June 1st (Lord’s day). At church in the morning. A stranger made a very
good sermon. Dined at home, and Mr. Spong came to see me; so he and I
sat down a little to sing some French psalms, and then comes Mr. Shepley
and Mr. Moore, and so we to dinner, and after dinner to church again,
where a Presbyter made a sad and long sermon, which vexed me, and so
home, and so to walk on the leads, and supper and to prayers and bed.
2nd. Up early about business and then to the Wardrobe with Mr. Moore,
and spoke to my Lord about the exchange of the crusados
[Cruzado, a Portuguese coin of 480 reis. It is named from a cross
which it bears on one side, the arms of Portugal being on the other.
It varied in value at different periods from 2s. 3d. to 4s.]
into sterling money, and other matters. So to my father at Tom’s, and
after some talk with him away home, and by and by comes my father to
dinner with me, and then by coach, setting him down in Cheapside, my
wife and I to Mrs. Clarke’s at Westminster, the first visit that ever
we both made her yet. We found her in a dishabille, intending to go to
Hampton Court to-morrow. We had much pretty discourse, and a very fine
lady she is. Thence by water to Salisbury Court, and Mrs. Turner not
being at home, home by coach, and so after walking on the leads and
supper to bed. This day my wife put on her slasht wastecoate, which is
very pretty.
3rd. Up by four o’clock and to my business in my chamber, to even
accounts with my Lord and myself, and very fain I would become master
of L1000, but I have not above L530 toward it yet. At the office all the
morning, and Mr. Coventry brought his patent and took his place with
us this morning. Upon our making a contract, I went, as I use to do,
to draw the heads thereof, but Sir W. Pen most basely told me that the
Comptroller is to do it, and so begun to employ Mr. Turner about it, at
which I was much vexed, and begun to dispute; and what with the letter
of the Duke’s orders, and Mr. Barlow’s letter, and the practice of our
predecessors, which Sir G. Carteret knew best when he was Comptroller,
it was ruled for me. What Sir J. Minnes will do when he comes I know
not, but Sir W. Pen did it like a base raskall, and so I shall remember
him while I live. After office done, I went down to the Towre Wharf,
where Mr. Creed and Shepley was ready with three chests of the crusados,
being about L6000, ready to bring to shore to my house, which they did,
and put it in my further cellar, and Mr. Shepley took the key. I to my
father and Dr. Williams and Tom Trice, by appointment, in the Old Bayly,
to Short’s, the alehouse, but could come to no terms with T. Trice.
Thence to the Wardrobe, where I found my Lady come from Hampton Court,
where the Queen hath used her very civilly; and my Lady tells me is a
most pretty woman, at which I am glad. Yesterday (Sir R. Ford told me)
the Aldermen of the City did attend her in their habits, and did present
her with a gold Cupp and L1000 in gold therein. But, he told me, that
they are so poor in their Chamber, that they were fain to call two or
three Aldermen to raise fines to make up this sum, among which was Sir
W. Warren. Home and to the office, where about 8 at night comes Sir G.
Carteret and Sir W. Batten, and so we did some business, and then home
and to bed, my mind troubled about Sir W. Pen, his playing the rogue
with me to-day, as also about the charge of money that is in my house,
which I had forgot; but I made the maids to rise and light a candle, and
set it in the dining-room, to scare away thieves, and so to sleep.
4th. Up early, and Mr. Moore comes to me and tells me that Mr. Barnwell
is dead, which troubles me something, and the more for that I believe we
shall lose Mr. Shepley’s company. By and by Sir W. Batten and I by water
to Woolwich; and there saw an experiment made of Sir R. Ford’s Holland’s
yarn (about which we have lately had so much stir; and I have much
concerned myself for our ropemaker, Mr. Hughes, who has represented it
as bad), and we found it to be very bad, and broke sooner than, upon a
fair triall, five threads of that against four of Riga yarn; and also
that some of it had old stuff that had been tarred, covered over with
new hemp, which is such a cheat as hath not been heard of. I was glad of
this discovery, because I would not have the King’s workmen discouraged
(as Sir W. Batten do most basely do) from representing the faults of
merchants’ goods, where there is any. After eating some fish that we
had bought upon the water at Falconer’s, we went to Woolwich, and there
viewed our frames of our houses, and so home, and I to my Lord’s, who I
find resolved to buy Brampton Manor of Sir Peter Ball,
[Sir Peter Ball was the Queen’s Attorney-General, and Evelyn
mentions, in his Diary (January 11th, 1661-62), having received from
him the draft of an act against the nuisance of the smoke of
London.]
at which I am glad. Thence to White Hall, and showed Sir G. Carteret the
cheat, and so to the Wardrobe, and there staid and supped with my Lady.
My Lord eating nothing, but writes letters to-night to several places,
he being to go out of town to-morrow. So late home and to bed.
5th. To the Wardrobe, and there my Lord did enquire my opinion of Mr.
Moore, which I did give to the best advantage I could, and by that means
shall get him joined with Mr. Townsend in the Wardrobe business. He did
also give me all Mr. Shepley’s and Mr. Moore’s accounts to view, which
I am glad of, as being his great trust in me, and I would willingly keep
up a good interest with him. So took leave of him (he being to go this
day) and to the office, where they were just sat down, and I showed them
yesterday’s discovery, and have got Sir R. Ford to be my enemy by it;
but I care not, for it is my duty, and so did get his bill stopped for
the present. To dinner, and found Dr. Thos. Pepys at my house; but I was
called from dinner by a note from Mr. Moore to Alderman Backwell’s, to
see some thousands of my Lord’s crusados weighed, and we find that
3,000 come to about L530 or 40 generally. Home again and found my father
there; we talked a good while and so parted. We met at the office in the
afternoon to finish Mr. Gauden’s accounts, but did not do them quite. In
the evening with Mr. Moore to Backwell’s with another 1,200 crusados and
saw them weighed, and so home and to bed.
6th. At my office all alone all the morning, and the smith being with me
about other things, did open a chest that hath stood ever since I came
to the office, in my office, and there we found a modell of a fine ship,
which I long to know whether it be the King’s or Mr. Turner’s. At noon
to the Wardrobe by appointment to meet my father, who did come and was
well treated by my Lady, who tells me she has some thoughts to send her
two little boys to our house at Brampton, but I have got leave for them
to go along with me and my wife to Hampton Court to-morrow or Sunday.
Thence to my brother Tom’s, where we found a letter from Pall that my
mother is dangerously ill in fear of death, which troubles my father
and me much, but I hope it is otherwise, the letter being four days old
since it was writ. Home and at my office, and with Mr. Hater set things
in order till evening, and so home and to bed by daylight. This day at
my father’s desire I lent my brother Tom L20, to be repaid out of the
proceeds of Sturtlow when we can sell it. I sent the money all in new
money by my boy from Alderman Backwell’s.
7th. To the office, where all the morning, and I find Mr. Coventry is
resolved to do much good, and to enquire into all the miscarriages of
the office. At noon with him and Sir W. Batten to dinner at Trinity
House; where, among others, Sir J. Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower,
was, who says that yesterday Sir H. Vane had a full hearing at the
King’s Bench, and is found guilty; and that he did never hear any man
argue more simply than he in all his life, and so others say. My mind
in great trouble whether I should go as I intended to Hampton Court
to-morrow or no. At last resolved the contrary, because of the charge
thereof, and I am afraid now to bring in any accounts for journeys, and
so will others I suppose be, because of Mr. Coventry’s prying into them.
Thence sent for to Sir G. Carteret’s, and there talked with him a good
while. I perceive, as he told me, were it not that Mr. Coventry had
already feathered his nest in selling of places, he do like him very
well, and hopes great good from him. But he complains so of lack of
money, that my heart is very sad, under the apprehension of the fall of
the office. At my office all the afternoon, and at night hear that my
father is gone into the country, but whether to Richmond as he intended,
and thence to meet us at Hampton Court on Monday, I know not, or to
Brampton. At which I am much troubled. In the evening home and to bed.
8th (Lord’s day). Lay till church-time in bed, and so up and to church,
and there I found Mr. Mills come home out of the country again, and
preached but a lazy sermon. Home and dined with my wife, and so to
church again with her. Thence walked to my Lady’s, and there supped with
her, and merry, among other things, with the parrott which my Lord
hath brought from the sea, which speaks very well, and cries Pall so
pleasantly, that made my Lord give it my Lady Paulina; but my Lady, her
mother, do not like it. Home, and observe my man Will to walk with his
cloak flung over his shoulder, like a Ruffian, which, whether it was
that he might not be seen to walk along with the footboy, I know not,
but I was vexed at it; and coming home, and after prayers, I did ask him
where he learned that immodest garb, and he answered me that it was not
immodest, or some such slight answer, at which I did give him two
boxes on the ears, which I never did before, and so was after a little
troubled at it.
9th. Early up and at the office with Mr. Hater, making my alphabet of
contracts, upon the dispatch of which I am now very intent, for that
I am resolved much to enquire into the price of commodities. Dined at
home, and after dinner to Greatorex’s, and with him and another stranger
to the Tavern, but I drank no wine. He recommended Bond, of our end of
the town, to teach me to measure timber, and some other things that I
would learn, in order to my office. Thence back again to the office,
and there T. Hater and I did make an end of my alphabet, which did much
please me. So home to supper and to bed.
10th. At the office all the morning, much business; and great hopes of
bringing things, by Mr. Coventry’s means, to a good condition in the
office. Dined at home, Mr. Hunt with us; to the office again in the
afternoon, but not meeting, as was intended, I went to my brother’s
and bookseller’s, and other places about business, and paid off all for
books to this day, and do not intend to buy any more of any kind a good
while, though I had a great mind to have bought the King’s works, as
they are new printed in folio, and present it to my Lord; but I think it
will be best to save the money. So home and to bed.
[There is a beautiful copy of “The Workes of King Charles the
Martyr, and Collections of Declarations, Treaties, &c.” (2 vols.
folio, 1662), in the Pepysian Library, with a very interesting note
in the first volume by Pepys (dated October 7th, 1700), to the
effect that he had collated it with a copy in Lambeth Library,
presented by Dr. Zachary Cradock, Provost of Eton. “This book being
seized on board an English ship was delivered, by order of the
Inquisition of Lisbon, to some of the English Priests to be perused
and corrected according to the Rules of the ‘Index Expurgatorius.’
Thus corrected it was given to Barnaby Crafford, English merchant
there, and by him it was given to me, the English preacher resident
there A.D. 1670, and by me as I then received it to the Library at
Lambeth to be there preserved. Nov. 2, 1678. ‘Ita testor’, Zach.
Cradock.--From which (through the favour of the most Reverend Father
in God and my most honoured Friend his Grace the present Archbishop
of Canterbury) I have this 7th of October, 1700, had an opportunity
given me there (assisted by my clerk, Thomas Henderson), leisurely to
overlook, and with my uttermost attention to note the said
Expurgations through each part of this my own Book.” Whole
sentences in the book are struck through, as well as such words as
Martyr, Defender of the Faith, More than Conqueror, &c.]
11th. At the office all the morning, Sir W. Batten, Sir W. Pen, and I
about the Victualler’s accounts. Then home to dinner and to the office
again all the afternoon, Mr. Hater and I writing over my Alphabet
fair, in which I took great pleasure to rule the lines and to have the
capitall words wrote with red ink. So home and to supper. This evening
Savill the Paynter came and did varnish over my wife’s picture and mine,
and I paid him for my little picture L3, and so am clear with him. So
after supper to bed. This day I had a letter from my father that he is
got down well, and found my mother pretty well again. So that I am
vexed with all my heart at Pall for writing to him so much concerning my
mother’s illness (which I believe was not so great), so that he should
be forced to hasten down on the sudden back into the country without
taking leave, or having any pleasure here.
12th. This morning I tried on my riding cloth suit with close knees, the
first that ever I had; and I think they will be very convenient, if not
too hot to wear any other open knees after them. At the office all the
morning, where we had a full Board, viz., Sir G. Carteret, Sir John
Mennes, Sir W. Batten, Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen, Mr. Pett, and myself.
Among many other businesses, I did get a vote signed by all, concerning
my issuing of warrants, which they did not smell the use I intend to
make of it; but it is to plead for my clerks to have their right of
giving out all warrants, at which I am not a little pleased. But a great
difference happened between Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Coventry, about
passing the Victualler’s account, and whether Sir George is to pay the
Victualler his money, or the Exchequer; Sir George claiming it to be
his place to save his threepences. It ended in anger, and I believe will
come to be a question before the King and Council. I did what I could to
keep myself unconcerned in it, having some things of my own to do before
I would appear high in anything. Thence to dinner, by Mr. Gauden’s
invitation, to the Dolphin, where a good dinner; but what is to myself a
great wonder; that with ease I past the whole dinner without drinking a
drop of wine. After dinner to the office, my head full of business, and
so home, and it being the longest day in the year,--[That is, by the
old style. The new style was not introduced until 1752]--I made all my
people go to bed by daylight. But after I was a-bed and asleep, a
note came from my brother Tom to tell me that my cozen Anne Pepys, of
Worcestershire, her husband is dead, and she married again, and her
second husband in town, and intends to come and see me to-morrow.
13th. Up by 4 o’clock in the morning, and read Cicero’s Second Oration
against Catiline, which pleased me exceedingly; and more I discern
therein than ever I thought was to be found in him; but I perceive it
was my ignorance, and that he is as good a writer as ever I read in my
life. By and by to Sir G. Carteret’s, to talk with him about yesterday’s
difference at the office; and offered my service to look into any old
books or papers that I have, that may make for him. He was well pleased
therewith, and did much inveigh against Mr. Coventry; telling me how he
had done him service in the Parliament, when Prin had drawn up things
against him for taking of money for places; that he did at his desire,
and upon his, letters, keep him off from doing it. And many other things
he told me, as how the King was beholden to him, and in what a miserable
condition his family would be, if he should die before he hath cleared
his accounts. Upon the whole, I do find that he do much esteem of me,
and is my friend, and I may make good use of him. Thence to several
places about business, among others to my brother’s, and there Tom
Beneere the barber trimmed me. Thence to my Lady’s, and there dined with
her, Mr. Laxton, Gibbons, and Goldgroove with us, and after dinner some
musique, and so home to my business, and in the evening my wife and I,
and Sarah and the boy, a most pleasant walk to Halfway house, and so
home and to bed.
14th. Up by four o’clock in the morning and upon business at my office.
Then we sat down to business, and about 11 o’clock, having a room got
ready for us, we all went out to the Tower-hill; and there, over against
the scaffold, made on purpose this day, saw Sir Henry Vane brought.
[Sir Harry Vane the younger was born 1612. Charles signed on June
12th a warrant for the execution of Vane by hanging at Tyburn on the
14th, which sentence on the following day “upon humble suit made” to
him, Charles was “graciously pleased to mitigate,” as the warrant
terms it, for the less ignominious punishment of beheading on Tower
Hill, and with permission that the head and body should be given to
the relations to be by them decently and privately interred.--
Lister’s Life of Clarendon, ii, 123.]
A very great press of people. He made a long speech, many times
interrupted by the Sheriff and others there; and they would have taken
his paper out of his hand, but he would not let it go. But they caused
all the books of those that writ after him to be given the Sheriff; and
the trumpets were brought under the scaffold that he might not be heard.
Then he prayed, and so fitted himself, and received the blow; but the
scaffold was so crowded that we could not see it done. But Boreman, who
had been upon the scaffold, came to us and told us, that first he began
to speak of the irregular proceeding against him; that he was, against
Magna Charta, denied to have his exceptions against the indictment
allowed; and that there he was stopped by the Sheriff. Then he drew out
his, paper of notes, and begun to tell them first his life; that he
was born a gentleman, that he was bred up and had the quality of a
gentleman, and to make him in the opinion of the world more a gentleman,
he had been, till he was seventeen years old, a good fellow, but then it
pleased God to lay a foundation of grace in his heart, by which he was
persuaded, against his worldly interest, to leave all preferment and go
abroad, where he might serve God with more freedom. Then he was called
home, and made a member of the Long Parliament; where he never did, to
this day, any thing against his conscience, but all for the glory of
God. Here he would have given them an account of the proceedings of the
Long Parliament, but they so often interrupted him, that at last he was
forced to give over: and so fell into prayer for England in generall,
then for the churches in England, and then for the City of London:
and so fitted himself for the block, and received the blow. He had a
blister, or issue, upon his neck, which he desired them not hurt:
he changed not his colour or speech to the last, but died justifying
himself and the cause he had stood for; and spoke very confidently of
his being presently at the right hand of Christ; and in all, things
appeared the most resolved man that ever died in that manner, and showed
more of heat than cowardize, but yet with all humility and gravity. One
asked him why he did not pray for the King. He answered, “Nay,” says he,
“you shall see I can pray for the King: I pray God bless him!” The King
had given his body to his friends; and, therefore, he told them that he
hoped they would be civil to his body when dead; and desired they
would let him die like a gentleman and a Christian, and not crowded
and pressed as he was. So to the office a little, and so to the
Trinity-house all of us to dinner; and then to the office again all
the afternoon till night. So home and to bed. This day, I hear, my
Lord Peterborough is come unexpected from Tangier, to give the King an
account of the place, which, we fear, is in none of the best condition.
We had also certain news to-day that the Spaniard is before Lisbon with
thirteen sail; six Dutch, and the rest his own ships; which will,
I fear, be ill for Portugall. I writ a letter of all this day’s
proceedings to my Lord, at Hinchingbroke, who, I hear, is very well
pleased with the work there.
15th (Lord’s day). To church in the morning and home to dinner, where
come my brother Tom and Mr. Fisher, my cozen, Nan Pepys’s second
husband, who, I perceive, is a very good-humoured man, an old cavalier.
I made as much of him as I could, and were merry, and am glad she hath
light of so good a man. They gone, to church again; but my wife not
being dressed as I would have her, I was angry, and she, when she was
out of doors in her way to church, returned home again vexed. But I to
church, Mr. Mills, an ordinary sermon. So home, and found my wife and
Sarah gone to a neighbour church, at which I was not much displeased. By
and by she comes again, and, after a word or two, good friends. And
then her brother came to see her, and he being gone she told me that
she believed he was married and had a wife worth L500 to him, and did
inquire how he might dispose the money to the best advantage, but I
forbore to advise her till she could certainly tell me how things are
with him, being loth to meddle too soon with him. So to walk upon the
leads, and to supper, and to bed.
16th. Up before four o’clock, and after some business took Will forth,
and he and I walked over the Tower Hill, but the gate not being open
we walked through St. Catharine’s and Ratcliffe (I think it is) by the
waterside above a mile before we could get a boat, and so over the water
in a scull (which I have not done a great while), and walked finally
to Deptford, where I saw in what forwardness the work is for Sir W.
Batten’s house and mine, and it is almost ready. I also, with Mr. Davis,
did view my cozen Joyce’s tallow, and compared it with the Irish tallow
we bought lately, and found ours much more white, but as soft as it; now
what is the fault, or whether it be or no a fault, I know not. So walked
home again as far as over against the Towre, and so over and home,
where I found Sir W. Pen and Sir John Minnes discoursing about Sir John
Minnes’s house and his coming to live with us, and I think he intends to
have Mr. Turner’s house and he to come to his lodgings, which I shall be
very glad of. We three did go to Mr. Turner’s to view his house, which
I think was to the end that Sir John Minnes might see it. Then by water
with my wife to the Wardrobe, and dined there; and in the afternoon with
all the children by water to Greenwich, where I showed them the King’s
yacht, the house, and the park, all very pleasant; and so to the tavern,
and had the musique of the house, and so merrily home again. Will and
I walked home from the Wardrobe, having left my wife at the Tower Wharf
coming by, whom I found gone to bed not very well.... So to bed.
17th. Up, and Mr. Mayland comes to me and borrowed 30s. of me to be paid
again out of the money coming to him in the James and Charles for his
late voyage. So to the office, where all the morning. So home to dinner,
my wife not being well, but however dined with me. So to the office,
and at Sir W. Batten’s, where we all met by chance and talked, and
they drank wine; but I forebore all their healths. Sir John Minnes,
I perceive, is most excellent company. So home and to bed betimes by
daylight.
18th. Up early; and after reading a little in Cicero, I made me ready
and to my office, where all the morning very busy. At noon Mr. Creed
came to me about business, and he and I walked as far as Lincoln’s Inn
Fields together. After a turn or two in the walks we parted, and I to my
Lord Crew’s and dined with him; where I hear the courage of Sir H. Vane
at his death is talked on every where as a miracle. Thence to Somerset
House to Sir J. Winter’s chamber by appointment, and met Mr. Pett, where
he and I read over his last contract with the King for the Forest of
Dean, whereof I took notes because of this new one that he is now in
making. That done he and I walked to Lilly’s, the painter’s, where
we saw among other rare things, the Duchess of York, her whole body,
sitting instate in a chair, in white sattin, and another of the King,
that is not finished; most rare things. I did give the fellow something
that showed them us, and promised to come some other time, and he would
show me Lady Castlemaine’s, which I could not then see, it being locked
up! Thence to Wright’s, the painter’s: but, Lord! the difference that is
between their two works. Thence to the Temple, and there spoke with my
cozen Roger, who gives me little hopes in the business between my Uncle
Tom and us. So Mr. Pett (who staid at his son’s chamber) and I by coach
to the old Exchange, and there parted, and I home and at the office till
night. My windows at my office are made clean to-day and a casement in
my closet. So home, and after some merry discourse in the kitchen with
my wife and maids as I now-a-days often do, I being well pleased with
both my maids, to bed.
19th. Up by five o’clock, and while my man Will was getting himself
ready to come up to me I took and played upon my lute a little. So to
dress myself, and to my office to prepare things against we meet this
morning. We sat long to-day, and had a great private business before us
about contracting with Sir W. Rider, Mr. Cutler, and Captain Cocke,
for 500 ton of hemp, which we went through, and I am to draw up the
conditions. Home to dinner, where I found Mr. Moore, and he and I cast
up our accounts together and evened them, and then with the last chest
of crusados to Alderman Backwell’s, by the same token his lady going to
take coach stood in the shop, and having a gilded glassfull of perfumed
comfits given her by Don Duarte de Silva, the Portugall merchant, that
is come over with the Queen, I did offer at a taste, and so she poured
some out into my hand, and, though good, yet pleased me the better
coming from a pretty lady. So home and at the office preparing papers
and things, and indeed my head has not been so full of business a great
while, and with so much pleasure, for I begin to see the pleasure it
gives. God give me health. So to bed.
20th. Up by four or five o’clock, and to the office, and there drew up
the agreement between the King and Sir John Winter about the Forrest of
Deane; and having done it, he came himself (I did not know him to be the
Queen’s Secretary before, but observed him to be a man of fine parts);
and we read it, and both liked it well. That done, I turned to the
Forrest of Deane, in Speede’s Mapps, and there he showed me how it lies;
and the Lea-bayly, with the great charge of carrying it to Lydny, and
many other things worth my knowing; and I do perceive that I am very
short in my business by not knowing many times the geographical part
of my business. At my office till Mr. Moore took me out and at my house
looked over our papers again, and upon our evening accounts did give
full discharges one to the other, and in his and many other accounts I
perceive I shall be better able to give a true balance of my estate to
myself within a day or two than I have been this twelve months. Then
he and I to Alderman Backwell’s and did the like there, and I gave one
receipt for all the money I have received thence upon the receipt of
my Lord’s crusados. Then I went to the Exchange, and hear that the
merchants have a great fear of a breach with the Spaniard; for they
think he will not brook our having Tangier, Dunkirk, and Jamaica; and
our merchants begin to draw home their estates as fast as they can. Then
to Pope’s Head Ally, and there bought me a pair of tweezers, cost me
14s., the first thing like a bawble I have bought a good while, but I do
it with some trouble of mind, though my conscience tells me that I do
it with an apprehension of service in my office to have a book to write
memorandums in, and a pair of compasses in it; but I confess myself the
willinger to do it because I perceive by my accounts that I shall be
better by L30 than I expected to be. But by tomorrow night I intend to
see to the bottom of all my accounts. Then home to dinner, where Mr.
Moore met me. Then he went away, and I to the office and dispatch much
business. So in the evening, my wife and I and Jane over the water to
the Halfway-house, a pretty, pleasant walk, but the wind high. So home
again and to bed.
21st. Up about four o’clock, and settled some private business of my
own, then made me ready and to the office to prepare things for our
meeting to-day. By and by we met, and at noon Sir W. Pen and I to the
Trinity House; where was a feast made by the Wardens, when great good
cheer, and much, but ordinary company. The Lieutenant of the Tower, upon
my demanding how Sir H. Vane died, told me that he died in a passion;
but all confess with so much courage as never man died. Thence to
the office, where Sir W. Rider, Capt. Cocke, and Mr. Cutler came by
appointment to meet me to confer about the contract between us and them
for 500 tons of hemp. That being done, I did other business and so went
home, and there found Mr. Creed, who staid talking with my wife and me
an hour or two, and I put on my riding cloth suit, only for him to
see how it is, and I think it will do very well. He being gone, and I
hearing from my wife and the maids’ complaints made of the boy, I called
him up, and with my whip did whip him till I was not able to stir, and
yet I could not make him confess any of the lies that they tax him with.
At last, not willing to let him go away a conqueror, I took him in task
again, and pulled off his frock to his shirt, and whipped him till he
did confess that he did drink the whey, which he had denied, and pulled
a pink, and above all did lay the candlestick upon the ground in his
chamber, which he had denied this quarter of a year. I confess it is one
of the greatest wonders that ever I met with that such a little boy as
he could possibly be able to suffer half so much as he did to maintain
a lie. I think I must be forced to put him away. So to bed, with my arm
very weary.
22nd (Lord’s day). This day I first put on my slasht doublet, which I
like very well. Mr. Shepley came to me in the morning, telling me that
he and my Lord came to town from Hinchinbroke last night. He and I spend
an hour in looking over his account, and then walked to the Wardrobe,
all the way discoursing of my Lord’s business. He tells me to my great
wonder that Mr. Barnwell is dead L500 in debt to my Lord. By and by my
Lord came from church, and I dined, with some others, with him, he very
merry, and after dinner took me aside and talked of state and other
matters. By and by to my brother Tom’s and took him out with me
homewards (calling at the Wardrobe to talk a little with Mr. Moore), and
so to my house, where I paid him all I owed him, and did make the L20 I
lately lent him up to L40, for which he shall give bond to Mr. Shepley,
for it is his money. So my wife and I to walk in the garden, where all
our talk was against Sir W. Pen, against whom I have lately had cause to
be much prejudiced. By and by he and his daughter came out to walk, so
we took no notice of them a great while, at last in going home spoke
a word or two, and so good night, and to bed. This day I am told of
a Portugall lady, at Hampton Court, that hath dropped a child already
since the Queen’s coming, but the king would not have them searched
whose it is; and so it is not commonly known yet. Coming home to-night,
I met with Will. Swan, who do talk as high for the Fanatiques as ever he
did in his life; and do pity my Lord Sandwich and me that we should be
given up to the wickedness of the world; and that a fall is coming upon
us all; for he finds that he and his company are the true spirit of the
nation, and the greater part of the nation too, who will have liberty of
conscience in spite of this “Act of Uniformity,” or they will die; and
if they may not preach abroad, they will preach in their own houses. He
told me that certainly Sir H. Vane must be gone to Heaven, for he died
as much a martyr and saint as ever man did; and that the King hath lost
more by that man’s death, than he will get again a good while. At all
which I know not what to think; but, I confess, I do think that the
Bishops will never be able to carry it so high as they do.
23rd. Up early, this morning, and my people are taking down the hangings
and things in my house because of the great dust that is already made by
the pulling down of Sir W. Batten’s house, and will be by my own when
I come to it. To my office, and there hard at work all the morning.
At noon to the Exchange to meet Dr. Williams, who sent me this morning
notice of his going into the country tomorrow, but could not find him,
but meeting with Frank Moore, my Lord Lambeth’s man formerly, we, and
two or three friends of his did go to a tavern, and there they drank,
but I nothing but small beer. In the next room one was playing very
finely of the dulcimer, which well played I like well, but one of our
own company, a talking fellow, did in discourse say much of this Act
against Seamen,
[In 1662 was passed “An Act for providing of carriage by land and by
water for the use of His Majesty’s Navy and Ordinance” (13-14 Gar.
II., cap. 20), which gave power for impressing seamen, &c.]
for their being brought to account; and that it was made on purpose for
my Lord Sandwich, who was in debt L100,000, and hath been forced to have
pardon oftentimes from Oliver for the same: at which I was vexed at him,
but thought it not worth my trouble to oppose what he said, but took
leave and went home, and after a little dinner to my office again, and
in the evening Sir W. Warren came to me about business, and that being
done, discoursing of deals, I did offer to go along with him among
his deal ships, which we did to half a score, where he showed me the
difference between Dram, Swinsound, Christiania, and others, and told me
many pleasant notions concerning their manner of cutting and sawing them
by watermills, and the reason how deals become dearer and cheaper, among
others, when the snow is not so great as to fill up the values that they
may pass from hill to hill over the snow, then it is dear carriage. From
on board he took me to his yard, where vast and many places of deals,
sparrs, and bulks, &c., the difference between which I never knew
before, and indeed am very proud of this evening’s work. He had me into
his house, which is most pretty and neat and well furnished. After a
glass, not of wine, for I would not be tempted to drink any, but a glass
of mum, I well home by water, but it being late was forced to land at
the Custom House, and so home and to bed, and after I was a-bed, letters
came from the Duke for the fitting out of four ships forthwith from
Portsmouth (I know not yet for what) so I was forced to make Will get
them wrote, and signed them in bed and sent them away by express. And so
to sleep.
24th (Midsummer day). Up early and to my office, putting things in order
against we sit. There came to me my cozen Harry Alcocke, whom I much
respect, to desire (by a letter from my father to me, where he had been
some days) my help for him to some place. I proposed the sea to him, and
I think he will take it, and I hope do well. Sat all the morning, and I
bless God I find that by my diligence of late and still, I do get ground
in the office every day. At noon to the Change, where I begin to be
known also, and so home to dinner, and then to the office all the
afternoon dispatching business. At night news is brought me that
Field the rogue hath this day cast me at Guildhall in L30 for his
imprisonment, to which I signed his commitment with the rest of the
officers; but they having been parliament-men, that he hath begun the
law with me; and threatens more, but I hope the Duke of York will bear
me out. At night home, and Mr. Spong came to me, and so he and I sat
singing upon the leads till almost ten at night and so he went away
(a pretty, harmless, and ingenious man), and I to bed, in a very great
content of mind, which I hope by my care still in my business will
continue to me.
25th. Up by four o’clock, and put my accounts with my Lord into a very
good order, and so to my office, where having put many things in order
I went to the Wardrobe, but found my Lord gone to Hampton Court. After
discourse with Mr. Shepley we parted, and I into Thames Street, beyond
the Bridge, and there enquired among the shops the price of tarre and
oyle, and do find great content in it, and hope to save the King money
by this practice. So home to dinner, and then to the Change, and so home
again, and at the office preparing business against to-morrow all the
afternoon. At night walked with my wife upon the leads, and so to supper
and to bed. My wife having lately a great pain in her ear, for which
this night she begins to take physique, and I have got cold and so have
a great deal of my old pain.
26th. Up and took physique, but such as to go abroad with, only to
loosen me, for I am bound. So to the office, and there all the morning
sitting till noon, and then took Commissioner Pett home to dinner with
me, where my stomach was turned when my sturgeon came to table, upon
which I saw very many little worms creeping, which I suppose was through
the staleness of the pickle. He being gone, comes Mr. Nicholson, my old
fellow-student at Magdalene, and we played three or four things upon
the violin and basse, and so parted, and I to my office till night, and
there came Mr. Shepley and Creed in order to settling some accounts of
my Lord to-night, and so to bed.
27th. Up early, not quite rid of my pain. I took more physique, and so
made myself ready to go forth. So to my Lord, who rose as soon as he
heard I was there; and in his nightgown and shirt stood talking with me
alone two hours,. I believe, concerning his greatest matters of state
and interest. Among other things, that his greatest design is, first,
to get clear of all debts to the King for the Embassy money, and then a
pardon. Then, to get his land settled; and then to, discourse and advise
what is best for him, whether to keep his sea employment longer or no.
For he do discern that the Duke would be willing to have him out, and
that by Coventry’s means. And here he told me, how the terms at Argier
were wholly his; and that he did plainly tell Lawson and agree with him,
that he would have the honour of them, if they should ever be agreed
to; and that accordingly they did come over hither entitled, “Articles
concluded on by Sir J. Lawson, according to instructions received from
His Royal Highness James Duke of York, &c., and from His Excellency
the Earle of Sandwich.” (Which however was more than needed; but Lawson
tells my Lord in his letter, that it was not he, but the Council of Warr
that would have “His Royal Highness” put into the title, though he
did not contribute one word to it.) But the Duke of York did yesterday
propose them to the Council, to be printed with this title: “Concluded
on, by Sir J. Lawson, Knt.” and my Lord quite left out. Here I find my
Lord very politique; for he tells me, that he discerns they design to
set up Lawson as much as they can and that he do counterplot them by
setting him up higher still; by which they will find themselves spoiled
of their design, and at last grow jealous of Lawson. This he told me
with much pleasure; and that several of the Duke’s servants, by name my
Lord Barkeley [of Stratton], Mr. Talbot, and others, had complained to
my Lord, of Coventry, and would have him out. My Lord do acknowledge
that his greatest obstacle is Coventry. He did seem to hint such a
question as this: “Hitherto I have been supported by the King and
Chancellor against the Duke; but what if it should come about, that it
should be the Duke and Chancellor against the King?” which, though he
said it in these plain words, yet I could not fully understand it; but
may more here after. My Lord did also tell me, that the Duke himself
at Portsmouth did thank my Lord for all his pains and care; and that
he perceived it must be the old Captains that must do the business; and
that the new ones would spoil all. And that my Lord did very discreetly
tell the Duke (though quite against his judgement and inclination),
that, however, the King’s new captains ought to be borne with a little
and encouraged. By which he will oblige that party, and prevent, as much
as may be, their envy; but he says that certainly things will go to rack
if ever the old captains should be wholly out, and the new ones only
command. Then we fell to talk of Sir J. Minnes, of whom my Lord hath
a very slight opinion, and that at first he did come to my Lord very
displeased and sullen, and had studied and turned over all his books to
see whether it had ever been that two flags should ride together in the
main-top, but could not find it, nay, he did call his captains on board
to consult them. So when he came by my Lord’s side, he took down his
flag, and all the day did not hoist it again, but next day my Lord did
tell him that it was not so fit to ride without a flag, and therefore
told him that he should wear it in the fore-top, for it seems my Lord
saw his instructions, which were that he should not wear his flag in the
maintop in the presence of the Duke or my Lord. But that after that my
Lord did caress him, and he do believe him as much his friend as his
interest will let him. I told my Lord of the late passage between Swan
and me, and he told me another lately between Dr. Dell and himself when
he was in the country. At last we concluded upon dispatching all his
accounts as soon as possible, and so I parted, and to my office, where
I met Sir W. Pen, and he desired a turn with me in the garden, where
he told me the day now was fixed for his going into Ireland;--[Penn was
Governor of Kinsale.-B.]--and that whereas I had mentioned some service
he could do a friend of mine there, Saml. Pepys,
[Mentioned elsewhere as “My cousin in Ireland.” He was son of Lord
Chief Justice Richard Pepys.]
he told me he would most readily do what I would command him, and then
told me we must needs eat a dish of meat together before he went, and
so invited me and my wife on Sunday next. To all which I did give a cold
consent, for my heart cannot love or have a good opinion of him since
his last playing the knave with me, but he took no notice of our
difference at all, nor I to him, and so parted, and I by water to
Deptford, where I found Sir W. Batten alone paying off the yard three
quarters pay. Thence to dinner, where too great a one was prepared, at
which I was very much troubled, and wished I had not been there. After
dinner comes Sir J. Minnes and some captains with him, who had been at
a Councill of Warr to-day, who tell us they have acquitted Captain
Hall, who was accused of cowardice in letting of old Winter, the Argier
pyrate, go away from him with a prize or two; and also Captain Diamond
of the murder laid to him of a man that he had struck, but he lived many
months after, till being drunk, he fell into the hold, and there broke
his jaw and died, but they say there are such bawdy articles against
him as never were heard of .... To the pay again, where I left them, and
walked to Redriffe, and so home, and there came Mr. Creed and Shepley to
me, and staid till night about my Lord’s accounts, our proceeding to set
them in order, and so parted and I to bed. Mr. Holliard had been with my
wife to-day, and cured her of her pain in her ear by taking out a most
prodigious quantity of hard wax that had hardened itself in the bottom
of the ear, of which I am very glad.
28th. Up to my Lord’s and my own accounts, and so to the office, where
all the forenoon sitting, and at noon by appointment to the Mitre, where
Mr. Shepley gave me and Mr. Creed, and I had my uncle Wight with us, a
dish of fish. Thence to the office again, and there all the afternoon
till night, and so home, and after talking with my wife to bed. This day
a genteel woman came to me, claiming kindred of me, as she had once done
before, and borrowed 10s. of me, promising to repay it at night, but I
hear nothing of her. I shall trust her no more. Great talk there is of
a fear of a war with the Dutch; and we have order to pitch upon twenty
ships to be forthwith set out; but I hope it is but a scarecrow to the
world, to let them see that we can be ready for them; though, God knows!
the King is not able to set out five ships at this present without great
difficulty, we neither having money, credit, nor stores. My mind is now
in a wonderful condition of quiet and content, more than ever in all my
life, since my minding the business of my office, which I have done most
constantly; and I find it to be the very effect of my late oaths against
wine and plays, which, if God please, I will keep constant in, for now
my business is a delight to me, and brings me great credit, and my purse
encreases too.
29th (Lord’s day). Up by four o’clock, and to the settling of my
own accounts, and I do find upon my monthly ballance, which I have
undertaken to keep from month to month, that I am worth L650, the
greatest sum that ever I was yet master of. I pray God give me a
thankfull, spirit, and care to improve and encrease it. To church with
my wife, who this day put on her green petticoat of flowred satin, with
fine white and gimp lace of her own putting on, which is very pretty.
Home with Sir W. Pen to dinner by appointment, and to church again in
the afternoon, and then home, Mr. Shepley coming to me about my Lord’s
accounts, and in the evening parted, and we to supper again to Sir W.
Pen. Whatever the matter is, he do much fawn upon me, and I perceive
would not fall out with me, and his daughter mighty officious to my
wife, but I shall never be deceived again by him, but do hate him and
his traitorous tricks with all my heart. It was an invitation in order
to his taking leave of us to-day, he being to go for Ireland in a few
days. So home and prayers, and to bed.
30th. Up betimes, and to my office, where I found Griffen’s girl making
it clean, but, God forgive me! what a mind I had to her, but did not
meddle with her. She being gone, I fell upon boring holes for me to see
from my closet into the great office, without going forth, wherein I
please myself much. So settled to business, and at noon with my wife to
the Wardrobe, and there dined, and staid talking all the afternoon with
my Lord, and about four o’clock took coach with my wife and Lady, and
went toward my house, calling at my Lady Carteret’s, who was within by
chance (she keeping altogether at Deptford for a month or two), and so
we sat with her a little. Among other things told my Lady how my Lady
Fanshaw is fallen out with her only for speaking in behalf of the
French, which my Lady wonders at, they having been formerly like
sisters, but we see there is no true lasting friendship in the world.
Thence to my house, where I took great pride to lead her through the
Court by the hand, she being very fine, and her page carrying up her
train. She staid a little at my house, and then walked through the
garden, and took water, and went first on board the King’s pleasure
boat, which pleased her much. Then to Greenwich Park; and with much ado
she was able to walk up to the top of the hill, and so down again, and
took boat, and so through bridge to Blackfryers, and home, she being
much pleased with the ramble in every particular of it. So we supped
with her, and then walked home, and to bed.