May 1st. Up early, and bated at Petersfield, in the room which the King
lay in lately at his being there. Here very merry, and played us and our
wives at bowls. Then we set forth again, and so to Portsmouth, seeming to
me to be a very pleasant and strong place; and we lay at the Red Lyon,
where Haselrigge and Scott and Walton did hold their councill, when they
were here, against Lambert and the Committee of Safety. Several officers
of the Yard came to see us to-night, and merry we were, but troubled to
have no better lodgings.
2nd. Up, and Mr. Creed and I to walk round the town upon the walls. Then
to our inn, and there all the officers of the Yard to see me with great
respect, and I walked with them to the Dock and saw all the stores, and
much pleased with the sight of the place. Back and brought them all to
dinner with me, and treated them handsomely; and so after dinner by water
to the Yard, and there we made the sale of the old provisions. Then we and
our wives all to see the Montagu, which is a fine ship, and so to the town
again by water, and then to see the room where the Duke of Buckingham was
killed by Felton.--1628. So to our lodging, and to supper and to bed.
To-night came Mr. Stevens to town to help us to pay off the Fox.
3rd. Early to walk with Mr. Creed up and down the town, and it was in his
and some others' thoughts to have got me made free of the town, but the
Mayor, it seems, unwilling, and so they could not do it. Then to the
payhouse, and there paid off the ship, and so to a short dinner, and then
took coach, leaving Mrs. Hater there to stay with her husband's friends,
and we to Petersfield, having nothing more of trouble in all my journey,
but the exceeding unmannerly and most epicure-like palate of Mr. Creed.
Here my wife and I lay in the room the Queen lately lay at her going into
France.
4th. Up in the morning and took coach, and so to Gilford, where we lay at
the Red Lyon, the best Inn, and lay in the room the King lately lay in,
where we had time to see the Hospital, built by Archbishop Abbott, and the
free school, and were civilly treated by the Mayster. So to supper, and
to bed, being very merry about our discourse with the Drawers concerning
the minister of the Town, with a red face and a girdle. So to bed, where
we lay and sleep well.
5th (Lord's day). Mr. Creed and I went to the red-faced Parson's church,
and heard a good sermon of him, better than I looked for. Then home, and
had a good dinner, and after dinner fell in some talk in Divinity with Mr.
Stevens that kept us till it was past Church time. Anon we walked into
the garden, and there played the fool a great while, trying who of Mr.
Creed or I could go best over the edge of an old fountain well, and I won
a quart of sack of him. Then to supper in the banquet house, and there my
wife and I did talk high, she against and I for Mrs. Pierce (that she was
a beauty), till we were both angry. Then to walk in the fields, and so to
our quarters, and to bed.
6th. Up by four o'clock and took coach. Mr. Creed rode, and left us that
we know not whither he went. We went on, thinking to be at home before
the officers rose, but finding we could not we staid by the way and eat
some cakes, and so home, where I was much troubled to see no more work
done in my absence than there was, but it could not be helped. I sent my
wife to my father's, and I went and sat till late with my Lady Batten,
both the Sir Williams being gone this day to pay off some ships at
Deptford. So home and to bed without seeing of them. I hear to-night
that the Duke of York's son is this day dead, which I believe will please
every body; and I hear that the Duke and his Lady themselves are not much
troubled at it.
7th. In the morning to Mr. Coventry, Sir G. Carteret, and my Lord's to
give them an account of my return. My Lady, I find, is, since my going,
gone to the Wardrobe. Then with Mr. Creed into London, to several places
about his and my business, being much stopped in our way by the City
traynebands, who go in much solemnity and pomp this day to muster before
the King and the Duke, and shops in the City are shut up every where all
this day. He carried me to an ordinary by the Old Exchange, where we come
a little too late, but we had very good cheer for our 18d. a-piece, and an
excellent droll too, my host, and his wife so fine a woman; and sung and
played so well that I staid a great while and drunk a great deal of wine.
Then home and staid among my workmen all day, and took order for things
for the finishing of their work, and so at night to Sir W. Batten's, and
there supped and so home and to bed, having sent my Lord a letter to-night
to excuse myself for not going with him to-morrow to the Hope, whither he
is to go to see in what condition the fleet is in.
8th. This morning came my brother John to take his leave of me, he being
to return to Cambridge to-morrow, and after I had chid him for going with
my Will the other day to Deptford with the principal officers, I did give
him some good counsell and 20s. in money, and so he went away. All this
day I staid at home with my workmen without eating anything, and took much
pleasure to see my work go forward. At night comes my wife not well from
my father's, having had a fore-tooth drawn out to-day, which do trouble
me, and the more because I am now in the greatest of all my dirt. My Will
also returned to-night pretty well, he being gone yesterday not very well
to his father's. To-day I received a letter from my uncle, to beg an old
fiddle of me for my Cozen Perkin, the miller, whose mill the wind hath
lately broke down, and now he hath nothing to live by but fiddling, and he
must needs have it against Whitsuntide to play to the country girls; but
it vexed me to see how my uncle writes to me, as if he were not able to
buy him one. But I intend tomorrow to send him one. At night I set down
my journal of my late journey to this time, and so to bed. My wife not
being well and I very angry with her for her coming hither in that
condition.
9th. With my workmen all the morning, my wife being ill and in great pain
with her old pain, which troubled me much because that my house is in this
condition of dirt. In the afternoon I went to Whitehall and there spoke
with my Lord at his lodgings, and there being with him my Lord
Chamberlain, I spoke for my old waterman Payne, to get into White's place,
who was waterman to my Lord Chamberlain, and is now to go master of the
barge to my Lord to sea, and my Lord Chamberlain did promise that Payne
should be entertained in White's place with him. From thence to Sir G.
Carteret, and there did get his promise for the payment of the remainder
of the bill of Mr. Creed's, wherein of late I have been so much concerned,
which did so much rejoice me that I meeting with Mr. Childe took him to
the Swan Tavern in King Street, and there did give him a tankard of white
wine and sugar,--[The popular taste was formerly for sweet wines, and
sugar was frequently mixed with the wine.]--and so I went by water home
and set myself to get my Lord's accounts made up, which was till nine at
night before I could finish, and then I walked to the Wardrobe, being the
first time I was there since my Lady came thither, who I found all alone,
and so she shewed me all the lodgings as they are now fitted, and they
seem pretty pleasant. By and by comes in my Lord, and so, after looking
over my accounts, I returned home, being a dirty and dark walk. So to
bed.
10th. At the office all the morning, and the afternoon among my workmen
with great pleasure, because being near an end of their work. This
afternoon came Mr. Blackburn and Creed to see me, and I took them to the
Dolphin, and there drank a great deal of Rhenish wine with them and so
home, having some talk with Mr. Blackburn about his kinsman my Will, and
he did give me good satisfaction in that it is his desire that his kinsman
should do me all service, and that he would give him the best counsel he
could to make him good. Which I begin of late to fear that he will not
because of the bad company that I find that he do begin to take. This
afternoon Mr. Hater received for me the L225 due upon Mr. Creed's bill in
which I am concerned so much, which do make me very glad. At night to Sir
W. Batten and sat a while. So to bed.
11th. This morning I went by water with Payne (Mr. Moore being with me)
to my Lord Chamberlain at Whitehall, and there spoke with my Lord, and he
did accept of Payne for his waterman, as I had lately endeavoured to get
him to be. After that Mr. Cooling did give Payne an order to be
entertained, and so I left him and Mr. Moore, and I went to Graye's Inne,
and there to a barber's, where I was trimmed, and had my haire cut, in
which I am lately become a little curious, finding that the length of it
do become me very much. So, calling at my father's, I went home, and
there staid and saw my workmen follow their work, which this night is
brought to a very good condition. This afternoon Mr. Shepley, Moore, and
Creed came to me all about their several accounts with me, and we did
something with them all, and so they went away. This evening Mr. Hater
brought my last quarter's salary, of which I was very glad, because I have
lost my first bill for it, and so this morning was forced to get another
signed by three of my fellow officers for it. All this evening till late
setting my accounts and papers in order, and so to bed.
12th. My wife had a very troublesome night this night and in great pain,
but about the morning her swelling broke, and she was in great ease
presently as she useth to be. So I put in a vent (which Dr. Williams sent
me yesterday) into the hole to keep it open till all the matter be come
out, and so I question not that she will soon be well again. I staid at
home all this morning, being the Lord's day, making up my private accounts
and setting papers in order. At noon went with my Lady Montagu at the
Wardrobe, but I found it so late that I came back again, and so dined with
my wife in her chamber. After dinner I went awhile to my chamber to set
my papers right. Then I walked forth towards Westminster and at the Savoy
heard Dr. Fuller preach upon David's words, "I will wait with patience all
the days of my appointed time until my change comes;" but methought it was
a poor dry sermon. And I am afeard my former high esteem of his preaching
was more out of opinion than judgment. From thence homewards, but met with
Mr. Creed, with whom I went and walked in Grayes-Inn-walks, and from
thence to Islington, and there eat and drank at the house my father and we
were wont of old to go to; and after that walked homeward, and parted in
Smithfield: and so I home, much wondering to see how things are altered
with Mr. Creed, who, twelve months ago, might have been got to hang
himself almost as soon as go to a drinking-house on a Sunday.
13th. All the morning at home among my workmen. At noon Mr. Creed and I
went to the ordinary behind the Exchange, where we lately were, but I do
not like it so well as I did. So home with him and to the office, where
we sat late, and he did deliver his accounts to us. The office being done
I went home and took pleasure to see my work draw to an end.
14th. Up early and by water to Whitehall to my Lord, and there had much
talk with him about getting some money for him. He told me of his
intention to get the Muster Master's place for Mr. Pierce, the purser, who
he has a mind to carry to sea with him, and spoke very slightingly of Mr.
Creed, as that he had no opinion at all of him, but only he was forced to
make use of him because of his present accounts. Thence to drink with Mr.
Shepley and Mr. Pinkny, and so home and among my workmen all day. In the
evening Mr. Shepley came to me for some money, and so he and I to the
Mitre, and there we had good wine and a gammon of bacon. My uncle Wight,
Mr. Talbot, and others were with us, and we were pretty merry. So at
night home and to bed. Finding my head grow weak now-a-days if I come to
drink wine, and therefore hope that I shall leave it off of myself, which
I pray God I could do.
15th. With my workmen all day till the afternoon, and then to the office,
where Mr. Creed's accounts were passed. Home and found all my joyner's
work now done, but only a small job or two, which please me very well.
This afternoon there came two men with an order from a Committee of Lords
to demand some books of me out of the office, in order to the examining of
Mr. Hutchinson's accounts, but I give them a surly answer, and they went
away to complain, which put me into some trouble with myself, but I
resolve to go to-morrow myself to these Lords and answer them. To bed,
being in great fear because of the shavings which lay all up and down the
house and cellar, for fear of fire.
16th. Up early to see whether the work of my house be quite done, and I
found it to my mind. Staid at home all the morning, and about 2 o'clock
went in my velvet coat by water to the Savoy, and there, having staid a
good while, I was called into the Lords, and there, quite contrary to my
expectations, they did treat me very civilly, telling me that what they
had done was out of zeal to the King's service, and that they would joyne
with the governors of the chest with all their hearts, since they knew
that there was any, which they did not before. I give them very
respectful answer and so went away to the Theatre, and there saw the
latter end of "The Mayd's Tragedy," which I never saw before, and methinks
it is too sad and melancholy. Thence homewards, and meeting Mr. Creed I
took him by water to the Wardrobe with me, and there we found my Lord
newly gone away with the Duke of Ormond and some others, whom he had had
to the collation; and so we, with the rest of the servants in the hall,
sat down and eat of the best cold meats that ever I eat on in all my life.
From thence I went home (Mr. Moore with me to the waterside, telling me
how kindly he is used by my Lord and my Lady since his coming hither as a
servant), and to bed.
17th. All the morning at home. At noon Lieutenant Lambert came to me,
and he and I to the Exchange, and thence to an ordinary over against it,
where to our dinner we had a fellow play well upon the bagpipes and
whistle like a bird exceeding well, and I had a fancy to learn to whistle
as he do, and did promise to come some other day and give him an angell to
teach me. To the office, and sat there all the afternoon till 9 at night.
So home to my musique, and my wife and I sat singing in my chamber a good
while together, and then to bed.
18th. Towards Westminster, from the Towre, by water, and was fain to
stand upon one of the piers about the bridge,
[The dangers of shooting the bridge were so great that a popular
proverb has it--London Bridge was made for wise men to go over and
fools to go under.]
before the men could drag their boat through the lock, and which they
could not do till another was called to help them. Being through bridge I
found the Thames full of boats and gallys, and upon inquiry found that
there was a wager to be run this morning. So spying of Payne in a gully,
I went into him, and there staid, thinking to have gone to Chelsy with
them. But upon, the start, the wager boats fell foul one of another, till
at last one of them gives over, pretending foul play, and so the other row
away alone, and all our sport lost. So, I went ashore, at Westminster; and
to the Hall I went, where it was very pleasant to see the Hall in the
condition it is now with the judges on the benches at the further end of
it, which I had not seen all this term till now. Thence with Mr. Spicer,
Creed and some others to drink. And so away homewards by water with Mr.
Creed, whom I left in London going about business and I home, where I
staid all the afternoon in the garden reading "Faber Fortunae" with great
pleasure. So home to bed.
19th. (Lord's day) I walked in the morning towards Westminster, and
seeing many people at York House, I went down and found them at mass, it
being the Spanish ambassodors; and so I go into one of the gallerys, and
there heard two masses done, I think, not in so much state as I have seen
them heretofore. After that into the garden, and walked a turn or two, but
found it not so fine a place as I always took it for by the outside.
Thence to my Lord's and there spake with him about business, and then he
went to Whitehall to dinner, and Capt. Ferrers and Mr. Howe and myself to
Mr. Wilkinson's at the Crown, and though he had no meat of his own, yet we
happened to find our cook Mr. Robinson there, who had a dinner for himself
and some friends, and so he did give us a very fine dinner. Then to my
Lord's, where we went and sat talking and laughing in the drawing-room a
great while. All our talk about their going to sea this voyage, which
Capt. Ferrers is in some doubt whether he shall go or no, but swears that
he would go, if he were sure never to come back again; and I, giving him
some hopes, he grew so mad with joy that he fell a-dancing and leaping
like a madman. Now it fell out so that the balcone windows were open, and
he went to the rayle and made an offer to leap over, and asked what if he
should leap over there. I told him I would give him L40 if he did not go
to sea. With that thought I shut the doors, and W. Howe hindered him all
we could; yet he opened them again, and, with a vault, leaps down into the
garden:--the greatest and most desperate frolic that ever I saw in my
life. I run to see what was become of him, and we found him crawled upon
his knees, but could not rise; so we went down into the garden and dragged
him to the bench, where he looked like a dead man, but could not stir;
and, though he had broke nothing, yet his pain in his back was such as he
could not endure. With this, my Lord (who was in the little new room)
come to us in amaze, and bid us carry him up, which, by our strength, we
did, and so laid him in East's bed, by the door; where he lay in great
pain. We sent for a doctor and chyrurgeon, but none to be found, till
by-and-by by chance comes in Dr. Clerke, who is afeard of him. So we sent
to get a lodging for him, and I went up to my Lord, where Captain Cooke,
Mr. Gibbons, and others of the King's musicians were come to present my
Lord with some songs and symphonys, which were performed very finely.
Which being done I took leave and supped at my father's, where was my
cozen Beck come lately out of the country. I am troubled to see my father
so much decay of a suddain, as he do both in his seeing and hearing, and
as much to hear of him how my brother Tom do grow disrespectful to him and
my mother. I took leave and went home, where to prayers (which I have not
had in my house a good while), and so to bed.
20th. At home all the morning; paid L50 to one Mr. Grant for Mr. Barlow,
for the last half year, and was visited by Mr. Anderson, my former chamber
fellow at Cambridge, with whom I parted at the Hague, but I did not go
forthwith him, only gave him a morning draft at home. At noon Mr. Creed
came to me, and he and I to the Exchange, and so to an ordinary to dinner,
and after dinner to the Mitre, and there sat drinking while it rained very
much. Then to the office, where I found Sir Williams both, choosing of
masters for the new fleet of ships that is ordered to be set forth, and
Pen seeming to be in an ugly humour, not willing to gratify one that I
mentioned to be put in, did vex me. We sat late, and so home. Mr. Moore
came to me when I was going to bed, and sat with me a good while talking
about my Lord's business and our own and so good night.
21st. Up early, and, with Sir R. Slingsby (and Major Waters the deaf
gentleman, his friend, for company's sake) to the Victualling-office (the
first time that I ever knew where it was), and there staid while he read a
commission for enquiry into some of the King's lands and houses
thereabouts, that are given his brother. And then we took boat to
Woolwich, where we staid and gave order for the fitting out of some more
ships presently. And then to Deptford, where we staid and did the same;
and so took barge again, and were overtaken by the King in his barge, he
having been down the river with his yacht this day for pleasure to try it;
and, as I hear, Commissioner Pett's do prove better than the Dutch one,
and that that his brother built. While we were upon the water, one of the
greatest showers of rain fell that ever I saw. The Comptroller and I
landed with our barge at the Temple, and from thence I went to my
father's, and there did give order about some clothes to be made, and did
buy a new hat, cost between 20 and 30 shillings, at Mr. Holden's. So
home.
22nd. To Westminster, and there missed of my Lord, and so about noon I
and W. Howe by water to the Wardrobe, where my Lord and all the officers
of the Wardrobe dined, and several other friends of my Lord, at a venison
pasty. Before dinner, my Lady Wright and my Lady Jem. sang songs to the
harpsicon. Very pleasant and merry at dinner. And then I went away by
water to the office, and there staid till it was late. At night before I
went to bed the barber came to trim me and wash me, and so to bed, in
order to my being clean to-morrow.
23rd. This day I went to my Lord, and about many other things at
Whitehall, and there made even my accounts with Mr. Shepley at my Lord's,
and then with him and Mr. Moore and John Bowles to the Rhenish wine house,
and there came Jonas Moore, the mathematician, to us, and there he did by
discourse make us fully believe that England and France were once the same
continent, by very good arguments, and spoke very many things, not so much
to prove the Scripture false as that the time therein is not well computed
nor understood. From thence home by water, and there shifted myself into
my black silk suit (the first day I have put it on this year), and so to
my Lord Mayor's by coach, with a great deal of honourable company, and
great entertainment. At table I had very good discourse with Mr. Ashmole,
wherein he did assure me that frogs and many insects do often fall from
the sky, ready formed. Dr. Bates's singularity in not rising up nor
drinking the King's nor other healths at the table was very much observed.
[Dr. William Bates, one of the most eminent of the Puritan divines,
and who took part in the Savoy Conference. His collected writings
were published in 1700, and fill a large folio volume. The
Dissenters called him silver-tongued Bates. Calamy affirmed that if
Bates would have conformed to the Established Church he might have
been raised to any bishopric in the kingdom. He died in 1699, aged
seventy-four.]
From thence we all took coach, and to our office, and there sat till it
was late; and so I home and to bed by day-light. This day was kept a
holy-day through the town; and it pleased me to see the little boys walk
up and down in procession with their broom-staffs in their hands, as I had
myself long ago gone.
[Pepys here refers to the perambulation of parishes on Holy
Thursday, still observed. This ceremony was sometimes enlivened by
whipping the boys, for the better impressing on their minds the
remembrance of the day, and the boundaries of the parish, instead of
beating houses or stones. But this would not have harmonized well
with the excellent Hooker's practice on this day, when he "always
dropped some loving and facetious observations, to be remembered
against the next year, especially by the boys and young people."
Amongst Dorsetshire customs, it seems that, in perambulating a manor
or parish, a boy is tossed into a stream, if that be the boundary;
if a hedge, a sapling from it is applied for the purpose of
flagellation.--B.]
24th. At home all the morning making up my private accounts, and this is
the first time that I do find myself to be clearly worth L500 in money,
besides all my goods in my house, &c. In the afternoon at the office
late, and then I went to the Wardrobe, where I found my Lord at supper,
and therefore I walked a good while till he had done, and I went in to
him, and there he looked over my accounts. And they were committed to Mr.
Moore to see me paid what remained due to me. Then down to the kitchen to
eat a bit of bread and butter, which I did, and there I took one of the
maids by the chin, thinking her to be Susan, but it proved to be her
sister, who is very like her. From thence home.
25th. All the morning at home about business. At noon to the Temple,
where I staid and looked over a book or two at Playford's, and then to the
Theatre, where I saw a piece of "The Silent Woman," which pleased me. So
homewards, and in my way bought "The Bondman" in Paul's Churchyard, and so
home, where I found all clean, and the hearth and range, as it is now
enlarged, set up, which pleases me very much.
26th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed. To church and heard a good sermon at
our own church, where I have not been a great many weeks. Dined with my
wife alone at home pleasing myself in that my house do begin to look as if
at last it would be in good order. This day the Parliament received the
communion of Dr. Gunning at St. Margaret's, Westminster. In the afternoon
both the Sir Williams came to church, where we had a dull stranger. After
church home, and so to the Mitre, where I found Dr. Burnett, the first
time that ever I met him to drink with him, and my uncle Wight and there
we sat and drank a great deal, and so I to Sir W. Batten's, where I have
on purpose made myself a great stranger, only to get a high opinion a
little more of myself in them. Here I heard how Mrs. Browne, Sir W.
Batten's sister, is brought to bed, and I to be one of the godfathers,
which I could not nor did deny. Which, however, did trouble me very much
to be at charge to no purpose, so that I could not sleep hardly all night,
but in the morning I bethought myself, and I think it is very well I
should do it. Sir W. Batten told me how Mr. Prin (among the two or three
that did refuse to-day to receive the sacrament upon their knees) was
offered by a mistake the drink afterwards, which he did receive, being
denied the drink by Dr. Gunning, unless he would take it on his knees; and
after that by another the bread was brought him, and he did take it
sitting, which is thought very preposterous. Home and to bed.
27th. To the Wardrobe, and from thence with my Lords Sandwich and
Hinchinbroke to the Lords' House by boat at Westminster, and there I left
them. Then to the lobby, and after waiting for Sir G. Downing's coming
out, to speak with him about the giving me up of my bond for my honesty
when I was his clerk, but to no purpose, I went to Clerke's at the Legg,
and there I found both Mr. Pierces, Mr. Rolt, formerly too great a man to
meet upon such even terms, and there we dined very merry, there coming to
us Captain Ferrers, this being the first day of his going abroad since his
leap a week ago, which I was greatly glad to see. By water to the office,
and there sat late, Sir George Carteret coming in, who among other things
did inquire into the naming of the maisters for this fleet, and was very
angry that they were named as they are, and above all to see the maister
of the Adventure (for whom there is some kind of difference between Sir W.
Pen and me) turned out, who has been in her list. The office done, I went
with the Comptroller to the Coffee house, and there we discoursed of this,
and I seem to be fond of him, and indeed I find I must carry fair with all
as far as I see it safe, but I have got of him leave to have a little room
from his lodgings to my house, of which I am very glad, besides I do open
him a way to get lodgings himself in the office, of which I should be very
glad. Home and to bed.
28th. This morning to the Wardrobe, and thence to a little alehouse hard
by, to drink with John Bowies, who is now going to Hinchinbroke this day.
Thence with Mr. Shepley to the Exchange about business, and there, by Mr.
Rawlinson's favour, got into a balcone over against the Exchange; and
there saw the hangman burn, by vote of Parliament, two old acts, the one
for constituting us a Commonwealth, and the others I have forgot. Which
still do make me think of the greatness of this late turn, and what people
will do tomorrow against what they all, through profit or fear, did
promise and practise this day. Then to the Mitre with Mr. Shepley, and
there dined with D. Rawlinson and some friends of his very well. So home,
and then to Cheapside about buying a piece of plate to give away to-morrow
to Mrs. Browne's child. So to the Star in Cheapside, where I left Mr.
Moore telling L5 out for me, who I found in a great strait for my coming
back again, and so he went his way at my coming. Then home, where Mr.
Cook I met and he paid me 30s., an old debt of his to me. So to Sir W.
Pen's, and there sat alone with him till ten at night in talk with great
content, he telling me things and persons that I did not understand in the
late times, and so I home to bed. My cozen John Holcroft (whom I have not
seen many years) this morning came to see me.
29th (King's birth-day). Rose early and having made myself fine, and put
six spoons and a porringer of silver in my pocket to give away to-day, Sir
W. Pen and I took coach, and (the weather and ways being foul) went to
Walthamstowe; and being come there heard Mr. Radcliffe, my former school
fellow at Paul's (who is yet a mere boy), preach upon "Nay, let him take
all, since my Lord the King is returned," &c. He reads all, and his
sermon very simple, but I looked for new matter. Back to dinner to Sir
William Batten's; and then, after a walk in the fine gardens, we went to
Mrs. Browne's, where Sir W. Pen and I were godfathers, and Mrs. Jordan and
Shipman godmothers to her boy. And there, before and after the
christening; we were with the woman above in her chamber; but whether we
carried ourselves well or ill, I know not; but I was directed by young
Mrs. Batten. One passage of a lady that eat wafers with her dog did a
little displease me. I did give the midwife 10s. and the nurse 5s. and
the maid of the house 2s. But for as much I expected to give the name to
the child, but did not (it being called John), I forbore then to give my
plate till another time after a little more advice. All being done, we
went to Mrs. Shipman's, who is a great butter-woman, and I did see there
the most of milk and cream, and the cleanest that ever I saw in my life.
After we had filled our bellies with cream, we took our leaves and away.
In our way, we had great sport to try who should drive fastest, Sir W.
Batten's coach, or Sir W. Pen's chariott, they having four, and we two
horses, and we beat them. But it cost me the spoiling of my clothes and
velvet coat with dirt. Being come home I to bed, and give my breeches to
be dried by the fire against to-morrow.
30th. To the Wardrobe and there, with my Lord, went into his new barge to
try her, and found her a good boat, and like my Lord's contrivance of the
door to come out round and not square as they used to do. Back to the
Wardrobe with my Lord, and then with Mr. Moore to the Temple, and thence
to. Greatorex, who took me to Arundell-House, and there showed me some
fine flowers in his garden, and all the fine statues in the gallery, which
I formerly had seen, and is a brave sight, and thence to a blind dark
cellar, where we had two bottles of good ale, and so after giving him
direction for my silver side-table, I took boat at Arundell stairs, and
put in at Milford . . . . So home and found Sir Williams both and my
Lady going to Deptford to christen Captain Rooth's child, and would have
had me with them, but I could not go. To the office, where Sir R.
Slingsby was, and he and I into his and my lodgings to take a view of
them, out of a desire he has to have mine of me to join to his, and give
me Mr. Turner's. To the office again, where Sir G. Carteret came and sat a
while, he being angry for Sir Williams making of the maisters of this
fleet upon their own heads without a full table. Then the Comptroller and
I to the Coffee House, and there sat a great while talking of many things.
So home and to bed. This day, I hear, the Parliament have ordered a bill
to be brought in for the restoring the Bishops to the House of Lords;
which they had not done so soon but to spite Mr. Prin, who is every day so
bitter against them in his discourse in the House.
31st. I went to my father's thinking to have met with my cozen John
Holcroft, but he came not, but to my great grief I found my father and
mother in a great deal of discontent one with another, and indeed my
mother is grown now so pettish that I know not how my father is able to
bear with it. I did talk to her so as did not indeed become me, but I
could not help it, she being so unsufferably foolish and simple, so that
my father, poor man, is become a very unhappy man. There I dined, and so
home and to the office all the afternoon till 9 at night, and then home
and to supper and to bed. Great talk now how the Parliament intend to
make a collection of free gifts to the King through the Kingdom; but I
think it will not come to much.