September 1st. Up betimes at my lodging and to my office and among my
workmen, and then with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen by coach to St.
James’s, this being the first day of our meeting there by the Duke’s
order; but when we come, we found him going out by coach with his
Duchess, and he told us he was to go abroad with the Queen to-day (to
Durdans, it seems, to dine with my Lord Barkeley, where I have been very
merry when I was a little boy); so we went and staid a little at Mr.
Coventry’s chamber, and I to my Lord Sandwich’s, who is gone to wait
upon the King and Queen today. And so Mr. Paget being there, Will Howe
and I and he played over some things of Locke’s that we used to play at
sea, that pleased us three well, it being the first music I have heard
a great while, so much has my business of late taken me off from all
my former delights. By and by by water home, and there dined alone, and
after dinner with my brother Tom’s two men I removed all my goods out of
Sir W. Pen’s house into one room that I have with much ado got ready at
my house, and so I am to be quit of any further obligation to him. So to
my office, but missing my key, which I had in my hand just now, makes me
very angry and out of order, it being a thing that I hate in others, and
more in myself, to be careless of keys, I thinking another not fit to be
trusted that leaves a key behind their hole. One thing more vexes me: my
wife writes me from the country that her boy plays the rogue there, and
she is weary of him, and complains also of her maid Sarah, of which I
am also very sorry. Being thus out of temper, I could do little at my
office, but went home and eat a bit, and so to my lodging to bed.
2nd. Up betimes and got myself ready alone, and so to my office, my mind
much troubled for my key that I lost yesterday, and so to my workmen and
put them in order, and so to my office, and we met all the morning, and
then dined at Sir W. Batten’s with Sir W. Pen, and so to my office again
all the afternoon, and in the evening wrote a letter to Mr. Cooke, in
the country, in behalf of my brother Tom, to his mistress, it being the
first of my appearing in it, and if she be as Tom sets her out, it may
be very well for him. So home and eat a bit, and so to my lodging to
bed.
3rd. Up betimes, but now the days begin to shorten, and so whereas I
used to rise by four o’clock, it is not broad daylight now till after
five o’clock, so that it is after five before I do rise. To my office,
and about 8 o’clock I went over to Redriffe, and walked to Deptford,
where I found Mr. Coventry and Sir W. Pen beginning the pay, it being my
desire to be there to-day because it is the first pay that Mr. Coventry
has been at, and I would be thought to be as much with Mr. Coventry as
I can. Here we staid till noon, and by that time paid off the Breda, and
then to dinner at the tavern, where I have obtained that our commons is
not so large as they used to be, which I am glad to see. After dinner by
water to the office, and there we met and sold the Weymouth, Successe,
and Fellowship hulkes, where pleasant to see how backward men are at
first to bid; and yet when the candle is going out, how they bawl and
dispute afterwards who bid the most first. And here I observed one man
cunninger than the rest that was sure to bid the last man, and to carry
it; and inquiring the reason, he told me that just as the flame goes
out the smoke descends, which is a thing I never observed before, and by
that he do know the instant when to bid last, which is very pretty. In
our discourse in the boat Mr. Coventry told us how the Fanatiques and
the Presbyters, that did intend to rise about this time, did choose this
day as the most auspicious to them in their endeavours against monarchy:
it being fatal twice to the King, and the day of Oliver’s death.
[Cromwell had considered the 3rd of September as the most fortunate
day of his life, on account of his victories at Dunbar and
Worcester. It was also remarkable for the great storm that occurred
at the time of his death; and as being the day on which the Fire of
London, in 1666, burnt with the greatest fury.--B.]
But, blessed be God! all is likely to be quiet, I hope. After the sale I
walked to my brother’s, in my way meeting with Dr. Fairbrother, of
whom I enquired what news in Church matters. He tells me, what I heard
confirmed since, that it was fully resolved by the King’s new Council
that an indulgence should be granted the Presbyters; but upon the Bishop
of London’s speech
[Gilbert Sheldon, born July 19th, 1598; Fellow of All Souls, Oxford,
1622; Warden, 1635; Bishop of London, 1660-63; Archbishop of
Canterbury, 1663. Died November 9th, 1677.]
(who is now one of the most powerful men in England with the King),
their minds were wholly turned. And it is said that my Lord Albemarle
did oppose him most; but that I do believe is only in appearance. He
told me also that most of the Presbyters now begin to wish they had
complied, now they see that no Indulgence will be granted them, which
they hoped for; and that the Bishop of London hath taken good care that
places are supplied with very good and able men, which is the only thing
that will keep all quiet. I took him in the tavern at Puddle dock, but
neither he nor I drank any of the wine we called for, but left it, and
so after discourse parted, and Mr. Townsend not being at home I went to
my brother’s, and there heard how his love matter proceeded, which do
not displease me, and so by water to White Hall to my Lord’s lodgings,
where he being to go to Hinchingbroke to-morrow morning, I staid and
fiddled with Will. Howe some new tunes very pleasant, and then my Lord
came in and had much kind talk with him, and then to bed with Mr. Moore
there alone. So having taken my leave of my Lord before I went to bed, I
resolved to rise early and be gone without more speaking to him--
4th. Which I did, and by water betimes to the Tower and so home, where
I shifted myself, being to dine abroad, and so being also trimmed, which
is a thing I have very seldom done of late, I gat to my office and then
met and sit all the morning, and at noon we all to the Trinity House,
where we treated, very dearly, I believe, the officers of the Ordnance;
where was Sir W. Compton and the rest and the Lieutenant of the Tower.
We had much and good music, which was my best entertainment. Sir Wm.
Compton I heard talk with great pleasure of the difference between the
fleet now and in Queen Elisabeth’s days; where, in 88, she had but 36
sail great and small, in the world; and ten rounds of powder was their
allowance at that time against the Spaniard. After Sir W. Compton and
Mr. Coventry, and some of the best of the rest were gone, I grew weary
of staying with Sir Williams both, and the more for that my Lady Batten
and her crew, at least half a score, come into the room, and I believe
we shall pay size for it; but ‘tis very pleasant to see her in her
hair under her hood, and how by little and little she would fain be a
gallant; but, Lord! the company she keeps about her are like herself,
that she may be known by them what she is. Being quite weary I stole
from them and to my office, where I did business till 9 at night, and so
to my lodgings to bed.
5th. Up by break of day at 5 o’clock, and down by water to Woolwich: in
my way saw the yacht lately built by our virtuosoes (my Lord Brunkard
and others, with the help of Commissioner Pett also) set out from
Greenwich with the little Dutch bezan, to try for mastery; and before
they got to Woolwich the Dutch beat them half-a-mile (and I hear this
afternoon, that, in coming home, it got above three miles); which all
our people are glad of. Here I staid and mustered the yard and looked
into the storehouses; and so walked all alone to Greenwich, and thence
by water to Deptford, and there examined some stores, and did some of
my own business in hastening my work there, and so walked to Redriffe,
being by this time pretty weary and all in a sweat; took boat there
for the Tower, which made me a little fearful, it being a cold, windy
morning. So to my lodgings and there rubbed myself clean, and so to Mr.
Bland’s, the merchant, by invitation, I alone of all our company of this
office; where I found all the officers of the Customs, very grave fine
gentlemen, and I am very glad to know them; viz.--Sir Job Harvy,
Sir John Wolstenholme, Sir John Jacob, Sir Nicholas Crisp, Sir John
Harrison, and Sir John Shaw: very good company. And among other pretty
discourse, some was of Sir Jerom Bowes, Embassador from Queene Elizabeth
to the Emperor of Russia;
[In 1583; the object of his mission being to persuade the Muscovite
(Ivan IV. the Terrible) to a peace with John, King of Sweden. He
was also employed to confirm the trade of the English with Russia,
and having incurred some personal danger, was received with favour
on his return by the Queen. He died in 1616.]
who, because some of the noblemen there would go up the stairs to the
Emperor before him, he would not go up till the Emperor had ordered
those two men to be dragged down stairs, with their heads knocking
upon every stair till they were killed. And when he was come up, they
demanded his sword of him before he entered the room. He told them, if
they would have his sword, they should have his boots too. And so
caused his boots to be pulled off, and his night-gown and night-cap and
slippers to be sent for; and made the Emperor stay till he could go in
his night-dress, since he might not go as a soldier. And lastly, when
the Emperor in contempt, to show his command of his subjects, did
command one to leap from the window down and broke his neck in the sight
of our Embassador, he replied that his mistress did set more by, and did
make better use of the necks of her subjects but said that, to show
what her subjects would do for her, he would, and did, fling down his
gantlett before the Emperor; and challenged all the nobility there to
take it up, in defence of the Emperor against his Queen: for which, at
this very day, the name of Sir Jerom Bowes is famous and honoured there.
After dinner I came home and found Sir John Minnes come this day, and I
went to him to Sir W. Batten’s, where it pleased me to see how jealous
Sir Williams both are of my going down to Woolwich, &c., and doing
my duty as I nowadays do, and of my dining with the Commission of
the Customs. So to my office, and there till 9 at night, and so to my
lodgings to bed. I this day heard that Mr. Martin Noell is knighted by
the King, which I much wonder at; but yet he is certainly a very useful
man.
6th. Lay long, that is, till 6 and past before I rose, in order to sweat
a little away the cold which I was afraid I might have got yesterday,
but I bless God I am well. So up and to my office, and then we met and
sat till noon, very full of business. Then Sir John Minnes, both Sir
Williams and I to the Trinity House, where we had at dinner a couple of
venison pasties, of which I eat but little, being almost cloyed, having
been at five pasties in three days, namely, two at our own feast,
and one yesterday, and two to-day. So home and at the office all the
afternoon, busy till nine at night, and so to my lodging and to bed.
This afternoon I had my new key and the lock of my office door altered,
having lost my key the other day, which vexed me.
7th (Lord’s day). Up betimes and round about by the streets to my
office, and walked in the garden and in my office till my man Will
rose, and then sent to tell Sir J. Minnes that I would go with him to
Whitehall, which anon we did, in his coach, and to the Chapell, where
I heard a good sermon of the Dean of Ely’s, upon returning to the old
ways, and a most excellent anthem, with symphonys between, sung by
Captain Cooke. Then home with Mr. Fox and his lady; and there dined with
them, where much company come to them. Most of our discourse was what
ministers are flung out that will not conform: and the care of the
Bishop of London that we are here supplied with very good men. Thence
to my Lord’s, where nobody at home but a woman that let me in, and Sarah
above, whither I went up to her and played and talked with her... After
I had talked an hour or two with her I went and gave Mr. Hunt a short
visit, he being at home alone, and thence walked homewards, and meeting
Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon, he took me into Somersett House; and there
carried me into the Queen-Mother’s presence-chamber, where she was with
our own Queen sitting on her left hand (whom I did never see before);
and though she be not very charming, yet she hath a good, modest, and
innocent look, which is pleasing. Here I also saw Madam Castlemaine,
and, which pleased me most, Mr. Crofts, the King’s bastard, a most
pretty spark of about 15 years old, who, I perceive, do hang much upon
my Lady Castlemaine, and is always with her; and, I hear, the Queens
both of them are mighty kind to him.
[James, the son of Charles II. by Lucy Walter, daughter of William
Walter, of Roch Castle, co. Pembroke. He was born April 9th, 1649,
and landed in England with the Queen-Mother, July 28th, 1662, when
he bore the name of Crofts, after Lord Crofts, his governor. He was
created Duke of Monmouth, February 14th, 1663, and married Lady Anne
Scott, daughter and heiress of Francis, second Earl of Buccleuch, on
April 20th following. In 1673 he took the name of Scott, and was
created Duke of Buccleuch.]
By and by in comes the King, and anon the Duke and his Duchess; so that,
they being all together, was such a sight as I never could almost have
happened to see with so much ease and leisure. They staid till it
was dark, and then went away; the King and his Queen, and my Lady
Castlemaine and young Crofts, in one coach and the rest in other,
coaches. Here were great store of great ladies, but very few handsome.
The King and Queen were very merry; and he would have made the
Queen-Mother believe that his Queen was with child, and said that she
said so. And the young Queen answered, “You lye;” which was the first
English word that I ever heard her say which made the King good sport;
and he would have taught her to say in English, “Confess and be hanged.”
The company being gone I walked home with great content as I can be in
for seeing the greatest rarity, and yet a little troubled that I should
see them before my wife’s coming home, I having made a promise that I
would not, nor did I do it industriously and by design, but by chance
only. To my office, to fit myself for waiting on the Duke to-morrow
morning with the rest of our company, and so to my lodgings and to bed.
8th. Up betimes and to my office preparing an account to give the Duke
this morning of what we have of late done at the office. About 7 o’clock
I went forth thinking to go along with Sir John Minnes and the rest, and
I found them gone, which did vex me, so I went directly to the old Swan
and took boat before them to Sir G. Carteret’s lodgings at Whitehall,
and there staying till he was dressed talking with him, he and I to St.
James’s, where Sir Williams both and Sir John were come, and so up with
Mr. Coventry to the Duke; who, after he was out of his bed, did send for
us in; and, when he was quite ready, took us into his closet, and there
told us that he do intend to renew the old custom for the Admirals to
have their principal officers to meet them once a-week, to give them an
account what they have done that week; which I am glad of: and so the
rest did tell his Royal Highness that I could do it best for the time
past. And so I produced my short notes, and did give him an account of
all that we have of late done; and proposed to him several things for
his commands, which he did give us, and so dismissed us. The rest to
Deptford, I to the Exchequer to meet Mr. Townsend, where I hear he
is gone to the Sun tavern, and there found him with some friends at
breakfast, which I eat with him, and so we crossed the water together,
and in walking I told him my brother Tom’s intentions for a wife, which
he would do me all favour in to Mr. Young, whose kinswoman he do look
after. We took boat again at the Falcon, and there parted, and I to the
old Swan, and so to the Change, and there meeting Sir W. Warren did step
to a tavern, and there sat and talked about price of masts and other
things, and so broke up and to my office to see what business, and so
we took water again, and at the Tower I over to Redriffe, and there left
him in the boat and walked to Deptford, and there up and down the yard
speaking with people, and so Sir W. Pen coming out of the payhouse
did single me out to tell me Sir J. Minnes’ dislike of my blinding his
lights over his stairs (which indeed is very bad) and blocking up the
house of office on the leads. Which did trouble me. So I went into the
payhouse and took an occasion of speaking with him alone, and did give
him good satisfaction therein, so as that I am well pleased and do hope
now to have my closet on the leads without any more trouble, for he
do not object against my having a door upon the leads, but that all my
family should not make it a thoroughfare, which I am contented with. So
to the pay, and in the evening home in the barge, and so to my office,
and after doing some business there to my lodgings, and so to bed.
9th. At my office betimes, and by and by we sat, and at noon Mr.
Coventry, Sir J. Minnes, Mr. Pett, and myself by water to Deptford,
where we met Sir G. C., Sir W. B., and Sir W. P. At the pay of a ship,
and we dined together on a haunch of good venison boiled, and after
dinner returned again to the office, and there met several tradesmen by
our appointment to know of them their lowest rates that they will take
for their several provisions that they sell to us, for I do resolve to
know that, and to buy no dearer, that so when we know the lowest rate,
it shall be the Treasurer’s fault, and not ours, that we pay dearer.
This afternoon Sir John Minnes, Mr. Coventry, and I went into Sir John’s
lodgings, where he showed us how I have blinded all his lights, and
stopped up his garden door, and other things he takes notice of that
he resolves to abridge me of, which do vex me so much that for all this
evening and all night in my bed, so great a fool I am, and little master
of my passion, that I could not sleep for the thoughts of my losing the
privilege of the leads, and other things which in themselves are small
and not worth half the trouble. The more fool am I, and must labour
against it for shame, especially I that used to preach up Epictetus’s
rule:
[“Some things are in our power, others are not” Pepys means,
“I ought not to vex myself about what I cannot control.”]
Late at my office, troubled in mind, and then to bed, but could hardly
sleep at night.
10th. Up and to my house, and there contrived a way how Sir John Minnes
shall come into the leads, and yet I save part of the closet I hoped
for, which, if it will not please him, I am a madman to be troubled at
it. To my office, and then at my house among my lazy workmen all day. In
the afternoon to the Wardrobe to speak with Mr. Townsend, who tells me
that he has spoke with Mr. Young about my brother Tom’s business, and
finds that he has made enquiry of him, and do hear him so well spoken of
that he doubts not that the business will take with ordinary endeavours.
So to my brother’s, and there finding both door and hatch open, I went
in and knocked 3 or 4 times, and nobody came to me, which troubled me
mightily; at last came Margaret, who complained of Peter, who by and
by came in, and I did rattle him soundly for it. I did afterwards
take occasion to talk seriously alone with Margaret, who I find a very
discreet, good woman, and tells me, upon my demand, that her master is a
very good husband, and minds his business well, but his fault is that he
has not command over his two men, but they do what they list, and care
not for his commands, and especially on Sundays they go whither they
please, and not to church, which vexes me mightily, and I am resolved to
school [him] soundly for it, it being so much unlike my father, that I
cannot endure it in myself or him. So walked home and in my way at the
Exchange found my uncle Wight, and he and I to an alehouse to drink a
cup of beer, and so away, and I home and at the office till 9 o’clock
and past, and so to my lodgings. I forgot that last night Mr. Cooke
came to me to make his peace for inviting my brother lately out of town
without my leave, but he do give me such a character of the lady that
he has found out for him that I do much rejoice at, and did this night
write a letter to her, which he enclosed in one of his, and by the
report that I hear of her I confess I am much pleased with the match.
11th. Up, but not so soon as I have of late practised, my little trouble
of mind and the shortness of the days making me to lie a little longer
than I used to do, but I must make it up by sitting up longer of nights.
To my office, whither my brother Tom, whom I chide sufficiently for
yesterday’s work. So we sat at the office all the morning, some of us
at Deptford paying the ordinary there; at noon Sir W. Pen took me to his
lodgings to dinner, and after dinner I to my office again, and now and
then to see how my work goes on, and so to my office late, and so to my
lodgings, and after staying up till past 12 at night, at my musique upon
my lute, to bed. This night Tom came to show me a civil letter sent him
from his mistress. I am pleased well enough with the business.
12th. Up betimes and to my office, and up to my workmen, which goes on
slowly and troubles me much. Besides, my mind is troubled till I see how
Sir John Minnes will carry himself to me about my lodgings, for all my
fear is that he will get my best chamber from me, for as for the leads
I care not a farthing for them. At my office all the morning, Mr. Lewes
teaching me to understand the method of making up Purser’s accounts,
which is very needful for me and very hard. Dined at home all in dirt,
and my mind weary of being thus out of order, but I hope in God it will
away, but for the present I am very melancholy, as I have been a great
while. All the afternoon till 9 at night at my office, and then home
and eat an egg or two, and so to my lodgings and to bed. This day, by
letters from my father, I hear that Captain Ferrers, who is with my Lord
in the country, was at Brampton (with Mr. Creed) to see him; and that a
day or two ago, being provoked to strike one of my Lord’s footmen, the
footman drew his sword, and hath almost cut the fingers of one of his
hands off; which I am sorry for: but this is the vanity of being apt to
command and strike.
13th. Up betimes and to my office, and we sat all the morning, and then
at noon dined alone at home, and so among my work folks studying how to
get my way sure to me to go upon the leads, which I fear at last I must
be contented to go without, but, however, my mind is troubled still
about it. We met again in the afternoon to set accounts even between the
King and the masters of ships hired to carry provisions to Lisbon, and
in the evening Mr. Moore came to me and did lie with me at my lodgings.
It is great pleasure to me his company and discourse, and did talk also
about my law business, which I must now fall upon minding again, the
term coming on apace. So to bed.
14th (Lord’s day). Up very early, and Mr. Moore taking leave of me the
barber came and trimmed me (I having him now to come to me again after I
have used a pumice-stone a good while, not but what I like this where
I cannot conveniently have a barber, but here I cannot keep my hair dry
without one), and so by water to White Hall, by the way hearing that the
Bishop of London had given a very strict order against boats going on
Sundays, and as I come back again, we were examined by the masters of
the company in another boat; but I told them who I was. But the door not
being open to Westminster stairs there, called in at the Legg and drank
a cup of ale and a toast, which I have not done many a month before, but
it served me for my two glasses of wine to-day. Thence to St. James’s to
Mr. Coventry, and there staid talking privately with him an hour in his
chamber of the business of our office, and found him to admiration good
and industrious, and I think my most true friend in all things that
are fair. He tells me freely his mind of every man and in every thing.
Thence to White Hall chapel, where sermon almost done, and I heard
Captain Cooke’s new musique. This the first day of having vialls and
other instruments to play a symphony between every verse of the anthem;
but the musique more full than it was the last Sunday, and very fine it
is.
[Charles II. determined to form his own chapel on the model of that
at Versailles. Twenty-four instrumentalists were engaged, and this
was the first day upon which they were brought into requisition.
Evelyn alludes to the change in his Diary, but he puts the date down
as the 21st instead of the 14th. “Instead of the antient, grave and
solemn wind musiq accompanying the organ, was introduc’d a concert
of 24 violins between every pause after the French fantastical light
way, better suiting a tavern or playhouse than a church. This was
the first time of change, and now we no more heard the cornet which
gave life to the organ, that instrument quite left off in which the
English were so skilful.” A list of the twenty-four fiddlers in
1674, taken from an Exchequer document, “The names of the Gents of
his Majesties Private Musick paid out of the Exchequer,” is printed
in North’s “Memoires of Musick,” ed. Rimbault, 1846, p. 98 (note).]
But yet I could discern Captain Cooke to overdo his part at singing,
which I never did before. Thence up into the Queen’s presence, and there
saw the Queen again as I did last Sunday, and some fine ladies with her;
but, my troth, not many. Thence to Sir G. Carteret’s, and find him to
have sprained his foot and is lame, but yet hath been at chappell, and
my Lady much troubled for one of her daughters that is sick. I dined
with them, and a very pretty lady, their kinswoman, with them. My joy
is, that I do think I have good hold on Sir George and Mr. Coventry. Sir
George told me of a chest of drawers that were given Sir W. B. by Hughes
the rope-maker, whom he has since put out of his employment, and now the
fellow do cry out upon Sir W. for his cabinet. So home again by water
and to church, and from church Sir Williams both and Sir John Minnes
into the garden, and anon Sir W. Pen and I did discourse about my
lodgings and Sir J. Minnes, and I did open all my mind to him, and he
told me what he had heard, and I do see that I shall hardly keep my best
lodging chamber, which troubles me, but I did send for Goodenough the
plasterer, who tells me that it did ever belong to my lodgings, but lent
by Mr. Payles to Mr. Smith, and so I will strive hard for it before I
lose it. So to supper with them at Sir W. Batten’s, and do counterfeit
myself well pleased, but my heart is troubled and offended at the whole
company. So to my office to prepare notes to read to the Duke to-morrow
morning, and so to my lodgings and to bed, my mind a little eased
because I am resolved to know the worst concerning my lodgings tomorrow.
Among other things Sir W. Pen did tell me of one of my servants looking
into Sir J. Minnes’ window when my Lady Batten lay there, which do much
trouble them, and me also, and I fear will wholly occasion my loosing
the leads. One thing more he told me of my Jane’s cutting off a
carpenter’s long mustacho, and how the fellow cried, and his wife would
not come near him a great while, believing that he had been among some
of his wenches. At which I was merry, though I perceive they discourse
of it as a crime of hers, which I understand not.
15th. Up betimes to meet with the plasterer and bricklayer that did
first divide our lodgings, and they do both tell me that my chamber now
in dispute did ever belong to my lodgings, which do put me into good
quiet of mind. So by water with Sir Wm. Pen to White Hall; and, with
much ado, was fain to walk over the piles through the bridge, while Sir
W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes were aground against the bridge, and could
not in a great while get through. At White Hall we hear that the Duke
of York is gone a-hunting to-day; and so we returned: they going to the
Duke of Albemarle’s, where I left them (after I had observed a very good
picture or two there), and so home, and there did resolve to give up
my endeavours for access to the leads, and to shut up my doors lest the
being open might give them occasion of longing for my chamber, which I
am in most fear about. So to Deptford, and took my Lady Batten and her
daughter and Mrs. Turner along with me, they being going through the
garden thither, they to Mr. Unthwayte’s and I to the Pay, and then about
3 o’clock went to dinner (Sir W. Pen and I), and after dinner to the Pay
again, and at night by barge home all together, and so to my lodgings
and to bed, my mind full of trouble about my house.
16th. Up and to my workmen, and then to the office, and there we sat
till noon; then to the Exchange, and in my way met with the housekeeper
of this office, and he did give me so good an account of my chamber in
my house about which I am so much troubled that I am well at ease in my
mind. At my office all the afternoon alone. In the evening Sir J. M. and
I walked together a good while in the garden, very pleasant, and takes
no notice that he do design any further trouble to me about my house. At
night eat a bit of bread and cheese, and so to my lodgings and to bed,
my mind ill at ease for these particulars: my house in dirt, and like to
lose my best chamber. My wife writes me from the country that she is not
pleased there with my father nor mother, nor any of her servants, and
that my boy is turned a very rogue. I have L30 to pay to the cavaliers:
then a doubt about my being forced to leave all my business here, when I
am called to the court at Brampton; and lastly, my law businesses, which
vex me to my heart what I shall be able to do next term, which is near
at hand.
17th. At my office all the morning, and at noon to the Exchange, where
meeting Mr. Moore and Mr. Stucky, of the Wardrobe, we to an ordinary
to dinner, and after dinner Mr. Moore and I about 3 o’clock to Paul’s
school, to wait upon Mr. Crumlum (Mr. Moore having a hopeful lad, a
kinsman of his, there at school), who we take very luckily, and went up
to his chamber with him, where there was also an old fellow student of
Mr. Crumlum’s, one Mr. Newell, come to see him, of whom he made so much,
and of me, that the truth is he with kindness did drink more than I
believe he used to do, and did begin to be a little impertinent, the
more when after all he would in the evening go forth with us and give us
a bottle of wine abroad, and at the tavern met with an acquaintance of
his that did occasion impertinent discourse, that though I honour the
man, and he do declare abundance of learning and worth, yet I confess
my opinion is much lessened of him, and therefore let it be a caution
to myself not to love drink, since it has such an effect upon others of
greater worth in my own esteem. I could not avoid drinking of 5 glasses
this afternoon with him, and after I had parted with him Mr. Moore and I
to my house, and after we had eaten something to my lodgings, where the
master of the house, a very ordinary fellow, was ready to entertain
me and took me into his dining-room where his wife was, a pretty and
notable lady, too fine surely for him, and too much wit too. Here I was
forced to stay with them a good while and did drink again, there being
friends of theirs with them. At last being weary of his idle company,
I bid good-night and so to my chamber and Mr. [Moore] and I to bed,
neither of us well pleased with our afternoon’s work, merely from our
being witnesses of Mr. Crumlum’s weakness. This day my boy is come from
Brampton, and my wife I think the next week.
18th. At the office all the morning, and at noon Sir G. Carteret, Mr.
Coventry, and I by invitation to dinner to Sheriff Maynell’s, the great
money-man; he, Alderman Backwell, and much noble and brave company,
with the privilege of their rare discourse, which is great content to me
above all other things in the world. And after a great dinner and much
discourse, we arose and took leave, and home to the business of my
office, where I thank God I take delight, and in the evening to my
lodging and to bed. Among other discourse, speaking concerning the great
charity used in Catholic countrys, Mr. Ashburnham did tell us, that this
last year, there being great want of corn in Paris, and so a collection
made for the poor, there was two pearls brought in, nobody knew from
whom (till the Queen, seeing them, knew whose they were, but did not
discover it), which were sold for 200,000 crownes.
19th. Up betimes and to my office, and at 9 o’clock, none of the rest
going, I went alone to Deptford, and there went on where they left last
night to pay Woolwich yard, and so at noon dined well, being chief
at the table, and do not see but every body begins to give me as much
respect and honour as any of the rest. After dinner to Pay again, and
so till 9 at night, my great trouble being that I was forced to begin
an ill practice of bringing down the wages of servants, for which people
did curse me, which I do not love. At night, after I had eaten a cold
pullet, I walked by brave moonshine, with three or four armed men
to guard me, to Redriffe, it being a joy to my heart to think of the
condition that I am now in, that people should of themselves provide
this for me, unspoke to. I hear this walk is dangerous to walk alone by
night, and much robbery committed here. So from thence by water home,
and so to my lodgings to bed.
20th. Up betimes and to my office, where I found my brother Tom, who
tells me that his mistress’s mother has wrote a letter to Mr. Lull of
her full satisfaction about Tom, of which I was glad, and do think the
business will take. All this morning we sat at the office, Sir J. Minnes
and I. And so dined at home, and among my workmen all the afternoon, and
in the evening Tom brought Mr. Lull to me, a friend of his mistress, a
serious man, with whom I spoke, and he gives me a good account of her
and of their satisfaction in Tom, all which pleases me well. We walked
a good while in the garden together, and did give him a glass of wine
at my office, and so parted. So to write letters by the post and news
of this to my father concerning Tom, and so home to supper and to my
lodgings and to bed. To-night my barber sent me his man to trim me, who
did live in King Street in Westminster lately, and tells me that three
or four that I knew in that street, tradesmen, are lately fallen mad,
and some of them dead, and the others continue mad. They live all within
a door or two one of another.
21st (Lord’s day). Got up betimes and walked to St. James’s, and there
to Mr. Coventry, and sat an hour with him, talking of business of the
office with great pleasure, and I do perceive he do speak his whole mind
to me. Thence to the Park, where by appointment I met my brother Tom
and Mr. Cooke, and there spoke about Tom’s business, and to good
satisfaction. The Queen coming by in her coach, going to her chappell
at St. James’s’ (the first time it hath been ready for her), I crowded
after her, and I got up to the room where her closet is; and there stood
and saw the fine altar, ornaments, and the fryers in their habits,
and the priests come in with their fine copes and many other very fine
things. I heard their musique too; which may be good, but it did not
appear so to me, neither as to their manner of singing, nor was it good
concord to my ears, whatever the matter was. The Queene very devout: but
what pleased me best was to see my dear Lady Castlemaine, who, tho’ a
Protestant, did wait upon the Queen to chappell. By and by, after mass
was done, a fryer with his cowl did rise up and preach a sermon in
Portuguese; which I not understanding, did go away, and to the King’s
chappell, but that was done; and so up to the Queen’s presence-chamber,
where she and the King was expected to dine: but she staying at St.
James’s, they were forced to remove the things to the King’s presence
[chamber]; and there he dined alone, and I with Mr. Fox very finely; but
I see I must not make too much of that liberty for my honour sake only,
not but that I am very well received. After dinner to Tom’s, and so
home, and after walking a good while in the garden I went to my uncle
Wight’s, where I found my aunt in mourning and making sad stories for
the loss of her dear sister Nicholls, of which I should have been very
weary but that pretty Mrs. Margaret Wight came in and I was much
pleased with her company, and so all supper did vex my aunt talking
in commendation of the mass which I had been at to-day, but excused it
afterwards that it was only to make mirth. And so after supper broke up
and home, and after putting my notes in order against to-morrow I went
to bed.
22nd. Up betimes among my workmen, hastening to get things ready against
my wife’s coming, and so with Sir J. M., Sir W. B., and Sir W. P., by
coach to St. James’s, and there with the Duke. I did give him an account
of all things past of late; but I stood in great pain, having a great
fit of the colic, having catched cold yesterday by putting off my
stockings to wipe my toes, but at last it lessened, and then I was
pretty well again, but in pain all day more or less. Thence I parted
from them and walked to Greatorex’s, and there with him did overlook
many pretty things, new inventions, and have bespoke a weather glass of
him. Thence to my Lord Crew’s, and dined with the servants, he having
dined; and so, after dinner, up to him, and sat an hour talking with him
of publique, and my Lord’s private businesses, with much content. So to
my brother Tom’s, where Mr. Cooke expected me, and did go with me to see
Mr. Young and Mr. Lull in Blackfryers, kindred of Tom’s mistress, where
I was very well used, and do find things to go in the business to my
good content. Thence to Mr. Townsend, and did there talk with Mr. Young
himself also, and then home and to my study, and so to my lodgings and
to bed.
23rd. Up betimes and with my workmen, taking some pleasure to see my
work come towards an end, though I am vexed every day enough with their
delay. We met and sat all the morning, dined at home alone, and with
my workmen all the afternoon, and in the evening by water and land to
Deptford to give order for things about my house, and came back again
by coach with Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Batten (who has been at a Pay
to-day), and to my office and did some business, and so to supper and to
my lodgings, and so to bed. In our coming home Sir G. Carteret told me
how in most cabaretts in France they have writ upon the walls in fair
letters to be read, “Dieu te regarde,” as a good lesson to be in every
man’s mind, and have also, as in Holland, their poor’s box; in both
which places at the making all contracts and bargains they give so much,
which they call God’s penny.
24th. Up betimes and among my workmen, and among them all the morning
till noon, and then to my Lord Crew’s, and there dined alone with him,
and among other things he do advise me by all means to keep my Lord
Sandwich from proceeding too far in the business of Tangier. First, for
that he is confident the King will not be able to find money for the
building the Mole; and next, for that it is to be done as we propose it
by the reducing of the garrison; and then either my Lord must oppose
the Duke of York, who will have the Irish regiment under the command of
Fitzgerald continued, or else my Lord Peterborough, who is concerned to
have the English continued, and he, it seems, is gone back again
merely upon my Lord Sandwich’s encouragement. Thence to Mr. Wotton, the
shoemaker’s, and there bought a pair of boots, cost me 30s., and he
told me how Bird hath lately broke his leg, while he was fencing in
“Aglaura,” upon the stage, and that the new theatre of all will be ready
against term. So to my brother’s, and there discoursed with him and Mr.
Cooke about their journey to Tom’s mistress again, and I did speak with
Mr. Croxton about measuring of silk flags. So by water home and to my
workmen, and so at night till late at my office, inditing a letter from
Tom to his mistress upon his sending her a watch for a token, and so
home and to supper, and to my lodgings and to bed. It is my content that
by several hands to-day I hear that I have the name of good-natured man
among the poor people that come to the office.
25th. Up betimes and to my workmen, and then to the office, where we
sat all the morning. So home to dinner alone and then to my workmen
till night, and so to my office till bedtime, and so after supper to my
lodgings and to bed. This evening I sat awhile at Sir W. Batten’s with
Sir J. Minnes, &c., where he told us among many other things how in
Portugal they scorn to make a seat for a house of office, but they do
.... all in pots and so empty them in the river. I did also hear how
the woman, formerly nurse to Mrs. Lemon (Sir W. Batten’s daughter), her
child was torn to pieces by two doggs at Walthamstow this week, and is
dead, which is very strange.
26th. Up betimes and among my workmen. By and by to Sir W. Batten, who
with Sir J. M. are going to Chatham this morning, and I was in great
pain till they were gone that I might see whether Sir John do speak any
thing of my chamber that I am afraid of losing or no. But he did not,
and so my mind is a little at more ease. So all day long till night
among my workmen, and in the afternoon did cause the partition between
the entry and the boy’s room to be pulled down to lay it all into one,
which I hope will please me and make my coming in more pleasant. Late at
my office at night writing a letter of excuse to Sir G. Carteret that I
cannot wait upon him to-morrow morning to Chatham as I promised, which
I am loth to do because of my workmen and my wife’s coming to town
to-morrow. So to my lodgings and to bed.
27th. Up betimes and among my workmen, and with great pleasure see the
posts in the entry taken down beyond expectation, so that now the boy’s
room being laid into the entry do make my coming in very handsome, which
was the only fault remaining almost in my house. We sat all the morning,
and in the afternoon I got many jobbs done to my mind, and my wife’s
chamber put into a good readiness against her coming, which she did at
night, for Will did, by my leave to go, meet her upon the road, and at
night did bring me word she was come to my brother’s, by my order. So I
made myself ready and put things at home in order, and so went thither
to her. Being come, I found her and her maid and dogg very well, and
herself grown a little fatter than she was. I was very well pleased to
see her, and after supper to bed, and had her company with great content
and much mutual love, only I do perceive that there has been falling out
between my mother and she, and a little between my father and she; but I
hope all is well again, and I perceive she likes Brampton House and seat
better than ever I did myself, and tells me how my Lord hath drawn a
plot of some alteracions to be made there, and hath brought it up, which
I saw and like well. I perceive my Lord and Lady have been very kind to
her, and Captn. Ferrers so kind that I perceive I have some jealousy of
him, but I know what is the Captain’s manner of carriage, and therefore
it is nothing to me. She tells me of a Court like to be in a little
time, which troubles me, for I would not willingly go out of town.
28th (Lord’s day). Waked early, and fell talking one with another with
great pleasure of my house at Brampton and that here, and other matters.
She tells me what a rogue my boy is, and strange things he has been
found guilty of, not fit to name, which vexes [me], but most of all the
unquiett life that my mother makes my father and herself lead through
her want of reason. At last I rose, and with Tom to the French Church
at the Savoy, where I never was before--a pretty place it is--and there
they have the Common Prayer Book read in French, and, which I never saw
before, the minister do preach with his hat off, I suppose in further
conformity with our Church. So to Tom’s to dinner with my wife, and
there came Mr. Cooke, and Joyce Norton do also dine there, and after
dinner Cooke and I did talk about his journey and Tom’s within a day
or two about his mistress. And I did tell him my mind and give him my
opinion in it. So I walked home and found my house made a little clean,
and pleases me better and better, and so to church in the afternoon, and
after sermon to my study, and there did some things against to-morrow
that I go to the Duke’s, and so walked to Tom’s again, and there supped
and to bed with good content of mind.
29th (Michaelmas day). This day my oaths for drinking of wine and going
to plays are out, and so I do resolve to take a liberty to-day, and then
to fall to them again. Up and by coach to White Hall, in my way taking
up Mr. Moore, and walked with him, talking a good while about business,
in St. James’s Park, and there left him, and to Mr. Coventry’s, and so
with him and Sir W. Pen up to the Duke, where the King came also and
staid till the Duke was ready. It being Collarday, we had no time to
talk with him about any business. They went out together. So we parted,
and in the park Mr. Cooke by appointment met me, to whom I did give
my thoughts concerning Tom’s match and their journey tomorrow, and did
carry him by water to Tom’s, and there taking up my wife, maid, dog, and
him, did carry them home, where my wife is much pleased with my house,
and so am I fully. I sent for some dinner and there dined, Mrs. Margaret
Pen being by, to whom I had spoke to go along with us to a play this
afternoon, and then to the King’s Theatre, where we saw “Midsummer’s
Night’s Dream,” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again,
for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life. I
saw, I confess, some good dancing and some handsome women, which was all
my pleasure. Thence set my wife down at Madam Turner’s, and so by coach
home, and having delivered Pegg Pen to her father safe, went home, where
I find Mr. Deane, of Woolwich, hath sent me the modell he had promised
me; but it so far exceeds my expectations, that I am sorry almost he
should make such a present to no greater a person; but I am exceeding
glad of it, and shall study to do him a courtesy for it. So to my
office and wrote a letter to Tom’s mistress’s mother to send by Cooke
to-morrow. Then came Mr. Moore thinking to have looked over the business
of my Brampton papers against the Court, but my mind was so full of
other matters (as it is my nature when I have been a good while from a
business, that I have almost forgot it, I am loth to come to it again)
that I could not set upon it, and so he and I past the evening away in
discourse, and to my lodgings and to bed.
30th. We rose, and he about his business, and I to my house to look over
my workmen; but good God! how I do find myself by yesterday’s liberty
hard to be brought to follow business again, but however, I must do it,
considering the great sweet and pleasure and content of mind that I have
had since I did leave drink and plays, and other pleasures, and followed
my business. So to my office, where we sat till noon, and then I to
dinner with Sir W. Pen, and while we were at it coming my wife to the
office, and so I sent for her up, and after dinner we took coach and
to the Duke’s playhouse, where we saw “The Duchess of Malfy” well
performed, but Betterton and Ianthe to admiration. That being done,
home again, by coach, and my wife’s chamber got ready for her to lie in
to-night, but my business did call me to my office, so that staying late
I did not lie with her at home, but at my lodgings. Strange to see how
easily my mind do revert to its former practice of loving plays and
wine, having given myself a liberty to them but these two days; but this
night I have again bound myself to Christmas next, in which I desire
God to bless me and preserve me, for under God I find it to be the best
course that ever I could take to bring myself to mind my business.
I have also made up this evening my monthly ballance, and find that,
notwithstanding the loss of L30 to be paid to the loyall and necessitous
cavaliers by act of Parliament,
[Two acts were passed in 1662 for this purpose, viz., 13 and 14 Car.
II. cap. 8: “An act for distribution of threescore thousand pounds
amongst the truly loyal and indigent commission officers, and for
assessing of offices and distributing the monies thereby raised for
their further supply;” and cap. 9, “An act for the relief of poor
and maimed officers and soldiers who have faithfully served his
Majesty and his royal father in the late wars.”]
yet I am worth about L680, for which the Lord God be praised. My
condition at present is this:--I have long been building, and my house
to my great content is now almost done. But yet not so but that I shall
have dirt, which troubles me too, for my wife has been in the country at
Brampton these two months, and is now come home a week or two before
the house is ready for her. My mind is somewhat troubled about my best
chamber, which I question whether I shall be able to keep or no. I am
also troubled for the journey which I must needs take suddenly to
the Court at Brampton, but most of all for that I am not provided to
understand my business, having not minded it a great while, and at the
best shall be able but to make a bad matter of it, but God, I hope, will
guide all to the best, and I am resolved to-morrow to fall hard to it.
I pray God help me therein, for my father and mother and all our
well-doings do depend upon my care therein. My Lord Sandwich has lately
been in the country, and very civil to my wife, and hath himself spent
some pains in drawing a plot of some alterations in our house there,
which I shall follow as I get money. As for the office, my late industry
hath been such, as I am become as high in reputation as any man there,
and good hold I have of Mr. Coventry and Sir G. Carteret, which I am
resolved, and it is necessary for me, to maintain by all fair means.
Things are all quiett, but the King poor, and no hopes almost of his
being otherwise, by which things will go to rack, especially in the
Navy. The late outing of the Presbyterian clergy by their not renouncing
the Covenant as the Act of Parliament commands, is the greatest piece
of state now in discourse. But for ought I see they are gone out very
peaceably, and the people not so much concerned therein as was expected.
My brother Tom is gone out of town this day, to make a second journey to
his mistress at Banbury, of which I have good expectations, and pray God
to bless him therein. My mind, I hope, is settled to follow my business
again, for I find that two days’ neglect of business do give more
discontent in mind than ten times the pleasure thereof can repair again,
be it what it will.