the
soldiers of the Castle threatened; but durst not oppose.
2nd. In the morning at a breakfast of radishes at the Purser's cabin.
After that to writing till dinner. At which time comes Dunne from London,
with letters that tell us the welcome news of the Parliament's votes
yesterday, which will be remembered for the happiest May-day that bath
been many a year to England. The King's letter was read in the House,
wherein he submits himself and all things to them, as to an Act of
Oblivion to all,
["His Majesty added thereunto an excellent Declaration for the
safety and repose of those, who tortured in their consciences, for
having partaken in the rebellion, might fear the punishment of it,
and in that fear might oppose the tranquillity of the Estate, and
the calling in of their lawful Prince. It is printed and published
as well as the letter, but that shall not hinder me to say, that
there was never seen a more perfect assemblage of all the most
excellent natural qualities, and of all the venues, as well Royal as
Christian, wherewith a great Prince may be endowed, than was found
in those two wonderful productions."--Sir William Lowers 'Relation
. . . of the voiage and Residence Which . . . Charles the II.
Hath made in Holland,' Hague, 1660, folio, p. 3.]
unless they shall please to except any, as to the confirming of the sales
of the King's and Church lands, if they see good. The House upon reading
the letter, ordered L50,000 to be forthwith provided to send to His
Majesty for his present supply; and a committee chosen to return an answer
of thanks to His Majesty for his gracious letter; and that the letter be
kept among the records of the Parliament; and in all this not so much as
one No. So that Luke Robinson himself stood up and made a recantation for
what he had done, and promises to be a loyal subject to his Prince for the
time to come. The City of London have put a Declaration, wherein they do
disclaim their owing any other government but that of a King, Lords, and
Commons. Thanks was given by the House to Sir John Greenville,
[Created Earl of Bath, 1661; son of Sir Bevil Grenville, killed at
the battle of Lansdowne; he was, when a boy, left for dead on the
field at the second battle of Newbury, and said to have been the
only person entrusted by Charles II. and Monk in bringing about the
Restoration.]
one of the bedchamber to the King, who brought the letter, and they
continued bare all the time it was reading. Upon notice made from the
Lords to the Commons, of their desire that the Commons would join with
them in their vote for King, Lords, and Commons; the Commons did concur
and voted that all books whatever that are out against the Government of
King, Lords, and Commons, should be brought into the House and burned.
Great joy all yesterday at London, and at night more bonfires than ever,
and ringing of bells, and drinking of the King's health upon their knees
in the streets, which methinks is a little too much. But every body seems
to be very joyfull in the business, insomuch that our sea-commanders now
begin to say so too, which a week ago they would not do.
["The picture of King Charles II. was often set up in houses,
without the least molestation, whereas a while ago, it was almost a
hanging matter so to do; but now the Rump Parliament was so hated
and jeered at, that the butchers' boys would say, 'Will you buy any
Parliament rumps and kidneys?' And it was a very ordinary thing to
see little children make a fire in the streets, and burn rumps."
--Rugge's Diurnal.--B.]
And our seamen, as many as had money or credit for drink, did do nothing
else this evening. This day came Mr. North (Sir Dudley North's son) on
board, to spend a little time here, which my Lord was a little troubled
at, but he seems to be a fine gentleman, and at night did play his part
exceeding well at first sight. After musique I went up to the Captain's
Cabin with him and Lieutenant Ferrers, who came hither to-day from London
to bring this news to my Lord, and after a bottle of wine we all to bed.
3d. This morning my Lord showed me the King's declaration and his letter
to the two Generals to be communicated to the fleet.
["King Charles II. his Declaration to all his loving Subjects of the
Kingdome of England, dated from his Court at Breda in Holland 4/14
of April, 1660, and read in Parliament with his Majesties Letter of
the same date to his Excellence the Ld. Gen. Monck to be
communicated to the Ld. President of the Council of State and
to the Officers of the Army under his Command. London, Printed by
W. Godbid for John Playford in the Temple, 1660." 40, pp. 8.]
The contents of the letter are his offer of grace to all that will come in
within forty days, only excepting them that the Parliament shall hereafter
except. That the sales of lands during these troubles, and all other
things, shall be left to the Parliament, by which he will stand. The
letter dated at Breda, April, 4 1660, in the 12th year of his reign. Upon
the receipt of it this morning by an express, Mr. Phillips, one of the
messengers of the Council from General Monk, my Lord summoned a council of
war, and in the mean time did dictate to me how he would have the vote
ordered which he would have pass this council. Which done, the Commanders
all came on board, and the council sat in the coach (the first council of
war that had been in my time), where I read the letter and declaration;
and while they were discoursing upon it, I seemed to draw up a vote, which
being offered, they passed. Not one man seemed to say no to it, though I
am confident many in their hearts were against it. After this was done, I
went up to the quarter-deck with my Lord and the Commanders, and there
read both the papers and the vote; which done, and demanding their
opinion, the seamen did all of them cry out, "God bless King Charles!"
with the greatest joy imaginable. That being done, Sir R. Stayner, who
had invited us yesterday, took all the Commanders and myself on board him
to dinner, which not being ready, I went with Captain Hayward to the
Plimouth and Essex, and did what I had to do there and returned, where
very merry at dinner. After dinner, to the rest of the ships (staid at
the Assistance to hear the harper a good while) quite through the fleet.
Which was a very brave sight to visit all the ships, and to be received
with the respect and honour that I was on board them all; and much more to
see the great joy that I brought to all men; not one through the whole
fleet showing the least dislike of the business. In the evening as I was
going on board the Vice-Admiral, the General began to fire his guns, which
he did all that he had in the ship, and so did all the rest of the
Commanders, which was very gallant, and to hear the bullets go hissing
over our heads as we were in the boat. This done and finished my
Proclamation, I returned to the Nazeby, where my Lord was much pleased to
hear how all the fleet took it in a transport of joy, showed me a private
letter of the King's to him, and another from the Duke of York in such
familiar style as to their common friend, with all kindness imaginable.
And I found by the letters, and so my Lord told me too, that there had
been many letters passed between them for a great while, and I perceive
unknown to Monk. And among the rest that had carried these letters Sir
John Boys is one, and that Mr. Norwood, which had a ship to carry him over
the other day, when my Lord would not have me put down his name in the
book. The King speaks of his being courted to come to the Hague, but do
desire my Lord's advice whither to come to take ship. And the Duke offers
to learn the seaman's trade of him, in such familiar words as if Jack Cole
and I had writ them. This was very strange to me, that my Lord should
carry all things so wisely and prudently as he do, and I was over joyful
to see him in so good condition, and he did not a little please himself to
tell me how he had provided for himself so great a hold on the King.
After this to supper, and then to writing of letters till twelve at night,
and so up again at three in the morning. My Lord seemed to put great
confidence in me, and would take my advice in many things. I perceive his
being willing to do all the honour in the world to Monk, and to let him
have all the honour of doing the business, though he will many times
express his thoughts of him to be but a thick-sculled fool. So that I do
believe there is some agreement more than ordinary between the King and my
Lord to let Monk carry on the business, for it is he that must do the
business, or at least that can hinder it, if he be not flattered and
observed. This, my Lord will hint himself sometimes. My Lord, I perceive
by the King's letter, had writ to him about his father, Crew,--[When only
seventeen years old, Montagu had married Jemima, daughter of John Crew,
created afterwards Baron Crew of Stene.]--and the King did speak well of
him; but my Lord tells me, that he is afeard that he hath too much
concerned himself with the Presbyterians against the House of Lords, which
will do him a great discourtesy.
4th. I wrote this morning many letters, and to all the copies of the vote
of the council of war I put my name, that if it should come in print my
name maybe at it. I sent a copy of the vote to Doling, inclosed in this
letter:
"SIR,
"He that can fancy a fleet (like ours) in her pride, with pendants
loose, guns roaring, caps flying, and the loud 'Vive le Roys,'
echoed from one ship's company to another, he, and he only, can
apprehend the joy this inclosed vote was received with, or the
blessing he thought himself possessed of that bore it, and is
"Your humble servant."
About nine o'clock I got all my letters done, and sent them by the
messenger that came yesterday. This morning came Captain Isham on board
with a gentleman going to the King, by whom very cunningly, my Lord tells
me, he intends to send an account of this day's and yesterday's actions
here, notwithstanding he had writ to the Parliament to have leave of them
to send the King the answer of the fleet. Since my writing of the last
paragraph, my Lord called me to him to read his letter to the King, to see
whether I could find any slips in it or no. And as much of the letter' as
I can remember, is thus:
"May it please your Most Excellent Majesty," and so begins.
"That he yesterday received from General Monk his Majesty's letter
and direction; and that General Monk had desired him to write to the
Parliament to have leave to send the vote of the seamen before he
did send it to him, which he had done by writing to both Speakers;
but for his private satisfaction he had sent it thus privately (and
so the copy of the proceedings yesterday was sent him), and that
this come by a gentleman that came this day on board, intending to
wait upon his Majesty, that he is my Lord's countryman, and one
whose friends have suffered much on his Majesty's behalf. That my
Lords Pembroke and Salisbury are put out of the House of Lords.
That my Lord is very joyful that other countries do pay him the
civility and respect due to him; and that he do much rejoice to see
that the King do resolve to receive none of their assistance (or
some such words), from them, he having strength enough in the love
and loyalty of his own subjects to support him. That his Majesty
had chosen the best place, Scheveling,--[Schevingen, the port of the
Hague]--for his embarking, and that there is nothing in the world of
which he is more ambitious, than to have the honour of attending his
Majesty, which he hoped would be speedy. That he had commanded the
vessel to attend at Helversluce--[Hellevoetsluis, in South Holland]
--till this gentleman returns, that so if his Majesty do not think
it fit to command the fleet himself, yet that he may be there to
receive his commands and bring them to his Lordship. He ends his
letter, that he is confounded with the thoughts of the high
expressions of love to him in the King's letter, and concludes,
"Your most loyall, dutifull, faithfull and obedient subject and
servant, E. M."
The rest of the afternoon at ninepins. In the evening came a packet from
London, among the rest a letter from my wife, which tells me that she has
not been well, which did exceedingly trouble me, but my Lord sending Mr.
Cook at night, I wrote to her and sent a piece of gold enclosed to her,
and wrote also to Mrs. Bowyer, and enclosed a half piece to her for a
token. After supper at the table in the coach, my Lord talking concerning
the uncertainty of the places of the Exchequer to them that had them now;
he did at last think of an office which do belong to him in case the King
do restore every man to his places that ever had been patent, which is to
be one of the clerks of the signet, which will be a fine employment for
one of his sons. After all this discourse we broke up and to bed.
In the afternoon came a minister on board, one Mr. Sharpe, who is going to
the King; who tells me that Commissioners are chosen both of Lords and
Commons to go to the King; and that Dr. Clarges
[Thomas Clarges, physician to the army, created a baronet, 1674,
died 1695. He had been previously knighted; his sister Anne married
General Monk. "The Parliament also permitted General Monk to send
Mr. Clarges, his brother-in-law, accompanied with some officers of
the army, to assure his Majesty of the fidelity and obedience of the
army, which had made publick and solemn protestations thereof, after
the Letter and Declaration was communicated unto them by the
General."--Sir William Lowers Relation . . . of the Voiage and
Residence which . . . Charles the II. Hath made in Holland,
Hague, 1660, folio.]
is going to him from the Army, and that he will be here to-morrow. My
letters at night tell me, that the House did deliver their letter to Sir
John Greenville, in answer to the King's sending, and that they give him
L500 for his pains, to buy him a jewel, and that besides the L50,000
ordered to be borrowed of the City for the present use of the King, the
twelve companies of the City do give every one of them to his Majesty, as
a present, L1000.
5th. All the morning very busy writing letters to London, and a packet to
Mr. Downing, to acquaint him with what had been done lately in the fleet.
And this I did by my Lord's command, who, I thank him, did of himself
think of doing it, to do me a kindness, for he writ a letter himself to
him, thanking him for his kindness to me. All the afternoon at ninepins,
at night after supper good musique, my Lord, Mr. North, I and W. Howe.
After that to bed. This evening came Dr. Clarges to Deal, going to the
King; where the towns-people strewed the streets with herbes against his
coming, for joy of his going. Never was there so general a content as
there is now. I cannot but remember that our parson did, in his prayer
to-night, pray for the long life and happiness of our King and dread
Soveraign, that may last as long as the sun and moon endureth.
6th (Lord's day). This morning while we were at sermon comes in Dr.
Clarges and a dozen gentlemen to see my Lord, who, after sermon, dined
with him; I remember that last night upon discourse concerning Clarges my
Lord told me that he was a man of small entendimiento.--[Entendimiento,
Spanish: the understanding.]--This afternoon there was a gentleman with
me, an officer of Dunkirk going over, who came to me for an order and told
me he was lately with my uncle and Aunt Fenner and that Kate's fits of the
convulsions did hold her still. It fell very well to-day, a stranger
preached here for Mr. Ibbot, one Mr. Stanley, who prayed for King Charles,
by the Grace of God, &c., which gave great contentment to the gentlemen
that were on board here, and they said they would talk of it, when they
come to Breda, as not having it done yet in London so publickly. After
they were gone from on board, my Lord writ a letter to the King and give
it to me to carry privately to Sir William Compton' on board the
Assistance, which I did, and after a health to his Majesty on board there,
I left them under sail for Breda. Back again and found them at sermon. I
went up to my cabin and looked over my accounts, and find that, all my
debts paid and my preparations to sea paid for, I have L640 clear in my
purse. After supper to bed.
7th. This morning Captain Cuttance sent me 12 bottles of Margate ale.
Three of them I drank presently with some friends in the Coach. My Lord
went this morning about the flag-ships in a boat, to see what alterations
there must be, as to the arms and flags. He did give me order also to
write for silk flags and scarlett waistcloathes.
[Waist-cloths are the painted canvas coverings of the hammocks which
are stowed in the waist-nettings.]
For a rich barge; for a noise of trumpets,
[A set or company of musicians, an expression constantly used by old
writers without any disparaging meaning. It is sometimes applied to
voices as well as to instruments.]
and a set of fidlers. Very great deal of company come today, among others
Mr. Bellasses, Sir Thomas Lenthropp, Sir Henry Chichley, Colonel Philip
Honiwood, and Captain Titus, the last of whom my Lord showed all our
cabins, and I suppose he is to take notice what room there will be for the
King's entertainment. Here were also all the Jurates of the town of Dover
come to give my Lord a visit, and after dinner all went away. I could not
but observe that the Vice-Admiral after dinner came into the great cabin
below, where the Jurates and I and the commanders for want of room dined,
and there told us we must drink a health to the King, and himself called
for a bottle of wine, and begun his and the Duke of York's. In the
afternoon I lost 5s. at ninepins. After supper musique, and to bed.
Having also among us at the Coach table wrote a letter to the French
ambassador, in French, about the release of a ship we had taken. After I
was in bed Mr. Sheply and W. Howe came and sat in my cabin, where I gave
them three bottles of Margate ale, and sat laughing and very merry, till
almost one o'clock in the morning, and so good night.
8th. All the morning busy. After dinner come several persons of honour,
as my Lord St. John and others, for convoy to Flushing, and great giving
of them salutes. My Lord and we at nine-pins: I lost 9s. While we were
at play Mr. Cook brings me word of my wife. He went to Huntsmore to see
her, and brought her and my father Bowyer to London, where he left her at
my father's, very well, and speaks very well of her love to me. My
letters to-day tell me how it was intended that the King should be
proclaimed to-day in London, with a great deal of pomp. I had also news
who they are that are chosen of the Lords and Commons to attend the King.
And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at
reading of the King's declaration, and my name at the bottom of it. After
supper some musique and to bed. I resolving to rise betimes to-morrow to
write letters to London.
9th. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two
Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do
give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and
promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carried this
morning to Sir Peter Killigrew,
[Sir Peter Killigrew, Knight, of Arwenack, Cornwall, was known as
"Peter the Post," from the alacrity with which he despatched "like
wild fire" all the messages and other commissions entrusted to him
in the King's cause. His son Peter, who succeeded his uncle as
second baronet in 1665, was M.P. for Camelford in 1660.]
who came hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords' House
to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King. This morning
my Lord St. John and other persons of honour were here to see my Lord, and
so away to Flushing. After they were gone my Lord and I to write letters
to London, which we sent by Mr. Cook, who was very desirous to go because
of seeing my wife before she went out of town. As we were sitting down to
dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord,
to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King,
which are expected here this week. He brought us certain news that the
King was proclaimed yesterday with great pomp, and brought down one of the
Proclamations, with great joy to us all; for which God be praised. After
dinner to ninepins and lost 5s. This morning came Mr. Saunderson,
[Afterwards Sir William Sanderson, gentleman of the chamber, author
of the "History of Mary Queen of Scots, James I., and Charles I."
His wife, Dame Bridget, was mother of the maids.]
that writ the story of the King, hither, who is going over to the King. He
calls me cozen and seems a very knowing man. After supper to bed betimes,
leaving my Lord talking in the Coach with the Captain.
10th. This morning came on board Mr. Pinkney and his son, going to the
King with a petition finely writ by Mr. Whore, for to be the King's
embroiderer; for whom and Mr. Saunderson I got a ship. This morning come
my Lord Winchelsea and a great deal of company, and dined here. In the
afternoon, while my Lord and we were at musique in the great cabin below,
comes in a messenger to tell us that Mr. Edward Montagu,
[Sir Edward Montagu's eldest son, afterwards second Earl of
Sandwich, called by Pepys "The child."]
my Lord's son, was come to Deal, who afterwards came on board with Mr.
Pickering with him. The child was sick in the evening. At night, while
my Lord was at supper, in comes my Lord Lauderdale and Sir John
Greenville, who supped here, and so went away. After they were gone, my
Lord called me into his cabin, and told me how he was commanded to set
sail presently for the King,
["Ordered that General Montagu do observe the command of His Majesty
for the disposing of the fleet, in order to His Majesty's returning
home to England to his kingly government: and that all proceedings
in law be in His Majesty's name."--Rugge's Diurnal.--B.]
and was very glad thereof, and so put me to writing of letters and other
work that night till it was very late, he going to bed. I got him
afterwards to sign things in bed. After I had done some more work I to
bed also.
11th. Up very early in the morning, and so about a great deal of business
in order to our going hence to-day. Burr going on shore last night made
me very angry. So that I sent for Mr. Pitts to come tome from the
Vice-Admiral's, intending not to have employed Burr any more. But Burr by
and by coming and desiring humbly that I would forgive him and Pitts not
coming I did set him to work. This morning we began to pull down all the
State's arms in the fleet, having first sent to Dover for painters and
others to come to set up the King's. The rest of the morning writing of
letters to London which I afterwards sent by Dunne. I had this morning my
first opportunity of discoursing with Dr. Clarke,
[Timothy Clarke, M. D., one of the original Fellows of the Royal
Society. He was appointed one of the physicians in ordinary to
Charles II. on the death of Dr. Quartermaine in 1667.]
whom I found to be a very pretty man and very knowing. He is now going in
this ship to the King. There dined here my Lord Crafford and my Lord
Cavendish, and other Scotchmen whom I afterwards ordered to be received on
board the Plymouth, and to go along with us. After dinner we set sail
from the Downs, I leaving my boy to go to Deal for my linen. In the
afternoon overtook us three or four gentlemen; two of the Berties, and one
Mr. Dormerhoy, a Scotch gentleman, whom I afterwards found to be a very
fine man, who, telling my Lord that they heard the Commissioners were come
out of London to-day, my Lord dropt anchor over against Dover Castle
(which give us about thirty guns in passing), and upon a high debate with
the Vice and Rear Admiral whether it were safe to go and not stay for the
Commissioners, he did resolve to send Sir R. Stayner to Dover, to enquire
of my Lord Winchelsea, whether or no they are come out of London, and then
to resolve to-morrow morning of going or not; which was done. It blew
very hard all this night that I was afeard of my boy. About 11 at night
came the boats from Deal, with great store of provisions, by the same
token John Goods told me that above 20 of the fowls are smothered, but my
boy was put on board the Northwich. To bed.
12th. This morning I inquired for my boy, whether he was come well or no,
and it was told me that he was well in bed. My Lord called me to his
chamber, he being in bed, and gave me many orders to make for direction
for the ships that are left in the Downs, giving them the greatest charge
in the world to bring no passengers with them, when they come after us to
Scheveling Bay, excepting Mr. Edward Montagu, Mr. Thomas Crew, and Sir H.
Wright. Sir R. Stayner hath been here early in the morning and told my
Lord, that my Lord Winchelsea understands by letters, that the
Commissioners are only to come to Dover to attend the coming over of the
King. So my Lord did give order for weighing anchor, which we did, and
sailed all day. In our way in the morning, coming in the midway between
Dover and Calais, we could see both places very easily, and very pleasant
it was to me that the further we went the more we lost sight of both
lands. In the afternoon at cards with Mr. North and the
Doctor.--[Clarke]--There by us, in the Lark frigate, Sir R. Freeman and
some others, going from the King to England, come to see my Lord and so
onward on their voyage. In the afternoon upon the quarterdeck the Doctor
told Mr. North and me an admirable story called "The Fruitless
Precaution," an exceeding pretty story and worthy my getting without book
when I can get the book.[??] This evening came Mr. Sheply on board, whom
we had left at Deal and Dover getting of provision and borrowing of money.
In the evening late, after discoursing with the Doctor, &c., to bed.
13th (Lord's day). Trimmed in the morning, after that to the cook's room
with Mr. Sheply, the first time that I was there this voyage. Then to the
quarter-deck, upon which the tailors and painters were at work, cutting
out some pieces of yellow cloth into the fashion of a crown and C. R. and
put it upon a fine sheet, and that into the flag instead of the State's
arms, which after dinner was finished and set up after it had been shewn
to my Lord, who took physic to-day and was in his chamber, and liked it so
well as to bid me give the tailors 20s. among them for doing of it. This
morn Sir J. Boys and Capt. Isham met us in the Nonsuch, the first of whom,
after a word or two with my Lord, went forward, the other staid. I heard
by them how Mr. Downing had never made any address to the King, and for
that was hated exceedingly by the Court, and that he was in a Dutch ship
which sailed by us, then going to England with disgrace. Also how Mr.
Morland was knighted by the King this week, and that the King did give the
reason of it openly, that it was for his giving him intelligence all the
time he was clerk to Secretary Thurloe. In the afternoon a council of
war, only to acquaint them that the Harp must be taken out of all their
flags,
[In May, 1658, the old Union Jack (being the crosses of St. George
and St. Andrew combined) was revived, with the Irish harp over the
centre of the flag. This harp was taken off at the Restoration.
(See "The National Flags of the Commonwealth," by H. W. Henfrey,"
Journ. Brit. Arch. Assoc.," vol. xxxi, p. 54.) The sign of the
"Commonwealth Arms" was an uncommon one, but a token of one exists--
"Francis Wood at ye Commonwealth arms in Mary Maudlens" [St. Mary
Magdalen, Old Fish Street].]
it being very offensive to the King. Mr. Cook, who came after us in the
Yarmouth, bringing me a letter from my wife and a Latin letter from my
brother John, with both of which I was exceedingly pleased. No sermon all
day, we being under sail, only at night prayers, wherein Mr. Ibbott prayed
for all that were related to us in a spiritual and fleshly way. We came
within sight of Middle's shore. Late at night we writ letters to the King
of the news of our coming, and Mr. Edward Picketing carried them. Capt.
Isham went on shore, nobody showing of him any respect; so the old man
very fairly took leave of my Lord, and my Lord very coldly bid him "God be
with you," which was very strange, but that I hear that he keeps a great
deal of prating and talking on shore, on board, at the King's Courts, what
command he had with my Lord, &c. After letters were gone then to bed.
14th. In the morning when I woke and rose, I saw myself out of the
scuttle close by the shore, which afterwards I was told to be the Dutch
shore; the Hague was clearly to be seen by us. My Lord went up in his
nightgown into the cuddy,
["A sort of cabin or cook-room, generally in the fore-part, but
sometimes near the stern of lighters and barges of burden."--Smyth's
Sailor's Word-Book.]
to see how to dispose thereof for himself and us that belong to him, to
give order for our removal to-day. Some nasty Dutchmen came on board to
proffer their boats to carry things from us on shore, &c., to get money by
us. Before noon some gentlemen came on board from the shore to kiss my
Lord's hands. And by and by Mr. North and Dr. Clerke went to kiss the
Queen of Bohemia's' hands, from my Lord, with twelve attendants from on
board to wait on them, among which I sent my boy, who, like myself, is
with child to see any strange thing. After noon they came back again
after having kissed the Queen of Bohemia's hand, and were sent again by my
Lord to do the same to the Prince of Orange.
[Son of the Prince of Orange and Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I.
--afterwards William III. He was then in his tenth year, having
been born in 1650.]
So I got the Captain to ask leave for me to go, which my Lord did give,
and I taking my boy and judge Advocate with me, went in company with them.
The weather bad; we were sadly washed when we came near the shore, it
being very hard to land there. The shore is, as all the country between
that and the Hague, all sand. The rest of the company got a coach by
themselves; Mr. Creed and I went in the fore part of a coach wherein were
two very pretty ladies, very fashionable and with black patches, who very
merrily sang all the way and that very well, and were very free to kiss
the two blades that were with them. I took out my flageolette and piped,
but in piping I dropped my rapier-stick, but when I came to the Hague, I
sent my boy back again for it and he found it, for which I did give him
6d., but some horses had gone over it and broke the scabbard. The Hague
is a most neat place in all respects. The houses so neat in all places
and things as is possible. Here we walked up and down a great while, the
town being now very full of Englishmen, for that the Londoners were come
on shore today. But going to see the Prince,--[Prince of Orange,
afterwards William III.]--he was gone forth with his governor, and so we
walked up and down the town and court to see the place; and by the help of
a stranger, an Englishman, we saw a great many places, and were made to
understand many things, as the intention of may-poles, which we saw there
standing at every great man's door, of different greatness according to
the quality of the person. About 10 at night the Prince comes home, and
we found an easy admission. His attendance very inconsiderable as for a
prince; but yet handsome, and his tutor a fine man, and himself a very
pretty boy. It was bright moonshine to-night. This done we went to a
place we had taken to sup in, where a sallet and two or three bones of
mutton were provided for a matter of ten of us which was very strange.
After supper the Judge and I to another house, leaving them there, and he
and I lay in one press bed, there being two more in the same room, but all
very neat and handsome, my boy sleeping upon a bench by me.
15th. We lay till past three o'clock, then up and down the town, to see
it by daylight, where we saw the soldiers of the Prince's guard, all very
fine, and the burghers of the town with their arms and muskets as bright
as silver. And meeting this morning a schoolmaster that spoke good
English and French, he went along with us and shewed us the whole town,
and indeed I cannot speak enough of the gallantry of the town. Every body
of fashion speaks French or Latin, or both. The women many of them very
pretty and in good habits, fashionable and black spots. He went with me
to buy a couple of baskets, one of them for Mrs. Pierce, the other for my
wife. After he was gone, we having first drank with him at our lodging,
the judge and I to the Grande Salle where we were shewed the place where
the States General sit in council. The hall is a great place, where the
flags that they take from their enemies are all hung up; and things to be
sold, as in Westminster Hall, and not much unlike it, but that not so big,
but much neater. After that to a bookseller's and bought for the love of
the binding three books: the French Psalms in four parts, Bacon's Organon,
and Farnab. Rhetor.
["Index Rhetoricus" of Thomas Farnaby was a book which went through
several editions. The first was published at London by R. Allot in
1633.]
After that the judge, I and my boy by coach to Scheveling again, where we
went into a house of entertainment and drank there, the wind being very
high, and we saw two boats overset and the gallants forced to be pulled on
shore by the heels, while their trunks, portmanteaus, hats, and feathers,
were swimming in the sea. Among others I saw the ministers that come
along with the Commissioners (Mr. Case among the rest) sadly dipped.
[Thomas Case, born 1598, was a famous preacher and a zealous
advocate for the Solemn League and Covenant, a member of the
assembly of divines, and rector of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields. He
was one of the deputation to Charles II. at Breda, and appointed a
royal chaplain. He was ejected by the Act of Uniformity, but
remained in London after his ejection. Died May 30th, 1682.]
So they came in where we were, and I being in haste left my Copenhagen
knife, and so lost it. Having staid here a great while a gentleman that
was going to kiss my Lord's hand, from the Queen of Bohemia, and I hired a
Dutch boat for four rixdollars to carry us on board. We were fain to wait
a great while before we could get off from the shore, the sea being very
rough. The Dutchman would fain have made all pay that came into our boat
besides us two and our company, there being many of our ship's company got
in who were on shore, but some of them had no money, having spent all on
shore. Coming on board we found all the Commissioners of the House of
Lords at dinner with my Lord, who after dinner went away for shore. Mr.
Morland, now Sir Samuel, was here on board, but I do not find that my Lord
or any body did give him any respect, he being looked upon by him and all
men as a knave. Among others he betrayed Sir Rich. Willis
[This is somewhat different to the usual account of Morland's
connection with Sir Richard Willis. In the beginning of 1659
Cromwell, Thurloe, and Willis formed a plot to inveigle Charles II.
into England and into the hands of his enemies. The plot was
discussed in Thurloe's office, and Morland, who pretended to be
asleep, heard it and discovered it. Willis sent for Morland, and
received him in a cellar. He said that one of them must have
discovered the plot. He laid his hand upon the Bible and swore that
he had not been the discoverer, calling upon Morland to do the same.
Morland, with presence of mind, said he was ready to do so if Willis
would give him a reason why he should suspect him. By this ready
answer he is said to have escaped the ordeal (see Birch's "Life of
Thurloe").]
that married Dr. F. Jones's daughter, that he had paid him L1000 at one
time by the Protector's and Secretary Thurloe's order, for intelligence
that he sent concerning the King. In the afternoon my Lord called me on
purpose to show me his fine cloathes which are now come hither, and indeed
are very rich as gold and silver can make them, only his sword he and I do
not like. In the afternoon my Lord and I walked together in the coach two
hours, talking together upon all sorts of discourse: as religion, wherein
he is, I perceive, wholly sceptical, as well as I, saying, that indeed the
Protestants as to the Church of Rome are wholly fanatiques: he likes
uniformity and form of prayer; about State-business, among other things he
told me that his conversion to the King's cause (for so I was saying that
I wondered from what time the King could look upon him to become his
friend), commenced from his being in the Sound, when he found what usage
he was likely to have from a Commonwealth. My Lord, the Captain, and I
supped in my Lord's chamber, where I did perceive that he did begin to
show me much more respect than ever he did yet. After supper, my Lord
sent for me, intending to have me play at cards with him, but I not
knowing cribbage, we fell into discourse of many things, till it was so
rough sea and the ship rolled so much that I was not able to stand, and so
he bid me go to bed.
16th. Soon as I was up I went down to be trimmed below in the great
cabin, but then come in some with visits, among the rest one from Admiral
Opdam,
[The admiral celebrated in Lord Dorset's ballad, "To all you ladies
now at land."
"Should foggy Opdam chance to know
Our sad and dismal story;
The Dutch would scorn so weak a foe,
And quit their fort at Goree
For what resistance can they find
From men who've left their hearts behind?"--B.]
who spoke Latin well, but not French nor English, to whom my Lord made me
to give his answer and to entertain; he brought my Lord a tierce of wine
and a barrel of butter, as a present from the Admiral. After that to
finish my trimming, and while I was doing of it in comes Mr. North very
sea-sick from shore, and to bed he goes. After that to dinner, where
Commissioner Pett was come to take care to get all things ready for the
King on board. My Lord in his best suit, this the first day, in
expectation to wait upon the King. But Mr. Edw. Pickering coming from the
King brought word that the King would not put my Lord to the trouble of
coming to him; but that he would come to the shore to look upon the fleet
to-day, which we expected, and had our guns ready to fire, and our scarlet
waistcloathes out and silk pendants, but he did not come. My Lord and we
at ninepins this afternoon upon the Quarterdeck, which was very pretty
sport. This evening came Mr. John Pickering on board, like an ass, with
his feathers and new suit that he had made at the Hague. My Lord very
angry for his staying on shore, bidding me a little before to send to him,
telling me that he was afraid that for his father's sake he might have
some mischief done him, unless he used the General's name. To supper, and
after supper to cards. I stood by and looked on till 11 at night and so
to bed. This afternoon Mr. Edwd. Pickering told me in what a sad, poor
condition for clothes and money the King was, and all his attendants, when
he came to him first from my Lord, their clothes not being worth forty
shillings the best of them.
[Andrew Marvell alludes to the poor condition, for clothes and
money, in which the King was at this time, in "A Historical Poem":--
"At length, by wonderful impulse of fate,
The people call him back to help the State;
And what is more, they send him money, too,
And clothe him all from head to foot anew."]
And how overjoyed the King was when Sir J. Greenville brought him some
money; so joyful, that he called the Princess Royal and Duke of York to
look upon it as it lay in the portmanteau before it was taken out. My
Lord told me, too, that the Duke of York is made High Admiral of England.
17th. Up early to write down my last two days' observations. Dr. Clerke
came to me to tell me that he heard this morning, by some Dutch that are
come on board already to see the ship, that there was a Portuguese taken
yesterday at the Hague, that had a design to kill the King. But this I
heard afterwards was only the mistake upon one being observed to walk with
his sword naked, he having lost his scabbard. Before dinner Mr. Edw.
Pickering and I, W. Howe, Pim, and my boy,--[Edward Montagu, afterwards
Lord Hinchinbroke.]--to Scheveling, where we took coach, and so to the
Hague, where walking, intending to find one that might show us the King
incognito, I met with Captain Whittington (that had formerly brought a
letter to my Lord from the Mayor of London) and he did promise me to do
it, but first we went and dined at a French house, but paid 16s. for our
part of the club. At dinner in came Dr. Cade, a merry mad parson of the
King's. And they two after dinner got the child and me (the others not
being able to crowd in) to see the King, who kissed the child very
affectionately. Then we kissed his, and the Duke of York's, and the
Princess Royal's hands. The King seems to be a very sober man; and a very
splendid Court he hath in the number of persons of quality that are about
him, English very rich in habit. From the King to the Lord Chancellor,
[On January 29th, 1658, Charles II. entrusted the Great Seal to Sir
Edward Hyde, with the title of Lord Chancellor, and in that
character Sir Edward accompanied the King to England.]
who did lie bed-rid of the gout: he spoke very merrily to the child and
me. After that, going to see the Queen of Bohemia, I met with Dr. Fullers
whom I sent to a tavern with Mr. Edw. Pickering, while I and the rest went
to see the Queen,--[Henrietta Maria.]--who used us very respectfully; her
hand we all kissed. She seems a very debonaire, but plain lady. After
that to the Dr.'s, where we drank a while or so. In a coach of a friend's
of Dr. Cade we went to see a house of the Princess Dowager's in a park
about half-a-mile or a mile from the Hague, where there is one, the most
beautiful room for pictures in the whole world. She had here one picture
upon the top, with these words, dedicating it to the memory of her
husband:--"Incomparabili marito, inconsolabilis vidua."
[Mary, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of Charles I., and widow of
William of Nassau, Prince of Orange. She was not supposed to be
inconsolable, and scandal followed her at the court of Charles II.,
where she died of small-pox, December 24th, 1660.]
Here I met with Mr. Woodcock of Cambridge, Mr. Hardy and another, and Mr.
Woodcock beginning we had two or three fine songs, he and I, and W. Howe
to the Echo, which was very pleasant, and the more because in a heaven of
pleasure and in a strange country, that I never was taken up more with a
sense of pleasure in my life. After that we parted and back to the Hague
and took a tour or two about the Forehault,--[The Voorhout is the
principal street of the Hague, and it is lined with handsome
trees.]--where the ladies in the evening do as our ladies do in Hide Park.
But for my life I could not find one handsome, but their coaches very rich
and themselves so too. From thence, taking leave of the Doctor, we took
wagon to Scheveling, where we had a fray with the Boatswain of the
Richmond, who would not freely carry us on board, but at last he was
willing to it, but then it was so late we durst not go. So we returned
between 10 and 11 at night in the dark with a wagon with one horse to the
Hague, where being come we went to bed as well as we could be
accommodated, and so to sleep.
18th. Very early up, and, hearing that the Duke of York, our Lord High
Admiral, would go on board to-day, Mr. Pickering and I took waggon for
Scheveling, leaving the child in Mr. Pierces hands, with directions to
keep him within doors all day till he heard from me. But the wind being
very high that no boats could get off from shore, we returned to the Hague
(having breakfasted with a gentleman of the Duke's, and Commissioner Pett,
sent on purpose to give notice to my Lord of his coming), where I hear
that the child is gone to Delfe to see the town. So we all and Mr. Ibbott,
the Minister, took a schuit--[The trekschuit (drag-boat) along the canal
is still described as an agreeable conveyance from Leyden to Delft.]--and
very much pleased with the manner and conversation of the passengers,
where most speak French; went after them, but met them by the way. But
however we went forward making no stop. Where when we were come we got a
smith's boy of the town to go along with us, but could speak nothing but
Dutch, and he showed us the church where Van Trump lies entombed with a
very fine monument. His epitaph concluded thus:--"Tandem Bello Anglico
tantum non victor, certe invictus, vivere et vincere desiit." There is a
sea-fight cut in marble, with the smoke, the best expressed that ever I
saw in my life. From thence to the great church, that stands in a fine
great market-place, over against the Stadt-house, and there I saw a
stately tomb of the old Prince of Orange, of marble and brass; wherein
among other rarities there are the angels with their trumpets expressed as
it were crying. Here were very fine organs in both the churches. It is a
most sweet town, with bridges, and a river in every street. Observing
that in every house of entertainment there hangs in every room a
poor-man's box, and desiring to know the reason thereof, it was told me
that it is their custom to confirm all bargains by putting something into
the poor people's box, and that binds as fast as any thing. We also saw
the Guesthouse, where it was very pleasant to see what neat preparation
there is for the poor. We saw one poor man a-dying there. After we had
seen all, we light by chance of an English house to drink in, where we
were very merry, discoursing of the town and the thing that hangs up in
the Stadthouse like a bushel, which I was told is a sort of punishment for
some sort of offenders to carry through the streets of the town over his
head, which is a great weight. Back by water, where a pretty sober Dutch
lass sat reading all the way, and I could not fasten any discourse upon
her. At our landing we met with Commissioner Pett going down to the
water-side with Major Harly, who is going upon a dispatch into England.
They having a coach I left the Parson and my boy and went along with
Commissioner Pett, Mr. Ackworth and Mr. Dawes his friends, to the Princess
Dowager's house again. Thither also my Lord Fairfax and some other English
Lords did come to see it, and my pleasure was increased by seeing of it
again. Besides we went into the garden, wherein are gallant nuts better
than ever I saw, and a fine Echo under the house in a vault made on
purpose with pillars, where I played on my flageolette to great advantage.
Back to the Hague, where not finding Mr. Edward, I was much troubled, but
went with the Parson to supper to Commissioner Pett, where we sat late.
And among other mirth Mr. Ackworth vyed wives, each endeavouring to set
his own wife out to the best advantage, he having as they said an
extraordinary handsome wife. But Mr. Dawes could not be got to say
anything of his. After that to our lodging where W. Howe and I exceeding
troubled not to know what is become of our young gentleman. So to bed.