August 1st. Up, my head aching, and to my office, where Cooper read me
another lecture upon my modell very pleasant. So to my business all the
morning, which increases by people coming now to me to the office. At
noon to the Exchange, where meeting Mr. Creed and Moore we three to a
house hard by (which I was not pleased with) to dinner, and after dinner
and some discourse ordinary by coach home, it raining hard, and so at
the office all the afternoon till evening to my chamber, where, God
forgive me, I was sorry to hear that Sir W. Pen’s maid Betty was gone
away yesterday, for I was in hopes to have had a bout with her before
she had gone, she being very pretty. I had also a mind to my own wench,
but I dare not for fear she should prove honest and refuse and then
tell my wife. I staid up late, putting things in order for my going
to Chatham to-morrow, and so to bed, being in pain... with the little
riding in a coach to-day from the Exchange, which do trouble me.
2nd. Up early, and got me ready in my riding clothes, and so to the
office, and there wrote letters to my father and wife against night, and
then to the business of my office, which being done, I took boat with
Will, and down to Greenwich, where Captain Cocke not being at home I
was vexed, and went to walk in the Park till he come thither to me: and
Will’s forgetting to bring my boots in the boat did also vex me, for I
was forced to send the boat back again for them. I to Captain Cocke’s
along with him to dinner, where I find his lady still pretty, but not so
good a humour as I thought she was. We had a plain, good dinner, and I
see they do live very frugally. I eat among other fruit much mulberrys,
a thing I have not eat of these many years, since I used to be at
Ashted, at my cozen Pepys’s. After dinner we to boat, and had a pleasant
passage down to Gravesend, but it was nine o’clock before we got
thither, so that we were in great doubt what to do, whether to stay
there or no; and the rather because I was afeard to ride, because of my
pain...; but at the Swan, finding Mr. Hemson and Lieutenant Carteret
of the Foresight come to meet me, I borrowed Mr. Hemson’s horse, and he
took another, and so we rode to Rochester in the dark, and there at the
Crown Mr. Gregory, Barrow, and others staid to meet me. So after a glass
of wine, we to our barge, that was ready for me, to the Hill-house,
where we soon went to bed, before we slept I telling upon discourse
Captain Cocke the manner of my being cut of the stone, which pleased him
much. So to sleep.
3rd (Lord’s day). Up early, and with Captain Cocke to the dock-yard, a
fine walk, and fine weather. Where we walked till Commissioner Pett
come to us, and took us to his house, and showed us his garden and
fine things, and did give us a fine breakfast of bread and butter, and
sweetmeats and other things with great choice, and strong drinks, with
which I could not avoyde making my head ake, though I drank but little.
Thither came Captain Allen of the Foresight, and the officers of
the yard to see me. Thence by and by to church, by coach, with the
Commissioner, and had a dull sermon. A full church, and some pretty
women in it; among others, Beck Allen, who was a bride-maid to a
new married couple that came to church to-day, and, which was pretty
strange, sat in a pew hung with mourning for a mother of the bride’s,
which methinks should have been taken down. After dinner going out of
the church saluted Mrs. Pett, who came after us in the coach to church,
and other officers’ wives. The Commissioner staid at dinner with me, and
we had a good dinner, better than I would have had, but I saw there was
no helping of it. After dinner the Commissioner and I left the company
and walked in the garden at the Hill-house, which is very pleasant, and
there talked of our businesses and matters of the navy. So to church
again, where quite weary, and so after sermon walked with him to the
yard up and down and the fields, and saw the place designed for the wet
dock. And so to his house, and had a syllabub, and saw his closet, which
come short of what I expected, but there was fine modells of ships in
it indeed, whose worth I could not judge of. At night walked home to
the Hill-house, Mr. Barrow with me, talking of the faults of the yard,
walking in the fields an hour or two, and so home to supper, and so
Captain Cocke and I to bed. This day among other stories he told me how
despicable a thing it is to be a hangman in Poland, although it be a
place of credit. And that, in his time, there was some repairs to be
made of the gallows there, which was very fine of stone; but nobody
could be got to mend it till the Burgomaster, or Mayor of the town, with
all the companies of those trades which were necessary to be used about
those repairs, did go in their habits with flags, in solemn procession
to the place, and there the Burgomaster did give the first blow with the
hammer upon the wooden work; and the rest of the Masters of the Companys
upon the works belonging to their trades; that so workmen might not be
ashamed to be employed upon doing of the gallows’ works.
4th. Up by four o’clock in the morning and walked to the Dock, where
Commissioner Pett and I took barge and went to the guardships and
mustered them, finding them but badly manned; thence to the Sovereign,
which we found kept in good order and very clean, which pleased us
well, but few of the officers on board. Thence to the Charles, and were
troubled to see her kept so neglectedly by the boatswain Clements, who I
always took for a very good officer; it is a very brave ship. Thence
to Upnor Castle, and there went up to the top, where there is a fine
prospect, but of very small force; so to the yard, and there mustered
the whole ordinary, where great disorder by multitude of servants and
old decrepid men, which must be remedied. So to all the storehouses
and viewed the stores of all sorts and the hemp, where we found Captain
Cocke’s (which he came down to see along with me) very bad, and some
others, and with much content (God forgive me) I did hear by the Clerk
of the Ropeyard how it was by Sir W. Batten’s private letter that one
parcel of Alderman Barker’s’ was received. At two o’clock to dinner to
the Hill-house, and after dinner dispatched many people’s business,
and then to the yard again, and looked over Mr. Gregory’s and Barrow’s
houses to see the matter of difference between them concerning an
alteration that Barrow would make, which I shall report to the board,
but both their houses very pretty, and deserve to be so, being well
kept. Then to a trial of several sorts of hemp, but could not perform it
here so well as at Woolwich, but we did do it pretty well. So took barge
at the dock and to Rochester, and there Captain Cocke and I and our two
men took coach about 8 at night and to Gravesend, where it was very dark
before we got thither to the Swan; and there, meeting with Doncaster,
an old waterman of mine above bridge, we eat a short supper, being very
merry with the drolling, drunken coachman that brought us, and so
took water. It being very dark, and the wind rising, and our waterman
unacquainted with this part of the river, so that we presently cast upon
the Essex shore, but got off again, and so, as well as we could, went
on, but I in such fear that I could not sleep till we came to Erith,
and there it begun to be calm, and the stars to shine, and so I began
to take heart again, and the rest too, and so made shift to slumber a
little. Above Woolwich we lost our way, and went back to Blackwall, and
up and down, being guided by nothing but the barking of a dog, which we
had observed in passing by Blackwall, and so,
5th. Got right again with much ado, after two or three circles and so
on, and at Greenwich set in Captain Cocke, and I set forward, hailing to
all the King’s ships at Deptford, but could not wake any man: so that we
could have done what we would with their ships. At last waked one man;
but it was a merchant ship, the Royall Catharine: so to the Towerdock
and home, where the girl sat up for me. It was about three o’clock,
and putting Mr. Boddam out of my bed, went to bed, and lay till nine
o’clock, and so to the office, where we sat all the morning, and I did
give some accounts of my service. Dined alone at home, and was glad my
house is begun tiling. And to the office again all the afternoon, till
it was so dark that I could not see hardly what it is that I now set
down when I write this word, and so went to my chamber and to bed, being
sleepy.
6th. Up early, and, going to my office, met Sir G. Carteret in coming
through the yard, and so walked a good while talking with him about
Sir W. Batten, and find that he is going down the wind in every body’s
esteem, and in that of his honesty by this letter that he wrote to
Captn. Allen concerning Alderman Barker’s hemp. Thence by water to
White Hall; and so to St. James’s; but there found Mr. Coventry gone to
Hampton Court. So to my Lord’s; and he is also gone: this being a great
day at the Council about some business at the Council before the King.
Here I met with Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon, who told me how Mr. Edward
Montagu hath lately had a duell with Mr. Cholmely, that is first
gentleman-usher to the Queen, and was a messenger from the King to her
in Portugall, and is a fine gentleman; but had received many affronts
from Mr. Montagu, and some unkindness from my Lord, upon his score (for
which I am sorry). He proved too hard for Montagu, and drove him so far
backward that he fell into a ditch, and dropt his sword, but with honour
would take no advantage over him; but did give him his life: and the
world says Mr. Montagu did carry himself very poorly in the business,
and hath lost his honour for ever with all people in it, of which I am
very glad, in hopes that it will humble him. I hear also that he hath
sent to my Lord to borrow L400, giving his brother Harvey’s’ security
for it, and that my Lord will lend it him, for which I am sorry. Thence
home, and at my office all the morning, and dined at home, and can
hardly keep myself from having a mind to my wench, but I hope I shall
not fall to such a shame to myself. All the afternoon also at my office,
and did business. In the evening came Mr. Bland the merchant to me, who
has lived long in Spain, and is concerned in the business of Tangier,
who did discourse with me largely of it, and after he was gone did send
me three or four printed things that he hath wrote of trade in general
and of Tangier particularly, but I do not find much in them. This
afternoon Mr. Waith was with me, and did tell me much concerning the
Chest, which I am resolved to look into; and I perceive he is sensible
of Sir W. Batten’s carriage; and is pleased to see any thing work
against him. Who, poor man, is, I perceive, much troubled, and did
yesterday morning walk in the garden with me, did tell me he did see
there was a design of bringing another man in his room, and took notice
of my sorting myself with others, and that we did business by ourselves
without him. Part of which is true, but I denied, and truly, any design
of doing him any such wrong as that. He told me he did not say it
particularly of me, but he was confident there was somebody intended
to be brought in, nay, that the trayne was laid before Sir W. Pen went,
which I was glad to hear him say. Upon the whole I see he perceives
himself tottering, and that he is suspected, and would be kind to me,
but I do my business in the office and neglect him. At night writing
in my study a mouse ran over my table, which I shut up fast under my
shelf’s upon my table till to-morrow, and so home and to bed.
7th. Up by four o’clock and to my office, and by and by Mr. Cooper
comes and to our modell, which pleases me more and more. At this till
8 o’clock, and so we sat in the office and staid all the morning, my
interest still growing, for which God be praised. This morning I got
unexpectedly the Reserve for Mr. Cooper to be maister of, which was only
by taking an opportune time to motion [it], which is one good effect of
my being constant at the office, that nothing passes without me; and I
have the choice of my own time to propose anything I would have. Dined
at home, and to the office again at my business all the afternoon till
night, and so to supper and to bed. It being become a pleasure to me
now-a-days to follow my business, and the greatest part may be imputed
to my drinking no wine, and going to no plays.
8th. Up by four o’clock in the morning, and at five by water to
Woolwich, there to see the manner of tarring, and all the morning
looking to see the several proceedings in making of cordage, and other
things relating to that sort of works, much to my satisfaction. At noon
came Mr. Coventry on purpose from Hampton Court to see the same, and
dined with Mr. Falconer, and after dinner to several experiments of
Hemp, and particularly some Milan hemp that is brought over ready
dressed. Thence we walked talking, very good discourse all the way to
Greenwich, and I do find most excellent discourse from him. Among other
things, his rule of suspecting every man that proposes any thing to him
to be a knave; or, at least, to have some ends of his own in it. Being
led thereto by the story of Sir John Millicent, that would have had a
patent from King James for every man to have had leave to have given him
a shilling; and that he might take it of every man that had a mind to
give it, and being answered that that was a fair thing, but what needed
he a patent for it, and what he would do to them that would not give
him. He answered, he would not force them; but that they should come to
the Council of State, to give a reason why they would not. Another rule
is a proverb that he hath been taught, which is that a man that cannot
sit still in his chamber (the reason of which I did not understand him),
and he that cannot say no (that is, that is of so good a nature that he
cannot deny any thing, or cross another in doing any thing), is not fit
for business. The last of which is a very great fault of mine, which
I must amend in. Thence by boat; I being hot, he put the skirt of
his cloak about me; and it being rough, he told me the passage of a
Frenchman through London Bridge, where, when he saw the great fall, he
begun to cross himself and say his prayers in the greatest fear in the
world, and soon as he was over, he swore “Morbleu! c’est le plus grand
plaisir du monde,” being the most like a French humour in the world.
[When the first editions of this Diary were printed no note was
required here. Before the erection of the present London Bridge the
fall of water at the ebb tide was great, and to pass at that time
was called “Shooting the bridge”. It was very hazardous for small
boats. The ancient mode, even in Henry VIII.’s time, of going to
the Tower and Greenwich, was to land at the Three Cranes, in Upper
Thames Street, suffer the barges to shoot the bridge, and to enter
them again at Billingsgate. See Cavendish’s “Wolsey,” p. 40, ed.
1852]
To Deptford, and there surprised the Yard, and called them to a muster,
and discovered many abuses, which we shall be able to understand
hereafter and amend. Thence walked to Redriffe, and so to London Bridge,
where I parted with him, and walked home and did a little business, and
to supper and to bed.
9th. Up by four o’clock or a little after, and to my office, whither by
and by comes Cooper, to whom I told my getting for him the Reserve, for
which he was very thankful, and fell to work upon our modell, and did a
good morning’s work upon the rigging, and am very sorry that I must lose
him so soon. By and by comes Mr. Coventry, and he and I alone sat at the
office all the morning upon business. And so to dinner to Trinity House,
and thence by his coach towards White Hall; but there being a stop at
the Savoy, we ‘light and took water, and my Lord Sandwich being out of
town, we parted there, all the way having good discourse, and in short I
find him the most ingenuous person I ever found in my life, and am
happy in his acquaintance and my interest in him. Home by water, and did
business at my office. Writing a letter to my brother John to dissuade
him from being Moderator of his year, which I hear is proffered him,
of which I am very glad. By and by comes Cooper, and he and I by
candlelight at my modell, being willing to learn as much of him as is
possible before he goes. So home and to bed.
10th (Lord’s day). Being to dine at my brother’s, I walked to St.
Dunstan’s, the church being now finished; and here I heard Dr. Bates,’
who made a most eloquent sermon; and I am sorry I have hitherto had so
low an opinion of the man, for I have not heard a neater sermon a great
while, and more to my content. So to Tom’s, where Dr. Fairebrother,
newly come from Cambridge, met me, and Dr. Thomas Pepys. I framed myself
as pleasant as I could, but my mind was another way. Hither came my
uncle Fenner, hearing that I was here, and spoke to me about Pegg Kite’s
business of her portion, which her husband demands, but I will have
nothing to do with it. I believe he has no mind to part with the money
out of his hands, but let him do what he will with it. He told me the
new service-book--[The Common Prayer Book of 1662, now in use.]--(which
is now lately come forth) was laid upon their deske at St. Sepulchre’s
for Mr. Gouge to read; but he laid it aside, and would not meddle
with it: and I perceive the Presbyters do all prepare to give over all
against Bartholomew-tide.
[Thomas Gouge (1609-1681), an eminent Presbyterian minister, son of
William Gouge, D.D. (lecturer at and afterwards Rector of St.
Anne’s, Blackfriars). He was vicar of the parish of St. Sepulchre
from 1638 until the Act of Uniformity, in 1662, forced him to resign
his living.]
Mr. Herring, being lately turned out at St. Bride’s, did read the psalm
to the people while they sung at Dr. Bates’s, which methought is
a strange turn. After dinner to St. Bride’s, and there heard one
Carpenter, an old man, who, they say, hath been a Jesuit priest, and is
come over to us; but he preaches very well. So home with Mrs. Turner,
and there hear that Mr. Calamy hath taken his farewell this day of his
people, and that others will do so the next Sunday. Mr. Turner, the
draper, I hear, is knighted, made Alderman, and pricked for Sheriffe,
with Sir Thomas Bluddel, for the next year, by the King, and so are
called with great honour the King’s Sheriffes. Thence walked home,
meeting Mr. Moore by the way, and he home with me and walked till it was
dark in the garden, and so good night, and I to my closet in my office
to perfect my Journall and to read my solemn vows, and so to bed.
11th. All the morning at the office. Dined at home all alone, and so to
my office again, whither Dean Fuller came to see me, and having business
about a ship to carry his goods to Dublin, whither he is shortly to
return, I went with him to the Hermitage, and the ship happening to be
Captn. Holland’s I did give orders for them to be well looked after, and
thence with him to the Custom House about getting a pass for them, and
so to the Dolphin tavern, where I spent 6d. on him, but drank but one
glass of wine, and so parted. He tells me that his niece, that sings
so well, whom I have long longed to see, is married to one Mr. Boys, a
wholesale man at the Three Crowns in Cheapside. I to the office again,
whither Cooper came and read his last lecture to me upon my modell, and
so bid me good bye, he being to go to-morrow to Chatham to take charge
of the ship I have got him. So to my business till 9 at night, and so
to supper and to bed, my mind a little at ease because my house is now
quite tiled.
12th. Up early at my office, and I find all people beginning to come to
me. Among others Mr. Deane, the Assistant of Woolwich, who I find will
discover to me the whole abuse that his Majesty suffers in the measuring
of timber, of which I shall be glad. He promises me also a modell of a
ship, which will please me exceedingly, for I do want one of my own.
By and by we sat, and among other things Sir W. Batten and I had a
difference about his clerk’s making a warrant for a Maister, which
I would not suffer, but got another signed, which he desires may be
referred to a full board, and I am willing to it. But though I did
get another signed of my own clerk’s, yet I will give it to his clerk,
because I would not be judged unkind, and though I will stand upon my
privilege. At noon home and to dinner alone, and so to the office again,
where busy all the afternoon till to o’clock at night, and so to supper
and to bed, my mind being a little disquieted about Sir W. Batten’s
dispute to-day, though this afternoon I did speak with his man Norman at
last, and told him the reason of my claim.
13th. Up early, and to my office, where people come to me about
business, and by and by we met on purpose to enquire into the business
of the flag-makers, where I am the person that do chiefly manage the
business against them on the King’s part; and I do find it the greatest
cheat that I have yet found; they having eightpence per yard allowed
them by pretence of a contract, where no such thing appears; and it is
threepence more than was formerly paid, and than I now offer the Board
to have them done. We did not fully end it, but refer it to another
time. At noon Commr. Pett and I by water to Greenwich, and on board the
pleasure-boats to see what they wanted, they being ordered to sea, and
very pretty things I still find them, and so on shore and at the Shipp
had a bit of meat and dined, there waiting upon us a barber of Mr.
Pett’s acquaintance that plays very well upon the viollin. Thence to
Lambeth; and there saw the little pleasure-boat in building by the
King, my Lord Brunkard, and the virtuosoes of the town, according to new
lines, which Mr. Pett cries up mightily, but how it will prove we shall
soon see. So by water home, and busy at my study late, drawing a letter
to the yards of reprehension and direction for the board to sign, in
which I took great pains. So home and to bed.
14th. Up early and to look on my works, and find my house to go on
apace. So to my office to prepare business, and then we met and sat till
noon, and then Commissioner Pett and I being invited, went by Sir John
Winter’s coach sent for us, to the Mitre, in Fenchurch street, to a
venison-pasty; where I found him a very worthy man; and good discourse.
Most of which was concerning the Forest of Dean, and the timber there,
and iron-workes with their great antiquity, and the vast heaps of
cinders which they find, and are now of great value, being necessary for
the making of iron at this day; and without which they cannot work: with
the age of many trees there left at a great fall in Edward the Third’s
time, by the name of forbid-trees, which at this day are called vorbid
trees. Thence to my office about business till late, and so home and to
bed.
15th. Up very early, and up about seeing how my work proceeds, and am
pretty well pleased therewith; especially my wife’s closet will be very
pretty. So to the office and there very busy, and many people coming
to me. At noon to the Change, and there hear of some Quakers that are
seized on, that would have blown up the prison in Southwark where they
are put. So to the Swan, in Old Fish Street, where Mr. Brigden and his
father-in-law, Blackbury, of whom we had bought timber in the office,
but have not dealt well with us, did make me a fine dinner only to
myself; and after dinner comes in a jugler, which shewed us very pretty
tricks. I seemed very pleasant, but am no friend to the man’s dealings
with us in the office. After an hour or two sitting after dinner talking
about office business, where I had not spent any time a great while,
I went to Paul’s Church Yard to my bookseller’s; and there I hear that
next Sunday will be the last of a great many Presbyterian ministers in
town, who, I hear, will give up all. I pray God the issue may be good,
for the discontent is great. Home and to my office till 9 at night doing
business, and so to bed. My mind well pleased with a letter I found at
home from Mr. Coventry, expressing his satisfaction in a letter I writ
last night, and sent him this morning, to be corrected by him in order
to its sending down to all the Yards as a charge to them.
17th (Lord’s day). Up very early, this being the last Sunday that the
Presbyterians are to preach, unless they read the new Common Prayer and
renounce the Covenant,
[On St. Bartholomew’s day, August 24th, 1662, the Act of Uniformity
took effect, and about two hundred Presbyterian and Independent
ministers lost their preferments.]
and so I had a mind to hear Dr. Bates’s farewell sermon, and walked
thither, calling first at my brother’s, where I found that he is come
home after being a week abroad with Dr. Pepys, nobody knows where, nor I
but by chance, that he was gone, which troubles me. So I called only at
the door, but did not ask for him, but went to Madam Turner’s to know
whether she went to church, and to tell her that I would dine with her;
and so walked to St. Dunstan’s, where, it not being seven o’clock
yet, the doors were not open; and so I went and walked an hour in the
Temple-garden, reading my vows, which it is a great content to me to
see how I am a changed man in all respects for the better, since I took
them, which the God of Heaven continue to me, and make me thankful for.
At eight o’clock I went, and crowded in at a back door among others, the
church being half-full almost before any doors were open publicly; which
is the first time that I have done so these many years since I used to
go with my father and mother, and so got into the gallery, beside the
pulpit, and heard very well. His text was, “Now the God of Peace--;” the
last Hebrews, and the 20th verse: he making a very good sermon, and very
little reflections in it to any thing of the times. Besides the sermon,
I was very well pleased with the sight of a fine lady that I have often
seen walk in Graye’s Inn Walks, and it was my chance to meet her again
at the door going out, and very pretty and sprightly she is, and I
believe the same that my wife and I some years since did meet at Temple
Bar gate and have sometimes spoke of. So to Madam Turner’s, and dined
with her. She had heard Parson Herring take his leave; tho’ he, by
reading so much of the Common Prayer as he did, hath cast himself out of
the good opinion of both sides. After dinner to St. Dunstan’s again; and
the church quite crowded before I came, which was just at one o’clock;
but I got into the gallery again, but stood in a crowd and did
exceedingly sweat all the time. He pursued his text again very well; and
only at the conclusion told us, after this manner: “I do believe that
many of you do expect that I should say something to you in reference to
the time, this being the last time that possibly I may appear here.
You know it is not my manner to speak any thing in the pulpit that is
extraneous to my text and business; yet this I shall say, that it is not
my opinion, fashion, or humour that keeps me from complying with what is
required of us; but something which, after much prayer, discourse, and
study yet remains unsatisfied, and commands me herein. Wherefore, if it
is my unhappiness not to receive such an illumination as should direct
me to do otherwise, I know no reason why men should not pardon me in
this world, and am confident that God will pardon me for it in the
next.” And so he concluded. Parson Herring read a psalm and chapters
before sermon; and one was the chapter in the Acts, where the story of
Ananias and Sapphira is. And after he had done, says he, “This is just
the case of England at present. God he bids us to preach, and men bid
us not to preach; and if we do, we are to be imprisoned and further
punished. All that I can say to it is, that I beg your prayers, and the
prayers of all good Christians, for us.” This was all the exposition he
made of the chapter in these very words, and no more. I was much pleased
with Dr. Bates’s manner of bringing in the Lord’s Prayer after his own;
thus, “In whose comprehensive words we sum up all our imperfect desires;
saying, ‘Our Father,’” &c. Church being done and it raining I took a
hackney coach and so home, being all in a sweat and fearful of getting
cold. To my study at my office, and thither came Mr. Moore to me and
walked till it was quite dark. Then I wrote a letter to my Lord Privy
Seale as from my Lord for Mr.-------to be sworn directly by deputy to my
Lord, he denying to swear him as deputy together with me. So that I am
now clear of it, and the profit is now come to be so little that I am
not displeased at my getting off so well. He being gone I to my study
and read, and so to eat a bit of bread and cheese and so to bed. I hear
most of the Presbyters took their leaves to-day, and that the City is
much dissatisfied with it. I pray God keep peace among us, and make the
Bishops careful of bringing in good men in their rooms, or else all will
fly a-pieces; for bad ones will not [go] down with the City.
18th. Up very early, and up upon my house to see how work goes on, which
do please me very well. So about seven o’clock took horse and rode to
Bowe, and there staid at the King’s Head, and eat a breakfast of eggs
till Mr. Deane of Woolwich came to me, and he and I rid into Waltham
Forest, and there we saw many trees of the King’s a-hewing; and he
showed me the whole mystery of off square,
[Off-square is evidently a mistake, in the shorthand MS., for half
square.]
wherein the King is abused in the timber that he buys, which I shall
with much pleasure be able to correct. After we had been a good while in
the wood, we rode to Illford, and there, while dinner was getting ready,
he and I practised measuring of the tables and other things till I did
understand measuring of timber and board very well. So to dinner and by
and by, being sent for, comes Mr. Cooper, our officer in the Forest, and
did give me an account of things there, and how the country is backward
to come in with their carts. By and by comes one Mr. Marshall, of whom
the King has many carriages for his timber, and they staid and drank
with me, and while I am here, Sir W. Batten passed by in his coach,
homewards from Colchester, where he had been seeing his son-in-law,
Lemon, that lies a-dying, but I would take no notice of him, but let him
go. By and by I got a horseback again and rode to Barking, and there saw
the place where they ship this timber for Woolwich; and so Deane and I
home again, and parted at Bowe, and I home just before a great showre of
rayne, as God would have it. I find Deane a pretty able man, and able to
do the King service; but, I think, more out of envy to the rest of the
officers of the yard, of whom he complains much, than true love, more
than others, to the service. He would fain seem a modest man, and
yet will commend his own work and skill, and vie with other persons,
especially the Petts, but I let him alone to hear all he will say.
Whiled away the evening at my office trying to repeat the rules of
measuring learnt this day, and so to bed with my mind very well pleased
with this day’s work.
19th. Up betimes and to see how my work goes on. Then Mr. Creed came
to me, and he and I walked an hour or two till 8 o’clock in the garden,
speaking of our accounts one with another and then things public. Among
other things he tells me that my Lord has put me into Commission with
himself and many noblemen and others for Tangier, which, if it be, is
not only great honour, but may be of profit too, and I am very glad of
it. By and by to sit at the office; and Mr. Coventry did tell us of
the duell between Mr. Jermyn, nephew to my Lord St. Albans, and Colonel
Giles Rawlins, the latter of whom is killed, and the first mortally
wounded, as it is thought. They fought against Captain Thomas Howard, my
Lord Carlisle’s brother, and another unknown; who, they say, had armour
on that they could not be hurt, so that one of their swords went up to
the hilt against it. They had horses ready, and are fled. But what is
most strange, Howard sent one challenge, but they could not meet,
and then another, and did meet yesterday at the old Pall Mall at St.
James’s, and would not to the last tell Jermyn what the quarrel was;
nor do any body know. The Court is much concerned in this fray, and I am
glad of it; hoping that it will cause some good laws against it. After
sitting, Sir G. Carteret and I walked a good while in the garden, who
told me that Sir W. Batten had made his complaint to him that some of
us had a mind to do him a bad turn, but I do not see that Sir George is
concerned for him at all, but rather against him. He professes all love
to me, and did tell me how he had spoke of me to my Lord Chancellor, and
that if my Lord Sandwich would ask my Lord Chancellor, he should know
what he had said of me to him to my advantage, of which I am very glad,
and do not doubt that all things will grow better and better every day
for me. Dined at home alone, then to my office, and there till late at
night doing business, and so home, eat a bit, and to bed.
20th. Up early, and to my office, and thence to my Lord Sandwich, whom
I found in bed, and he sent for me in. Among other talk, he do tell me
that he hath put me into commission with a great many great persons in
the business of Tangier, which is a very great honour to me, and may be
of good concernment to me. By and by comes in Mr. Coventry to us, whom
my Lord tells that he is also put into the commission, and that I am
there, of which he said he was glad; and did tell my Lord that I was
indeed the life of this office, and much more to my commendation beyond
measure. And that, whereas before he did bear me respect for his sake,
he do do it now much more for my own; which is a great blessing to me.
Sir G. Carteret having told me what he did yesterday concerning his
speaking to my Lord Chancellor about me. So that on all hands, by God’s
blessing, I find myself a very rising man. By and by comes my Lord
Peterborough in, with whom we talked a good while, and he is going
tomorrow towards Tangier again. I perceive there is yet good hopes of
peace with Guyland,--[A Moorish usurper, who had put himself at the head
of an army for the purpose of attacking Tangier.--B.]--which is of
great concernment to Tangier. And many other things I heard which yet
I understand not, and so cannot remember. My Lord and Lord Peterborough
going out to the Solicitor General about the drawing up of this
Commission, I went to Westminster Hall with Mr. Moore, and there
meeting Mr. Townsend, he would needs take me to Fleet Street, to one
Mr. Barwell, squire sadler to the King, and there we and several other
Wardrobe-men dined. We had a venison pasty, and other good plain and
handsome dishes; the mistress of the house a pretty, well-carriaged
woman, and a fine hand she hath; and her maid a pretty brown lass. But
I do find my nature ready to run back to my old course of drinking
wine and staying from my business, and yet, thank God, I was not
fully contented with it, but did stay at little ease, and after dinner
hastened home by water, and so to my office till late at night. In the
evening Mr. Hayward came to me to advise with me about the business of
the Chest, which I have now a mind to put in practice, though I know it
will vex Sir W. Batten, which is one of the ends (God forgive me) that I
have in it. So home, and eat a bit, and to bed.
21st. Up early, and to my office, and by and by we sat all the morning.
At noon, though I was invited to my uncle Fenner’s to dinner to a haunch
of venison I sent him yesterday, yet I did not go, but chose to go to
Mr. Rawlinson’s, where my uncle Wight and my aunt, and some neighbour
couples were at a very good venison pasty. Hither came, after we were
set down, a most pretty young lady (only her hands were not white nor
handsome), which pleased me well, and I found her to be sister to Mrs.
Anne Wight that comes to my uncle Wight’s. We were good company, and
had a very pretty dinner. And after dinner some talk, I with my aunt
and this young lady about their being [at] Epsom, from whence they came
to-day, and so home and to my office, and there doing business till past
9 at night, and so home and to bed. But though I drank no wine to-day,
yet how easily was I of my own accord stirred up to desire my aunt and
this pretty lady (for it was for her that I did it) to carry them to
Greenwich and see the pleasure boats. But my aunt would not go, of which
since I am much glad.
22nd. About three o’clock this morning I waked with the noise of the
rayne, having never in my life heard a more violent shower; and then the
catt was lockt in the chamber, and kept a great mewing, and leapt upon
the bed, which made me I could not sleep a great while. Then to sleep,
and about five o’clock rose, and up to my office, and about 8 o’clock
went down to Deptford, and there with Mr. Davis did look over most of
his stores; by the same token in the great storehouse, while Captain
Badily was talking to us, one from a trap-door above let fall unawares
a coyle of cable, that it was 10,000 to one it had not broke Captain
Badily’s neck, it came so near him, but did him no hurt. I went on
with looking and informing myself of the stores with great delight, and
having done there, I took boat home again and dined, and after dinner
sent for some of my workmen and did scold at them so as I hope my work
will be hastened. Then by water to Westminster Hall, and there I hear
that old Mr. Hales did lately die suddenly in an hour’s time. Here I
met with Will Bowyer, and had a promise from him of a place to stand
to-morrow at his house to see the show. Thence to my Lord’s, and
thither sent for Mr. Creed, who came, and walked together talking about
business, and then to his lodgings at Clerke’s, the confectioner’s,
where he did give me a little banquet, and I had liked to have begged
a parrot for my wife, but he hath put me in a way to get a better from
Steventon; at Portsmouth. But I did get of him a draught of Tangier to
take a copy by, which pleases me very well. So home by water and to my
office, where late, and so home to bed.
23d. Up early, and about my works in my house, to see what is done and
design more. Then to my office, and by and by we sat till noon at the
office. After sitting, Mr. Coventry and I did walk together a great
while in the Garden, where he did tell me his mind about Sir G.
Carteret’s having so much the command of the money, which must be
removed. And indeed it is the bane of all our business. He observed
to me also how Sir W. Batten begins to struggle and to look after his
business, which he do indeed a little, but it will come to nothing. I
also put him upon getting an order from the Duke for our inquiries
into the Chest, which he will see done. So we parted, and Mr. Creed by
appointment being come, he and I went out together, and at an ordinary
in Lumbard Streete dined together, and so walked down to the Styllyard,
and so all along Thames-street, but could not get a boat: I offered
eight shillings for a boat to attend me this afternoon, and they would
not, it being the day of the Queen’s coming to town from Hampton Court.
So we fairly walked it to White Hall, and through my Lord’s lodgings we
got into White Hall garden, and so to the Bowling-green, and up to the
top of the new Banqueting House there, over the Thames, which was a
most pleasant place as any I could have got; and all the show consisted
chiefly in the number of boats and barges; and two pageants, one of a
King, and another of a Queen, with her Maydes of Honour sitting at her
feet very prettily; and they tell me the Queen is Sir. Richard Ford’s
daughter. Anon come the King and Queen in a barge under a canopy with
10,000 barges and boats, I think, for we could see no water for them,
nor discern the King nor Queen. And so they landed at White Hall Bridge,
and the great guns on the other side went off: But that which pleased me
best was, that my Lady Castlemaine stood over against us upon a piece of
White Hall, where I glutted myself with looking on her. But methought it
was strange to see her Lord and her upon the same place walking up and
down without taking notice one of another, only at first entry he put
off his hat, and she made him a very civil salute, but afterwards took
no notice one of another; but both of them now and then would take their
child, which the nurse held in her armes, and dandle it. One thing more;
there happened a scaffold below to fall, and we feared some hurt, but
there was none, but she of all the great ladies only run down among the
common rabble to see what hurt was done, and did take care of a child
that received some little hurt, which methought was so noble. Anon there
came one there booted and spurred that she talked long with. And by and
by, she being in her hair, she put on his hat, which was but an ordinary
one, to keep the wind off. But methinks it became her mightily, as every
thing else do. The show being over, I went away, not weary with looking
on her, and to my Lord’s lodgings, where my brother Tom and Dr. Thomas
Pepys were to speak with me. So I walked with them in the garden, and
was very angry with them both for their going out of town without my
knowledge; but they told me the business, which was to see a gentlewoman
for a wife for Tom, of Mr. Cooke’s providing, worth L500, of good
education, her name Hobell, and lives near Banbury, demands L40 per
annum joynter. Tom likes her, and, they say, had a very good reception,
and that Cooke hath been very serviceable therein, and that she is
committed to old Mr. Young, of the Wardrobe’s, tuition. After I had told
them my mind about their folly in going so unadvisedly, I then begun to
inquire after the business, and so did give no answer as to my opinion
till I have looked farther into it by Mr. Young. By and by, as we were
walking in my Lord’s walk, comes my Lord, and so we broke our discourse
and went in with him, and after I had put them away I went in to my
Lord, and he and I had half an hour’s private discourse about the
discontents of the times, which we concluded would not come to anything
of difference, though the Presbyters would be glad enough of it; but we
do not think religion will so soon cause another war. Then to his own
business. He asked my advice there, whether he should go on to purchase
more land and to borrow money to pay for it, which he is willing to do,
because such a bargain as that of Mr. Buggins’s, of Stukely, will not
be every day to be had, and Brampton is now perfectly granted him by the
King--I mean the reversion of it--after the Queen’s death; and, in the
meantime, he buys it of Sir Peter Ball his present right. Then we fell
to talk of Navy business, and he concludes, as I do, that he needs not
put himself upon any more voyages abroad to spend money, unless a war
comes; and that by keeping his family awhile in the country, he shall be
able to gather money. He is glad of a friendship with Mr. Coventry, and
I put him upon increasing it, which he will do, but he (as Mr. Coventry
do) do much cry against the course of our payments and the Treasurer to
have the whole power in his own hands of doing what he will, but I think
will not meddle in himself. He told me also that in the Commission for
Tangier Mr. Coventry had advised him that Mr. Povy, who intended to be
Treasurer,
[Thomas Povy, who had held, under Cromwell, a high situation in the
Office of Plantations, was appointed in July, 1660, Treasurer and
Receiver-General of the Rents and Revenues of James, Duke of York;
but his royal master’s affairs falling into confusion, he
surrendered his patent on the 27th July, 1668, for a consideration
of L2,000. He was also First Treasurer for Tangier, which office he
resigned to Pepys. Povy, had apartments at Whitehall, besides his
lodgings in Lincoln’s Inn, and a villa near Hounslow, called the
Priory, which he had inherited from Justinian Povy, who purchased it
in 1625. He was one of the sons of Justinian Povy, Auditor-General
to Queen Anne of Denmark in 1614, whose father was John Povy,
citizen and embroiderer of London.]
and it is intended him, may not be of the Commission itself, and my Lord
I think will endeavour to get him to be contented to be left out of the
Commission, and it is a very good rule indeed that the Treasurer in no
office ought to be of the Commission. Here we broke off, and I bid him
good night, and so with much ado, the streets being at nine o’clock at
night crammed with people going home to the city, for all the borders
of the river had been full of people, as the King had come, to a miracle
got to the Palace Yard, and there took boat, and so to the Old Swan, and
so walked home, and to bed very weary.
24th (Lord’s day). Slept till 7 o’clock, which I have not done a very
great while, but it was my weariness last night that caused it. So
rose and to my office till church time, writing down my yesterday’s
observations, and so to church, where I all alone, and found Will
Griffin and Thomas Hewett got into the pew next to our backs, where our
maids sit, but when I come, they went out; so forward some people are to
outrun themselves. Here we had a lazy, dull sermon. So home to dinner,
where my brother Tom came to me, and both before and after dinner he and
I walked all alone in the garden, talking about his late journey and his
mistress, and for what he tells me it is like to do well. He being gone,
I to church again, where Mr. Mills, making a sermon upon confession, he
did endeavour to pull down auricular confession, but did set it up by
his bad arguments against it, and advising people to come to him to
confess their sins when they had any weight upon their consciences, as
much as is possible, which did vex me to hear. So home, and after an
hour’s being in my office alone, looking over the plates and globes, I
walked to my uncle Wight’s, the truth is, in hopes to have seen and been
acquainted with the pretty lady that came along with them to dinner
the other day to Mr. Rawlinson, but she is gone away. But here I staid
supper, and much company there was; among others, Dr. Burnett, Mr. Cole
the lawyer, Mr. Rawlinson, and Mr. Sutton, a brother of my aunt’s, that
I never saw before. Among other things they tell me that there hath been
a disturbance in a church in Friday Street; a great many young people
knotting together and crying out “Porridge”
[A nickname given by the Dissenters to the Prayer-Book. In Mrs.
Behn’s “City Heiress” (1682), Sir Anthony says to Sir Timothy, “You
come from Church, too.” Sir Timothy replies, “Ay, needs must when
the Devil drives--I go to save my bacon, as they say, once a month,
and that too after the Porridge is served up.” Scott quotes, in his
notes to “Woodstock,” a pamphlet entitled, “Vindication of the Book
of Common Prayer, against the contumelious Slanders of the Fanatic
party terming it Porridge.”]
often and seditiously in the church, and took the Common Prayer Book,
they say, away; and, some say, did tear it; but it is a thing which
appears to me very ominous. I pray God avert it. After supper home and
to bed.
25th. Up early, and among my workmen when they came, and set them
in good order at work on all hands, which, though it at first began
angrily, yet I pleased myself afterwards in seeing it put into a good
posture, and so I left them, and away by water to Woolwich (calling in
my way in Hamcreek, where I have never been before, and there found two
of the King’s ships lie there without any living creature aboard, which
troubled me, every thing being stole away that can be), where I staid
seeing a cable of 14 inches laid, in which there was good variety. Then
to Mr. Falconer’s, and there eat a bit of roast meat off of the spit,
and so away to the yard, and there among other things mustered the yard,
and did things that I perceive people do begin to value me, and that I
shall be able to be of command in all matters, which God be praised for.
Then to Mr. Pett’s, and there eat some fruit and drank, and so to boat
again, and to Deptford, calling there about the business of my house
only, and so home, where by appointment I found Mr. Coventry, Sir W.
Batten, and Mr. Waith met at Sir W. Batten’s, and thither I met, and so
agreed upon a way of answering my Lord Treasurer’s letter. Here I found
Mr. Coventry had got a letter from the Duke, sent us for looking into
the business of the Chest, of which I am glad. After we had done here I
went home, and up among my workmen, and found they had done a good day’s
work, and so to my office till late ordering of several businesses, and
so home and to bed, my mind, God be praised, full of business, but great
quiet.
26th. Up betimes and among my works and workmen, and with great pleasure
seeing them go on merrily, and a good many hands, which I perceive makes
good riddance, and so to the office, where we sat all the morning, and
at noon dined alone with Sir W. Batten, which I have not done a great
while, but his lady being out of the way I was the willinger to do it,
and after dinner he and I by water to Deptford, and there found Sir
G. Carteret and my Lady at dinner, and so we sat down and eat another
dinner of venison with them, and so we went to the payhouse, and there
staid till to o’clock at night paying off the Martin and Kinsale, being
small but troublesome ships to pay, and so in the dark by water home to
the Custom House, and so got a lanthorn to light us home, there being
Mr. Morrice the wine cooper with us, he having been at Deptford to view
some of the King’s casks we have to sell. So to bed.
27th. Up and among my workmen, my work going on still very well. So to
my office all the morning, and dined again with Sir W. Batten, his Lady
being in the country. Among other stories, he told us of the Mayor of
Bristoll’s reading a pass with the bottom upwards; and a barber that
could not read, that flung a letter in the kennel when one came to
desire him to read the superscription, saying, “Do you think I stand
here to read letters?” Among my workmen again, pleasing myself all the
afternoon there, and so to the office doing business till past 9 at
night, and so home and to bed. This afternoon Mrs. Hunt came to see me,
and I did give her a Muske Millon. To-day my hogshead of sherry I have
sold to Sir W. Batten, and am glad of my money instead of wine. After I
had wrote this at my office (as I have of late altogether done since my
wife has been in the country) I went into my house, and Will having been
making up books at Deptford with other clerks all day, I did not think
he was come home, but was in fear for him, it being very late, what was
become of him. But when I came home I found him there at his ease in his
study, which vexed me cruelly, that he should no more mind me, but to
let me be all alone at the office waiting for him. Whereupon I struck
him, and did stay up till 12 o’clock at night chiding him for it, and
did in plain terms tell him that I would not be served so, and that I am
resolved to look out some boy that I may have the bringing up of after
my own mind, and which I do intend to do, for I do find that he has got
a taste of liberty since he came to me that he will not leave. Having
discharged my mind, I went to bed.
28th. I observe that Will, whom I used to call two or three times in
a morning, would now wake of himself and rise without calling. Which
though angry I was glad to see. So I rose and among my workmen, in my
gown, without a doublet, an hour or two or more, till I was afraid of
getting an ague, and so to the office, and there we sat all the morning,
and at noon Mr. Coventry and I dined at Sir W. Batten’s, where I have
now dined three days together, and so in the afternoon again we sat,
which we intend to do two afternoons in a week besides our other
sitting. In the evening we rose, and I to see how my work goes on, and
so to my office, writing by the post and doing other matters, and so
home and to bed late.
29th. Up betimes and among my workmen, where I did stay with them the
greatest part of the morning, only a little at the office, and so to
dinner alone at home, and so to my workmen again, finding my presence to
carry on the work both to my mind and with more haste, and I thank God
I am pleased with it. At night, the workmen being gone, I went to my
office, and among other businesses did begin to-night with Mr. Lewes
to look into the nature of a purser’s account, and the business of
victualling, in which there is great variety; but I find I shall
understand it, and be able to do service there also. So being weary and
chill, being in some fear of an ague, I went home and to bed.
30th. Up betimes among my workmen, and so to the office, where we sat
all the morning, and at noon rose and had news that Sir W. Pen would be
in town from Ireland, which I much wonder at, he giving so little notice
of it, and it troubled me exceedingly what to do for a lodging, and
more what to do with my goods, that are all in his house; but at last I
resolved to let them lie there till Monday, and so got Griffin to get
a lodging as near as he could, which is without a door of our back door
upon Tower Hill, a chamber where John Pavis, one of our clerks, do lie
in, but he do provide himself elsewhere, and I am to have his chamber.
So at the office all the afternoon and the evening till past to at night
expecting Sir W. Pen’s coming, but he not coming to-night I went thither
and there lay very well, and like my lodging well enough. My man Will
after he had got me to bed did go home and lay there, and my maid Jane
lay among my goods at Sir W. Pen’s.
31st (Lord’s day). Waked early, but being in a strange house, did not
rise till 7 o’clock almost, and so rose and read over my oaths, and
whiled away an hour thinking upon businesses till Will came to get me
ready, and so got ready and to my office, and thence to church. After
sermon home and dined alone. News is brought me that Sir W. Pen is come.
But I would take no notice thereof till after dinner, and then sent him
word that I would wait on him, but he is gone to bed. So to my office,
and there made my monthly accounts, and find myself worth in money about
L686 19s. 2 1/2d., for which God be praised; and indeed greatly I hope
to thank Almighty God, who do most manifestly bless me in my endeavours
to do the duties of my office, I now saving money, and my expenses being
little. My wife is still in the country; my house all in dirt; but my
work in a good forwardness, and will be much to my mind at last. In the
afternoon to church, and there heard a simple sermon of a stranger upon
David’s words, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the way of the
ungodly,” &c., and the best of his sermon was the degrees of walking,
standing, and sitting, showing how by steps and degrees sinners do grow
in wickedness. After sermon to my brother Tom’s, who I found has taken
physic to-day, and I talked with him about his country mistress, and
read Cook’s letter, wherein I am well satisfied, and will appear in
promoting it; so back and to Mr. Rawlinson’s, and there supped with him,
and in came my uncle Wight and my aunt. Our discourse of the discontents
that are abroad, among, and by reason of the Presbyters. Some were
clapped up to-day, and strict watch is kept in the City by the
train-bands, and letters of a plot are taken. God preserve us! for all
these things bode very ill. So home, and after going to welcome home Sir
W. Pen, who was unready, going to bed, I staid with him a little while,
and so to my lodging and to bed.