December 1st. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At
noon I home to dinner with my poor wife, with whom now-a-days I enjoy
great pleasure in her company and learning of Arithmetique. After dinner
I to Guild Hall to hear a tryall at King’s Bench, before Lord Chief
Justice Hide, about the insurance of a ship, the same I mention in my
yesterday’s journall, where everything was proved how money was so taken
up upon bottomary and insurance, and the ship left by the master and
seamen upon rocks, where, when the sea fell at the ebb, she must perish.
The master was offered helpe, and he did give the pilotts 20 sols to
drink to bid them go about their business, saying that the rocks were
old, but his ship was new, and that she was repaired for L6 and less
all the damage that she received, and is now brought by one, sent for
on purpose by the insurers, into the Thames, with her cargo, vessels
of tallow daubed over with butter, instead of all butter, the whole not
worth above L500, ship and all, and they had took up, as appeared, above
L2,400. He had given his men money to content them; and yet, for
all this, he did bring some of them to swear that it was very stormy
weather, and [they] did all they could to save her, and that she was
seven feete deep water in hold, and were fain to cut her main and
foremast, that the master was the last man that went out, and they were
fain to force [him] out when she was ready to sink; and her rudder broke
off, and she was drawn into the harbour after they were gone, as wrecke
all broken, and goods lost: that she could not be carried out again
without new building, and many other things so contrary as is not
imaginable more. There was all the great counsel in the kingdom in the
cause; but after one witnesse or two for the plaintiff, it was cried
down as a most notorious cheate; and so the jury, without going out,
found it for the plaintiff. But it was pleasant to see what mad sort of
testimonys the seamen did give, and could not be got to speak in order:
and then their terms such as the judge could not understand; and to hear
how sillily the Counsel and judge would speak as to the terms necessary
in the matter, would make one laugh: and above all, a Frenchman that
was forced to speak in French, and took an English oathe he did not
understand, and had an interpreter sworn to tell us what he said,
which was the best testimony of all. So home well satisfied with this
afternoon’s work, purposing to spend an afternoon or two every term so,
and so to my office a while and then home to supper, arithmetique
with my wife, and to bed. I heard other causes, and saw the course of
pleading by being at this trial, and heard and learnt two things: one
is that every man has a right of passage in, but not a title to, any
highway. The next, that the judge would not suffer Mr. Crow, who hath
fined for Alderman, to be called so, but only Mister, and did eight or
nine times fret at it, and stop every man that called him so.
2nd. My wife troubled all last night with the toothache and this
morning. I up and to my office, where busy, and so home to dinner with
my wife, who is better of her tooth than she was, and in the afternoon
by agreement called on by Mr. Bland, and with him to the Ship a
neighbour tavern and there met his antagonist Mr. Custos and his referee
Mr. Clarke a merchant also, and begun the dispute about the freight of a
ship hired by Mr. Bland to carry provisions to Tangier, and the freight
is now demanded, whereas he says that the goods were some spoiled, some
not delivered, and upon the whole demands L1300 of the other, and their
minds are both so high, their demands so distant, and their words
so many and hot against one another that I fear we shall bring it to
nothing. But however I am glad to see myself so capable of understanding
the business as I find I do, and shall endeavour to do Mr. Bland all the
just service I can therein. Here we were in a bad room, which vexed me
most, but we meet at another house next. So at noon I home and to
my office till 9 o’clock, and so home to my wife to keep her company,
arithmetique, then to supper, and to bed, she being well of her tooth
again.
3rd. Up and to the office, where all the forenoon, and then (by Mr.
Coventry’s coach) to the ‘Change, and so home to dinner, very pleasant
with my poor wife. Somebody from Portsmouth, I know not who, has this
day sent me a Runlett of Tent. So to my office all the afternoon, where
much business till late at night, and so home to my wife, and then to
supper and to bed. This day Sir G. Carteret did tell us at the table,
that the Navy (excepting what is due to the Yards upon the quarter now
going on, and what few bills he hath not heard of) is quite out of debt;
which is extraordinary good newes, and upon the ‘Change to hear how our
creditt goes as good as any merchant’s upon the ‘Change is a joyfull
thing to consider, which God continue! I am sure the King will have the
benefit of it, as well as we some peace and creditt.
4th. Up pretty betimes, that is about 7 o’clock, it being now dark then,
and so got me ready, with my clothes, breeches and warm stockings, and
by water with Henry Russell, cold and wet and windy to Woolwich, to a
hempe ship there, and staid looking upon it and giving direction as to
the getting it ashore, and so back again very cold, and at home without
going on shore anywhere about 12 o’clock, being fearful of taking cold,
and so dined at home and shifted myself, and so all the afternoon at my
office till night, and then home to keep my poor wife company, and so to
supper and to bed.
5th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and then with
the whole board, viz., Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, and myself along
with Captain Allen home to dinner, where he lives hard by in Mark Lane,
where we had a very good plain dinner and good welcome, in a pretty
little house but so smoky that it was troublesome to us all till they
put out the fire, and made one of charcoale. I was much pleased with
this dinner for the many excellent stories told by Mr. Coventry, which I
have put down in my book of tales and so shall not mention them here. We
staid till night, and then Mr. Coventry away, and by and by I home to
my office till 9 or 10 at night, and so home to supper and to bed after
some talke and Arithmetique with my poor wife, with whom now-a-days I
live with great content, out of all trouble of mind by jealousy (for
which God forgive me), or any other distraction more than my fear of my
Lord Sandwich’s displeasure.
6th (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed, and then up and to church alone,
which is the greatest trouble that I have by not having a man or, boy to
wait on me, and so home to dinner, my wife, it being a cold day, and it
begun to snow (the first snow we have seen this year) kept her bed till
after dinner, and I below by myself looking over my arithmetique books
and timber rule. So my wife rose anon, and she and I all the afternoon
at arithmetique, and she is come to do Addition, Subtraction, and
Multiplicacion very well, and so I purpose not to trouble her yet with
Division, but to begin with the Globes to her now. At night came Captain
Grove to discourse with me about Field’s business and of other matters,
and so, he being gone, I to my office, and spent an houre or two reading
Rushworth, and so to supper home, and to prayers and bed, finding
myself by cold to have some pain begin with me, which God defend should
increase.
7th. Up betimes, and, it being a frosty morning, walked on foot to White
Hall, but not without some fear of my pain coming. At White Hall I hear
and find that there was the last night the greatest tide that ever was
remembered in England to have been in this river: all White Hall having
been drowned, of which there was great discourse. Anon we all met, and
up with the Duke and did our business, and by and by my Lord of Sandwich
came in, but whether it be my doubt or no I cannot tell, but I do not
find that he made any sign of kindnesse or respect to me, which troubles
me more than any thing in the world. After done there Sir W. Batten and
Captain Allen and I by coach to the Temple, where I ‘light, they going
home, and indeed it being my trouble of mind to try whether I could meet
with my Lord Sandwich and try him to see how he will receive me. I took
coach and back again to Whitehall, but there could not find him. But
here I met Dr. Clerke, and did tell him my story of my health; how my
pain comes to me now-a-days. He did write something for me which I
shall take when there is occasion. I then fell to other discourse of
Dr. Knapp, who tells me he is the King’s physician, and is become a
solicitor for places for people, and I am mightily troubled with him. He
tells me he is the most impudent fellow in the world, that gives himself
out to be the King’s physician, but it is not so, but is cast out of the
Court. From thence I may learn what impudence there is in the world,
and how a man may be deceived in persons: Anon the King and Duke and
Duchesse came to dinner in the Vane-roome, where I never saw them
before; but it seems since the tables are done, he dines there all
together. The Queene is pretty well, and goes out of her chamber to her
little chappell in the house. The King of France, they say, is hiring of
sixty sail of ships of the Dutch, but it is not said for what design. By
and by, not hoping to see my Lord, I went to the King’s Head ordinary,
where a good dinner but no discourse almost, and after dinner by coach,
home, and found my wife this cold day not yet out of bed, and after a
little good talk with her to my office, and there spent my time till
late. Sir W. Warren two or three hours with me talking of trade, and
other very good discourse, which did please me very, well, and so, after
reading in Rushworth, home to supper and to bed.
8th. Lay long in bed, and then up and to the office, where we sat all
the morning, and among other things my Lord Barkely called in question
his clerk Mr. Davy for something which Sir W. Batten and I did tell him
yesterday, but I endeavoured to make the least of it, and so all was
put up. At noon to the ‘Change, and among other businesses did discourse
with Captain Taylor, and I think I shall safely get L20 by his ship’s
freight at present, besides what it may be I may get hereafter. So home
to dinner, and thence by coach to White Hall, where a great while walked
with my Lord Tiviott, whom I find a most carefull, thoughtfull, and
cunning man, as I also ever took him to be. He is this day bringing in
an account where he makes the King debtor to him L10,000 already on the
garrison of Tangier account; but yet demands not ready money to pay
it, but offers such ways of paying it out of the sale of old decayed
provisions as will enrich him finely. Anon came my Lord Sandwich, and
then we fell to our business at the Committee about my Lord Tiviott’s
accounts, wherein I took occasion to speak now and then, so as my Lord
Sandwich did well seem to like of it, and after we were up did bid me
good night in a tone that, methinks, he is not so displeased with me as
I did doubt he is; however, I will take a course to know whether he be
or no. The Committee done, I took coach and home to my office, and there
late, and so to supper at home, and to bed, being doubtful of my pain
through the very cold weather which we have, but I will take all the
care I can to prevent it.
9th. Lay very long in bed for fear of my pain, and then rose and went to
stool (after my wife’s way, who by all means would have me sit long and
upright) very well, and being ready to the office. From thence I was
called by and by to my wife, she not being well. So to her, and found
her in great pain...... So by and by to my office again, and then abroad
to look out a cradle to burn charcoal in at my office, and I found one
to my mind in Newgate Market, and so meeting Hoby’s man in the street,
I spoke to him to serve it in to the office for the King. So home to
dinner, and after talk with my wife, she in bed and pain all day, I to
my office most of the evening, and then home to my wife. This day Mrs.
Russell did give my wife a very fine St. George, in alabaster, which
will set out my wife’s closett mightily. This evening at the office,
after I had wrote my day’s passages, there came to me my cozen Angier
of Cambridge, poor man, making his moan, and obtained of me that I would
send his son to sea as a Reformado, which I will take care to do. But to
see how apt every man is to forget friendship in time of adversity. How
glad was I when he was gone, for fear he should ask me to be bond for
him, or to borrow money of me.
10th. Up, pretty well, the weather being become pretty warm again,
and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and I confess having
received so lately a token from Mrs. Russell, I did find myself
concerned for our not buying some tallow of her (which she bought on
purpose yesterday most unadvisedly to her great losse upon confidence of
putting it off to us). So hard it is for a man not to be warped against
his duty and master’s interest that receives any bribe or present,
though not as a bribe, from any body else. But she must be contented,
and I to do her a good turn when I can without wrong to the King’s
service. Then home to dinner (and did drink a glass of wine and beer,
the more for joy that this is the shortest day in the year,--[Old
Style]--which is a pleasant consideration) with my wife. She in bed but
pretty well, and having a messenger from my brother, that he is not well
nor stirs out of doors, I went forth to see him, and found him below,
he has not been well, but is not ill. I found him taking order for the
distribution of Mrs. Ramsey’s coals, a thing my father for many years
did, and now he after him, which I was glad to see, as also to hear that
Mr. Wheatly begins to look after him. I hope it is about his daughter.
Thence to St. Paul’s Church Yard, to my bookseller’s, and having gained
this day in the office by my stationer’s bill to the King about 40s. or
L3, I did here sit two or three hours calling for twenty books to lay
this money out upon, and found myself at a great losse where to choose,
and do see how my nature would gladly return to laying out money in
this trade. I could not tell whether to lay out my money for books of
pleasure, as plays, which my nature was most earnest in; but at last,
after seeing Chaucer, Dugdale’s History of Paul’s, Stows London, Gesner,
History of Trent, besides Shakespeare, Jonson, and Beaumont’s plays,
I at last chose Dr. Fuller’s Worthys, the Cabbala or Collections of
Letters of State, and a little book, Delices de Hollande, with another
little book or two, all of good use or serious pleasure: and Hudibras,
both parts, the book now in greatest fashion for drollery, though I
cannot, I confess, see enough where the wit lies. My mind being thus
settled, I went by linke home, and so to my office, and to read in
Rushworth; and so home to supper and to bed. Calling at Wotton’s, my
shoemaker’s, today, he tells me that Sir H. Wright is dying; and that
Harris is come to the Duke’s house again; and of a rare play to be acted
this week of Sir William Davenant’s: the story of Henry the Eighth with
all his wives.
11th. Up and abroad toward the Wardrobe, and going out Mr. Clerke met me
to tell me that Field has a writ against me in this last business of
L30 10s., and that he believes he will get an execution against me this
morning, and though he told me it could not be well before noon, and
that he would stop it at the Sheriff’s, yet it is hard to believe with
what fear I did walk and how I did doubt at every man I saw and do start
at the hearing of one man cough behind my neck. I to, the Wardrobe and
there missed Mr. Moore. So to Mr. Holden’s and evened all reckonings
there for hats, and then walked to Paul’s Churchyard and after a little
at my bookseller’s and bought at a shop Cardinall Mazarin’s Will in
French. I to the Coffeehouse and there among others had good discourse
with an Iron Merchant, who tells me the great evil of discouraging our
natural manufacture of England in that commodity by suffering the Swede
to bring in three times more than ever they did and our owne Ironworks
be lost, as almost half of them, he says, are already. Then I went and
sat by Mr. Harrington, and some East country merchants, and talking of
the country about Quinsborough, and thereabouts, he told us himself that
for fish, none there, the poorest body, will buy a dead fish, but must
be alive, unless it be in winter; and then they told us the manner of
putting their nets into the water. Through holes made in the thick ice,
they will spread a net of half a mile long; and he hath known a hundred
and thirty and a hundred and seventy barrels of fish taken at one
draught. And then the people come with sledges upon the ice, with snow
at the bottome, and lay the fish in and cover them with snow, and so
carry them to market. And he hath seen when the said fish have been
frozen in the sledge, so as that he hath taken a fish and broke
a-pieces, so hard it hath been; and yet the same fishes taken out of the
snow, and brought into a hot room, will be alive and leap up and down.
Swallows are often brought up in their nets out of the mudd from under
water, hanging together to some twigg or other, dead in ropes, and
brought to the fire will come to life. Fowl killed in December.
(Alderman Barker said) he did buy, and putting into the box under his
sledge, did forget to take them out to eate till Aprill next, and they
then were found there, and were through the frost as sweet and fresh and
eat as well as at first killed. Young beares are there; their flesh sold
in market as ordinarily as beef here, and is excellent sweet meat. They
tell us that beares there do never hurt any body, but fly away from you,
unless you pursue and set upon them; but wolves do much mischief. Mr.
Harrington told us how they do to get so much honey as they send abroad.
They make hollow a great fir-tree, leaving only a small slitt down
straight in one place, and this they close up again, only leave a little
hole, and there the bees go in and fill the bodys of those trees as full
of wax and honey as they can hold; and the inhabitants at times go and
open the slit, and take what they please without killing the bees, and
so let them live there still and make more. Fir trees are always planted
close together, because of keeping one another from the violence of the
windes; and when a fell is made, they leave here and there a grown tree
to preserve the young ones coming up. The great entertainment and sport
of the Duke of Corland, and the princes thereabouts, is hunting; which
is not with dogs as we, but he appoints such a day, and summons all the
country-people as to a campagnia; and by several companies gives every
one their circuit, and they agree upon a place where the toyle is to be
set; and so making fires every company as they go, they drive all the
wild beasts, whether bears, wolves, foxes, swine, and stags, and roes,
into the toyle; and there the great men have their stands in such and
such places, and shoot at what they have a mind to, and that is their
hunting. They are not very populous there, by reason that people marry
women seldom till they are towards or above thirty; and men thirty or
forty years old, or more oftentimes. Against a publique hunting the Duke
sends that no wolves be killed by the people; and whatever harm they do,
the Duke makes it good to the person that suffers it: as Mr. Harrington
instanced in a house where he lodged, where a wolfe broke into a
hog-stye, and bit three or four great pieces off the back of the hog,
before the house could come to helpe it (it calling, and that did give
notice to the people of the house); and the man of the house told him
that there were three or four wolves thereabouts that did them great
hurt; but it was no matter, for the Duke was to make it good to him,
otherwise he would kill them. Hence home and upstairs, my wife keeping
her bed, and had a very good dinner, and after dinner to my office, and
there till late busy. Among other things Captain Taylor came to me about
his bill for freight, and besides that I found him contented that I have
the L30 I got, he do offer me to give me L6 to take the getting of the
bill paid upon me, which I am ready to do, but I am loath to have it
said that I ever did it. However, I will do him the service to get it
paid if I can and stand to his courtesy what he will give me. Late to
supper home, and to my great joy I have by my wife’s good advice almost
brought myself by going often and leisurely to the stool that I am come
almost to have my natural course of stool as well as ever, which I pray
God continue to me.
12th. Up and to the office where all the morning, and among other things
got Sir G. Carteret to put his letters to Captain Taylor’s bill by which
I am in hopes to get L5, which joys my heart. We had this morning a
great dispute between Mr. Gauden, Victualler of the Navy, and Sir J.
Lawson, and the rest of the Commanders going against Argier, about their
fish and keeping of Lent; which Mr. Gauden so much insists upon to have
it observed, as being the only thing that makes up the loss of his dear
bargain all the rest of the year. At noon went home and there I found
that one Abrahall, who strikes in for the serving of the King with Ship
chandlery ware, has sent my wife a Japan gowne, which pleases her very
well and me also, it coming very opportune, but I know not how to carry
myself to him, I being already obliged so far to Mrs. Russell, so that I
am in both their pays. To the Exchange, where I had sent Luellin word
I would come to him, and thence brought him home to dinner with me. He
tells me that W. Symon’s wife is dead, for which I am sorry, she being
a good woman, and tells me an odde story of her saying before her death,
being in good sense, that there stood her uncle Scobell. Then he began
to tell me that Mr. Deering had been with him to desire him to speak to
me that if I would get him off with these goods upon his hands, he would
give me 50 pieces, and further that if I would stand his friend to helpe
him to the benefit of his patent as the King’s merchant, he could spare
me L200 per annum out of his profits. I was glad to hear both of these,
but answered him no further than that as I would not by any thing be
bribed to be unjust in my dealings,
[Edward Dering was granted, August, 1660, “the office of King’s
merchant in the East, for buying and providing necessaries for
apparelling the Navy” (“Calendar,” Domestic, 1660-61, p. 212).
There is evidence among the State Papers of some dissatisfaction
with the timber, &c., which he supplied to the Navy, and at this
time he appears to have had some stores left on his hands.]
so I was not so squeamish as not to take people’s acknowledgment where
I had the good fortune by my pains to do them good and just offices, and
so I would not come to be at any agreement with him, but I would
labour to do him this service and to expect his consideration thereof
afterwards as he thought fit. So I expect to hear more of it. I did make
very much of Luellin in hopes to have some good by this business, and in
the evening received some money from Mr. Moore, and so went and settled
accounts in my books between him and me, and I do hope at Christmas not
only to find myself as rich or more than ever I was yet, but also my
accounts in less compass, fewer reckonings either of debts or moneys
due to me, than ever I have been for some years, and indeed do so, the
goodness of God bringing me from better to a better expectation and
hopes of doing well. This day I heard my Lord Barkeley tell Sir G.
Carteret that he hath letters from France that the King hath unduked
twelve Dukes, only to show his power and to crush his nobility, who he
said he did see had heretofore laboured to cross him. And this my Lord
Barkeley did mightily magnify, as a sign of a brave and vigorous mind,
that what he saw fit to be done he dares do. At night, after business
done at my office, home to supper and to bed. I have forgot to set down
a very remarkable passage that, Lewellen being gone, and I going into
the office, and it begun to be dark, I found nobody there, my clerks
being at the burial of a child of W. Griffin’s, and so I spent a little
time till they came, walking in the garden, and in the mean time, while
I was walking Mrs. Pen’s pretty maid came by my side, and went into the
office, but finding nobody there I went in to her, being glad of the
occasion. She told me as she was going out again that there was nobody
there, and that she came for a sheet of paper. So I told her I would
supply her, and left her in the office and went into my office and
opened my garden door, thinking to have got her in, and there to have
caressed her, and seeming looking for paper, I told her this way was as
near a way for her, but she told me she had left the door open and so
did not come to me. So I carried her some paper and kissed her, leading
her by the hand to the garden door and there let her go. But, Lord! to
see how much I was put out of order by this surprisal, and how much I
could have subjected my mind to have treated and been found with this
wench, and how afterwards I was troubled to think what if she should
tell this and whether I had spoke or done any thing that might be unfit
for her to tell. But I think there was nothing more passed than just
what I here write.
13th (Lord’s day). Up and made me ready for Church, but my wife and I
had a difference about her old folly that she would fasten lies upon her
mayds, and now upon Jane, which I did not see enough to confirm me in
it, and so would not consent to her. To church, where after sermon
home, and to my office, before dinner, reading my vowes, and so home to
dinner, where Tom came to me and he and I dined together, my wife not
rising all day, and after dinner I made even accounts with him, and
spent all the afternoon in my chamber talking of many things with him,
and about Wheately’s daughter for a wife for him, and then about the
Joyces and their father Fenner, how they are sometimes all honey one
with another and then all turd, and a strange rude life there is among
them. In the evening, he gone, I to my office to read Rushworth upon
the charge and answer of the Duke of Buckingham, which is very fine, and
then to do a little business against to-morrow, and so home to supper to
my wife, and then to bed.
14th. Up by candlelight, which I do not use to do, though it be very
late, that is to say almost 8 o’clock, and out by coach to White Hall,
where we all met and to the Duke, where I heard a large discourse
between one that goes over an agent from the King to Legorne and
thereabouts, to remove the inconveniences his ships are put to by denial
of pratique; which is a thing that is now-a-days made use of only as a
cheat, for a man may buy a bill of health for a piece of eight, and my
enemy may agree with the Intendent of the Sante for ten pieces of eight
or so; that he shall not give me a bill of health, and so spoil me in my
design, whatever it be. This the King will not endure, and so resolves
either to have it removed, or to keep all ships from coming in, or going
out there, so long as his ships are stayed for want hereof. Then, my
Lord Sandwich being there, we all went into the Duke’s closet and did
our business. But among other things, Lord! what an account did Sir J.
Minnes and Sir W. Batten make of the pulling down and burning of the
head of the Charles, where Cromwell was placed with people under his
horse, and Peter, as the Duke called him, is praying to him; and Sir J.
Minnes would needs infer the temper of the people from their joy at the
doing of this and their building a gibbet for the hanging of his head
up, when God knows, it is even the flinging away of L100 out of the
King’s purse, to the building of another, which it seems must be a
Neptune. Thence I through White Hall only to see what was doing, but
meeting none that I knew I went through the garden to my Lord Sandwich’s
lodging, where I found my Lord got before me (which I did not intend
or expect) and was there trying some musique, which he intends for an
anthem of three parts, I know not whether for the King’s chapel or no,
but he seems mighty intent upon it. But it did trouble me to hear him
swear before God and other oathes, as he did now and then without any
occasion, which methinks did so ill become him, and I hope will be a
caution for me, it being so ill a thing in him. The musique being done,
without showing me any good or ill countenance, he did give me his hat
and so adieu, and went down to his coach without saying anything to me.
He being gone I and Mr. Howe talked a good while. He tells me that my
Lord, it is true, for a while after my letter, was displeased, and did
shew many slightings of me when he had occasion of mentioning me to his
Lordship, but that now my Lord is in good temper and he do believe will
shew me as much respect as ever, and would have me not to refrain to
come to him. This news I confess did much trouble me, but when I did
hear how he is come to himself, and hath wholly left Chelsy, and the
slut, and that I see he do follow his business, and becomes in better
repute than before, I am rejoiced to see it, though it do cost me some
disfavour for a time, for if not his good nature and ingenuity, yet I
believe his memory will not bear it always in his mind. But it is my
comfort that this is the thing that after so many years good service
that has made him my enemy. Thence to the King’s Head ordinary, and
there dined among a company of fine gentlemen; some of them discoursed
of the King of France’s greatness, and how he is come to make the
Princes of the Blood to take place of all foreign Embassadors, which it
seems is granted by them of Venice and other States, and expected from
my Lord. Hollis, our King’s Embassador there; and that either upon that
score or something else he hath not had his entry yet in Paris, but hath
received several affronts, and among others his harnesse cut, and his
gentlemen of his horse killed, which will breed bad blood if true. They
say also that the King of France hath hired threescore ships of Holland,
and forty of the Swede, but nobody knows what to do; but some great
designs he hath on foot against the next year. Thence by coach home
and to my office, where I spent all the evening till night with Captain
Taylor discoursing about keeping of masts, and when he was gone, with
Sir W. Warren, who did give me excellent discourse about the same thing,
which I have committed to paper, and then fell to other talk of his
being at Chatham lately and there discoursing of his masts. Commissioner
Pett did let fall several scurvy words concerning my pretending to know
masts as well as any body, which I know proceeds ever since I told him I
could measure a piece of timber as well as anybody employed by the King.
But, however, I shall remember him for a black sheep again a good while,
with all his fair words to me, and perhaps may let him know that my
ignorance does the King as much good as all his knowledge, which would
do more it is true if it were well used. Then we fell to talk of Sir
J. Minnes’s and Sir W. Batten’s burning of Oliver’s head, while he was
there; which was done with so much insulting and folly as I never heard
of, and had the Trayned Band of Rochester to come to the solemnity,
which when all comes to all, Commissioner Pett says it never was made
for him; but it troubles me the King should suffer L100 losse in his
purse, to make a new one after it was forgot whose it was, or any words
spoke of it. He being gone I mightily pleased with his discourse, by
which I always learn something, I to read a little in Rushworth, and so
home to supper to my wife, it having been washing day, and so to bed, my
mind I confess a little troubled for my Lord Sandwich’s displeasure.
But God will give me patience to bear since it rises from so good an
occasion.
15th. Before I was up, my brother’s man came to tell me that my cozen,
Edward Pepys, was dead, died at Mrs. Turner’s, for which my wife and
I are very sorry, and the more for that his wife was the only handsome
woman of our name. So up and to the office, where the greatest business
was Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten against me for Sir W. Warren’s
contract for masts, to which I may go to my memorandum book to see what
past, but came off with conquest, and my Lord Barkely and Mr. Coventry
well convinced that we are well used. So home to dinner, and thither
came to me Mr. Mount and Mr. Luellin, I think almost foxed, and there
dined with me and very merry as I could be, my mind being troubled to
see things so ordered at the Board, though with no disparagement to me
at all. At dinner comes a messenger from the Counter with an execution
against me for the L30 10s., given the last verdict to Field. The man’s
name is Thomas, of the Poultry Counter. I sent Griffin with him to the
Dolphin, where Sir W. Batten was at dinner, and he being satisfied
that I should pay the money, I did cause the money to be paid him, and
Griffin to tell it out to him in the office. He offered to go along with
me to Sir R. Ford, but I thought it not necessary, but let him go with
it, he also telling me that there is never any receipt for it given,
but I have good witness of the payment of it. They being gone, Luellin
having again told me by myself that Deering is content to give me L50 if
I can sell his deals for him to the King, not that I did ever offer to
take it, or bid Luellin bargain for me with him, but did tacitly seem to
be willing to do him what service I could in it, and expect his
thanks, what he thought good. Thence to White Hall by coach, by the way
overtaking Mr. Moore, and took him into the coach to me, and there he
could tell me nothing of my Lord, how he stands as to his thoughts or
respect to me, but concludes that though at present he may be angry yet
he will come to be pleased again with me no doubt, and says that he do
mind his business well, and keeps at Court. So to White Hall, and there
by order found some of the Commissioners of Tangier met, and my Lord
Sandwich among the rest, to whom I bowed, but he shewed me very little
if any countenance at all, which troubles me mightily. Having soon done
there, I took up Mr. Moore again and set him down at Pauls, by the way
he proposed to me of a way of profit which perhaps may shortly be
made by money by fines upon houses at the Wardrobe, but how I did not
understand but left it to another discourse. So homeward, calling upon
Mr. Fen, by Sir G. Carteret’s desire, and did there shew him the bill of
Captain Taylor’s whereby I hope to get something justly. Home and to
my office, and there very late with Sir W. Warren upon very serious
discourse, telling him how matters passed to-day, and in the close he
and I did fall to talk very openly of the business of this office, and
(if I was not a little too open to tell him my interest, which is my
fault) he did give me most admirable advice, and such as do speak him a
most able and worthy man, and understanding seven times more than ever
I thought to be in him. He did particularly run over every one of the
officers and commanders, and shewed me how I had reason to mistrust
every one of them, either for their falsenesse or their over-great
power, being too high to fasten a real friendship in, and did give me
a common but a most excellent saying to observe in all my life. He did
give it in rhyme, but the sense was this, that a man should treat every
friend in his discourse and opening his mind to him as of one that may
hereafter be his foe. He did also advise me how I should take occasion
to make known to the world my case, and the pains that I take in my
business, and above all to be sure to get a thorough knowledge in my
employment, and to that add all the interest at Court that I can, which
I hope I shall do. He staid talking with me till almost 12 at night,
and so good night, being sorry to part with him, and more sorry that he
should have as far as Wapping to walk to-night. So I to my Journall and
so home, to supper and to bed.
16th. Up, and with my head and heart full of my business, I to my
office, and there all the morning, where among other things to my great
content Captain Taylor brought me L40, the greater part of which I shall
gain to myself after much care and pains out of his bill of freight,
as I have at large set down in my book of Memorandums. At noon to the
‘Change and there met with Mr. Wood by design, and got out of him to
my advantage a condition which I shall make good use of against Sir W.
Batten (vide my book of Memorandums touching the contract of masts of
Sir W. Warren about which I have had so much trouble). So home to dinner
and then to the Star Tavern hard by to our arbitration of Mr. Bland’s
business, and at it a great while, but I found no order like to be kept
in our inquiry, and Mr. Clerke, the other arbitrator, one so far from
being fit (though able as to his trade of a merchant) to inquire and
to take pains in searching out the truth on both sides, that we parted
without doing anything, nor do I believe we shall at all ever attain
to anything in it. Then home and till 12 at night making up my accounts
with great account of this day’s receipt of Captain Taylor’s money and
some money reimbursed me which I have laid out on Field’s business. So
home with my mind in pretty good quiet, and to Supper and to bed.
17th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home
to my poor wife and dined, and then by coach abroad to Mrs. Turner’s
where I have not been for many a day, and there I found her and her
sister Dike very sad for the death of their brother. After a little
common expression of sorrow, Mrs. Turner told me that the trouble she
would put me to was, to consult about getting an achievement prepared,
scutcheons were done already, to set over the door. So I did go out to
Mr. Smith’s, where my brother tells me the scutcheons are made, but he
not being within, I went to the Temple, and there spent my time in a
Bookseller’s shop, reading in a book of some Embassages into Moscovia,
&c., where was very good reading, and then to Mrs. Turner’s, and thither
came Smith to me, with whom I did agree for L4 to make a handsome one,
ell square within the frame. After he was gone I sat an houre talking of
the suddennesse of his death within 7 days, and how by little and little
death came upon him, neither he nor they thinking it would come to that.
He died after a day’s raveing, through lightness in his head for want of
sleep. His lady did not know of his sickness, nor do they hear yet
how she takes it. Hence home, taking some books by the way in Paul’s
Churchyard by coach to my office, where late doing business, and so home
to supper and to bed.
18th. Up, and after being ready and done several businesses with people,
I took water (taking a dram of the bottle at the waterside) with a
gaily, the first that ever I had yet, and down to Woolwich, calling at
Ham Creeke, where I met Mr. Deane, and had a great deal of talke with
him about business, and so to the Ropeyarde and Docke, discoursing
several things, and so back again and did the like at Deptford, and I
find that it is absolutely necessary for me to do thus once a weeke at
least all the yeare round, which will do me great good, and so home with
great ease and content, especially out of the content which I met with
in a book I bought yesterday, being a discourse of the state of Rome
under the present Pope, Alexander the 7th, it being a very excellent
piece. After eating something at home, then to my office, where till
night about business to dispatch. Among other people came Mr. Primate,
the leather seller, in Fleete Streete, to see me, he says, coming this
way; and he tells me that he is upon a proposal to the King, whereby,
by a law already in being, he will supply the King, without wrong to
any man, or charge to the people in general, so much as it is now, above
L200,000 per annum, and God knows what, and that the King do like
the proposal, and hath directed that the Duke of Monmouth, with their
consent, be made privy, and go along with him and his fellow proposer in
the business, God knows what it is; for I neither can guess nor believe
there is any such thing in his head. At night made an end of the
discourse I read this morning, and so home to supper and to bed.
19th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and I laboured
hard at Deering’s business of his deals more than I would if I did not
think to get something, though I do really believe that I did what is
to the King’s advantage in it, and yet, God knows, the expectation of
profit will have its force and make a man the more earnest. Dined at
home, and then with Mr. Bland to another meeting upon his arbitration,
and seeing we were likely to do no good I even put them upon it, and
they chose Sir W. Rider alone to end the matter, and so I am rid of it.
Thence by coach to my shoemaker’s and paid all there, and gave something
to the boys’ box against Christmas. To Mrs. Turner’s, whom I find busy
with Sir W. Turner, about advising upon going down to Norfolke with the
corps, and I find him in talke a sober, considering man. So home to
my office late, and then home to supper and to bed. My head full of
business, but pretty good content.
20th (Lord’s day). Up and alone to church, where a common sermon of Mr.
Mills, and so home to dinner in our parler, my wife being clean, and
the first time we have dined here a great while together, and in the
afternoon went to church with me also, and there begun to take her place
above Mrs. Pen, which heretofore out of a humour she was wont to
give her as an affront to my Lady Batten. After a dull sermon of the
Scotchman, home, and there I found my brother Tom and my two cozens
Scotts, he and she, the first time they were ever here. And by and by
in comes my uncle. Wight and Mr. Norbury, and they sat with us a while
drinking, of wine, of which I did give them plenty. But the two would
not stay supper, but the other two did. And we were as merry as I could
be with people that I do wish well to, but know not what discourse
either to give them or find from them. We showed them our house from top
to bottom, and had a good Turkey roasted for our supper, and store of
wine, and after supper sent them home on foot, and so we to prayers and
to bed.
21st. Up betimes, my wife having a mind to have gone abroad with me, but
I had not because of troubling me, and so left her, though against my
will, to go and see her father and mother by herself, and I straight to
my Lord Sandwich’s, and there I had a pretty kind salute from my Lord,
and went on to the Duke’s, where my fellow officers by and by came, and
so in with him to his closet, and did our business, and so broke up, and
I with Sir W. Batten by coach to Salisbury Court, and there spoke with
Clerk our Solicitor about Field’s business, and so parted, and I to Mrs.
Turner’s, and there saw the achievement pretty well set up, and it
is well done. Thence I on foot to Charing Crosse to the ordinary, and
there, dined, meeting Mr. Gauden and Creed. Here variety of talk but
to no great purpose. After dinner won a wager of a payre of gloves of
a crowne of Mr. Gauden upon some words in his contract for victualling.
There parted in the street with them, and I to my Lord’s, but he not
being within, took coach, and, being directed by sight of bills upon the
walls, I did go to Shoe Lane to see a cocke-fighting at a new pit there,
a sport I was never at in my life; but, Lord! to see the strange variety
of people, from Parliament-man (by name Wildes, that was Deputy Governor
of the Tower when Robinson was Lord Mayor) to the poorest ‘prentices,
bakers, brewers, butchers, draymen, and what not; and all these fellows
one with another in swearing, cursing, and betting. I soon had enough
of it, and yet I would not but have seen it once, it being strange to
observe the nature of these poor creatures, how they will fight till
they drop down dead upon the table, and strike after they are ready
to give up the ghost, not offering to run away when they are weary or
wounded past doing further, whereas where a dunghill brood comes he
will, after a sharp stroke that pricks him, run off the stage, and
then they wring off his neck without more ado, whereas the other they
preserve, though their eyes be both out, for breed only of a true cock
of the game. Sometimes a cock that has had ten to one against him will
by chance give an unlucky blow, will strike the other starke dead in a
moment, that he never stirs more; but the common rule is, that though a
cock neither runs nor dies, yet if any man will bet L10 to a crowne, and
nobody take the bet, the game is given over, and not sooner. One thing
more it is strange to see how people of this poor rank, that look as
if they had not bread to put in their mouths, shall bet three or four
pounds at one bet, and lose it, and yet bet as much the next battle (so
they call every match of two cocks), so that one of them will lose L10
or L20 at a meeting. Thence, having enough of it, by coach to my Lord
Sandwich’s, where I find him within with Captain Cooke and his boys,
Dr. Childe, Mr. Madge, and Mallard, playing and singing over my Lord’s
anthem which he hath made to sing in the King’s Chappell: my Lord
saluted me kindly and took me into the withdrawing-room, to hear it at
a distance, and indeed it sounds very finely, and is a good thing, I
believe, to be made by him, and they all commend it. And after that was
done Captain Cooke and his two boys did sing some Italian songs, which
I must in a word say I think was fully the best musique that I ever yet
heard in all my life, and it was to me a very great pleasure to hear
them. After all musique ended, my Lord going to White Hall, I went along
with him, and made a desire for to have his coach to go along with my
cozen Edward Pepys’s hearse through the City on Wednesday next, which
he granted me presently, though he cannot yet come to speak to me in the
familiar stile that he did use to do, nor can I expect it. But I was the
willinger of this occasion to see whether he would deny me or no, which
he would I believe had he been at open defyance against me. Being not a
little pleased with all this, though I yet see my Lord is not right yet,
I thanked his Lordship and parted with him in White Hall. I back to my
Lord’s, and there took up W. Howe in a coach, and carried him as far as
the Half Moone, and there set him down. By the way, talking of my Lord,
who is come another and a better man than he was lately, and God be
praised for it, and he says that I shall find my Lord as he used to be
to me, of which I have good hopes, but I shall beware of him, I mean W.
Howe, how I trust him, for I perceive he is not so discreet as I took
him for, for he has told Captain Ferrers (as Mr. Moore tells me) of my
letter to my Lord, which troubles me, for fear my Lord should think that
I might have told him. So called with my coach at my wife’s brother’s
lodging, but she was gone newly in a coach homewards, and so I drove
hard and overtook her at Temple Bar, and there paid off mine, and went
home with her in her coach. She tells me how there is a sad house among
her friends. Her brother’s wife proves very unquiet, and so her mother
is, gone back to be with her husband and leave the young couple to
themselves, and great trouble, and I fear great want, will be among
them, I pray keep me from being troubled with them. At home to put on my
gowne and to my office, and there set down this day’s Journall, and by
and by comes Mrs. Owen, Captain Allen’s daughter, and causes me to stay
while the papers relating to her husband’s place, bought of his father,
be copied out because of her going by this morning’s tide home to
Chatham. Which vexes me, but there is no help for it. I home to supper
while a young [man] that she brought with her did copy out the things,
and then I to the office again and dispatched her, and so home to bed.
22nd. Up and there comes my she cozen Angier, of Cambridge, to me to
speak about her son. But though I love them, and have reason so to do,
yet, Lord! to consider how cold I am to speak to her, for fear of giving
her too much hopes of expecting either money or anything else from me
besides my care of her son. I let her go without drinking, though that
was against my will, being forced to hasten to the office, where we sat
all the morning, and at noon I to Sir R. Ford’s, where Sir R. Browne (a
dull but it seems upon action a hot man), and he and I met upon setting
a price upon the freight of a barge sent to France to the Duchess of
Orleans. And here by discourse I find them greatly crying out against
the choice of Sir J. Cutler to be Treasurer for Paul’s upon condition
that he give L1500 towards it, and it seems he did give it upon
condition that he might be Treasurer for the work, which they say will
be worth three times as much money, and talk as if his being chosen to
the office will make people backward to give, but I think him as likely
a man as either of them, or better. The business being done we parted,
Sir R. Ford never inviting me to dine with him at all, and I was not
sorry for it. Home and dined. I had a letter from W. Howe that my Lord
hath ordered his coach and six horses for me to-morrow, which pleases
me mightily to think that my Lord should do so much, hoping thereby that
his anger is a little over. After dinner abroad with my wife by coach
to Westminster, and set her at Mrs. Hunt’s while I about my business,
having in our way met with Captain Ferrers luckily to speak to him about
my coach, who was going in all haste thither, and I perceive the King
and Duke and all the Court was going to the Duke’s playhouse to see
“Henry VIII.” acted, which is said to be an admirable play. But, Lord!
to see how near I was to have broken my oathe, or run the hazard of 20s.
losse, so much my nature was hot to have gone thither; but I did not go,
but having spoke with W. Howe and known how my Lord did do this kindly
as I would have it, I did go to Westminster Hall, and there met Hawley,
and walked a great while with him. Among other discourse encouraging him
to pursue his love to Mrs. Lane, while God knows I had a roguish meaning
in it. Thence calling my wife home by coach, calling at several places,
and to my office, where late, and so home to supper and to bed. This day
I hear for certain that my Lady Castlemaine is turned Papist, which
the Queene for all do not much like, thinking that she do it not for
conscience sake. I heard to-day of a great fray lately between Sir H.
Finch’s coachman, who struck with his whip a coachman of the King’s
to the losse of one of his eyes; at which the people of the Exchange
seeming to laugh and make sport with some words of contempt to him, my
Lord Chamberlin did come from the King to shut up the ‘Change, and by
the help of a justice, did it; but upon petition to the King it was
opened again.
23rd. Up betimes and my wife; and being in as mourning a dress as we
could, at present, without cost, put ourselves into, we by Sir W. Pen’s
coach to Mrs. Turner’s, at Salisbury Court, where I find my Lord’s coach
and six horses. We staid till almost eleven o’clock, and much company
came, and anon, the corps being put into the hearse, and the scutcheons
set upon it, we all took coach, and I and my wife and Auditor Beale in
my Lord Sandwich’s coach, and went next to Mrs. Turner’s mourning coach,
and so through all the City and Shoreditch, I believe about twenty
coaches, and four or five with six and four horses. Being come thither,
I made up to the mourners, and bidding them a good journey, I took leave
and back again, and setting my wife into a hackney out of Bishopsgate
Street, I sent her home, and I to the ‘Change and Auditor Beale about
his business. Did much business at the ‘Change, and so home to dinner,
and then to my office, and there late doing business also to my great
content to see God bless me in my place and opening honest ways, I hope
to get a little money to lay up and yet to live handsomely. So to supper
and to bed. My wife having strange fits of the toothache, some times on
this, and by and by on that side of her tooth, which is not common.
24th. Up betimes; and though it was a most foggy morning, and cold, yet
with a gally down to Eriffe, several times being at a loss whither we
went. There I mustered two ships of the King’s, lent by him to the Guiny
Company, which are manned better than ours at far less wages. Thence on
board two of the King’s, one of them the “Leopard,” Captain Beech, who
I find an able and serious man. He received me civilly, and his wife was
there, a very well bred and knowing woman, born at Antwerp, but speaks
as good English as myself, and an ingenious woman. Here was also Sir
G. Carteret’s son, who I find a pretty, but very talking man, but good
humour. Thence back again, entertaining myself upon my sliding rule with
great content, and called at Woolwich, where Mr. Chr. Pett having an
opportunity of being alone did tell me his mind about several things he
thought I was offended with him in, and told me of my kindness to his
assistant. I did give him such an answer as I thought was fit and left
him well satisfied, he offering to do me all the service, either by
draughts or modells that I should desire. Thence straight home, being
very cold, but yet well, I thank God, and at home found my wife making
mince pies, and by and by comes in Captain Ferrers to see us, and, among
other talke, tells us of the goodness of the new play of “Henry VIII.,”
which makes me think [it] long till my time is out; but I hope before I
go I shall set myself such a stint as I may not forget myself as I have
hitherto done till I was forced for these months last past wholly to
forbid myself the seeing of one. He gone I to my office and there late
writing and reading, and so home to bed.
25th (Christmas day). Lay long talking pleasantly with my wife, but
among other things she begun, I know not whether by design or chance, to
enquire what she should do if I should by any accident die, to which I
did give her some slight answer; but shall make good use of it to bring
myself to some settlement for her sake, by making a will as soon as I
can. Up and to church, where Mr. Mills made an ordinary sermon, and so
home and dined with great pleasure with my wife, and all the afternoon
first looking out at window and seeing the boys playing at many several
sports in our back yard by Sir W. Pen’s, which reminded me of my own
former times, and then I began to read to my wife upon the globes with
great pleasure and to good purpose, for it will be pleasant to her and
to me to have her understand these things. In the evening at the
office, where I staid late reading Rushworth, which is a most excellent
collection of the beginning of the late quarrels in this kingdom, and so
home to supper and to bed, with good content of mind.
26th. Up and walked forth first to the Minerys to Brown’s, and there
with great pleasure saw and bespoke several instruments, and so to
Cornhill to Mr. Cades, and there went up into his warehouse to look
for a map or two, and there finding great plenty of good pictures, God
forgive me! how my mind run upon them, and bought a little one for my
wife’s closett presently, and concluded presently of buying L10 worth,
upon condition he would give me the buying of them. Now it is true I did
still within me resolve to make the King one way or other pay for them,
though I saved it to him another way, yet I find myself too forward to
fix upon the expense, and came away with a resolution of buying them,
but do hope that I shall not upon second thoughts do it without a way
made out before I buy them to myself how to do [it] without charge to my
main stock. Thence to the Coffee-house, and sat long in good discourse
with some gentlemen concerning the Roman Empire. So home and found Mr.
Hollyard there, and he stayed and dined with us, we having a pheasant
to dinner. He gone, I all the afternoon with my wife to cards, and, God
forgive me! to see how the very discourse of plays, which I shall be at
liberty to see after New Year’s Day next, do set my mind upon them, but
I must be forced to stint myself very strictly before I begin, or else I
fear I shall spoil all. In the evening came my aunt Wight’s kinswoman to
see how my wife do, with a compliment from my aunt, which I take kindly
as it is unusual for her to do it, but I do perceive my uncle is very
kind to me of late. So to my office writing letters, and then to read
and make an end of Rushworth, which I did, and do say that it is a book
the most worth reading for a man of my condition or any man that hopes
to come to any publique condition in the world that I do know. So home
to supper and to bed.
27th. Up and to church alone and so home to dinner with my wife very
pleasant and pleased with one another’s company, and in our general
enjoyment one of another, better we think than most other couples do. So
after dinner to the French church, but came too late, and so back to our
owne church, where I slept all the sermon the Scott preaching, and so
home, and in the evening Sir J. Minnes and I met at Sir W. Pen’s about
ordering some business of the Navy, and so I home to supper, discourse,
prayers, and bed.
28th. Up and by coach to my Lord’s lodgings, but he was gone abroad, so
I lost my pains, but, however, walking through White Hall I heard the
King was gone to play at Tennis, so I down to the new Tennis Court; and
saw him and Sir Arthur Slingsby play against my Lord of Suffolke and my
Lord Chesterfield. The King beat three, and lost two sets, they all, and
he particularly playing well, I thought. Thence went and spoke with the
Duke of Albemarle about his wound at Newhall, but I find him a heavy
dull man, methinks, by his answers to me. Thence to the King’s Head
ordinary and there dined, and found Creed there, but we met and dined
and parted without any thing more than “How do you?” After dinner
straight on foot to Mr. Hollyard’s, and there paid him L3 in full for
his physic and work to my wife.... but whether it is cured for ever or
no I cannot tell, but he says it will never come to anything, though it
may be it may ooze now and then a little. So home and found my wife gone
out with Will (whom she sent for as she do now a days upon occasion) to
have a tooth drawn, she having it seems been in great pain all day, and
at night came home with it drawn, and pretty well. This evening I had a
stove brought me to the office to try, but it being an old one it smokes
as much as if there was nothing but a hearth as I had before, but it may
be great new ones do not, and therefore I must enquire further. So at
night home to supper and to bed. The Duchesse of York is fallen sicke of
the meazles.
29th. Up and to the office, where all the morning sitting, at noon to
the ‘change, and there I found and brought home Mr. Pierse the surgeon
to dinner. Where I found also Mr. Luellin and Mount, and merry at
dinner, but their discourse so free.... that I was weary of them. But
after dinner Luellin took me up to my chamber to give me L50 for the
service I did him, though not so great as he expected and I intended.
But I told him that I would not sell my liberty to any man. If he would
give me any thing by another’s hand I would endeavour to deserve it,
but I will never give him himself thanks for it, not acknowledging the
receiving of any, which he told me was reasonable. I did also tell him
that neither this nor any thing should make me to do any thing that
should not be for the King’s service besides. So we parted and left them
three at home with my wife going to cards, and I to my office and there
staid late. Sir W. Pen came like a cunning rogue to sit and talk with me
about office business and freely about the Comptroller’s business of the
office, to which I did give him free answers and let him make the best
of them. But I know him to be a knave, and do say nothing that I fear
to have said again. Anon came Sir W. Warren, and after talking of his
business of the masts and helping me to understand some foul dealing in
the business of Woods we fell to other talk, and particularly to speak
of some means how to part this great familiarity between Sir W. Batten
and Sir J. Minnes, and it is easy to do by any good friend of Sir J.
Minnes to whom it will be a good service, and he thinks that Sir
J. Denham will be a proper man for it, and so do I. So after other
discourse we parted, and I home and to bed.
30th. Up betimes and by coach to my Lord Sandwich, who I met going out,
and he did aske me how his cozen, my wife; did, the first time he hath
done so since his being offended, and, in my conscience, he would be
glad to be free with me again, but he knows not how to begin. So he went
out, and I through the garden to Mr. Coventry, where I saw Mr. Ch. Pett
bringing him a modell, and indeed it is a pretty one, for a New Year’s
gift; but I think the work not better done than mine. With him by coach
to London, with good and friendly discourse of business and against Sir
W. Batten and his foul dealings. So leaving him at the Guiny House I to
the Coffee House, whither came Mr. Grant and Sir W. Petty, with whom
I talked, and so did many, almost all the house there, about his new
vessel, wherein he did give me such satisfaction in every point that I
am almost confident she will prove an admirable invention. So home to
dinner, and after being upon the ‘Change awhile I dined with my wife,
who took physique to-day, and so to my office, and there all the
afternoon till late at night about office business, and so to supper and
to bed.
31st. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and among
other things Sir W. Warren came about some contract, and there did at
the open table, Sir W. Batten not being there; openly defy him, and
insisted how Sir W. Batten did endeavour to oppose him in everything
that he offered. Sir W. Pen took him up for it, like a counterfeit
rogue, though I know he was as much pleased to hear him talk so as any
man there. But upon his speaking no more was said but to the business.
At noon we broke up and I to the ‘Change awhile, and so home again to
dinner, my head aching mightily with being overcharged with business. We
had to dinner, my wife and I, a fine turkey and a mince pie, and dined
in state, poor wretch, she and I, and have thus kept our Christmas
together all alone almost, having not once been out, but to-morrow my
vowes are all out as to plays and wine, but I hope I shall not be long
before I come to new ones, so much good, and God’s blessing, I find to
have attended them. Thence to the office and did several businesses and
answered several people, but my head aching and it being my great night
of accounts, I went forth, took coach, and to my brother’s, but he was
not within, and so I back again and sat an hour or two at the Coffee
[house], hearing some simple discourse about Quakers being charmed by a
string about their wrists, and so home, and after a little while at
my office, I home and supped, and so had a good fire in my chamber
and there sat till 4 o’clock in the morning making up my accounts and
writing this last Journall of the year. And first I bless God I do,
after a large expense, even this month, by reason of Christmas, and some
payments to my father, and other things extraordinary, find that I
am worth in money, besides all my household stuff, or any thing of
Brampton, above L800, whereof in my Lord Sandwich’s hand, L700, and the
rest in my hand. So that there is not above L5 of all my estate in money
at this minute out of my hands and my Lord’s. For which the good God be
pleased to give me a thankful heart and a mind careful to preserve this
and increase it. I do live at my lodgings in the Navy Office, my family
being, besides my wife and I, Jane Gentleman, Besse, our excellent,
good-natured cookmayde, and Susan, a little girle, having neither man
nor boy, nor like to have again a good while, living now in most perfect
content and quiett, and very frugally also; my health pretty good,
but only that I have been much troubled with a costiveness which I am
labouring to get away, and have hopes of doing it. At the office I am
well, though envied to the devil by Sir William Batten, who hates me to
death, but cannot hurt me. The rest either love me, or at least do not
show otherwise, though I know Sir W. Pen to be a false knave touching
me, though he seems fair. My father and mother well in the country; and
at this time the young ladies of Hinchingbroke with them, their house
having the small-pox in it. The Queene after a long and sore sicknesse
is become well again; and the King minds his mistresse a little too
much, if it pleased God! but I hope all things will go well, and in the
Navy particularly, wherein I shall do my duty whatever comes of it. The
great talke is the designs of the King of France, whether against the
Pope or King of Spayne nobody knows; but a great and a most promising
Prince he is, and all the Princes of Europe have their eye upon him. My
wife’s brother come to great unhappiness by the ill-disposition, my wife
says, of his wife, and her poverty, which she now professes, after all
her husband’s pretence of a great fortune, but I see none of them, at
least they come not to trouble me. At present I am concerned for my
cozen Angier, of Cambridge, lately broke in his trade, and this day am
sending his son John, a very rogue, to sea. My brother Tom I know not
what to think of, for I cannot hear whether he minds his business or
not; and my brother John at Cambridge, with as little hopes of
doing good there, for when he was here he did give me great cause of
dissatisfaction with his manner of life. Pall with my father, and God
knows what she do there, or what will become of her, for I have not
anything yet to spare her, and she grows now old, and must be disposed
of one way or other. The Duchesse of York, at this time, sicke of the
meazles, but is growing well again. The Turke very far entered into
Germany, and all that part of the world at a losse what to expect from
his proceedings. Myself, blessed be God! in a good way, and design and
resolution of sticking to my business to get a little money with doing
the best service I can to the King also; which God continue! So ends the
old year.