September 1st. This morning I took care to get a vessel to carry my
Lord's things to the Downs on Monday next, and so to White Hall to my
Lord, where he and I did look over the Commission drawn for him by the
Duke's Council, which I do not find my Lord displeased with, though
short of what Dr. Walker did formerly draw for him. Thence to the Privy
Seal to see how things went there, and I find that Mr. Baron had by
a severe warrant from the King got possession of the office from his
brother Bickerstaffe, which is very strange, and much to our admiration,
it being against all open justice. Mr. Moore and I and several others
being invited to-day by Mr. Goodman, a friend of his, we dined at the
Bullhead upon the best venison pasty that ever I eat of in my life, and
with one dish more, it was the best dinner I ever was at. Here rose
in discourse at table a dispute between Mr. Moore and Dr. Clerke, the
former affirming that it was essential to a tragedy to have the argument
of it true, which the Doctor denied, and left it to me to be judge, and
the cause to be determined next Tuesday morning at the same place, upon
the eating of the remains of the pasty, and the loser to spend 10s. All
this afternoon sending express to the fleet, to order things against my
Lord's coming and taking direction of my Lord about some rich furniture
to take along with him for the Princess!--[Mary, Princess Royal and
Princess of Orange, who died in December of this year.]--And talking
of this, I hear by Mr. Townsend, that there is the greatest preparation
against the Prince de Ligne's a coming over from the King of Spain,
that ever was in England for their Embassador. Late home, and what with
business and my boy's roguery my mind being unquiet, I went to bed.
2nd (Sunday). To Westminster, my Lord being gone before my coming to
chapel. I and Mr. Sheply told out my money, and made even for my Privy
Seal fees and gratuity money, &c., to this day between my Lord and me.
After that to chappell, where Dr. Fern, a good honest sermon upon "The
Lord is my shield." After sermon a dull anthem, and so to my Lord's (he
dining abroad) and dined with Mr. Sheply. So, to St. Margarett's, and
heard a good sermon upon the text "Teach us the old way," or something
like it, wherein he ran over all the new tenets in policy and religion,
which have brought us into all our late divisions. From church to Mrs.
Crisp's (having sent Win. Hewer home to tell my wife that I could
not come home to-night because of my Lord's going out early to-morrow
morning), where I sat late, and did give them a great deal of wine, it
being a farewell cup to Laud Crisp. I drank till the daughter began to
be very loving to me and kind, and I fear is not so good as she should
be. To my Lord's, and to bed with Mr. Sheply.
3rd. Up and to Mr.-----, the goldsmith near the new Exchange, where I
bought my wedding ring, and there, with much ado, got him to put a gold
ring to the jewell, which the King of Sweden did give my Lord: out of
which my Lord had now taken the King's picture, and intends to make a
George of it. This morning at my Lord's I had an opportunity to speak
with Sir George Downing, who has promised me to give me up my bond, and
to pay me for my last quarter while I was at sea, that so I may pay Mr.
Moore and Hawly. About noon my Lord, having taken leave of the King in
the Shield Gallery (where I saw with what kindness the King did hug my
Lord at his parting), I went over with him and saw him in his coach at
Lambeth, and there took leave of him, he going to the Downs, which put
me in mind of his first voyage that ever he made, which he did begin
like this from Lambeth. In the afternoon with Mr. Moore to my house to
cast up our Privy Seal accounts, where I found that my Lord's comes to
400 and odd pounds, and mine to L132, out of which I do give him as good
as L25 for his pains, with which I doubt he is not satisfied, but my
heart is full glad. Thence with him to Mr. Crew's, and did fetch as much
money as did make even our accounts between him and me. Home, and there
found Mr. Cooke come back from my Lord for me to get him some things
bought for him to be brought after them, a toilet cap and comb case of
silk, to make use of in Holland, for he goes to the Hague, which I can
do to-morrow morning. This day my father and my uncle Fenner, and both
his sons, have been at my house to see it, and my wife did treat them
nobly with wine and anchovies. By reason of my Lord's going to-day I
could not get the office to meet to-day.
4th. I did many things this morning at home before I went out, as
looking over the joiners, who are flooring my diningroom, and doing
business with Sir Williams
["Both Sir Williams" is a favourite expression with Pepys, meaning
Sir William Batten and Sir William Penn.]
both at the office, and so to Whitehall, and so to the Bullhead, where
we had the remains of our pasty, where I did give my verdict against Mr.
Moore upon last Saturday's wager, where Dr. Fuller coming in do confirm
me in my verdict. From thence to my Lord's and despatched Mr. Cooke away
with the things to my Lord. From thence to Axe Yard to my house, where
standing at the door Mrs. Diana comes by, whom I took into my house
upstairs, and there did dally with her a great while, and found that
in Latin "Nulla puella negat." So home by water, and there sat up late
setting my papers in order, and my money also, and teaching my wife her
music lesson, in which I take great pleasure. So to bed.
5th. To the office. From thence by coach upon the desire of the
principal officers to a Master of Chancery to give Mr. Stowell his oath,
whereby he do answer that he did hear Phineas Pett say very high words
against the King a great while ago. Coming back our coach broke, and so
Stowell and I to Mr. Rawlinson's, and after a glass of wine parted, and
I to the office, home to dinner, where (having put away my boy in the
morning) his father brought him again, but I did so clear up my boy's
roguery to his father, that he could not speak against my putting him
away, and so I did give him 10s. for the boy's clothes that I made
him, and so parted and tore his indenture. All the afternoon with the
principal officers at Sir W. Batten's about Pett's business (where I
first saw Col. Slingsby, who has now his appointment for Comptroller),
but did bring it to no issue. This day I saw our Dedimus to be sworn
in the peace by, which will be shortly. In the evening my wife being a
little impatient I went along with her to buy her a necklace of pearl,
which will cost L4 10s., which I am willing to comply with her in for
her encouragement, and because I have lately got money, having now above
L200 in cash beforehand in the world. Home, and having in our way bought
a rabbit and two little lobsters, my wife and I did sup late, and so to
bed. Great news now-a-day of the Duke d'Anjou's
[Philip, Duke of Anjou, afterwards Duke of Orleans, brother of Louis
XIV. (born 1640, died 1701), married the Princess Henrietta,
youngest daughter of Charles I., who was born June 16th, 1644, at
Exeter. She was known as "La belle Henriette." In May, 1670, she
came to Dover on a political mission from Louis XIV. to her brother
Charles II., but the visit was undertaken much against the wish of
her husband. Her death occurred on her return to France, and
was attributed to poison. It was the occasion of one of the finest
of Bossuet's "Oraisons Funebres."]
desire to marry the Princesse Henrietta. Hugh Peters is said to be
taken,
[Hugh Peters, born at Fowey, Cornwall, and educated at Trinity
College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. 1622. He was tried as
one of the regicides, and executed. A broadside, entitled "The
Welsh Hubub, or the Unkennelling and earthing of Hugh Peters that
crafty Fox," was printed October 3rd, 1660.]
and the Duke of Gloucester is ill, and it is said it will prove the
small-pox.
6th. To Whitehall by water with Sir W. Batten, and in our passage told
me how Commissioner Pett did pay himself for the entertainment that he
did give the King at Chatham at his coming in, and 20s. a day all the
time he was in Holland, which I wonder at, and so I see there is a great
deal of envy between the two. At Whitehall I met with Commissioner Pett,
who told me how Mr. Coventry and Fairbank his solicitor are falling out,
one complaining of the other for taking too great fees, which is too
true. I find that Commissioner Pett is under great discontent, and is
loth to give too much money for his place, and so do greatly desire me
to go along with him in what we shall agree to give Mr. Coventry, which
I have promised him, but am unwilling to mix my fortune with him that
is going down the wind. We all met this morning and afterwards at the
Admiralty, where our business is to ask provision of victuals ready for
the ships in the Downs, which we did, Mr. Gauden promising to go himself
thither and see it done. Dined Will and I at my Lord's upon a joint of
meat that I sent Mrs. Sarah for. Afterwards to my office and sent all my
books to my Lord's, in order to send them to my house that I now dwell
in. Home and to bed.
7th. Not office day, and in the afternoon at home all the day, it being
the first that I have been at home all day since I came hither. Putting
my papers, books and other things in order, and writing of letters. This
day my Lord set sail from the Downs for Holland.
8th. All day also at home. At night sent for by Sir W. Pen, with whom I
sat late drinking a glass of wine and discoursing, and I find him to be
a very sociable man, and an able man, and very cunning.
9th (Sunday). In the morning with Sir W. Pen to church, and a very good
sermon of Mr. Mills. Home to dinner, and Sir W. Pen with me to such as I
had, and it was very handsome, it being the first time that he ever saw
my wife or house since we came hither. Afternoon to church with my wife,
and after that home, and there walked with Major Hart, who came to see
me, in the garden, who tells me that we are all like to be speedily
disbanded;
[The Trained Bands were abolished in 1663, but those of the City of
London were specially excepted. The officers of the Trained Bands
were supplied by the Hon. Artillery Company.]
and then I lose the benefit of a muster. After supper to bed.
10th (Office day). News of the Duke's intention to go tomorrow to
the fleet for a day or two to meet his sister. Col. Slingsby and I to
Whitehall, thinking to proffer our service to the Duke to wait upon him,
but meeting with Sir G. Carteret he sent us in all haste back again to
hire two Catches for the present use of the Duke. So we returned and
landed at the Bear at the Bridge foot, where we saw Southwark Fair (I
having not at all seen Bartholomew Fair), and so to the Tower wharf,
where we did hire two catches. So to the office and found Sir W. Batten
at dinner with some friends upon a good chine of beef, on which I ate
heartily, I being very hungry. Home, where Mr. Snow (whom afterwards
we called one another cozen) came to me to see me, and with him and one
Shelston, a simple fellow that looks after an employment (that was with
me just upon my going to sea last), to a tavern, where till late with
them. So home, having drunk too much, and so to bed.
11th. At Sir W. Batten's with Sir W. Pen we drank our morning draft, and
from thence for an hour in the office and dispatch a little business.
Dined at Sir W. Batten's, and by this time I see that we are like to
have a very good correspondence and neighbourhood, but chargeable. All
the afternoon at home looking over my carpenters. At night I called
Thos. Hater out of the office to my house to sit and talk with me. After
he was gone I caused the girl to wash the wainscot of our parlour,
which she did very well, which caused my wife and I good sport. Up to
my chamber to read a little, and wrote my Diary for three or four days
past. The Duke of York did go to-day by break of day to the Downs. The
Duke of Gloucester ill. The House of Parliament was to adjourn to-day. I
know not yet whether it be done or no. To bed.
12th (Office day). This noon I expected to have had my cousin Snow and
my father come to dine with me, but it being very rainy they did not
come. My brother Tom came to my house with a letter from my brother
John, wherein he desires some books: Barthol. Anatom., Rosin. Rom.
Antiq., and Gassend. Astronom., the last of which I did give him, and an
angel--[A gold coin varying in value at different times from 6s. 8d. to
10s.]--against my father buying of the others. At home all the afternoon
looking after my workmen, whose laziness do much trouble me. This day
the Parliament adjourned.
13th. Old East comes to me in the morning with letters, and I did give
him a bottle of Northdown ale, which made the poor man almost drunk. In
the afternoon my wife went to the burial of a child of my cozen Scott's,
and it is observable that within this month my Aunt Wight was brought to
bed of two girls, my cozen Stradwick of a girl and a boy, and my cozen
Scott of a boy, and all died. In the afternoon to Westminster, where Mr.
Dalton was ready with his money to pay me for my house, but our writings
not being drawn it could not be done to-day. I met with Mr. Hawly, who
was removing his things from Mr. Bowyer's, where he has lodged a great
while, and I took him and W. Bowyer to the Swan and drank, and Mr.
Hawly did give me a little black rattoon,--[Probably an Indian rattan
cane.]--painted and gilt. Home by water. This day the Duke of Gloucester
died of the small-pox, by the great negligence of the doctors.
14th (Office day). I got L42 15s. appointed me by bill for my employment
of Secretary to the 4th of this month, it being the last money I shall
receive upon that score. My wife went this afternoon to see my mother,
who I hear is very ill, at which my heart is very sad. In the afternoon
Luellin comes to my house, and takes me out to the Mitre in Wood Street,
where Mr. Samford, W. Symons and his wife, and Mr. Scobell, Mr. Mount
and Chetwind, where they were very merry, Luellin being drunk, and I
being to defend the ladies from his kissing them, I kissed them myself
very often with a great deal of mirth. Parted very late, they by coach
to Westminster, and I on foot.
15th. Met very early at our office this morning to pick out the
twenty-five ships which are to be first paid off: After that to
Westminster and dined with Mr. Dalton at his office, where we had one
great court dish, but our papers not being done we could [not] make an
end of our business till Monday next. Mr. Dalton and I over the water to
our landlord Vanly, with whom we agree as to Dalton becoming a tenant.
Back to Westminster, where I met with Dr. Castles, who chidd me for some
errors in our Privy-Seal business; among the rest, for letting the fees
of the six judges pass unpaid, which I know not what to say to, till I
speak to Mr. Moore. I was much troubled, for fear of being forced to pay
the money myself. Called at my father's going home, and bespoke mourning
for myself, for the death of the Duke of Gloucester. I found my mother
pretty well. So home and to bed.
16th (Sunday). To Dr. Hardy's church, and sat with Mr. Rawlinson and
heard a good sermon upon the occasion of the Duke's death. His text was,
"And is there any evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it?" Home
to dinner, having some sport with Win. [Hewer], who never had been at
Common Prayer before. After dinner I alone to Westminster, where I spent
my time walking up and down in Westminster Abbey till sermon time with
Ben. Palmer and Fetters the watchmaker, who told me that my Lord of
Oxford is also dead of the small-pox; in whom his family dies, after 600
years having that honour in their family and name. From thence to the
Park, where I saw how far they had proceeded in the Pell-mell, and in
making a river through the Park, which I had never seen before since it
was begun.
[This is the Mall in St. James's Park, which was made by Charles
II., the former Mall (Pall Mall) having been built upon during the
Commonwealth. Charles II. also formed the canal by throwing the
several small ponds into one.]
Thence to White Hall garden, where I saw the King in purple mourning for
his brother.
["The Queen-mother of France," says Ward, in his Diary, p. 177,
"died at Agrippina, 1642, and her son Louis, 1643, for whom King
Charles mourned in Oxford in purple, which is Prince's mourning."]
So home, and in my way met with Dinah, who spoke to me and told me she
had a desire to speak too about some business when I came to Westminster
again. Which she spoke in such a manner that I was afraid she might tell
me something that I would not hear of our last meeting at my house at
Westminster. Home late, being very dark. A gentleman in the Poultry had
a great and dirty fall over a waterpipe that lay along the channel.
17th. Office very early about casting up the debts of those twenty-five
ships which are to be paid off, which we are to present to the Committee
of Parliament. I did give my wife L15 this morning to go to buy mourning
things for her and me, which she did. Dined at home and Mr. Moore with
me, and afterwards to Whitehall to Mr. Dalton and drank in the Cellar,
where Mr. Vanly according to appointment was. Thence forth to see the
Prince de Ligne, Spanish Embassador, come in to his audience, which was
done in very great state. That being done, Dalton, Vanly, Scrivener
and some friends of theirs and I to the Axe, and signed and sealed our
writings, and hence to the Wine cellar again, where I received L41 for
my interest in my house, out of which I paid my Landlord to Michaelmas
next, and so all is even between him and me, and I freed of my poor
little house. Home by link with my money under my arm. So to bed after
I had looked over the things my wife had bought to-day, with which
being not very well pleased, they costing too much, I went to bed in a
discontent. Nothing yet from sea, where my Lord and the Princess are.
18th. At home all the morning looking over my workmen in my house. After
dinner Sir W. Batten, Pen, and myself by coach to Westminster Hall,
where we met Mr. Wayte the lawyer to the Treasurer, and so we went up to
the Committee of Parliament, which are to consider of the debts of the
Army and Navy, and did give in our account of the twenty-five ships.
Col. Birch was very impertinent and troublesome. But at last we did
agree to fit the accounts of our ships more perfectly for their view
within a few days, that they might see what a trouble it is to do what
they desire. From thence Sir Williams both going by water home, I took
Mr. Wayte to the Rhenish winehouse, and drank with him and so parted.
Thence to Mr. Crew's and spoke with Mr. Moore about the business of
paying off Baron our share of the dividend. So on foot home, by the way
buying a hat band and other things for my mourning to-morrow. So home
and to bed. This day I heard that the Duke of York, upon the news of the
death of his brother yesterday, came hither by post last night.
19th (Office day). I put on my mourning and went to the office. At noon
thinking to have found my wife in hers, I found that the tailor had
failed her, at which I was vexed because of an invitation that we have
to a dinner this day, but after having waited till past one o'clock I
went, and left her to put on some other clothes and come after me to the
Mitre tavern in Wood-street (a house of the greatest note in London),
where I met W. Symons, and D. Scobell, and their wives, Mr. Samford,
Luellin, Chetwind, one Mr. Vivion, and Mr. White,
[According to Noble, Jeremiah White married Lady Frances Cromwell's
waiting-woman, in Oliver's lifetime, and they lived together fifty
years. Lady Frances had two husbands, Mr. Robert Rich and Sir John
Russell of Chippenham, the last of whom she survived fifty-two years
dying 1721-22 The story is, that Oliver found White on his knees to
Frances Cromwell, and that, to save himself, he pretended to have
been soliciting her interest with her waiting-woman, whom Oliver
compelled him to marry. (Noble's "Life of Cromwell," vol. ii.
pp. 151, 152.) White was born in 1629 and died 1707.]
formerly chaplin to the Lady Protectresse--[Elizabeth, wife of Oliver
Cromwell.]--(and still so, and one they say that is likely to get my
Lady Francess for his wife). Here we were very merry and had a very good
dinner, my wife coming after me hither to us.
Among other pleasures some of us fell to handycapp,
["A game at cards not unlike Loo, but with this difference, the
winner of one trick has to put in a double stake, the winner of two
tricks a triple stake, and so on. Thus, if six persons are playing,
and the general stake is 1s., suppose A gains the three tricks, he
gains 6s., and has to 'hand i' the cap,' or pool, 4s. for the next
deal. Suppose A gains two tricks and B one, then A gains 4s. and B
2s., and A has to stake 3s. and B 2s. for the next deal."--Hindley's
Tavern Anecdotes.--M. B.]
a sport that I never knew before, which was very good. We staid till
it was very late; it rained sadly, but we made shift to get coaches. So
home and to bed.
20th. At home, and at the office, and in the garden walking with both
Sir Williams all the morning. After dinner to Whitehall to Mr. Dalton,
and with him to my house and took away all my papers that were left in
my closet, and so I have now nothing more in the house or to do with
it. We called to speak with my Landlord Beale, but he was not within but
spoke with the old woman, who takes it very ill that I did not let her
have it, but I did give her an answer. From thence to Sir G. Downing and
staid late there (he having sent for me to come to him), which was to
tell me how my Lord Sandwich had disappointed him of a ship to bring
over his child and goods, and made great complaint thereof; but I got
him to write a letter to Lawson, which it may be may do the business for
him, I writing another also about it. While he was writing, and his Lady
and I had a great deal of discourse in praise of Holland. By water to
the Bridge, and so to Major Hart's lodgings in Cannon-street, who used
me very kindly with wine and good discourse, particularly upon the ill
method which Colonel Birch and the Committee use in defending of the
army and the navy; promising the Parliament to save them a great deal
of money, when we judge that it will cost the King more than if they had
nothing to do with it, by reason of their delays and scrupulous enquirys
into the account of both. So home and to bed.
21st (Office day). There all the morning and afternoon till 4 o'clock.
Hence to Whitehall, thinking to have put up my books at my Lord's, but
am disappointed from want of a chest which I had at Mr. Bowyer's. Back
by water about 8 o'clock, and upon the water saw the corpse of the Duke
of Gloucester brought down Somerset House stairs, to go by water to
Westminster, to be buried to-night. I landed at the old Swan and went to
the Hoop Tavern, and (by a former agreement) sent for Mr. Chaplin, who
with Nicholas Osborne and one Daniel came to us and we drank off two
or three quarts of wine, which was very good; the drawing of our wine
causing a great quarrel in the house between the two drawers which
should draw us the best, which caused a great deal of noise and falling
out till the master parted them, and came up to us and did give us a
large account of the liberty that he gives his servants, all alike, to
draw what wine they will to please his customers; and we did eat above
200 walnuts. About to o'clock we broke up and so home, and in my way I
called in with them at Mr. Chaplin's, where Nicholas Osborne did give me
a barrel of samphire,
[Samphire was formerly a favourite pickle; hence the "dangerous
trade" of the samphire gatherer ("King Lear," act iv. sc. 6) who
supplied the demand. It was sold in the streets, and one of the old
London cries was "I ha' Rock Samphier, Rock Samphier!"]
and showed me the keys of Mardyke Fort,
[A fort four miles east of Dunkirk, probably dismantled when that
town was sold to Louis XIV.]
which he that was commander of the fort sent him as a token when the
fort was demolished, which I was mightily pleased to see, and will get
them of him if I can. Home, where I found my boy (my maid's brother)
come out of the country to-day, but was gone to bed and so I could not
see him to-night. To bed.
22nd. This morning I called up my boy, and found him a pretty,
well-looked boy, and one that I think will please me. I went this
morning by land to Westminster along with Luellin, who came to my house
this morning to get me to go with him to Capt. Allen to speak with him
for his brother to go with him to Constantinople, but could not find
him. We walked on to Fleet street, where at Mr. Standing's in Salsbury
Court we drank our morning draft and had a pickled herring. Among other
discourse here he told me how the pretty woman that I always loved at
the beginning of Cheapside that sells child's coats was served by the
Lady Bennett (a famous strumpet), who by counterfeiting to fall into a
swoon upon the sight of her in her shop, became acquainted with her, and
at last got her ends of her to lie with a gentleman that had hired her
to procure this poor soul for him. To Westminster to my Lord's, and
there in the house of office vomited up all my breakfast, my stomach
being ill all this day by reason of the last night's debauch. Here I
sent to Mr. Bowyer's for my chest and put up my books and sent them
home. I staid here all day in my Lord's chamber and upon the leads
gazing upon Diana, who looked out of a window upon me. At last I went
out to Mr. Harper's, and she standing over the way at the gate, I went
over to her and appointed to meet to-morrow in the afternoon at my
Lord's. Here I bought a hanging jack. From thence by coach home by the
way at the New Exchange
[In the Strand; built, under the auspices of James I., in 1608, out
of the stables of Durham House, the site of the present Adelphi.
The New Exchange stood where Coutts's banking-house now is. "It was
built somewhat on the model of the Royal Exchange, with cellars
beneath, a walk above, and rows of shops over that, filled chiefly
with milliners, sempstresses, and the like." It was also called
"Britain's Burse." "He has a lodging in the Strand... to
watch when ladies are gone to the china houses, or to the Exchange,
that he may meet them by chance and give them presents, some two or
three hundred pounds worth of toys, to be laughed at"--Ben Jonson,
The Silent Woman, act i. sc. 1.]
I bought a pair of short black stockings, to wear over a pair of silk
ones for mourning; and here I met with The. Turner and Joyce, buying of
things to go into mourning too for the Duke, (which is now the mode
of all the ladies in town), where I wrote some letters by the post to
Hinchinbroke to let them know that this day Mr. Edw. Pickering is come
from my Lord, and says that he left him well in Holland, and that he
will be here within three or four days. To-day not well of my last
night's drinking yet. I had the boy up to-night for his sister to teach
him to put me to bed, and I heard him read, which he did pretty well.
23rd (Lord's day). My wife got up to put on her mourning to-day and to
go to Church this morning. I up and set down my journall for these 5
days past. This morning came one from my father's with a black cloth
coat, made of my short cloak, to walk up and down in. To church my
wife and I, with Sir W. Batten, where we heard of Mr. Mills a very good
sermon upon these words, "So run that ye may obtain." After dinner all
alone to Westminster. At Whitehall I met with Mr. Pierce and his wife
(she newly come forth after childbirth) both in mourning for the Duke of
Gloucester. She went with Mr. Child to Whitehall chapel and Mr. Pierce
with me to the Abbey, where I expected to hear Mr. Baxter or Mr. Rowe
preach their farewell sermon, and in Mr. Symons's pew I sat and heard
Mr. Rowe. Before sermon I laughed at the reader, who in his prayer
desires of God that He would imprint his word on the thumbs of our right
hands and on the right great toes of our right feet. In the midst of the
sermon some plaster fell from the top of the Abbey, that made me and all
the rest in our pew afeard, and I wished myself out. After sermon with
Mr. Pierce to Whitehall, and from thence to my Lord, but Diana did not
come according to our agreement. So calling at my father's (where
my wife had been this afternoon but was gone home) I went home. This
afternoon, the King having news of the Princess being come to Margate,
he and the Duke of York went down thither in barges to her.
24th (Office day). From thence to dinner by coach with my wife to my
Cozen Scott's, and the company not being come, I went over the way to
the Barber's. So thither again to dinner, where was my uncle Fenner and
my aunt, my father and mother, and others. Among the rest my Cozen Rich.
Pepys,
[Richard Pepys, eldest son of Richard Pepys, Lord Chief Justice of
Ireland. He went to Boston, Mass., in 1634, and returned to England
about 1646.]
their elder brother, whom I had not seen these fourteen years, ever
since he came from New England. It was strange for us to go a gossiping
to her, she having newly buried her child that she was brought to
bed of. I rose from table and went to the Temple church, where I had
appointed Sir W. Batten to meet him; and there at Sir Heneage Finch
Sollicitor General's chambers, before him and Sir W. Wilde,
[William Wilde, elected Recorder on November 3rd, 1659, and
appointed one of the commissioners sent to Breda to desire Charles
II. to return to England immediately. He was knighted after the
King's return, called to the degree of Serjeant, and created a
baronet, all in the same year. In 1668 he ceased to be Recorder,
and was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1673 he
was removed to the King's Bench. He was turned out of his office in
1679 on account of his action in connection with the Popish Plot,
and died November 23rd of the same year.]
Recorder of London (whom we sent for from his chamber) we were sworn
justices of peace for Middlesex, Essex, Kent, and Southampton; with
which honour I did find myself mightily pleased, though I am wholly
ignorant in the duty of a justice of peace. From thence with Sir William
to Whitehall by water (old Mr. Smith with us) intending to speak with
Secretary Nicholas about the augmentation of our salaries, but being
forth we went to the Three Tuns tavern, where we drank awhile, and then
came in Col. Slingsby and another gentleman and sat with us. From thence
to my Lord's to enquire whether they have had any thing from my Lord
or no. Knocking at the door, there passed me Mons. L'Impertinent [Mr.
Butler] for whom I took a coach and went with him to a dancing meeting
in Broad Street, at the house that was formerly the glass-house, Luke
Channel, Master of the School, where I saw good dancing, but it growing
late, and the room very full of people and so very hot, I went home.
25th. To the office, where Sir W. Batten, Colonel Slingsby, and I sat
awhile, and Sir R. Ford
[Sir Richard Ford was one of the commissioners sent to Breda to
desire Charles II. to return to England immediately.]
coming to us about some business, we talked together of the interest
of this kingdom to have a peace with Spain and a war with France
and Holland; where Sir R. Ford talked like a man of great reason and
experience. And afterwards I did send for a cup of tee'
[That excellent and by all Physicians, approved, China drink, called
by the Chineans Tcha, by other nations Tay alias Tee, is sold at the
Sultaness Head Coffee-House, in Sweetings Rents, by the "Royal
Exchange, London." "Coffee, chocolate, and a kind of drink called
tee, sold in almost every street in 1659."--Rugge's Diurnal. It is
stated in "Boyne's Trade Tokens," ed. Williamson, vol. i., 1889,
p. 593 "that the word tea occurs on no other tokens than those
issued from 'the Great Turk' (Morat ye Great) coffeehouse in
Exchange Alley. The Dutch East India Company introduced tea into
Europe in 1610, and it is said to have been first imported into
England from Holland about 1650. The English "East India Company"
purchased and presented 2 lbs. of tea to Charles II. in 1660, and 23
lbs. in 1666. The first order for its importation by the company
was in 1668, and the first consignment of it, amounting to 143 lbs.,
was received from Bantam in 1669 (see Sir George Birdwood's "Report
on the Old Records at the India Office," 1890, p. 26). By act 12
Car. II., capp. 23, 24, a duty of 8d. per gallon was imposed upon
the infusion of tea, as well as on chocolate and sherbet.]
(a China drink) of which I never had drank before, and went away. Then
came Col. Birch and Sir R. Browne by a former appointment, and with
them from Tower wharf in the barge belonging to our office we went to
Deptford to pay off the ship Success, which (Sir G. Carteret and Sir W.
Pen coming afterwards to us) we did, Col. Birch being a mighty busy man
and one that is the most indefatigable and forward to make himself work
of any man that ever I knew in my life. At the Globe we had a very
good dinner, and after that to the pay again, which being finished we
returned by water again, and I from our office with Col. Slingsby by
coach to Westminster (I setting him down at his lodgings by the way) to
inquire for my Lord's coming thither (the King and the Princess
["The Princess Royall came from Gravesend to Whitehall by water,
attended by a noble retinue of about one hundred persons, gentry,
and servants, and tradesmen, and tirewomen, and others, that took
that opportunity to advance their fortunes, by coming in with so
excellent a Princess as without question she is."-Rugge's Diurnal.
A broadside, entitled "Ourania, the High and Mighty Lady the
Princess Royal of Aurange, congratulated on her most happy arrival,
September the 25th, 1660," was printed on the 29th.]
coming up the river this afternoon as we were at our pay), and I found
him gone to Mr. Crew's, where I found him well, only had got some corns
upon his foot which was not well yet. My Lord told me how the ship that
brought the Princess and him (The Tredagh) did knock six times upon the
Kentish Knock,
[A shoal in the North Sea, off the Thames mouth, outside the Long
Sand, fifteen miles N.N.E. of the North Foreland. It measures seven
miles north-eastward, and about two miles in breadth. It is partly
dry at low water. A revolving light was set up in 1840.]
which put them in great fear for the ship; but got off well. He told
me also how the King had knighted Vice-Admiral Lawson and Sir Richard
Stayner. From him late and by coach home, where the plasterers being at
work in all the rooms in my house, my wife was fain to make a bed upon
the ground for her and me, and so there we lay all night.
26th. Office day. That done to the church, to consult about our gallery.
So home to dinner, where I found Mrs. Hunt, who brought me a letter for
me to get my Lord to sign for her husband, which I shall do for her. At
home with the workmen all the afternoon, our house being in a most sad
pickle. In the evening to the office, where I fell a-reading of Speed's
Geography for a while. So home thinking to have found Will at home, but
he not being come home but gone somewhere else I was very angry, and
when he came did give him a very great check for it, and so I went to
bed.
27th. To my Lord at Mr. Crew's, and there took order about some business
of his, and from thence home to my workmen all the afternoon. In the
evening to my Lord's, and there did read over with him and Dr. Walker
my lord's new commission for sea, and advised thereupon how to have it
drawn. So home and to bed.
28th (Office day). This morning Sir W. Batten and Col. Slingsby went
with Col. Birch and Sir Wm. Doyly to Chatham to pay off a ship there.
So only Sir W. Pen and I left here in town. All the afternoon among my
workmen till 10 or 11 at night, and did give them drink and very merry
with them, it being my luck to meet with a sort of drolling workmen on
all occasions. To bed.
29th. All day at home to make an end of our dirty work of the
plasterers, and indeed my kitchen is now so handsome that I did not
repent of all the trouble that I have been put to, to have it done. This
day or yesterday, I hear, Prince Rupert
[This is the first mention in the Diary of this famous prince, third
son of Frederick, Prince Palatine of the Rhine, and Elizabeth,
daughter of James I., born December 17th, 1619. He died at his
house in Spring Gardens, November 29th, 1682.]
is come to Court; but welcome to nobody.
30th (Lord's day). To our Parish church both forenoon and afternoon all
alone. At night went to bed without prayers, my house being every where
foul above stairs.