November 1st (Lord’s day). This morning my brother’s man brought me a
new black baize waistecoate, faced with silke, which I put on from this
day, laying by half-shirts for this winter. He brought me also my new
gowne of purple shagg, trimmed with gold, very handsome; he also brought
me as a gift from my brother, a velvet hat, very fine to ride in, and
the fashion, which pleases me very well, to which end, I believe, he
sent it me, for he knows I had lately been angry with him. Up and to
church with my wife, and at noon dined at home alone, a good calves
head boiled and dumplings, an excellent dinner methought it was. Then
to church again, whither Sir W. Pen came, the first time he has been at
church these several months, he having been sicke all the while. Home
and to my office, where I taught my wife some part of subtraction,
and then fell myself to set some papers of my last night’s accounts
in order, and so to supper home, and after supper another bout at
arithmetique with my wife, and then to my office again and made an end
of my papers, and so home to prayers, and then to read my vowes, and to
bed.
2d. Up, and by coach to White Hall, and there in the long Matted Gallery
I find Sir G. Carteret, Sir J. Minnes, and Sir W. Batten--and by and by
comes the King to walk there with three or four with him; and soon as
he saw us, says he, “Here is the Navy Office,” and there walked twenty
turns the length of the gallery, talking, methought, but ordinary talke.
By and by came the Duke, and he walked, and at last they went into the
Duke’s lodgings. The King staid so long that we could not discourse with
the Duke, and so we parted. I heard the Duke say that he was going to
wear a perriwigg; and they say the King also will. I never till this
day observed that the King is mighty gray. Thence, meeting with Creed,
walked with him to Westminster Hall, and thence by coach took up Mrs.
Hunt, and carried her towards my house, and we light at the ‘Change, and
sent her to my house, Creed and I to the Coffeehouse, and then to the
‘Change, and so home, and carried a barrel of oysters with us, and so
to dinner, and after a good dinner left Mrs. Hunt and my wife making
marmalett of quinces, and Creed and I to the perriwigg makers, but it
being dark concluded of nothing, and so Creed went away, and I with Sir
W. Pen, who spied me in the street, in his coach home. There found them
busy still, and I up to my vyall. Anon, the comfiture being well done,
my wife and I took Mrs. Hunt at almost 9 at night by coach and carried
Mrs. Hunt home, and did give her a box of sugar and a haunch of venison
given me by my Lady the other day. We did not ‘light, but saw her
within doors, and straight home, where after supper there happening some
discourse where my wife thought she had taken Jane in a lie, she told
me of it mighty triumphantly, but I, not seeing reason to conclude it a
lie, was vexed, and my wife and I to very high words, wherein I up to
my chamber, and she by and by followed me up, and to very bad words from
her to me, calling me perfidious and man of no conscience, whatever I
pretend to, and I know not what, which troubled me mightily, and though
I would allow something to her passion, yet I see again and again that
she spoke but somewhat of what she had in her heart. But I tempered
myself very well, so as that though we went to bed with discontent she
yielded to me and began to be fond, so that being willing myself to
peace, we did before we sleep become very good friends, it being past 12
o’clock, and so with good hearts and joy to rest.
3rd. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning, and at noon to
the Coffee-house, and there heard a long and most passionate discourse
between two doctors of physique, of which one was Dr. Allen, whom I knew
at Cambridge, and a couple of apothecarys; these maintaining chymistry
against them Galenicall physique; and the truth is, one of the
apothecarys whom they charged most, did speak very prettily, that is,
his language and sense good, though perhaps he might not be so knowing
a physician as to offer to contest with them. At last they came to some
cooler terms, and broke up. I home, and there Mr. Moore coming by my
appointment dined with me, and after dinner came Mr. Goldsborough, and
we discoursed about the business of his mother, but could come to no
agreement in it but parted dissatisfied. By and by comes Chapman, the
periwigg-maker, and upon my liking it, without more ado I went up, and
there he cut off my haire, which went a little to my heart at present to
part with it; but, it being over, and my periwigg on, I paid him L3 for
it; and away went he with my owne haire to make up another of, and I
by and by, after I had caused all my mayds to look upon it; and they
conclude it do become me; though Jane was mightily troubled for
my parting of my own haire, and so was Besse, I went abroad to the
Coffeehouse, and coming back went to Sir W. Pen and there sat with him
and Captain Cocke till late at night, Cocke talking of some of the
Roman history very well, he having a good memory. Sir W. Pen observed
mightily, and discoursed much upon my cutting off my haire, as he do of
every thing that concerns me, but it is over, and so I perceive after a
day or two it will be no great matter.
4th. Up and to my office, shewing myself to Sir W. Batten, and Sir J.
Minnes, and no great matter made of my periwigg, as I was afeard there
would be. Among other things there came to me Shales of Portsmouth, by
my order, and I began to discourse with him about the arrears of stores
belonging to the Victualling Office there, and by his discourse I am in
some hopes that if I can get a grant from the King of such a part of all
I discover I may chance to find a way to get something by the by, which
do greatly please me the very thoughts of. Home to dinner, and very
pleasant with my wife, who is this day also herself making of marmalett
of quince, which she now do very well herself. I left her at it and by
coach I to the New Exchange and several places to buy and bring home
things, among others a case I bought of the trunk maker’s for my
periwigg, and so home and to my office late, and among other things
wrote a letter to Will’s uncle to hasten his removal from me, and so
home to supper and to bed. This morning Captain Cocke did give me a good
account of the Guinny trade. The Queene is in a great way to recovery.
This noon came John Angier to me in a pickle, I was sad to see him,
desiring my good word for him to go a trooper to Tangier, but I
did schoole him and sent him away with good advice, but no present
encouragement. Presently after I had a letter from his poor father
at Cambridge, who is broke, it seems, and desires me to get him a
protection, or a place of employment; but, poor man, I doubt I can helpe
him, but will endeavour it.
5th. Lay long in bed, then up, called by Captain Cocke about business of
a contract of his for some Tarre, and so to the office, and then to
Sir W. Pen and there talked, and he being gone came Sir W. Warren and
discoursed about our business with Field, and at noon by agreement to
the Miter to dinner upon T. Trice’s 40s., to be spent upon our late
agreement. Here was a very poor dinner and great company. All our
lawyers on both sides, and several friends of his and some of mine
brought by him, viz., Mr. Moore, uncle Wight, Dr. Williams, and my cozen
Angier, that lives here in town, who t Captain John Shales after
dinner carried me aside and showed me a letter from his poor brother at
Cambridge to me of the same contents with that yesterday to me desiring
help from me. Here I was among a sorry company without any content or
pleasure, and at the last the reckoning coming to above 40s. by 15s., he
would have me pay the 10s. and he would pay the 5s., which was so poor
that I was ashamed of it, and did it only to save contending with
him. There, after agreeing a day for him and I to meet and seal our
agreement, I parted and home, and at the office by agreement came Mr.
Shales, and there he and I discourse till late the business of his
helping me in the discovery of some arrears of provisions and stores
due to the stores at Portsmouth, out of which I may chance to get some
money, and save the King some too, and therefore I shall endeavour to do
the fellow some right in other things here to his advantage between Mr.
Gauden and him. He gone my wife and I to her arithmetique, in which she
pleases me well, and so to the office, there set down my Journall, and
so home to supper and to bed. A little troubled to see how my family is
out of order by Will’s being there, and also to hear that Jane do not
please my wife as I expected and would have wished.
6th. This morning waking, my wife was mighty-earnest with me to persuade
me that she should prove with child since last night, which, if it be,
let it come, and welcome. Up to my office, whither Commissioner Pett
came, newly come out of the country, and he and I walked together in
the garden talking of business a great while, and I perceive that by our
countenancing of him he do begin to pluck up his head, and will do good
things I hope in the yard. Thence, he being gone, to my office and there
dispatched many people, and at noon to the ‘Change to the coffee-house,
and among other things heard Sir John Cutler say, that of his owne
experience in time of thunder, so many barrels of beer as have a piece
of iron laid upon them will not be soured, and the others will. Thence
to the ‘Change, and there discoursed with many people, and I hope
to settle again to my business and revive my report of following of
business, which by my being taken off for a while by sickness and,
laying out of money has slackened for a little while. Home, and there
found Mrs. Hunt, who dined very merry, good woman; with us. After dinner
came in Captain Grove, and he and I alone to talk of many things, and
among many others of the Fishery, in which he gives the such hopes that
being at this time full of projects how to get a little honestly, of
which some of them I trust in God will take, I resolved this afternoon
to go and consult my Lord Sandwich about it, and so, being to carry home
Mrs. Hunt, I took her and my wife by coach and set them at Axe Yard, and
I to my Lord’s and thither sent for Creed and discoursed with him about
it, and he and I to White Hall, where Sir G. Carteret and my Lord met me
very fortunately, and wondered first to see me in my perruque, and I am
glad it is over, and then, Sir G. Carteret being gone, I took my Lord
aside, who do give me the best advice he can, and telling me how there
are some projectors, by name Sir Edward Ford, who would have the making
of farthings,
[Sir Edward Ford, son of Sir William Ford of Harting, born at Up
Park in 1605. “After the Restoration he invented a mode of coining
farthings. Each piece was to differ minutely from another to
prevent forgery. He failed in procuring a patent for these in
England, but obtained one for Ireland. He died in Ireland before he
could carry his design into execution, on September 3rd, 1670”
(“Dictionary of National Biography “).]
and out of that give so much to the King for the maintenance of the
Fishery; but my Lord do not like that, but would have it go as they
offered the last year, and so upon my desire he promises me when it is
seasonable to bring me into the commission with others, if any of them
take, and I perceive he and Mr. Coventry are resolved to follow it
hard. Thence, after walking a good while in the Long gallery, home to my
Lord’s lodging, my Lord telling me how my father did desire him to speak
to me about my giving of my sister something, which do vex me to see
that he should trouble my Lord in it, but however it is a good occasion
for me to tell my Lord my condition, and so I was glad of it. After that
we begun to talk of the Court, and he tells me how Mr. Edward Montagu
begins to show respect to him again after his endeavouring to bespatter
him all was, possible; but he is resolved never to admit him into his
friendship again. He tells me how he and Sir H. Bennet, the Duke of
Buckingham and his Duchesse, was of a committee with somebody else for
the getting of Mrs. Stewart for the King; but that she proves a cunning
slut, and is advised at Somerset House by the Queene-Mother, and by her
mother, and so all the plot is spoiled and the whole committee broke.
Mr. Montagu and the Duke of Buckingham fallen a-pieces, the Duchesse
going to a nunnery; and so Montagu begins to enter friendship with my
Lord, and to attend the Chancellor whom he had deserted. My Lord tells
me that Mr. Montagu, among other things, did endeavour to represent
him to the Chancellor’s sons as one that did desert their father in the
business of my Lord of Bristoll; which is most false, being the only man
that hath several times dined with him when no soul hath come to him,
and went with him that very day home when the Earl impeached him in the
Parliament House, and hath refused ever to pay a visit to my Lord
of Bristoll, not so much as in return to a visit of his. So that the
Chancellor and my Lord are well known and trusted one by another. But
yet my Lord blames the Chancellor for desiring to have it put off to the
next Session of Parliament, contrary to my Lord Treasurer’s advice, to
whom he swore he would not do it: and, perhaps, my Lord Chancellor, for
aught I see by my Lord’s discourse, may suffer by it when the Parliament
comes to sit. My Lord tells me that he observes the Duke of York do
follow and understand business very well, and is mightily improved
thereby. Here Mr. Pagett coming in I left my Lord and him, and thence
I called my wife and her maid Jane and by coach home and to my office,
where late writing some things against tomorrow, and so home to supper
and to bed. This morning Mr. Blackburne came to me to let me know that
he had got a lodging very commodious for his kinsman, and so he is ready
at my pleasure to go when I would bid him, and so I told him that I
would in a day or two send to speak with him and he and I would talk and
advise Will what to do, of which I am very glad.
7th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and Sir W. Pen
and I had a word or two, where by opposing him in not being willing to
excuse a mulct put upon the purser of the James, absent from duty, he
says, by his business and order, he was mighty angry, and went out of
the office like an asse discontented: At which I am never a whit sorry;
I would not have [him] think that I dare not oppose him, where I see
reason and cause for it. Home to dinner, and then by coach abroad about
several businesses to several places, among others to Westminster Hall,
where, seeing Howlett’s daughter going out of the other end of the Hall,
I followed her if I would to have offered talk to her and dallied with
her a little, but I could not overtake her. Then calling at Unthank’s
for something of my wife’s not done, a pretty little gentlewoman, a
lodger there, came out to tell me that it was not yet done, which though
it vexed me yet I took opportunity of taking her by the hand with the
boot, and so found matter to talk a little the longer to her, but I
was ready to laugh at myself to see how my anger would not operate,
my disappointment coming to me by such a messenger. Thence to Doctors’
Commons and there consulted Dr. Turner about some differences we have
with the officers of the East India ships about goods brought by them
without paying freight, which we demand of them. So home to my office,
and there late writing letters, and so home to supper and to bed, having
got a scurvy cold by lying cold in my head the last night. This day
Captain Taylor brought me a piece of plate, a little small state dish,
he expecting that I should get him some allowance for demorage
[“‘Demurrage’ is the compensation due to a shipowner from a
freighter for unduly decaying his vessel in port beyond the time
specified in the charter-party or bill of lading. It is in fact an
extended freight. A ship, unjustly detained as a prize is entitled
to ‘demurrage.’”--Smyth’s Sailor’s Word-Book, 1867.]
of his ship “William,” kept long at Tangier, which I shall and may
justly do.
8th (Lord’s day). Up, and it being late, to church without my wife, and
there I saw Pembleton come into the church and bring his wife with
him, a good comely plain woman, and by and by my wife came after me
all alone, which I was a little vexed at. I found that my coming in
a perriwigg did not prove so strange to the world as I was afear’d it
would, for I thought that all the church would presently have cast
their eyes all upon me, but I found no such thing. Here an ordinary lazy
sermon of Mr. Mill’s, and then home to dinner, and there Tom came and
dined with us; and after dinner to talk about a new black cloth suit
that I have a making, and so at church time to church again, where the
Scott preached, and I slept most of the time. Thence home, and I
spent most of the evening upon Fuller’s “Church History” and Barckly’s
“Argeny,” and so after supper to prayers and to bed, a little fearing
my pain coming back again, myself continuing as costive as ever, and my
physic ended, but I had sent a porter to-day for more and it was brought
me before I went to bed, and so with pretty good content to bed.
9th. Up and found myself very well, and so by coach to White Hall and
there met all my fellow officers, and so to the Duke, where, when we
came into his closett, he told us that Mr. Pepys was so altered with his
new perriwigg that he did not know him. So to our discourse, and among
and above other things we were taken up in talking upon Sir J. Lawson’s
coming home, he being come to Portsmouth; and Captain Berkely is come to
towne with a letter from the Duana of Algier to the King, wherein they
do demand again the searching of our ships and taking out of strangers,
and their goods; and that what English ships are taken without the
Duke’s pass they will detain (though it be flat contrary to the words of
the peace) as prizes, till they do hear from our King, which they advise
him may be speedy. And this they did the very next day after they had
received with great joy the Grand Seignor’s confirmation of the Peace
from Constantinople by Captain Berkely; so that there is no command nor
certainty to be had of these people. The King is resolved to send his
will by a fleete of ships; and it is thought best and speediest to send
these very ships that are now come home, five sail of good ships, back
again after cleaning, victualling, and paying them. But it is a pleasant
thing to think how their Basha, Shavan Aga, did tear his hair to see the
soldiers order things thus; for (just like his late predecessor) when
they see the evil of war with England, then for certain they complain to
the Grand Seignor of him, and cut his head off: this he is sure of,
and knows as certain. Thence to Westminster Hall, where I met with Mr.
Pierce, chyrurgeon; and among other things he asked me seriously whether
I knew anything of my Lord’s being out of favour with the King; and told
me, that for certain the King do take mighty notice of my Lord’s living
obscurely in a corner not like himself, and becoming the honour that
he is come to. I was sorry to hear, and the truth is, from my Lord’s
discourse among his people (which I am told) of the uncertainty of
princes’ favours, and his melancholy keeping from Court, I am doubtful
of some such thing; but I seemed wholly strange to him in it, but
will make my use of it. He told me also how loose the Court is, nobody
looking after business, but every man his lust and gain; and how
the King is now become besotted upon Mrs. Stewart, that he gets into
corners, and will be with her half an houre together kissing her to the
observation of all the world; and she now stays by herself and expects
it, as my Lady Castlemaine did use to do; to whom the King, he says,
is still kind, so as now and then he goes to have a chat with her as
he believes; but with no such fondness as he used to do. But yet it is
thought that this new wench is so subtle, that she lets him not do any
thing than is safe to her, but yet his doting is so great that, Pierce
tells me, it is verily thought if the Queene had died, he would have
married her. The Duke of Monmouth is to have part of the Cockpitt new
built for lodgings for him, and they say to be made Captain of the
Guards in the room of my Lord Gerard. Having thus talked with him, there
comes into the Hall Creed and Ned Pickering, and after a turne or two
with them, it being noon, I walked with them two to the King’s Head
ordinary, and there we dined; little discourse but what was common, only
that the Duke of Yorke is a very, desperate huntsman, but I was ashamed
of Pickering, who could not forbear having up my Lord Sandwich now and
then in the most paltry matters abominable. Thence I took leave of them,
and so having taken up something at my wife’s tailor’s, I home by coach
and there to my office, whither Shales came and I had much discourse
with him about the business of the victualling, and thence in
the evening to the Coffee-house, and there sat till by and by, by
appointment Will brought me word that his uncle Blackburne was ready to
speak with me. So I went down to him, and he and I to a taverne hard by,
and there I begun to speak to Will friendlily, advising him how to carry
himself now he is going from under my roof, without any reflections upon
the occasion from whence his removal arose. This his uncle seconded, and
after laying down to him his duty to me, and what I expect of him, in
a discourse of about a quarter of an houre or more, we agreed upon his
going this week, towards the latter (end) of the week, and so dismissed
him, and Mr. Blackburne and I fell to talk of many things, wherein I did
speak so freely to him in many things agreeing with his sense that
he was very open to me: first, in that of religion, he makes it great
matter of prudence for the King and Council to suffer liberty of
conscience; and imputes the losse of Hungary to the Turke from the
Emperor’s denying them this liberty of their religion. He says that many
pious ministers of the word of God, some thousands of them, do now beg
their bread: and told me how highly the present clergy carry themselves
every where, so as that they are hated and laughed at by everybody;
among other things, for their excommunications, which they send upon the
least occasions almost that can be. And I am convinced in my judgement,
not only from his discourse, but my thoughts in general, that the
present clergy will never heartily go down with the generality of the
commons of England; they have been so used to liberty and freedom, and
they are so acquainted with the pride and debauchery of the present
clergy. He did give me many stories of the affronts which the clergy
receive in all places of England from the gentry and ordinary persons of
the parish. He do tell me what the City thinks of General Monk, as of
a most perfidious man that hath betrayed every body, and the King also;
who, as he thinks, and his party, and so I have heard other good friends
of the King say, it might have been better for the King to have had his
hands a little bound for the present, than be forced to bring such a
crew of poor people about him, and be liable to satisfy the demands of
every one of them. He told me that to his knowledge (being present at
every meeting at the Treaty at the Isle of Wight), that the old King
did confess himself overruled and convinced in his judgement against the
Bishopps, and would have suffered and did agree to exclude the service
out of the churches, nay his own chappell; and that he did always say,
that this he did not by force, for that he would never abate one inch
by any vyolence; but what he did was out of his reason and judgement. He
tells me that the King by name, with all his dignities, is prayed for by
them that they call Fanatiques, as heartily and powerfully as in any of
the other churches that are thought better: and that, let the King think
what he will, it is them that must helpe him in the day of warr. For as
they are the most, so generally they are the most substantial sort of
people, and the soberest; and did desire me to observe it to my Lord
Sandwich, among other things, that of all the old army now you cannot
see a man begging about the street; but what? You shall have this
captain turned a shoemaker; the lieutenant, a baker; this a brewer; that
a haberdasher; this common soldier, a porter; and every man in his apron
and frock, &c., as if they never had done anything else: whereas
the others go with their belts and swords, swearing and cursing, and
stealing; running into people’s houses, by force oftentimes, to carry
away something; and this is the difference between the temper of one
and the other; and concludes (and I think with some reason,) that the
spirits of the old parliament soldiers are so quiett and contented with
God’s providences, that the King is safer from any evil meant him by
them one thousand times more than from his own discontented Cavalier.
And then to the publique management of business: it is done, as he
observes, so loosely and so carelessly, that the kingdom can never be
happy with it, every man looking after himself, and his owne lust and
luxury; among other things he instanced in the business of money, he do
believe that half of what money the Parliament gives the King is not so
much as gathered. And to the purpose he told me how the Bellamys (who
had some of the Northern counties assigned them for their debt for the
petty warrant victualling) have often complained to him that they cannot
get it collected, for that nobody minds, or, if they do, they won’t pay
it in. Whereas (which is a very remarkable thing,) he hath been told
by some of the Treasurers at Warr here of late, to whom the most of
the L120,000 monthly was paid, that for most months the payments were
gathered so duly, that they seldom had so much or more than 40s., or the
like, short in the whole collection; whereas now the very Commissioners
for Assessments and other publique payments are such persons, and those
that they choose in the country so like themselves, that from top to
bottom there is not a man carefull of any thing, or if he be, he is not
solvent; that what between the beggar and the knave, the King is abused
the best part of all his revenue. From thence we began to talk of the
Navy, and particularly of Sir W. Pen, of whose rise to be a general I
had a mind to be informed. He told me he was always a conceited man, and
one that would put the best side outward, but that it was his pretence
of sanctity that brought him into play. Lawson, and Portman, and the
Fifth-monarchy men, among whom he was a great brother, importuned that
he might be general; and it was pleasant to see how Blackburne himself
did act it, how when the Commissioners of the Admiralty would enquire
of the captains and admirals of such and such men, how they would with
a sigh and casting up the eyes say, “Such a man fears the Lord,” or, “I
hope such a man hath the Spirit of God,” and such things as that. But he
tells me that there was a cruel articling against Pen after one fight,
for cowardice, in putting himself within a coyle of cables, of which he
had much ado to acquit himself: and by great friends did it, not without
remains of guilt, but that his brethren had a mind to pass it by, and
Sir H. Vane did advise him to search his heart, and see whether this
fault or a greater sin was not the occasion of this so great tryall.
And he tells me, that what Pen gives out about Cromwell’s sending and
entreating him to go to Jamaica, is very false; he knows the contrary:
besides, the Protector never was a man that needed to send for any man,
specially such a one as he, twice. He tells me that the business of
Jamaica did miscarry absolutely by his pride, and that when he was in
the Tower he would cry like a child. This he says of his own personal
knowledge, and lastly tells me that just upon the turne, when Monk was
come from the North to the City, and did begin to think of bringing in
the King, Pen was then turned Quaker. This he is most certain of. He
tells me that Lawson was never counted any thing but only a seaman,
and a stout man, but a false man, and that now he appears the greatest
hypocrite in the world. And Pen the same. He tells me that it is much
talked of, that the King intends to legitimate the Duke of Monmouth; and
that he has not, nor his friends of his persuasion, have any hopes of
getting their consciences at liberty but by God Almighty’s turning of
the King’s heart, which they expect, and are resolved to live and die in
quiett hopes of it; but never to repine, or act any thing more than by
prayers towards it. And that not only himself but all of them have, and
are willing at any time to take the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.
Thus far, and upon many more things, we had discoursed when some persons
in a room hard by began to sing in three parts very finely and to play
upon a flagilette so pleasantly that my discourse afterwards was but
troublesome, and I could not attend it, and so, anon, considering of a
sudden the time of night, we found it 11 o’clock, which I thought it
had not been by two hours, but we were close in talk, and so we rose,
he having drunk some wine and I some beer and sugar, and so by a
fair moonshine home and to bed, my wife troubled with tooth ache. Mr.
Blackburne observed further to me, some certain notice that he had of
the present plot so much talked of; that he was told by Mr. Rushworth,
how one Captain Oates, a great discoverer, did employ several to bring
and seduce others into a plot, and that one of his agents met with one
that would not listen to him, nor conceal what he had offered him, but
so detected the trapan. This, he says, is most true. He also, among
other instances how the King is served, did much insist upon the
cowardice and corruption of the King’s guards and militia, which to be
sure will fail the King, as they have done already, when there will be
occasion for them.
10th. Up and to the office, where we sat till noon, and then to the
Exchange, where spoke with several and had my head casting about how to
get a penny and I hope I shall, and then hone, and there Mr. Moore by
appointment dined with me, and after dinner all the afternoon till night
drawing a bond and release against to-morrow for T. Trice, and I to come
to a conclusion in which I proceed with great fear and jealousy, knowing
him to be a rogue and one that I fear has at this time got too great
a hank--[hold]--over me by the neglect of my lawyers. But among other
things I am come to an end with Mr. Moore for a L32, a good while lying
in my hand of my Lord Privy Seal’s which he for the odd L7 do give me a
bond to secure me against, and so I got L25 clear. Then, he being
gone, to the office and there late setting down yesterday’s remarkable
discourses, and so home and to supper, late, and to bed. The Queene, I
hear, is now very well again, and that she hath bespoke herself a new
gowne.
11th. Up and to my office all the morning, and at noon to the
Coffee-house, where with Dr. Allen some good discourse about physique
and chymistry. And among other things, I telling him what Dribble the
German Doctor do offer of an instrument to sink ships; he tells me that
which is more strange, that something made of gold, which they call in
chymistry Aurum fulminans, a grain, I think he said, of it put into a
silver spoon and fired, will give a blow like a musquett, and strike
a hole through the spoon downward, without the least force upward; and
this he can make a cheaper experiment of, he says, with iron prepared.
Thence to the ‘Change, and being put off a meeting with T. Trice, he not
coming, I home to dinner, and after dinner by coach with my wife to my
periwigg maker’s for my second periwigg, but it is not done, and so,
calling at a place or two, home, and there to my office, and there
taught my wife a new lesson in arithmetique and so sent her home, and I
to several businesses; and so home to supper and to bed, being mightily
troubled with a cold in my stomach and head, with a great pain by
coughing.
12th. Lay long in bed, indeed too long, divers people and the officers
staying for me. My cozen Thomas Pepys the executor being below, and I
went to him and stated reckonings about our debt, for his payments of
money to my uncle Thomas heretofore by the Captain’s orders. I did not
pay him but will soon do it if I can. To the office and there all the
morning, where Sir W. Pen, like a coxcomb, was so ready to cross me in a
motion I made unawares for the entering a man at Chatham into the works,
wherein I was vexed to see his spleene, but glad to understand it, and
that it was in no greater a matter, I being not at all concerned here.
To the ‘Change and did several businesses there and so home with Mr.
Moore to dinner, my wife having dined, with Mr. Hollyard with her
to-day, he being come to advise her about her hollow sore place. After
dinner Mr. Moore and I discoursing of my Lord’s negligence in attendance
at Court, and the discourse the world makes of it, with the too great
reason that I believe there is for it; I resolved and took coach to his
lodgings, thinking to speak with my Lord about it without more ado.
Here I met Mr. Howe, and he and I largely about it, and he very soberly
acquainted me how things are with my Lord, that my Lord do not do
anything like himself, but follows his folly, and spends his time either
at cards at Court with the ladies, when he is there at all, or else
at Chelsy with the slut to his great disgrace, and indeed I do see and
believe that my Lord do apprehend that he do grow less too at Court.
Anon my Lord do come in, and I begun to fall in discourse with him, but
my heart did misgive me that my Lord would not take it well, and then
found him not in a humour to talk, and so after a few ordinary words, my
Lord not talking in the manner as he uses to do; I took leave, and spent
some time with W. Howe again, and told him how I could not do what I had
so great a mind and resolution to do, but that I thought it would be as
well to do it in writing, which he approves of, and so I took leave of
him, and by coach home, my mind being full of it, and in pain concerning
it. So to my office busy very late, the nights running on faster than
one thinks, and so to supper and to bed.
13th. Up and to my office, busy all the morning with Commissioner
Pett; at noon I to the Exchange, and meeting Shales, he and I to the
Coffee-house and there talked of our victualling matters, which I fear
will come to little. However I will go on and carry it as far as I can.
So home to dinner where I expected Commissioner Pett, and had a good
dinner, but he came not. After dinner came my perriwigg-maker, and
brings me a second periwigg, made of my own haire, which comes to 21s.
6d. more than the worth of my own haire, so that they both come to L4
1s. 6d., which he sayth will serve me two years, but I fear it. He being
gone, I to my office, and put on my new shagg purple gowne, with gold
buttons and loop lace, I being a little fearful of taking cold and of
pain coming upon me. Here I staid making an end of a troublesome letter,
but to my advantage, against Sir W. Batten, giving Sir G. Carteret an
account of our late great contract with Sir W. Warren for masts, wherein
I am sure I did the King L600 service. That done home to my wife to take
a clyster, which I did, and it wrought very well and brought a great
deal of wind, which I perceive is all that do trouble me. After that,
about 9 or 10 o’clock, to supper in my wife’s chamber, and then about 12
to bed.
14th. Up and to the office, where we sat, and after we had almost
done, Sir W. Batten desired to have the room cleared, and there he did
acquaint the board how he was obliged to answer to something lately said
which did reflect upon the Comptroller and him, and to that purpose
told how the bargain for Winter’s timber did not prove so bad as I had
reported to the board it would. After he had done I cleared the matter
that I did not mention the business as a thing designed by me against
them, but was led to it by Sir J. Minnes, and that I said nothing but
what I was told by Mayers the surveyor as much as by Deane upon whom
they laid all the fault, which I must confess did and do still trouble
me, for they report him to be a fellow not fit to be employed, when in
my conscience he deserves better than any officer in the yard. I thought
it not convenient to vindicate him much now, but time will serve when I
will do it, and I am bound to do it. I offered to proceed to examine
and prove what I said if they please, but Mr. Coventry most discreetly
advised not, it being to no purpose, and that he did believe that what
I said did not by my manner of speaking it proceed from any design of
reproaching them, and so it ended. But my great trouble is for poor
Deane. At noon home and dined with my wife, and after dinner Will told
me if I pleased he was ready to remove his things, and so before my
wife I did give him good counsel, and that his going should not abate
my kindnesse for him, if he carried himself well, and so bid “God bless
him,” and left him to remove his things, the poor lad weeping, but I am
apt to think matters will be the better both for him and us. So to the
office and there late busy. In the evening Mr. Moore came to tell me
that he had no opportunity of speaking his mind to my Lord yesterday,
and so I am resolved to write to him very suddenly. So after my business
done I home, I having staid till 12 o’clock at night almost, making an
end of a letter to Sir G. Carteret about the late contract for masts,
wherein I have done myself right, and no wrong to Sir W. Batten. This
night I think is the first that I have lain without ever a man in my
house besides myself, since I came to keep any. Will being this night
gone to his lodging, and by the way I hear to-day that my boy Waynman
has behaved himself so with Mr. Davis that they have got him put into
a Barbadoes ship to be sent away, and though he sends to me to get a
release for him I will not out of love to the boy, for I doubt to keep
him here were to bring him to the gallows.
15th (Lord’s day). Lay very long in bed with my wife and then up and to
my office there to copy fair my letter to Sir G. Carteret, which I did,
and by and by most opportunely a footman of his came to me about other
business, and so I sent it him by his own servant. I wish good luck with
it. At noon home to dinner, my wife not being up, she lying to expect
Mr. Holyard the surgeon. So I dined by myself, and in the afternoon to
my office again, and there drew up a letter to my Lord, stating to him
what the world talks concerning him, and leaving it to him and myself to
be thought of by him as he pleases, but I have done but my duty in it.
I wait Mr. Moore’s coming for his advice about sending it. So home
to supper to my wife, myself finding myself by cold got last night
beginning to have some pain, which grieves me much in my mind to see
to what a weakness I am come. This day being our Queene’s birthday, the
guns of the Tower went all off; and in the evening the Lord Mayor sent
from church to church to order the constables to cause bonfires to be
made in every streete, which methinks is a poor thing to be forced to
be commanded. After a good supper with my wife, and hearing of the mayds
read in the Bible, we to prayers, and to bed.
16th. Up, and being ready then abroad by coach to White Hall, and there
with the Duke, where Mr. Coventry did a second time go to vindicate
himself against reports and prove by many testimonies that he brought,
that he did nothing but what had been done by the Lord Admiral’s
secretaries heretofore, though he do not approve of it, nor since he
had any rule from the Duke hath he exceeded what he is there directed to
take, and the thing I think is very clear that they always did take and
that now he do take less than ever they did heretofore. Thence away, and
Sir G. Carteret did call me to him and discourse with me about my letter
yesterday, and did seem to take it unkindly that I should doubt of his
satisfaction in the bargain of masts, and did promise me that hereafter
whatever he do hear to my prejudice he would tell me before he would
believe it, and that this was only Sir W. Batten’s report in this
business, which he says he did ever approve of, in which I know he lies.
Thence to my Lord’s lodgings thinking to find Mr. Moore, in order to the
sending away my letter of reproof to my Lord, but I do not find him,
but contrary do find my Lord come to Court, which I am glad to hear and
should be more glad to hear that he do follow his business that I may
not have occasion to venture upon his good nature by such a provocation
as my letter will be to him. So by coach home, to the Exchange, where
I talked about several businesses with several people, and so home to
dinner with my wife, and then in the afternoon to my office, and there
late, and in the evening Mr. Hollyard came, and he and I about our great
work to look upon my wife’s malady, which he did, and it seems her
great conflux of humours, heretofore that did use to swell there, did
in breaking leave a hollow which has since gone in further and further;
till now it is near three inches deep, but as God will have it do not
run into the bodyward, but keeps to the outside of the skin, and so he
must be forced to cut it open all along, and which my heart I doubt will
not serve for me to see done, and yet she will not have any body else
to see it done, no, not her own mayds, and so I must do it, poor wretch,
for her. To-morrow night he is to do it. He being gone, I to my office
again a little while, and so home to supper and to bed.
17th. Up, and while I am dressing myself, Mr. Deane of Woolwich came
to me, and I did tell him what had happened to him last Saturday in the
office, but did encourage him to make no matter of it, for that I did
not fear but he would in a little time be master of his enemies as much
as they think to master him, and so he did tell me many instances of the
abominable dealings of Mr. Pett of Woolwich towards him. So we broke
up, and I to the office, where we sat all the forenoon doing several
businesses, and at noon I to the ‘Change where Mr. Moore came to me, and
by and by Tom Trice and my uncle Wight, and so we out to a taverne (the
New Exchange taverne over against the ‘Change where I never was before,
and I found my old playfellow Ben Stanley master of it), and thence to a
scrivener to draw up a bond, and to another tavern (the King’s Head) we
went, and calling on my cozen Angier at the India House there we eat a
bit of pork from a cookes together, and after dinner did seal the bond,
and I did take up the old bond of my uncle’s to my aunt, and here T.
Trice before them do own all matters in difference between us is clear
as to this business, and that he will in six days give me it under the
hand of his attorney that there is no judgment against the bond that
may give me any future trouble, and also a copy of their letters of his
Administration to Godfrey, as much of it as concerns me to have. All
this being done towards night we broke up, and so I home and with Mr.
Moore to my office, and there I read to him the letter I have wrote
to send to my Lord to give him an account how the world, both city and
court, do talk of him and his living as he do there in such a poor and
bad house so much to his disgrace. Which Mr. Moore do conclude so well
drawn: that he would not have me by any means to neglect sending it,
assuring me in the best of his judgment that it cannot but endear me to
my Lord instead of what I fear of getting his offence, and did offer
to take the same words and send them as from, him with his hand to him,
which I am not unwilling should come (if they are at all fit to go) from
any body but myself, and so, he being gone, I did take a copy of it
to keep by me in shorthand, and sealed them up to send to-morrow by my
Will. So home, Mr. Hollyard being come to my wife, and there she being
in bed, he and I alone to look again upon her .... and there he do find
that, though it would not be much pain, yet she is so fearful, and the
thing will be somewhat painful in the tending, which I shall not be able
to look after, but must require a nurse and people about her; so that
upon second thoughts he believes that a fomentation will do as well,
and though it will be troublesome yet no pain, and what her mayd will be
able to do without knowing directly what it is for, but only that it may
be for the piles. For though it be nothing but what is fiery honest, yet
my wife is loth to give occasion of discourse concerning it. By this
my mind and my wife’s is much eased, for I confess I should have been
troubled to have had my wife cut before my face, I could not have borne
to have seen it. I had great discourse with him about my disease. He
tells me again that I must eat in a morning some loosening gruel, and at
night roasted apples, that I must drink now and then ale with my wine,
and eat bread and butter and honey, and rye bread if I can endure it,
it being loosening. I must also take once a week a clyster of his last
prescription, only honey now and then instead of butter, which things I
am now resolved to apply myself to. He being gone I to my office again
to a little business, and then home to supper and to bed, being in, a
little pain by drinking of cold small beer to-day and being in a cold
room at the Taverne I believe.
18th. Up, and after being ready, and done a little business at the
office, I and Mr. Hater by water to Redriffe, and so walked to Deptford,
where I have not been a very great, while, and there paid off the
Milford in very good order, and all respect showed me in the office as
much as there used to be to any of the rest or the whole board. That
done at noon I took Captain Terne, and there coming in by chance Captain
Berkeley, him also to dinner with me to the Globe. Captain Berkeley, who
was lately come from Algier, did give us a good account of the place,
and how the Basha there do live like a prisoner, being at the mercy
of the soldiers and officers, so that there is nothing but a great
confusion there. After dinner came Sir W. Batten, and I left him to pay
off another ship, and I walked home again reading of a little book
of new poems of Cowley’s, given me by his brother. Abraham do lie, it
seems, very sicke, still, but like to recover. At my office till late,
and then came Mr. Hollyard so full of discourse and Latin that I think
he hath got a cupp, but I do not know; but full of talke he is in
defence of Calvin and Luther. He begun this night the fomentation to
my wife, and I hope it will do well with her. He gone, I to the office
again a little, and so to bed. This morning I sent Will with my great
letter of reproof to my Lord Sandwich, who did give it into his owne
hand. I pray God give a blessing to it, but confess I am afeard what
the consequence may be to me of good or bad, which is according to the
ingenuity that he do receive it with. However, I am satisfied that it
will do him good, and that he needs it: