January 1st. Waking this morning out of my sleep on a sudden, I did with
my elbow hit my wife a great blow over her face and nose, which waked
her with pain, at which I was sorry, and to sleep again. Up and went
forth with Sir W. Pen by coach towards Westminster, and in my way seeing
that the “Spanish Curate” was acted today, I light and let him go alone,
and I home again and sent to young Mr. Pen and his sister to go anon
with my wife and I to the Theatre. That done, Mr. W. Pen came to me
and he and I walked out, and to the Stacioner’s, and looked over some
pictures and traps for my house, and so home again to dinner, and by and
by came the two young Pens, and after we had eat a barrel of oysters we
went by coach to the play, and there saw it well acted, and a good play
it is, only Diego the Sexton did overdo his part too much. From thence
home, and they sat with us till late at night at cards very merry, but
the jest was Mr. W. Pen had left his sword in the coach, and so my boy
and he run out after the coach, and by very great chance did at the
Exchange meet with the coach and got his sword again. So to bed.
2nd. An invitation sent us before we were up from my Lady Sandwich’s,
to come and dine with her: so at the office all the morning, and at
noon thither to dinner, where there was a good and great dinner, and the
company, Mr. William Montagu and his Lady (but she seemed so far from
the beauty that I expected her from my Lady’s talk to be, that it put
me into an ill humour all the day, to find my expectation so lost), Mr.
Rurttball and Townsend and their wives. After dinner, borne by water,
and so to the office till night, and then I went forth, by appointment,
to meet with Mr. Grant, who promised to meet me at the Coffee-house to
bring me acquainted with Cooper the great limner in little, but they
deceived me, and so I went home, and there sat at my lute and singing
till almost twelve at night, and so to bed. Sir Richd. Fanshaw is come
suddenly from Portugall, but nobody knows what his business is.
3rd. Lay long in bed, and so up and abroad to several places about petty
businesses. Among others to Tom’s, who I find great hopes of that he
will do well, which I am glad of, and am not now so hasty to get a wife
for him as I was before. So to dinner to my Lord Crew’s with him and his
Lady, and after dinner to Faithorne’s, and there bought some pictures
of him; and while I was there, comes by the King’s life-guard, he being
gone to Lincoln’s Inn this afternoon to see the Revells there; there
being, according to an old custom, a prince and all his nobles, and
other matters of sport and charge. So home, and up to my chamber to look
over my papers and other things, my mind being much troubled for these
four or five days because of my present great expense, and will be so
till I cast up and see how my estate stands, and that I am loth to do
for fear I have spent too much, and delay it the rather that I may pay
for my pictures and my wife’s, and the book that I am buying for Paul’s
School before I do cast up my accompts.
4th. At home most of the morning hanging up pictures, and seeing how my
pewter sconces that I have bought will become my stayres and entry, and
then with my wife by water to Westminster, whither she to her father’s
and I to Westminster Hall, and there walked a turn or two with Mr.
Chetwin (who had a dog challenged of him by another man that said it was
his, but Mr. Chetwin called the dog, and the dog at last would follow
him, and not his old master, and so Chetwin got the dog) and W. Symons,
and thence to my wife, who met me at my Lord’s lodgings, and she and I
and old East to Wilkinson’s to dinner, where we had some rost beef and
a mutton pie, and a mince-pie, but none of them pleased me. After dinner
by coach my wife and I home, and I to the office, and there till late,
and then I and my wife to Sir W. Pen’s to cards and supper, and were
merry, and much correspondence there has been between our two families
all this Christmas. So home and to bed.
5th (Lord’s day). Left my wife in bed not well... and I to church, and
so home to dinner, and dined alone upon some marrow bones, and had a
fine piece of rost beef, but being alone I eat none. So after dinner
comes in my brother Tom, and he tells me how he hath seen the father and
mother of the girl which my cozen Joyces would have him to have for a
wife, and they are much for it, but we are in a great quandary what to
do therein, L200 being but a little money; and I hope, if he continues
as he begins, he may look out for one with more. To church, and before
sermon there was a long psalm, and half another sung out while the
Sexton gathered what the church would give him for this last year. I
gave him 3s., and have the last week given the Clerk 2s., which I set
down that I may know what to do the next year, if it please the Lord
that I live so long; but the jest was, the Clerk begins the 25th psalm,
which hath a proper tune to it, and then the 116th, which cannot be sung
with that tune, which seemed very ridiculous. After church to Sir W.
Batten’s, where on purpose I have not been this fortnight, and I am
resolved to keep myself more reserved to avoyd the contempt which
otherwise I must fall into, and so home and six and talked and supped
with my wife, and so up to prayers and to bed, having wrote a letter
this night to Sir J. Mennes in the Downs for his opinion in the business
of striking of flags.
6th (Twelfth day). This morning I sent my lute to the Paynter’s, and
there I staid with him all the morning to see him paint the neck of
my lute in my picture, which I was not pleased with after it was done.
Thence to dinner to Sir W. Pen’s, it being a solemn feast day with him,
his wedding day, and we had, besides a good chine of beef and other good
cheer, eighteen mince pies in a dish, the number of the years that he
hath been married, where Sir W. Batten and his Lady, and daughter was,
and Colonel Treswell and Major Holmes, who I perceive would fain get
to be free and friends with my wife, but I shall prevent it, and she
herself hath also a defyance against him. After dinner they set in
to drinking, so that I would stay no longer, but went away home, and
Captain Cock, who was quite drunk, comes after me, and there sat awhile
and so away, and anon I went again after the company was gone, and
sat and played at cards with Sir W. Pen and his children, and so after
supper home, and there I hear that my man Gull was gone to bed, and upon
enquiry I hear that he did vomit before he went to bed, and complained
his head ached, and thereupon though he was asleep I sent for him out
of his bed, and he rose and came up to me, and I appeared very angry and
did tax him with being drunk, and he told me that he had been with Mr.
Southerne and Homewood at the Dolphin, and drank a quart of sack, but
that his head did ache before he went out. But I do believe he has drunk
too much, and so I did threaten him to bid his uncle dispose of him some
other way, and sent him down to bed and do resolve to continue to be
angry with him. So to bed to my wife, and told her what had passed.
7th. Long in bed, and then rose and went along with Sir W. Pen on foot
to Stepny to Mrs. Chappell’s (who has the pretty boy to her son), and
there met my wife and Sir W. Pen’s children all, and Mrs. Poole and her
boy, and there dined and’ were very merry, and home again by coach and
so to the office. In the afternoon and at night to Sir W. Pen’s, there
supped and played at cards with them and were merry, the children being
to go all away to school again to-morrow. Thence home and to bed.
8th. I rose and went to Westminster Hall, and there walked up and down
upon several businesses, and among others I met with Sir W. Pen, who
told me that he had this morning heard Sir G. Carteret extremely angry
against my man Will that he is every other day with the Commissioners of
Parliament at Westminster, and that his uncle was a rogue, and that
he did tell his uncle every thing that passes at the office, and Sir
William, though he loves the lad, did advise me to part with him, which
did with this surprise mightily trouble me, though I was already angry
with him, and so to the Wardrobe by water, and all the way did examine
Will about the business, but did not tell him upon what score, but I
find that the poor lad do suspect something. To dinner with my Lady, and
after dinner talked long with her, and so home, and to Sir W. Batten’s,
and sat and talked with him, and so home troubled in mind, and so up to
my study and read the two treaties before Mr. Selden’s “Mare Clausum,”
and so to bed. This night come about L100 from Brampton by carrier to
me, in holsters from my father, which made me laugh.
9th. At the office all the morning private with Sir G. Carteret (who
I expected something from about yesterday’s business, but he said
nothing), Sir W. Batten, and Sir W. Pen, about drawing; up an answer
to several demands of my Lord Treasurer, and late at it till 2 o’clock.
Then to dinner, and my wife to Sir W. Pen’s, and so to the office again
and sat till late; and so home, where I found Mr. Armiger below talking
with my wife, but being offended with him for his leaving of my brother
Tom I shewed him no countenance, but did take notice of it to him
plainly, and I perceive he was troubled at it, but I am glad I told him
of it. Then (when he was gone) up to write several letters by the post,
and so to set my papers and things in order, and to bed. This morning
we agreed upon some things to answer to the Duke about the practice
of striking of the flags, which will now put me upon finishing my
resolution of writing something upon the subject.
10th. To White Hall, and there spoke with Sir Paul Neale’ about a
mathematical request of my Lord’s to him, which I did deliver to
him, and he promised to employ somebody to answer it, something about
observation of the moon and stars, but what I did not mind. Here I met
with Mr. Moore, who tells me that an injuncon is granted in Chancery
against T. Trice, at which I was very glad, being before in some trouble
for it. With him to Westminster Hall, where I walked till noon talking
with one or other, and so to the Wardrobe to dinner, where tired with
Mr. Pickering’s company I returned to Westminster, by appointment, to
meet my wife at Mrs. Hunt’s to gossip with her, which we did alone,
and were very merry, and did give her a cup and spoon for my wife’s
god-child, and so home by coach, and I late reading in my chamber and
then to bed, my wife being angry that I keep the house so late up.
11th. My brother Tom came to me, and he and I to Mr. Turner the
Draper’s, and paid L15 to him for cloth owing to him by my father for
his mourning for my uncle, and so to his house, and there invited all
the Honiwood’s to dinner on Monday next. So to the Exchange, and there
all the news is of the French and Dutch joyning against us; but I do
not think it yet true. So home to dinner, and in the afternoon to the
office, and so to Sir W. Batten’s, where in discourse I heard the custom
of the election of the Dukes of Genoa, who for two years are every day
attended in the greatest state; and four or five hundred men always
waiting upon him as a king; and when the two years are out, and another
is chose, a messenger is, sent to him, who stands at the bottom of the
stairs, and he at the top, and says, “Va. Illustrissima Serenita sta
finita, et puede andar en casa.”--“Your serenity is now ended; and
now you may be going home,” and so claps on his hat. And the old Duke
(having by custom sent his goods home before), walks away, it may be but
with one man at his heels; and the new one brought immediately in his
room, in the greatest state in the world. Another account was told us,
how in the Dukedom of Ragusa, in the Adriatique (a State that is little,
but more ancient, they say, than Venice, and is called the mother of
Venice, and the Turks lie round about it), that they change all the
officers of their guard, for fear of conspiracy, every twenty-four
hours, so that nobody knows who shall be captain of the guard to-night;
but two men come to a man, and lay hold of him as a prisoner, and carry
him to the place; and there he hath the keys of the garrison given him,
and he presently issues his orders for that night’s watch: and so always
from night to night. Sir Win. Rider told the first of his own knowledge;
and both he and Sir W. Batten confirm the last. Hence home and to read,
and so to bed, but very late again.
12th (Lord’s day). To church, where a stranger made a very good sermon.
At noon Sir W. Pen and my good friend Dean Fuller, by appointment, and
my wife’s brother by chance, dined with me very merry and handsomely.
After dinner the Dean, my wife and I by Sir W. Pen’s coach left us, he
to Whitehall, and my wife and I to visit Mrs. Pierce and thence Mrs.
Turner, who continues very ill still, and The. is also fallen sick,
which do trouble me for the poor mother. So home and to read, I being
troubled to hear my wife rate though not without cause at her mayd Nell,
who is a lazy slut. So to prayers and to bed.
13th. All the morning at home, and Mr. Berkenshaw (whom I have not seen
a great while, came to see me), who staid with me a great while talking
of musique, and I am resolved to begin to learn of him to compose, and
to begin to-morrow, he giving of me so great hopes that I shall soon do
it. Before twelve o’clock comes, by appointment, Mr. Peter and the Dean,
and Collonel Noniwood, brothers, to dine with me; but so soon that I was
troubled at it. But, however, I entertained them with talk and oysters
till one o’clock, and then we sat down to dinner, not staying for my
uncle and aunt Wight, at which I was troubled, but they came by and by,
and so we dined very merry, at least I seemed so, but the dinner does
not please me, and less the Dean and Collonel, whom I found to be
pitiful sorry gentlemen, though good-natured, but Mr. Peter above them
both, who after dinner did show us the experiment (which I had heard
talk of) of the chymicall glasses, which break all to dust by breaking
off a little small end; which is a great mystery to me. They being gone,
my aunt Wight and my wife and I to cards, she teaching of us how to play
at gleeke, which is a pretty game; but I have not my head so free as
to be troubled with it. By and by comes my uncle Wight back, and so to
supper and talk, and then again to cards, when my wife and I beat them
two games and they us one, and so good night and to bed.
14th. All the morning at home, Mr. Berkenshaw by appointment yesterday
coming to me, and begun composition of musique, and he being gone I to
settle my papers and things in my chamber, and so after dinner in
the afternoon to the office, and thence to my chamber about several
businesses of the office and my own, and then to supper and to bed. This
day my brave vellum covers to keep pictures in, come in, which pleases
me very much.
15th. This morning Mr. Berkenshaw came again, and after he had examined
me and taught me something in my work, he and I went to breakfast in my
chamber upon a collar of brawn, and after we had eaten, asked me whether
we had not committed a fault in eating to-day; telling me that it is a
fast day ordered by the Parliament, to pray for more seasonable weather;
it having hitherto been summer weather, that it is, both as to warmth
and every other thing, just as if it were the middle of May or June,
which do threaten a plague (as all men think) to follow, for so it was
almost the last winter; and the whole year after hath been a very sickly
time to this day. I did not stir out of my house all day, but conned my
musique, and at night after supper to bed.
16th. Towards Cheapside; and in Paul’s Churchyard saw the funeral of
my Lord Cornwallis, late Steward of the King’s House, a bold profane
talking man, go by, and thence I to the Paynter’s, and there paid him L6
for the two pictures, and 36s. for the two frames. From thence home, and
Mr. Holliard and my brother Tom dined with me, and he did give me good
advice about my health. In the afternoon at the office, and at night
to Sir W. Batten, and there saw him and Captain Cock and Stokes play
at cards, and afterwards supped with them. Stokes told us, that
notwithstanding the country of Gambo is so unhealthy, yet the people of
the place live very long, so as the present king there is 150 years old,
which they count by rains: because every year it rains continually four
months together. He also told us, that the kings there have above 100
wives a-piece, and offered him the choice of any of his wives to lie
with, and so he did Captain Holmes. So home and to bed.
17th. To Westminster with Mr. Moore, and there, after several walks up
and down to hear news, I met with Lany, the Frenchman, who told me that
he had a letter from France last night, that tells him that my Lord
Hinchingbroke is dead,--[proved false]--and that he did die yesterday
was se’nnight, which do surprise me exceedingly (though we know that he
hath been sick these two months), so I hardly ever was in my life; but
being fearfull that my Lady should come to hear it too suddenly, he
and I went up to my Lord Crew’s, and there I dined with him, and after
dinner we told him, and the whole family is much disturbed by it: so we
consulted what to do to tell my Lady of it; and at last we thought of my
going first to Mr. George Montagu’s to hear whether he had any news of
it, which I did, and there found all his house in great heaviness for
the death of his son, Mr. George Montagu, who did go with our young
gentlemen into France, and that they hear nothing at all of our young
Lord; so believing that thence comes the mistake, I returned to my
Lord Crew (in my way in the Piazza seeing a house on fire, and all the
streets full of people to quench it), and told them of it, which they
are much glad of, and conclude, and so I hope, that my Lord is well; and
so I went to my Lady Sandwich, and told her all, and after much talk I
parted thence with my wife, who had been there all the day, and so home
to my musique, and then to bed.
18th. This morning I went to Dr. Williams, and there he told me how
T. Trice had spoke to him about getting me to meet that our difference
might be made up between us by ourselves, which I am glad of, and have
appointed Monday next to be the day. Thence to the Wardrobe, and there
hearing it would be late before they went to dinner, I went and spent
some time in Paul’s Churchyard among some books, and then returned
thither, and there dined with my Lady and Sir H. Wright and his lady,
all glad of yesterday’s mistake, and after dinner to the office, and
then home and wrote letters by the post to my father, and by and by
comes Mr. Moore to give me an account how Mr. Montagu was gone away of
a sudden with the fleet, in such haste that he hath left behind some
servants, and many things of consequence; and among others, my Lord’s
commission for Embassador. Whereupon he and I took coach, and to White
Hall to my Lord’s lodgings, to have spoke with Mr. Ralph Montagu, his
brother (and here we staid talking with Sarah and the old man); but by
and by hearing that he was in Covent Garden, we went thither: and at
my Lady Harvy’s, his sister, I spoke with him, and he tells me that the
commission is not left behind. And so I went thence by the same coach
(setting down Mr. Moore) home, and after having wrote a letter to my
Lord at 12 o’clock at night by post I went to bed.
19th (Lord’s day). To church in the morning, where Mr. Mills preached
upon Christ’s being offered up for our sins, and there proving the
equity with what justice God would lay our sins upon his Son, he did
make such a sermon (among other things pleading, from God’s universal
sovereignty over all his creatures, the power he has of commanding what
he would of his Son by the same rule as that he might have made us all,
and the whole world from the beginning to have been in hell, arguing
from the power the potter has over his clay), that I could have wished
he had let it alone; and speaking again, the Father is now so satisfied
by our security for our debt, that we might say at the last day as many
of us as have interest in Christ’s death: Lord, we owe thee nothing, our
debt is paid. We are not beholden to, thee for anything, for thy debt is
paid to thee to the full; which methinks were very bold words. Home to
dinner, and then my wife and I on foot to see Mrs. Turner, who continues
still sick, and thence into the Old Bayly by appointment to speak with
Mrs. Norbury who lies at (it falls out) next door to my uncle Fenner’s;
but as God would have it, we having no desire to be seen by his people,
he having lately married a midwife that is old and ugly, and that hath
already brought home to him a daughter and three children, we were let
in at a back door. And here she offered me the refusall of some lands of
her’s at Brampton, if I have a mind to buy, which I answered her I was
not at present provided to do. She took occasion to talk of her sister
Wight’s making much of the Wights, who for namesake only my uncle do
shew great kindness to, so I fear may do us that are nearer to him a
great deal of wrong, if he should die without children, which I am sorry
for. Thence to my uncle Wight’s, and there we supped and were merry,
though my uncle hath lately lost 200 or 300 at sea, and I am troubled to
hear that the Turks do take more and more of our ships in the Straights,
and that our merchants here in London do daily break, and are still
likely to do so. So home, and I put in at Sir W. Batten’s, where Major
Holmes was, and in our discourse and drinking I did give Sir J. Mennes’
health, which he swore he would not pledge, and called him knave and
coward (upon the business of Holmes with the Swedish ship lately), which
we all and I particularly did desire him to forbear, he being of our
fraternity, which he took in great dudgeon, and I was vexed to hear him
persist in calling him so, though I believe it to be true, but however
he is to blame and I am troubled at it. So home and to prayers, and to
bed.
20th. This morning Sir Win. Batten and Pen and I did begin the examining
the Treasurer’s accounts, the first time ever he had passed in the
office, which is very long, and we were all at it till noon, and then
to dinner, he providing a fine dinner for us, and we eat it at Sir W.
Batten’s, where we were very merry, there being at table the Treasurer
and we three, Mr. Wayth, Ferrer, Smith, Turner, and Mr. Morrice, the
wine cooper, who this day did divide the two butts, which we four did
send for, of sherry from Cales, and mine was put into a hogshead, and
the vessel filled up with four gallons of Malaga wine, but what it will
stand us in I know not: but it is the first great quantity of wine that
I ever bought. And after dinner to the office all the afternoon till
late at night, and then home, where my aunt and uncle Wight and Mrs.
Anne Wight came to play at cards (at gleek which she taught me and my
wife last week) and so to supper, and then to cards and so good night.
Then I to my practice of musique and then at 12 o’clock to bed. This day
the workmen began to make me a sellar door out of the back yard, which
will much please me.
21st. To the finishing of the Treasurer’s accounts this morning, and
then to dinner again, and were merry as yesterday, and so home, and
then to the office till night, and then home to write letters, and
to practise my composition of musique, and then to bed. We have heard
nothing yet how far the fleet hath got toward Portugall, but the wind
being changed again, we fear they are stopped, and may be beat back
again to the coast of Ireland.
22d. After musique-practice, to White Hall, and thence to Westminster,
in my way calling at Mr. George Montagu’s, to condole him the loss of
his son, who was a fine gentleman, and it is no doubt a great discomfort
to our two young gentlemen, his companions in France. After this
discourse he told me, among other news, the great jealousys that are now
in the Parliament House. The Lord Chancellor, it seems, taking occasion
from this late plot to raise fears in the people, did project the
raising of an army forthwith, besides the constant militia, thinking to
make the Duke of York General thereof. But the House did, in very open
terms, say, they were grown too wise to be fooled again into another
army; and said they had found how that man that hath the command of an
army is not beholden to any body to make him King. There are factions
(private ones at Court) about Madam Palmer; but what it is about I know
not. But it is something about the King’s favour to her now that the
Queen is coming. He told me, too, what sport the King and Court do
make at Mr. Edward Montagu’s leaving his things behind him. But the
Chancellor (taking it a little more seriously) did openly say to my Lord
Chamberlain, that had it been such a gallant as my Lord Mandeville his
son, it might have; been taken as a frolique; but for him that would be
thought a grave coxcomb, it was very strange. Thence to the Hall, where
I heard the House had ordered all the King’s murderers, that remain,
to be executed, but Fleetwood and Downes. So to the Wardrobe and there
dined, meeting my wife there, who went after dinner with my Lady to see
Mr. George Montagu’s lady, and I to have a meeting by appointment with
Tho. Trice and Dr. Williams in order to a treating about the difference
between us, but I find there is no hopes of ending it but by law, and
so after a pint or two of wine we parted. So to the Wardrobe for my wife
again, and so home, and after writing and doing some things to bed.
23rd. All the morning with Mr. Berkenshaw, and after him Mr. Moore in
discourse of business, and in the afternoon by coach by invitacon to
my uncle Fenner’s, where I found his new wife, a pitiful, old, ugly,
illbred woman in a hatt, a midwife. Here were many of his, and as many
of her relations, sorry, mean people; and after choosing our gloves, we
all went over to the Three Crane Tavern,’ and though the best room in
the house, in such a narrow dogg-hole we were crammed, and I believe we
were near forty, that it made me loathe my company and victuals; and
a sorry poor dinner it was too. After dinner, I took aside the two
Joyce’s, and took occasion to thank them for their kind thoughts for a
wife for Tom: but that considering the possibility there is of my having
no child, and what then I shall be able to leave him, I do think he may
expect in that respect a wife with more money, and so desired them to
think no more of it. Now the jest was Anthony mistakes and thinks that I
did all this while encourage him (from my thoughts of favour to Tom) to
pursue the match till Will Joyce tells him that he was mistaken. But
how he takes it I know not, but I endeavoured to tell it him in the most
respectful way that I could. This done with my wife by coach to my aunt
Wight’s, where I left her, and I to the office, and that being done to
her again, and sat playing at cards after supper till 12 at night, and
so by moonshine home and to bed.
24th. This morning came my cozen Thos. Pepys the Executor, to speak with
me, and I had much talk with him both about matters of money which my
Lord Sandwich has of his and I am bond for, as also of my uncle Thomas,
who I hear by him do stand upon very high terms. Thence to my painter’s,
and there I saw our pictures in the frames, which please me well. Thence
to the Wardrobe, where very merry with my Lady, and after dinner I
seat for the pictures thither, and mine is well liked; but she is much
offended with my wife’s, and I am of her opinion, that it do much wrong
her; but I will have it altered. So home, in my way calling at Pope’s
Head alley, and there bought me a pair of scissars and a brass square.
So home and to my study and to bed.
25th. At home and the office all the morning. Walking in the garden to
give the gardener directions what to do this year (for I intend to have
the garden handsome), Sir W. Pen came to me, and did break a business
to me about removing his son from Oxford to Cambridge to some private
college. I proposed Magdalene, but cannot name a tutor at present; but I
shall think and write about it. Thence with him to the Trinity-house to
dinner; where Sir Richard Brown (one of the clerks of the Council, and
who is much concerned against Sir N. Crisp’s project of making a great
sasse
[A kind of weir with flood-gate, or a navigable sluice. This
project is mentioned by Evelyn, January 16th, 1661-62, and Lysons’
“Environs” vol. iv., p. 392.--B.]
in the King’s lands about Deptford, to be a wett-dock to hold 200 sail
of ships. But the ground, it seems, was long since given by the King
to Sir Richard) was, and after the Trinity-house men had done their
business, the master, Sir William Rider, came to bid us welcome; and so
to dinner, where good cheer and discourse, but I eat a little too much
beef, which made me sick, and so after dinner we went to the office,
and there in a garden I went in the dark and vomited, whereby I did
much ease my stomach. Thence to supper with my wife to Sir W. Pen’s, his
daughter being come home to-day, not being very well, and so while
we were at supper comes Mr. Moore with letters from my Lord Sandwich,
speaking of his lying still at Tangier, looking for the fleet; which, we
hope, is now in a good way thither. So home to write letters by the post
to-night, and then again to Sir W. Pen’s to cards, where very merry, and
so home and to bed.
26th (Lord’s day). To church in the morning, and then home to dinner
alone with my wife, and so both to church in the afternoon and home
again, and so to read and talk with my wife, and to supper and to
bed. It having been a very fine clear frosty day-God send us more of
them!--for the warm weather all this winter makes us fear a sick summer.
But thanks be to God, since my leaving drinking of wine, I do find
myself much better and do mind my business better, and do spend less
money, and less time lost in idle company.
27th. This morning, both Sir Williams and I by barge to Deptford-yard
to give orders in businesses there; and called on several ships, also
to give orders, and so to Woolwich, and there dined at Mr. Falconer’s
of victuals we carried ourselves, and one Mr. Dekins, the father of my
Morena, of whom we have lately bought some hemp. That being done we went
home again. This morning, going to take water upon Tower-hill, we met
with three sleddes standing there to carry my Lord Monson and Sir H.
Mildmay and another, to the gallows and back again, with ropes about
their necks; which is to be repeated every year, this being the day of
their sentencing the King.
28th. This morning (after my musique practice with Mr. Berkenshaw) with
my wife to the Paynter’s, where we staid very late to have her picture
mended, which at last is come to be very like her, and I think well
done; but the Paynter, though a very honest man, I found to be very
silly as to matter of skill in shadows, for we were long in discourse,
till I was almost angry to hear him talk so simply. So home to dinner
and then to the office, and so home for all night.
29th. To Westminster, and at the Parliament door spoke with Mr. Coventry
about business, and so to the Wardrobe to dinner, and thence to several
places, and so home, where I found Mrs. Pen and Mrs. Rooth and Smith,
who played at cards with my wife, and I did give them a barrel of
oysters, and had a pullet to supper for them, and when it was ready to
come to table, the foolish girl had not the manners to stay and sup with
me, but went away, which did vex me cruelly. So I saw her home, and then
to supper, and so to musique practice, and to bed.
30th. Fast-day for the murthering of the late King. I went to church,
and Mr. Mills made a good sermon upon David’s words, “Who can lay his
hands upon the Lord’s Anoynted and be guiltless?” So home and to dinner,
and employed all the afternoon in my chamber, setting things and papers
to rights, which pleased me very well, and I think I shall begin to take
pleasure in being at home and minding my business. I pray God I may, for
I find a great need thereof. At night to supper and to bed.
31st. All the morning, after musique practice, in my cellar, ordering
some alteracons therein, being much pleased with my new door into the
back yard. So to dinner, and all the afternoon thinking upon business.
I did by night set many things in order, which pleased me well, and puts
me upon a resolution of keeping within doors and minding my business and
the business of the office, which I pray God I may put in practice. At
night to bed.