Produced by David Widger
THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.
CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE FELLOW
AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE
(Unabridged)
WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES
EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY
HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
JUNE, JULY & AUGUST
1661
June 1st. Having taken our leaves of Sir W. Batten and my Lady, who are
gone this morning to keep their Whitsuntide, Sir W. Pen and I and Mr.
Gauden by water to Woolwich, and there went from ship to ship to give
order for and take notice of their forwardness to go forth, and then to
Deptford and did the like, having dined at Woolwich with Captain Poole at
the tavern there. From Deptford we walked to Redriffe, calling at the
half-way house, and there come into a room where there was infinite of new
cakes placed that are made against Whitsuntide, and there we were very
merry. By water home, and there did businesses of the office. Among
others got my Lord's imprest of L1000 and Mr. Creed's of L10,000 against
this voyage their bills signed. Having wrote letters into the country and
read some things I went to bed.
2nd (Whitsunday). The barber having done with me, I went to church, and
there heard a good sermon of Mr. Mills, fit for the day. Then home to
dinner, and then to church again, and going home I found Greatorex (whom I
expected today at dinner) come to see me, and so he and I in my chamber
drinking of wine and eating of anchovies an hour or two, discoursing of
many things in mathematics, and among others he showed me how it comes to
pass the strength that levers have, and he showed me that what is got as
to matter of strength is lost by them as to matter of time. It rained
very hard, as it hath done of late so much that we begin to doubt a
famine, and so he was forced to stay longer than I desired. At night
after prayers to bed.
3rd. To the Wardrobe, where discoursing with my Lord, he did instruct me
as to the business of the Wardrobe, in case, in his absence, Mr. Townsend
should die, and told me that he do intend to joyne me and Mr. Moore with
him as to the business, now he is going to sea, and spoke to me many other
things, as to one that he do put the greatest confidence in, of which I am
proud. Here I had a good occasion to tell him (what I have had long in my
mind) that, since it has pleased God to bless me with something, I am
desirous to lay out something for my father, and so have pitched upon Mr.
Young's place in the Wardrobe, which I desired he would give order in his
absence, if the place should fall that I might have the refusal. Which my
Lord did freely promise me, at which I was very glad, he saying that he
would do that at the least. So I saw my Lord into the barge going to
Whitehall, and I and Mr. Creed home to my house, whither my father and my
cozen Scott came to dine with me, and so we dined together very well, and
before we had done in comes my father Bowyer and my mother and four
daughters, and a young gentleman and his sister, their friends, and there
staid all the afternoon, which cost me great store of wine, and were very
merry. By and by I am called to the office, and there staid a little. So
home again, and took Mr. Creed and left them, and so he and I to the
Towre, to speak for some ammunition for ships for my Lord; and so he and
I, with much pleasure, walked quite round the Towre, which I never did
before. So home, and after a walk with my wife upon the leads, I and she
went to bed. This morning I and Dr. Peirce went over to the Beare at the
Bridge foot, thinking to have met my Lord Hinchinbroke and his brother
setting forth for France; but they being not come we went over to the
Wardrobe, and there found that my Lord Abbot Montagu being not at Paris,
my Lord hath a mind to have them stay a little longer before they go.
4th. The Comptroller came this morning to get me to go see a house or two
near our office, which he would take for himself or Mr. Turner, and then
he would have me have Mr. Turner's lodgings and himself mine and Mr.
Davis's. But the houses did not like us, and so that design at present is
stopped. Then he and I by water to the bridge, and then walked over the
Bank-side till we came to the Temple, and so I went over and to my
father's, where I met with my cozen J. Holcroft, and took him and my
father and my brother Tom to the Bear tavern and gave them wine, my cozen
being to go into the country again to-morrow. From thence to my Lord
Crew's to dinner with him, and had very good discourse about having of
young noblemen and gentlemen to think of going to sea, as being as
honourable service as the land war. And among other things he told us
how, in Queen Elizabeth's time, one young nobleman would wait with a
trencher at the back of another till he came to age himself. And
witnessed in my young Lord of Kent, that then was, who waited upon my Lord
Bedford at table, when a letter came to my Lord Bedford that the Earldom
of Kent was fallen to his servant, the young Lord; and so he rose from
table, and made him sit down in his place, and took a lower for himself,
for so he was by place to sit. From thence to the Theatre and saw "Harry
the 4th," a good play. That done I went over the water and walked over
the fields to Southwark, and so home and to my lute. At night to bed.
5th. This morning did give my wife L4 to lay out upon lace and other
things for herself. I to Wardrobe and so to Whitehall and Westminster,
where I dined with my Lord and Ned Dickering alone at his lodgings. After
dinner to the office, where we sat and did business, and Sir W. Pen and I
went home with Sir R. Slingsby to bowls in his ally, and there had good
sport, and afterwards went in and drank and talked. So home Sir William
and I, and it being very hot weather I took my flageolette and played upon
the leads in the garden, where Sir W. Pen came out in his shirt into his
leads, and there we staid talking and singing, and drinking great drafts
of claret, and eating botargo
["Botarga. The roe of the mullet pressed flat and dried; that of
commerce, however, is from the tunny, a large fish of passage which
is common in the Mediterranean. The best kind comes from Tunis."
--Smyth's Sailor's Word-Book. Botargo was chiefly used to promote
drinking by causing thirst, and Rabelais makes Gargantua eat it.]
and bread and butter till 12 at night, it being moonshine; and so to bed,
very near fuddled.
6th. My head hath aked all night, and all this morning, with my last
night's debauch. Called up this morning by Lieutenant Lambert, who is now
made Captain of the Norwich, and he and I went down by water to Greenwich,
in our way observing and discoursing upon the things of a ship, he telling
me all I asked him, which was of good use to me. There we went and eat
and drank and heard musique at the Globe, and saw the simple motion that
is there of a woman with a rod in her hand keeping time to the musique
while it plays, which is simple, methinks. Back again by water, calling
at Captain Lambert's house, which is very handsome and neat, and a fine
prospect at top. So to the office, where we sat a little, and then the
Captain and I again to Bridewell to Mr. Holland's, where his wife also, a
plain dowdy, and his mother was. Here I paid Mrs. Holland the money due
from me to her husband. Here came two young gentlewomen to see Mr.
Holland, and one of them could play pretty well upon the viallin, but,
good God! how these ignorant people did cry her up for it! We were very
merry. I staid and supped there, and so home and to bed. The weather
very hot, this night I left off my wastecoat.
7th. To my Lord's at Whitehall, but not finding him I went to the
Wardrobe and there dined with my Lady, and was very kindly treated by her.
After dinner to the office, and there till late at night. So home, and to
Sir William Batten's, who is come this day from Chatham with my Lady, who
is and has been much troubled with the toothache. Here I staid till late,
and so home and to bed.
8th. To Whitehall to my Lord, who did tell me that he would have me go to
Mr. Townsend, whom he had ordered to discover to me the whole mystery of
the Wardrobe, and none else but me, and that he will make me deputy with
him for fear that he should die in my Lord's absence, of which I was glad.
Then to the Cook's with Mr. Shepley and Mr. Creed, and dined together, and
then I went to the Theatre and there saw Bartholomew Faire, the first time
it was acted now a-days. It is a most admirable play and well acted, but
too much prophane and abusive. From thence, meeting Mr. Creed at the
door, he and I went to the tobacco shop under Temple Bar gate, and there
went up to the top of the house and there sat drinking Lambeth ale a good
while. Then away home, and in my way called upon Mr. Rawlinson (my uncle
Wight being out of town), for his advice to answer a letter of my uncle
Robert, wherein he do offer me a purchase to lay some money upon, that
joynes upon some of his own lands, and plainly telling me that the reason
of his advice is the convenience that it will give me as to his estate, of
which I am exceeding glad, and am advised to give up wholly the disposal
of my money to him, let him do what he will with it, which I shall do. So
home and to bed.
9th (Lord's day). This day my wife put on her black silk gown, which is
now laced all over with black gimp lace, as the fashion is, in which she
is very pretty. She and I walked to my Lady's at the Wardrobe, and there
dined and was exceeding much made of. After dinner I left my wife there,
and I walked to Whitehall, and then went to Mr. Pierce's and sat with his
wife a good while (who continues very pretty) till he came, and then he
and I, and Mr. Symons (dancing master), that goes to sea with my Lord, to
the Swan tavern, and there drank, and so again to White Hall, and there
met with Dean Fuller, and walked a great while with him; among other
things discoursed of the liberty the Bishop (by name the of Galloway)
takes to admit into orders any body that will; among others, Roundtree, a
simple mechanique that was a person [parson ?] formerly in the fleet. He
told me he would complain of it. By and by we went and got a sculler, and
landing him at Worcester House, I and W. Howe, who came to us at
Whitehall, went to the Wardrobe, where I met with Mr. Townsend, who is
very willing he says to communicate anything for my Lord's advantage to me
as to his business. I went up to Jane Shore's towre, and there W. Howe
and I sang, and so took my wife and walked home, and so to bed. After I
came home a messenger came from my Lord to bid me come to him tomorrow
morning.
10th. Early to my Lord's, who privately told me how the King had made him
Embassador in the bringing over the Queen.
[Katherine of Braganza, daughter of John IV. of Portugal, born 1638,
married to Charles II., May 21st, 1662. After the death of the king
she lived for some time at Somerset House, and then returned to
Portugal, of which country she became Regent in 1704 on the
retirement of her brother Don Pedro. She died December 31st, 1705.]
That he is to go to Algier, &c., to settle the business, and to put the
fleet in order there; and so to come back to Lisbone with three ships, and
there to meet the fleet that is to follow him. He sent for me, to tell me
that he do intrust me with the seeing of all things done in his absence as
to this great preparation, as I shall receive orders from my Lord
Chancellor and Mr. Edward Montagu. At all which my heart is above measure
glad; for my Lord's honour, and some profit to myself, I hope. By and by,
out with Mr. Shepley Walden, Parliament-man for Huntingdon, Rolt,
Mackworth, and Alderman Backwell, to a house hard by, to drink Lambeth
ale. So I back to the Wardrobe, and there found my Lord going to Trinity
House, this being the solemn day of choosing Master, and my Lord is
chosen, so he dines there to-day. I staid and dined with my Lady; but
after we were set, comes in some persons of condition, and so the children
and I rose and dined by ourselves, all the children and I, and were very
merry and they mighty fond of me. Then to the office, and there sat
awhile. So home and at night to bed, where we lay in Sir R. Slingsby's
lodgings in the dining room there in one green bed, my house being now in
its last work of painting and whiting.
11th. At the office this morning, Sir G. Carteret with us; and we agreed
upon a letter to the Duke of York, to tell him the sad condition of this
office for want of money; how men are not able to serve us more without
some money; and that now the credit of the office is brought so low, that
none will sell us any thing without our personal security given for the
same. All the afternoon abroad about several businesses, and at night
home and to bed.
12th. Wednesday, a day kept between a fast and a feast, the Bishops not
being ready enough to keep the fast for foul weather before fair weather
came; and so they were forced to keep it between both.
[A Form of Prayer was published to be used in London on the 12th,
and in the country on the 19th of June, being the special days
appointed for a general fast to be kept in the respective places for
averting those sicknesses and diseases, that dearth and scarcity,
which justly may be feared from the late immoderate rain and waters:
for a thanksgiving also for the blessed change of weather; and the
begging the continuance of it to us for our comfort: And likewise
for beseeching a Blessing upon the High Court of Parliament now
assembled: Set forth by his Majesty's authority. A sermon was
preached before the Commons by Thomas Greenfield, preacher of
Lincoln's Inn. The Lords taxed themselves for the poor--an earl,
30s., a baron, 20s. Those absent from prayers were to pay a
forfeit.--B.]
I to Whitehall, and there with Captain Rolt and Ferrers we went to Lambeth
to drink our morning draft, where at the Three Mariners, a place noted for
their ale, we went and staid awhile very merry, and so away. And wanting a
boat, we found Captain Bun going down the river, and so we went into his
boat having a lady with him, and he landed them at Westminster and me at
the Bridge. At home all day with my workmen, and doing several things,
among others writing the letter resolved of yesterday to the Duke. Then
to White Hall, where I met my Lord, who told me he must have L300 laid out
in cloth, to give in Barbary, as presents among the Turks. At which
occasion of getting something I was very glad. Home to supper, and then to
Sir R. Slingsby, who with his brother and I went to my Lord's at the
Wardrobe, and there staid a great while, but he being now taking his leave
of his friends staid out late, and so they went away. Anon came my Lord
in, and I staid with him a good while, and then to bed with Mr. Moore in
his chamber.
13th. I went up and down to Alderman Backwell's, but his servants not
being up, I went home and put on my gray cloth suit and faced white coat,
made of one of my wife's pettycoates, the first time I have had it on, and
so in a riding garb back again and spoke with Mr. Shaw at the Alderman's,
who offers me L300 if my Lord pleases to buy this cloth with, which
pleased me well. So to the Wardrobe and got my Lord to order Mr. Creed to
imprest so much upon me to be paid by Alderman Backwell. So with my Lord
to Whitehall by water, and he having taken leave of the King, comes to us
at his lodgings and from thence goes to the garden stairs and there takes
barge, and at the stairs was met by Sir R. Slingsby, who there took his
leave of my Lord, and I heard my Lord thank him for his kindness to me,
which Sir Robert answered much to my advantage. I went down with my Lord
in the barge to Deptford, and there went on board the Dutch yacht and
staid there a good while, W. Howe not being come with my Lord's things,
which made my Lord very angry. By and by he comes and so we set sayle,
and anon went to dinner, my Lord and we very merry; and after dinner I
went down below and there sang, and took leave of W. Howe, Captain Rolt,
and the rest of my friends, then went up and took leave of my Lord, who
give me his hand and parted with great respect. So went and Captain
Ferrers with me into our wherry, and my Lord did give five guns, all they
had charged, which was the greatest respect my Lord could do me, and of
which I was not a little proud. So with a sad and merry heart I left them
sailing pleasantly from Erith, hoping to be in the Downs tomorrow early.
We toward London in our boat. Pulled off our stockings and bathed our legs
a great while in the river, which I had not done some years before. By
and by we come to Greenwich, and thinking to have gone on the King's
yacht, the King was in her, so we passed by, and at Woolwich went on
shore, in the company of Captain Poole of Jamaica and young Mr.
Kennersley, and many others, and so to the tavern where we drank a great
deal both wine and beer. So we parted hence and went home with Mr.
Falconer, who did give us cherrys and good wine. So to boat, and young
Poole took us on board the Charity and gave us wine there, with which I
had full enough, and so to our wherry again, and there fell asleep till I
came almost to the Tower, and there the Captain and I parted, and I home
and with wine enough in my head, went to bed.
14th. To Whitehall to my Lord's, where I found Mr. Edward Montagu and his
family come to lie during my Lord's absence. I sent to my house by my
Lord's order his shipp--[Qy. glass omitted after shipp.]--and triangle
virginall. So to my father's, and did give him order about the buying of
this cloth to send to my Lord. But I could not stay with him myself, for
having got a great cold by my playing the fool in the water yesterday I
was in great pain, and so went home by coach to bed, and went not to the
office at all, and by keeping myself warm, I broke wind and so came to
some ease. Rose and eat some supper, and so to bed again.
15th. My father came and drank his morning draft with me, and sat with me
till I was ready, and so he and I about the business of the cloth. By and
by I left him and went and dined with my Lady, who, now my Lord is gone,
is come to her poor housekeeping again. Then to my father's, who tells me
what he has done, and we resolved upon two pieces of scarlet, two of
purple, and two of black, and L50 in linen. I home, taking L300 with me
home from Alderman Backwell's. After writing to my Lord to let him know
what I had done I was going to bed, but there coming the purser of the
King's yacht for victualls presently, for the Duke of York is to go down
to-morrow, I got him to promise stowage for these things there, and so I
went to bed, bidding Will go and fetch the things from the carrier's
hither, which about 12 o'clock were brought to my house and laid there all
night.
16th (Lord's day). But no purser coming in the morning for them, and I
hear that the Duke went last night, and so I am at a great loss what to
do; and so this day (though the Lord's day) staid at home, sending Will up
and down to know what to do. Sometimes thinking to continue my resolution
of sending by the carrier to be at Deal on Wednesday next, sometimes to
send them by sea by a vessel on purpose, but am not yet come to a
resolution, but am at a very great loss and trouble in mind what in the
world to do herein. The afternoon (while Will was abroad) I spent in
reading "The Spanish Gypsey," a play not very good, though commended much.
At night resolved to hire a Margate Hoy, who would go away to-morrow
morning, which I did, and sent the things all by him, and put them on
board about 12 this night, hoping to have them as the wind now serves in
the Downs to-morrow night. To-bed with some quiet of mind, having sent
the things away.
17th. Visited this morning by my old friend Mr. Ch. Carter, who staid and
went to Westminster with me, and there we parted, and I to the Wardrobe
and dined with my Lady. So home to my painters, who are now about
painting my stairs. So to the office, and at night we all went to Sir W.
Pen's, and there sat and drank till 11 at night, and so home and to bed.
18th. All this morning at home vexing about the delay of my painters, and
about four in the afternoon my wife and I by water to Captain Lambert's,
where we took great pleasure in their turret-garden, and seeing the fine
needle-works of his wife, the best I ever saw in my life, and afterwards
had a very handsome treat and good musique that she made upon the
harpsicon, and with a great deal of pleasure staid till 8 at night, and so
home again, there being a little pretty witty child that is kept in their
house that would not let us go without her, and so fell a-crying by the
water-side. So home, where I met Jack Cole, who staid with me a good
while, and is still of the old good humour that we were of at school
together, and I am very glad to see him. He gone, I went to bed.
19th. All the morning almost at home, seeing my stairs finished by the
painters, which pleases me well. So with Mr. Moore to Westminster Hall,
it being term, and then by water to the Wardrobe, where very merry, and so
home to the office all the afternoon, and at night to the Exchange to my
uncle Wight about my intention of purchasing at Brampton. So back again
home and at night to bed. Thanks be to God I am very well again of my
late pain, and to-morrow hope to be out of my pain of dirt and trouble in
my house, of which I am now become very weary. One thing I must observe
here while I think of it, that I am now become the most negligent man in
the world as to matters of news, insomuch that, now-a-days, I neither can
tell any, nor ask any of others.
20th. At home the greatest part of the day to see my workmen make an end,
which this night they did to my great content.
21st. This morning going to my father's I met him, and so he and I went
and drank our morning draft at the Samson in Paul's Churchyard, and eat
some gammon of bacon, &c., and then parted, having bought some green
Say--[A woollen cloth. "Saye clothe serge."--Palsgrave.]--for curtains in
my parler. Home, and so to the Exchequer, where I met with my uncle
Wight, and home with him to dinner, where among others (my aunt being out
of town), Mr. Norbury and I did discourse of his wife's house and land at
Brampton, which I find too much for me to buy. Home, and in the afternoon
to the office, and much pleased at night to see my house begin to be clean
after all the dirt.
22nd. Abroad all the morning about several businesses. At noon went and
dined with my Lord Crew, where very much made of by him and his lady. Then
to the Theatre, "The Alchymist,"--[Comedy by Ben Jonson, first printed in
1612.]--which is a most incomparable play. And that being done I met with
little Luellin and Blirton, who took me to a friend's of theirs in
Lincoln's Inn fields, one Mr. Hodges, where we drank great store of
Rhenish wine and were very merry. So I went home, where I found my house
now very clean, which was great content to me.
23rd (Lord's day). In the morning to church, and my wife not being well,
I went with Sir W. Batten home to dinner, my Lady being out of town, where
there was Sir W. Pen, Captain Allen and his daughter Rebecca, and Mr.
Hempson and his wife. After dinner to church all of us and had a very
good sermon of a stranger, and so I and the young company to walk first to
Graye's Inn Walks, where great store of gallants, but above all the ladies
that I there saw, or ever did see, Mrs. Frances Butler (Monsieur
L'Impertinent's sister) is the greatest beauty. Then we went to
Islington, where at the great house I entertained them as well as I could,
and so home with them, and so to my own home and to bed. Pall, who went
this day to a child's christening of Kate Joyce's, staid out all night at
my father's, she not being well.
24th (Midsummer-day). We kept this a holiday, and so went not to the
office at all. All the morning at home. At noon my father came to see my
house now it is done, which is now very neat. He and I and Dr. Williams
(who is come to see my wife, whose soare belly is now grown dangerous as
she thinks) to the ordinary over against the Exchange, where we dined and
had great wrangling with the master of the house when the reckoning was
brought to us, he setting down exceeding high every thing. I home again
and to Sir W. Batten's, and there sat a good while. So home.
25th. Up this morning to put my papers in order that are come from my
Lord's, so that now I have nothing there remaining that is mine, which I
have had till now. This morning came Mr. Goodgroome
[Theodore Goodgroome, Pepys's singing-master. He was probably
related to John Goodgroome, a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, who is
also referred to in the Diary.]
to me (recommended by Mr. Mage), with whom I agreed presently to give him
20s. entrance, which I then did, and 20s. a month more to teach me to
sing, and so we began, and I hope I have come to something in it. His
first song is "La cruda la bella." He gone my brother Tom comes, with
whom I made even with my father and the two drapers for the cloths I sent
to sea lately. At home all day, in the afternoon came Captain Allen and
his daughter Rebecca and Mr. Hempson, and by and by both Sir Williams, who
sat with me till it was late, and I had a very gallant collation for them.
At night to bed.
26th. To Westminster about several businesses, then to dine with my Lady
at the Wardrobe, taking Dean Fuller along with me; then home, where I
heard my father had been to find me about special business; so I took
coach and went to him, and found by a letter to him from my aunt that my
uncle Robert is taken with a dizziness in his head, so that they desire my
father to come down to look after his business, by which we guess that he
is very ill, and so my father do think to go to-morrow. And so God's will
be done. Back by water to the office, there till night, and so home to my
musique and then to bed.
27th. To my father's, and with him to Mr. Starling's to drink our morning
draft, and there I told him how I would have him speak to my uncle Robert,
when he comes thither, concerning my buying of land, that I could pay
ready money L600 and the rest by L150 per annum, to make up as much as
will buy L50 per annum, which I do, though I not worth above L500 ready
money, that he may think me to be a greater saver than I am. Here I took
my leave of my father, who is going this morning to my uncle upon my
aunt's letter this week that he is not well and so needs my father's help.
At noon home, and then with my Lady Batten, Mrs. Rebecca Allen, Mrs.
Thompson, &c., two coaches of us, we went and saw "Bartholomew Fayre"
acted very well, and so home again and staid at Sir W. Batten's late, and
so home to bed. This day Mr. Holden sent me a bever, which cost me L4 5s.
[Whilst a hat (see January 28th, 1660-61, ante) cost only 35s. See
also Lord Sandwich's vexation at his beaver being stolen, and a hat
only left in lieu of it, April 30th, 1661, ante; and April 19th and
26th, 1662, Post.--B.]
28th. At home all the morning practising to sing, which is now my great
trade, and at noon to my Lady and dined with her. So back and to the
office, and there sat till 7 at night, and then Sir W. Pen and I in his
coach went to Moorefields, and there walked, and stood and saw the
wrestling, which I never saw so much of before, between the north and west
countrymen. So home, and this night had our bed set up in our room that
we called the Nursery, where we lay, and I am very much pleased with the
room.
29th. By a letter from the Duke complaining of the delay of the ships
that are to be got ready, Sir Williams both and I went to Deptford and
there examined into the delays, and were satisfyed. So back again home
and staid till the afternoon, and then I walked to the Bell at the Maypole
in the Strand, and thither came to me by appointment Mr. Chetwind,
Gregory, and Hartlibb, so many of our old club, and Mr. Kipps, where we
staid and drank and talked with much pleasure till it was late, and so I
walked home and to bed. Mr. Chetwind by chewing of tobacco is become very
fat and sallow, whereas he was consumptive, and in our discourse he fell
commending of "Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity," as the best book, and the
only one that made him a Christian, which puts me upon the buying of it,
which I will do shortly.
30th (Lord's day). To church, where we observe the trade of briefs is
come now up to so constant a course every Sunday, that we resolve to give
no more to them.
[It appears, from an old MS. account-book of the collections in the
church of St. Olave, Hart Street, beginning in 1642, still extant,
that the money gathered on the 30th June, 1661, "for several
inhabitants of the parish of St. Dunstan in the West towards their
losse by fire," amounted to "xxs. viiid." Pepys might complain of
the trade in briefs, as similar contributions had been levied
fourteen weeks successively, previous to the one in question at St.
Olave's church. Briefs were abolished in 1828.--B.]
A good sermon, and then home to dinner, my wife and I all alone. After
dinner Sir Williams both and I by water to Whitehall, where having walked
up and down, at last we met with the Duke of York, according to an order
sent us yesterday from him, to give him an account where the fault lay in
the not sending out of the ships, which we find to be only the wind hath
been against them, and so they could not get out of the river. Hence I to
Graye's Inn Walk, all alone, and with great pleasure seeing the fine
ladies walk there. Myself humming to myself (which now-a-days is my
constant practice since I begun to learn to sing) the trillo, and found by
use that it do come upon me. Home very weary and to bed, finding my wife
not sick, but yet out of order, that I fear she will come to be sick.
This day the Portuguese Embassador came to White Hall to take leave of the
King; he being now going to end all with the Queen, and to send her over.
The weather now very fair and pleasant, but very hot. My father gone to
Brampton to see my uncle Robert, not knowing whether to find him dead or
alive. Myself lately under a great expense of money upon myself in
clothes and other things, but I hope to make it up this summer by my
having to do in getting things ready to send with the next fleet to the
Queen.
Myself in good health, but mighty apt to take cold, so that this hot
weather I am fain to wear a cloth before my belly.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
JULY
1661
July 1st. This morning I went up and down into the city, to buy several
things, as I have lately done, for my house. Among other things, a fair
chest of drawers for my own chamber, and an Indian gown for myself. The
first cost me 33s., the other 34s. Home and dined there, and Theodore
Goodgroome, my singing master, with me, and then to our singing. After
that to the office, and then home.
2nd. To Westminster Hall and there walked up and down, it being Term
time. Spoke with several, among others my cozen Roger Pepys, who was
going up to the Parliament House, and inquired whether I had heard from my
father since he went to Brampton, which I had done yesterday, who writes
that my uncle is by fits stupid, and like a man that is drunk, and
sometimes speechless. Home, and after my singing master had done, took
coach and went to Sir William Davenant's Opera; this being the fourth day
that it hath begun, and the first that I have seen it. To-day was acted
the second part of "The Siege of Rhodes." We staid a very great while for
the King and the Queen of Bohemia. And by the breaking of a board over
our heads, we had a great deal of dust fell into the ladies' necks and the
men's hair, which made good sport. The King being come, the scene opened;
which indeed is very fine and magnificent, and well acted, all but the
Eunuch, who was so much out that he was hissed off the stage. Home and
wrote letters to my Lord at sea, and so to bed.
3rd. To Westminster to Mr. Edward Montagu about business of my Lord's,
and so to the Wardrobe, and there dined with my Lady, who is in some
mourning for her brother, Mr. Saml. Crew, who died yesterday of the
spotted fever. So home through Duck Lane' to inquire for some Spanish
books, but found none that pleased me. So to the office, and that being
done to Sir W. Batten's with the Comptroller, where we sat late talking
and disputing with Mr. Mills the parson of our parish. This day my Lady
Batten and my wife were at the burial of a daughter of Sir John Lawson's,
and had rings for themselves and their husbands. Home and to
bed.
4th. At home all the morning; in the afternoon I went to the Theatre, and
there I saw "Claracilla" (the first time I ever saw it), well acted. But
strange to see this house, that used to be so thronged, now empty since
the Opera begun; and so will continue for a while, I believe. Called at my
father's, and there I heard that my uncle Robert--[Robert Pepys, of
Brampton, who died on the following day.]--continues to have his fits of
stupefaction every day for 10 or 12 hours together. From thence to the
Exchange at night, and then went with my uncle Wight to the Mitre and were
merry, but he takes it very ill that my father would go out of town to
Brampton on this occasion and would not tell him of it, which I
endeavoured to remove but could not. Here Mr. Batersby the apothecary
was, who told me that if my uncle had the emerods--[Haemorrhoids or
piles.]--(which I think he had) and that now they are stopped, he will lay
his life that bleeding behind by leeches will cure him, but I am resolved
not to meddle in it. Home and to bed.
5th. At home, and in the afternoon to the office, and that being done all
went to Sir W. Batten's and there had a venison pasty, and were very
merry. At night home and to bed.
6th. Waked this morning with news, brought me by a messenger on purpose,
that my uncle Robert is dead, and died yesterday; so I rose sorry in some
respect, glad in my expectations in another respect. So I made myself
ready, went and told my uncle Wight, my Lady, and some others thereof, and
bought me a pair of boots in St. Martin's, and got myself ready, and then
to the Post House and set out about eleven and twelve o'clock, taking the
messenger with me that came to me, and so we rode and got well by nine
o'clock to Brampton, where I found my father well. My uncle's corps in a
coffin standing upon joynt-stools in the chimney in the hall; but it begun
to smell, and so I caused it to be set forth in the yard all night, and
watched by two men. My aunt I found in bed in a most nasty ugly pickle,
made me sick to see it. My father and I lay together tonight, I greedy to
see the will, but did not ask to see it till to-morrow.
7th (Lord's day). In the morning my father and I walked in the garden and
read the will; where, though he gives me nothing at present till my
father's death, or at least very little, yet I am glad to see that he hath
done so well for us, all, and well to the rest of his kindred. After that
done, we went about getting things, as ribbands and gloves, ready for the
burial. Which in the afternoon was done; where, it being Sunday, all
people far and near come in; and in the greatest disorder that ever I saw,
we made shift to serve them what we had of wine and other things; and then
to carry him to the church, where Mr. Taylor buried him, and Mr. Turners
preached a funerall sermon, where he spoke not particularly of him
anything, but that he was one so well known for his honesty, that it spoke
for itself above all that he could say for it. And so made a very good
sermon. Home with some of the company who supped there, and things being
quiet, at night to bed.
8th, 9th, Loth, 11th, 12th, 13th. I fell to work, and my father to look
over my uncle's papers and clothes, and continued all this week upon that
business, much troubled with my aunt's base, ugly humours. We had news of
Tom Trice's putting in a caveat against us, in behalf of his mother, to
whom my uncle hath not given anything, and for good reason therein
expressed, which troubled us also. But above all, our trouble is to find
that his estate appears nothing as we expected, and all the world
believes; nor his papers so well sorted as I would have had them, but all
in confusion, that break my brains to understand them. We missed also the
surrenders of his copyhold land, without which the land would not come to
us, but to the heir at law, so that what with this, and the badness of the
drink and the ill opinion I have of the meat, and the biting of the gnats
by night and my disappointment in getting home this week, and the trouble
of sorting all the papers, I am almost out of my wits with trouble, only I
appear the more contented, because I would not have my father troubled.
The latter end of the week Mr. Philips comes home from London, and so we
advised with him and have the best counsel he could give us, but for all
that we were not quiet in our minds.
14th (Lord's day). At home, and Robert Barnwell with us, and dined, and
in the evening my father and I walked round Portholme and viewed all the
fields, which was very pleasant. Thence to Hinchingbroke, which is now
all in dirt, because of my Lord's building, which will make it very
magnificent. Back to Brampton, and to supper and to bed.
15th. Up by three o'clock this morning, and rode to Cambridge, and was
there by seven o'clock, where, after I was trimmed, I went to Christ
College, and found my brother John at eight o'clock in bed, which vexed
me. Then to King's College chappell, where I found the scholars in their
surplices at the service with the organs, which is a strange sight to what
it used in my time to be here. Then with Dr. Fairbrother (whom I met
there) to the Rose tavern, and called for some wine, and there met
fortunately with Mr. Turner of our office, and sent for his wife, and were
very merry (they being come to settle their son here), and sent also for
Mr. Sanchy, of Magdalen, with whom and other gentlemen, friends of his, we
were very merry, and I treated them as well as I could, and so at noon
took horse again, having taken leave of my cozen Angier, and rode to
Impington, where I found my old uncle
[Talbot Pepys, sixth son of John Pepys of Impington, was born 1583,
and therefore at this time he was seventy-eight years of age. He
was educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and called to the bar at
the Middle Temple in 1605. He was M.P. for Cambridge in 1625, and
Recorder of Cambridge from 1624 to 1660, in which year he was
succeeded by his son Roger. He died of the plague, March, 1666,
aged eighty-three.]
sitting all alone, like a man out of the world: he can hardly see; but all
things else he do pretty livelyly. Then with Dr. John Pepys and him, I
read over the will, and had their advice therein, who, as to the
sufficiency thereof confirmed me, and advised me as to the other parts
thereof. Having done there, I rode to Gravely with much ado to inquire
for a surrender of my uncle's in some of the copyholders' hands there, but
I can hear of none, which puts me into very great trouble of mind, and so
with a sad heart rode home to Brampton, but made myself as cheerful as I
could to my father, and so to bed.
16th, 17th, 18th, 19th. These four days we spent in putting things in
order, letting of the crop upon the ground, agreeing with Stankes to have
a care of our business in our absence, and we think ourselves in nothing
happy but in lighting upon him to be our bayly; in riding to Offord and
Sturtlow, and up and down all our lands, and in the evening walking, my
father and I about the fields talking, and had advice from Mr. Moore from
London, by my desire, that the three witnesses of the will being all
legatees, will not do the will any wrong. To-night Serjeant Bernard, I
hear, is come home into the country. To supper and to bed. My aunt
continuing in her base, hypocritical tricks, which both Jane Perkin (of
whom we make great use), and the maid do tell us every day of.
20th. Up to Huntingdon this morning to Sir Robert Bernard, with whom I
met Jaspar Trice. So Sir Robert caused us to sit down together and began
discourse very fairly between us, so I drew out the Will and show it him,
and [he] spoke between us as well as I could desire, but could come to no
issue till Tom Trice comes. Then Sir Robert and I fell to talk about the
money due to us upon surrender from Piggott, L164., which he tells me will
go with debts to the heir at law, which breaks my heart on the other side.
Here I staid and dined with Sir Robert Bernard and his lady, my Lady
Digby, a very good woman. After dinner I went into the town and spent the
afternoon, sometimes with Mr. Phillips, sometimes with Dr. Symcottes, Mr.
Vinter, Robert Ethell, and many more friends, and at last Mr. Davenport,
Phillips, Jaspar Trice, myself and others at Mother-----over against the
Crown we sat and drank ale and were very merry till 9 at night, and so
broke up. I walked home, and there found Tom Trice come, and he and my
father gone to Goody Gorum's, where I found them and Jaspar Trice got
before me, and Mr. Greene, and there had some calm discourse, but came to
no issue, and so parted. So home and to bed, being now pretty well again
of my left hand, which lately was stung and very much swelled.
21st (Lord's day). At home all the morning, putting my papers in order
against my going to-morrow and doing many things else to that end. Had a
good dinner, and Stankes and his wife with us. To my business again in
the afternoon, and in the evening came the two Trices, Mr. Greene, and Mr.
Philips, and so we began to argue. At last it came to some agreement that
for our giving of my aunt L10 she is to quit the house, and for other
matters they are to be left to the law, which do please us all, and so we
broke up, pretty well satisfyed. Then came Mr. Barnwell and J. Bowles and
supped with us, and after supper away, and so I having taken leave of them
and put things in the best order I could against to-morrow I went to bed.
Old William Luffe having been here this afternoon and paid up his bond of
L20, and I did give him into his hand my uncle's surrender of Sturtlow to
me before Mr. Philips, R. Barnwell, and Mr. Pigott, which he did
acknowledge to them my uncle did in his lifetime deliver to him.
22nd. Up by three, and going by four on my way to London; but the day
proves very cold, so that having put on no stockings but thread ones under
my boots, I was fain at Bigglesworth to buy a pair of coarse woollen ones,
and put them on. So by degrees till I come to Hatfield before twelve
o'clock, where I had a very good dinner with my hostess, at my Lord of
Salisbury's Inn, and after dinner though weary I walked all alone to the
Vineyard, which is now a very beautiful place again; and coming back I met
with Mr. Looker, my Lord's gardener (a friend of Mr. Eglin's), who showed
me the house, the chappell with brave pictures, and, above all, the
gardens, such as I never saw in all my life; nor so good flowers, nor so
great gooseberrys, as big as nutmegs. Back to the inn, and drank with
him, and so to horse again, and with much ado got to London, and set him
up at Smithfield; so called at my uncle Fenner's, my mother's, my Lady's,
and so home, in all which I found all things as well as I could expect.
So weary and to bed.
23rd. Put on my mourning. Made visits to Sir W. Pen and Batten. Then to
Westminster, and at the Hall staid talking with Mrs. Michell a good while,
and in the afternoon, finding myself unfit for business, I went to the
Theatre, and saw "Brenoralt," I never saw before. It seemed a good play,
but ill acted; only I sat before Mrs. Palmer, the King's mistress, and
filled my eyes with her, which much pleased me. Then to my father's,
where by my desire I met my uncle Thomas, and discoursed of my uncle's
will to him, and did satisfy [him] as well as I could. So to my uncle
Wight's, but found him out of doors, but my aunt I saw and staid a while,
and so home and to bed. Troubled to hear how proud and idle Pall is
grown, that I am resolved not to keep her.
24th. This morning my wife in bed tells me of our being robbed of our
silver tankard, which vexed me all day for the negligence of my people to
leave the door open. My wife and I by water to Whitehall, where I left
her to her business and I to my cozen Thomas Pepys, and discoursed with
him at large about our business of my uncle's will. He can give us no
light at all into his estate, but upon the whole tells me that he do
believe that he has left but little money, though something more than we
have found, which is about L500. Here came Sir G. Lane by chance, seeing
a bill upon the door to hire the house, with whom my coz and I walked all
up and down, and indeed it is a very pretty place, and he do intend to
leave the agreement for the House, which is L400 fine, and L46 rent a year
to me between them. Then to the Wardrobe, but come too late, and so dined
with the servants. And then to my Lady, who do shew my wife and me the
greatest favour in the world, in which I take great content. Home by
water and to the office all the afternoon, which is a great pleasure to me
again, to talk with persons of quality and to be in command, and I give it
out among them that the estate left me is L200 a year in land, besides
moneys, because I would put an esteem upon myself. At night home and to
bed after I had set down my journals ever since my going from London this
journey to this house. This afternoon I hear that my man Will hath lost
his clock with my tankard, at which I am very glad.
25th. This morning came my box of papers from Brampton of all my uncle's
papers, which will now set me at work enough. At noon I went to the
Exchange, where I met my uncle Wight, and found him so discontented about
my father (whether that he takes it ill that he has not been acquainted
with things, or whether he takes it ill that he has nothing left him, I
cannot tell), for which I am much troubled, and so staid not long to talk
with him. Thence to my mother's, where I found my wife and my aunt Bell
and Mrs. Ramsey, and great store of tattle there was between the old women
and my mother, who thinks that there is, God knows what fallen to her,
which makes me mad, but it was not a proper time to speak to her of it,
and so I went away with Mr. Moore, and he and I to the Theatre, and saw
"The Jovial Crew," the first time I saw it, and indeed it is as merry and
the most innocent play that ever I saw, and well performed. From thence
home, and wrote to my father and so to bed. Full of thoughts to think of
the trouble that we shall go through before we come to see what will
remain to us of all our expectations.
26th. At home all the morning, and walking met with Mr. Hill of Cambridge
at Pope's Head Alley with some women with him whom he took and me into the
tavern there, and did give us wine, and would fain seem to be very knowing
in the affairs of state, and tells me that yesterday put a change to the
whole state of England as to the Church; for the King now would be forced
to favour Presbytery, or the City would leave him: but I heed not what he
says, though upon enquiry I do find that things in the Parliament are in a
great disorder. Home at noon and there found Mr. Moore, and with him to
an ordinary alone and dined, and there he and I read my uncle's will, and
I had his opinion on it, and still find more and more trouble like to
attend it. Back to the office all the afternoon, and that done home for
all night. Having the beginning of this week made a vow to myself to
drink no wine this week (finding it to unfit me to look after business),
and this day breaking of it against my will, I am much troubled for it,
but I hope God will forgive me.