June 1st. Begun again to rise betimes by 4 o’clock, and made an end of
“The Adventures of Five Houres,” and it is a most excellent play. So to
my office, where a while and then about several businesses, in my way
to my brother’s, where I dined (being invited) with Mr. Peter and
Dean Honiwood, where Tom did give us a very pretty dinner, and we very
pleasant, but not very merry, the Dean being but a weak man, though very
good. I was forced to rise, being in haste to St. James’s to attend
the Duke, and left them to end their dinner; but the Duke having been
a-hunting to-day, and so lately come home and gone to bed, we could not
see him, and Mr. Coventry being out of the house too, we walked away to
White Hall and there took coach, and I with Sir J. Minnes to the Strand
May-pole; and there ‘light out of his coach, and walked to the New
Theatre, which, since the King’s players are gone to the Royal one, is
this day begun to be employed by the fencers to play prizes at. And here
I came and saw the first prize I ever saw in my life: and it was between
one Mathews, who did beat at all weapons, and one Westwicke, who was
soundly cut several times both in the head and legs, that he was all
over blood: and other deadly blows they did give and take in very good
earnest, till Westwicke was in a most sad pickle. They fought at eight
weapons, three bouts at each weapon. It was very well worth seeing,
because I did till this day think that it has only been a cheat; but
this being upon a private quarrel, they did it in good earnest; and
I felt one of their swords, and found it to be very little, if at all
blunter on the edge, than the common swords are. Strange to see what a
deal of money is flung to them both upon the stage between every bout.
But a woful rude rabble there was, and such noises, made my head ake all
this evening. So, well pleased for once with this sight, I walked
home, doing several businesses by the way. In my way calling to see
Commissioner Pett, who lies sick at his daughter, a pretty woman, in
Gracious Street, but is likely to be abroad again in a day or two. At
home I found my wife in bed all this day .... I went to see Sir Wm. Pen,
who has a little pain of his gout again, but will do well. So home to
supper and to bed. This day I hear at Court of the great plot which
was lately discovered in Ireland, made among the Presbyters and others,
designing to cry up the Covenant, and to secure Dublin Castle and other
places; and they have debauched a good part of the army there, promising
them ready money.
[This was known as “Blood’s Plot,” and was named after Colonel
Thomas Blood, afterwards notorious for his desperate attack upon the
Duke of Ormond in St. James’s Street (1670) and for his robbery of
the crown jewels in the Tower (1671). He died August 24th, 1680.]
Some of the Parliament there, they say, are guilty, and some withdrawn
upon it; several persons taken, and among others a son of Scott’s, that
was executed here for the King’s murder. What reason the King hath, I
know not; but it seems he is doubtfull of Scotland: and this afternoon,
when I was there, the Council was called extraordinary; and they were
opening the letters this last post’s coming and going between Scotland
and us and other places. Blessed be God, my head and hands are clear,
and therefore my sleep safe. The King of France is well again.
2d. Up and by water to White Hall and so to St. James’s, to Mr.
Coventry; where I had an hour’s private talk with him. Most of it was
discourse concerning his own condition, at present being under the
censure of the House, being concerned with others in the Bill for
selling of offices. He tells me, that though he thinks himself to suffer
much in his fame hereby, yet he values nothing more of evil to hang over
him for that it is against no statute, as is pretended, nor more than
what his predecessors time out of mind have taken; and that so soon as
he found himself to be in an errour, he did desire to have his fees
set, which was done; and since that he hath not taken a token more. He
undertakes to prove, that he did never take a token of any captain to
get him employed in his life beforehand, or demanded any thing: and for
the other accusation, that the Cavaliers are not employed, he looked
over the list of them now in the service, and of the twenty-seven that
are employed, thirteen have been heretofore always under the King; two
neutralls, and the other twelve men of great courage, and such as had
either the King’s particular commands, or great recommendation to put
them in, and none by himself. Besides that, he says it is not the King’s
nor Duke’s opinion that the whole party of the late officers should
be rendered desperate. And lastly, he confesses that the more of the
Cavaliers are put in, the less of discipline hath followed in the fleet;
and that, whenever there comes occasion, it must be the old ones that
must do any good, there being only, he says, but Captain Allen good for
anything of them all. He tells me, that he cannot guess whom all this
should come from; but he suspects Sir G. Carteret, as I also do, at
least that he is pleased with it. But he tells me that he will bring Sir
G. Carteret to be the first adviser and instructor of him what to make
his place of benefit to him; telling him that Smith did make his
place worth L5000 and he believed L7000 to him the first year; besides
something else greater than all this, which he forbore to tell me. It
seems one Sir Thomas Tomkins of the House, that makes many mad motions,
did bring it into the House, saying that a letter was left at his
lodgings, subscribed by one Benson (which is a feigned name, for there
is no such man in the Navy), telling him how many places in the Navy
have been sold. And by another letter, left in the same manner since,
nobody appearing, he writes him that there is one Hughes and another
Butler (both rogues, that have for their roguery been turned out of
their places), that will swear that Mr. Coventry did sell their places
and other things. I offered him my service, and will with all my heart
serve him; but he tells me he do not think it convenient to meddle, or
to any purpose, but is sensible of my love therein. So I bade him good
morrow, he being out of order to speak anything of our office business,
and so away to Westminster Hall, where I hear more of the plot from
Ireland; which it seems hath been hatching, and known to the Lord
Lieutenant a great while, and kept close till within three days that
it should have taken effect. The term ended yesterday, and it seems the
Courts rose sooner, for want of causes, than it is remembered to have
done in the memory of man. Thence up and down about business in several
places, as to speak with Mr. Phillips, but missed him, and so to Mr.
Beacham, the goldsmith, he being one of the jury to-morrow in Sir W.
Batten’s case against Field. I have been telling him our case, and I
believe he will do us good service there. So home, and seeing my wife
had dined I went, being invited, and dined with Sir W. Batten, Sir J.
Minnes, and others, at Sir W. Batten’s, Captain Allen giving them a Foy’
dinner, he being to go down to lie Admiral in the Downs this summer. I
cannot but think it a little strange that having been so civil to him as
I have been he should not invite me to dinner, but I believe it was but
a sudden motion, and so I heard not of it. After dinner to the office,
where all the afternoon till late, and so to see Sir W. Pen, and so home
to supper and to bed. To-night I took occasion with the vintner’s man,
who came by my direction to taste again my tierce of claret, to go down
to the cellar with him to consult about the drawing of it; and there,
to my great vexation, I find that the cellar door hath long been kept
unlocked, and above half the wine drunk. I was deadly mad at it, and
examined my people round, but nobody would confess it; but I did examine
the boy, and afterwards Will, and told him of his sitting up after we
were in bed with the maids, but as to that business he denies it, which
I can [not] remedy, but I shall endeavour to know how it went. My wife
did also this evening tell me a story of Ashwell stealing some new
ribbon from her, a yard or two, which I am sorry to hear, and I fear
my wife do take a displeasure against her, that they will hardly stay
together, which I should be sorry for, because I know not where to pick
such another out anywhere.
3rd. Up betimes, and studying of my double horizontal diall against Dean
Honiwood comes to me, who dotes mightily upon it, and I think I must
give it him. So after talking with Sir W. Batten, who is this morning
gone to Guildhall to his trial with Field, I to my office, and there
read all the morning in my statute-book, consulting among others the
statute against selling of offices, wherein Mr. Coventry is so much
concerned; and though he tells me that the statute do not reach him, yet
I much fear that it will. At noon, hearing that the trial is done, and
Sir W. Batten come to the Sun behind the Exchange I went thither, where
he tells me that he had much ado to carry it on his side, but that at
last he did, but the jury, by the judge’s favour, did give us but; L10
damages and the charges of the suit, which troubles me; but it is well
it went not against us, which would have been much worse. So to the
Exchange, and thence home to dinner, taking Deane of Woolwich along with
me, and he dined alone with my wife being undressed, and he and I spent
all the afternoon finely, learning of him the method of drawing the
lines of a ship, to my great satisfaction, and which is well worth
my spending some time in, as I shall do when my wife is gone into the
country. In the evening to the office and did some business, then home,
and, God forgive me, did from my wife’s unwillingness to tell me whither
she had sent the boy, presently suspect that he was gone to Pembleton’s,
and from that occasion grew so discontented that I could hardly speak or
sleep all night.
4th. Up betimes, and my wife and Ashwell and I whiled away the morning
up and down while they got themselves ready, and I did so watch to see
my wife put on drawers, which poor soul she did, and yet I could not get
off my suspicions, she having a mind to go into Fenchurch Street before
she went out for good and all with me, which I must needs construe to be
to meet Pembleton, when she afterwards told me it was to buy a fan
that she had not a mind that I should know of, and I believe it is so.
Specially I did by a wile get out of my boy that he did not yesterday go
to Pembleton’s or thereabouts, but only was sent all that time for some
starch, and I did see him bringing home some, and yet all this cannot
make my mind quiet. At last by coach I carried her to Westminster Hall,
and they two to Mrs. Bowyer to go from thence to my wife’s father’s and
Ashwell to hers, and by and by seeing my wife’s father in the Hall, and
being loth that my wife should put me to another trouble and charge by
missing him to-day, I did employ a porter to go from a person unknown to
tell him his daughter was come to his lodgings, and I at a distance did
observe him, but, Lord! what a company of questions he did ask him, what
kind of man I was, and God knows what. So he went home, and after I
had staid in the Hall a good while, where I heard that this day the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Juxon, a man well spoken of by all for a good
man, is dead; and the Bishop of London is to have his seat. Home by
water, where by and by comes Dean Honiwood, and I showed him my double
horizontal diall, and promise to give him one, and that shall be it. So,
without eating or drinking, he went away to Mr. Turner’s, where Sir J.
Minnes do treat my Lord Chancellor and a great deal of guests to-day
with a great dinner, which I thank God I do not pay for; and besides,
I doubt it is too late for any man to expect any great service from my
Lord Chancellor, for which I am sorry, and pray God a worse do not come
in his room. So I to dinner alone, and so to my chamber, and then to the
office alone, my head aching and my mind in trouble for my wife, being
jealous of her spending the day, though God knows I have no great
reason. Yet my mind is troubled. By and by comes Will Howe to see us,
and walked with me an hour in the garden, talking of my Lord’s falling
to business again, which I am glad of, and his coming to lie at his
lodgings at White Hall again. The match between Sir J. Cutts and my Lady
Jemimah, he says, is likely to go on; for which I am glad. In the Hall
to-day Dr. Pierce tells me that the Queen begins to be brisk, and play
like other ladies, and is quite another woman from what she was, of
which I am glad. It may be, it may make the King like her the better,
and forsake his two mistresses, my Lady Castlemaine and Stewart. He gone
we sat at the office till night, and then home, where my wife is come,
and has been with her father all the afternoon, and so home, and she
and I to walk in the garden, giving ear to her discourse of her father’s
affairs, and I found all well, so after putting things in order at my
office, home to supper and to bed.
5th. Up and to read a little, and by and by the carver coming, I
directed him how to make me a neat head for my viall that is making.
About 10 o’clock my wife and I, not without some discontent, abroad by
coach, and I set her at her father’s; but their condition is such that
she will not let me see where they live, but goes by herself when I am
out of sight. Thence to my brother’s, taking care for a passage for
my wife the next week in a coach to my father’s, and thence to Paul’s
Churchyard, where I found several books ready bound for me; among
others, the new Concordance of the Bible, which pleases me much, and is
a book I hope to make good use of. Thence, taking the little History of
England with me, I went by water to Deptford, where Sir J. Minnes
and Sir W. Batten attending the Pay; I dined with them, and there Dr.
Britton, parson of the town, a fine man and good company, dined with us,
and good discourse. After dinner I left them and walked to Redriffe,
and thence to White Hall, and at my Lord’s lodgings found my wife, and
thence carried her to see my Lady Jemimah, but she was not within. So to
Mr. Turner’s, and there saw Mr. Edward Pepys’s lady, who my wife concurs
with me to be very pretty, as most women we ever saw. So home, and
after a walk in the garden a little troubled to see my wife take no more
pleasure with Ashwell, but neglect her and leave her at home. Home to
supper and to bed.
6th. Lay in bed till 7 o’clock, yet rose with an opinion that it was
not 5, and so continued though I heard the clock strike, till noon, and
would not believe that it was so late as it truly was. I was hardly ever
so mistaken in my life before. Up and to Sir G. Carteret at his house,
and spoke to him about business, but he being in a bad humour I had no
mind to stay with him, but walked, drinking my morning draft of whay, by
the way, to York House, where the Russia Embassador do lie; and there
I saw his people go up and down louseing themselves: they are all in a
great hurry, being to be gone the beginning of next week. But that that
pleased me best, was the remains of the noble soul of the late Duke of
Buckingham appearing in his house, in every place, in the doorcases and
the windows. By and by comes Sir John Hebden, the Russia Resident, to
me, and he and I in his coach to White Hall, to Secretary Morrice’s,
to see the orders about the Russia hemp that is to be fetched from
Archangel for our King, and that being done, to coach again, and he
brought me into the City and so I home; and after dinner abroad by
water, and met by appointment Mr. Deane in the Temple Church, and he and
I over to Mr. Blackbury’s yard, and thence to other places, and after
that to a drinking house, in all which places I did so practise and
improve my measuring of timber, that I can now do it with great ease
and perfection, which do please me mightily. This fellow Deane is a
conceited fellow, and one that means the King a great deal of service,
more of disservice to other people that go away with the profits
which he cannot make; but, however, I learn much of him, and he is, I
perceive, of great use to the King in his place, and so I shall give him
all the encouragement I can. Home by water, and having wrote a letter
for my wife to my Lady Sandwich to copy out to send this night’s post,
I to the office, and wrote there myself several things, and so home to
supper and bed. My mind being troubled to think into what a temper of
neglect I have myself flung my wife into by my letting her learn to
dance, that it will require time to cure her of, and I fear her going
into the country will but make her worse; but only I do hope in the
meantime to spend my time well in my office, with more leisure than
while she is here. Hebden, to-day in the coach, did tell me how he is
vexed to see things at Court ordered as they are by nobody that attends
to business, but every man himself or his pleasures. He cries up my Lord
Ashley to be almost the only man that he sees to look after business;
and with that ease and mastery, that he wonders at him. He cries out
against the King’s dealing so much with goldsmiths, and suffering
himself to have his purse kept and commanded by them. He tells me also
with what exact care and order the States of Holland’s stores are kept
in their Yards, and every thing managed there by their builders
with such husbandry as is not imaginable; which I will endeavour to
understand further, if I can by any means learn.
7th (Lord’s day). Whit Sunday. Lay long talking with my wife, sometimes
angry and ended pleased and hope to bring our matters to a better
posture in a little time, which God send. So up and to church, where Mr.
Mills preached, but, I know not how, I slept most of the sermon. Thence
home, and dined with my wife and Ashwell and after dinner discoursed
very pleasantly, and so I to church again in the afternoon, and, the
Scot preaching, again slept all the afternoon, and so home, and by and
by to Sir W. Batten’s, to talk about business, where my Lady Batten
inveighed mightily against the German Princess, and I as high in the
defence of her wit and spirit, and glad that she is cleared at the
sessions. Thence to Sir W. Pen, who I found ill again of the gout, he
tells me that now Mr. Castle and Mrs. Martha Batten do own themselves to
be married, and have been this fortnight. Much good may it do him, for I
do not envy him his wife. So home, and there my wife and I had an angry
word or two upon discourse of our boy, compared with Sir W. Pen’s boy
that he has now, whom I say is much prettier than ours and she the
contrary. It troubles me to see that every small thing is enough
now-a-days to bring a difference between us. So to my office and there
did a little business, and then home to supper and to bed. Mrs. Turner,
who is often at Court, do tell me to-day that for certain the Queen hath
much changed her humour, and is become very pleasant and sociable as
any; and they say is with child, or believed to be so.
8th. Up and to my office a while, and thence by coach with Sir J. Minnes
to St. James’s to the Duke, where Mr. Coventry and us two did discourse
with the Duke a little about our office business, which saved our coming
in the afternoon, and so to rights home again and to dinner. After
dinner my wife and I had a little jangling, in which she did give me the
lie, which vexed me, so that finding my talking did but make her worse,
and that her spirit is lately come to be other than it used to be, and
now depends upon her having Ashwell by her, before whom she thinks I
shall not say nor do anything of force to her, which vexes me and
makes me wish that I had better considered all that I have of late done
concerning my bringing my wife to this condition of heat, I went up
vexed to my chamber and there fell examining my new concordance, that
I have bought, with Newman’s, the best that ever was out before, and I
find mine altogether as copious as that and something larger, though
the order in some respects not so good, that a man may think a place
is missing, when it is only put in another place. Up by and by my wife
comes and good friends again, and to walk in the garden and so anon to
supper and to bed. My cozen John Angier the son, of Cambridge coming to
me late to see me, and I find his business is that he would be sent
to sea, but I dissuaded him from it, for I will not have to do with it
without his friends’ consent.
9th. Up and after ordering some things towards my wife’s going into
the country, to the office, where I spent the morning upon my measuring
rules very pleasantly till noon, and then comes Creed and he and I
talked about mathematiques, and he tells me of a way found out by Mr.
Jonas Moore which he calls duodecimal arithmetique, which is properly
applied to measuring, where all is ordered by inches, which are 12 in
a foot, which I have a mind to learn. So he with me home to dinner and
after dinner walk in the garden, and then we met at the office, where
Coventry, Sir J. Minnes, and I, and so in the evening, business done, I
went home and spent my time till night with my wife. Presently after my
coming home comes Pembleton, whether by appointment or no I know not,
or whether by a former promise that he would come once before my wife’s
going into the country, but I took no notice of, let them go up and
Ashwell with them to dance, which they did, and I staid below in my
chamber, but, Lord! how I listened and laid my ear to the door, and how
I was troubled when I heard them stand still and not dance. Anon they
made an end and had done, and so I suffered him to go away, and spoke
not to him, though troubled in my mind, but showed no discontent to my
wife, believing that this is the last time I shall be troubled with him.
So my wife and I to walk in the garden, home and to supper and to bed.
10th. Up and all the morning helping my wife to put up her things
towards her going into the country and drawing the wine out of my vessel
to send. This morning came my cozen Thomas Pepys to desire me to furnish
him with some money, which I could not do till his father has wrote to
Piggott his consent to the sale of his lands, so by and by we parted and
I to the Exchange a while and so home and to dinner, and thence to
the Royal Theatre by water, and landing, met with Captain Ferrers his
friend, the little man that used to be with him, and he with us, and sat
by us while we saw “Love in a Maze.” The play is pretty good, but the
life of the play is Lacy’s part, the clown, which is most admirable;
but for the rest, which are counted such old and excellent actors, in my
life I never heard both men and women so ill pronounce their parts, even
to my making myself sick therewith. Thence, Creed happening to be with
us, we four to the Half-Moon Tavern, I buying some sugar and carrying
it with me, which we drank with wine and thence to the whay-house, and
drank a great deal of whay, and so by water home, and thence to see Sir
W. Pen, who is not in much pain, but his legs swell and so immoveable
that he cannot stir them, but as they are lifted by other people and I
doubt will have another fit of his late pain. Played a little at cards
with him and his daughter, who is grown every day a finer and finer
lady, and so home to supper and to bed. When my wife and I came first
home we took Ashwell and all the rest below in the cellar with the
vintner drawing out my wine, which I blamed Ashwell much for and told
her my mind that I would not endure it, nor was it fit for her to make
herself equal with the ordinary servants of the house.
11th. Up and spent most of the morning upon my measuring Ruler and with
great pleasure I have found out some things myself of great dispatch,
more than my book teaches me, which pleases me mightily. Sent my wife’s
things and the wine to-day by the carrier to my father’s, but staid my
boy from a letter of my father’s, wherein he desires that he may not
come to trouble his family as he did the last year. Dined at home and
then to the office, where we sat all the afternoon, and at night home
and spent the evening with my wife, and she and I did jangle mightily
about her cushions that she wrought with worsteds the last year, which
are too little for any use, but were good friends by and by again. But
one thing I must confess I do observe, which I did not before, which is,
that I cannot blame my wife to be now in a worse humour than she used to
be, for I am taken up in my talk with Ashwell, who is a very witty girl,
that I am not so fond of her as I used and ought to be, which now I do
perceive I will remedy, but I would to the Lord I had never taken
any, though I cannot have a better than her. To supper and to bed.
The consideration that this is the longest day in the year is very
unpleasant to me.--[It is necessary to note that this was according to
the old style.]--This afternoon my wife had a visit from my Lady Jeminah
and Mr. Ferrers.
12th. Up and my office, there conning my measuring Ruler, which I shall
grow a master of in a very little time. At noon to the Exchange and so
home to dinner, and abroad with my wife by water to the Royall Theatre;
and there saw “The Committee,” a merry but indifferent play, only
Lacey’s part, an Irish footman, is beyond imagination. Here I saw my
Lord Falconbridge, and his Lady, my Lady Mary Cromwell, who looks as
well as I have known her, and well clad; but when the House began to
fill she put on her vizard,
[Masks were commonly used by ladies in the reign of Elizabeth, and
when their use was revived at the Restoration for respectable women
attending the theatre, they became general. They soon, however,
became the mark of loose women, and their use was discontinued by
women of repute. On June 1st, 1704, a song was sung at the theatre
in Lincoln’s Inn Fields called “The Misses’ Lamentation for want of
their Vizard Masques at the Theatre.” Mr. R. W. Lowe gives several
references to the use of vizard masks at the theatre in his
interesting biography, “Thomas Betterton.”]
and so kept it on all the play; which of late is become a great fashion
among the ladies, which hides their whole face. So to the Exchange, to
buy things with my wife; among others, a vizard for herself. And so by
water home and to my office to do a little business, and so to see Sir
W. Pen, but being going to bed and not well I could not see him. So
home and to supper and bed, being mightily troubled all night and next
morning with the palate of my mouth being down from some cold I took
to-day sitting sweating in the playhouse, and the wind blowing through
the windows upon my head.
13th. Up and betimes to Thames Street among the tarr men, to look the
price of tarr and so by water to Whitehall thinking to speak with Sir
G. Carteret, but he lying in the city all night, and meeting with Mr.
Cutler the merchant, I with him in his coach into the city to Sir G.
Carteret, but missing him there, he and I walked to find him at Sir Tho.
Allen’s in Bread Street, where not finding him he and I walked towards
our office, he discoursing well of the business of the Navy, and
particularly of the victualling, in which he was once I perceive
concerned, and he and I parted and I to the office and there had a
difference with Sir W. Batten about Mr. Bowyer’s tarr, which I am
resolved to cross, though he sent me last night, as a bribe, a barrel of
sturgeon, which, it may be, I shall send back, for I will not have
the King abused so abominably in the price of what we buy, by Sir W.
Batten’s corruption and underhand dealing. So from the office, Mr. Wayth
with me, to the Parliament House, and there I spoke and told Sir
G. Carteret all, with which he is well pleased, and do recall his
willingness yesterday, it seems, to Sir W. Batten, that we should buy a
great quantity of tarr, being abused by him. Thence with Mr. Wayth after
drinking a cupp of ale at the Swan, talking of the corruption of the
Navy, by water. I landed him at Whitefriars, and I to the Exchange, and
so home to dinner, where I found my wife’s brother, and thence after
dinner by water to the Royall Theatre, where I resolved to bid farewell,
as shall appear by my oaths tomorrow against all plays either at
publique houses or Court till Christmas be over. Here we saw “The
Faithfull Sheepheardesse,” a most simple thing, and yet much thronged
after, and often shown, but it is only for the scenes’ sake, which is
very fine indeed and worth seeing; but I am quite out of opinion with
any of their actings, but Lacy’s, compared with the other house. Thence
to see Mrs. Hunt, which we did and were much made of; and in our way saw
my Lady Castlemaine, who, I fear, is not so handsome as I have taken her
for, and now she begins to decay something. This is my wife’s opinion
also, for which I am sorry. Thence by coach, with a mad coachman, that
drove like mad, and down byeways, through Bucklersbury home, everybody
through the street cursing him, being ready to run over them. So
home, and after writing letters by the post, home to supper and bed.
Yesterday, upon conference with the King in the Banqueting House, the
Parliament did agree with much ado, it being carried but by forty-two
voices, that they would supply him with a sum of money; but what and how
is not yet known, but expected to be done with great disputes the next
week. But if done at all, it is well.
14th (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed. So up and to church. Then to dinner,
and Tom dined with me, who I think grows a very thriving man, as he
himself tells me. He tells me that his man John has got a wife, and for
that he intends to part with him, which I am sorry for, and then that
Mr. Armiger comes to be a constant lodger at his house, and he says has
money in his purse and will be a good paymaster, but I do much doubt it.
He being gone, I up and sending my people to church, my wife and I did
even our reckonings, and had a great deal of serious talk, wherein I
took occasion to give her hints of the necessity of our saving all we
can. I do see great cause every day to curse the time that ever I did
give way to the taking of a woman for her, though I could never have had
a better, and also the letting of her learn to dance, by both which her
mind is so devilishly taken off her business and minding her occasions,
and besides has got such an opinion in her of my being jealous, that it
is never to be removed, I fear, nor hardly my trouble that attends it;
but I must have patience. I did give her 40s. to carry into the country
tomorrow with her, whereof 15s. is to go for the coach-hire for her and
Ashwell, there being 20s. paid here already in earnest. In the evening
our discourse turned to great content and love, and I hope that after
a little forgetting our late differences, and being a while absent one
from another, we shall come to agree as well as ever. So to Sir W. Pen’s
to visit him, and finding him alone, sent for my wife, who is in her
riding-suit, to see him, which she hath not done these many months I
think. By and by in comes Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten, and so we sat
talking. Among other things, Sir J. Minnes brought many fine expressions
of Chaucer, which he doats on mightily, and without doubt he is a very
fine poet.
[Pepys continued through life an admirer of Chaucer, and we have the
authority of Dryden himself for saying that we owe his character of
the Good Parson to Pepys’s recommendation.]
Sir W. Pen continues lame of the gout, that he cannot rise from his
chair. So after staying an hour with him, we went home and to supper,
and so to prayers and bed.
15th. Up betimes, and anon my wife rose and did give me her keys, and
put other things in order and herself against going this morning into
the country. I was forced to go to Thames Street and strike up a bargain
for some tarr, to prevent being abused therein by Hill, who was with me
this morning, and is mightily surprised that I should tell him what I
can have the same tarr with his for. Thence home, but finding my wife
gone, I took coach and after her to her inn, where I am troubled to see
her forced to sit in the back of the coach, though pleased to see her
company none but women and one parson; she I find is troubled at all,
and I seemed to make a promise to get a horse and ride after them; and
so, kissing her often, and Ashwell once, I bid them adieu. So home by
coach, and thence by water to Deptford to the Trinity House, where I
came a little late; but I found them reading their charter, which they
did like fools, only reading here and there a bit, whereas they ought to
do it all, every word, and then proceeded to the election of a maister,
which was Sir W. Batten, without any control, who made a heavy, short
speech to them, moving them to give thanks to the late Maister for his
pains, which he said was very great, and giving them thanks for their
choice of him, wherein he would serve them to the best of his power.
Then to the choice of their assistants and wardens, and so rose. I might
have received 2s. 6d. as a younger Brother, but I directed one of the
servants of the House to receive it and keep it. Thence to church, where
Dr. Britton preached a sermon full of words against the Nonconformists,
but no great matter in it, nor proper for the day at all. His text was,
“With one mind and one mouth give glory to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” That done, by water, I in the barge with the Maister,
to the Trinity House at London; where, among others, I found my Lords
Sandwich and Craven, and my cousin Roger Pepys, and Sir Wm. Wheeler.
Anon we sat down to dinner, which was very great, as they always have.
Great variety of talk. Mr. Prin, among many, had a pretty tale of one
that brought in a bill in parliament for the empowering him to dispose
his land to such children as he should have that should bear the name of
his wife. It was in Queen Elizabeth’s time. One replied that there are
many species of creatures where the male gives the denomination to both
sexes, as swan and woodcock, but not above one where the female do, and
that is a goose. Both at and after dinner we had great discourses of the
nature and power of spirits, and whether they can animate dead bodies;
in all which, as of the general appearance of spirits, my Lord Sandwich
is very scepticall. He says the greatest warrants that ever he had to
believe any, is the present appearing of the Devil
[In 1664, there being a generall report all over the kingdom of Mr.
Monpesson his house being haunted, which hee himself affirming to
the King and Queene to be true, the King sent the Lord Falmouth, and
the Queene sent mee, to examine the truth of; but wee could neither
see nor heare anything that was extraordinary; and about a year
after, his Majesty told me that hee had discovered the cheat, and
that Mr. Monpesson, upon his Majesty sending for him, confessed it
to him. And yet Mr. Monpesson, in a printed letter, had afterwards
the confidence to deny that hee had ever made any such confession”
(“Letters of the Second Earl of Chesterfield,” p. 24, 1829, 8vo.).
Joseph Glanville published a relation of the famous disturbance at
the house of Mr. Monpesson, at Tedworth, Wilts, occasioned by the
beating of an invisible drum every night for a year. This story,
which was believed at the time, furnished the plot for Addison’s
play of “The Drummer,” or the “Haunted House.” In the “Mercurius
Publicus,” April 16-23, 1663, there is a curious examination on this
subject, by which it appears that one William Drury, of Uscut,
Wilts, was the invisible drummer.--B.]
in Wiltshire, much of late talked of, who beats a drum up and down.
There are books of it, and, they say, very true; but my Lord observes,
that though he do answer to any tune that you will play to him upon
another drum, yet one tune he tried to play and could not; which makes
him suspect the whole; and I think it is a good argument. Sometimes they
talked of handsome women, and Sir J. Minnes saying that there was no
beauty like what he sees in the country-markets, and specially at Bury,
in which I will agree with him that there is a prettiest women I
ever saw. My Lord replied thus: “Sir John, what do you think of your
neighbour’s wife?” looking upon me. “Do you not think that he hath
a great beauty to his wife? Upon my word he hath.” Which I was not a
little proud of. Thence by barge with my Lord to Blackfriars, where
we landed and I thence walked home, where vexed to find my boy (whom
I boxed at his coming for it) and Will abroad, though he was but upon
Tower Hill a very little while. My head akeing with the healths I was
forced to drink to-day I sent for the barber, and he having done, I up
to my wife’s closett, and there played on my viallin a good while, and
without supper anon to bed, sad for want of my wife, whom I love with
all my heart, though of late she has given me some troubled thoughts.
16th. Up, but not so early as I intend now, and to my office, where
doing business all the morning. At noon by desire I dined with Sir W.
Batten, who tells me that the House have voted the supply, intended for
the King, shall be by subsidy. After dinner with Sir J. Minnes to see
some pictures at Brewer’s, said to be of good hands, but I do not like
them. So I to the office and thence to Stacy’s, his Tar merchant, whose
servant with whom I agreed yesterday for some tar do by combination
with Bowyer and Hill fall from our agreement, which vexes us all at the
office, even Sir W. Batten, who was so earnest for it. So to the office,
where we sat all the afternoon till night, and then to Sir W. Pen, who
continues ill, and so to bed about 10 o’clock.
17th. Up before 4 o’clock, which is the hour I intend now to rise at,
and to my office a while, and with great pleasure I fell to my business
again. Anon went with money to my tar merchant to pay for the tar, which
he refuses to sell me; but now the master is come home, and so he speaks
very civilly, and I believe we shall have it with peace. I brought back
my money to my office, and thence to White Hall, and in the garden spoke
to my Lord Sandwich, who is in his gold-buttoned suit, as the mode is,
and looks nobly. Captain Ferrers, I see, is come home from France. I
only spoke one word to him, my Lord being there. He tells me the young
gentlemen are well there; so my Lord went to my Lord Albemarle’s to
dinner, and I by water home and dined alone, and at the office (after
half an hour’s viallin practice after dinner) till late at night, and so
home and to bed. This day I sent my cozen Edward Pepys his Lady, at my
cozen Turner’s, a piece of venison given me yesterday, and Madam Turner
I sent for a dozen bottles of her’s, to fill with wine for her. This day
I met with Pierce the surgeon, who tells me that the King has made peace
between Mr. Edward Montagu and his father Lord Montagu, and that all is
well again; at which; for the family’s sake, I am very glad, but do not
think it will hold long.
18th. Up by four o’clock and to my office, where all the morning writing
out in my Navy collections the ordinary estimate of the Navy, and did it
neatly. Then dined at home alone, my mind pleased with business, but sad
for the absence of my wife. After dinner half an hour at my viallin, and
then all the afternoon sitting at the office late, and so home and to
bed. This morning Mr. Cutler came and sat in my closet half an hour with
me, his discourse very excellent, being a wise man, and I do perceive by
him as well as many others that my diligence is taken notice of in the
world, for which I bless God and hope to continue doing so. Before I
went into my house this night I called at Sir W. Batten’s, where finding
some great ladies at table at supper with him and his lady, I retreated
and went home, though they called to me again and again, and afterwards
sent for me. So I went, and who should it be but Sir Fr. Clerke and his
lady and another proper lady at supper there, and great cheer, where I
staid till 11 o’clock at night, and so home and to bed.
19th. Lay till 6 o’clock, and then up and to my office, where all the
morning, and at noon to the Exchange, and coming home met Mr. Creed, and
took him back, and he dined with me, and by and by came Mr. Moore, whom
I supplied with L30, and then abroad with them by water to Lambeth,
expecting to have seen the Archbishop lie in state; but it seems he
is not laid out yet. And so over to White Hall, and at the Privy Seal
Office examined the books, and found the grant of increase of salary
to the principall officers in the year 1639, L300 among the Controller,
Surveyor, and Clerk of the Shippes. Thence to Wilkinson’s after a good
walk in the Park, where we met on horseback Captain Ferrers; who tells
us that the King of France is well again, and that he saw him train his
Guards, all brave men, at Paris; and that when he goes to his mistress,
Madame la Valiere, a pretty little woman, now with child by him, he goes
with his guards with him publiquely, and his trumpets and kettle-drums
with him, who stay before the house while he is with her; and yet he
says that, for all this, the Queen do not know of it, for that nobody
dares to tell her; but that I dare not believe. Thence I to Wilkinson’s,
where we had bespoke a dish of pease, where we eat them very merrily,
and there being with us the little gentleman, a friend of Captain
Ferrers, that was with my wife and I at a play a little while ago, we
went thence to the Rhenish wine-house, where we called for a red Rhenish
wine called Bleahard, a pretty wine, and not mixed, as they say. Here
Mr. Moore showed us the French manner, when a health is drunk, to bow
to him that drunk to you, and then apply yourself to him, whose lady’s
health is drunk, and then to the person that you drink to, which I never
knew before; but it seems it is now the fashion. Thence by water home
and to bed, having played out of my chamber window on my pipe before I
went to bed, and making Will read a part of a Latin chapter, in which I
perceive in a little while he will be pretty ready, if he spends but a
little pains in it.
20th. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and dined at home,
Mr. Deane, of Woolwich, with me, and he and I all the afternoon down by
water, and in a timber yard, measuring of timber, which I now understand
thoroughly, and shall be able in a little time to do the King great
service. Home in the evening, and after Will’s reading a little in the
Latin Testament, to bed.
21st (Lord’s day). Up betimes, and fell to reading my Latin grammar,
which I perceive I have great need of, having lately found it by my
calling Will to the reading of a chapter in Latin, and I am resolved
to go through it. After being trimmed, I by water to White Hall, and so
over the Park, it raining hard, to Mr. Coventry’s chamber, where I spent
two hours with him about business of the Navy, and how by his absence
things are like to go with us, and with good content from my being with
him he carried me by coach and set me down at Whitehall, and thence to
right home by water. He shewed me a list, which he hath prepared for the
Parliament’s view, if the business of his selling of offices should be
brought to further hearing, wherein he reckons up, as I remember, 236
offices of ships which have been disposed of without his taking one
farthing. This, of his own accord, he opened his cabinet on purpose to
shew me, meaning, I suppose, that I should discourse abroad of it, and
vindicate him therein, which I shall with all my power do. At home,
being wet, shifted my band and things, and then to dinner, and after
dinner went up and tried a little upon my tryangle, which I understand
fully, and with a little use I believe could bring myself to do
something. So to church, and slept all the sermon, the Scot, to whose
voice I am not to be reconciled, preaching. Thence with Sir J. Minnes
(who poor man had forgot that he carried me the other day to the
painter’s to see some pictures which he has since bought and are brought
home) to his Jodgings to see some base things he calls them of great
masters of painting. So I said nothing that he had shown me them
already, but commended them, and I think they are indeed good enough.
Thence to see Sir W. Pen, who continues ill of the gout still. Here we
staid a good while, and then I to my office, and read my vows seriously
and with content, and so home to supper, to prayers, and to bed.
22nd. Up betimes and to my office, reading over all our letters of the
office that we have wrote since I came into the Navy, whereby to
bring the whole series of matters into my memory, and to enter in my
manuscript some of them that are needful and of great influence. By and
by with Sir W. Batten by coach to Westminster, where all along I find
the shops evening with the sides of the houses, even in the broadest
streets; which will make the City very much better than it was. I
walked in the Hall from one man to another. Hear that the House is still
divided about the manner of levying the subsidys which they intend to
give the King, both as to the manner, the time, and the number. It seems
the House do consent to send to the King to desire that he would be
graciously pleased to let them know who it was that did inform him of
what words Sir Richard Temple should say, which were to this purpose:
“That if the King would side with him, or be guided by him and his
party, that he should not lack money:” but without knowing who told it,
they do not think fit to call him to any account for it. Thence with
Creed and bought a lobster, and then to an alehouse, where the maid of
the house is a confident merry lass, and if modest is very pleasant to
the customers that come thither. Here we eat it, and thence to walk in
the Park a good while. The Duke being gone a-hunting, and by and by came
in and shifted himself; he having in his hunting, rather than go about,
‘light and led his horse through a river up to his breast, and came so
home: and when we were come, which was by and by, we went on to him, and
being ready he retired with us, and we had a long discourse with him.
But Mr. Creed’s accounts stick still through the perverse ignorance of
Sir G. Carteret, which I cannot safely control as I would. Thence to the
Park again, and there walked up and down an hour or two till night with
Creed, talking, who is so knowing, and a man of that reason, that I
cannot but love his company, though I do not love the man, because he
is too wise to be made a friend of, and acts all by interest and policy,
but is a man fit to learn of. So to White Hall, and by water to the
Temple, and calling at my brother’s and several places, but to no
purpose, I came home, and meeting Strutt, the purser, he tells me for
a secret that he was told by Field that he had a judgment against me
in the Exchequer for L400. So I went to Sir W. Batten, and taking Mr.
Batten, his son the counsellor, with me, by coach, I went to Clerke, our
Solicitor, who tells me there can be no such thing, and after conferring
with them two together, who are resolved to look well after the
business, I returned home and to my office, setting down this day’s
passages, and having a letter that all is well in the country I went
home to supper, and then a Latin chapter of Will and to bed.
23rd. Up by four o’clock, and so to my office; but before I went out,
calling, as I have of late done, for my boy’s copybook, I found that
he had not done his task; so I beat him, and then went up to fetch
my rope’s end, but before I got down the boy was gone. I searched the
cellar with a candle, and from top to bottom could not find him high nor
low. So to the office; and after an hour or two, by water to the
Temple, to my cozen Roger; who, I perceive, is a deadly high man in the
Parliament business, and against the Court, showing me how they have
computed that the King hath spent, at least hath received, about four
millions of money since he came in: and in Sir J. Winter’s case, in
which I spoke to him, he is so high that he says he deserves to be
hanged, and all the high words he could give, which I was sorry to see,
though I am confident he means well. Thence by water home, and to the
‘Change; and by and by comes the King and the Queen by in great state,
and the streets full of people. I stood in Mr.--------‘s balcone. They
dine all at my Lord Mayor’s; but what he do for victuals, or room for
them, I know not. So home to dinner alone, and there I found that my boy
had got out of doors, and came in for his hat and band, and so is gone
away to his brother; but I do resolve even to let him go away for good
and all. So I by and by to the office, and there had a great fray with
Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes, who, like an old dotard, is led by the
nose by him. It was in Captain Cocke’s business of hemp, wherein the
King is absolutely abused; but I was for peace sake contented to be
quiet and to sign to his bill, but in my manner so as to justify myself,
and so all was well; but to see what a knave Sir W. Batten is makes my
heart ake. So late at my office, and then home to supper and to bed, my
man Will not being well.
24th. Up before 4 o’clock, and so to my lute an hour or more, and then
by water, drinking my morning draft alone at an alehouse in Thames
Street, to the Temple, and thence after a little discourse with my cozen
Roger about some business, away by water to St. James’s, and there an
hour’s private discourse with Mr. Coventry, where he told me one thing
to my great joy, that in the business of Captain Cocke’s hemp, disputed
before him the other day, Mr. Coventry absent, the Duke did himself tell
him since, that Mr. Pepys and he did stand up and carry it against the
rest that were there, Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Batten, which do please
me much to see that the Duke do take notice of me. We did talk highly of
Sir W. Batten’s corruption, which Mr. Coventry did very kindly say that
it might be only his heaviness and unaptness for business, that he do
things without advice and rashly, and to gratify people that do eat and
drink and play with him, and that now and then he observes that he
signs bills only in anger and fury to be rid of men. Speaking of Sir G.
Carteret, of whom I perceive he speaks but slightly, and diminishing of
him in his services for the King in Jersey; that he was well rewarded,
and had good lands and rents, and other profits from the King, all the
time he was there; and that it was always his humour to have things done
his way. He brought an example how he would not let the Castle there be
victualled for more than a month, that so he might keep it at his
beck, though the people of the town did offer to supply it more often
themselves, which, when one did propose to the King, Sir George Carteret
being by, says Sir George, “Let me know who they are that would do it, I
would with all my heart pay them.” “Ah, by God,” says the Commander that
spoke of it, “that is it that they are afeard of, that you would hug
them,” meaning that he would not endure them. Another thing he told me,
how the Duke of York did give Sir G. Carteret and the Island his profits
as Admirall, and other things, toward the building of a pier there. But
it was never laid out, nor like to be. So it falling out that a lady
being brought to bed, the Duke was to be desired to be one of the
godfathers; and it being objected that that would not be proper, there
being no peer of the land to be joyned with him, the lady replied, “Why,
let him choose; and if he will not be a godfather without a peer, then
let him even stay till he hath made a pier of his own.”
[In the same spirit, long after this, some question arising as to
the best material to be used in building Westminster Bridge, Lord
Chesterfield remarked, that there were too many wooden piers (peers)
at Westminster already.--B.]
He tells me, too, that he hath lately been observed to tack about at
Court, and to endeavour to strike in with the persons that are against
the Chancellor; but this he says of him, that he do not say nor do
anything to the prejudice of the Chancellor. But he told me that the
Chancellor was rising again, and that of late Sir G. Carteret’s
business and employment hath not been so full as it used to be while the
Chancellor stood up. From that we discoursed of the evil of putting out
men of experience in business as the Chancellor, and from that to speak
of the condition of the King’s party at present, who, as the Papists,
though otherwise fine persons, yet being by law kept for these fourscore
years out of employment, they are now wholly uncapable of business; and
so the Cavaliers for twenty years, who, says he, for the most part have
either given themselves over to look after country and family business,
and those the best of them, and the rest to debauchery, &c.; and that
was it that hath made him high against the late Bill brought into the
House for the making all men incapable of employment that had served
against the King. Why, says he, in the sea-service, it is impossible to
do any thing without them, there being not more than three men of the
whole King’s side that are fit to command almost; and these were Captain
Allen, Smith, and Beech; and it may be Holmes, and Utber, and Batts
might do something. I desired him to tell me if he thought that I did
speak anything that I do against Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes out of
ill will or design. He told me quite the contrary, and that there was
reason enough. After a good deal of good and fine discourse, I took
leave, and so to my Lord Sandwich’s house, where I met my Lord, and
there did discourse of our office businesses, and how the Duke do show
me kindness, though I have endeavoured to displease more or less of my
fellow officers, all but Mr. Coventry and Pett; but it matters not. Yes,
says my Lord, Sir J. Minnes, who is great with the Chancellor; I told
him the Chancellor I have thought was declining, and however that the
esteem he has among them is nothing but for a jester or a ballad maker;
at which my Lord laughs, and asks me whether I believe he ever could do
that well. Thence with Mr. Creed up and down to an ordinary, and, the
King’s Head being full, went to the other over against it, a pretty man
that keeps it, and good and much meat, better than the other, but
the company and room so small that he must break, and there wants the
pleasure that the other house has in its company. Here however dined an
old courtier that is now so, who did bring many examples and arguments
to prove that seldom any man that brings any thing to Court gets any
thing, but rather the contrary; for knowing that they have wherewith to
live, will not enslave themselves to the attendance, and flattery, and
fawning condition of a courtier, whereas another that brings nothing,
and will be contented to cog, and lie, and flatter every man and woman
that has any interest with the persons that are great in favour, and can
cheat the King, as nothing is to be got without offending God and the
King, there he for the most part, and he alone, saves any thing. Thence
to St. James Park, and there walked two or three hours talking of the
difference between Sir G. Carteret and Mr. Creed about his accounts,
and how to obviate him, but I find Creed a deadly cunning fellow and one
that never do any thing openly, but has intrigues in all he do or says.
Thence by water home to see all well, and thence down to Greenwich, and
there walked into a pretty common garden and there played with him at
nine pins for some drink, and to make the fellows drink that set up the
pins, and so home again being very cold, and taking a very great cold,
being to-day the first time in my tabby doublet this year. Home, and
after a small supper Creed and I to bed. This day I observed the house,
which I took to be the new tennis-court, newly built next my Lord’s
lodgings, to be fallen down by the badness of the foundation or slight
working, which my cozen Roger and his discontented party cry out upon,
as an example how the King’s work is done, which I am sorry to see him
and others so apt to think ill of things. It hath beaten down a good
deal of my Lord’s lodgings, and had like to have killed Mrs. Sarah, she
having but newly gone out of it.
25th. Up both of us pretty early and to my chamber, where he and I did
draw up a letter to Sir G. Carteret in excuse and preparation for Creed
against we meet before the Duke upon his accounts, which I drew up and
it proved very well, but I am pleased to see with what secret cunning
and variety of artifice this Creed has carried on his business even
unknown to me, which he is now forced by an accident to communicate
to me. So that taking up all the papers of moment which lead to the
clearing of his accounts unobserved out of the Controller’s hand, which
he now makes great use of; knowing that the Controller has not wherewith
to betray him. About this all the morning, only Mr. Bland came to me
about some business of his, and told me the news, which holds to be
true, that the Portuguese did let in the Spaniard by a plot, and they
being in the midst of the country and we believing that they would have
taken the whole country, they did all rise and kill the whole body, near
8,000 men, and Don John of Austria having two horses killed under him,
was forced with one man to flee away. Sir George Carteret at the office
(after dinner, and Creed being gone, for both now and yesterday I was
afraid to have him seen by Sir G. Carteret with me, for fear that he
should increase his doubt that I am of a plot with Creed in the business
of his accounts) did tell us that upon Tuesday last, being with my Lord
Treasurer, he showed him a letter from Portugall speaking of the advance
of the Spaniards into their country, and yet that the Portuguese were
never more courageous than now; for by an old prophecy, from France,
sent thither some years, though not many since, from the French King,
it is foretold that the Spaniards should come into their country, and in
such a valley they should be all killed, and then their country should
be wholly delivered from the Spaniards. This was on Tuesday last, and
yesterday came the very first news that in this very valley they had
thus routed and killed the Spaniards, which is very strange but true.
So late at the office, and then home to supper and to bed. This noon I
received a letter from the country from my wife, wherein she seems much
pleased with the country; God continue that she may have pleasure while
she is there. She, by my Lady’s advice, desires a new petticoat of
the new silk striped stuff, very pretty. So I went to Paternoster Row’
presently, and bought her one, with Mr. Creed’s help, a very fine rich
one, the best I did see there, and much better than she desires or
expects, and sent it by Creed to Unthanke to be made against tomorrow
to send by the carrier, thinking it had been but Wednesday to-day, but
I found myself mistaken, and also the taylor being out of the way, it
could not be done, but the stuff was sent me back at night by Creed to
dispose of some other way to make, but now I shall keep it to next week.