putting papers to rights. And among other things Mr. Gauden coming to me,
I had a good opportunity to speak to him about his present, which hitherto
hath been a burden: to me, that I could not do it, because I was doubtfull
that he meant it as a temptation to me to stand by him in the business of
Tangier victualling; but he clears me it was not, and that he values me
and my proceedings therein very highly, being but what became me, and that
what he did was for my old kindnesses to him in dispatching of his
business, which I was glad to hear, and with my heart in good rest and
great joy parted, and to my business again. At noon to the 'Change, where
by appointment I met Sir W. Warren, and afterwards to the Sun taverne,
where he brought to me, being all alone; L100 in a bag, which I offered
him to give him my receipt for, but he told me, no, it was my owne, which
he had a little while since promised me and was glad that (as I had told
him two days since) it would now do me courtesy; and so most kindly he did
give it me, and I as joyfully, even out of myself, carried it home in a
coach, he himself expressly taking care that nobody might see this
business done, though I was willing enough to have carried a servant with
me to have received it, but he advised me to do it myself. So home with it
and to dinner; after dinner I forth with my boy to buy severall things,
stools and andirons and candlesticks, &c., household stuff, and walked to
the mathematical instrument maker in Moorefields and bought a large pair
of compasses, and there met Mr. Pargiter, and he would needs have me drink
a cup of horse-radish ale, which he and a friend of his troubled with the
stone have been drinking of, which we did and then walked into the fields
as far almost as Sir G. Whitmore's, all the way talking of Russia, which,
he says, is a sad place; and, though Moscow is a very great city, yet it
is from the distance between house and house, and few people compared with
this, and poor, sorry houses, the Emperor himself living in a wooden
house, his exercise only flying a hawk at pigeons and carrying pigeons ten
or twelve miles off and then laying wagers which pigeon shall come soonest
home to her house. All the winter within doors, some few playing at
chesse, but most drinking their time away. Women live very slavishly
there, and it seems in the Emperor's court no room hath above two or three
windows, and those the greatest not a yard wide or high, for warmth in
winter time; and that the general cure for all diseases there is their
sweating houses, or people that are poor they get into their ovens, being
heated, and there lie. Little learning among things of any sort. Not a
man that speaks Latin, unless the Secretary of State by chance. Mr.
Pargiter and I walked to the 'Change together and there parted, and so I
to buy more things and then home, and after a little at my office, home to
supper and to bed. This day old Hardwicke came and redeemed a watch he
had left with me in pawne for 40s. seven years ago, and I let him gave it.
Great talk that the Dutch will certainly be out this week, and will sail
directly to Guinny, being convoyed out of the Channel with 42 sail of
ships.
17th. Up and to the office, where Mr. Coventry very angry to see things
go so coldly as they do, and I must needs say it makes me fearful every
day of having some change of the office, and the truth is, I am of late a
little guilty of being remiss myself of what I used to be, but I hope I
shall come to my old pass again, my family being now settled again. Dined
at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my businesses
in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting afternoon's work.
This day my aunt Wight sent my wife a new scarfe, with a compliment for
the many favours she had received of her, which is the several things we
have sent her. I am glad enough of it, for I see my uncle is so given up
to the Wights that I hope for little more of them. So home to supper and
to bed.
18th (Lord's day). Up and to church all of us. At noon comes Anthony and
W. Joyce (their wives being in the country with my father) and dined with
me very merry as I can be in such company. After dinner walked to
Westminster (tiring them by the way, and so left them, Anthony in
Cheapside and the other in the Strand), and there spent all the afternoon
in the Cloysters as I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came not, which
vexed me, staying till 5 o'clock, and then walked homeward, and by coach
to the old Exchange, and thence to my aunt Wight's, and invited her and my
uncle to supper, and so home, and by and by they came, and we eat a brave
barrel of oysters Mr. Povy sent me this morning, and very merry at supper,
and so to prayers and to bed. Last night it seems my aunt Wight did send
my wife a new scarfe, laced, as a token for her many givings to her. It
is true now and then we give them some toys, as oranges, &c., but my aime
is to get myself something more from my uncle's favour than this.
19th. Up, my wife and I having a little anger about her woman already,
she thinking that I take too much care of her at table to mind her (my
wife) of cutting for her, but it soon over, and so up and with Sir W.
Batten and Sir W. Pen to St. James's, and there did our business with the
Duke, and thence homeward straight, calling at the Coffee-house, and there
had very good discourse with Sir----Blunt and Dr. Whistler about Egypt and
other things. So home to dinner, my wife having put on to-day her winter
new suit of moyre, which is handsome, and so after dinner I did give her
L15 to lay out in linen and necessaries for the house and to buy a suit
for Pall, and I myself to White Hall to a Tangier Committee, where
Colonell Reames hath brought us so full and methodical an account of all
matters there, that I never have nor hope to see the like of any publique
business while I live again. The Committee up, I to Westminster to
Jervas's, and spoke with Jane; who I find cold and not so desirous of a
meeting as before, and it is no matter, I shall be the freer from the
inconvenience that might follow thereof, besides offending God Almighty
and neglecting my business. So by coach home and to my office, where
late, and so to supper and to bed. I met with Dr. Pierce to-day, who,
speaking of Dr. Frazier's being so earnest to have such a one (one
Collins) go chyrurgeon to the Prince's person will have him go in his
terms and with so much money put into his hands, he tells me (when I was
wondering that Frazier should order things with the Prince in that
confident manner) that Frazier is so great with my Lady Castlemayne, and
Stewart, and all the ladies at Court, in helping to slip their calfes when
there is occasion, and with the great men in curing of their claps that he
can do what he please with the King, in spite of any man, and upon the
same score with the Prince; they all having more or less occasion to make
use of him. Sir G. Carteret tells me this afternoon that the Dutch are
not yet ready to set out; and by that means do lose a good wind which
would carry them out and keep us in, and moreover he says that they begin
to boggle in the business, and he thinks may offer terms of peace for all
this, and seems to argue that it will be well for the King too, and I pray
God send it. Colonell Reames did, among other things, this day tell me
how it is clear that, if my Lord Tiviott had lived, he would have quite
undone Tangier, or designed himself to be master of it. He did put the
King upon most great, chargeable, and unnecessary works there, and took
the course industriously to deter, all other merchants but himself to deal
there, and to make both King and all others pay what he pleased for all
that was brought thither.
20th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, at noon to the
'Change, and there met by appointment with Captain Poyntz, who hath some
place, or title to a place, belonging to gameing, and so I discoursed with
him about the business of our improving of the Lotterys, to the King's
benefit, and that of the Fishery, and had some light from him in the
business, and shall, he says, have more in writing from him. So home to
dinner and then abroad to the Fishing Committee at Fishmongers' Hall, and
there sat and did some business considerable, and so up and home, and
there late at my office doing much business, and I find with great delight
that I am come to my good temper of business again. God continue me in
it. So home to supper, it being washing day, and to bed.
21st. Up, and by coach to Mr. Povy's, and there got him to signe the
payment of Captain Tayler's bills for the remainder of freight for the
Eagle, wherein I shall be gainer about L30, thence with him to Westminster
by coach to Houseman's [Huysman] the great picture drawer, and saw again
very fine pictures, and have his promise, for Mr. Povy's sake, to take
pains in what picture I shall set him about, and I think to have my
wife's. But it is a strange thing to observe and fit for me to remember
that I am at no time so unwilling to part with money as when I am
concerned in the getting of it most, as I thank God of late I have got
more in this month, viz. near 0250, than ever I did in half a year before
in my life, I think. Thence to White Hall with him, and so walked to the
old Exchange and back to Povy's to dinner, where great and good company;
among others Sir John Skeffington, whom I knew at Magdalen College, a
fellow-commoner, my fellow-pupil, but one with whom I had no great
acquaintance, he being then, God knows, much above me. Here I was afresh
delighted with Mr. Povy's house and pictures of perspective, being strange
things to think how they do delude one's eye, that methinks it would make
a man doubtful of swearing that ever he saw any thing. Thence with him to
St. James's, and so to White Hall to a Tangier Committee, and hope I have
light of another opportunity of getting a little money if Sir W. Warren
will use me kindly for deales to Tangier, and with the hopes went joyfully
home, and there received Captain Tayler's money, received by Will to-day,
out of which (as I said above) I shall get above L30. So with great
comfort to bed, after supper. By discourse this day I have great hopes
from Mr. Coventry that the Dutch and we shall not fall out.
22nd. Up and at the office all the morning. To the 'Change at noon, and
among other things discoursed with Sir William Warren what I might do to
get a little money by carrying of deales to Tangier, and told him the
opportunity I have there of doing it, and he did give me some advice,
though not so good as he would have done at any other time of the year,
but such as I hope to make good use of, and get a little money by. So to
Sir G. Carteret's to dinner, and he and I and Captain Cocke all alone, and
good discourse, and thence to a Committee of Tangier at White Hall, and so
home, where I found my wife not well, and she tells me she thinks she is
with child, but I neither believe nor desire it. But God's will be done!
So to my office late, and home to supper and to bed; having got a strange
cold in my head, by flinging off my hat at dinner, and sitting with the
wind in my neck.
[In Lord Clarendon's Essay, "On the decay of respect paid to Age,"
he says that in his younger days he never kept his hat on before
those older than himself, except at dinner.--B.]
23rd. My cold and pain in my head increasing, and the palate of my mouth
falling, I was in great pain all night. My wife also was not well, so
that a mayd was fain to sit up by her all night. Lay long in the morning,
at last up, and amongst others comes Mr. Fuller, that was the wit of
Cambridge, and Praevaricator
[At the Commencement (Comitia Majora) in July, the Praevaricator, or
Varier, held a similar position to the Tripos at the Comitia Minora.
He was so named from varying the question which he proposed, either
by a play upon the words or by the transposition of the terms in
which it was expressed. Under the pretence of maintaining some
philosophical question, he poured out a medley of absurd jokes and
'personal ridicule, which gradually led to the abolition of the
office. In Thoresby's "Diary" we read, "Tuesday, July 6th. The
Praevaricator's speech was smart and ingenious, attended with
vollies of hurras" (see Wordsworth's "University Life in the
Eighteenth Century ").--M. B.]
in my time, and staid all the morning with me discoursing, and his
business to get a man discharged, which I did do for him. Dined with
little heart at noon, in the afternoon against my will to the office,
where Sir G. Carteret and we met about an order of the Council for the
hiring him a house, giving him L1000 fine, and L70 per annum for it. Here
Sir J. Minnes took occasion, in the most childish and most unbeseeming
manner, to reproach us all, but most himself, that he was not valued as
Comptroller among us, nor did anything but only set his hand to paper,
which is but too true; and every body had a palace, and he no house to lie
in, and wished he had but as much to build him a house with, as we have
laid out in carved worke. It was to no end to oppose, but all bore it,
and after laughed at him for it. So home, and late reading "The Siege of
Rhodes" to my wife, and then to bed, my head being in great pain and my
palate still down.
24th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy, then home to
dinner, and so after dinner comes one Phillips, who is concerned in the
Lottery, and from him I collected much concerning that business. I
carried him in my way to White Hall and set him down at Somersett House.
Among other things he told me that Monsieur Du Puy, that is so great a man
at the Duke of Yorke's, and this man's great opponent, is a knave and by
quality but a tailor. To the Tangier Committee, and there I opposed
Colonell Legg's estimate of supplies of provisions to be sent to Tangier
till all were ashamed of it, and he fain after all his good husbandry and
seeming ignorance and joy to have the King's money saved, yet afterwards
he discovered all his design to be to keep the furnishing of these things
to the officers of the Ordnance, but Mr. Coventry seconded me, and between
us we shall save the King some money in the year. In one business of
deales in L520, I offer to save L172, and yet purpose getting money, to
myself by it. So home and to my office, and business being done home to
supper and so to bed, my head and throat being still out of order
mightily. This night Prior of Brampton came and paid me L40, and I find
this poor painful man is the only thriving and purchasing man in the town
almost. We were told to-day of a Dutch ship of 3 or 400 tons, where all
the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore at Gottenburgh.
25th (Lord's day). Up, and my throat being yet very sore, and, my head
out of order, we went not to church, but I spent all the morning reading
of "The Madd Lovers," a very good play, and at noon comes Harman and his
wife, whom I sent for to meet the Joyces, but they came not. It seems
Will has got a fall off his horse and broke his face. However, we were as
merry as I could in their company, and we had a good chine of beef, but I
had no taste nor stomach through my cold, and therefore little pleased
with my dinner. It raining, they sat talking with us all the afternoon.
So anon they went away; and then I to read another play, "The Custome of
the Country," which is a very poor one, methinks. Then to supper,
prayers, and bed.
26th. Up pretty well again, but my mouth very scabby, my cold being going
away, so that I was forced to wear a great black patch, but that would not
do much good, but it happens we did not go to the Duke to-day, and so I
staid at home busy all the morning. At noon, after dinner, to the
'Change, and thence home to my office again, where busy, well employed
till 10 at night, and so home to supper and to bed, my mind a little
troubled that I have not of late kept up myself so briske in business; but
mind my ease a little too much and my family upon the coming of Mercer and
Tom. So that I have not kept company, nor appeared very active with Mr.
Coventry, but now I resolve to settle to it again, not that I have idled
all my time, but as to my ease something. So I have looked a little too
much after Tangier and the Fishery, and that in the sight of Mr. Coventry,
but I have good reason to love myself for serving Tangier, for it is one
of the best flowers in my garden.
27th. Lay long, sleeping, it raining and blowing very hard. Then up and
to the office, my mouth still being scabby and a patch on it. At the
office all the morning. At noon dined at home, and so after dinner
(Lewellin dining with me and in my way talking about Deering) to the
Fishing Committee, and had there very many fine things argued, and I hope
some good will cone of it. So home, where my wife having (after all her
merry discourse of being with child) her months upon her is gone to bed. I
to my office very late doing business, then home to supper and to bed.
To-night Mr. T. Trice and Piggot came to see me, and desire my going down
to Brampton Court, where for Piggot's sake, for whom it is necessary, I
should go, I would be glad to go, and will, contrary to my purpose,
endeavour it, but having now almost L1000, if not above, in my house, I
know not what to do with it, and that will trouble my mind to leave in the
house, and I not at home.
28th. Up and by water with Mr. Tucker down to Woolwich, first to do
several businesses of the King's, then on board Captain Fisher's ship,
which we hire to carry goods to Tangier. All the way going and coming I
reading and discoursing over some papers of his which he, poor man, having
some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit, did at the King's
first coming over make proposals of, ordering in a new manner the whole
revenue of the kingdom, but, God knows, a most weak thing; however, one
paper I keep wherein he do state the main branches of the publick revenue
fit to consider and remember. So home, very cold, and fearfull of having
got some pain, but, thanks be to God! I was well after it. So to dinner,
and after dinner by coach to White Hall, thinking to have met at a
Committee of Tangier, but nobody being there but my Lord Rutherford, he
would needs carry me and another Scotch Lord to a play, and so we saw,
coming late, part of "The Generall," my Lord Orrery's (Broghill) second
play; but, Lord! to see how no more either in words, sense, or design, it
is to his "Harry the 5th" is not imaginable, and so poorly acted, though
in finer clothes, is strange. And here I must confess breach of a vowe in
appearance, but I not desiring it, but against my will, and my oathe being
to go neither at my own charge nor at another's, as I had done by becoming
liable to give them another, as I am to Sir W. Pen and Mr. Creed; but here
I neither know which of them paid for me, nor, if I did, am I obliged ever
to return the like, or did it by desire or with any willingness. So that
with a safe conscience I do think my oathe is not broke and judge God
Almighty will not think it other wise. Thence to W. Joyce's, and there
found my aunt and cozen Mary come home from my father's with great
pleasure and content, and thence to Kate's and found her also mighty
pleased with her journey and their good usage of them, and so home,
troubled in my conscience at my being at a play. But at home I found
Mercer playing on her Vyall, which is a pretty instrument, and so I to the
Vyall and singing till late, and so to bed. My mind at a great losse how
to go down to Brampton this weeke, to satisfy Piggott; but what with the
fears of my house, my money, my wife, and my office, I know not how in the
world to think of it, Tom Hater being out of towne, and I having near
L1000 in my house.
29th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, dined at home and
Creed with me; after dinner I to Sir G. Carteret, and with him to his new
house he is taking in Broad Streete, and there surveyed all the rooms and
bounds, in order to the drawing up a lease thereof; and that done, Mr.
Cutler, his landlord, took me up and down, and showed me all his ground
and house, which is extraordinary great, he having bought all the
Augustine Fryers, and many, many a L1000 he hath and will bury there. So
home to my business, clearing my papers and preparing my accounts against
tomorrow for a monthly and a great auditt. So to supper and to bed.
Fresh newes come of our beating the Dutch at Guinny quite out of all their
castles almost, which will make them quite mad here at home sure. And Sir
G. Carteret did tell me, that the King do joy mightily at it; but asked
him laughing, "But," says he, "how shall I do to answer this to the
Embassador when he comes?" Nay they say that we have beat them out of the
New Netherlands too;
[Captain (afterwards Sir Robert) Holmes' expedition to attack the
Dutch settlements in Africa eventuated in an important exploit.
Holmes suddenly left the coast of Africa, sailed across the
Atlantic, and reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to
English rule, under the title of New York. "The short and true
state of the matter is this: the country mentioned was part of the
province of Virginia, and, as there is no settling an extensive
country at once, a few Swedes crept in there, who surrendered the
plantations they could not defend to the Dutch, who, having bought
the charts and papers of one Hudson, a seaman, who, by the
commission from the crown of England, discovered a river, to which
he gave his name, conceited they had purchased a province.
Sometimes, when we had strength in those parts, they were English
subjects; at others, when that strength declined, they were subjects
of the United Provinces. However, upon King Charles's claim the
States disowned the title, but resumed it during our confusions. On
March 12th, 1663-64, Charles II. granted it to the Duke of York
. . . The King sent Holmes, when he returned, to the Tower, and did
not discharge him; till he made it evidently appear that he had not
infringed the law of nations ". (Campbell's "Naval History," vol.
ii, p., 89). How little did the King or Holmes himself foresee
the effects of the capture,--B.]
so that we have been doing them mischief for a great while in several
parts of the world; without publique knowledge or reason. Their fleete
for Guinny is now, they say, ready, and abroad, and will be going this
week. Coming home to-night, I did go to examine my wife's house accounts,
and finding things that seemed somewhat doubtful, I was angry though she
did make it pretty plain, but confessed that when she do misse a sum, she
do add something to other things to make it, and, upon my being very
angry, she do protest she will here lay up something for herself to buy
her a necklace with, which madded me and do still trouble me, for I fear
she will forget by degrees the way of living cheap and under a sense of
want.
30th. Up, and all day, both morning and afternoon, at my accounts, it
being a great month, both for profit and layings out, the last being L89
for kitchen and clothes for myself and wife, and a few extraordinaries for
the house; and my profits, besides salary, L239; so that I have this
weeke, notwithstanding great layings out, and preparations for laying out,
which I make as paid this month, my balance to come to L1203, for which
the Lord's name be praised! Dined at home at noon, staying long looking
for Kate Joyce and my aunt James and Mary, but they came not. So my wife
abroad to see them, and took Mary Joyce to a play. Then in the evening
came and sat working by me at the office, and late home to supper and to
bed, with my heart in good rest for this day's work, though troubled to
think that my last month's negligence besides the making me neglect
business and spend money, and lessen myself both as to business and the
world and myself, I am fain to preserve my vowe by paying 20s. dry--[ Dry
= hard, as "hard cash." ]--money into the poor's box, because I had not
fulfilled all my memorandums and paid all my petty debts and received all
my petty credits, of the last month, but I trust in God I shall do so no
more.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
All the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore
And with the great men in curing of their claps
Expressly taking care that nobody might see this business done
Having some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit
Helping to slip their calfes when there is occasion
Her months upon her is gone to bed
I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came not, which vexed me
Lay long caressing my wife and talking
Let her brew as she has baked
New Netherlands to English rule, under the title of New York
Reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to English rule
Staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing more
Strange slavery that I stand in to beauty
Thinks she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it
Up, my mind very light from my last night's accounts
We do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr
Would either conform, or be more wise, and not be catched!