case there should be occasion, for I hear he will have counsel to plead
for him in the Court, and so about nine o'clock to the court at the
Lordshipp where the jury was called; and there being vacancies, they would
have had my father, in respect to him, [to] have been one of the Homage,
but he thought fit to refuse it, he not knowing enough the customs of the
town. They being sworn and the charge given them, they fell to our
business, finding the heir-at-law to be my uncle Thomas; but Sir Robert
[Bernard] did tell them that he had seen how the estate was devised to my
father by my uncle's will, according to the custom of the manour, which
they would have denied, first, that it was not according to the custom of
the manour, proposing some difficulty about the half-acre of land which is
given the heir-at-law according to custom, which did put me into great
fear lest it might not be in my uncle's possession at his death, but
mortgaged with other to T. Trice (who was there, and was with my good will
admitted to Taylor's house mortgaged to him if not being worth the money
for which it was mortgaged, which I perceive he now, although he lately
bragged the contrary, yet is now sensible of, and would have us to redeem
it with money, and he would now resurrender it to us rather than the
heir-at-law) or else that it was part of Goody Gorum's in which she has a
life, and so might not be capable of being according to the custom given
to the heir-at-law, but Will Stanks tells me we are sure enough against
all that. Then they fell to talk of Piggott's land mortgaged to my uncle,
but he never admitted to it, which they now as heir would have admitted
to. But the steward, as he promised me, did find pretensions very kindly
and readily to put off their admittance, by which I find they are much
defeated, and if ever, I hope, will now listen to a treaty and agreement
with us, at our meeting at London. So they took their leaves of the
steward and Court, and went away, and by and by, after other business many
brought in, they broke up to dinner. So my father and I home with great
content to dinner; my mind now as full against the afternoon business,
which we sat upon after dinner at the Court, and did sue out a recovery,
and cut off the intayle; and my brothers there, to join therein. And my
father and I admitted to all the lands; he for life, and I for myself and
my heirs in reversion, and then did surrender according to bargain to
Prior, Greene, and Shepheard the three cottages with their appurtenances
that they have bought of us, and that being done and taken leave of the
steward, I did with most compleat joy of mind go from the Court with my
father home, and in a quarter of an hour did get on horseback, with my
brother Tom, Cooke, and Will, all mounted, and without eating or drinking,
take leave of father, mother, Pall, to whom I did give 10s., but have
shown no kindness since I come, for I find her so very ill-natured that I
cannot love her, and she so cruel a hypocrite that she can cry when she
pleases, and John and I away, calling in at Hinchingbroke, and taking
leave in three words of my Lady, and the young ladies; and so by moonlight
most bravely all the way to Cambridge, with great pleasure, whither we
come at about nine o'clock, and took up at the Bear, but the house being
full of guests we had very ill lodging, which troubled me, but had a
supper, and my mind at good ease, and so to bed. Will in another bed in
my chamber.
15th. My mind, though out of trouble, yet intent upon my journey home,
being desirous to know how all my matters go there, I could hardly sleep,
but waked very early; and, when it was time, did call up Will, and we
rose, and musique (with a bandore
[A musical instrument with wire strings, and sounded with a
plectrum; used as a bass to the cittern. The banjo is a
modification of the bandore, as the name is a negro corruption of
that word.]
for the base) did give me a levett;
[A blast of trumpets, intended as a 'reveillee', from French lever.
"First he that led the Cavalcade
Wore a Sow-gelder's Flagellet,
On which he blew as strong a Levet
As well-feed Lawyer on his breviate."
Hudibras, II. ii. v. 609.]
and so we got ready; and while breakfast was providing, I went forth (by
the way finding Mr. George Mountagu and his Lady, whom I saluted, going to
take their coach thus early to proceed on their journey, they having
lodged in the chamber just under me all this night) and showed Mr. Cooke
King's College Chapel, Trinity College, and St. John's College Library;
and that being done, to our inn again: where I met Dr. Fairbrother brought
thither by my brother Tom, and he did breakfast with us, a very
good-natured man he is, and told us how the room we were in was the room
where Cromwell and his associated officers did begin to plot and act their
mischiefs in these counties. Having eat well, only our oysters proving
bad, we mounted, having a pair of boots that I borrowed and carried with
me from Impington, my own to be sent from Cambridge to London, and took
leave of all, and begun our journey about nine o'clock. After we had rode
about 10 miles we got out of our way into Royston road, which did vex me
cruelly, and the worst for that my brother's horse, which was lame
yesterday, grows worse to-day, that he could not keep pace with us. At
last with much ado we got into the road again, having misguided also a
gentleman's man who had lost his master and thought us to be going the
same way did follow us, but coming into the road again we met with his
master, by his coat a divine, but I perceiving Tom's horse not able to
keep with us, I desired Mr. Cooke and him to take their own time, and Will
and I we rode before them keeping a good pace, and came to Ware about
three o'clock in the afternoon, the ways being every where but bad. Here
I fell into acquaintance and eat and drank with the divine, but know not
who he is, and after an hour's bait to myself and horses he, though
resolved to have lodged there, yet for company would out again, and so we
remounted at four o'clock, and he went with me as far almost as Tibbald's
and there parted with us, taking up there for all night, but finding our
horses in good case and the night being pretty light, though by reason of
clouds the moon did not shine out, we even made shift from one place to
another to reach London, though both of us very weary. And having left
our horses at their masters, walked home, found all things well, and with
full joy, though very weary, came home and went to bed, there happening
nothing since our going to my discontent in the least degree; which do so
please me, that I cannot but bless God for my journey, observing a whole
course of success from the beginning to the end of it, and I do find it to
be the reward of my diligence, which all along in this has been
extraordinary, for I have not had the least kind of divertisement
imaginable since my going forth, but merely carrying on my business which
God has been pleased to bless. So to bed very hot and feverish by being
weary, but early morning the fever was over.
16th. And so I rose in good temper, finding a good chimneypiece made in
my upper dining-room chamber, and the diningroom wainscoat in a good
forwardness, at which I am glad, and then to the office, where by T. Hater
I found all things to my mind, and so we sat at the office till noon, and
then at home to dinner with my wife. Then coming Mr. Creede in order to
some business with Sir J. Minnes about his accounts, this afternoon I took
him to the Treasury office, where Sir John and I did stay late paying some
money to the men that are saved out of the Satisfaction that was lost the
other day. The King gives them half-pay, which is more than is used in
such cases, for they never used to have any thing, and yet the men were
most outrageously discontented, and did rail and curse us till I was
troubled to hear it, and wished myself unconcerned therein. Mr. Creede
seeing us engaged took leave of us. Here late, and so home, and at the
office set down my journey-journall to this hour, and so shut up my book,
giving God thanks for my good success therein, and so home, and to supper,
and to bed. I hear Mr. Moore is in a way of recovery. Sir H. Bennet made
Secretary of State in Sir Edward Nicholas's stead; not known whether by
consent or not. My brother Tom and Cooke are come to town I hear this
morning, and he sends me word that his mistress's mother is also come to
treat with us about her daughter's portion and her jointure, which I am
willing should be out of Sturtlow lands.
17th. This morning Tom comes to me, and I advise him how to deal with his
mistress's mother about his giving her a joynture, but I intend to speak
with her shortly, and tell her my mind. Then to my Lord Sandwich by
water, and told him how well things do go in the country with me, of which
he was very glad, and seems to concern himself much for me. Thence with
Mr. Creed to Westminster Hall, and by and by thither comes Captn. Ferrers,
upon my sending for him, and we three to Creed's chamber, and there sat a
good while and drank chocolate. Here I am told how things go at Court;
that the young men get uppermost, and the old serious lords are out of
favour; that Sir H. Bennet, being brought into Sir Edward Nicholas's
place, Sir Charles Barkeley is made Privy Purse; a most vicious person,
and one whom Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, to-day (at which I laugh to myself),
did tell me that he offered his wife L300 per annum to be his mistress.
He also told me that none in Court hath more the King's ear now than Sir
Charles Barkeley, and Sir H. Bennet, and my Lady Castlemaine, whose
interest is now as great as ever and that Mrs. Haslerigge, the great
beauty, is got with child, and now brought to bed, and lays it to the King
or the Duke of York.
[The child was owned by neither of the royal brothers.--B.]
He tells me too that my Lord St. Albans' is like to be Lord Treasurer: all
which things do trouble me much. Here I staid talking a good while, and
so by water to see Mr. Moore, who is out of bed and in a way to be well,
and thence home, and with Commr. Pett by water to view Wood's masts that
he proffers to sell, which we found bad, and so to Deptford to look over
some businesses, and so home and I to my office, all our talk being upon
Sir J. M. and Sir W. B.'s base carriage against him at their late being at
Chatham, which I am sorry to hear, but I doubt not but we shall fling Sir
W. B. upon his back ere long. At my office, I hearing Sir W. Pen was not
well, I went to him to see, and sat with him, and so home and to bed.
18th. This morning, having resolved of my brother's entertaining his
mistress's mother to-morrow, I sent my wife thither to-day to lie there
to-night and to direct him in the business, and I all the morning at the
office, and the afternoon intent upon my workmen, especially my joyners,
who will make my dining room very pretty. At night to my office to
dispatch business, and then to see Sir W. Pen, who continues in great
pain, and so home and alone to bed, but my head being full of my own and
my brother Tom's business I could hardly sleep, though not in much
trouble, but only multitude of thoughts.
19th (Lord's day). Got me ready in the morning and put on my first new
laceband; and so neat it is, that I am resolved my great expense shall be
lacebands, and it will set off any thing else the more. So walked to my
brother's, where I met Mr. Cooke, and discoursing with him do find that he
and Tom have promised a joynture of L50 to his mistress, and say that I
did give my consent that she should be joyntured in L30 per ann. for
Sturtlow, and the rest to be made up out of her portion. At which I was
stark mad, and very angry the business should be carried with so much
folly and against my mind and all reason. But I was willing to forbear
discovering of it, and did receive Mrs. Butler, her mother, Mr. Lull and
his wife, very civil people, very kindly, and without the least
discontent, and Tom had a good and neat dinner for us. We had little
discourse of any business, but leave it to one Mr. Smith on her part and
myself on ours. So we staid till sermon was done, and I took leave, and
to see Mr. Moore, who recovers well; and his doctor coming to him, one Dr.
Merrit, we had some of his very good discourse of anatomy, and other
things, very pleasant. By and by, I with Mr. Townsend walked in the
garden, talking and advising with him about Tom's business, and he tells
me he will speak with Smith, and says I offer fair to give her L30
joynture and no more. Thence Tom waiting for me homewards towards my
house, talking and scolding him for his folly, and telling him my mind
plainly what he has to trust to if he goes this way to work, for he shall
never have her upon the terms they demand of L50. He left me, and I to my
uncle Wight, and there supped, and there was pretty Mistress Margt. Wight,
whom I esteem very pretty, and love dearly to look upon her. We were very
pleasant, I droning with my aunt and them, but I am sorry to hear that the
news of the selling of Dunkirk
[A treaty was signed on the 27th October by which Dunkirk was sold
to France for five million livres, two of which were to be paid
immediately, and the remaining three by eight bills at dates varying
from three months to two years; during which time the King of
England was to contribute the aid of a naval force, if necessary,
for defence against Spain. Subsequently the remaining three
millions were reduced to 2,500,000 to be paid at Paris, and 254,000
in London. It is not known that Clarendon suggested the sale of
Dunkirk, but it is certain that he adopted the measure with zeal.
There is also no doubt that he got as much as France could be
induced to give.--Lister's Life of Clarendon, ii. 173-4.]
is taken so generally ill, as I find it is among the merchants; and other
things, as removal of officers at Court, good for worse; and all things
else made much worse in their report among people than they are. And this
night, I know not upon what ground, the gates of the City ordered to be
kept shut, and double guards every where. So home, and after preparing
things against to-morrow for the Duke, to bed. Indeed I do find every
body's spirit very full of trouble; and the things of the Court and
Council very ill taken; so as to be apt to appear in bad colours, if there
should ever be a beginning of trouble, which God forbid!
20th. Up and in Sir J. Minnes's coach with him and Sir W. Batten to White
Hall, where now the Duke is come again to lodge: and to Mr. Coventry's
little new chamber there. And by and by up to the Duke, who was making
himself ready; and there among other discourse young Killigrew did so
commend "The Villaine," a new play made by Tom Porter; and acted only on
Saturday at the Duke's house, as if there never had been any such play
come upon the stage. The same yesterday was told me by Captain Ferrers;
and this morning afterwards by Dr. Clerke, who saw it. Insomuch that
after I had done with the Duke, and thence gone with Commissioner Pett to
Mr. Lilly's, the great painter, who came forth to us; but believing that I
come to bespeak a picture, he prevented us by telling us, that he should
not be at leisure these three weeks; which methinks is a rare thing. And
then to see in what pomp his table was laid for himself to go to dinner;
and here, among other pictures, saw the so much desired by me picture of
my Lady Castlemaine, which is a most blessed picture; and that that I must
have a copy of. And having thence gone to my brother's, where my wife
lodged last night, and eat something there, I took her by coach to the
Duke's house, and there was the house full of company: but whether it was
in over-expecting or what, I know not, but I was never less pleased with a
play in my life. Though there was good singing and dancing, yet no fancy
in the play, but something that made it less contenting was my conscience
that I ought not to have gone by my vow, and, besides, my business
commanded me elsewhere. But, however, as soon as I came home I did pay my
crown to the poor's box, according to my vow, and so no harm as to that is
done, but only business lost and money lost, and my old habit of pleasure
wakened, which I will keep down the more hereafter, for I thank God these
pleasures are not sweet to me now in the very enjoying of them. So by
coach home, and after a little business at my office, and seeing Sir W.
Pen, who continues ill, I went to bed. Dunkirk, I am confirmed, is
absolutely sold; for which I am very sorry.
21st. Up, and while I was dressing myself, my brother Tom being there I
did chide him for his folly in abusing himself about the match, for I
perceive he do endeavour all he can to get her, and she and her friends to
have more than her portion deserves, which now from 6 or L700 is come to
L450. I did by several steps shew Tom how he would not be L100 the better
for her according to the ways he took to joynture her. After having done
with him to the office, and there all the morning, and in the middle of
our sitting my workmen setting about the putting up of my rails upon my
leads, Sir J. Minnes did spy them and fell a-swearing, which I took no
notice of, but was vexed, and am still to the very heart for it, for fear
it should put him upon taking the closett and my chamber from me, which I
protest I am now afraid of. But it is my very great folly to be so much
troubled at these trifles, more than at the loss of L100, or things of
greater concernment; but I forget the lesson I use to preach to others.
After dinner to my office with my head and heart full of troublesome
business, and thence by water with Mr. Smith, to Mr. Lechmore, the
Counsellor at the Temple, about Field's business; and he tells me plainly
that, there being a verdict against me, there is no help for it, but it
must proceed to judgment. It is L30 damage to me for my joining with
others in committing Field to prison, we being not justices of the Peace
in the City, though in Middlesex; this troubled me, but I hope the King
will make it good to us. Thence to Mr. Smith, the scrivener, upon Ludgate
Hill, to whom Mrs. Butler do committ her business concerning her daughter
and my brother. He tells me her daughter's portion is but L400, at which
I am more troubled than before; and they find fault that his house is too
little. So after I had told him my full mind, I went away to meet again
to-morrow, but I believe the business will be broke off, which for Tom's
sake I am much grieved for, but it cannot be helped without his ruin.
Thence to see Mr. Moore, who is pretty well again, and we read over and
discoursed about Mrs. Goldsborough's business, and her son coming by my
appointment thither, I did tell him our resolution as to her having her
estate reconveyed to her. Hither also came my brother, and before Mr.
Moore I did advise and counsel him about his match, and how we had all
been abused by Mr. Cooke's folly. So home and to my office, and there
settled many businesses, and so home and to supper, and so to bed, Sir W.
Pen being still in great pain.
22nd. Up, and carrying my wife and her brother to Covent Garden, near
their father's new lodging, by coach, I to my Lord Sandwich's, who
receives me now more and more kindly, now he sees that I am respected in
the world; and is my most noble patron. Here I staid and talked about
many things, with my Lord and Mr. Povy, being there about Tangier
business, for which the Commission is a taking out. Hence (after talking
with Mr. Cooke, whom I met here about Mrs. Butler's portion, he do persist
to say that it will be worth L600 certain, when he knows as well as I do
now that it is but L400, and so I told him, but he is a fool, and has made
fools of us). So I by water to my brother's, and thence to Mr. Smith's,
where I was, last night, and there by appointment met Mrs. Butler, with
whom I plainly discoursed and she with me. I find she will give but L400,
and no more, and is not willing to do that without a joynture, which she
expects and I will not grant for that portion, and upon the whole I find
that Cooke has made great brags on both sides, and so has abused us both,
but know not how to help it, for I perceive she had much greater
expectations of Tom's house and being than she finds. But however we did
break off the business wholly, but with great love and kindness between
her and me, and would have been glad we had known one another's minds
sooner, without being misguided by this fellow to both our shames and
trouble. For I find her a very discreet, sober woman, and her daughter, I
understand and believe, is a good lady; and if portions did agree, though
she finds fault with Tom's house, and his bad imperfection in his speech,
I believe we should well agree in other matters. After taking a kind
farewell, I to Tom's, and there did give him a full account of this sad
news, with which I find he is much troubled, but do appear to me to be
willing to be guided herein, and apprehends that it is not for his good to
do otherwise, and so I do persuade [him] to follow his business again, and
I hope he will, but for Cooke's part and Dr. Pepys, I shall know them for
two fools another time. Hence, it raining hard, by coach home, being first
trimmed here by Benier, who being acquainted with all the players, do tell
me that Betterton is not married to Ianthe, as they say; but also that he
is a very sober, serious man, and studious and humble, following of his
studies, and is rich already with what he gets and saves, and then to my
office till late, doing great deal of business, and settling my mind in
pretty good order as to my business, though at present they are very many.
So home and to bed. This night was buried, as I hear by the bells at
Barking Church, my poor Morena,
[The burial of Elizabeth, daughter of John Dekins or Dickens, is
recorded in the parish register of All Hallows, Barking, as having
taken place on October 22nd. See ante, October 3rd]
whose sickness being desperate, did kill her poor father; and he being
dead for sorrow, she could not recover, nor desire to live, but from that
time do languish more and more, and so is now dead and buried.
23rd. Up and among my workmen, and so to the office, and there sitting
all the morning we stept all out to visit Sir W. Batten, who it seems has
not been well all yesterday, but being let blood is now pretty well, and
Sir W. Pen after office I went to see, but he continues in great pain of
the gout and in bed, cannot stir hand nor foot but with great pain. So to
my office all the evening putting things public and private in order, and
so at night home and to supper and to bed, finding great content since I
am come to follow my business again, which God preserve in me.
24th. After with great pleasure lying a great while talking and sporting
in bed with my wife (for we have been for some years now, and at present
more and more, a very happy couple, blessed be God), I got up and to my
office, and having done there some business, I by water, and then walked
to Deptford to discourse with Mr. Lowly and Davis about my late
conceptions about keeping books of the distinct works done in the yards,
against which I find no objection but their ignorance and unwillingness to
do anything of pains and what is out of their ordinary dull road, but I
like it well, and will proceed in it. So home and dined there with my
wife upon a most excellent dish of tripes of my own directing, covered
with, mustard, as I have heretofore seen them done at my Lord Crew's, of
which I made a very great meal, and sent for a glass of wine for myself,
and so to see Sir W. Pen, who continues bed-rid in great pain, and hence
to the Treasury to Sir J. Minnes paying off of tickets, and at night home,
and in my study (after seeing Sir W. Batten, who also continues ill) I
fell to draw out my conceptions about books for the clerk that cheques in
the yard to keep according to the distinct works there, which pleases me
very well, and I am confident it will be of great use. At 9 at night
home, and to supper, and to bed. This noon came to see me and sat with me
a little after dinner Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon, who tells me how ill
things go at Court: that the King do show no countenance to any that
belong to the Queen; nor, above all, to such English as she brought over
with her, or hath here since, for fear they should tell her how he carries
himself to Mrs. Palmer;--[Lady Castlemaine.]--insomuch that though he has
a promise, and is sure of being made her chyrurgeon, he is at a loss what
to do in it, whether to take it or no, since the King's mind is so altered
in favour to all her dependants, whom she is fain to let go back into
Portugall (though she brought them from their friends against their wills
with promise of preferment), without doing any thing for them. But he
tells me that her own physician did tell him within these three days that
the Queen do know how the King orders things, and how he carries himself
to my Lady Castlemaine and others, as well as any body; but though she
hath spirit enough, yet seeing that she do no good by taking notice of it,
for the present she forbears it in policy; of which I am very glad. But I
pray God keep us in peace; for this, with other things, do give great
discontent to all people.
25th. Up and to the office, and there with Mr. Coventry sat all the
morning, only we two, the rest being absent or sick. Dined at home with
my wife upon a good dish of neats' feet and mustard, of which I made a
good meal. All the afternoon alone at my office and among my workmen, who
(I mean the joyners) have even ended my dining room, and will be very
handsome and to my full content. In the evening at my office about one
business or another, and so home and to bed, with my mind every day more
and more quiet since I come to follow my business, and shall be very happy
indeed when the trouble of my house is over.