dined, and with my boy alone to church anybody to attend me to church a
dinner, and there met Creed, who, and we merry together, as his learning
is such and judgment that I cannot but be pleased with it. After dinner I
took him to church, into our gallery, with me, but slept the best part of
the sermon, which was a most silly one. So he and I to walk to the
'Change a while, talking from one pleasant discourse to another, and so
home, and thither came my uncle Wight and aunt, and supped with us mighty
merry. And Creed lay with us all night, and so to bed, very merry to
think how Mr. Holliard (who came in this evening to see me) makes nothing,
but proving as a most clear thing that Rome is Antichrist.
29th. Up betimes, intending to do business at my office, by 5 o'clock,
but going out met at my door Mr. Hughes come to speak with me about office
business, and told me that as he came this morning from Deptford he left
the King's yarde a-fire. So I presently took a boat and down, and there
found, by God's providence, the fire out; but if there had been any wind
it must have burned all our stores, which is a most dreadfull
consideration. But leaving all things well I home, and out abroad doing
many errands, Mr. Creed also out, and my wife to her mother's, and Creed
and I met at my Lady Sandwich's and there dined; but my Lady is become as
handsome, I think, as ever she was; and so good and discreet a woman I
know not in the world. After dinner I to Westminster to Jervas's a while,
and so doing many errands by the way, and necessary ones, I home, and
thither came the woman with her mother which our Will recommends to my
wife. I like her well, and I think will please us. My wife and they
agreed, and she is to come the next week. At which I am very well
contented, for then I hope we shall be settled, but I must remember that,
never since I was housekeeper, I ever lived so quietly, without any noise
or one angry word almost, as I have done since my present mayds Besse,
Jane, and Susan came and were together. Now I have taken a boy and am
taking a woman, I pray God we may not be worse, but I will observe it.
After being at my office a while, home to supper and to bed.
30th. Up and to the office, where sat long, and at noon to dinner at
home; after dinner comes Mr. Pen to visit me, and staid an houre talking
with me. I perceive something of learning he hath got, but a great deale,
if not too much, of the vanity of the French garbe and affected manner of
speech and gait. I fear all real profit he hath made of his travel will
signify little. So, he gone, I to my office and there very busy till late
at night, and so home to supper and to bed.
31st. Up by five o'clock and to my office, where T. Hater and Will met
me, and so we dispatched a great deal of my business as to the ordering my
papers and books which were behindhand. All the morning very busy at my
office. At noon home to dinner, and there my wife hath got me some pretty
good oysters, which is very soon and the soonest, I think, I ever eat any.
After dinner I up to hear my boy play upon a lute, which I have this day
borrowed of Mr. Hunt; and indeed the boy would, with little practice, play
very well upon the lute, which pleases me well. So by coach to the
Tangier Committee, and there have another small business by which I may
get a little small matter of money. Staid but little there, and so home
and to my office, where late casting up my monthly accounts, and, blessed
be God! find myself worth L1020, which is still the most I ever was
worth. So home and to bed. Prince Rupert I hear this day is to go to
command this fleete going to Guinny against the Dutch. I doubt few will
be pleased with his going, being accounted an unhappy' man. My mind at
good rest, only my father's troubles with Dr. Pepys and my brother Tom's
creditors in general do trouble me. I have got a new boy that understands
musique well, as coming to me from the King's Chappell, and I hope will
prove a good boy, and my wife and I are upon having a woman, which for her
content I am contented to venture upon the charge of again, and she is one
that our' Will finds out for us, and understands a little musique, and I
think will please us well, only her friends live too near us. Pretty well
in health, since I left off wearing of a gowne within doors all day, and
then go out with my legs into the cold, which brought me daily pain.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
SEPTEMBER
1664
Sept. 1st. A sad rainy night, up and to the office, where busy all the
morning. At noon to the 'Change and thence brought Mr. Pierce, the
Surgeon, and Creed, and dined very merry and handsomely; but my wife not
being well of those she not with us; and we cut up the great cake
Moorcocke lately sent us, which is very good. They gone I to my office,
and there very busy till late at night, and so home to supper and to bed.
2nd. Up very betimes and walked (my boy with me) to Mr. Cole's, and after
long waiting below, he being under the barber's hands, I spoke with him,
and he did give me much hopes of getting my debt that my brother owed me,
and also that things would go well with my father. But going to his
attorney's, that he directed me to, they tell me both that though I could
bring my father to a confession of a judgment, yet he knowing that there
are specialties out against him he is bound to plead his knowledge of them
to me before he pays me, or else he must do it in his own wrong. I took a
great deal of pains this morning in the thorough understanding hereof, and
hope that I know the truth of our case, though it be but bad, yet better
than to run spending money and all to no purpose. However, I will inquire
a little more. Walked home, doing very many errands by the way to my
great content, and at the 'Change met and spoke with several persons about
serving us with pieces of eight at Tangier. So home to dinner above
stairs, my wife not being well of those in bed. I dined by her bedside,
but I got her to rise and abroad with me by coach to Bartholomew Fayre,
and our boy with us, and there shewed them and myself the dancing on the
ropes, and several other the best shows; but pretty it is to see how our
boy carries himself so innocently clownish as would make one laugh. Here
till late and dark, then up and down, to buy combes for my wife to give
her mayds, and then by coach home, and there at the office set down my
day's work, and then home to bed.
3rd. I have had a bad night's rest to-night, not sleeping well, as my
wife observed, and once or twice she did wake me, and I thought myself to
be mightily bit with fleas, and in the morning she chid her mayds for not
looking the fleas a-days. But, when I rose, I found that it is only the
change of the weather from hot to cold, which, as I was two winters ago,
do stop my pores, and so my blood tingles and itches all day all over my
body, and so continued to-day all the day long just as I was then, and if
it continues to be so cold I fear I must come to the same pass, but
sweating cured me then, and I hope, and am told, will this also. At the
office sat all the morning, dined at home, and after dinner to White Hall,
to the Fishing Committee, but not above four of us met, which could do
nothing, and a sad thing it is to see so great a work so ill followed, for
at this pace it can come to any thing at first sight. Mr. Hill came to
tell me that he had got a gentlewoman for my wife, one Mrs. Ferrabosco,
that sings most admirably. I seemed glad of it; but I hear she is too
gallant for me, and I am not sorry that I misse her. Thence to the
office, setting some papers right, and so home to supper and to bed, after
prayers.
5th. Up and to St. James's, and there did our business with the Duke;
where all our discourse of warr in the highest measure. Prince Rupert was
with us; who is fitting himself to go to sea in the Heneretta. And
afterwards in White Hall I met him and Mr. Gray, and he spoke to me, and
in other discourse, says he, "God damn me, I can answer but for one ship,
and in that I will do my part; for it is not in that as in an army, where
a man can command every thing." By and by to a Committee for the Fishery,
the Duke of Yorke there, where, after Duke was made Secretary, we fell to
name a Committee, whereof I was willing to be one, because I would have my
hand in the business, to understand it and be known in doing something in
it; and so, after cutting out work for the Committee, we rose, and I to my
wife to Unthanke's, and with her from shop to shop, laying out near L10
this morning in clothes for her. And so I to the 'Change, where a while,
and so home and to dinner, and thither came W. Bowyer and dined with us;
but strange to see how he could not endure onyons in sauce to lamb, but
was overcome with the sight of it, and so-was forced to make his dinner of
an egg or two. He tells us how Mrs. Lane is undone, by her marrying so
bad, and desires to speak with me, which I know is wholly to get me to do
something for her to get her husband a place, which he is in no wise fit
for. After dinner down to Woolwich with a gaily, and then to Deptford,
and so home, all the way reading Sir J. Suck[l]ing's "Aglaura," which,
methinks, is but a mean play; nothing of design in it. Coming home it is
strange to see how I was troubled to find my wife, but in a necessary
compliment, expecting Mr. Pen to see her, who had been there and was by
her people denied, which, he having been three times, she thought not fit
he should be any more. But yet even this did raise my jealousy presently
and much vex me. However, he did not come, which pleased me, and I to
supper, and to the office till 9 o'clock or thereabouts, and so home to
bed. My aunt James had been here to-day with Kate Joyce twice to see us.
The second time my wife was at home, and they it seems are going down to
Brampton, which I am sorry for, for the charge that my father will be put
to. But it must be borne with, and my mother has a mind to see them, but
I do condemn myself mightily for my pride and contempt of my aunt and
kindred that are not so high as myself, that I have not seen her all this
while, nor invited her all this while.
6th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home to
dinner, then to my office and there waited, thinking to have had Bagwell's
wife come to me about business, that I might have talked with her, but she
came not. So I to White Hall by coach with Mr. Andrews, and there I got
his contract for the victualling of Tangier signed and sealed by us there,
so that all the business is well over, and I hope to have made a good
business of it and to receive L100 by it the next weeke, for which God be
praised! Thence to W. Joyce's and Anthony's, to invite them to dinner to
meet my aunt James at my house, and the rather because they are all to go
down to my father the next weeke, and so I would be a little kind to them
before they go. So home, having called upon Doll, our pretty 'Change
woman, for a pair of gloves trimmed with yellow ribbon, to [match the]
petticoate my wife bought yesterday, which cost me 20s.; but she is so
pretty, that, God forgive me! I could not think it too much--which is a
strange slavery that I stand in to beauty, that I value nothing near it.
So going home, and my coach stopping in Newgate Market over against a
poulterer's shop, I took occasion to buy a rabbit, but it proved a deadly
old one when I came to eat it, as I did do after an hour being at my
office, and after supper again there till past 11 at night. So home,, and
to bed. This day Mr. Coventry did tell us how the Duke did receive the
Dutch Embassador the other day; by telling him that, whereas they think us
in jest, he believes that the Prince (Rupert) which goes in this fleete to
Guinny will soon tell them that we are in earnest, and that he himself
will do the like here, in the head of the fleete here at home, and that
for the meschants, which he told the Duke there were in England, which did
hope to do themselves good by the King's being at warr, says he, the
English have ever united all this private difference to attend foraigne,
and that Cromwell, notwithstanding the meschants in his time, which were
the Cavaliers, did never find them interrupt him in his foraigne
businesses, and that he did not doubt but to live to see the Dutch as
fearfull of provoking the English, under the government of a King, as he
remembers them to have been under that of a Coquin. I writ all this story
to my Lord Sandwich tonight into the Downes, it being very good and true,
word for word from Mr. Coventry to-day.
7th. Lay long to-day, pleasantly discoursing with my wife about the
dinner we are to have for the Joyces, a day or two hence. Then up and
with Mr. Margetts to Limehouse to see his ground and ropeyarde there,
which is very fine, and I believe we shall employ it for the Navy, for the
King's grounds are not sufficient to supply our defence if a warr comes.
Thence back to the 'Change, where great talke of the forwardnesse of the
Dutch, which puts us all to a stand, and particularly myself for my Lord
Sandwich, to think him to lie where he is for a sacrifice, if they should
begin with us. So home and Creed with me, and to dinner, and after dinner
I out to my office, taking in Bagwell's wife, who I knew waited for me,
but company came to me so soon that I could have no discourse with her, as
I intended, of pleasure. So anon abroad with Creed walked to Bartholomew
Fayre, this being the last day, and there saw the best dancing on the
ropes that I think I ever saw in my life, and so all say, and so by coach
home, where I find my wife hath had her head dressed by her woman, Mercer,
which is to come to her to-morrow, but my wife being to go to a
christening tomorrow, she came to do her head up to-night. So a while to
my office, and then to supper and to bed.
8th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning. At noon dined at
home, and I by water down to Woolwich by a galley, and back again in the
evening. All haste made in setting out this Guinny fleete, but yet not
such as will ever do the King's business if we come to a warr. My wife
this afternoon being very well dressed by her new woman, Mary Mercer, a
decayed merchant's daughter that our Will helps us to, did go to the
christening of Mrs. Mills, the parson's wife's child, where she never was
before. After I was come home Mr. Povey came to me and took me out to
supper to Mr. Bland's, who is making now all haste to be gone for Tangier.
Here pretty merry, and good discourse, fain to admire the knowledge and
experience of Mrs. Bland, who I think as good a merchant as her husband.
I went home and there find Mercer, whose person I like well, and I think
will do well, at least I hope so. So to my office a while and then to
bed.
9th. Up, and to put things in order against dinner. I out and bought
several things, among others, a dozen of silver salts; home, and to the
office, where some of us met a little, and then home, and at noon comes my
company, namely, Anthony and Will Joyce and their wives, my aunt James
newly come out of Wales, and my cozen Sarah Gyles. Her husband did not
come, and by her I did understand afterwards, that it was because he was
not yet able to pay me the 40s. she had borrowed a year ago of me.
[Pepys would have been more proud of his cousin had he anticipated
her husband's becoming a knight, for she was probably the same
person whose burial is recorded in the register of St. Helen's,
Bishopsgate, September 4th, 1704: "Dame Sarah Gyles, widow, relict
of Sir John Gyles."--B.]
I was as merry as I could, giving them a good dinner; but W. Joyce did so
talk, that he made every body else dumb, but only laugh at him. I forgot
there was Mr. Harman and his wife, my aunt, a very good harmlesse woman.
All their talke is of her and my two she-cozen Joyces and Will's little
boy Will (who was also here to-day), down to Brampton to my father's next
week, which will be trouble and charge to them, but however my father and
mother desire to see them, and so let them. They eyed mightily my great
cupboard of plate, I this day putting my two flaggons upon my table; and
indeed it is a fine sight, and better than ever I did hope to see of my
owne. Mercer dined with us at table, this being her first dinner in my
house. After dinner left them and to White Hall, where a small Tangier
Committee, and so back again home, and there my wife and Mercer and Tom
and I sat till eleven at night, singing and fiddling, and a great joy it
is to see me master of so much pleasure in my house, that it is and will
be still, I hope, a constant pleasure to me to be at home. The girle
plays pretty well upon the harpsicon, but only ordinary tunes, but hath a
good hand; sings a little, but hath a good voyce and eare. My boy, a
brave boy, sings finely, and is the most pleasant boy at present, while
his ignorant boy's tricks last, that ever I saw. So to supper, and with
great pleasure to bed.
10th. Up and to the office, where we sate all the morning, and I much
troubled to think what the end of our great sluggishness will be, for we
do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr. We must be
put out, or other people put in. Dined at home, and then my wife and I
and Mercer to the Duke's house, and there saw "The Rivalls," which is no
excellent play, but good acting in it; especially Gosnell comes and sings
and dances finely, but, for all that, fell out of the key, so that the
musique could not play to her afterwards, and so did Harris also go out of
the tune to agree with her. Thence home and late writing letters, and
this night I received, by Will, L105, the first-fruits of my endeavours in
the late contract for victualling of Tangier, for which God be praised!
for I can with a safe conscience say that I have therein saved the King
L5000 per annum, and yet got myself a hope of L300 per annum without the
least wrong to the King. So to supper and to bed.
11th (Lord's day). Up and to church in the best manner I have gone a good
while, that is to say, with my wife, and her woman, Mercer, along with us,
and Tom, my boy, waiting on us. A dull sermon. Home, dined, left my wife
to go to church alone, and I walked in haste being late to the Abbey at
Westminster, according to promise to meet Jane Welsh, and there wearily
walked, expecting her till 6 o'clock from three, but no Jane came, which
vexed me, only part of it I spent with Mr. Blagrave walking in the Abbey,
he telling me the whole government and discipline of White Hall Chappell,
and the caution now used against admitting any debauched persons, which I
was glad to hear, though he tells me there are persons bad enough. Thence
going home went by Jarvis's, and there stood Jane at the door, and so I
took her in and drank with her, her master and mistress being out of
doors. She told me how she could not come to me this afternoon, but
promised another time. So I walked home contented with my speaking with
her, and walked to my uncle Wight's, where they were all at supper, and
among others comes fair Mrs. Margarett Wight, who indeed is very pretty.
So after supper home to prayers and to bed. This afternoon, it seems, Sir
J. Minnes fell sicke at church, and going down the gallery stairs fell
down dead, but came to himself again and is pretty well.
12th. Up, and to my cozen Anthony Joyce's, and there took leave of my
aunt James, and both cozens, their wives, who are this day going down to
my father's by coach. I did give my Aunt 20s., to carry as a token to my
mother, and 10s. to Pall. Thence by coach to St. James's, and there did
our business as usual with the Duke; and saw him with great pleasure play
with his little girle,--[Afterwards Queen Mary II.]--like an ordinary
private father of a child. Thence walked to Jervas's, where I took Jane
in the shop alone, and there heard of her, her master and mistress were
going out. So I went away and came again half an hour after. In the
meantime went to the Abbey, and there went in to see the tombs with great
pleasure. Back again to Jane, and there upstairs and drank with her, and
staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing more. Anon took boat
and by water to the Neat Houses over against Fox Hall to have seen
Greatorex dive, which Jervas and his wife were gone to see, and there I
found them (and did it the rather for a pretence for my having been so
long at their house), but being disappointed of some necessaries to do it
I staid not, but back to Jane, but she would not go out with me. So I to
Mr. Creed's lodgings, and with him walked up and down in the New Exchange,
talking mightily of the convenience and necessity of a man's wearing good
clothes, and so after eating a messe of creame I took leave of him, he
walking with me as far as Fleete Conduit, he offering me upon my request
to put out some money for me into Backewell's hands at 6 per cent.
interest, which he seldom gives, which I will consider of, being doubtful
of trusting any of these great dealers because of their mortality, but
then the convenience of having one's money, at an houre's call is very
great. Thence to my uncle Wight's, and there supped with my wife, having
given them a brave barrel of oysters of Povy's giving me. So home and to
bed.
13th. Up and, to the office, where sat busy all morning, dined at home
and after dinner to Fishmonger's Hall, where we met the first time upon
the Fishery Committee, and many good things discoursed of concerning
making of farthings, which was proposed as a way of raising money for this
business, and then that of lotterys,
[Among the State Papers is a "Statement of Articles in the Covenant
proposed by the Commissioners for the Royal Fishing to, Sir Ant.
Desmarces & Co. in reference to the regulation of lotteries; which
are very unreasonable, and of the objections thereto" ("Calendar of
State Papers," Domestic, 1663-64, p. 576.)]
but with great confusion; but I hope we shall fall into greater order. So
home again and to my office, where after doing business home and to a
little musique, after supper, and so to bed.
14th. Up, and wanting some things that should be laid ready for my
dressing myself I was angry, and one thing after another made my wife give
Besse warning to be gone, which the jade, whether out of fear or
ill-nature or simplicity I know not, but she took it and asked leave to go
forth to look a place, and did, which vexed me to the heart, she being as
good a natured wench as ever we shall have, but only forgetful. At the
office all the morning and at noon to the 'Change, and there went off with
Sir W. Warren and took occasion to desire him to lend me L100, which he
said he would let the have with all his heart presently, as he had
promised me a little while ago to give me for my pains in his two great
contracts for masts L100, and that this should be it. To which end I did
move it to him, and by this means I hope to be, possessed of the L100
presently within 2 or 3 days. So home to dinner, and then to the office,
and down to Blackwall by water to view a place found out for laying of
masts, and I think it will be most proper. So home and there find Mr. Pen
come to visit my wife, and staid with them till sent for to Mr. Bland's,
whither by appointment I was to go to supper, and against my will left
them together, but, God knows, without any reason of fear in my conscience
of any evil between them, but such is my natural folly. Being thither
come they would needs have my wife, and so Mr. Bland and his wife (the
first time she was ever at my house or my wife at hers) very civilly went
forth and brought her and W. Pen, and there Mr. Povy and we supped nobly
and very merry, it being to take leave of Mr. Bland, who is upon going
soon to Tangier. So late home and to bed.
15th. At the office all the morning, then to the 'Change, and so home to
dinner, where Luellin dined with us, and after dinner many people came in
and kept me all the afternoon, among other the Master and Wardens of
Chyrurgeon's Hall, who staid arguing their cause with me; I did give them
the best answer I could, and after their being two hours with me parted,
and I to my office to do business, which is much on my hands, and so late
home to supper and to bed.