resolved of riding to the Wells to look for our dogg, which we did, but
could hear nothing; but it being much a warmer day than yesterday there
was great store of gallant company, more than then, to my greater
pleasure. There was at a distance, under one of the trees on the common,
a company got together that sung. I, at the distance, and so all the rest
being a quarter of a mile off, took them for the Waytes, so I rode up to
them, and found them only voices, some citizens met by chance, that sung
four or five parts excellently. I have not been more pleased with a snapp
of musique, considering the circumstances of the time and place, in all
my life anything so pleasant. We drank each of us, three cupps, and so,
after riding up to the horsemen upon the hill, where they were making of
matches to run, we went away and to Yowell, where we found our breakfast,
the remains of our supper last night hashed, and by and by, after the
smith had set on two new shoes to Creed's horse, we mounted, and with
little discourse, I being intent upon getting home in time, we rode hard
home, observing Mr. Gauden's house, but not calling there (it being too
late for me to stay, and wanting their dog too). The house stands very
finely, and has a graceful view to the highway. Set up our horses at Fox
Hall, and I by water (observing the King's barge attending his going to
the House this day) home, it being about one o'clock. So got myself ready
and shifting myself, and so by water to Westminster, and there came most
luckily to the Lords' House as the House of Commons were going into the
Lord's House, and there I crowded in along with the Speaker, and got to
stand close behind him, where he made his speech to the King (who sat with
his crown on and robes, and so all the Lords in their robes, a fine
sight); wherein he told his Majesty what they have done this Parliament,
and now offered for his royall consent. The greatest matters were a bill
for the Lord's day (which it seems the Lords have lost, and so cannot be
passed, at which the Commons are displeased); the bills against
Conventicles and Papists (but it seems the Lords have not passed them),
and giving his Majesty four entire subsidys; which last, with about twenty
smaller Acts, were passed with this form: The Clerk of the House reads the
title of the bill, and then looks at the end and there finds (writ by the
King I suppose) "Le Roy le veult," and that he reads. And to others he
reads, "Soit fait comme vous desirez." And to the Subsidys, as well that
for the Commons, I mean the layety, as for the Clergy, the King writes,
"Le Roy remerciant les Seigneurs, &c., Prelats, &c., accepte leur
benevolences." The Speaker's speech was far from any oratory, but was as
plain (though good matter) as any thing could be, and void of elocution.
After the bills passed, the King, sitting on his throne, with his speech
writ in a paper which he held in his lap, and scarce looked off of it, I
thought, all the time he made his speech to them, giving them thanks for
their subsidys, of which, had he not need, he would not have asked or
received them; and that need, not from any extravagancys of his, he was
sure, in any thing, but the disorders of the times compelling him to be at
greater charge than he hoped for the future, by their care in their
country, he should be: and that for his family expenses and others, he
would labour however to retrench in many things convenient, and would have
all others to do so too. He desired that nothing of old faults should be
remembered, or severity for the same used to any in the country, it being
his desire to have all forgot as well as forgiven. But, however, to use
all care in suppressing any tumults, &c.; assuring them that the restless
spirits of his and their adversaries have great expectations of something
to be done this summer. And promised that though the Acts about
Conventicles and Papists were not ripe for passing this Session, yet he
would take care himself that neither of them should in this intervall be
encouraged to the endangering of the peace; and that at their next meeting
he would himself prepare two bills for them concerning them. So he
concluded, that for the better proceeding of justice he did think fit to
make this a Session, and to prorogue them to the 16th of March next. His
speech was very plain, nothing at all of spirit in it, nor spoke with any;
but rather on the contrary imperfectly, repeating many times his words
though he read all which I was sorry to see, it having not been hard for
him to have got all the speech without book. So they all went away, the
King out of the House at the upper end, he being by and by to go to
Tunbridge to the Queen; and I in the Painted Chamber spoke with my Lord
Sandwich while he was putting off his robes, who tells me he will now
hasten down into the country, as soon as he can get some money settled on
the Wardrobe. Here meeting Creed, he and I down to the Hall, and I having
at Michell's shop wrote a little letter to Mr. Gauden, to go with his
horse, and excusing my not taking leave or so much as asking after the old
lady the widow when we came away the other day from them, he and I over
the water to Fox Hall, and there sent away the horse with my letter, and
then to the new Spring Garden, walking up and down, but things being dear
and little attendance to be had we went away, leaving much brave company
there, and so to a less house hard by, where we liked very well their
Codlin tarts, having not time, as we intended, to stay the getting ready
of a dish of pease. And there came to us an idle boy to show us some
tumbling tricks, which he did very well, and the greatest bending of his
body that ever I observed in my life. Thence by water to White Hall, and
walked over the Park to St. James's; but missed Mr. Coventry, he not being
within; and so out again, and there the Duke was coming along the
Pell-Mell. It being a little darkish, I staid not to take notice of him,
but we went directly back again. And in our walk over the Park, one of
the Duke's footmen came running behind us, and came looking just in our
faces to see who we were, and went back again. What his meaning is I know
not, but was fearful that I might not go far enough with my hat off,
though methinks that should not be it, besides, there were others covered
nearer than myself was, but only it was my fear. So to White Hall and by
water to the Bridge, and so home to bed, weary and well pleased with my
journey in all respects. Only it cost me about 20s., but it was for my
health, and I hope will prove so, only I do find by my riding a little
swelling to rise just by my anus. I had the same the last time I rode,
and then it fell again, and now it is up again about the bigness of the
bag of a silkworm, makes me fearful of a rupture. But I will speak to Mr.
Hollyard about it, and I am glad to find it now, that I may prevent it
before it goes too far.
28th. Up after sleeping very well, and so to my office setting down the
Journall of this last three days, and so settled to business again, I hope
with greater cheerfulness and success by this refreshment. At the office
all the morning, and at noon to Wise's about my viall that is a-doing, and
so home to dinner and then to the office, where we sat all the afternoon
till night, and I late at it till after the office was risen. Late came
my Jane and her brother Will: to entreat for my taking of the boy again,
but I will not hear her, though I would yet be glad to do anything for her
sake to the boy, but receive him again I will not, nor give him anything.
She would have me send him to sea; which if I could I would do, but there
is no ship going out. The poor girl cried all the time she was with me,
and would not go from me, staying about two hours with me till 10 or 11
o'clock, expecting that she might obtain something of me, but receive him
I will not. So the poor girl was fain to go away crying and saying
little. So from thence home, where my house of office was emptying, and I
find they will do, it with much more cleanness than I expected. I went up
and down among them a good while, but knowing that Mr. Coventry was to
call me in the morning, I went to bed and left them to look after the
people. So to bed.
29th. Up about 6 o'clock, and found the people to have just done, and
Hannah not gone to bed yet, but was making clean of the yard and kitchen.
Will newly gone to bed. So I to my office, and having given some order to
Tom Hater, to whom I gave leave for his recreation to go down to
Portsmouth this Pay, I went down to Wapping to Sir W. Warren, and there
staid an hour or two discoursing of some of his goods and then things in
general relating to this office, &c., and so home, and there going to Sir
William Batten (having no stomach to dine at home, it being yet hardly
clean of last night's [mess])and there I dined with my Lady and her
daughter and son Castle, and mighty kind she is and I kind to her, but,
Lord! how freely and plainly she rails against Commissioner Pett, calling
him rogue, and wondering that the King keeps such a fellow in the Navy.
Thence by and by walked to see Sir W. Pen at Deptford, reading by the way
a most ridiculous play, a new one, called "The Politician Cheated." After
a little sitting with him I walked to the yard a little and so home again,
my Will with me, whom I bade to stay in the yard for me, and so to bed.
This morning my brother Tom was with me, and we had some discourse again
concerning his country mistress, but I believe the most that is fit for us
to condescend to, will not content her friends.
30th. Up and to the office to get business ready for our sitting, this
being the first day of altering it from afternoon during the Parliament
sitting to the fore-noon again. By and by Mr. Coventry only came (Sir
John Minnes and Sir William Batten being gone this morning to Portsmouth
to pay some ships and the yard there), and after doing a little business
he and I down to Woolwich, and there up and down the yard, and by and by
came Sir G. Carteret and we all looked into matters, and then by water
back to Deptford, where we dined with him at his house, a very good dinner
and mightily tempted with wines of all sorts and brave French Syder, but I
drunk none. But that which is a great wonder I find his little daughter
Betty, that was in hanging sleeves but a month or two ago, and is a very
little young child; married, and to whom, but to young Scott, son to Madam
Catharine Scott, that was so long in law, and at whose triall I was with
her husband; he pleading that it was unlawfully got and would not own it,
she, it seems, being brought to bed of it, if not got by somebody else at
Oxford, but it seems a little before his death he did own the child, and
hath left him his estate, not long since. So Sir G. Carteret hath struck
up of a sudden a match with him for his little daughter. He hath about
L2000 per annum; and it seems Sir G. Carteret hath by this means
over-reached Sir H. Bennet, who did endeavour to get this gentleman for a
sister of his, but Sir G. Carteret I say has over-reached him. By this
means Sir G. Carteret hath married two daughters this year both very well.
After dinner into Deptford yard, but our bellies being full we could do no
great business, and so parted, and Mr. Coventry and I to White Hall by
water, where we also parted, and I to several places about business, and
so calling for my five books of the Variorum print bound according to my
common binding instead of the other which is more gaudy I went home. The
town talk this day is of nothing but the great foot-race run this day on
Banstead Downes, between Lee, the Duke of Richmond's footman, and a tyler,
a famous runner. And Lee hath beat him; though the King and Duke of York
and all men almost did bet three or four to one upon the tyler's head.
31st. Up early to my accounts this month, and I find myself worth clear
L730, the most I ever had yet, which contents me though I encrease but
very little. Thence to my office doing business, and at noon to my viall
maker's, who has begun it and has a good appearance, and so to the
Exchange, where I met Dr. Pierce, who tells me of his good luck to get to
be groom of the Privy-Chamber to the Queen, and without my Lord Sandwich's
help; but only by his good fortune, meeting a man that hath let him have
his right for a small matter, about L60, for which he can every day have
L400. But he tells me my Lord hath lost much honour in standing so long
and so much for that coxcomb Pickering, and at last not carrying it for
him; but hath his name struck out by the King and Queen themselves after
he had been in ever since the Queen's coming. But he tells me he believes
that either Sir H. Bennet, my Lady Castlemaine, or Sir Charles Barkeley
had received some money for the place, and so the King could not
disappoint them, but was forced to put out this fool rather than a better
man. And I am sorry to hear what he tells me that Sir Charles Barkeley
hath still such power over the King, as to be able to fetch him from the
Council-table to my Lady Castlemaine when he pleases. He tells me also,
as a friend, the great injury that he thinks I do myself by being so
severe in the Yards, and contracting the ill-will of the whole Navy for
those offices, singly upon myself. Now I discharge a good conscience
therein, and I tell him that no man can (nor do he say any say it) charge
me with doing wrong; but rather do as many good offices as any man. They
think, he says, that I have a mind to get a good name with the King and
Duke, who he tells me do not consider any such thing; but I shall have as
good thanks to let all alone, and do as the rest. But I believe the
contrary; and yet I told him I never go to the Duke alone, as others do,
to talk of my own services. However, I will make use of his council, and
take some course to prevent having the single ill-will of the office.
Before I went to the office I went to the Coffee House, where Sir J.
Cutler and Mr. Grant were, and there Mr. Grant showed me letters of Sir
William Petty's, wherein he says, that his vessel which he hath built upon
two keeles (a modell whereof, built for the King, he showed me) hath this
month won a wager of L50 in sailing between Dublin and Holyhead with the
pacquett-boat, the best ship or vessel the King hath there; and he offers
to lay with any vessel in the world. It is about thirty ton in burden,
and carries thirty men, with good accommodation, (as much more as any ship
of her burden,) and so any vessel of this figure shall carry more men,
with better accommodation by half, than any other ship. This carries also
ten guns, of about five tons weight. In their coming back from Holyhead
they started together, and this vessel came to Dublin by five at night,
and the pacquett-boat not before eight the next morning; and when they
came they did believe that, this vessel had been drowned, or at least
behind, not thinking she could have lived in that sea. Strange things are
told of this vessel, and he concludes his letter with this position, "I
only affirm that the perfection of sayling lies in my principle, finde it
out who can." Thence home, in my way meeting Mr. Rawlinson, who tells me
that my uncle Wight is off of his Hampshire purchase and likes less of the
Wights, and would have me to be kind and study to please him, which I am
resolved to do. Being at home he sent for me to dinner to meet Mr. Moore,
so I went thither and dined well, but it was strange for me to refuse, and
yet I did without any reluctancy to drink wine in a tavern, where nothing
else almost was drunk, and that excellent good. Thence with Mr. Moore to
the Wardrobe, and there sat while my Lord was private with Mr. Townsend
about his accounts an hour or two, we reading of a merry book against the
Presbyters called Cabbala, extraordinary witty. Thence walked home and to
my office, setting papers of all sorts and writing letters and putting
myself into a condition to go to Chatham with Mr. Coventry to-morrow. So,
at almost 12 o'clock, and my eyes tired with seeing to write, I went home
and to bed. Ending the month with pretty good content of mind, my wife in
the country and myself in good esteem, and likely by pains to become
considerable, I think, with God's blessing upon my diligence.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
AUGUST
1663
Aug. 1st. Up betimes and got me ready, and so to the office and put
things in order for my going. By and by comes Sir G. Carteret, and he and
I did some business, and then Mr. Coventry sending for me, he staying in
the boat, I got myself presently ready and down to him, he and I by water
to Gravesend (his man Lambert with us), and there eat a bit and so
mounted, I upon one of his horses which met him there, a brave proud
horse, all the way talking of businesses of the office and other matters
to good purpose. Being come to Chatham, we put on our boots and so walked
to the yard, where we met Commissioner Pett, and there walked up and down
looking and inquiring into many businesses, and in the evening went to the
Commissioner's and there in his upper Arbor sat and talked, and there
pressed upon the Commissioner to take upon him a power to correct and
suspend officers that do not their duty and other things, which he
unwillingly answered he would if we would own him in it. Being gone
thence Mr. Coventry and I did discourse about him, and conclude that he is
not able to do the same in that yard that he might and can and it maybe
will do in another, what with his old faults and the relations that he has
to most people that act there. After an hour or two's discourse at the
Hill-house before going to bed, I see him to his and he me to my chamber,
he lying in the Treasurer's and I in the Controller's chambers.
2nd (Lord's day). Up and after the barber had done he and I walked to the
Docke, and so on board the Mathias, where Commissioner Pett and he and I
and a good many of the officers and others of the yard did hear an
excellent sermon of Mr. Hudson's upon "All is yours and you are God's," a
most ready, learned, and good sermon, such as I have not heard a good
while, nor ever thought he could have preached. We took him with us to
the Hill-house, and there we dined, and an officer or two with us. So
after dinner the company withdrew, and we three to private discourse and
laid the matters of the yard home again to the Commissioner, and
discoursed largely of several matters. Then to the parish church, and
there heard a poor sermon with a great deal of false Greek in it, upon
these words, "Ye are my friends, if ye do these things which I command
you." Thence to the Docke and by water to view St. Mary Creeke, but do
not find it so proper for a wet docks as we would have it, it being uneven
ground and hard in the bottom and no, great depth of water in many places.
Returned and walked from the Docke home, Mr. Coventry and I very much
troubled to see how backward Commissioner Pett is to tell any of the
faults of the officers, and to see nothing in better condition here for
his being here than they are in other yards where there is none. After
some discourse to bed. But I sat up an hour after Mr. Coventry was gone
to read my vows, it raining a wonderful hard showre about 11 at night for
an hour together. So to bed.
3rd. Up both of us very betimes and to the Yard, and see the men called
over and choose some to be discharged. Then to the Ropehouses and viewed
them all and made an experiment which was the stronger, English or Riga
hemp, the latter proved the stronger, but the other is very good, and much
better we believe than any but Riga. We did many other things this
morning, and I caused the Timber measurer to measure some timber, where I
found much fault and with reason, which we took public notice of, and did
give them admonition for the time to come. At noon Mr. Pett did give us a
very great dinner, too big in all conscience, so that most of it was left
untouched. Here was Collonell Newman and several other gentlemen of the
country and officers of the yard. After dinner they withdrew and
Commissioner Pett, Mr. Coventry and I sat close to our business all the
noon in his parler, and there run through much business and answered
several people. And then in the evening walked in the garden, where we
conjured him to look after the yard, and for the time to come that he
would take the whole faults and ill management of the yard upon himself,
he having full power and our concurrence to suspend or do anything else
that he thinks fit to keep people and officers to their duty. He having
made good promises, though I fear his performance, we parted (though I
spoke so freely that he could have been angry) good friends, and in some
hopes that matters will be better for the time to come. So walked to the
Hillhouse (which we did view and the yard about it, and do think to put it
off as soon as we can conveniently) and there made ourselves ready and
mounted and rode to Gravesend (my riding Coate not being to be found I
fear it is stole) on our way being overtaken by Captain Browne that serves
the office of the Ordnance at Chatham. All the way, though he was a rogue
and served the late times all along, yet he kept us in discourse of the
many services that he did for many of the King's party, lords and Dukes,
and among others he recovered a dog that was stolne from Mr. Cary
(head-keeper of the buck-hounds to the King) and preserved several horses
of the Duke of Richmond's, and his best horse he was forst to put out his
eyes and keep him for a stallion to preserve him from being carried away.
But he gone at last upon my enquiry to tell us how (he having been here
too for survey of the Ropeyard) the day's work of the Rope-makers become
settled, which pleased me very well. Being come to our Inn Mr. Coventry
and I sat, and talked till 9 or 10 a-clock and then to bed.
4th. We were called up about four a-clock, and being ready went and took
a Gravesend boat, and to London by nine a-clock. By the way talking of
several businesses of the navy. So to the office, where Sir Wm. Pen (the
first time that he has been with us a great while, he having been long
sick) met us, and there we sat all the morning. My brother John I find
come to town to my house, as I sent for him, on Saturday last; so at noon
home and dined with him, and after dinner and the barber been with me I
walked out with him to my viall maker's and other places and then left
him, and I by water to Blackbury's, and there talked with him about some
masts (and by the way he tells me that Paul's is now going to be repaired
in good earnest), and so with him to his garden close by his house, where
I eat some peaches and apricots; a very pretty place. So over the water
to Westminster hall, and not finding Mrs. Lane, with whom I purposed to be
merry, I went to Jervas's and took him and his wife over the water to
their mother Palmer's (the woman that speaks in the belly, and with whom I
have two or three years ago made good sport with Mr. Mallard), thinking
because I had heard that she is a woman of that sort that I might there
have lit upon some lady of pleasure (for which God forgive me), but blest
be God there was none, nor anything that pleased me, but a poor little
house that she has set out as fine as she can, and for her singing which
she pretends to is only some old body songs and those sung abominably,
only she pretends to be able to sing both bass and treble, which she do
something like, but not what I thought formerly and expected now; nor do
her speaking in her belly take me now as it did then, but it may be that
is because I know it and see her mouth when she speaks, which should not
be. After I had spent a shilling there in wine I took boat with Jervas
and his wife and set them at Westminster, and it being late forbore Mrs.
Lane and went by water to the Old Swan by a boat, where I had good sport
with one of the young men about his travells as far as Voxhall, in
mockery, which yet the fellow answered me most prettily and traveller-like
unto my very good mirth. So home, and with my brother eat a bit of bread
and cheese, and so to bed, he with me. This day I received a letter from
my wife, which troubles me mightily, wherein she tells me how Ashwell did
give her the lie to her teeth, and that thereupon my wife giving her a box
on the eare, the other struck her again, and a deal of stir which troubles
me, and that my Lady has been told by my father or mother something of my
wife's carriage, which altogether vexes me, and I fear I shall find a
trouble of my wife when she comes home to get down her head again, but if
Ashwell goes I am resolved to have no more, but to live poorly and low
again for a good while, and save money and keep my wife within bounds if I
can, or else I shall bid Adieu to all content in the world. So to bed, my
mind somewhat disturbed at this, but yet I shall take care, by prudence,
to avoid the ill consequences which I fear, things not being gone too far
yet, and this height that my wife is come to being occasioned from my own
folly in giving her too much head heretofore for the year past.