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.
JUNE & JULY
1664
June 1st. Up, having lain long, going to bed very late after the ending
of my accounts. Being up Mr. Hollyard came to me, and to my great sorrow,
after his great assuring me that I could not possibly have the stone
again, he tells me that he do verily fear that I have it again, and has
brought me something to dissolve it, which do make me very much troubled,
and pray to God to ease me. He gone, I down by water to Woolwich and
Deptford to look after the dispatch of the ships, all the way reading Mr.
Spencer's Book of Prodigys, which is most ingeniously writ, both for
matter and style. Home at noon, and my little girl got me my dinner, and
I presently out by water and landed at Somerset stairs, and thence through
Covent Garden, where I met with Mr. Southwell (Sir W. Pen's friend), who
tells me the very sad newes of my Lord Tiviott's and nineteen more
commission officers being killed at Tangier by the Moores, by an ambush of
the enemy upon them, while they were surveying their lines; which is very
sad, and, he says, afflicts the King much. Thence to W. Joyce's, where by
appointment I met my wife (but neither of them at home), and she and I to
the King's house, and saw "The Silent Woman;" but methought not so well
done or so good a play as I formerly thought it to be, or else I am
nowadays out of humour. Before the play was done, it fell such a storm of
hayle, that we in the middle of the pit were fain to rise;
[The stage was covered in by a tiled roof, but the pit was open to
the sky. "The pit lay open to the weather for sake of light, but
was subsequently covered in with a glazed cupola, which, however,
only imperfectly protected the audience, so that in stormy weather
the house was thrown into disorder, and the people in the pit were
fain to rise" (Cunningham's "Story of Nell Gwyn," ed. 1893, p. 33).]
and all the house in a disorder, and so my wife and I out and got into a
little alehouse, and staid there an hour after the play was done before we
could get a coach, which at last we did (and by chance took up Joyce
Norton and Mrs. Bowles. and set them at home), and so home ourselves, and
I, after a little to my office, so home to supper and to bed.
2nd. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and then to the
'Change, where after some stay by coach with Sir J. Minnes and Mr.
Coventry to St. James's, and there dined with Mr. Coventry very finely,
and so over the Parke to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier about
providing provisions, money, and men for Tangier. At it all the
afternoon, but it is strange to see how poorly and brokenly things are
done of the greatest consequence, and how soon the memory of this great
man is gone, or, at least, out of mind by the thoughts of who goes next,
which is not yet knowne. My Lord of Oxford, Muskerry, and several others
are discoursed of. It seems my Lord Tiviott's design was to go a mile and
half out of the towne, to cut down a wood in which the enemy did use to
lie in ambush. He had sent several spyes; but all brought word that the
way was clear, and so might be for any body's discovery of an enemy before
you are upon them. There they were all snapt, he and all his officers,
and about 200 men, as they say; there being left now in the garrison but
four captains. This happened the 3d of May last, being not before that
day twelvemonth of his entering into his government there: but at his
going out in the morning he said to some of his officers, "Gentlemen, let
us look to ourselves, for it was this day three years that so many brave
Englishmen were knocked on the head by the Moores, when Fines made his
sally out." Here till almost night, and then home with Sir J. Minnes by
coach, and so to my office a while, and home to supper and bed, being now
in constant pain in my back, but whether it be only wind or what it is the
Lord knows, but I fear the worst.
3rd. Up, still in a constant pain in my back, which much afflicts me with
fear of the consequence of it. All the morning at the office, we sat at
the office extraordinary upon the business of our stores, but, Lord! what
a pitiful account the Surveyor makes of it grieves my heart. This morning
before I came out I made a bargain with Captain Taylor for a ship for the
Commissioners for Tangier, wherein I hope to get L40 or L50. To the
'Change, and thence home and dined, and then by coach to White Hall,
sending my wife to Mrs. Hunt's. At the Committee for Tangier all the
afternoon, where a sad consideration to see things of so great weight
managed in so confused a manner as it is, so as I would not have the
buying of an acre of land bought by the Duke of York and Mr. Coventry, for
ought I see, being the only two that do anything like men; Prince Rupert
do nothing but swear and laugh a little, with an oathe or two, and that's
all he do. Thence called my wife and home, and I late at my office, and
so home to supper and to bed, pleased at my hopes of gains by to-day's
work, but very sad to think of the state of my health.
4th. Up and to St. James's by coach, after a good deal of talk before I
went forth with J. Noble, who tells me that he will secure us against
Cave, that though he knows, and can prove it, yet nobody else can prove
it, to be Tom's child; that the bond was made by one Hudson, a scrivener,
next to the Fountaine taverne, in the Old Bayly; that the children were
born, and christened, and entered in the parish-book of St. Sepulchre's,
by the name of Anne and Elizabeth Taylor and he will give us security
against Cave if we pay him the money. And then up to the Duke, and was
with him giving him an account how matters go, and of the necessity there
is of a power to presse seamen, without which we cannot really raise men
for this fleete of twelve sayle, besides that it will assert the King's
power of pressing, which at present is somewhat doubted, and will make the
Dutch believe that we are in earnest. Thence by water to the office,
where we sat till almost two o'clock. This morning Captain Ferrer came to
the office to tell me that my Lord hath given him a promise of Young's
place in the Wardrobe, and hearing that I pretend a promise to it he comes
to ask my consent, which I denied him, and told him my Lord may do what he
pleases with his promise to me, but my father's condition is not so as
that I should let it go if my Lord will stand to his word, and so I sent
him going, myself being troubled a little at it. After office I with Mr.
Coventry by water to St. James's and dined with him, and had excellent
discourse from him. So to the Committee for Tangier all afternoon, where
still the same confused doings, and my Lord Fitz-Harding now added to the
Committee; which will signify much. It grieves me to see how brokenly
things are ordered. So by coach home, and at my office late, and so to
supper and to bed, my body by plenty of breaking of wind being just now
pretty well again, having had a constant akeing in my back these 5 or 6
days. Mr. Coventry discoursing this noon about Sir W. Batten (what a sad
fellow he is!) told me how the King told him the other day how Sir W.
Batten, being in the ship with him and Prince Rupert when they expected to
fight with Warwick, did walk up and down sweating with a napkin under his
throat to dry up his sweat; and that Prince Rupert being a most jealous
man, and particularly of Batten, do walk up and down swearing bloodily to
the King, that Batten had a mind to betray them to-day, and that the
napkin was a signal; "but, by God," says he, "if things go ill, the first
thing I will do is to shoot him." He discoursed largely and bravely to me
concerning the different sort of valours, the active and passive valour.
For the latter, he brought as an instance General Blake; who, in the
defending of Taunton and Lime for the Parliament, did through his stubborn
sort of valour defend it the most 'opiniastrement' that ever any man did
any thing; and yet never was the man that ever made any attaque by land or
sea, but rather avoyded it on all, even fair occasions. On the other
side, Prince Rupert, the boldest attaquer in the world for personal
courage; and yet, in the defending of Bristol, no man ever did anything
worse, he wanting the patience and seasoned head to consult and advise for
defence, and to bear with the evils of a siege. The like he says is said
of my Lord Tiviott, who was the boldest adventurer of his person in the
world, and from a mean man in few years was come to this greatness of
command and repute only by the death of all his officers, he many times
having the luck of being the only survivor of them all, by venturing upon
services for the King of France that nobody else would; and yet no man
upon a defence, he being all fury and no judgment in a fight. He tells me
above all of the Duke of Yorke, that he is more himself and more of
judgement is at hand in him in the middle of a desperate service, than at
other times, as appeared in the business of Dunkirke, wherein no man ever
did braver things, or was in hotter service in the close of that day,
being surrounded with enemies; and then, contrary to the advice of all
about him, his counsel carried himself and the rest through them safe, by
advising that he might make his passage with but a dozen with him; "For,"
says he, "the enemy cannot move after me so fast with a great body, and
with a small one we shall be enough to deal with them;" and though he is a
man naturally martiall to the highest degree, yet a man that never in his
life talks one word of himself or service of his owne, but only that he
saw such or such a thing, and lays it down for a maxime that a Hector can
have no courage. He told me also, as a great instance of some men, that
the Prince of Condo's excellence is, that there not being a more furious
man in the world, danger in fight never disturbs him more than just to
make him civill, and to command in words of great obligation to his
officers and men; but without any the least disturbance in his judgment or
spirit.
5th (Lord's day). About one in the morning I was knocked up by my mayds
to come to my wife who is very ill. I rose, and from some cold she got
to-day, or from something else, she is taken with great gripings, a
looseness, and vomiting. I lay a while by her upon the bed, she being in
great pain, poor wretch, but that being a little over I to bed again, and
lay, and then up and to my office all the morning, setting matters to
rights in some accounts and papers, and then to dinner, whither Mr.
Shepley, late come to town, came to me, and after dinner and some pleasant
discourse he went his way, being to go out of town to Huntington again
to-morrow. So all the afternoon with my wife discoursing and talking, and
in the evening to my office doing business, and then home to supper and to
bed.
6th. Up and found my wife very ill again, which troubles me, but I was
forced to go forth. So by water with Mr. Gauden and others to see a ship
hired by me for the Commissioners of Tangier, and to give order therein.
So back to the office, and by coach with Mr. Gauden to White Hall, and
there to my Lord Sandwich, and here I met Mr. Townsend very opportunely
and Captain Ferrer, and after some discourse we did accommodate the
business of the Wardrobe place, that he shall have the reversion if he
will take it out by giving a covenant that if Mr. Young' dyes before my
father my father shall have the benefit of it for his life. So home, and
thence by water to Deptford, and there found our Trinity Brethren come
from their election to church, where Dr. Britton made, methought, an
indifferent sermon touching the decency that we ought to observe in God's
house, the church, but yet to see how ridiculously some men will carry
themselves. Sir W. Batten did at open table anon in the name of the whole
Society desire him to print his sermon, as if the Doctor could think that
they were fit judges of a good sermon. Then by barge with Sir W. Batten
to Trinity House. It seems they have with much ado carried it for Sir G.
Carteret against Captain Harrison, poor man, who by succession ought to
have been it, and most hands were for him, but only they were forced to
fright the younger Brethren by requiring them to set their hands (which is
an ill course) and then Sir G. Carteret carryed it. Here was at dinner my
Lord Sandwich, Mr. Coventry, my Lord Craven, and others. A great dinner,
and good company. Mr. Prin also, who would not drink any health, no, not
the King's, but sat down with his hat on all the while;
[William Prynne had published in 1628 a small book against the
drinking of healths, entitled, "Healthes, Sicknesse; or a
compendious and briefe Discourse, prouing, the Drinking and Pledging
of Healthes to be sinfull and utterly unlawfull unto Christians
. . . wherein all those ordinary objections, excuses or pretences,
which are made to justifie, extenuate, or excuse the drinking or
pledging of Healthes are likewise cleared and answered." The
pamphlet was dedicated to Charles I. as "more interessed in the
theame and subject of this compendious discourse then any other that
I know," and "because your Majestie of all other persons within your
owne dominions, are most dishonoured, prejudiced, and abused by
these Healthes."]
but nobody took notice of it to him at all; but in discourse with the
Doctor he did declare himself that he ever was, and has expressed himself
in all his books for mixt communion against the Presbyterian examination.
Thence after dinner by water, my Lord Sandwich and all us Tangier men,
where at the Committee busy till night with great confusion, and then by
coach home, with this content, however, that I find myself every day
become more and more known, and shall one day hope to have benefit by it.
I found my wife a little better. A little to my office, then home to
supper and to bed.
7th. Up and to the office (having by my going by water without any thing
upon my legs yesterday got some pain upon me again), where all the
morning. At noon a little to the 'Change, and thence home to dinner, my
wife being ill still in bed. Thence to the office, where busy all the
afternoon till 9 at night, and so home to my wife, to supper, and to bed.
8th. All day before dinner with Creed, talking of many things, among
others, of my Lord's going so often to Chelsy, and he, without my speaking
much, do tell me that his daughters do perceive all, and do hate the
place, and the young woman there, Mrs. Betty Becke; for my Lord, who sent
them thither only for a disguise for his going thither, will come under
pretence to see them, and pack them out of doors to the Parke, and stay
behind with her; but now the young ladies are gone to their mother to
Kensington. To dinner, and after dinner till 10 at night in my study
writing of my old broken office notes in shorthand all in one book, till
my eyes did ake ready to drop out. So home to supper and to bed.
9th. Up and at my office all the morning. At noon dined at home, Mr.
Hunt and his kinswoman (wife in the country), after dinner I to the
office, where we sat all the afternoon. Then at night by coach to attend
the Duke of Albemarle about the Tangier ship. Coming back my wife spied
me going home by coach from Mr. Hunt's, with whom she hath gained much in
discourse to-day concerning W. Howe's discourse of me to him. That he was
the man that got me to be secretary to my Lord; and all that I have
thereby, and that for all this I never did give him 6d. in my life. Which
makes me wonder that this rogue dare talk after this manner, and I think
all the world is grown false. But I hope I shall make good use of it. So
home to supper and to bed, my eyes aching mightily since last night.
10th. Up and by water to White Hall, and there to a Committee of Tangier,
and had occasion to see how my Lord Ashworth--[Lord Ashworth is probably a
miswriting for Lord Ashley (afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury).]--deports
himself, which is very fine indeed, and it joys my heart to see that there
is any body looks so near into the King's business as I perceive he do in
this business of my Lord Peterborough's accounts. Thence into the Parke,
and met and walked with Captain Sylas Taylor, my old acquaintance while I
was of the Exchequer, and Dr. Whore, talking of musique, and particularly
of Mr. Berckenshaw's way, which Taylor magnifies mightily, and perhaps but
what it deserves, but not so easily to be understood as he and others make
of it. Thence home by water, and after dinner abroad to buy several
things, as a map, and powder, and other small things, and so home to my
office, and in the evening with Captain Taylor by water to our Tangier
ship, and so home, well pleased, having received L26 profit to-day of my
bargain for this ship, which comforts me mightily, though I confess my
heart, what with my being out of order as to my health, and the fear I
have of the money my Lord oweth me and I stand indebted to him in, is much
cast down of late. In the evening home to supper and to bed.
11th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, where some
discourse arose from Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Coventry, which gives me
occasion to think that something like a war is expected now indeed, though
upon the 'Change afterwards I hear too that an Embassador is landed from
Holland, and one from their East India Company, to treat with ours about
the wrongs we pretend to. Mr. Creed dined with me, and thence after
dinner by coach with my wife only to take the ayre, it being very warm and
pleasant, to Bowe and Old Ford; and thence to Hackney. There 'light, and
played at shuffle-board, eat cream and good churies; and so with good
refreshment home. Then to my office vexed with Captain Taylor about the
delay of carrying down the ship hired by me for Tangier, and late about
that and other things at the office. So home to supper and to bed.
12th (Lord's day). All the morning in my chamber consulting my lesson of
ship building, and at noon Mr. Creed by appointment came and dined with
us, and sat talking all the afternoon till, about church time, my wife and
I began our great dispute about going to Griffin's child's christening,
where I was to have been godfather, but Sir J. Minnes refusing, he wanted
an equal for me and my Lady Batten, and so sought for other. Then the
question was whether my wife should go, and she having dressed herself on
purpose, was very angry, and began to talk openly of my keeping her within
doors before Creed, which vexed me to the guts, but I had the discretion
to keep myself without passion, and so resolved at last not to go, but to
go down by water, which we did by H. Russell--[a waterman]--to the
Half-way house, and there eat and drank, and upon a very small occasion
had a difference again broke out, where without any the least cause she
had the cunning to cry a great while, and talk and blubber, which made me
mighty angry in mind, but said nothing to provoke her because Creed was
there, but walked home, being troubled in my mind also about the knavery
and neglect of Captain Fudge and Taylor, who were to have had their ship
for Tangier ready by Thursday last, and now the men by a mistake are come
on board, and not any master or man or boy of the ship's company on board
with them when we came by her side this afternoon, and also received a
letter from Mr. Coventry this day in complaint of it. We came home, and
after supper Creed went home, and I to bed. My wife made great means to
be friends, coming to my bedside and doing all things to please me, and at
last I could not hold out, but seemed pleased, and so parted, and I with
much ado to sleep, but was easily wakened by extraordinary great rain, and
my mind troubled the more to think what the soldiers would do on board
tonight in all this weather.
13th. So up at 5 o'clock, and with Captain Taylor on board her at
Deptford, and found all out of order, only the soldiers civil, and Sir
Arthur Bassett a civil person. I rated at Captain Taylor, whom, contrary
to my expectation, I found a lying and a very stupid blundering fellow,
good for nothing, and yet we talk of him in the Navy as if he had been an
excellent officer, but I find him a lying knave, and of no judgment or
dispatch at all. After finding the condition of the ship, no master, not
above four men, and many ship's provisions, sayls, and other things
wanting, I went back and called upon Fudge, whom I found like a lying
rogue unready to go on board, but I did so jeer him that I made him get
every thing ready, and left Taylor and H. Russell to quicken him, and so
away and I by water on to White Hall, where I met his Royal Highnesse at a
Tangier Committee about this very thing, and did there satisfy him how
things are, at which all was pacified without any trouble, and I hope may
end well, but I confess I am at a real trouble for fear the rogue should
not do his work, and I come to shame and losse of the money I did hope
justly to have got by it. Thence walked with Mr. Coventry to St. James's,
and there spent by his desire the whole morning reading of some old Navy
books given him of old Sir John Cooke's by the Archbishop of Canterbury
that now is; wherein the order that was observed in the Navy then, above
what it is now, is very observable, and fine things we did observe in our
reading. Anon to dinner, after dinner to discourse of the business of the
Dutch warr, wherein he tells me the Dutch do in every particular, which
are but few and small things that we can demand of them, whatever cry we
unjustly make, do seem to offer at an accommodation, for they do owne that
it is not for their profit to have warr with England. We did also talk of
a History of the Navy of England, how fit it were to be writ; and he did
say that it hath been in his mind to propose to me the writing of the
History of the late Dutch warr, which I am glad to hear, it being a thing
I much desire, and sorts mightily with my genius; and, if well done, may
recommend me much. So he says he will get me an order for making of
searches to all records, &c., in order thereto, and I shall take great
delight in doing of it. Thence by water down to the Tower, and thither
sent for Mr. Creed to my house, where he promised to be, and he and I down
to the ship, and find all things in pretty good order, and I hope will end
to my mind. Thence having a gaily down to Greenwich, and there saw the
King's works, which are great, a-doing there, and so to the Cherry Garden,
and so carried some cherries home, and after supper to bed, my wife lying
with me, which from my not being thoroughly well, nor she, we have not
done above once these two or three weeks.
14th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and had great
conflict about the flags again, and am vexed methought to see my Lord
Berkely not satisfied with what I said, but however I stop the King's
being abused by the flag makers for the present. I do not know how it may
end, but I will do my best to preserve it. So home to dinner, and after
dinner by coach to Kensington. In the way overtaking Mr. Laxton, the
apothecary, with his wife and daughters, very fine young lasses, in a
coach; and so both of us to my Lady Sandwich, who hath lain this fortnight
here at Deane Hodges's. Much company came hither to-day, my Lady
Carteret, &c., Sir William Wheeler and his lady, and, above all, Mr.
Becke, of Chelsy, and wife and daughter, my Lord's mistress, and one that
hath not one good feature in her face, and yet is a fine lady, of a fine
taille, and very well carriaged, and mighty discreet. I took all the
occasion I could to discourse with the young ladies in her company to give
occasion to her to talk, which now and then she did, and that mighty
finely, and is, I perceive, a woman of such an ayre, as I wonder the less
at my Lord's favour to her, and I dare warrant him she hath brains enough
to entangle him. Two or three houres we were in her company, going into
Sir H. Finche's garden, and seeing the fountayne, and singing there with
the ladies, and a mighty fine cool place it is, with a great laver of
water in the middle and the bravest place for musique I ever heard. After
much mirthe, discoursing to the ladies in defence of the city against the
country or court, and giving them occasion to invite themselves to-morrow
to me to dinner, to my venison pasty, I got their mother's leave, and so
good night, very well pleased with my day's work, and, above all, that I
have seen my Lord's mistresse. So home to supper, and a little at my
office, and to bed.
15th. Up and by appointment with Captain Witham (the Captain that brought
the newes of the disaster at Tangier, where my Lord Tiviott was slain) and
Mr. Tooker to Beares Quay, and there saw and more afterward at the several
grannarys several parcels of oates, and strange it is to hear how it will
heat itself if laid up green and not often turned. We came not to any
agreement, but did cheapen several parcels, and thence away, promising to
send again to them. So to the Victualling office, and then home. And in
our garden I got Captain Witham to tell me the whole story of my Lord
Tiviott's misfortune; for he was upon the guard with his horse neare the
towne, when at a distance he saw the enemy appear upon a hill, a mile and
a half off, and made up to them, and with much ado escaped himself; but
what became of my Lord he neither knows nor thinks that any body but the
enemy can tell. Our losse was about four hundred. But he tells me that
the greater wonder is that my Lord Tiviott met no sooner with such a
disaster; for every day he did commit himself to more probable danger than
this, for now he had the assurance of all his scouts that there was no
enemy thereabouts; whereas he used every day to go out with two or three
with him, to make his discoveries, in greater danger, and yet the man that
could not endure to have anybody else to go a step out of order to
endanger himself. He concludes him to be the man of the hardest fate to
lose so much honour at one blow that ever was. His relation being done he
parted; and so I home to look after things for dinner. And anon at noon
comes Mr. Creed by chance, and by and by the three young ladies:--[Lord
Sandwich's daughters.]--and very merry we were with our pasty, very well
baked; and a good dish of roasted chickens; pease, lobsters, strawberries.
And after dinner to cards: and about five o'clock, by water down to
Greenwich; and up to the top of the hill, and there played upon the ground
at cards. And so to the Cherry Garden, and then by water singing finely
to the Bridge, and there landed; and so took boat again, and to Somersett
House. And by this time, the tide being against us, it was past ten of
the clock; and such a troublesome passage, in regard of my Lady Paulina's
fearfullness, that in all my life I never did see any poor wretch in that
condition. Being come hither, there waited for them their coach; but it
being so late, I doubted what to do how to get them home. After half an
hour's stay in the street, I sent my wife home by coach with Mr. Creed's
boy; and myself and Creed in the coach home with them. But, Lord! the
fear that my Lady Paulina was in every step of the way; and indeed at this
time of the night it was no safe thing to go that road; so that I was even
afeard myself, though I appeared otherwise.--We came safe, however, to
their house, where all were abed; we knocked them up, my Lady and all the
family being in bed. So put them into doors; and leaving them with the
mayds, bade them good night, and then into the towne, Creed and I, it
being about twelve o'clock and past; and to several houses, inns, but
could get no lodging, all being in bed. At the last house, at last, we
found some people drinking and roaring; and there got in, and after
drinking, got an ill bed, where
16th. I lay in my drawers and stockings and wastecoate till five of the
clock, and so up; and being well pleased with our frolique, walked to
Knightsbridge, and there eat a messe of creame, and so to St. James's, and
there walked a little, and so I to White Hall, and took coach, and found
my wife well got home last night, and now in bed. So I to the office,
where all the morning, and at noon to the 'Change, so home and to my
office, where Mr. Ackworth came to me (though he knows himself and I know
him to be a very knave), yet he came to me to discover the knavery of
other people like the most honest man in the world. However, good use I
shall make of his discourse, for in this he is much in the right. He
being gone I to the 'Change, Mr. Creed with me, after we had been by water
to see a vessell we have hired to carry more soldiers to Tangier, and also
visited a rope ground, wherein I learnt several useful things. The talk
upon the 'Change is, that De Ruyter is dead, with fifty men of his own
ship, of the plague, at Cales: that the Holland Embassador here do
endeavour to sweeten us with fair words; and things likely to be
peaceable. Home after I had spoke with my cozen Richard Pepys upon the
'Change, about supplying us with bewpers from Norwich, which I should be
glad of, if cheap. So home to supper and bed.
17th. Up, and to my office, where I dispatched much business, and then
down by water to Woolwich to make a discovery of a cheate providing for us
in the working of some of our own ground Tows into new cordage, to be sold
to us for Riga cordage. Thence to Mr. Falconer's, where I met Sir W.
Batten and Lady, and Captain Tinker, and there dined with them, and so to
the Dockyarde and to Deptford by water, and there very long informing
myself in the business of flags and bewpers and other things, and so home
late, being weary, and full of good information to-day, but I perceive the
corruptions of the Navy are of so many kinds that it is endless to look
after them, especially while such a one as Sir W. Batten discourages every
man that is honest. So home to my office, there very late, and then to
supper and to bed mightily troubled in my mind to hear how Sir W. Batten
and Sir J. Minnes do labour all they can to abuse or enable others to
abuse the King.
18th. From morning till 11 at night (only a little at dinner at home) at
my office very busy, setting many businesses in order to my great trouble,
but great content in the end. So home to supper and to bed. Strange to
see how pert Sir W. Pen is to-day newly come from Portsmouth with his head
full of great reports of his service and the state of the ships there.
When that is over he will be just as another man again or worse. But I
wonder whence Mr. Coventry should take all this care for him, to send for
him up only to look after his Irish business with my Lord Ormond and to
get the Duke's leave for him to come with so much officiousness, when I am
sure he knows him as well as I do as to his little service he do.
19th (Lord's day). Up, and all the morning and afternoon (only at dinner
at home) at my office doing many businesses for want of time on the week
days. In the afternoon the greatest shower of rain of a sudden and the
greatest and most continued thunder that ever I heard I think in my life.
In the evening home to my wife, and there talked seriously of several of
our family concernments, and among others of bringing Pall out of the
country to us here to try to put her off, which I am very desirous, and my
wife also of. So to supper, prayers, which I have of late too much
omitted. So to bed.
20th. It having been a very cold night last night I had got some cold,
and so in pain by wind, and a sure precursor of pain is sudden letting off
farts, and when that stops, then my passages stop and my pain begins. Up
and did several businesses, and so with my wife by water to White Hall,
she to her father's, I to the Duke, where we did our usual business. And
among other discourse of the Dutch, he was merrily saying how they print
that Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, and my Lord Sandwich, are to be
Generalls; and soon after is to follow them "Vieux Pen;" and so the Duke
called him in mirth Old Pen. They have, it seems, lately wrote to the
King, to assure him that their setting-out ships were only to defend their
fishing-trade, and to stay near home, not to annoy the King's subjects;
and to desire that he would do the like with his ships: which the King
laughs at, but yet is troubled they should think him such a child, to
suffer them to bring home their fish and East India Company's ships, and
then they will not care a fart for us. Thence to Westminster Hall, it
being term time, meeting Mr. Dickering, he tells me how my Lady last week
went to see Mrs. Becke, the mother; and by and by the daughter came in,
but that my Lady do say herself, as he says, that she knew not for what
reason, for she never knew they had a daughter, which I do not believe.
She was troubled, and her heart did rise as soon as she appeared, and
seems the most ugly woman that ever she saw. This if true were strange,
but I believe it is not. Thence to my Lord's lodgings; and were merry
with the young ladies, who make a great story of their appearing before
their mother the morning after we carried them, the last week, home so
late; and that their mother took it very well, at least without any anger.
Here I heard how the rich widow, my Lady Gold, is married to one Neale,
after he had received a box on the eare by her brother (who was there a
sentinel, in behalf of some courtier) at the door; but made him draw, and
wounded him. She called Neale up to her, and sent for a priest, married
presently, and went to bed. The brother sent to the Court, and had a
serjeant sent for Neale; but Neale sent for him up to be seen in bed, and
she owned him for her husband: and so all is past. It seems Sir H. Bennet
did look after her. My Lady very pleasant. After dinner came in Sir
Thomas Crew and Mr. Sidney, lately come from France, who is growne a
little, and a pretty youth he is; but not so improved as they did give him
out to be, but like a child still. But yet I can perceive he hath good
parts and good inclinations. Thence with Creed, who dined here, to
Westminster to find out Mr. Hawly, and did, but he did not accept of my
offer of his being steward to my Lord at sea. Thence alone to several
places about my law businesses, and with good success; at last I to Mr.
Townsend at the Wardrobe, and received kind words from him to be true to
me against Captain Ferrers his endeavours to get the place from my father
as my Lord hath promised him. Here met Will. Howe, and he went forth with
me; and by water back to White Hall to wait on my Lord, who is come back
from Hinchinbroke; where he has been about 4 or 5 days. But I was never
more vexed to see how an over-officious visitt is received, for he
received me with as little concernment as in the middle of his discontent,
and a fool I am to be of so servile a humour, and vexed with that
consideration I took coach home, and could not get it off my mind all
night. To supper and to bed, my wife finding fault with Besse for her
calling upon Jane that lived with us, and there heard Mrs. Harper and her
talk ill of us and not told us of it. With which I was also vexed, and
told her soundly of it till she cried, poor wench, and I hope without
dissimulation, and yet I cannot tell; however, I was glad to see in what
manner she received it, and so to sleep.
21st. Being weary yesterday with walking I sleep long, and at last up and
to the office, where all the morning. At home to dinner, Mr. Deane with
me. After dinner I to White Hall (setting down my wife by the way) to a
Committee of Tangier, where the Duke of Yorke, I perceive, do attend the
business very well, much better than any man there or most of them, and my
[mind] eased of some trouble I lay under for fear of his thinking ill of
me from the bad successe in the setting forth of these crew men to
Tangier. Thence with Mr. Creed, and walked in the Parke, and so to the
New Exchange, meeting Mr. Moore, and he with us. I shewed him no friendly
look, but he took no notice to me of the Wardrobe business, which vexes
me. I perceive by him my Lord's business of his family and estate goes
very ill, and runs in debt mightily. I would to God I were clear of it,
both as to my owne money and the bond of L1000, which I stand debtor for
him in, to my cozen Thomas Pepys. Thence by coach home and to my office a
little, and so to supper and to bed.
22nd. Up and I found Mr. Creed below, who staid with me a while, and then
I to business all the morning. At noon to the 'Change and Coffee-house,
where great talke of the Dutch preparing of sixty sayle of ships. The
plague grows mightily among them, both at sea and land. From the 'Change
to dinner to Trinity House with Sir W. Rider and Cutler, where a very good
dinner. Here Sir G. Ascue dined also, who I perceive desires to make
himself known among the seamen. Thence home, there coming to me my Lord
Peterborough's Sollicitor with a letter from him to desire present
dispatch in his business of freight, and promises me L50, which is good
newes, and I hope to do his business readily for him. This much rejoiced
me. All the afternoon at his business, and late at night comes the
Sollicitor again, and I with him at 9 o'clock to Mr. Povy's, and there
acquainted him with the business. The money he won't pay without warrant,
but that will be got done in a few days. So home by coach and to bed.
23rd. Up, and to the office, and there we sat all the morning. So to the
'Change, and then home to dinner and to my office, where till 10 at night
very busy, and so home to supper and to bed. My cozen, Thomas Pepys, was
with me yesterday and I took occasion to speak to him about the bond I
stand bound for my Lord Sandwich to him in L1000. I did very plainly,
obliging him to secrecy, tell him how the matter stands, yet with all duty
to my Lord my resolution to be bound for whatever he desires me for him,
yet that I would be glad he had any other security. I perceive by Mr.
Moore today that he hath been with my Lord, and my Lord how he takes it I
know not, but he is looking after other security and I am mighty glad of
it. W. Howe was with me this afternoon, to desire some things to be got
ready for my Lord against his going down to his ship, which will be soon;
for it seems the King and both the Queenes intend to visit him. The Lord
knows how my Lord will get out of this charge; for Mr. Moore tells me
to-day that he is L10,000 in debt and this will, with many other things
that daily will grow upon him (while he minds his pleasure as he do), set
him further backward. But it was pretty this afternoon to hear W. Howe
mince the matter, and say that he do believe that my Lord is in debt L2000
or L3000, and then corrected himself and said, No, not so, but I am afraid
he is in debt L1000. I pray God gets me well rid of his Lordship as to
his debt, and I care not.
24th. Up and out with Captain Witham in several places again to look for
oats for Tangier, and among other places to the City granarys, where it
seems every company have their granary and obliged to keep such a quantity
of corne always there or at a time of scarcity to issue so much at so much
a bushell: and a fine thing it is to see their stores of all sorts, for
piles for the bridge, and for pipes, a thing I never saw before.
[From the commencement of the reign of Henry VIII., or perhaps
earlier, it was the custom of the City of London to provide against
scarcity, by requiring each of the chartered Companies to keep in
store a certain quantity of corn, which was to be renewed from time
to time, and when required for that purpose, produced in the market
for sale, at such times and prices, and in such quantities, as the
Lord Mayor or Common Council should direct. See the report of a
case in the Court of Chancery, "Attorney-General v. Haberdashers'
Company" (Mylne and Keens "Reports," vol. i., p. 420).--B.]
Thence to the office, and there busy all the morning. At noon to my uncle
Wight's, and there dined, my wife being there all the morning. After
dinner to White Hall; and there met with Mr. Pierce, and he showed me the
Queene's bed-chamber, and her closett, where she had nothing but some
pretty pious pictures, and books of devotion; and her holy water at her
head as she sleeps, with her clock by her bed-side, wherein a lamp burns
that tells her the time of the night at any time. Thence with him to the
Parke, and there met the Queene coming from Chappell, with her Mayds of
Honour, all in silver-lace gowns again: which is new to me, and that which
I did not think would have been brought up again. Thence he carried me to
the King's closett: where such variety of pictures, and other things of
value and rarity, that I was properly confounded and enjoyed no pleasure
in the sight of them; which is the only time in my life that ever I was so
at a loss for pleasure, in the greatest plenty of objects to give it me.
Thence home, calling in many places and doing abundance of errands to my
great content, and at night weary home, where Mr. Creed waited for me, and
he and I walked in the garden, where he told me he is now in a hurry
fitting himself for sea, and that it remains that he deals as an ingenuous
man with me in the business I wot of, which he will do before he goes.
But I perceive he will have me do many good turns for him first, both as
to his bills coming to him in this office, and also in his absence at the
Committee of Tangier, which I promise, and as he acquits himself to me I
will willingly do. I would I knew the worst of it, what it is he intends,
that so I may either quit my hands of him or continue my kindness still to
him.
25th. We staid late, and he lay with me all night and rose very merry
talking, and excellent company he is, that is the truth of it, and a most
cunning man. He being gone I to the office, where we sat all the morning.
At noon to dinner, and then to my office busy, and by and by home with Mr.
Deane to a lesson upon raising a Bend of Timbers,
[This seems to refer to knee timber, of which there was not a
sufficient supply. A proposal was made to produce this bent wood
artificially: "June 22, 1664. Sir William Petty intimated that it
seemed by the scarcity and greater rate of knee timber that nature
did not furnish crooked wood enough for building: wherefore he
thought it would be fit to raise by art, so much of it in
proportion, as to reduce it to an equal rate with strait timber"
(Birch's "History of the Royal Society,")]
and he being gone I to the office, and there came Captain Taylor, and he
and I home, and I have done all very well with him as to the business of
the last trouble, so that come what will come my name will be clear of any
false dealing with him. So to my office again late, and then to bed.
26th (Lord's day). Up, and Sir J. Minnes set me down at my Lord
Sandwich's, where I waited till his coming down, when he came, too, could
find little to say to me but only a general question or two, and so
good-bye. Here his little daughter, my Lady Katharine was brought, who is
lately come from my father's at Brampton, to have her cheek looked after,
which is and hath long been sore. But my Lord will rather have it be as
it is, with a scarr in her face, than endanger it being worse by
tampering. He being gone, I went home, a little troubled to see he minds
me no more, and with Creed called at several churches, which, God knows,
are supplied with very young men, and the churches very empty; so home and
at our owne church looked in, and there heard one preach whom Sir W. Pen
brought, which he desired us yesterday to hear, that had been his chaplin
in Ireland, a very silly fellow. So home and to dinner, and after dinner
a frolique took us, we would go this afternoon to the Hope; so my wife
dressed herself, and, with good victuals and drink, we took boat presently
and the tide with us got down, but it was night, and the tide spent by the
time we got to Gravesend; so there we stopped, but went not on shore, only
Creed, to get some cherries,
[Pliny tells us that cherries were introduced into Britain by the
Romans, and Lydgate alludes to them as sold in the London streets.
Richard Haines, fruiterer to Henry VI IL, imported a number of
cherry trees from Flanders, and planted them at Tenham, in Kent.
Hence the fame of the Kentish cherries.]
and send a letter to the Hope, where the Fleete lies. And so, it being
rainy, and thundering mightily, and lightning, we returned. By and by the
evening turned mighty clear and moonshine; we got with great pleasure
home, about twelve o'clock, which did much please us, Creed telling pretty
stories in the boat. He lay with me all night.
27th. Up, and he and I walked to Paul's Church yard, and there saw Sir
Harry Spillman's book, and I bespoke it and others, and thence we took
coach, and he to my Lord's and I to St. James's, where we did our usual
business, and thence I home and dined, and then by water to Woolwich, and
there spent the afternoon till night under pretence of buying Captain
Blackman's house and grounds, and viewing the ground took notice of
Clothiers' cordage with which he, I believe, thinks to cheat the King.
That being done I by water home, it being night first, and there I find
our new mayd Jane come, a cook mayd. So to bed.
28th. Up, and this day put on a half shirt first this summer, it being
very hot; and yet so ill-tempered I am grown, that I am afeard I shall
catch cold, while all the world is ready to melt away. To the office all
the morning, at noon to dinner at home, then to my office till the
evening, then out about several businesses and then by appointment to the
'Change, and thence with my uncle Wight to the Mum house, and there
drinking, he do complain of his wife most cruel as the most troublesome
woman in the world, and how she will have her will, saying she brought him
a portion and God knows what. By which, with many instances more, I
perceive they do live a sad life together. Thence to the Mitre and there
comes Dr. Burnett to us and Mr. Maes, but the meeting was chiefly to bring
the Doctor and me together, and there I began to have his advice about my
disease, and then invited him to my house: and I am resolved to put myself
into his hands. Here very late, but I drank nothing, nor will, though he
do advise me to take care of cold drinks. So home and to bed.
29th. Up, and Mr. Shepley came to me, who is lately come to town; among
other things I hear by him how the children are sent for away from my
father's, but he says without any great discontent. I am troubled there
should be this occasion of difference, and yet I am glad they are gone,
lest it should have come to worse. He tells me how my brave dogg I did
give him, going out betimes one morning to Huntington, was set upon by
five other doggs, and worried to pieces, of which I am a little, and he
the most sorry I ever saw man for such a thing. Forth with him and walked
a good way talking, then parted and I to the Temple, and to my cozen Roger
Pepys, and thence by water to Westminster to see Dean Honiwood, whom I had
not visited a great while. He is a good-natured, but a very weak man, yet
a Dean, and a man in great esteem. Thence walked to my Lord Sandwich's,
and there dined, my Lord there. He was pleasant enough at table with me,
but yet without any discourse of business, or any regard to me when dinner
was over, but fell to cards, and my Lady and I sat two hours alone,
talking of the condition of her family's being greatly in debt, and many
children now coming up to provide for. I did give her my sense very plain
of it, which she took well and carried further than myself, to the
bemoaning their condition, and remembering how finely things were ordered
about six years ago, when I lived there and my Lord at sea every year.
Thence home, doing several errands by the way. So to my office, and there
till late at night, Mr. Comander coming to me for me to sign and seal the
new draft of my will, which I did do, I having altered something upon the
death of my brother Tom. So home to supper and to bed.