8th. Up, and to the Old Swan, where drank at Michell's, but

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.

MARCH

1666-1667

March 1st. Up, it being very cold weather again after a good deal of warm

summer weather, and to the office, where I settled to do much business

to-day. By and by sent for to Sir G. Carteret to discourse of the

business of the Navy, and our wants, and the best way of bestowing the

little money we have, which is about L30,000, but, God knows, we have need

of ten times as much, which do make my life uncomfortable, I confess, on

the King's behalf, though it is well enough as to my own particular, but

the King's service is undone by it. Having done with him, back again to

the office, and in the streets, in Mark Lane, I do observe, it being St.

David's day, the picture of a man dressed like a Welchman, hanging by the

neck upon one of the poles that stand out at the top of one of the

merchants' houses, in full proportion, and very handsomely done; which is

one of the oddest sights I have seen a good while, for it was so like a

man that one would have thought it was indeed a man.

[From "Poor Robin's Almanack" for 1757 it appears that, in former

times in England, a Welshman was burnt in effigy on this

anniversary. Mr. W. C. Hazlitt, in his edition of Brand's "Popular

Antiquities," adds "The practice to which Pepys refers . . . was

very common at one time; and till very lately bakers made

gingerbread Welshmen, called taffies, on St. David's day, which were

made to represent a man skewered" (vol. i., pp. 60,61).]

Being returned home, I find Greeting, the flageolet-master, come, and

teaching my wife; and I do think my wife will take pleasure in it, and it

will be easy for her, and pleasant. So I, as I am well content with the

charge it will occasion me. So to the office till dinner-time, and then

home to dinner, and before dinner making my wife to sing. Poor wretch!

her ear is so bad that it made me angry, till the poor wretch cried to see

me so vexed at her, that I think I shall not discourage her so much again,

but will endeavour to make her understand sounds, and do her good that

way; for she hath a great mind to learn, only to please me; and,

therefore, I am mighty unjust to her in discouraging her so much, but we

were good friends, and to dinner, and had she not been ill with those and

that it were not Friday (on which in Lent there are no plays) I had

carried her to a play, but she not being fit to go abroad, I to the

office, where all the afternoon close examining the collection of my

papers of the accounts of the Navy since this war to my great content, and

so at night home to talk and sing with my-wife, and then to supper and so

to bed with great pleasure. But I cannot but remember that just before

dinner one of my people come up to me, and told me a man come from

Huntingdon would speak with me, how my heart come into my mouth doubting

that my father, who has been long sicke, was dead. It put me into a

trembling, but, blessed be [God]! it was no such thing, but a countryman

come about ordinary business to me, to receive L50 paid to my father in

the country for the Perkins's for their legacy, upon the death of their

mother, by my uncle's will. So though I get nothing at present, at least

by the estate, I am fain to pay this money rather than rob my father, and

much good may it do them that I may have no more further trouble from

them. I hear to-day that Tom Woodall, the known chyrurgeon, is killed at

Somerset House by a Frenchman, but the occasion Sir W. Batten could not

tell me.

2nd. Up, and to the office, where sitting all the morning, and among

other things did agree upon a distribution of L30,000 and odd, which is

the only sum we hear of like to come out of all the Poll Bill for the use

of this office for buying of goods. I did herein some few courtesies for

particular friends I wished well to, and for the King's service also, and

was therefore well pleased with what was done. Sir W. Pen this day did

bring an order from the Duke of York for our receiving from him a small

vessel for a fireship, and taking away a better of the King's for it, it

being expressed for his great service to the King. This I am glad of, not

for his sake, but that it will give me a better ground, I believe, to ask

something for myself of this kind, which I was fearful to begin. This do

make Sir W. Pen the most kind to me that can be. I suppose it is this,

lest it should find any opposition from me, but I will not oppose, but

promote it. After dinner, with my wife, to the King's house to see "The

Mayden Queene," a new play of Dryden's, mightily commended for the

regularity of it, and the strain and wit; and, the truth is, there is a

comical part done by Nell,

["Her skill increasing with her years, other poets sought to obtain

recommendations of her wit and beauty to the success of their

writings. I have said that Dryden was one of the principal

supporters of the King's house, and ere long in one of his new plays

a principal character was set apart for the popular comedian. The

drama was a tragi-comedy called 'Secret Love, or the Maiden Queen,'

and an additional interest was attached to its production from the

king having suggested the plot to its author, and calling it 'his

play.'"--Cunningham's Story of Nell Gwyn, ed: 1892, pp. 38,39.]

which is Florimell, that I never can hope ever to see the like done again,

by man or woman. The King and Duke of York were at the play. But so

great performance of a comical part was never, I believe, in the world

before as Nell do this, both as a mad girle, then most and best of all

when she comes in like a young gallant; and hath the notions and carriage

of a spark the most that ever I saw any man have. It makes me, I confess,

admire her. Thence home and to the office, where busy a while, and then

home to read the lives of Henry 5th and 6th, very fine, in Speede, and to

bed. This day I did pay a bill of L50 from my father, being so much out

of my own purse gone to pay my uncle Robert's legacy to my aunt Perkins's

child.

3rd (Lord's day). Lay long, merrily talking with my wife, and then up and

to church, where a dull sermon of Mr. Mills touching Original Sin, and

then home, and there find little Michell and his wife, whom I love

mightily. Mightily contented I was in their company, for I love her much;

and so after dinner I left them and by water from the Old Swan to White

Hall, where, walking in the galleries, I in the first place met Mr.

Pierce, who tells me the story of Tom Woodall, the surgeon, killed in a

drunken quarrel, and how the Duke of York hath a mind to get him [Pierce]

one of his places in St. Thomas's Hospitall. Then comes Mr. Hayward, the

Duke of York's servant, and tells us that the Swede's Embassador hath been

here to-day with news that it is believed that the Dutch will yield to

have the treaty at London or Dover, neither of which will get our King any

credit, we having already consented to have it at The Hague; which, it

seems, De Witt opposed, as a thing wherein the King of England must needs

have some profound design, which in my conscience he hath not. They do

also tell me that newes is this day come to the King, that the King of

France is come with his army to the frontiers of Flanders, demanding leave

to pass through their country towards Poland, but is denied, and thereupon

that he is gone into the country. How true this is I dare not believe

till I hear more. From them I walked into the Parke, it being a fine but

very cold day; and there took two or three turns the length of the Pell

Mell: and there I met Serjeant Bearcroft, who was sent for the Duke of

Buckingham, to have brought him prisoner to the Tower. He come to towne

this day, and brings word that, being overtaken and outrid by the Duchesse

of Buckingham within a few miles of the Duke's house of Westhorp, he

believes she got thither about a quarter of an hour before him, and so had

time to consider; so that, when he come, the doors were kept shut against

him. The next day, coming with officers of the neighbour market-town to

force open the doors, they were open for him, but the Duke gone; so he

took horse presently, and heard upon the road that the Duke of Buckingham

was gone before him for London: so that he believes he is this day also

come to towne before him; but no newes is yet heard of him. This is all

he brings. Thence to my Lord Chancellor's, and there, meeting Sir H.

Cholmly, he and I walked in my Lord's garden, and talked; among other

things, of the treaty: and he says there will certainly be a peace, but I

cannot believe it. He tells me that the Duke of Buckingham his crimes, as

far as he knows, are his being of a caball with some discontented persons

of the late House of Commons, and opposing the desires of the King in all

his matters in that House; and endeavouring to become popular, and

advising how the Commons' House should proceed, and how he would order the

House of Lords. And that he hath been endeavouring to have the King's

nativity calculated; which was done, and the fellow now in the Tower about

it; which itself hath heretofore, as he says, been held treason, and

people died for it; but by the Statute of Treasons, in Queen Mary's times

and since, it hath been left out. He tells me that this silly Lord hath

provoked, by his ill-carriage, the Duke of York, my Lord Chancellor, and

all the great persons; and therefore, most likely, will die. He tells me,

too, many practices of treachery against this King; as betraying him in

Scotland, and giving Oliver an account of the King's private councils;

which the King knows very well, and hath yet pardoned him.

[Two of our greatest poets have drawn the character of the Duke of

Buckingham in brilliant verse, and both have condemned him to

infamy. There is enough in Pepys's reports to corroborate the main

features of Dryden's magnificent portrait of Zimri in "Absolom and

Achitophel":

"In the first rank of these did Zimri stand;

A man so various that he seemed to be

Not one, but all mankind's epitome;

Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong;

Was everything by starts, and nothing long,

But, in the course of one revolving moon,

Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon;

Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking,

Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking,

* * * * * * *

He laughed himself from Court, then sought relief

By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief."

Pope's facts are not correct, and hence the effect of his picture is

impaired. In spite of the duke's constant visits to the Tower,

Charles II. still continued his friend; but on the death of the

king, expecting little from James, he retired to his estate at

Helmsley, in Yorkshire, to nurse his property and to restore his

constitution. He died on April 16th, 1687, at Kirkby Moorside,

after a few days' illness, caused by sitting on the damp grass when

heated from a fox chase. The scene of his death was the house of a

tenant, not "the worst inn's worst room" ("Moral Essays," epist.

iii.). He was buried in Westminster Abbey.]

Here I passed away a little time more talking with him and Creed, whom I

met there, and so away, Creed walking with me to White Hall, and there I

took water and stayed at Michell's to drink. I home, and there to read

very good things in Fuller's "Church History," and "Worthies," and so to

supper, and after supper had much good discourse with W. Hewer, who supped

with us, about the ticket office and the knaveries and extortions every

day used there, and particularly of the business of Mr. Carcasse, whom I

fear I shall find a very rogue. So parted with him, and then to bed.

4th. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes and [Sir] W. Batten by barge to Deptford

by eight in the morning, where to the King's yard a little to look after

business there, and then to a private storehouse to look upon some cordage

of Sir W. Batten's, and there being a hole formerly made for a drain for

tarr to run into, wherein the barrel stood still, full of stinking water,

Sir W. Batten did fall with one leg into it, which might have been very

bad to him by breaking a leg or other hurt, but, thanks be to God, he only

sprained his foot a little. So after his shifting his stockings at a

strong water shop close by, we took barge again, and so to Woolwich, where

our business was chiefly to look upon the ballast wharfe there, which is

offered us for the King's use to hire, but we do not think it worth the

laying out much money upon, unless we could buy the fee-simple of it,

which cannot be sold us, so we wholly flung it off: So to the Dockyard,

and there staid a while talking about business of the yard, and thence to

the Rope-yard, and so to the White Hart and there dined, and Captain Cocke

with us, whom we found at the Rope-yard, and very merry at dinner, and

many pretty tales of Sir J. Minnes, which I have entered in my tale book.

But by this time Sir W. Batten was come to be in much pain in his foot, so

as he was forced to be carried down in a chair to the barge again, and so

away to Deptford, and there I a little in the yard, and then to Bagwell's,

where I find his wife washing, and also I did 'hazer tout que je voudrais

con' her, and then sent for her husband, and discoursed of his going to

Harwich this week to his charge of the new ship building there, which I

have got him, and so away, walked to Redriffe, and there took boat and

away home, and upon Tower Hill, near the ticket office, meeting with my

old acquaintance Mr. Chaplin, the cheesemonger, and there fell to talk of

news, and he tells me that for certain the King of France is denied

passage with his army through Flanders, and that he hears that the Dutch

do stand upon high terms with us, and will have a promise of not being

obliged to strike the flag to us before they will treat with us, and other

high things, which I am ashamed of and do hope will never be yielded to.

That they do make all imaginable preparations, but that he believes they

will be in mighty want of men; that the King of France do court us

mightily. He tells me too that our Lord-Treasurer is going to lay down,

and that Lord Arlington is to be Lord Treasurer, but I believe nothing of

it, for he is not yet of estate visible enough to have the charge I

suppose upon him. So being parted from him I home to the office, and

after having done business there I home to supper, and there mightily

pleased with my wife's beginning the flagellette, believing that she will

come to very well thereon. This day in the barge I took Berckenshaw's

translation of Alsted his Templum, but the most ridiculous book, as he has

translated it, that ever I saw in my life, I declaring that I understood

not three lines together from one end of the book to the other.

5th. Up, and to the office, where met and sat all the morning, doing

little for want of money, but only bear the countenance of an office. At

noon home to dinner, and then to the office again, and there comes Martin

my purser, and I walked with him awhile in the garden, I giving him good

advice to beware of coming any more with high demands for supernumeraries

or other things, for now Sir W. Pen is come to mind the business, the

passing of his accounts will not be so easy as the last. He tells me he

will never need it again, it being as easy, and to as much purpose to do

the same thing otherwise, and how he do keep his Captain's table, and by

that means hath the command of his Captains, and do not fear in a 5th-rate

ship constantly employed to get a L1000 in five years time, and this year,

besides all his spendings, which are I fear high, he hath got at this day

clear above L150 in a voyage of about five or six months, which is a brave

trade. He gone I to the office, and there all the afternoon late doing

much business, and then to see Sir W. Batten, whose leg is all but better

than it was, and like to do well. I by discourse do perceive he and his

Lady are to their hearts out with my Lord Bruncker and Mrs. Williams, to

which I added something, but, I think, did not venture too far with them.

But, Lord! to see to what a poor content any acquaintance among these

people, or the people of the world, as they now-adays go, is worth; for my

part I and my wife will keep to one another and let the world go hang, for

there is nothing but falseness in it. So home to supper and hear my wife

and girle sing a little, and then to bed with much content of mind.

6th. Up, and with [Sir] W. Pen to White Hall by coach, and by the way

agreed to acquaint [Sir] W. Coventry with the business of Mr. Carcasse,

and he and I spoke to Sir W. Coventry that we might move it to the Duke of

York, which I did in a very indifferent, that is, impartial manner, but

vexed I believe Lord Bruncker. Here the Duke of York did acquaint us, and

the King did the like also, afterwards coming in, with his resolution of

altering the manner of the war this year; that is, we shall keep what

fleete we have abroad in several squadrons: so that now all is come out;

but we are to keep it as close as we can, without hindering the work that

is to be done in preparation to this. Great preparations there are to

fortify Sheernesse and the yard at Portsmouth, and forces are drawing down

to both those places, and elsewhere by the seaside; so that we have some

fear of an invasion; and the Duke of York himself did declare his

expectation of the enemy's blocking us up here in the River, and therefore

directed that we should send away all the ships that we have to fit out

hence. Sir W. Pen told me, going with me this morning to White Hall, that

for certain the Duke of Buckingham is brought into the Tower, and that he

hath had an hour's private conference with the King before he was sent

thither. To Westminster Hall. There bought some news books, and, as

every where else, hear every body complain of the dearness of coals, being

at L4 per chaldron, the weather, too, being become most bitter cold, the

King saying to-day that it was the coldest day he ever knew in England.

Thence by coach to my Lord Crew's, where very welcome. Here I find they

are in doubt where the Duke of Buckingham is; which makes me mightily

reflect on the uncertainty of all history, when, in a business of this

moment, and of this day's growth, we cannot tell the truth. Here dined my

old acquaintance, Mr. Borfett, that was my Lord Sandwich's chaplain, and

my Lady Wright and Dr. Boreman, who is preacher at St. Gyles's in the

Fields, who, after dinner, did give my Lord an account of two papist women

lately converted, whereof one wrote her recantation, which he shewed under

her own hand mighty well drawn, so as my Lord desired a copy of it, after

he had satisfied himself from the Doctor, that to his knowledge she was

not a woman under any necessity. Thence by coach home and staid a very

little, and then by water to Redriffe, and walked to Bagwell's, where 'la

moher' was 'defro, sed' would not have me 'demeurer' there 'parce que'

Mrs. Batters and one of my 'ancillas', I believe Jane (for she was gone

abroad to-day), was in the town, and coming thither; so I away presently,

esteeming it a great escape. So to the yard and spoke a word or two, and

then by water home, wondrous cold, and reading a ridiculous ballad made in

praise of the Duke of Albemarle, to the tune of St. George, the tune being

printed, too; and I observe that people have some great encouragement to

make ballads of him of this kind. There are so many, that hereafter he

will sound like Guy of Warwicke. Then abroad with my wife, leaving her at

the 'Change, while I to Sir H. Cholmly's, a pretty house, and a fine,

worthy, well-disposed gentleman he is. He and I to Sir Ph. Warwicke's,

about money for Tangier, but to little purpose. H. Cholmley tells me,

among other things, that he hears of little hopes of a peace, their

demands being so high as we shall never grant, and could tell me that we

shall keep no fleete abroad this year, but only squadrons. And, among

other things, that my Lord Bellasses, he believes, will lose his command

of Tangier by his corrupt covetous ways of .endeavouring to sell his

command, which I am glad [of], for he is a man of no worth in the world

but compliment. So to the 'Change, and there bought 32s. worth of things

for Mrs. Knipp, my Valentine, which is pretty to see how my wife is come

to convention with me, that, whatever I do give to anybody else, I shall

give her as much, which I am not much displeased with. So home and to the

office and Sir W. Batten, to tell him what I had done to-day about

Carcasse's business, and God forgive me I am not without design to give a

blow to Sir W. Batten by it. So home, where Mr. Batelier supped with us

and talked away the evening pretty late, and so he gone and we to bed.

7th. So up, and to the office, my head full of Carcasse's business; then

hearing that Knipp is at my house, I home, and it was about a ticket for a

friend of hers. I do love the humour of the jade very well. So to the

office again, not being able to stay, and there about noon my Lord

Bruncker did begin to talk of Carcasse's business. Only Commissioner

Pett, my Lord, and I there, and it was pretty to see how Pett hugged the

occasion of having anything against Sir W. Batten, which I am not much

troubled at, for I love him not neither. Though I did really endeavour to

quash it all I could, because I would prevent their malice taking effect.

My Lord I see is fully resolved to vindicate Carcasse, though to the

undoing of Sir W. Batten, but I believe he will find himself in a mistake,

and do himself no good, and that I shall be glad of, for though I love the

treason I hate the traitor. But he is vexed at my moving it to the Duke

of York yesterday, which I answered well, so as I think he could not

answer. But, Lord! it is pretty to see how Pett hugs this business, and

how he favours my Lord Bruncker; who to my knowledge hates him, and has

said more to his disadvantage, in my presence, to the King and Duke of

York than any man in England, and so let them thrive one with another by

cheating one another, for that is all I observe among them. Thence home

late, and find my wife hath dined, and she and Mrs. Hewer going to a play.

Here was Creed, and he and I to Devonshire House, to a burial of a kinsman

of Sir R. Viner's; and there I received a ring, and so away presently to

Creed, who staid for me at an alehouse hard by, and thence to the Duke's

playhouse, where he parted, and I in and find my wife and Mrs. Hewer, and

sat by them and saw "The English Princesse, or Richard the Third;" a most

sad, melancholy play, and pretty good; but nothing eminent in it, as some

tragedys are; only little Mis. Davis did dance a jig after the end of the

play, and there telling the next day's play; so that it come in by force

only to please the company to see her dance in boy's 'clothes; and, the

truth is, there is no comparison between Nell's dancing the other day at

the King's house in boy's clothes and this, this being infinitely beyond

the other. Mere was Mr. Clerke and Pierce, to whom one word only of "How

do you," and so away home, Mrs: Hewer with us, and I to the office and so

to [Sir] W. Batten's, and there talked privately with him and [Sir] W. Pen

about business of Carcasse against tomorrow, wherein I think I did give

them proof enough of my ability as well as friendship to [Sir] W. Batten,

and the honour of the office, in my sense of the rogue's business. So

back to finish my office business, and then home to supper, and to bed.

This day, Commissioner Taylor come to me for advice, and would force me to

take ten pieces in gold of him, which I had no mind to, he being become

one of our number at the Board. This day was reckoned by all people the

coldest day that ever was remembered in England; and, God knows! coals at

a very great price.

8th. Up, and to the Old Swan, where drank at Michell's, but not seeing

her whom I love I by water to White Hall, and there acquainted Sir G.

Carteret betimes what I had to say this day before the Duke of York in the

business of Carcasse, which he likes well of, being a great enemy to him,

and then I being too early here to go to Sir W. Coventry's chamber, having

nothing to say to him, and being able to give him but a bad account of the

business of the office (which is a shame to me, and that which I shall rue

if I do not recover), to the Exchequer about getting a certificate of Mr.

Lanyon's entered at Sir R. Longs office, and strange it is to see what

horrid delays there are at this day in the business of money, there being

nothing yet come from my Lord Treasurer to set the business of money in

action since the Parliament broke off, notwithstanding the greatness and

number of the King's occasions for it. So to the Swan, and there had three

or four baisers of the little ancilla there, and so to Westminster Hall,

where I saw Mr. Martin, the purser, come through with a picture in his

hand, which he had bought, and observed how all the people of the Hall did

fleer and laugh upon him, crying, "There is plenty grown upon a sudden;"

and, the truth is, I was a little troubled that my favour should fall on

so vain a fellow as he, and the more because, methought, the people do

gaze upon me as the man that had raised him, and as if they guessed whence

my kindness to him springs. So thence to White Hall, where I find all met

at the Duke of York's chamber; and, by and by, the Duke of York comes, and

Carcasse is called in, and I read the depositions and his answers, and he

added with great confidence and good words, even almost to persuasion,

what to say; and my Lord Bruncker, like a very silly solicitor, argued

against me and us all for him; and, being asked first by the Duke of York

his opinion, did give it for his being excused. I next did answer the

contrary very plainly, and had, in this dispute, which vexed and will

never be forgot by my Lord, many occasions of speaking severely, and did,

against his bad practices. Commissioner Pett, like a fawning rogue, sided

with my Lord, but to no purpose; and [Sir] W. Pen, like a cunning rogue,

spoke mighty indifferently, and said nothing in all the fray, like a knave

as he is. But [Sir] W. Batten spoke out, and did come off himself by the

Duke's kindness very well; and then Sir G. Carteret, and Sir W. Coventry,

and the Duke of York himself, flatly as I said; and so he was declared

unfit to continue in, and therefore to be presently discharged the office;

which, among other good effects, I hope, will make my Lord Bruncker not

'alloquer' so high, when he shall consider he hath had such a publick

foyle as this is. So home with [Sir] W. Batten, and [Sir] W. Pen, by

coach, and there met at the office, and my Lord Bruncker presently after

us, and there did give order to Mr. Stevens for securing the tickets in

Carcasses hands, which my Lord against his will could not refuse to sign,

and then home to dinner, and so away with my wife by coach, she to Mrs.

Pierce's and I to my Lord Bellasses, and with him to [my] Lord

Treasurer's, where by agreement we met with Sir H. Cholmly, and there sat

and talked all the afternoon almost about one thing or other, expecting

Sir Philip Warwicke's coming, but he come not, so we away towards night,

Sir H. Cholmly and I to the Temple, and there parted, telling me of my

Lord Bellasses's want of generosity, and that he [Bellasses] will

certainly be turned out of his government, and he thinks himself stands

fair for it. So home, and there found, as I expected, Mrs. Pierce and Mr.

Batelier; he went for Mrs. Jones, but no Mrs. Knipp come, which vexed me,

nor any other company. So with one fidler we danced away the evening, but

I was not well contented with the littleness of the room, and my wife's

want of preparing things ready, as they should be, for supper, and bad.

So not very merry, though very well pleased. So after supper to bed, my

wife and Mrs. Pierce, and her boy James and I. Yesterday I began to make

this mark (V) stand instead of three pricks, which therefore I must

observe every where, it being a mark more easy to make.

9th. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning busy. At noon home

to dinner, where Mrs. Pierce did continue with us and her boy (who I still

find every day more and more witty beyond his age), and did dine with us,

and by and by comes in her husband and a brother-in-law of his, a parson,

one of the tallest biggest men that ever I saw in my life. So to the

office, where a meeting extraordinary about settling the number and wages

of my Lord Bruncker's clerks for his new work upon the Treasurer's

accounts, but this did put us upon running into the business of yesterday

about Carcasse, wherein I perceive he is most dissatisfied with me, and I

am not sorry for it, having all the world but him of my side therein, for

it will let him know another time that he is not to expect our submitting

to him in every thing, as I think he did heretofore expect. He did speak

many severe words to me, and I returned as many to him, so that I do think

there cannot for a great while, be, any right peace between us, and I care

not a fart for it; but however, I must look about me and mind my business,

for I perceive by his threats and enquiries he is and will endeavour to

find out something against me or mine. Breaking up here somewhat brokenly

I home, and carried Mrs. Pierce and wife to the New Exchange, and there

did give her and myself a pair of gloves, and then set her down at home,

and so back again straight home and thereto do business, and then to Sir

W. Batten's, where [Sir] W. Pen and others, and mighty merry, only I have

got a great cold, and the scolding this day at the office with my Lord

Bruncker hath made it worse, that I am not able to speak. But, Lord! to

see how kind Sir W. Batten and his Lady are to me upon this business of my

standing by [Sir] W. Batten against Carcasse, and I am glad of it.

Captain Cocke, who was here to-night, did tell us that he is certain that

yesterday a proclamation was voted at the Council, touching the

proclaiming of my Lord Duke of Buckingham a traytor, and that it will be

out on Monday. So home late, and drank some buttered ale, and so to bed

and to sleep. This cold did most certainly come by my staying a little too

long bare-legged yesterday morning when I rose while I looked out fresh

socks and thread stockings, yesterday's having in the night, lying near

the window, been covered with snow within the window, which made me I

durst not put them on.

10th (Lord's day). Having my cold still grown more upon me, so as I am

not able to speak, I lay in bed till noon, and then up and to my chamber

with a good fire, and there spent an hour on Morly's Introduction to

Musique, a very good but unmethodical book. Then to dinner, my wife and

I, and then all the afternoon alone in my chamber preparing a letter for

Commissioner Taylor to the City about getting his accounts for The Loyal

London,

[The "Loyal London" was the ship given to the king by the City. It

was launched at Deptford on June 10th, 1666]

by him built for them, stated and discharged, they owing him still about

L4000. Towards the evening comes Mr. Spong to see me, whose discourse

about several things I proposed to him was very good, better than I have

had with any body a good while. He gone, I to my business again, and anon

comes my Lady Pen and her son-in law and daughter, and there we talked all

the evening away, and then to supper; and after supper comes Sir W. Pen,

and there we talked together, and then broke up, and so to bed. He tells

me that our Mr. Turner has seen the proclamation against the Duke of

Buckingham, and that therefore it is true what we heard last night.

Yesterday and to-day I have been troubled with a hoarseness through cold

that I could not almost speak.

11th. Up, and with my cold still upon me and hoarseness, but I was forced

to rise and to the office, where all the morning busy, and among other

things Sir W. Warren come to me, to whom of late I have been very strange,

partly from my indifference how more than heretofore to get money, but

most from my finding that he is become great with my Lord Bruncker, and so

I dare not trust him as I used to do, for I will not be inward with him

that is open to another. By and by comes Sir H. Cholmly to me about

Tangier business, and then talking of news he tells me how yesterday the

King did publiquely talk of the King of France's dealing with all the

Princes of Christendome. As to the States of Holland, he [the King of

France] hath advised them, on good grounds, to refuse to treat with us at

the Hague, because of having opportunity of spies, by reason of our

interest in the House of Orange; and then, it being a town in one

particular province, it would not be fit to have it, but in a town wherein

the provinces have equal interest, as at Mastricht, and other places

named. That he advises them to offer no terms, nor accept of any, without

his privity and consent, according to agreement; and tells them, if not

so, he hath in his power to be even with them, the King of England being

come to offer him any terms he pleases; and that my Lord St. Albans is now

at Paris, Plenipotentiary, to make what peace he pleases; and so he can

make it, and exclude them, the Dutch, if he sees fit. A copy of this

letter of the King of France's the Spanish Ambassador here gets, and comes

and tells all to our King; which our King denies, and says the King of

France only uses his power of saying anything. At the same time, the King

of France writes to the Emperor, that he is resolved to do all things to

express affection to the Emperor, having it now in his power to make what

peace he pleases between the King of England and him, and the States of

the United Provinces; and, therefore, that he would not have him to

concern himself in a friendship with us; and assures him that, on that

regard, he will not offer anything to his disturbance, in his interest in

Flanders, or elsewhere. He writes, at the same time, to Spayne, to tell

him that he wonders to hear of a league almost ended between the Crown of

Spayne and England, by my Lord Sandwich, and all without his privity,

while he was making a peace upon what terms he pleased with England: that

he is a great lover of the Crown of Spayne, and would take the King and

his affairs, during his minority, into his protection, nor would offer to

set his foot in Flanders, or any where else, to disturb him; and,

therefore, would not have him to trouble himself to make peace with any

body; only he hath a desire to offer an exchange, which he thinks may be

of moment to both sides: that is, that he [France] will enstate the King

of Spayne in the kingdom of Portugall, and he and the Dutch will put him

into possession of Lisbon; and, that being done, he [France] may have

Flanders: and this, they say; do mightily take in Spayne, which is

sensible of the fruitless expence Flanders, so far off, gives them; and

how much better it would be for them to be master of Portugall; and the

King of France offers, for security herein, that the King of England shall

be bond for him, and that he will countersecure the King of England with

Amsterdam; and, it seems, hath assured our King, that if he will make a

league with him, he will make a peace exclusive to the Hollander. These

things are almost romantique, but yet true, as Sir H. Cholmly tells me the

King himself did relate it all yesterday; and it seems as if the King of

France did think other princes fit for nothing but to make sport for him:

but simple princes they are, that are forced to suffer this from him. So

at noon with Sir W. Pen by coach to the Sun in Leadenhall Streete, where

Sir R. Ford, Sir W. Batten, and Commissioner Taylor (whose feast it was)

were, and we dined and had a very good dinner. Among other discourses Sir

R. Ford did tell me that he do verily believe that the city will in few

years be built again in all the greatest streets, and answered the

objections I did give to it. Here we had the proclamation this day come

out against the Duke of Buckingham, commanding him to come in to one of

the Secretaries, or to the Lieutenant of the Tower. A silly, vain man to

bring himself to this: and there be many hard circumstances in the

proclamation of the causes of this proceeding of the King's, which speak

great displeasure of the King's, and crimes of his. Then to discourse of

the business of the day, that is, to see Commissioner Taylor's accounts

for his ship he built, The Loyall London, and it is pretty to see how

dully this old fellow makes his demands, and yet plaguy wise sayings will

come from the man sometimes, and also how Sir R. Ford and [Sir] W. Batten

did with seeming reliance advise him what to do, and how to come prepared

to answer objections to the Common Council. Thence away to the office,

where late busy, and then home to supper, mightily pleased with my wife's

trill, and so to bed. This night Mr. Carcasse did come to me again to

desire favour, and that I would mediate that he might be restored, but I

did give him no kind answer at all, but was very angry, and I confess a

good deal of it from my Lord Bruncker's simplicity and passion.

12th. Up, and to the office, where all-the morning, and my Lord Bruncker

mighty quiet, and no words all day, which I wonder at, expecting that he

would have fallen again upon the business of Carcasse, and the more for

that here happened that Perkins, who was the greatest witness of all

against him, was brought in by Sir W. Batten to prove that he did really

belong to The Prince, but being examined was found rather a fool than

anything, as not being able to give any account when he come in nor when

he come out of her, more than that he was taken by the Dutch in her, but

did agree in earnest to Sir W. Pen's saying that she lay up all, the

winter before at Lambeth. This I confess did make me begin to doubt the

truth of his evidence, but not to doubt the faults of Carcasse, for he was

condemned by, many other better evidences than his, besides the whole

world's report. At noon home, and there find Mr. Goodgroome, whose

teaching of my wife only by singing over and over again to her, and

letting her sing with him, not by herself, to correct her faults, I do not

like at all, but was angry at it; but have this content, that I do think

she will come to sing pretty well, and to trill in time, which pleases me

well. He dined with us, and then to the office, when we had a sorry

meeting to little purpose, and then broke up, and I to my office, and busy

late to good purpose, and so home to supper and to bed. This day a poor

seaman, almost starved for want of food, lay in our yard a-dying. I sent

him half-a-crown, and we ordered his ticket to be paid.

13th. Up, and with [Sir] W. Batten to the Duke of York to our usual

attendance, where I did fear my Lord Bruncker might move something in

revenge that might trouble me, but he did not, but contrarily had the

content to hear Sir G. Carteret fall foul on him in the Duke of York's bed

chamber for his directing people with tickets and petitions to him,

bidding him mind his Controller's place and not his, for if he did he

should be too hard for him, and made high words, which I was glad of.

Having done our usual business with the Duke of York, I away; and meeting

Mr. D. Gawden in the presence-chamber, he and I to talk; and among other

things he tells me, and I do find every where else, also, that our masters

do begin not to like of their councils in fitting out no fleete, but only

squadrons, and are finding out excuses for it; and, among others, he tells

me a Privy-Councillor did tell him that it was said in Council that a

fleete could not be set out this year, for want of victuals, which gives

him and me a great alarme, but me especially for had it been so, I ought

to have represented it; and therefore it puts me in policy presently to

prepare myself to answer this objection, if ever it should come about, by

drawing up a state of the Victualler's stores, which I will presently do.

So to Westminster Hall, and there staid and talked, and then to Sir G.

Carteret's, where I dined with the ladies, he not at home, and very well

used I am among them, so that I am heartily ashamed that my wife hath not

been there to see them; but she shall very shortly. So home by water, and

stepped into Michell's, and there did baiser my Betty, 'que aegrotat' a

little. At home find Mr. Holliard, and made him eat a bit of victuals.

Here I find Mr. Greeten, who teaches my wife on the flageolet, and I think

she will come to something on it. Mr. Holliard advises me to have my

father come up to town, for he doubts else in the country he will never

find ease, for, poor man, his grief is now grown so great upon him that he

is never at ease, so I will have him up at Easter. By and by by coach,

set down Mr. Holliard near his house at Hatton Garden and myself to Lord

Treasurer's, and sent my wife to the New Exchange. I staid not here, but

to Westminster Hall, and thence to Martin's, where he and she both within,

and with them the little widow that was once there with her when I was

there, that dissembled so well to be grieved at hearing a tune that her,

late husband liked, but there being so much company, I had no pleasure

here, and so away to the Hall again, and there met Doll Lane coming out,

and 'par contrat did hazer bargain para aller to the cabaret de vin',

called the Rose, and 'ibi' I staid two hours, 'sed' she did not 'venir',

'lequel' troubled me, and so away by coach and took up my wife, and away

home, and so to Sir W. Batten's, where I am told that it is intended by

Mr. Carcasse to pray me to be godfather with Lord Bruncker to-morrow to

his child, which I suppose they tell me in mirth, but if he should ask me

I know not whether I should refuse it or no. Late at my office preparing

a speech against to-morrow morning, before the King, at my Lord

Treasurer's, and the truth is it run in my head all night. So home to

supper and to bed. The Duke of Buckingham is concluded gone over sea,

and, it is thought, to France.

14th. Up, and with Sir W. Batten and [Sir] W. Pen to my Lord Treasurer's,

where we met with my Lord Bruncker an hour before the King come, and had

time to talk a little of our business. Then come much company, among

others Sir H. Cholmly, who tells me that undoubtedly my Lord Bellasses

will go no more as Governor to Tangier, and that he do put in fair for it,

and believes he shall have it, and proposes how it may conduce to his

account and mine in the business of money. Here we fell into talk with

Sir Stephen Fox, and, among other things, of the Spanish manner of

walking, when three together, and shewed me how, which was pretty, to

prevent differences. By and by comes the King and Duke of York, and

presently the officers of the Ordnance were called; my Lord Berkeley, Sir

John Duncomb, and Mr. Chichly; then we, my Lord Bruncker, [Sir] W. Batten,

[Sir] W. Pen, and myself; where we find only the King and Duke of York,

and my Lord Treasurer, and Sir G. Carteret; where I only did speak, laying

down the state of our wants, which the King and Duke of York seemed very

well pleased with, and we did get what we asked, L500,000, assigned upon

the eleven months' tax: but that is not so much ready money, or what will

raise L40,000 per week, which we desired, and the business will want. Yet

are we fain to come away answered, when, God knows, it will undo the

King's business to have matters of this moment put off in this manner.

The King did prevent my offering anything by and by as Treasurer for

Tangier, telling me that he had ordered us L30,000 on the same tax; but

that is not what we would have to bring our payments to come within a

year. So we gone out, in went others; viz., one after another, Sir

Stephen Fox for the army, Captain Cocke for sick and wounded, Mr.

Ashburnham for the household. Thence [Sir] W. Batten, [Sir] W. Pen, and

I, back again; I mightily pleased with what I had said and done, and the

success thereof. But, it being a fine clear day, I did, 'en gayete de

coeur', propose going to Bow for ayre sake, and dine there, which they

embraced, and so [Sir] W. Batten and I (setting [Sir] W. Pen down at Mark

Lane end) straight to Bow, to the Queen's Head, and there bespoke our

dinner, carrying meat with us from London; and anon comes [Sir] W. Pen

with my wife and Lady Batten, and then Mr. Lowder with his mother and

wife. While [Sir] W. Batten and I were alone, we had much friendly

discourse, though I will never trust him far; but we do propose getting

"The Flying Greyhound," our privateer, to us and [Sir] W. Pen at the end

of the year when we call her home, by begging her of the King, and I do

not think we shall be denied her. They being come, we to oysters and so

to talk, very pleasant I was all day, and anon to dinner, and I made very

good company. Here till the evening, so as it was dark almost before we

got home (back again in the same method, I think, we went), and spent the

night talking at Sir W. Batten's, only a little at my office, to look over

the Victualler's contract, and draw up some arguments for him to plead for

his charges in transportation of goods beyond the ports which the letter

of one article in his contract do lay upon him. This done I home to

supper and to bed. Troubled a little at my fear that my Lord Bruncker

should tell Sir W. Coventry of our neglecting the office this afternoon

(which was intended) to look after our pleasures, but nothing will fall

upon me alone about this.

15th. Up, and pleased at Tom's teaching of Barker something to sing a 3rd

part to a song, which will please mightily. So I to the office all the

morning, and at noon to the 'Change, where I do hear that letters this day

come to Court do tell us that we are likely not to agree, the Dutch

demanding high terms, and the King of France the like, in a most braving

manner. The merchants do give themselves over for lost, no man knowing

what to do, whether to sell or buy, not knowing whether peace or war to

expect, and I am told that could that be now known a man might get L20,000

in a week's time by buying up of goods in case there should be war.

Thence home and dined well, and then with my wife, set her at Unthanke's

and I to Sir G. Carteret, where talked with the ladies a while, and my

Lady Carteret talks nothing but sorrow and afflictions coming on us, and

indeed I do fear the same. So away and met Dr. Fuller, Bishop of

Limricke, and walked an hour with him in the Court talking of newes only,

and he do think that matters will be bad with us. Then to Westminster

Hall, and there spent an hour or two walking up and down, thinking 'para

avoir' got out Doll Lane, 'sed je ne' could do it, having no opportunity

'de hazer le, ainsi lost the tota' afternoon, and so away and called my

wife and home, where a little at the office, and then home to my closet to

enter my journalls, and so to supper and to bed. This noon come little

Mis. Tooker, who is grown a little woman; ego had opportunity 'para baiser

her . . . . This morning I was called up by Sir John Winter, poor man!

come in his sedan from the other end of the town, before I was up, and

merely about the King's business, which is a worthy thing of him, and I

believe him to be a worthy good man, and I will do him the right to tell

the Duke of it, who did speak well of him the other day. It was about

helping the King in the business of bringing down his timber to the

sea-side, in the Forest of Deane.

16th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning; at noon home to

dinner, and then to the office again in the afternoon, and there all day

very busy till night, and then, having done much business, home to supper,

and so to bed. This afternoon come home Sir J. Minnes, who has been down,

but with little purpose, to pay the ships below at the Nore. This evening,

having done my letters, I did write out the heads of what I had prepared

to speak to the King the other day at my Lord Treasurer's, which I do

think convenient to keep by me for future use. The weather is now grown

warm again, after much cold; and it is observable that within these eight

days I did see smoke remaining, coming out of some cellars, from the late

great fire, now above six months since. There was this day at the office

(as he is most days) Sir W. Warren, against whom I did manifestly plead,

and heartily too, God forgive me! But the reason is because I do find

that he do now wholly rely almost upon my Lord Bruncker, though I confess

I have no greater ground of my leaving him than the confidence which I

perceive he hath got in my Lord Bruncker, whose seeming favours only do

obtain of him as much compensation as, I believe (for he do know well the

way of using his bounties), as mine more real. Besides, my Lord and I

being become antagonistic, I do not think it safe for me to trust myself

in the hands of one whom I know to be a knave, and using all means to

become gracious there.