and so we got ready; and while breakfast was providing, I went forth (by
the way finding Mr. George Mountagu and his Lady, whom I saluted, going
to take their coach thus early to proceed on their journey, they having
lodged in the chamber just under me all this night) and showed Mr. Cooke
King’s College Chapel, Trinity College, and St. John’s College Library;
and that being done, to our inn again: where I met Dr. Fairbrother
brought thither by my brother Tom, and he did breakfast with us, a very
good-natured man he is, and told us how the room we were in was the room
where Cromwell and his associated officers did begin to plot and act
their mischiefs in these counties. Having eat well, only our oysters
proving bad, we mounted, having a pair of boots that I borrowed and
carried with me from Impington, my own to be sent from Cambridge to
London, and took leave of all, and begun our journey about nine o’clock.
After we had rode about 10 miles we got out of our way into Royston
road, which did vex me cruelly, and the worst for that my brother’s
horse, which was lame yesterday, grows worse to-day, that he could not
keep pace with us. At last with much ado we got into the road again,
having misguided also a gentleman’s man who had lost his master and
thought us to be going the same way did follow us, but coming into
the road again we met with his master, by his coat a divine, but I
perceiving Tom’s horse not able to keep with us, I desired Mr. Cooke and
him to take their own time, and Will and I we rode before them keeping
a good pace, and came to Ware about three o’clock in the afternoon, the
ways being every where but bad. Here I fell into acquaintance and eat
and drank with the divine, but know not who he is, and after an hour’s
bait to myself and horses he, though resolved to have lodged there, yet
for company would out again, and so we remounted at four o’clock, and he
went with me as far almost as Tibbald’s and there parted with us, taking
up there for all night, but finding our horses in good case and the
night being pretty light, though by reason of clouds the moon did not
shine out, we even made shift from one place to another to reach London,
though both of us very weary. And having left our horses at their
masters, walked home, found all things well, and with full joy, though
very weary, came home and went to bed, there happening nothing since our
going to my discontent in the least degree; which do so please me,
that I cannot but bless God for my journey, observing a whole course of
success from the beginning to the end of it, and I do find it to be the
reward of my diligence, which all along in this has been extraordinary,
for I have not had the least kind of divertisement imaginable since
my going forth, but merely carrying on my business which God has been
pleased to bless. So to bed very hot and feverish by being weary, but
early morning the fever was over.
16th. And so I rose in good temper, finding a good chimneypiece made
in my upper dining-room chamber, and the diningroom wainscoat in a good
forwardness, at which I am glad, and then to the office, where by T.
Hater I found all things to my mind, and so we sat at the office till
noon, and then at home to dinner with my wife. Then coming Mr. Creede
in order to some business with Sir J. Minnes about his accounts, this
afternoon I took him to the Treasury office, where Sir John and I
did stay late paying some money to the men that are saved out of the
Satisfaction that was lost the other day. The King gives them half-pay,
which is more than is used in such cases, for they never used to have
any thing, and yet the men were most outrageously discontented, and
did rail and curse us till I was troubled to hear it, and wished myself
unconcerned therein. Mr. Creede seeing us engaged took leave of us. Here
late, and so home, and at the office set down my journey-journall to
this hour, and so shut up my book, giving God thanks for my good success
therein, and so home, and to supper, and to bed. I hear Mr. Moore is in
a way of recovery. Sir H. Bennet made Secretary of State in Sir Edward
Nicholas’s stead; not known whether by consent or not. My brother Tom
and Cooke are come to town I hear this morning, and he sends me word
that his mistress’s mother is also come to treat with us about her
daughter’s portion and her jointure, which I am willing should be out of
Sturtlow lands.
17th. This morning Tom comes to me, and I advise him how to deal with
his mistress’s mother about his giving her a joynture, but I intend to
speak with her shortly, and tell her my mind. Then to my Lord Sandwich
by water, and told him how well things do go in the country with me, of
which he was very glad, and seems to concern himself much for me. Thence
with Mr. Creed to Westminster Hall, and by and by thither comes Captn.
Ferrers, upon my sending for him, and we three to Creed’s chamber, and
there sat a good while and drank chocolate. Here I am told how things
go at Court; that the young men get uppermost, and the old serious lords
are out of favour; that Sir H. Bennet, being brought into Sir Edward
Nicholas’s place, Sir Charles Barkeley is made Privy Purse; a most
vicious person, and one whom Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, to-day (at which I
laugh to myself), did tell me that he offered his wife L300 per annum to
be his mistress. He also told me that none in Court hath more the
King’s ear now than Sir Charles Barkeley, and Sir H. Bennet, and my
Lady Castlemaine, whose interest is now as great as ever and that Mrs.
Haslerigge, the great beauty, is got with child, and now brought to bed,
and lays it to the King or the Duke of York.
[The child was owned by neither of the royal brothers.--B.]
He tells me too that my Lord St. Albans’ is like to be Lord Treasurer:
all which things do trouble me much. Here I staid talking a good while,
and so by water to see Mr. Moore, who is out of bed and in a way to
be well, and thence home, and with Commr. Pett by water to view Wood’s
masts that he proffers to sell, which we found bad, and so to Deptford
to look over some businesses, and so home and I to my office, all our
talk being upon Sir J. M. and Sir W. B.’s base carriage against him at
their late being at Chatham, which I am sorry to hear, but I doubt not
but we shall fling Sir W. B. upon his back ere long. At my office, I
hearing Sir W. Pen was not well, I went to him to see, and sat with him,
and so home and to bed.
18th. This morning, having resolved of my brother’s entertaining his
mistress’s mother to-morrow, I sent my wife thither to-day to lie there
to-night and to direct him in the business, and I all the morning at the
office, and the afternoon intent upon my workmen, especially my joyners,
who will make my dining room very pretty. At night to my office to
dispatch business, and then to see Sir W. Pen, who continues in great
pain, and so home and alone to bed, but my head being full of my own
and my brother Tom’s business I could hardly sleep, though not in much
trouble, but only multitude of thoughts.
19th (Lord’s day). Got me ready in the morning and put on my first new
laceband; and so neat it is, that I am resolved my great expense shall
be lacebands, and it will set off any thing else the more. So walked to
my brother’s, where I met Mr. Cooke, and discoursing with him do find
that he and Tom have promised a joynture of L50 to his mistress, and say
that I did give my consent that she should be joyntured in L30 per ann.
for Sturtlow, and the rest to be made up out of her portion. At which
I was stark mad, and very angry the business should be carried with
so much folly and against my mind and all reason. But I was willing to
forbear discovering of it, and did receive Mrs. Butler, her mother, Mr.
Lull and his wife, very civil people, very kindly, and without the least
discontent, and Tom had a good and neat dinner for us. We had little
discourse of any business, but leave it to one Mr. Smith on her part and
myself on ours. So we staid till sermon was done, and I took leave, and
to see Mr. Moore, who recovers well; and his doctor coming to him, one
Dr. Merrit, we had some of his very good discourse of anatomy, and other
things, very pleasant. By and by, I with Mr. Townsend walked in the
garden, talking and advising with him about Tom’s business, and he
tells me he will speak with Smith, and says I offer fair to give her
L30 joynture and no more. Thence Tom waiting for me homewards towards my
house, talking and scolding him for his folly, and telling him my mind
plainly what he has to trust to if he goes this way to work, for he
shall never have her upon the terms they demand of L50. He left me, and
I to my uncle Wight, and there supped, and there was pretty Mistress
Margt. Wight, whom I esteem very pretty, and love dearly to look upon
her. We were very pleasant, I droning with my aunt and them, but I am
sorry to hear that the news of the selling of Dunkirk
[A treaty was signed on the 27th October by which Dunkirk was sold
to France for five million livres, two of which were to be paid
immediately, and the remaining three by eight bills at dates varying
from three months to two years; during which time the King of
England was to contribute the aid of a naval force, if necessary,
for defence against Spain. Subsequently the remaining three
millions were reduced to 2,500,000 to be paid at Paris, and 254,000
in London. It is not known that Clarendon suggested the sale of
Dunkirk, but it is certain that he adopted the measure with zeal.
There is also no doubt that he got as much as France could be
induced to give.--Lister’s Life of Clarendon, ii. 173-4.]
is taken so generally ill, as I find it is among the merchants; and
other things, as removal of officers at Court, good for worse; and all
things else made much worse in their report among people than they
are. And this night, I know not upon what ground, the gates of the City
ordered to be kept shut, and double guards every where. So home, and
after preparing things against to-morrow for the Duke, to bed. Indeed I
do find every body’s spirit very full of trouble; and the things of
the Court and Council very ill taken; so as to be apt to appear in
bad colours, if there should ever be a beginning of trouble, which God
forbid!
20th. Up and in Sir J. Minnes’s coach with him and Sir W. Batten to
White Hall, where now the Duke is come again to lodge: and to Mr.
Coventry’s little new chamber there. And by and by up to the Duke,
who was making himself ready; and there among other discourse young
Killigrew did so commend “The Villaine,” a new play made by Tom Porter;
and acted only on Saturday at the Duke’s house, as if there never had
been any such play come upon the stage. The same yesterday was told me
by Captain Ferrers; and this morning afterwards by Dr. Clerke, who saw
it. Insomuch that after I had done with the Duke, and thence gone with
Commissioner Pett to Mr. Lilly’s, the great painter, who came forth to
us; but believing that I come to bespeak a picture, he prevented us by
telling us, that he should not be at leisure these three weeks; which
methinks is a rare thing. And then to see in what pomp his table was
laid for himself to go to dinner; and here, among other pictures, saw
the so much desired by me picture of my Lady Castlemaine, which is a
most blessed picture; and that that I must have a copy of. And having
thence gone to my brother’s, where my wife lodged last night, and eat
something there, I took her by coach to the Duke’s house, and there was
the house full of company: but whether it was in over-expecting or what,
I know not, but I was never less pleased with a play in my life. Though
there was good singing and dancing, yet no fancy in the play, but
something that made it less contenting was my conscience that I ought
not to have gone by my vow, and, besides, my business commanded me
elsewhere. But, however, as soon as I came home I did pay my crown to
the poor’s box, according to my vow, and so no harm as to that is done,
but only business lost and money lost, and my old habit of pleasure
wakened, which I will keep down the more hereafter, for I thank God
these pleasures are not sweet to me now in the very enjoying of them. So
by coach home, and after a little business at my office, and seeing Sir
W. Pen, who continues ill, I went to bed. Dunkirk, I am confirmed, is
absolutely sold; for which I am very sorry.
21st. Up, and while I was dressing myself, my brother Tom being there
I did chide him for his folly in abusing himself about the match, for I
perceive he do endeavour all he can to get her, and she and her friends
to have more than her portion deserves, which now from 6 or L700 is come
to L450. I did by several steps shew Tom how he would not be L100 the
better for her according to the ways he took to joynture her. After
having done with him to the office, and there all the morning, and in
the middle of our sitting my workmen setting about the putting up of
my rails upon my leads, Sir J. Minnes did spy them and fell a-swearing,
which I took no notice of, but was vexed, and am still to the very
heart for it, for fear it should put him upon taking the closett and my
chamber from me, which I protest I am now afraid of. But it is my very
great folly to be so much troubled at these trifles, more than at the
loss of L100, or things of greater concernment; but I forget the lesson
I use to preach to others. After dinner to my office with my head and
heart full of troublesome business, and thence by water with Mr. Smith,
to Mr. Lechmore, the Counsellor at the Temple, about Field’s business;
and he tells me plainly that, there being a verdict against me, there is
no help for it, but it must proceed to judgment. It is L30 damage to me
for my joining with others in committing Field to prison, we being not
justices of the Peace in the City, though in Middlesex; this troubled
me, but I hope the King will make it good to us. Thence to Mr. Smith,
the scrivener, upon Ludgate Hill, to whom Mrs. Butler do committ
her business concerning her daughter and my brother. He tells me her
daughter’s portion is but L400, at which I am more troubled than before;
and they find fault that his house is too little. So after I had told
him my full mind, I went away to meet again to-morrow, but I believe the
business will be broke off, which for Tom’s sake I am much grieved for,
but it cannot be helped without his ruin. Thence to see Mr. Moore,
who is pretty well again, and we read over and discoursed about Mrs.
Goldsborough’s business, and her son coming by my appointment thither,
I did tell him our resolution as to her having her estate reconveyed to
her. Hither also came my brother, and before Mr. Moore I did advise
and counsel him about his match, and how we had all been abused by
Mr. Cooke’s folly. So home and to my office, and there settled many
businesses, and so home and to supper, and so to bed, Sir W. Pen being
still in great pain.
22nd. Up, and carrying my wife and her brother to Covent Garden, near
their father’s new lodging, by coach, I to my Lord Sandwich’s, who
receives me now more and more kindly, now he sees that I am respected
in the world; and is my most noble patron. Here I staid and talked
about many things, with my Lord and Mr. Povy, being there about Tangier
business, for which the Commission is a taking out. Hence (after talking
with Mr. Cooke, whom I met here about Mrs. Butler’s portion, he do
persist to say that it will be worth L600 certain, when he knows as well
as I do now that it is but L400, and so I told him, but he is a fool,
and has made fools of us). So I by water to my brother’s, and thence to
Mr. Smith’s, where I was, last night, and there by appointment met Mrs.
Butler, with whom I plainly discoursed and she with me. I find she will
give but L400, and no more, and is not willing to do that without a
joynture, which she expects and I will not grant for that portion, and
upon the whole I find that Cooke has made great brags on both sides, and
so has abused us both, but know not how to help it, for I perceive she
had much greater expectations of Tom’s house and being than she finds.
But however we did break off the business wholly, but with great love
and kindness between her and me, and would have been glad we had known
one another’s minds sooner, without being misguided by this fellow
to both our shames and trouble. For I find her a very discreet, sober
woman, and her daughter, I understand and believe, is a good lady; and
if portions did agree, though she finds fault with Tom’s house, and his
bad imperfection in his speech, I believe we should well agree in other
matters. After taking a kind farewell, I to Tom’s, and there did give
him a full account of this sad news, with which I find he is much
troubled, but do appear to me to be willing to be guided herein, and
apprehends that it is not for his good to do otherwise, and so I do
persuade [him] to follow his business again, and I hope he will, but
for Cooke’s part and Dr. Pepys, I shall know them for two fools another
time. Hence, it raining hard, by coach home, being first trimmed here
by Benier, who being acquainted with all the players, do tell me that
Betterton is not married to Ianthe, as they say; but also that he is
a very sober, serious man, and studious and humble, following of his
studies, and is rich already with what he gets and saves, and then to my
office till late, doing great deal of business, and settling my mind
in pretty good order as to my business, though at present they are very
many. So home and to bed. This night was buried, as I hear by the bells
at Barking Church, my poor Morena,
[The burial of Elizabeth, daughter of John Dekins or Dickens, is
recorded in the parish register of All Hallows, Barking, as having
taken place on October 22nd. See ante, October 3rd]
whose sickness being desperate, did kill her poor father; and he being
dead for sorrow, she could not recover, nor desire to live, but from
that time do languish more and more, and so is now dead and buried.
23rd. Up and among my workmen, and so to the office, and there sitting
all the morning we stept all out to visit Sir W. Batten, who it seems
has not been well all yesterday, but being let blood is now pretty well,
and Sir W. Pen after office I went to see, but he continues in great
pain of the gout and in bed, cannot stir hand nor foot but with great
pain. So to my office all the evening putting things public and private
in order, and so at night home and to supper and to bed, finding great
content since I am come to follow my business again, which God preserve
in me.
24th. After with great pleasure lying a great while talking and sporting
in bed with my wife (for we have been for some years now, and at present
more and more, a very happy couple, blessed be God), I got up and to my
office, and having done there some business, I by water, and then
walked to Deptford to discourse with Mr. Lowly and Davis about my late
conceptions about keeping books of the distinct works done in the yards,
against which I find no objection but their ignorance and unwillingness
to do anything of pains and what is out of their ordinary dull road, but
I like it well, and will proceed in it. So home and dined there with my
wife upon a most excellent dish of tripes of my own directing, covered
with, mustard, as I have heretofore seen them done at my Lord Crew’s, of
which I made a very great meal, and sent for a glass of wine for myself,
and so to see Sir W. Pen, who continues bed-rid in great pain, and hence
to the Treasury to Sir J. Minnes paying off of tickets, and at night
home, and in my study (after seeing Sir W. Batten, who also continues
ill) I fell to draw out my conceptions about books for the clerk that
cheques in the yard to keep according to the distinct works there, which
pleases me very well, and I am confident it will be of great use. At 9
at night home, and to supper, and to bed. This noon came to see me and
sat with me a little after dinner Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon, who tells
me how ill things go at Court: that the King do show no countenance to
any that belong to the Queen; nor, above all, to such English as she
brought over with her, or hath here since, for fear they should tell her
how he carries himself to Mrs. Palmer;--[Lady Castlemaine.]--insomuch
that though he has a promise, and is sure of being made her chyrurgeon,
he is at a loss what to do in it, whether to take it or no, since the
King’s mind is so altered in favour to all her dependants, whom she is
fain to let go back into Portugall (though she brought them from their
friends against their wills with promise of preferment), without doing
any thing for them. But he tells me that her own physician did tell
him within these three days that the Queen do know how the King orders
things, and how he carries himself to my Lady Castlemaine and others, as
well as any body; but though she hath spirit enough, yet seeing that she
do no good by taking notice of it, for the present she forbears it in
policy; of which I am very glad. But I pray God keep us in peace; for
this, with other things, do give great discontent to all people.
25th. Up and to the office, and there with Mr. Coventry sat all the
morning, only we two, the rest being absent or sick. Dined at home with
my wife upon a good dish of neats’ feet and mustard, of which I made a
good meal. All the afternoon alone at my office and among my workmen,
who (I mean the joyners) have even ended my dining room, and will be
very handsome and to my full content. In the evening at my office about
one business or another, and so home and to bed, with my mind every day
more and more quiet since I come to follow my business, and shall be
very happy indeed when the trouble of my house is over.
26th (Lord’s day).Up and put on my new Scallop, and is very fine. To
church, and there saw the first time Mr. Mills in a surplice; but it
seemed absurd for him to pull it over his ears in the reading-pew, after
he had done, before all the church, to go up to the pulpitt, to preach
without it. Home and dined, and Mr. Sympson, my joyner that do my
diningroom, and my brother Tom with me to a delicate fat pig. Tom takes
his disappointment of his mistress to heart; but all will be well again
in a little time. Then to church again, and heard a simple Scot preach
most tediously. So home, and to see Sir W. Batten, who is pretty well
again, and then to my uncle Wight’s to show my fine band and to see Mrs.
Margaret Wight, but she was not there. All this day soldiers going up
and down the town, there being an alarm and many Quakers and others
clapped up; but I believe without any reason: only they say in
Dorsetshire there hath been some rising discovered. So after supper
home, and then to my study, and making up my monthly account to myself.
I find myself, by my expense in bands and clothes this month, abated
a little of my last, and that I am worth L679 still; for which God be
praised. So home and to bed with quiett mind, blessed be God, but afeard
of my candle’s going out, which makes me write thus slubberingly.
27th. Up, and after giving order to the plasterer now to set upon the
finishing of my house, then by water to wait upon the Duke, and walking
in the matted Gallery, by and by comes Mr. Coventry and Sir John Minnes,
and then to the Duke, and after he was ready, to his closet, where I
did give him my usual account of matters, and afterwards, upon Sir J.
Minnes’ desire to have one to assist him in his employment, Sir W. Pen
is appointed to be his, and Mr. Pett to be the Surveyor’s assistant.
Mr. Coventry did desire to be excused, and so I hope (at least it is my
present opinion) to have none joined with me, but only Mr. Coventry do
desire that I would find work for one of his clerks, which I did not
deny, but however I will think of it, whether without prejudice to mine
I can do it. Thence to my Lord Sandwich, who now-a-days calls me into
his chamber, and alone did discourse with me about the jealousy that the
Court have of people’s rising; wherein he do much dislike my Lord Monk’s
being so eager against a company of poor wretches, dragging them up and
down the street; but would have him rather to take some of the greatest
ringleaders of them, and punish them; whereas this do but tell the world
the King’s fears and doubts. For Dunkirk; he wonders any wise people
should be so troubled thereat, and scorns all their talk against it,
for that he says it was not Dunkirk, but the other places, that did and
would annoy us, though we had that, as much as if we had it not. He also
took notice of the new Ministers of State, Sir H. Bennet and Sir Charles
Barkeley, their bringing in, and the high game that my Lady Castlemaine
plays at Court (which I took occasion to mention as that that the people
do take great notice of), all which he confessed. Afterwards he told me
of poor Mr. Spong, that being with other people examined before the King
and Council (they being laid up as suspected persons; and it seems Spong
is so far thought guilty as that they intend to pitch upon him to put
to the wracke or some other torture), he do take knowledge of my Lord
Sandwich, and said that he was well known to Mr. Pepys. But my Lord
knows, and I told him, that it was only in matter of musique and pipes,
but that I thought him to be a very innocent fellow; and indeed I am
very sorry for him. After my Lord and I had done in private, we went
out, and with Captain Cuttance and Bunn did look over their draught of a
bridge for Tangier, which will be brought by my desire to our office by
them to-morrow. Thence to Westminster Hall, and there walked long with
Mr. Creed, and then to the great half-a-crown ordinary, at the King’s
Head, near Charing Cross, where we had a most excellent neat dinner and
very high company, and in a noble manner. After dinner he and I into
another room over a pot of ale and talked. He showed me our commission,
wherein the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, Lord
Peterborough, Lord Sandwich, Sir G. Carteret, Sir William Compton,
Mr. Coventry, Sir R. Ford, Sir William Rider, Mr. Cholmley, Mr. Povy,
myself, and Captain Cuttance, in this order are joyned for the carrying
on the service of Tangier, which I take for a great honour to me. He
told me what great faction there is at Court; and above all, what is
whispered, that young Crofts is lawful son to the King, the King being
married to his mother.
[There has been much confusion as to the name and parentage of
Charles’s mistress. Lucy Walter was the daughter of William Walter
of Roch Castle, co. Pembroke, and Mr. S. Steinman, in his “Althorp
Memoirs” (privately printed, 1869), sets out her pedigree, which is
a good one. Roch Castle was taken and burnt by the Parliamentary
forces in 1644, and Lucy was in London in 1648, where she made the
acquaintance of Colonel Algernon Sidney. She then fell into the
possession of his brother, Colonel Robert Sidney. In September of
this same year she was taken up by Charles, Prince of Wales.
Charles terminated his connection with her on October 30th, 1651,
and she died in 1658, as appears by a document (administration entry
in the Register of the Prerogative Court) met with by the late
Colonel Chester. William Erskine, who had served Charles as
cupbearer in his wanderings, and was appointed Master of the
Charterhouse in December, 1677, had the care of Lucy Walter, and
buried her in Paris. He declared that the king never had any
intention of marrying her, and she did not deserve it. Thomas Ross,
the tutor of her son, put the idea of this claim into his head, and
asked Dr. Cosin to certify to a marriage. In consequence of this he
was removed from his office, and Lord Crofts took his place
(Steinman’s “Althorp Memoirs”). Lucy Walter took the name of Barlow
during her wanderings.]
How true this is, God knows; but I believe the Duke of York will not be
fooled in this of three crowns. Thence to White Hall, and walked long in
the galleries till (as they are commanded to all strange persons), one
come to tell us, we not being known, and being observed to walk there
four or five hours (which was not true, unless they count my walking
there in the morning), he was commanded to ask who we were; which being
told, he excused his question, and was satisfied. These things speak
great fear and jealousys. Here we staid some time, thinking to stay out
the play before the King to-night, but it being “The Villaine,” and my
wife not being there, I had no mind. So walk to the Exchange, and there
took many turns with him; among other things, observing one very pretty
Exchange lass, with her face full of black patches, which was a strange
sight. So bid him good-night and away by coach to Mr. Moore, with whom
I staid an hour, and found him pretty well and intends to go abroad
tomorrow, and so it raining hard by coach home, and having visited both
Sir Williams, who are both sick, but like to be well again, I to my
office, and there did some business, and so home and to bed. At Sir W.
Batten’s I met with Mr. Mills, who tells me that he could get nothing
out of the maid hard by (that did poyson herself) before she died, but
that she did it because she did not like herself, nor had not
liked herself, nor anything she did a great while. It seems she was
well-favoured enough, but crooked, and this was all she could be got to
say, which is very strange.
28th. At the office sitting all the morning, and then home to dinner
with my wife, and after dinner she and I passing an hour or two in
ridiculous talk, and then to my office, doing business there till 9 at
night, and so home and to supper and to bed. My house is now in its last
dirt, I hope, the plasterer and painter now being upon winding up all
my trouble, which I expect will now in a fortnight’s time, or a little
more, be quite over.
29th (Lord Mayor’s day). Intended to have made me fine, and by
invitation to have dined with the Lord Mayor to-day, but going to see
Sir W. Batten this morning, I found Sir G. Carteret and Sir J. Minnes
going with Sir W. Batten and myself to examine Sir G. Carteret’s
accounts for the last year, whereupon I settled to it with them all the
day long, only dinner time (which Sir G. Carteret gave us), and by night
did as good as finish them, and so parted, and thence to my office, and
there set papers in order and business against to-morrow. I received
a letter this day from my father, speaking more trouble about my uncle
Thomas his business, and of proceeding to lay claim to Brampton and
all my uncle left, because it is given conditional that we should pay
legacys, which to him we have not yet done, but I hope that will do us
no hurt; God help us if it should, but it disquiets my mind. I have also
a letter from my Lord Sandwich desiring me upon matters of concernment
to be with him early tomorrow morning, which I wonder what it should be.
So my mind full of thoughts, and some trouble at night, home and to bed.
Sir G. Carteret, who had been at the examining most of the late people
that are clapped up, do say that he do not think that there hath been
any great plotting among them, though they have a good will to it; but
their condition is so poor, and silly, and low, that they do not fear
them at all.
30th. Could sleep but little to-night for thoughts of my business. So
up by candlelight and by water to Whitehall, and so to my Lord Sandwich,
who was up in his chamber and all alone, did acquaint me with his
business; which was, that our old acquaintance Mr. Wade (in Axe Yard)
hath discovered to him L7,000 hid in the Tower, of which he was to have
two for discovery; my Lord himself two, and the King the other three,
when it was found; and that the King’s warrant runs for me on my Lord’s
part, and one Mr. Lee for Sir Harry Bennet, to demand leave of the
Lieutenant of the Tower for to make search. After he had told me the
whole business, I took leave and hastened to my office, expecting to be
called by a letter from my Lord to set upon the business, and so there I
sat with the officers all the morning. At noon when we were up comes
Mr. Wade with my Lord’s letter, and tells me the whole business. So we
consulted for me to go first to Sir H. Bennet, who is now with many of
the Privy Counsellors at the Tower, examining of their late prisoners,
to advise with him when to begin. So I went; and the guard at the Tower
Gate, making me leave my sword at the gate, I was forced to stay so long
in the ale-house hard by, till my boy run home for my cloak, that my
Lord Mayor that now is, Sir John Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower, with
all his company, was gone with their coaches to his house in Minchen
Lane. So my cloak being come, I walked thither; and there, by Sir G.
Carteret’s means, did presently speak with Sir H. Bennet, who did show
and give me the King’s warrant to me and Mr. Leigh, and another to
himself, for the paying of L2,000 to my Lord, and other two to the
discoverers. After a little discourse, dinner come in; and I dined with
them. There was my Lord Mayor, my Lord Lauderdale, Mr. Secretary Morris,
to whom Sir H. Bennet would give the upper hand; Sir Wm. Compton, Sir G.
Carteret, and myself, and some other company, and a brave dinner. After
dinner, Sir H. Bennet did call aside the Lord Mayor and me, and did
break the business to him, who did not, nor durst appear the least
averse to it, but did promise all assistance forthwith to set upon it.
So Mr. Lee and I to our office, and there walked till Mr. Wade and
one Evett his guide did come, and W. Griffin, and a porter with his
picke-axes, &c.; and so they walked along with us to the Tower, and Sir
H. Bennet and my Lord Mayor did give us full power to fall to work.
So our guide demands, a candle, and down into the cellars he goes,
inquiring whether they were the same that Baxter
[Intended for John Barkstead, Lieutenant of the Tower under
Cromwell. Committed to the Tower (see March 17th, 1661-62).]
always had. We went into several little cellars, and then went out
a-doors to view, and to the Cole Harbour; but none did answer so well to
the marks which was given him to find it by, as one arched vault. Where,
after a great deal of council whether to set upon it now, or delay for
better and more full advice, we set to it, to digging we went to almost
eight o’clock at night, but could find nothing. But, however, our guides
did not at all seem discouraged; for that they being confident that the
money is there they look for, but having never been in the cellars, they
could not be positive to the place, and therefore will inform themselves
more fully now they have been there, of the party that do advise them.
So locking the door after us, we left work to-night, and up to the
Deputy Governor (my Lord Mayor, and Sir H. Bennet, with the rest of the
company being gone an hour before); and he do undertake to keep the key
of the cellars, that none shall go down without his privity. But, Lord!
to see what a young simple fantastique coxcombe is made Deputy Governor,
would make one mad; and how he called out for his night-gown of silk,
only to make a show to us; and yet for half an hour I did not think he
was the Deputy Governor, and so spoke not to him about the business,
but waited for another man; at last I broke our business to him; and
he promising his care, we parted. And Mr. Leigh and I by coach to White
Hall, where I did give my Lord Sandwich an account of our proceedings,
and some encouragement to hope for something hereafter, and so bade him
good-night, and so by coach home again, where to my trouble I found that
the painter had not been here to-day to do any thing, which vexes me
mightily. So to my office to put down my journal, and so home and to
bed. This morning, walking with Mr. Coventry in the garden, he did tell
me how Sir G. Carteret had carried the business of the Victuallers’
money to be paid by himself, contrary to old practice; at which he is
angry I perceive, but I believe means no hurt, but that things maybe
done as they ought. He expects Sir George should not bespatter him
privately, in revenge, but openly. Against which he prepares to bedaub
him, and swears he will do it from the beginning, from Jersey to this
day. And as to his own taking of too large fees or rewards for places
that he had sold, he will prove that he was directed to it by Sir George
himself among others. And yet he did not deny Sir G. Carteret his
due, in saying that he is a man that do take the most pains, and gives
himself the most to do business of any man about the Court, without
any desire of pleasure or divertisements; which is very true. But which
pleased me mightily, he said in these words, that he was resolved,
whatever it cost him, to make an experiment, and see whether it was
possible for a man to keep himself up in Court by dealing plainly
and walking uprightly, with any private game a playing: in the doing
whereof, if his ground do slip from under him, he will be contented; but
he is resolved to try, and never to baulke taking notice of any thing
that is to the King’s prejudice, let it fall where it will; which is a
most brave resolucion. He was very free with me; and by my troth, I do
see more reall worth in him than in most men that I do know. I would not
forget two passages of Sir J. Minnes’s at yesterday’s dinner. The one,
that to the question how it comes to pass that there are no boars seen
in London, but many sows and pigs; it was answered, that the constable
gets them a-nights. The other, Thos. Killigrew’s way of getting to see
plays when he was a boy. He would go to the Red Bull, and when the man
cried to the boys, “Who will go and be a devil, and he shall see the
play for nothing?” then would he go in, and be a devil upon the stage,
and so get to see plays.
31st. Lay pretty long in bed, and then up and among my workmen, the
carpenters being this day laying of my floor of my dining room, with
whom I staid a good while, and so to my office, and did a little
business, and so home to dinner, and after dinner all the afternoon with
my carpenters, making them lay all my boards but one in my dining room
this day, which I am confident they would have made two good days work
of if I had not been there, and it will be very pleasant. At night to
my office, and there late doing of my office business, and so home to
supper and bed. Thus ends this month, I and my family in good health,
but weary heartily of dirt, but now in hopes within two or three weeks
to be out of it. My head troubled with much business, but especially my
fear of Sir J. Minnes claiming my bed-chamber of me, but I hope now that
it is almost over, for I perceive he is fitting his house to go into it
the next week. Then my law businesses for Brampton makes me mad almost,
for that I want time to follow them, but I must by no means neglect
them. I thank God I do save money, though it be but a little, but I hope
to find out some job or other that I may get a sum by to set me up. I am
now also busy in a discovery for my Lord Sandwich and Sir H. Bennett by
Mr. Wade’s means of some of Baxter’s [Barkstead] money hid in one of
his cellars in the Tower. If we get it it may be I may be 10 or L20 the
better for it. I thank God I have no crosses, but only much business to
trouble my mind with. In all other things as happy a man as any in the
world, for the whole world seems to smile upon me, and if my house were
done that I could diligently follow my business, I would not doubt to do
God, and the King, and myself good service. And all I do impute almost
wholly to my late temperance, since my making of my vowes against wine
and plays, which keeps me most happily and contentfully to my business;
which God continue! Public matters are full of discontent, what with
the sale of Dunkirk, and my Lady Castlemaine, and her faction at Court;
though I know not what they would have more than to debauch the king,
whom God preserve from it! And then great plots are talked to be
discovered, and all the prisons in town full of ordinary people, taken
from their meeting-places last Sunday. But for certain some plots there
hath been, though not brought to a head.