August 1st. Up very early, and by water to Whitehall to my Lord’s, and
there up to my Lord’s lodging (Win. Howe being now ill of the gout at
Mr. Pierce’s), and there talked with him about the affairs of the Navy,
and how I was now to wait today at the Privy Seal. Commissioner Pett
went with me, whom I desired to make my excuse at the office for my
absence this day. Hence to the Privy Seal Office, where I got (by
Mr. Mathews’ means) possession of the books and table, but with some
expectation of Baron’s bringing of a warrant from the King to have this
month. Nothing done this morning, Baron having spoke to Mr. Woodson and
Groome (clerks to Mr. Trumbull of the Signet) to keep all work in their
hands till the afternoon, at which time he expected to have his warrant
from the King for this month.--[The clerks of the Privy Seal took the
duty of attendance for a month by turns.]--I took at noon Mr. Harper
to the Leg in King Street, and did give him his dinner, who did still
advise me much to act wholly myself at the Privy Seal, but I told him
that I could not, because I had other business to take up my time. In
the afternoon at, the office again, where we had many things to sign;
and I went to the Council Chamber, and there got my Lord to sign the
first bill, and the rest all myself; but received no money today. After
I had signed all, I went with Dick Scobell and Luellin to drink at a
bottle beer house in the Strand, and after staying there a while (had
sent W. Hewer home before), I took boat and homewards went, and in Fish
Street bought a Lobster, and as I had bought it I met with Winter and
Mr. Delabarr, and there with a piece of sturgeon of theirs we went to
the Sun Tavern in the street and ate them. Late home and to bed.
2d. To Westminster by water with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen (our
servants in another boat) to the Admiralty; and from thence I went to
my Lord’s to fetch him thither, where we stayed in the morning about
ordering of money for the victuailers, and advising how to get a sum of
money to carry on the business of the Navy. From thence dined with Mr.
Blackburne at his house with his friends (his wife being in the country
and just upon her return to London), where we were very well treated and
merry. From thence W. Hewer and I to the office of Privy Seal, where
I stayed all the afternoon, and received about L40 for yesterday and
to-day, at which my heart rejoiced for God’s blessing to me, to give me
this advantage by chance, there being of this L40 about L10 due to me
for this day’s work. So great is the present profit of this office,
above what it was in the King’s time; there being the last month about
300 bills; whereas in the late King’s time it was much to have 40. With
my money home by coach, it, being the first time that I could get home
before our gates were shut since I came to the Navy office. When I came
home I found my wife not very well of her old pain.... which she had
when we were married first. I went and cast up the expense that I laid
out upon my former house (because there are so many that are desirous of
it, and I am, in my mind, loth to let it go out of my hands, for fear of
a turn). I find my layings-out to come to about L20, which with my fine
will come to about L22 to him that shall hire my house of me.--[Pepys
wished to let his house in Axe Yard now that he had apartments at the
Navy Office.]--To bed.
3rd. Up betimes this morning, and after the barber had done with me,
then to the office, where I and Sir William Pen only did meet and
despatch business. At noon my wife and I by coach to Dr. Clerke’s to
dinner: I was very much taken with his lady, a comely, proper woman,
though not handsome; but a woman of the best language I ever heard. Here
dined Mrs. Pierce and her husband. After dinner I took leave to go
to Westminster, where I was at the Privy Seal Office all day, signing
things and taking money, so that I could not do as I had intended, that
is to return to them and go to the Red Bull Playhouse,
[This well-known theatre was situated in St. John’s Street on the
site of Red Bull Yard. Pepys went there on March 23rd, 1661, when
he expressed a very poor opinion of the place. T. Carew, in some
commendatory lines on Sir William. Davenant’s play, “The just
Italian,” 1630, abuses both audiences and actors:--
“There are the men in crowded heaps that throng
To that adulterate stage, where not a tongue
Of th’ untun’d kennel can a line repeat
Of serious sense.”
There is a token of this house (see “Boyne’s Trade Tokens,” ed.
Williamson, vol. i., 1889, p. 725).]
but I took coach and went to see whether it was done so or no, and I
found it done. So I returned to Dr. Clerke’s, where I found them and my
wife, and by and by took leave and went away home.
4th. To White Hall, where I found my Lord gone with the King by water
to dine at the Tower with Sir J. Robinson,’ Lieutenant. I found my Lady
Jemimah--[Lady Jemima Montage, daughter of Lord Sandwich, previously
described as Mrs. Jem.]--at my Lord’s, with whom I staid and dined, all
alone; after dinner to the Privy Seal Office, where I did business. So
to a Committee of Parliament (Sir Hen[eage] Finch, Chairman), to give
them an answer to an order of theirs, “that we could not give them any
account of the Accounts of the Navy in the years 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, as
they desire.” After that I went and bespoke some linen of Betty Lane
in the Hall, and after that to the Trumpet, where I sat and talked with
her, &c. At night, it being very rainy, and it thundering and lightning
exceedingly, I took coach at the Trumpet door, taking Monsieur
L’Impertinent along with me as far as the Savoy, where he said he went
to lie with Cary Dillon,
[Colonel Cary Dillon, a friend of the Butlers, who courted the fair
Frances; but the engagement was subsequently broken off, see
December 31 st, 1661.]
and is still upon the mind of going (he and his whole family) to
Ireland. Having set him down I made haste home, and in the courtyard,
it being very dark, I heard a man inquire for my house, and having asked
his business, he told me that my man William (who went this morning--out
of town to meet his aunt Blackburne) was come home not very well to his
mother, and so could not come home to-night. At which I was very sorry.
I found my wife still in pain. To bed, having not time to write letters,
and indeed having so many to write to all places that I have no heart to
go about them. Mrs. Shaw did die yesterday and her husband so sick that
he is not like to live.
5th. Lord’s day. My wife being much in pain, I went this morning to Dr.
Williams (who had cured her once before of this business), in Holborn,
and he did give me an ointment which I sent home by my boy, and a
plaister which I took with me to Westminster (having called and seen my
mother in the morning as I went to the doctor), where I dined with Mr.
Sheply (my Lord dining at Kensington). After dinner to St. Margaret’s,
where the first time I ever heard Common Prayer in that Church. I sat
with Mr. Hill in his pew; Mr. Hill that married in Axe Yard and that was
aboard us in the Hope. Church done I went and Mr. Sheply to see W. Howe
at Mr. Pierces, where I staid singing of songs and psalms an hour or
two, and were very pleasant with Mrs. Pierce and him. Thence to my
Lord’s, where I staid and talked and drank with Mr. Sheply. After that
to Westminster stairs, where I saw a fray between Mynheer Clinke, a
Dutchman, that was at Hartlibb’s wedding, and a waterman, which made
good sport. After that I got a Gravesend boat, that was come up to fetch
some bread on this side the bridge, and got them to carry me to the
bridge, and so home, where I found my wife. After prayers I to bed to
her, she having had a very bad night of it. This morning before I was up
Will came home pretty well again, he having been only weary with riding,
which he is not used to.
6th. This morning at the office, and, that being done, home to dinner
all alone, my wife being ill in pain a-bed, which I was troubled at, and
not a little impatient. After dinner to Whitehall at the Privy Seal all
the afternoon, and at night with Mr. Man to Mr. Rawlinson’s in Fenchurch
Street, where we staid till eleven o’clock at night. So home and to bed,
my wife being all this day in great pain. This night Mr. Man offered me
L1000 for my office of Clerk of the Acts, which made my mouth water; but
yet I dare not take it till I speak with my Lord to have his consent.
7th. This morning to Whitehall to the Privy Seal, and took Mr. Moore and
myself and dined at my Lord’s with Mr. Sheply. While I was at dinner in
come Sam. Hartlibb and his brother-in-law, now knighted by the King, to
request my promise of a ship for them to Holland, which I had promised
to get for them. After dinner to the Privy Seal all the afternoon. At
night, meeting Sam. Hartlibb, he took me by coach to Kensington, to
my Lord of Holland’s; I staid in the coach while he went in about his
business. He staying long I left the coach and walked back again before
on foot (a very pleasant walk) to Kensington, where I drank and staid
very long waiting for him. At last he came, and after drinking at the
inn we went towards Westminster. Here I endeavoured to have looked out
Jane that formerly lived at Dr. Williams’ at Cambridge, whom I had long
thought to live at present here, but I found myself in an error, meeting
one in the place where I expected to have found her, but she proved not
she though very like her. We went to the Bullhead, where he and I sat
and drank till 11 at night, and so home on foot. Found my wife pretty
well again, and so to bed.
8th. We met at the office, and after that to dinner at home, and
from thence with my wife by water to Catan Sterpin, with whom and her
mistress Pye we sat discoursing of Kate’s marriage to Mons. Petit, her
mistress and I giving the best advice we could for her to suspend
her marriage till Mons. Petit had got some place that may be able to
maintain her, and not for him to live upon the portion that she shall
bring him. From thence to Mr. Butler’s to see his daughters, the first
time that ever we made a visit to them. We found them very pretty, and
Coll. Dillon there, a very merry and witty companion, but methinks they
live in a gaudy but very poor condition. From thence, my wife and I
intending to see Mrs. Blackburne, who had been a day or two again to see
my wife, but my wife was not in condition to be seen, but she not being
at home my wife went to her mother’s and I to the Privy Seal. At night
from the Privy Seal, Mr. Woodson and Mr. Jennings and I to the Sun
Tavern till it was late, and from thence to my Lord’s, where my wife was
come from Mrs. Blackburne’s to me, and after I had done some business
with my Lord, she and I went to Mrs. Hunt’s, who would needs have us to
lie at her house to-night, she being with my wife so late at my Lord’s
with us, and would not let us go home to-night. We lay there all night
very pleasantly and at ease...
9th. Left my wife at Mrs. Hunt’s and I to my Lord’s, and from thence
with judge Advocate Fowler, Mr. Creed, and Mr. Sheply to the Rhenish
Wine-house, and Captain Hayward of the Plymouth, who is now ordered to
carry my Lord Winchelsea, Embassador to Constantinople. We were
very merry, and judge Advocate did give Captain Hayward his Oath of
Allegiance and Supremacy. Thence to my office of Privy Seal, and, having
signed some things there, with Mr. Moore and Dean Fuller to the Leg in
King Street, and, sending for my wife, we dined there very merry, and
after dinner, parted. After dinner with my wife to Mrs. Blackburne to
visit her. She being within I left my wife there, and I to the Privy
Seal, where I despatch some business, and from thence to Mrs. Blackburne
again, who did treat my wife and me with a great deal of civility, and
did give us a fine collation of collar of beef, &c. Thence I, having
my head full of drink from having drunk so much Rhenish wine in the
morning, and more in the afternoon at Mrs. Blackburne’s, came home and
so to bed, not well, and very ill all night.
10th. I had a great deal of pain all night, and a great loosing upon me
so that I could not sleep. In the morning I rose with much pain and to
the office. I went and dined at home, and after dinner with great pain
in my back I went by water to Whitehall to the Privy Seal, and that done
with Mr. Moore and Creed to Hide Park by coach, and saw a fine foot-race
three times round the Park between an Irishman and Crow, that was once
my Lord Claypoole’s footman. (By the way I cannot forget that my Lord
Claypoole did the other day make enquiry of Mrs. Hunt, concerning my
House in Axe-yard, and did set her on work to get it of me for him,
which methinks is a very great change.) Crow beat the other by above two
miles. Returned from Hide Park, I went to my Lord’s, and took Will (who
waited for me there) by coach and went home, taking my lute home with
me. It had been all this while since I came from sea at my Lord’s for
him to play on. To bed in some pain still. For this month or two it is
not imaginable how busy my head has been, so that I have neglected to
write letters to my uncle Robert in answer to many of his, and to
other friends, nor indeed have I done anything as to my own family, and
especially this month my waiting at the Privy Seal makes me much more
unable to think of anything, because of my constant attendance there
after I have done at the Navy Office. But blessed be God for my good
chance of the Privy Seal, where I get every day I believe about L3. This
place I got by chance, and my Lord did give it me by chance, neither he
nor I thinking it to be of the worth that he and I find it to be. Never
since I was a man in the world was I ever so great a stranger to public
affairs as now I am, having not read a new book or anything like it, or
enquiring after any news, or what the Parliament do, or in any wise how
things go. Many people look after my house in Axe-yard to hire it, so
that I am troubled with them, and I have a mind to get the money to buy
goods for my house at the Navy Office, and yet I am loth to put it off
because that Mr. Man bids me L1000 for my office, which is so great a
sum that I am loth to settle myself at my new house, lest I should take
Mr. Man’s offer in case I found my Lord willing to it.
11th. I rose to-day without any pain, which makes me think that my pain
yesterday was nothing but from my drinking too much the day before. To
my Lord this morning, who did give me order to get some things ready
against the afternoon for the Admiralty where he would meet. To the
Privy Seal, and from thence going to my own house in Axeyard, I went
in to Mrs. Crisp’s, where I met with Mr. Hartlibb; for whom I wrote a
letter for my Lord to sign for a ship for his brother and sister, who
went away hence this day to Gravesend, and from thence to Holland. I
found by discourse with Mrs. Crisp that he is very jealous of her, for
that she is yet very kind to her old servant Meade. Hence to my Lord’s
to dinner with Mr. Sheply, so to the Privy Seal; and at night home, and
then sent for the barber, and was trimmed in the kitchen, the first
time that ever I was so. I was vexed this night that W. Hewer was out of
doors till ten at night but was pretty well satisfied again when my wife
told me that he wept because I was angry, though indeed he did give me
a good reason for his being out; but I thought it a good occasion to let
him know that I do expect his being at home. So to bed.
12th. Lord’s day. To my Lord, and with him to White Hall Chappell, where
Mr. Calamy preached, and made a good sermon upon these words “To whom
much is given, of him much is required.” He was very officious with his
three reverences to the King, as others do. After sermon a brave anthem
of Captain Cooke’s,
[Henry Cooke, chorister of the Chapel Royal, adhered to the royal
cause at the breaking out of the Civil Wars, and for his bravery
obtained a captain’s commission. At the Restoration he received the
appointment of Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal; he was an
excellent musician, and three of his pupils turned out very
distinguished musicians, viz, Pelham Humphrey, John Blow, and
Michael Wise. He was one of the original performers in the “Siege,
of Rhodes.” He died July 13th, 1672,: and was buried in the
cloisters of Westminster Abbey. In another place, Pepys says, “a
vain coxcomb he is, though he sings so well.”]
which he himself sung, and the King was well pleased with it. My Lord
dined at my Lord Chamberlain’s, and I at his house with Mr. Sheply.
After dinner I did give Mr. Donne; who is going to sea, the key of my
cabin and direction for the putting up of my things.
After, that I went to walk, and meeting Mrs. Lane of Westminster Hall, I
took her to my Lord’s, and did give her a bottle of wine in the garden,
where Mr. Fairbrother, of Cambridge, did come and found us, and drank
with us. After that I took her to my house, where I was exceeding free
in dallying with her, and she not unfree to take it. At night home and
called at my father’s, where I found Mr. Fairbrother, but I did not stay
but went homewards and called in at Mr. Rawlinson’s, whither my uncle
Wight was coming and did come, but was exceeding angry (he being a
little fuddled, and I think it was that I should see him in that case)
as I never saw him in my life, which I was somewhat troubled at. Home
and to bed.
13th. A sitting day at our office. After dinner to Whitehall; to the
Privy Seal, whither my father came to me, and staid talking with me a
great while, telling me that he had propounded Mr. John Pickering for
Sir Thomas Honywood’s daughter, which I think he do not deserve for his
own merit: I know not what he may do for his estate. My father and Creed
and I to the old Rhenish Winehouse, and talked and drank till night.
Then my father home, and I to my Lord’s; where he told me that he would
suddenly go into the country, and so did commend the business of his sea
commission to me in his absence. After that home by coach, and took my
L100 that I had formerly left at Mr. Rawlinson’s, home with me, which is
the first that ever I was master of at once. To prayers, and to bed.
14th. To the Privy Seal, and thence to my Lord’s, where Mr. Pim, the
tailor, and I agreed upon making me a velvet coat. From thence to the
Privy Seal again, where Sir Samuel Morland came in with a Baronet’s
grant to pass, which the King had given him to make money of. Here he
staid with me a great while; and told me the whole manner of his serving
the King in the time of the Protector; and how Thurloe’s bad usage made
him to do it; how he discovered Sir R. Willis, and how he hath sunk his
fortune for the King; and that now the King hath given him a pension of
L500 per annum out of the Post Office for life, and the benefit of two
Baronets; all which do make me begin to think that he is not so much a
fool as I took him to be. Home by water to the Tower, where my father,
Mr. Fairbrother, and Cooke dined with me. After dinner in comes young
Captain Cuttance of the Speedwell, who is sent up for the gratuity given
the seamen that brought the King over. He brought me a firkin of butter
for my wife, which is very welcome. My father, after dinner, takes
leave, after I had given him 40s. for the last half year for my brother
John at Cambridge. I did also make even with Mr. Fairbrother for my
degree of Master of Arts, which cost me about L9 16s. To White Hall, and
my wife with me by water, where at the Privy Seal and elsewhere all the
afternoon. At night home with her by water, where I made good sport with
having the girl and the boy to comb my head, before I went to bed, in
the kitchen.
15th. To the office, and after dinner by water to White Hall, where
I found the King gone this morning by 5 of the clock to see a Dutch
pleasure-boat below bridge,
[A yacht which was greatly admired, and was imitated and improved by
Commissioner Pett, who built a yacht for the King in 1661, which was
called the “Jenny.” Queen Elizabeth had a yacht, and one was built
by Phineas Pett in 1604.]
where he dines, and my Lord with him. The King do tire all his people
that are about him with early rising since he came. To the office, all
the afternoon I staid there, and in the evening went to Westminster
Hall, where I staid at Mrs. Michell’s, and with her and her husband
sent for some drink, and drank with them. By the same token she and
Mrs. Murford and another old woman of the Hall were going a gossiping
tonight. From thence to my Lord’s, where I found him within, and he did
give me direction about his business in his absence, he intending to
go into the country to-morrow morning. Here I lay all night in the old
chamber which I had now given up to W. Howe, with whom I did intend to
lie, but he and I fell to play with one another, so that I made him to
go lie with Mr. Sheply. So I lay alone all night.
16th. This morning my Lord (all things being ready) carried me by coach
to Mr. Crew’s, (in the way talking how good he did hope my place would
be to me, and in general speaking that it was not the salary of any
place that did make a man rich, but the opportunity of getting money
while he is in the place) where he took leave, and went into the coach,
and so for Hinchinbroke. My Lady Jemimah and Mr. Thomas Crew in the
coach with him. Hence to Whitehall about noon, where I met with Mr.
Madge, who took me along with him and Captain Cooke (the famous singer)
and other masters of music to dinner at an ordinary about Charing Cross
where we dined, all paying their club. Hence to the Privy Seal, where
there has been but little work these two days. In the evening home.
17th. To the office, and that done home to dinner where Mr. Unthanke,
my wife’s tailor, dined with us, we having nothing but a dish of sheep’s
trotters. After dinner by water to Whitehall, where a great deal of
business at the Privy Seal. At night I and Creed and the judge-Advocate
went to Mr. Pim, the tailor’s, who took us to the Half Moon, and there
did give us great store of wine and anchovies, and would pay for them
all. This night I saw Mr. Creed show many the strangest emotions to
shift off his drink I ever saw in my life. By coach home and to bed.
18th. This morning I took my wife towards Westminster by water, and
landed her at Whitefriars, with L5 to buy her a petticoat, and I to
the Privy Seal. By and by comes my wife to tell me that my father has
persuaded her to buy a most fine cloth of 26s. a yard, and a rich lace,
that the petticoat will come to L5, at which I was somewhat troubled,
but she doing it very innocently, I could not be angry. I did give her
more money, and sent her away, and I and Creed and Captain Hayward (who
is now unkindly put out of the Plymouth to make way for Captain Allen to
go to Constantinople, and put into his ship the Dover, which I know will
trouble my Lord) went and dined at the Leg in King Street, where Captain
Ferrers, my Lord’s Cornet, comes to us, who after dinner took me and
Creed to the Cockpitt play,
[The Cockpit Theatre, situated in Drury Lane, was occupied as a
playhouse in the reign of James I. It was occupied by Davenant and
his company in 1658, and they remained in it until November 15th,
1660, when they removed to Salisbury Court.]
the first that I have had time to see since my coming from sea, “The
Loyall Subject,” where one Kinaston, a boy, acted the Duke’s sister, but
made the loveliest lady that ever I saw in my life, only her voice not
very good. After the play done, we three went to drink, and by Captain
Ferrers’ means, Kinaston and another that acted Archas, the General,
came and drank with us. Hence home by coach, and after being trimmed,
leaving my wife to look after her little bitch, which was just now
a-whelping, I to bed.
19th (Lord’s day). In the morning my wife tells me that the bitch has
whelped four young ones and is very well after it, my wife having had a
great fear that she would die thereof, the dog that got them being very
big. This morning Sir W. Batten, Pen, and myself, went to church to the
churchwardens, to demand a pew, which at present could not be given us,
but we are resolved to have one built. So we staid and heard Mr. Mills;’
a very, good minister. Home to dinner, where my wife had on her new
petticoat that she bought yesterday, which indeed is a very fine cloth
and a fine lace; but that being of a light colour, and the lace all
silver, it makes no great show. Mr. Creed and my brother Tom dined with
me. After dinner my wife went and fetched the little puppies to us,
which are very pretty ones. After they were gone, I went up to put my
papers in order, and finding my wife’s clothes lie carelessly laid up,
I was angry with her, which I was troubled for. After that my wife and I
went and walked in the garden, and so home to bed.
20th (Office day). As Sir W. Pen and I were walking in the garden,
a messenger came to me from the Duke of York to fetch me to the Lord
Chancellor. So (Mrs. Turner with her daughter The. being come to my
house to speak with me about a friend of hers to send to sea) I went
with her in her coach as far as Worcester House, but my Lord Chancellor
being gone to the House of Lords, I went thither, and (there being a
law case before them this day) got in, and there staid all the morning,
seeing their manner of sitting on woolpacks, &c., which I never did
before.
[It is said that these woolpacks were placed in the House of Lords
for the judges to sit on, so that the fact that wool was a main
source of our national wealth might be kept in the popular mind.
The Lord Chancellor’s seat is now called the Woolsack.]
After the House was up, I spoke to my Lord, and had order from him to
come to him at night. This morning Mr. Creed did give me the Papers that
concern my Lord’s sea commission, which he left in my hands and went to
sea this day to look after the gratuity money.
This afternoon at the Privy Seal, where reckoning with Mr. Moore, he had
got L100 for me together, which I was glad of, guessing that the profits
of this month would come to L100.
In the evening I went all alone to drink at Mr. Harper’s, where I found
Mrs. Crisp’s daughter, with whom and her friends I staid and drank, and
so with W. Hewer by coach to Worcester House, where I light, sending him
home with the L100 that I received to-day. Here I staid, and saw my Lord
Chancellor come into his Great Hall, where wonderful how much company
there was to expect him at a Seal. Before he would begin any business,
he took my papers of the state of the debts of the Fleet, and there
viewed them before all the people, and did give me his advice privately
how to order things, to get as much money as we can of the Parliament.
That being done, I went home, where I found all my things come home from
sea (sent by desire by Mr. Dun), of which I was glad, though many of
my things are quite spoilt with mould by reason of lying so long a
shipboard, and my cabin being not tight. I spent much time to dispose of
them tonight, and so to bed.
21st. This morning I went to White Hall with Sir W. Pen by water, who in
our passage told me how he was bred up under Sir W. Batten. We went to
Mr. Coventry’s chamber, and consulted of drawing my papers of debts of
the Navy against the afternoon for the Committee. So to the Admiralty,
where W. Hewer and I did them, and after that he went to his Aunt’s
Blackburn (who has a kinswoman dead at her house to-day, and was to
be buried to-night, by which means he staid very late out). I to
Westminster Hall, where I met Mr. Crew and dined with him, where there
dined one Mr. Hickeman, an Oxford man, who spoke very much against the
height of the now old clergy, for putting out many of the religious
fellows of Colleges, and inveighing against them for their being drunk,
which, if true, I am sorry to hear. After that towards Westminster,
where I called on Mr. Pim, and there found my velvet coat (the first
that ever I had) done, and a velvet mantle, which I took to the Privy
Seal Office, and there locked them up, and went to the Queen’s Court,
and there, after much waiting, spoke with Colonel Birch, who read my
papers, and desired some addition, which done I returned to the Privy
Seal, where little to do, and with Mr. Moore towards London, and in our
way meeting Monsieur Eschar (Mr. Montagu’s man), about the Savoy, he
took us to the Brazennose Tavern, and there drank and so parted, and
I home by coach, and there, it being post-night, I wrote to my Lord
to give him notice that all things are well; that General Monk is made
Lieutenant of Ireland, which my Lord Roberts (made Deputy) do not like
of, to be Deputy to any man but the King himself. After that to bed.
22nd. Office, which done, Sir W. Pen took me into the garden, and there
told me how Mr. Turner do intend to petition the Duke for an allowance
extra as one of the Clerks of the Navy, which he desired me to join
with him in the furthering of, which I promised to do so that it did not
reflect upon me or to my damage to have any other added, as if I was not
able to perform my place; which he did wholly disown to be any of his
intention, but far from it. I took Mr. Hater home with me to dinner,
with whom I did advise, who did give me the same counsel. After dinner
he and I to the office about doing something more as to the debts of the
Navy than I had done yesterday, and so to Whitehall to the Privy
Seal, and having done there, with my father (who came to see me) to
Westminster Hall and the Parliament House to look for Col. Birch, but
found him not. In the House, after the Committee was up, I met with Mr.
G. Montagu, and joyed him in his entrance (this being his 3d day) for
Dover. Here he made me sit all alone in the House, none but he and I,
half an hour, discoursing how things stand, and in short he told me
how there was like to be many factions at Court between Marquis Ormond,
General Monk, and the Lord Roberts, about the business of Ireland; as
there is already between the two Houses about the Act of Indemnity; and
in the House of Commons, between the Episcopalian and Presbyterian men.
Hence to my father’s (walking with Mr. Herring, the minister of St.
Bride’s), and took them to the Sun Tavern, where I found George, my old
drawer, come again. From thence by water, landed them at Blackfriars,
and so home and to bed.
23rd. By water to Doctors’ Commons to Dr. Walker, to give him my Lord’s
papers to view over concerning his being empowered to be Vice-Admiral
under the Duke of York. There meeting with Mr. Pinkney, he and I to
a morning draft, and thence by water to White Hall, to the Parliament
House, where I spoke with Colonel Birch, and so to the Admiralty
chamber, where we and Mr. Coventry had a meeting about several
businesses. Amongst others, it was moved that Phineas Pett (kinsman to
the Commissioner) of Chatham, should be suspended his employment till
he had answered some articles put in against him, as that he should
formerly say that the King was a bastard and his mother a whore. Hence
to Westminster Hall, where I met with my father Bowyer, and Mr. Spicer,
and them I took to the Leg in King Street, and did give them a dish or
two of meat, and so away to the Privy Seal, where, the King being out
of town, we have had nothing to do these two days. To Westminster Hall,
where I met with W. Symons, T. Doling, and Mr. Booth, and with them to
the Dogg, where we eat a musk melon
[“Melons were hardly known in England till Sir George Gardiner
brought one from Spain, when they became in general estimation. The
ordinary price was five or six shillings.”--Quarterly Review, vol,
xix.]
(the first that I have eat this year), and were very merry with W.
Symons, calling him Mr. Dean, because of the Dean’s lands that his uncle
had left him, which are like to be lost all. Hence home by water, and
very late at night writing letters to my Lord to Hinchinbroke, and also
to the Vice-Admiral in the Downs, and so to bed.
24th. Office, and thence with Sir William Batten and Sir William Pen to
the parish church to find out a place where to build a seat or a gallery
to sit in, and did find one which is to be done speedily. Hence with
them to dinner at a tavern in Thames Street, where they were invited to
a roasted haunch of venison and other very good victuals and company.
Hence to Whitehall to the Privy Seal, but nothing to do. At night by
land to my father’s, where I found my mother not very well. I did give
her a pint of sack. My father came in, and Dr. T. Pepys, who talked with
me in French about looking out for a place for him. But I found him a
weak man, and speaks the worst French that ever I heard of one that
had been so long beyond sea. Hence into Pant’s Churchyard and bought
Barkley’s Argenis in Latin, and so home and to bed. I found at home that
Captain Burr had sent me 4 dozen bottles of wine today. The King came
back to Whitehall to-night.
25th. This morning Mr. Turner and I by coach from our office to
Whitehall (in our way I calling on Dr. Walker for the papers I did
give him the other day, which he had perused and found that the Duke’s
counsel had abated something of the former draught which Dr. Walker drew
for my Lord) to Sir G. Carteret, where we there made up an estimate of
the debts of the Navy for the Council. At noon I took Mr. Turner and
Mr. Moore to the Leg in King Street, and did give them a dinner, and
afterward to the Sun Tavern, and did give Mr. Turner a glass of wine,
there coming to us Mr. Fowler the apothecary (the judge’s son) with a
book of lute lessons which his father had left there for me, such as he
formerly did use to play when a young man, and had the use of his hand.
To the Privy Seal, and found some business now again to do there. To
Westminster Hall for a new half-shirt of Mrs. Lane, and so home by
water. Wrote letters by the post to my Lord and to sea. This night W.
Hewer brought me home from Mr. Pim’s my velvet coat and cap, the first
that ever I had. So to bed.
26th (Lord’s day). With Sir W. Pen to the parish church, where we are
placed in the highest pew of all, where a stranger preached a dry and
tedious long sermon. Dined at home. To church again in the afternoon
with my wife; in the garden and on the leads at night, and so to supper
and to bed.
27th. This morning comes one with a vessel of Northdown ale from Mr.
Pierce, the purser, to me, and after him another with a brave Turkey
carpet and a jar of olives from Captain Cuttance, and a pair of fine
turtle-doves from John Burr to my wife. These things came up to-day in
our smack, and my boy Ely came along with them, and came after office
was done to see me. I did give him half a crown because I saw that he
was ready to cry to see that he could not be entertained by me here. In
the afternoon to the Privy Seal, where good store of work now toward the
end of the month. From thence with Mr. Mount, Luellin, and others to the
Bull head till late, and so home, where about to o’clock Major Hart came
to me, whom I did receive with wine and anchovies, which made me so dry
that I was ill with them all night, and was fain to have the girle rise
and fetch me some drink.
28th. At home looking over my papers and books and house as to the
fitting of it to my mind till two in the afternoon. Some time I spent
this morning beginning to teach my wife some scale in music, and found
her apt beyond imagination. To the Privy Seal, where great store of work
to-day. Colonel Scroope--[Colonel Adrian Scroope, one of the persons who
sat in judgment upon Charles I.]--is this day excepted out of the Act
of Indemnity, which has been now long in coming out, but it is expected
to-morrow. I carried home L80 from the Privy Seal, by coach, and at
night spent a little more time with my wife about her music with great
content. This day I heard my poor mother had then two days been very
ill, and I fear she will not last long. To bed, a little troubled that I
fear my boy Will
[Pepys refers to two Wills. This was Will Wayneman; the other was
William Hewer.]
is a thief and has stole some money of mine, particularly a letter that
Mr. Jenkins did leave the last week with me with half a crown in it to
send to his son.
29th (Office day). Before I went to the office my wife and I examined
my boy Will about his stealing of things, but he denied all with the
greatest subtlety and confidence in the world. To the office, and after
office then to the Church, where we took another view of the place where
we had resolved to build a gallery, and have set men about doing it.
Home to dinner, and there I found my wife had discovered my boy Will’s
theft and a great deal more than we imagined, at which I was vexed and
intend to put him away. To my office at the Privy Seal in the afternoon,
and from thence at night to the Bull Head, with Mount, Luellin, and
others, and hence to my father’s, and he being at my uncle Fenner’s, I
went thither to him, and there sent for my boy’s father and talked with
him about his son, and had his promise that if I will send home his boy,
he will take him notwithstanding his indenture. Home at night, and find
that my wife had found out more of the boy’s stealing 6s. out of W.
Hewer’s closet, and hid it in the house of office, at which my heart was
troubled. To bed, and caused the boy’s clothes to be brought up to
my chamber. But after we were all a-bed, the wench (which lies in our
chamber) called us to listen of a sudden, which put my wife into such a
fright that she shook every joint of her, and a long time that I could
not get her out of it. The noise was the boy, we did believe, got in
a desperate mood out of his bed to do himself or William [Hewer] some
mischief. But the wench went down and got a candle lighted, and finding
the boy in bed, and locking the doors fast, with a candle burning all
night, we slept well, but with a great deal of fear.
30th. We found all well in the morning below stairs, bu the boy in a sad
plight of seeming sorrow; but he is the most cunning rogue that ever
I met with of his age. To White Hall, where I met with the Act of
Indemnity--[12 Car. II. cap. II, an act of free and general pardon,
indemnity, and oblivion.]--(so long talked of and hoped for), with the
Act of Rate for Pole-money, an for judicial proceedings. At Westminster
Hall I met with Mr. Paget the lawyer, and dined with him at Heaven. This
afternoon my wife went to Mr. Pierce’s wife’s child’s christening, and
was urged to be godmother, but I advised her before-hand not to do it,
so she did not, but as proxy for my Lady Jemimah. This the first day
that ever I saw my wife wear black patches since we were married!
[The fashion of placing black patches on the face was introduced
towards the close of the reign of Charles I., and the practice is
ridiculed in the “Spectator.”]
My Lord came to town to-day, but coming not home till very late I staid
till 10 at night, and so home on foot. Mr. Sheply and Mr. Childe this
night at the tavern.
31st. Early to wait upon my Lord at White Hall, and with him to the
Duke’s chamber. So to my office in Seething Lane. Dined at home, and
after dinner to my Lord again, who told me that he is ordered to go
suddenly to sea, and did give me some orders to be drawing up against
his going. This afternoon I agreed to let my house quite out of my hands
to Mr. Dalton (one of the wine sellers to the King, with whom I had
drunk in the old wine cellar two or three times) for L41. At night
made even at Privy Seal for this month against tomorrow to give
up possession, but we know not to whom, though we most favour Mr.
Bickerstaffe, with whom and Mr. Matthews we drank late after office was
done at the Sun, discoursing what to do about it tomorrow against Baron,
and so home and to bed. Blessed be God all things continue well with and
for me. I pray God fit me for a change of my fortune.