October 1st. Early to my Lord to Whitehall, and there he did give me
some work to do for him, and so with all haste to the office. Dined at
home, and my father by chance with me. After dinner he and I advised
about hangings for my rooms, which are now almost fit to be hung, the
painters beginning to do their work to-day. After dinner he and I to the
Miter, where with my uncle Wight (whom my father fetched thither), while
I drank a glass of wine privately with Mr. Mansell, a poor Reformado of
the Charles, who came to see me. Here we staid and drank three or four
pints of wine and so parted. I home to look after my workmen, and at
night to bed. The Commissioners are very busy disbanding of the army,
which they say do cause great robbing. My layings out upon my house an
furniture are so great that I fear I shall not be able to go through
them without breaking one of my bags of L100, I having but L200 yet in
the world.
2nd. With Sir Wm. Pen by water to Whitehall, being this morning visited
before I went out by my brother Tom, who told me that for his lying out
of doors a day and a night my father had forbade him to come any more
into his house, at which I was troubled, and did soundly chide him for
doing so, and upon confessing his fault I told him I would speak to my
father. At Whitehall I met with Captain Clerk, and took him to the Leg
in King Street, and did give him a dish or two of meat, and his purser
that was with him, for his old kindness to me on board. After dinner I
to Whitehall, where I met with Mrs. Hunt, and was forced to wait upon
Mr. Scawen at a committee to speak for her husband, which I did. After
that met with Luellin, Mr. Fage, and took them both to the Dog, and did
give them a glass of wine. After that at Will's I met with Mr. Spicer,
and with him to the Abbey to see them at vespers. There I found but a
thin congregation already. So I see that religion, be it what it will,
is but a humour,
[The four humours of the body described by the old physicians were
supposed to exert their influence upon the mind, and in course of
time the mind as well as the body was credited with its own
particular humours. The modern restricted use of the word humour
did not become general until the eighteenth century.]
and so the esteem of it passeth as other things do. From thence with him
to see Robin Shaw, who has been a long time ill, and I have not seen
him since I came from sea. He is much changed, but in hopes to be well
again. From thence by coach to my father's, and discoursed with him
about Tom, and did give my advice to take him home again, which I think
he will do in prudence rather than put him upon learning the way of
being worse. So home, and from home to Major Hart, who is just going
out of town to-morrow, and made much of me, and did give me the oaths of
supremacy and allegiance, that I may be capable of my arrears. So home
again, where my wife tells me what she has bought to-day, namely, a bed
and furniture for her chamber, with which very well pleased I went to
bed.
3d. With Sir W. Batten and Pen by water to White Hall, where a meeting
of the Dukes of York and Albemarle, my Lord Sandwich and all the
principal officers, about the Winter Guard, but we determined of
nothing. To my Lord's, who sent a great iron chest to White Hall; and
I saw it carried, into the King's closet, where I saw most incomparable
pictures. Among the rest a book open upon a desk, which I durst have
sworn was a reall book, and back again to my Lord, and dined all alone
with him, who do treat me with a great deal of respect; and after dinner
did discourse an hour with me, and advise about some way to get himself
some money to make up for all his great expenses, saying that he
believed that he might have any thing that he would ask of the King.
This day Mr. Sheply and all my Lord's goods came from sea, some of them
laid of the Wardrobe and some brought to my Lord's house. From thence
to our office, where we met and did business, and so home and spent the
evening looking upon the painters that are at work in my house. This day
I heard the Duke speak of a great design that he and my Lord of Pembroke
have, and a great many others, of sending a venture to some parts of
Africa to dig for gold ore there. They intend to admit as many as will
venture their money, and so make themselves a company. L250 is the
lowest share for every man. But I do not find that my Lord do much like
it. At night Dr. Fairbrother (for so he is lately made of the Civil Law)
brought home my wife by coach, it being rainy weather, she having been
abroad today to buy more furniture for her house.
4th. This morning I was busy looking over papers at the office all
alone, and being visited by Lieut. Lambert of the Charles (to whom I was
formerly much beholden), I took him along with me to a little alehouse
hard by our office, whither my cozen Thomas Pepys the turner had sent
for me to show me two gentlemen that had a great desire to be known to
me, one his name is Pepys, of our family, but one that I never heard of
before, and the other a younger son of Sir Tho. Bendishes, and so we
all called cozens. After sitting awhile and drinking, my two new cozens,
myself, and Lieut. Lambert went by water to Whitehall, and from thence
I and Lieut. Lambert to Westminster Abbey, where we saw Dr. Frewen
translated to the Archbishoprick of York. Here I saw the Bishops of
Winchester, Bangor, Rochester, Bath and Wells, and Salisbury, all in
their habits, in King Henry Seventh's chappell. But, Lord! at their
going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange
creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect. From thence at 2
to my Lord's, where we took Mr. Sheply and Wm. Howe to the Raindeer, and
had some oysters, which were very good, the first I have eat this year.
So back to my Lord's to dinner, and after dinner Lieut. Lambert and I
did look upon my Lord's model, and he told me many things in a ship that
I desired to understand. From thence by water I (leaving Lieut. Lambert
at Blackfriars) went home, and there by promise met with Robert Shaw and
Jack Spicer, who came to see me, and by the way I met upon Tower Hill
with Mr. Pierce the surgeon and his wife, and took them home and did
give them good wine, ale, and anchovies, and staid them till night,
and so adieu. Then to look upon my painters that are now at work in my
house. At night to bed.
5th. Office day; dined at home, and all the afternoon at home to see my
painters make an end of their work, which they did to-day to my content,
and I am in great joy to see my house likely once again to be clean. At
night to bed.
6th. Col. Slingsby and I at the office getting a catch ready for the
Prince de Ligne to carry his things away to-day, who is now going home
again. About noon comes my cozen H. Alcock, for whom I brought a letter
for my Lord to sign to my Lord Broghill for some preferment in Ireland,
whither he is now a-going. After him comes Mr. Creed, who brought me
some books from Holland with him, well bound and good books, which I
thought he did intend to give me, but I found that I must pay him. He
dined with me at my house, and from thence to Whitehall together, where
I was to give my Lord an account of the stations and victualls of the
fleet in order to the choosing of a fleet fit for him to take to sea,
to bring over the Queen, but my Lord not coming in before 9 at night I
staid no longer for him, but went back again home and so to bed.
7th (Lord's day). To White Hall on foot, calling at my father's to
change my long black cloak for a short one (long cloaks being now quite
out); but he being gone to church, I could not get one, and therefore
I proceeded on and came to my Lord before he went to chapel and so went
with him, where I heard Dr. Spurstow preach before the King a poor dry
sermon; but a very good anthem of Captn. Cooke's afterwards. Going out
of chapel I met with Jack Cole, my old friend (whom I had not seen a
great while before), and have promised to renew acquaintance in London
together. To my Lord's and dined with him; he all dinner time talking
French to me, and telling me the story how the Duke of York hath got my
Lord Chancellor's daughter with child,
[Anne Hyde, born March 12th, 1637, daughter of Edward, first Earl of
Clarendon. She was attached to the court of the Princess of Orange,
daughter of Charles I., 1654, and contracted to James, Duke of York,
at Breda, November 24th, 1659. The marriage was avowed in London
September 3rd, 1660. She joined the Church of Rome in 1669, and
died March 31st, 1671.]
and that she, do lay it to him, and that for certain he did promise her
marriage, and had signed it with his blood, but that he by stealth had
got the paper out of her cabinet. And that the King would have him to
marry her, but that he will not.
[The Duke of York married Anne Hyde, and he avowed the marriage
September 3rd, so that Pepys was rather behindhand in his
information.]
So that the thing is very bad for the Duke, and them all; but my Lord do
make light of it, as a thing that he believes is not a new thing for the
Duke to do abroad. Discoursing concerning what if the Duke should marry
her, my Lord told me that among his father's many old sayings that he
had wrote in a book of his, this is one--that he that do get a wench
with child and marry her afterwards is as if a man should----in his hat
and then clap it on his head. I perceive my Lord is grown a man very
indifferent in all matters of religion, and so makes nothing of
these things. After dinner to the Abbey, where I heard them read the
church-service, but very ridiculously, that indeed I do not in myself
like it at all. A poor cold sermon of Dr. Lamb's, one of the prebends,
in his habit, came afterwards, and so all ended, and by my troth a
pitiful sorry devotion that these men pay. So walked home by land, and
before supper I read part of the Marian persecution in Mr. Fuller. So to
supper, prayers, and to bed.
8th. Office day, and my wife being gone out to buy some household stuff,
I dined all alone, and after dinner to Westminster, in my way meeting
Mr. Moore coming to me, who went back again with me calling at several
places about business, at my father's about gilded leather for my
dining room, at Mr. Crew's about money, at my Lord's about the same, but
meeting not Mr. Sheply there I went home by water, and Mr. Moore with
me, who staid and supped with me till almost 9 at night. We love one
another's discourse so that we cannot part when we do meet. He tells me
that the profit of the Privy Seal is much fallen, for which I am very
sorry. He gone and I to bed.
9th. This morning Sir W. Batten with Colonel Birch to Deptford, to pay
off two ships. Sir W. Pen and I staid to do business, and afterwards
together to White Hall, where I went to my Lord, and found him in bed
not well, and saw in his chamber his picture,--[Lord Sandwich's portrait
by Lely, see post, 22nd of this same month.]--very well done; and am
with child
[A figurative expression for an eager longing desire, used by Udall
and by Spenser. The latest authority given by Dr. Murray in the
"New English Dictionary," is Bailey in 1725.]
till I get it copied out, which I hope to do when he is gone to sea. To
Whitehall again, where at Mr. Coventry's chamber I met with Sir W. Pen
again, and so with him to Redriffe by water, and from thence walked
over the fields to Deptford (the first pleasant walk I have had a great
while), and in our way had a great deal of merry discourse, and find
him to be a merry fellow and pretty good natured, and sings very bawdy
songs. So we came and found our gentlemen and Mr. Prin at the pay. About
noon we dined together, and were very merry at table telling of tales.
After dinner to the pay of another ship till 10 at night, and so home in
our barge, a clear moonshine night, and it was 12 o'clock before we got
home, where I found my wife in bed, and part of our chambers hung to-day
by the upholster, but not being well done I was fretted, and so in a
discontent to bed. I found Mr. Prin a good, honest, plain man, but in
his discourse not very free or pleasant. Among all the tales that passed
among us to-day, he told us of one Damford, that, being a black man, did
scald his beard with mince-pie, and it came up again all white in that
place, and continued to his dying day. Sir W. Pen told us a good jest
about some gentlemen blinding of the drawer, and who he catched was to
pay the reckoning, and so they got away, and the master of the house
coming up to see what his man did, his man got hold of him, thinking
it to be one of the gentlemen, and told him that he was to pay the
reckoning.
10th. Office day all the morning. In the afternoon with the upholster
seeing him do things to my mind, and to my content he did fit my chamber
and my wife's. At night comes Mr. Moore, and staid late with me to tell
me how Sir Hards. Waller--[Sir Hardress Waller, Knt., one of Charles I.
judges. His sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life.]--(who only
pleads guilty), Scott, Coke, Peters, Harrison,
[General Thomas Harrison, son of a butcher at Newcastle-under-Lyme,
appointed by Cromwell to convey Charles I. from Windsor to
Whitehall, in order to his trial. He signed the warrant for the
execution of the King. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on the
13th.]
&c. were this day arraigned at the bar at the Sessions House, there
being upon the bench the Lord Mayor, General Monk, my Lord of Sandwich,
&c.; such a bench of noblemen as had not been ever seen in England! They
all seem to be dismayed, and will all be condemned without question. In
Sir Orlando Bridgman's charge, he did wholly rip up the unjustness of
the war against the King from the beginning, and so it much reflects
upon all the Long Parliament, though the King had pardoned them, yet
they must hereby confess that the King do look upon them as traitors.
To-morrow they are to plead what they have to say. At night to bed.
11th. In the morning to my Lord's, where I met with Mr. Creed, and with
him and Mr. Blackburne to the Rhenish wine house, where we sat drinking
of healths a great while, a thing which Mr. Blackburne formerly would
not upon any terms have done. After we had done there Mr. Creed and I to
the Leg in King Street, to dinner, where he and I and my Will had a good
udder to dinner, and from thence to walk in St. James's Park, where we
observed the several engines at work to draw up water, with which sight
I was very much pleased. Above all the rest, I liked best that which Mr.
Greatorex brought, which is one round thing going within all with a pair
of stairs round; round which being laid at an angle of 45 deg., do carry
up the water with a great deal of ease. Here, in the Park, we met with
Mr. Salisbury, who took Mr. Creed and me to the Cockpitt to see "The
Moore of Venice," which was well done. Burt acted the Moore; 'by the
same token, a very pretty lady that sat by me, called out, to see
Desdemona smothered. From thence with Mr. Creed to Hercules Pillars,
where we drank and so parted, and I went home.
12th. Office day all the morning, and from thence with Sir W. Batten and
the rest of the officers to a venison pasty of his at the Dolphin, where
dined withal Col. Washington, Sir Edward Brett, and Major Norwood, very
noble company. After dinner I went home, where I found Mr. Cooke, who
told me that my Lady Sandwich is come to town to-day, whereupon I went
to Westminster to see her, and found her at super, so she made me sit
down all alone with her, and after supper staid and talked with her,
she showing me most extraordinary love and kindness, and do give me good
assurance of my uncle's resolution to make me his heir. From thence home
and to bed.
13th. To my Lord's in the morning, where I met with Captain Cuttance,
but my Lord not being up I went out to Charing Cross, to see
Major-general Harrison hanged, drawn; and quartered; which was done
there, he looking as cheerful as any man could do in that condition. He
was presently cut down, and his head and heart shown to the people, at
which there was great shouts of joy. It is said, that he said that he
was sure to come shortly at the right hand of Christ to judge them that
now had judged him; and that his wife do expect his coming again. Thus
it was my chance to see the King beheaded at White Hall, and to see the
first blood shed in revenge for the blood of the King at Charing Cross.
From thence to my Lord's, and took Captain Cuttance and Mr. Sheply to
the Sun Tavern, and did give them some oysters. After that I went by
water home, where I was angry with my wife for her things lying about,
and in my passion kicked the little fine basket, which I bought her in
Holland, and broke it, which troubled me after I had done it. Within all
the afternoon setting up shelves in my study. At night to bed.
14th (Lord's day). Early to my Lord's, in my way meeting with Dr.
Fairbrother, who walked with me to my father's back again, and there we
drank my morning draft, my father having gone to church and my mother
asleep in bed. Here he caused me to put my hand among a great many
honorable hands to a paper or certificate in his behalf. To White Hall
chappell, where one Dr. Crofts made an indifferent sermon, and after it
an anthem, ill sung, which made the King laugh. Here I first did see the
Princess Royal since she came into England. Here I also observed, how
the Duke of York and Mrs. Palmer did talk to one another very wantonly
through the hangings that parts the King's closet and the closet where
the ladies sit. To my Lord's, where I found my wife, and she and I did
dine with my Lady (my Lord dining with my Lord Chamberlain), who did
treat my wife with a good deal of respect. In the evening we went home
through the rain by water in a sculler, having borrowed some coats of
Mr. Sheply. So home, wet and dirty, and to bed.
15th. Office all the morning. My wife and I by water; I landed her at
Whitefriars, she went to my father's to dinner, it being my father's
wedding day, there being a very great dinner, and only the Fenners and
Joyces there. This morning Mr. Carew
[John Carew signed the warrant for the execution of Charles I. He
held the religion of the Fifth Monarchists, and was tried October
12th, 1660. He refused to avail himself of many opportunities of
escape, and suffered death with much composure.]
was hanged and quartered at Charing Cross; but his quarters, by a great
favour, are not to be hanged up. I was forced to go to my Lord's to get
him to meet the officers of the Navy this afternoon, and so could not go
along with her, but I missed my Lord, who was this day upon the bench
at the Sessions house. So I dined there, and went to White Hall, where I
met with Sir W. Batten and Pen, who with the Comptroller, Treasurer, and
Mr. Coventry (at his chamber) made up a list of such ships as are fit
to be kept out for the winter guard, and the rest to be paid off by the
Parliament when they can get money, which I doubt will not be a great
while. That done, I took coach, and called my wife at my father's, and
so homewards, calling at Thos. Pepys the turner's for some things that
we wanted. And so home, where I fell to read "The Fruitless Precaution"
(a book formerly recommended by Dr. Clerke at sea to me), which I read
in bed till I had made an end of it, and do find it the best writ tale
that ever I read in my life. After that done to sleep, which I did not
very well do, because that my wife having a stopping in her nose she
snored much, which I never did hear her do before.
16th. This morning my brother Tom came to me, with whom I made even for
my last clothes to this day, and having eaten a dish of anchovies with
him in the morning, my wife and I did intend to go forth to see a play
at the Cockpit this afternoon, but Mr. Moore coming to me, my wife
staid at home, and he and I went out together, with whom I called at
the upholsters and several other places that I had business with, and
so home with him to the Cockpit, where, understanding that "Wit without
money" was acted, I would not stay, but went home by water, by the way
reading of the other two stories that are in the book that I read last
night, which I do not like so well as it. Being come home, Will. told
me that my Lord had a mind to speak with me to-night; so I returned
by water, and, coming there, it was only to enquire how the ships were
provided with victuals that are to go with him to fetch over the Queen,
which I gave him a good account of. He seemed to be in a melancholy
humour, which, I was told by W. Howe, was for that he had lately lost
a great deal of money at cards, which he fears he do too much addict
himself to now-a-days. So home by water and to bed.
17th. Office day. At noon came Mr. Creed to me, whom I took along
with me to the Feathers in Fish Street, where I was invited by Captain
Cuttance to dinner, a dinner made by Mr. Dawes and his brother. We had
two or three dishes of meat well done; their great design was to get me
concerned in a business of theirs about a vessel of theirs that is in
the service, hired by the King, in which I promise to do them all the
service I can. From thence home again with Mr. Crew, where I finding
Mrs. The. Turner and her aunt Duke I would not be seen but walked in the
garden till they were gone, where Mr. Spong came to me and Mr. Creed,
Mr. Spong and I went to our music to sing, and he being gone, my wife
and I went to put up my books in order in closet, and I to give her her
books. After that to bed.
18th. This morning, it being expected that Colonel Hacker and Axtell
should die, I went to Newgate, but found they were reprieved till
to-morrow. So to my aunt Fenner's, where with her and my uncle I drank
my morning draft. So to my father's, and did give orders for a pair
of black baize linings to be made me for my breeches against to-morrow
morning, which was done. So to my Lord's, where I spoke with my Lord,
and he would have had me dine with him, but I went thence to Mr.
Blackburne, where I met my wife and my Will's father and mother (the
first time that ever I saw them), where we had a very fine dinner.
Mr. Creed was also there. This day by her high discourse I found Mrs.
Blackburne to be a very high dame and a costly one. Home with my wife
by coach. This afternoon comes Mr. Chaplin and N. Osborn to my house, of
whom I made very much, and kept them with me till late, and so to bed.
At my coming home. I did find that The. Turner hath sent for a pair of
doves that my wife had promised her; and because she did not send them
in the best cage, she sent them back again with a scornful letter, with
which I was angry, but yet pretty well pleased that she was crossed.
19th. Office in the morning. This morning my dining-room was finished
with green serge hanging and gilt leather, which is very handsome. This
morning Hacker and Axtell were hanged and quartered, as the rest are.
This night I sat up late to make up my accounts ready against to-morrow
for my Lord. I found him to be above L80 in my debt, which is a good
sight, and I bless God for it.
20th. This morning one came to me to advise with me where to make me a
window into my cellar in lieu of one which Sir W. Batten had stopped
up, and going down into my cellar to look I stepped into a great heap
of----by which I found that Mr. Turner's house of office is full and
comes into my cellar, which do trouble me, but I shall have it helped.
To my Lord's by land, calling at several places about business, where I
dined with my Lord and Lady; when he was very merry, and did talk very
high how he would have a French cook, and a master of his horse, and his
lady and child to wear black patches; which methought was strange, but
he is become a perfect courtier; and, among other things, my Lady saying
that she could get a good merchant for her daughter Jem., he answered,
that he would rather see her with a pedlar's pack at her back, so she
married a gentleman, than she should marry a citizen. This afternoon,
going through London, and calling at Crowe's the upholster's, in Saint
Bartholomew's, I saw the limbs of some of our new traitors set upon
Aldersgate, which was a sad sight to see; and a bloody week this and the
last have been, there being ten hanged, drawn, and quartered. Home, and
after writing a letter to my uncle by the post, I went to bed.
21st (Lord's day). To the Parish church in the morning, where a good
sermon by Mr. Mills. After dinner to my Lord's, and from thence to the
Abbey, where I met Spicer and D. Vines and others of the old crew. So
leaving my boy at the Abbey against I came back, we went to Prior's by
the Hall back door, but there being no drink to be had we went away,
and so to the Crown in the Palace Yard, I and George Vines by the way
calling at their house, where he carried me up to the top of his turret,
where there is Cooke's head set up for a traytor, and Harrison's set up
on the other side of Westminster Hall. Here I could see them plainly, as
also a very fair prospect about London. From the Crown to the Abbey to
look for my boy, but he was gone thence, and so he being a novice I was
at a loss what was become of him. I called at my Lord's (where I found
Mr. Adams, Mr. Sheply's friend) and at my father's, but found him not.
So home, where I found him, but he had found the way home well enough,
of which I was glad. So after supper, and reading of some chapters, I
went to bed. This day or two my wife has been troubled with her boils in
the old place, which do much trouble her. Today at noon (God forgive me)
I strung my lute, which I had not touched a great while before.
22nd. Office day; after that to dinner at home upon some ribs of roast
beef from the Cook's (which of late we have been forced to do because
of our house being always under the painters' and other people's hands,
that we could not dress it ourselves). After dinner to my Lord's, where
I found all preparing for my Lord's going to sea to fetch the Queen
tomorrow. At night my Lord came home, with whom I staid long, and talked
of many things. Among others I got leave to have his picture, that was
done by Lilly,
[Peter Lely, afterwards knighted. He lived in the Piazza, Covent
Garden. This portrait was bought by Lord Braybrooke at Mr. Pepys
Cockerell's sale in 1848, and is now at Audley End.]
copied, and talking of religion, I found him to be a perfect Sceptic,
and said that all things would not be well while there was so much
preaching, and that it would be better if nothing but Homilies were
to be read in Churches. This afternoon (he told me) there hath been a
meeting before the King and my Lord Chancellor, of some Episcopalian and
Presbyterian Divines; but what had passed he could not tell me. After
I had done talk with him, I went to bed with Mr. Sheply in his chamber,
but could hardly get any sleep all night, the bed being ill made and he
a bad bedfellow.
23rd. We rose early in the morning to get things ready for My Lord, and
Mr. Sheply going to put up his pistols (which were charged with bullets)
into the holsters, one of them flew off, and it pleased God that, the
mouth of the gun being downwards, it did us no hurt, but I think I never
was in more danger in my life, which put me into a great fright. About
eight o'clock my Lord went; and going through the garden my Lord met
with Mr. William Montagu, who told him of an estate of land lately come
into the King's hands, that he had a mind my Lord should beg. To which
end my Lord writ a letter presently to my Lord Chancellor to do it for
him, which (after leave taken of my Lord at White Hall bridge) I did
carry to Warwick House to him; and had a fair promise of him, that
he would do it this day for my Lord. In my way thither I met the
Lord Chancellor and all the judges riding on horseback and going to
Westminster Hall, it being the first day of the term, which was the
first time I ever saw any such solemnity. Having done there I returned
to Whitehall, where meeting with my brother Ashwell and his cozen Sam.
Ashwell and Mr. Mallard, I took them to the Leg in King Street and gave
them a dish of meat for dinner and paid for it. From thence going to
Whitehall I met with Catan Stirpin in mourning, who told me that her
mistress was lately dead of the small pox, and that herself was now
married to Monsieur Petit, as also what her mistress had left her, which
was very well. She also took me to her lodging at an Ironmonger's in
King Street, which was but very poor, and I found by a letter that she
shewed me of her husband's to the King, that he is a right Frenchman,
and full of their own projects, he having a design to reform the
universities, and to institute schools for the learning of all
languages, to speak them naturally and not by rule, which I know will
come to nothing. From thence to my Lord's, where I went forth by coach
to Mrs. Parker's with my Lady, and so to her house again. From thence I
took my Lord's picture, and carried it to Mr. de Cretz to be copied. So
to White Hall, where I met Mr. Spong, and went home with him and played,
and sang, and eat with him and his mother. After supper we looked over
many books, and instruments of his, especially his wooden jack in his
chimney, which goes with the smoke, which indeed is very pretty. I found
him to be as ingenious and good-natured a man as ever I met with in my
life, and cannot admire him enough, he being so plain and illiterate a
man as he is. From thence by coach home and to bed, which was welcome to
me after a night's absence.
24th. I lay and slept long to-day. Office day. I took occasion to be
angry with my wife before I rose about her putting up of half a crown of
mine in a paper box, which she had forgot where she had lain it. But we
were friends again as we are always. Then I rose to Jack Cole, who came
to see me. Then to the office, so home to dinner, where I found Captain
Murford, who did put L3 into my hands for a friendship I had done him,
but I would not take it, but bade him keep it till he has enough to buy
my wife a necklace. This afternoon people at work in my house to make a
light in my yard into my cellar. To White Hall, in my way met with Mr.
Moore, who went back with me. He tells me, among other things, that
the Duke of York is now sorry for his lying with my Lord Chancellor's
daughter, who is now brought to bed of a boy. From Whitehall to Mr. De
Cretz, who I found about my Lord's picture. From thence to Mr. Lilly's,
where, not finding Mr. Spong, I went to Mr. Greatorex, where I met him,
and so to an alehouse, where I bought of him a drawing-pen; and he did
show me the manner of the lamp-glasses, which carry the light a great
way, good to read in bed by, and I intend to have one of them. So to Mr.
Lilly's with Mr. Spong, where well received, there being a club to-night
among his friends. Among the rest Esquire Ashmole, who I found was a
very ingenious gentleman. With him we two sang afterward in Mr. Lilly's
study. That done, we all pared; and I home by coach, taking Mr. Booker'
with me, who did tell me a great many fooleries, which may be done by
nativities, and blaming Mr. Lilly for writing to please his friends and
to keep in with the times (as he did formerly to his own dishonour), and
not according to the rules of art, by which he could not well err, as he
had done. I set him down at Lime-street end, and so home, where I found
a box of Carpenter's tools sent by my cozen, Thomas Pepys, which I had
bespoke of him for to employ myself with sometimes. To bed.
25th. All day at home doing something in order to the fitting of my
house. In the evening to Westminster about business. So home and to bed.
This night the vault at the end of the cellar was emptied.
26th. Office. My father and Dr. Thomas Pepys dined at my house, the last
of whom I did almost fox with Margate ale. My father is mightily pleased
with my ordering of my house. I did give him money to pay several bills.
After that I to Westminster to White Hall, where I saw the Duke de
Soissons go from his audience with a very great deal of state: his own
coach all red velvet covered with gold lace, and drawn by six barbes,
and attended by twenty pages very rich in clothes. To Westminster Hall,
and bought, among, other books, one of the Life of our Queen, which I
read at home to my wife; but it was so sillily writ, that we did nothing
but laugh at it: among other things it is dedicated to that paragon of
virtue and beauty, the Duchess of Albemarle. Great talk as if the
Duke of York do now own the marriage between him and the Chancellor's
daughter.
27th. In London and Westminster all this day paying of money and buying
of things for my house. In my going I went by chance by my new Lord
Mayor's house (Sir Richard Browne), by Goldsmith's Hall, which is now
fitting, and indeed is a very pretty house. In coming back I called at
Paul's Churchyard and bought Alsted's Encyclopaedia,' which cost me 38s.
Home and to bed, my wife being much troubled with her old pain.
28th (Lord's day). There came some pills and plaister this morning
from Dr. Williams for my wife. I to Westminster Abbey, where with much
difficulty, going round by the cloysters, I got in; this day being a
great day for the consecrating of five Bishopps, which was done after
sermon; but I could not get into Henry the Seventh's chappell. So I went
to my Lord's, where I dined with my Lady, and my young Lord, and Mr.
Sidney, who was sent for from Twickenham to see my Lord Mayor's show
to-morrow. Mr. Child did also dine with us. After dinner to White Hall
chappell; my Lady and my Lady Jemimah and I up to the King's closet (who
is now gone to meet the Queen). So meeting with one Mr. Hill, that did
know my Lady, he did take us into the King's closet, and there we did
stay all service-time, which I did think a great honour. We went home to
my Lord's lodgings afterwards, and there I parted with my Lady and went
home, where I did find my wife pretty well after her physic. So to bed.
29th. I up early, it being my Lord Mayor's day,
[When the calendar was reformed in England by the act 24 Geo. II.
c. 23, different provisions were made as regards those anniversaries
which affect directly the rights of property and those which do not.
Thus the old quarter days are still noted in our almanacs, and a
curious survival of this is brought home to payers of income tax.
The fiscal year still begins on old Lady-day, which now falls on
April 6th. All ecclesiastical fasts and feasts and other
commemorations which did not affect the rights of property were left
on their nominal days, such as the execution of Charles I. on
January 30th and the restoration of Charles II. on May 29th. The
change of Lord Mayor's day from the 29th of October to the 9th of
November was not made by the act for reforming the calendar (c.
23), but by another act of the same session (c. 48), entitled "An
Act for the Abbreviation of Michaelmas Term," by which it was
enacted, "that from and after the said feast of St. Michael, which
shall be in the year 1752, the said solemnity of presenting and
swearing the mayors of the city of London, after every annual
election into the said office, in the manner and form heretofore
used on the 29th day of October, shall be kept and observed on the
ninth day of November in every year, unless the same shall fall on
a Sunday, and in that case on the day following."]
(Sir Richd. Browne), and neglecting my office I went to the Wardrobe,
where I met my Lady Sandwich and all the children; and after drinking of
some strange and incomparable good clarett of Mr. Rumball's he and Mr.
Townsend did take us, and set the young Lords at one Mr. Nevill's, a
draper in Paul's churchyard; and my Lady and my Lady Pickering and I to
one Mr. Isaacson's, a linendraper at the Key in Cheapside; where there
was a company of fine ladies, and we were very civilly treated, and had
a very good place to see the pageants, which were many, and I believe
good, for such kind of things, but in themselves but poor and absurd.
After the ladies were placed I took Mr. Townsend and Isaacson to the
next door, a tavern, and did spend 5s. upon them. The show being done,
we got as far as Paul's with much ado, where I left my Lady in the
coach, and went on foot with my Lady Pickering to her lodging, which was
a poor one in Blackfryars, where she never invited me to go in at all,
which methought was very strange for her to do. So home, where I was
told how my Lady Davis is now come to our next lodgings, and has locked
up the leads door from me, which puts me into so great a disquiet that I
went to bed, and could not sleep till morning at it.
30th. Within all the morning and dined at home, my mind being so
troubled that I could not mind nor do anything till I spoke with the
Comptroller to whom the lodgings belong. In the afternoon, to ease my
mind, I went to the Cockpit all alone, and there saw a very fine play
called "The Tamer Tamed;" very well acted. That being done, I went to
Mr. Crew's, where I had left my boy, and so with him and Mr. Moore
(who would go a little way with me home, as he will always do) to the
Hercules Pillars to drink, where we did read over the King's declaration
in matters of religion, which is come out to-day, which is very well
penned, I think to the satisfaction of most people. So home, where I
am told Mr. Davis's people have broken open the bolt of my chamber door
that goes upon the leads, which I went up to see and did find it so,
which did still trouble me more and more. And so I sent for Griffith,
and got him to search their house to see what the meaning of it might
be, but can learn nothing to-night. But I am a little pleased that I
have found this out. I hear nothing yet of my Lord, whether he be gone
for the Queen from the Downs or no; but I believe he is, and that he is
now upon coming back again.
31st Office day. Much troubled all this morning in my mind about the
business of my walk on the leads. I spoke of it to the Comptroller and
the rest of the principal officers, who are all unwilling to meddle in
anything that may anger my Lady Davis. And so I am fain to give over for
the time that she do continue therein. Dined at home, and after dinner
to Westminster Hall, where I met with Billing the quaker at Mrs.
Michell's shop, who is still of the former opinion he was of against the
clergymen of all sorts, and a cunning fellow I find him to be. Home, and
there I had news that Sir W. Pen is resolved to ride to Sir W. Batten's
country house to-morrow, and would have me go with him, so I sat up
late, getting together my things to ride in, and was fain to cut an old
pair of boots to make leathers for those I was to wear. This month I
conclude with my mind very heavy for the loss of the leads, as also for
the greatness of my late expenses, insomuch that I do not think that I
have above L150 clear money in the world, but I have, I believe, got
a great deal of good household stuff: I hear to-day that the Queen is
landed at Dover, and will be here on Friday next, November 2nd. My wife
has been so ill of late of her old pain that I have not known her this
fortnight almost, which is a pain to me.