January 1st, Went to bed between 4 and 5 in the morning with my mind
in good temper of satisfaction and slept till about 8, that many people
came to speak with me. Among others one came with the best New Year’s
gift that ever I had, namely from Mr. Deering, with a bill of exchange
drawn upon himself for the payment of L50 to Mr. Luellin. It being for
my use with a letter of compliment. I am not resolved what or how to do
in this business, but I conclude it is an extraordinary good new year’s
gift, though I do not take the whole, or if I do then give some of it to
Luellin. By and by comes Captain Allen and his son Jowles and his wife,
who continues pretty still. They would have had me set my hand to a
certificate for his loyalty, and I know not what his ability for any
employment. But I did not think it fit, but did give them a pleasing
denial, and after sitting with me an hour they went away. Several others
came to me about business, and then being to dine at my uncle Wight’s
I went to the Coffee-house, sending my wife by Will, and there staid
talking an hour with Coll. Middleton, and others, and among other things
about a very rich widow, young and handsome, of one Sir Nicholas Gold’s,
a merchant, lately fallen, and of great courtiers that already look
after her: her husband not dead a week yet. She is reckoned worth
L80,000. Thence to my uncle Wight’s, where Dr. of-----, among others,
dined, and his wife, a seeming proud conceited woman, I know not what to
make of her, but the Dr’s. discourse did please me very well about the
disease of the stone, above all things extolling Turpentine, which he
told me how it may be taken in pills with great ease. There was brought
to table a hot pie made of a swan I sent them yesterday, given me by Mr.
Howe, but we did not eat any of it. But my wife and I rose from table,
pretending business, and went to the Duke’s house, the first play I have
been at these six months, according to my last vowe, and here saw the
so much cried-up play of “Henry the Eighth;” which, though I went with
resolution to like it, is so simple a thing made up of a great many
patches, that, besides the shows and processions in it, there is nothing
in the world good or well done. Thence mightily dissatisfied back at
night to my uncle Wight’s, and supped with them, but against my stomach
out of the offence the sight of my aunt’s hands gives me, and ending
supper with a mighty laugh, the greatest I have had these many months,
at my uncle’s being out in his grace after meat, we rose and broke up,
and my wife and I home and to bed, being sleepy since last night.
2nd. Up and to the office, and there sitting all the morning, and at
noon to the ‘Change, in my going met with Luellin and told him how I had
received a letter and bill for L50 from Mr. Deering, and delivered it
to him, which he told me he would receive for me. To which I consented,
though professed not to desire it if he do not consider himself
sufficiently able by the service I have done, and that it is rather my
desire to have nothing till he be further sensible of my service. From
the ‘Change I brought him home and dined with us, and after dinner I
took my wife out, for I do find that I am not able to conquer myself as
to going to plays till I come to some new vowe concerning it, and that I
am now come, that is to say, that I will not see above one in a month
at any of the publique theatres till the sum of 50s. be spent, and then
none before New Year’s Day next, unless that I do become worth L1000
sooner than then, and then am free to come to some other terms, and so
leaving him in Lombard Street I took her to the King’s house, and there
met Mr. Nicholson, my old colleague, and saw “The Usurper,” which is
no good play, though better than what I saw yesterday. However, we rose
unsatisfied, and took coach and home, and I to the office late writing
letters, and so to supper and to bed.
3rd (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed, and then rose and with a fire in my
chamber staid within all day, looking over and settling my accounts in
good order, by examining all my books, and the kitchen books, and I find
that though the proper profit of my last year was but L305, yet I did by
other gain make it up L444., which in every part of it was unforeseen
of me, and therefore it was a strange oversight for lack of examining my
expenses that I should spend L690 this year, but for the time to come
I have so distinctly settled all my accounts in writing and the
particulars of all my several layings out, that I do hope I shall
hereafter make a better judgment of my spendings than ever. I dined with
my wife in her chamber, she in bed, and then down again and till 11 at
night, and broke up and to bed with great content, but could not make
an end of writing over my vows as I purposed, but I am agreed in every
thing how to order myself for the year to come, which I trust in God
will be much for my good. So up to prayers and to bed. This evening Sir
W. Pen came to invite me against next Wednesday, being Twelfth day, to
his usual feast, his wedding day.
4th. Up betimes, and my wife being ready, and her mayd Besse and the
girl, I carried them by coach and set them all down in Covent Garden and
there left them, and I to my Lord Sandwich’s lodgings, but he not being
up, I to the Duke’s chamber, and there by and by to his closett, where
since his lady was ill, a little red bed of velvet is brought for him to
lie alone, which is a very pretty one. After doing business here, I
to my Lord’s again, and there spoke with him, and he seems now almost
friends again as he used to be. Here meeting Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon,
he told me among other Court newes, how the Queene is very well again,
and the King lay with her on Saturday night last; and that she speaks
now very pretty English, and makes her sense out now and then with
pretty phrazes: as among others this is mightily cried up; that, meaning
to say that she did not like such a horse so well as the rest, he being
too prancing and full of tricks, she said he did make too much
vanity. Thence to the Tennis Court, after I had spent a little time in
Westminster Hall, thinking to have met with Mrs. Lane, but I could not
and am glad of it, and there saw the King play at Tennis and others: but
to see how the King’s play was extolled without any cause at all, was
a loathsome sight, though sometimes, indeed, he did play very well and
deserved to be commended; but such open flattery is beastly. Afterwards
to St. James’s Parke, being unwilling to go to spend money at the
ordinary, and there spent an hour or two, it being a pleasant day,
seeing people play at Pell Mell; where it pleased me mightily to hear
a gallant, lately come from France, swear at one of his companions for
suffering his man (a spruce blade) to be so saucy as to strike a ball
while his master was playing on the Mall.
[When Egerton was Bishop of Durham, he often played at bowls with
his guests on the public days. On an occasion of this sort, a
visitor happening to cross the lawn, one of the chaplains exclaimed,
“You must not shake the green, for the bishop is going to bowl.”--B.]
Thence took coach at White Hall and took up my wife, who is mighty sad
to think of her father, who is going into Germany against the Turkes;
but what will become of her brother I know not. He is so idle, and out
of all capacity, I think, to earn his bread. Home and at my office till
is at night making my solemn vowes for the next year, which I trust in
the Lord I shall keep, but I fear I have a little too severely bound
myself in some things and in too many, for I fear I may forget some. But
however, I know the worst, and shall by the blessing of God observe to
perform or pay my forfeits punctually. So home and to bed with my mind
at rest.
5th. Up and to our office, where we sat all the morning, where my head
being willing to take in all business whatever, I am afraid I shall over
clogg myself with it. But however, it is my desire to do my duty and
shall the willinger bear it. At noon home and to the ‘Change, where I
met with Luellin, who went off with me and parted to meet again at the
Coffeehouse, but missed. So home and found him there, and Mr. Barrow
came to speak with me, so they both dined with me alone, my wife
not being ready, and after dinner I up in my chamber with Barrow to
discourse about matters of the yard with him, and his design of leaving
the place, which I am sorry for, and will prevent if I can. He being
gone then Luellin did give me the L50 from Mr. Deering, which he do give
me for my pains in his business and what I may hereafter take for him,
though there is not the least word or deed I have yet been guilty of in
his behalf but what I am sure has been to the King’s advantage and the
profit of the service, nor ever will. And for this money I never did
condition with him or expected a farthing at the time when I did do him
the service, nor have given any receipt for it, it being brought me by
Luellin, nor do purpose to give him any thanks for it, but will wherein
I can faithfully endeavour to see him have the privilege of his Patent
as the King’s merchant. I did give Luellin two pieces in gold for a pair
of gloves for his kindness herein. Then he being gone, I to my
office, where busy till late at night, that through my room being over
confounded in business I could stay there no longer, but went home, and
after a little supper to bed.
6th (Twelfth day). Up and to my office, where very busy all the morning,
being indeed over loaded with it through my own desire of doing all I
can. At noon to the ‘Change, but did little, and so home to dinner with
my poor wife, and after dinner read a lecture to her in Geography, which
she takes very prettily and with great pleasure to her and me to teach
her, and so to the office again, where as busy as ever in my life,
one thing after another, and answering people’s business, particularly
drawing up things about Mr. Wood’s masts, which I expect to have a
quarrel about with Sir W. Batten before it be ended, but I care not. At
night home to my wife, to supper, discourse, prayers, and to bed. This
morning I began a practice which I find by the ease I do it with that I
shall continue, it saving me money and time; that is, to trimme myself
with a razer: which pleases me mightily.
7th. Up, putting on my best clothes and to the office, where all the
morning we sat busy, among other things upon Mr. Wood’s performance of
his contract for masts, wherein I was mightily concerned, but I think
was found all along in the right, and shall have my desire in it to the
King’s advantage. At noon, all of us to dinner to Sir W. Pen’s, where a
very handsome dinner, Sir J. Lawson among others, and his lady and his
daughter, a very pretty lady and of good deportment, with looking upon
whom I was greatly pleased, the rest of the company of the women were
all of our own house, of no satisfaction or pleasure at all. My wife was
not there, being not well enough, nor had any great mind. But to see
how Sir W. Pen imitates me in everything, even in his having his chimney
piece in his dining room the same with that in my wife’s closett, and in
every thing else I perceive wherein he can. But to see again how he was
out in one compliment: he lets alone drinking any of the ladies’ healths
that were there, my Lady Batten and Lawson, till he had begun with my
Lady Carteret, who was absent, and that was well enough, and then Mr.
Coventry’s mistresse, at which he was ashamed, and would not have had
him have drunk it, at least before the ladies present, but his policy,
as he thought, was such that he would do it. After dinner by coach with
Sir G. Carteret and Sir J. Minnes by appointment to Auditor Beale’s in
Salisbury Court, and there we did with great content look over some old
ledgers to see in what manner they were kept, and indeed it was in an
extraordinary good method, and such as (at least out of design to keep
them employed) I do persuade Sir J. Minnes to go upon, which will at
least do as much good it may be to keep them for want of something to do
from envying those that do something. Thence calling to see whether Mrs.
Turner was returned, which she is, and I spoke one word only to her, and
away again by coach home and to my office, where late, and then home to
supper and bed.
8th. Up and all the morning at my office and with Sir J. Minnes,
directing him and Mr. Turner about keeping of their books according to
yesterday’s work, wherein I shall make them work enough. At noon to the
‘Change, and there long, and from thence by appointment took Luellin,
Mount, and W. Symons, and Mr. Pierce, the chirurgeon, home to dinner
with me and were merry. But, Lord! to hear how W. Symons do commend and
look sadly and then talk bawdily and merrily, though his wife was dead
but the other day, would make a dogg laugh. After dinner I did go in
further part of kindness to Luellin for his kindness about Deering’s L50
which he procured me the other day of him. We spent all the afternoon
together and then they to cards with my wife, who this day put on her
Indian blue gowne which is very pretty, where I left them for an hour,
and to my office, and then to them again, and by and by they went
away at night, and so I again to my office to perfect a letter to Mr.
Coventry about Department Treasurers, wherein I please myself and hope
to give him content and do the King service therein. So having done, I
home and to teach my wife a new lesson in the globes, and to supper,
and to bed. We had great pleasure this afternoon; among other things, to
talk of our old passages together in Cromwell’s time; and how W. Symons
did make me laugh and wonder to-day when he told me how he had
made shift to keep in, in good esteem and employment, through eight
governments in one year (the dear 1659, which were indeed, and he did
name them all), and then failed unhappy in the ninth, viz. that of the
King’s coming in. He made good to me the story which Luellin did tell
me the other day, of his wife upon her death-bed; how she dreamt of her
uncle Scobell, and did foretell, from some discourse she had with him,
that she should die four days thence, and not sooner, and did all along
say so, and did so. Upon the ‘Change a great talke there was of one Mr.
Tryan, an old man, a merchant in Lyme-Streete, robbed last night (his
man and mayde being gone out after he was a-bed), and gagged and robbed
of L1050 in money and about L4000 in jewells, which he had in his house
as security for money. It is believed by many circumstances that his man
is guilty of confederacy, by their ready going to his secret till in his
desk, wherein the key of his cash-chest lay.
9th. Up (my underlip being mightily swelled, I know not how but by
overrubbing it, it itching) and to the office, where we sat all the
morning, and at noon I home to dinner, and by discourse with my wife
thought upon inviting my Lord Sandwich to a dinner shortly. It will
cost me at least ten or twelve pounds; but, however, some arguments of
prudence I have, which however I shall think again upon before I proceed
to that expence. After dinner by coach I carried my wife and Jane to
Westminster, leaving her at Mr. Hunt’s, and I to Westminster Hall, and
there visited Mrs. Lane, and by appointment went out and met her at
the Trumpet, Mrs. Hare’s, but the room being damp we went to the Bell
tavern, and there I had her company, but could not do as I used to do
(yet nothing but what was honest)..... So I to talk about her having
Hawley, she told me flatly no, she could not love him. I took occasion
to enquire of Howlett’s daughter, with whom I have a mind to meet a
little to see what mettle the young wench is made of, being very pretty,
but she tells me she is already betrothed to Mrs. Michell’s son, and
she in discourse tells me more, that Mrs. Michell herself had a daughter
before marriage, which is now near thirty years old, a thing I could not
have believed. Thence leading her to the Hall, I took coach and called
my wife and her mayd, and so to the New Exchange, where we bought
several things of our pretty Mrs. Dorothy Stacy, a pretty woman, and
has the modestest look that ever I saw in my life and manner of speech.
Thence called at Tom’s and saw him pretty well again, but has not been
currant. So homeward, and called at Ludgate, at Ashwell’s uncle’s, but
she was not within, to have spoke to her to have come to dress my
wife at the time my Lord dines here. So straight home, calling for
Walsingham’s Manuals at my bookseller’s to read but not to buy,
recommended for a pretty book by Sir W. Warren, whose warrant however
I do not much take till I do read it. So home to supper and to bed,
my wife not being very well since she came home, being troubled with a
fainting fit, which she never yet had before since she was my wife.
10th (Lord’s day). Lay in bed with my wife till 10 or 11 o’clock, having
been very sleepy all night. So up, and my brother Tom being come to
see me, we to dinner, he telling me how Mrs. Turner found herself
discontented with her late bad journey, and not well taken by them in
the country, they not desiring her coming down, nor the burials of Mr.
Edward Pepys’s corps there. After dinner I to the office, where all the
afternoon, and at night my wife and I to my uncle Wight’s, and there eat
some of their swan pie, which was good, and I invited them to my house
to eat a roasted swan on Tuesday next, which after I was come home did
make a quarrels between my wife and I, because she had appointed a wish
to-morrow. But, however, we were friends again quickly. So to bed.
All our discourse to-night was Mr. Tryan’s late being robbed; and that
Collonell Turner (a mad, swearing, confident fellow, well known by all,
and by me), one much indebted to this man for his very livelihood, was
the man that either did or plotted it; and the money and things are
found in his hand, and he and his wife now in Newgate for it; of which
we are all glad, so very a known rogue he was.
11th. Waked this morning by 4 o’clock by my wife to call the mayds to
their wash, and what through my sleeping so long last night and vexation
for the lazy sluts lying so long again and their great wash, neither my
wife nor I could sleep one winke after that time till day, and then I
rose and by coach (taking Captain Grove with me and three bottles of
Tent, which I sent to Mrs. Lane by my promise on Saturday night last) to
White Hall, and there with the rest of our company to the Duke and did
our business, and thence to the Tennis Court till noon, and there saw
several great matches played, and so by invitation to St. James’s;
where, at Mr. Coventry’s chamber, I dined with my Lord Barkeley, Sir G.
Carteret, Sir Edward Turner, Sir Ellis Layton, and one Mr. Seymour, a
fine gentleman; were admirable good discourse of all sorts, pleasant and
serious. Thence after dinner to White Hall, where the Duke being busy at
the Guinny business, the Duke of Albemarle, Sir W. Rider, Povy, Sir J.
Lawson and I to the Duke of Albemarle’s lodgings, and there did some
business, and so to the Court again, and I to the Duke of York’s
lodgings, where the Guinny company are choosing their assistants for
the next year by ballotting. Thence by coach with Sir J. Robinson,
Lieutenant of the Tower, he set me down at Cornhill, but, Lord! the
simple discourse that all the way we had, he magnifying his great
undertakings and cares that have been upon him for these last two years,
and how he commanded the city to the content of all parties, when
the loggerhead knows nothing almost that is sense. Thence to the
Coffee-house, whither comes Sir W. Petty and Captain Grant, and we fell
in talke (besides a young gentleman, I suppose a merchant, his name Mr.
Hill, that has travelled and I perceive is a master in most sorts of
musique and other things) of musique; the universal character; art
of memory; Granger’s counterfeiting of hands and other most excellent
discourses to my great content, having not been in so good company a
great while, and had I time I should covet the acquaintance of that
Mr. Hill. This morning I stood by the King arguing with a pretty Quaker
woman, that delivered to him a desire of hers in writing. The King
showed her Sir J. Minnes, as a man the fittest for her quaking religion,
saying that his beard was the stiffest thing about him, and again
merrily said, looking upon the length of her paper, that if all she
desired was of that length she might lose her desires; she modestly
saying nothing till he begun seriously to discourse with her, arguing
the truth of his spirit against hers; she replying still with these
words, “O King!” and thou’d him all along. The general talke of the
towne still is of Collonell Turner, about the robbery; who, it is
thought, will be hanged. I heard the Duke of York tell to-night, how
letters are come that fifteen are condemned for the late plot by the
judges at York; and, among others, Captain Oates, against whom it was
proved that he drew his sword at his going out, and flinging away the
scabbard, said that he would either return victor or be hanged. So home,
where I found the house full of the washing and my wife mighty angry
about Will’s being here to-day talking with her mayds, which she
overheard, idling of their time, and he telling what a good mayd my old
Jane was, and that she would never have her like again. At which I was
angry, and after directing her to beat at least the little girl, I went
to the office and there reproved Will, who told me that he went thither
by my wife’s order, she having commanded him to come thither on Monday
morning. Now God forgive me! how apt I am to be jealous of her as to
this fellow, and that she must needs take this time, when she knows
I must be gone out to the Duke, though methinks had she that mind she
would never think it discretion to tell me this story of him, to let
me know that he was there, much less to make me offended with him, to
forbid him coming again. But this cursed humour I cannot cool in myself
by all the reason I have, which God forgive me for, and convince me of
the folly of it, and the disquiet it brings me. So home, where, God
be thanked, when I came to speak to my wife my trouble of mind soon
vanished, and to bed. The house foul with the washing and quite out of
order against to-morrow’s dinner.
12th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon
to the ‘Change awhile, and so home, getting things against dinner ready,
and anon comes my uncle Wight and my aunt, with their cozens Mary and
Robert, and by chance my uncle Thomas Pepys. We had a good dinner, the
chief dish a swan roasted, and that excellent meate. At, dinner and all
day very merry. After dinner to cards, where till evening, then to the
office a little, and to cards again with them, and lost half-a-crowne.
They being gone, my wife did tell me how my uncle did this day accost
her alone, and spoke of his hoping she was with child, and kissing
her earnestly told her he should be very glad of it, and from all
circumstances methinks he do seem to have some intention of good to us,
which I shall endeavour to continue more than ever I did yet. So to my
office till late, and then home to bed, after being at prayers, which is
the first time after my late vowe to say prayers in my family twice in
every week.
13th. Up and to my office a little, and then abroad to many several
places about business, among others to the geometrical instrument
makers, and through Bedlam (calling by the way at an old bookseller’s
and there fell into looking over Spanish books and pitched upon some,
till I thought of my oathe when I was going to agree for them, and so
with much ado got myself out of the shop glad at my heart and so away)
to the African House to look upon their book of contracts for several
commodities for my information in the prices we give in the Navy. So to
the Coffee [house] where extraordinary good discourse of Dr. Whistler’s’
upon my question concerning the keeping of masts, he arguing against
keeping them dry, by showing the nature of corruption in bodies and the
several ways thereof. So to the ‘Change, and thence with Sir W. Rider to
the Trinity House to dinner, and then home and to my office till night,
and then with Mr. Bland to Sir T. Viner’s about pieces of eight for Sir
J. Lawson, and so back to my office, and there late upon business, and
so home to supper and to bed.
14th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon all
of us, viz., Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Batten at one end, and Mr.
Coventry, Sir J. Minnes and I (in the middle at the other end, being
taught how to sit there all three by my sitting so much the backwarder)
at the other end, to Sir G. Carteret’s, and there dined well. Here I saw
Mr. Scott, the bastard that married his youngest daughter. Much pleasant
talk at table, and then up and to the office, where we sat long upon our
design of dividing the Controller’s work into some of the rest of our
hands for the better doing of it, but he would not yield to it, though
the simple man knows in his heart that he do not do one part of it. So
he taking upon him to do it all we rose, I vexed at the heart to see the
King’s service run after this manner, but it cannot be helped. Thence to
the Old James to the reference about Mr. Bland’s business. Sir W.
Rider being now added to us, and I believe we shall soon come to some
determination in it. So home and to my office, did business, and then up
to Sir W. Pen and did express my trouble about this day’s business, he
not being there, and plainly told him what I thought of it, and though I
know him a false fellow yet I adventured, as I have done often, to tell
him clearly my opinion of Sir W. Batten and his design in this business,
which is very bad. Hence home, and after a lecture to my wife in her
globes, to prayers and to bed.
15th. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and among other things
Mr. Turner with me, and I did tell him my mind about the Controller his
master and all the office, and my mind touching himself too, as he did
carry himself either well or ill to me and my clerks, which I doubt not
but it will operate well. Thence to the ‘Change, and there met my uncle
Wight, who was very kind to me, and would have had me home with him, and
so kind that I begin to wonder and think something of it of good to me.
Thence home to dinner, and after dinner with Mr. Hater by water, and
walked thither and back again from Deptford, where I did do something
checking the iron business, but my chief business was my discourse with
Mr. Hater about what had passed last night and to-day about the office
business, and my resolution to do him all the good I can therein. So
home, and my wife tells me that my uncle Wight hath been with her, and
played at cards with her, and is mighty inquisitive to know whether
she is with child or no, which makes me wonder what his meaning is,
and after all my thoughts, I cannot think, unless it be in order to the
making his will, that he might know how to do by me, and I would to God
my wife had told him that she was.
16th. Up, and having paid some money in the morning to my uncle Thomas
on his yearly annuity, to the office, where we sat all the morning.
At noon I to the ‘Change about some pieces of eight for Sir J. Lawson.
There I hear that Collonell Turner is found guilty of felony at the
Sessions in Mr. Tryan’s business, which will save his life. So home and
met there J. Hasper come to see his kinswoman our Jane. I made much of
him and made him dine with us, he talking after the old simple manner
that he used to do. He being gone, I by water to Westminster Hall, and
there did see Mrs. Lane..... So by coach home and to my office, where
Browne of the Minerys brought me an Instrument made of a Spyral line
very pretty for all questions in Arithmetique almost, but it must be
some use that must make me perfect in it. So home to supper and to bed,
with my mind ‘un peu troubled pour ce que fait’ to-day, but I hope it
will be ‘la dernier de toute ma vie.’
17th (Lord’s day). Up, and I and my wife to church, where Pembleton
appeared, which, God forgive me, did vex me, but I made nothing of it.
So home to dinner, and betimes my wife and I to the French church and
there heard a good sermon, the first time my wife and I were there ever
together. We sat by three sisters, all pretty women. It was pleasant to
hear the reader give notice to them, that the children to be catechized
next Sunday were them of Hounsditch and Blanche Chapiton. Thence home,
and there found Ashwell come to see my wife (we having called at her
lodging the other, day to speak with her about dressing my wife when
my Lord Sandwich dines here), and is as merry as ever, and speaks as
disconcerned for any difference between us on her going away as ever.
She being gone, my wife and I to see Sir W. Pen and there supped with
him much against my stomach, for the dishes were so deadly foule that I
could not endure to look upon them. So after supper home to prayers and
to bed.
18th. Up, being troubled to find my wife so ready to have me go out of
doors. God forgive me for my jealousy! but I cannot forbear, though God
knows I have no reason to do so, or to expect her being so true to me
as I would have her. I abroad to White Hall, where the Court all in
mourning for the Duchesse of Savoy. We did our business with the Duke,
and so I to W. Howe at my Lord’s lodgings, not seeing my Lord, he being
abroad, and there I advised with W. Howe about my having my Lord to
dinner at my house, who likes it well, though it troubles me that I
should come to need the advice of such a boy, but for the present it is
necessary. Here I found Mr. Mallard, and had from him a common tune set
by my desire to the Lyra Vyall, which goes most admirably. Thence home
by coach to the ‘Change, after having been at the Coffee-house, where I
hear Turner is found guilty of felony and burglary; and strange stories
of his confidence at the barr, but yet great indiscretion in his
argueing. All desirous of his being hanged. So home and found that Will
had been with my wife. But, Lord! why should I think any evil of that;
and yet I cannot forbear it. But upon enquiry, though I found no reason
of doubtfulness, yet I could not bring my nature to any quiet or content
in my wife all day and night, nor though I went with her to divert
myself at my uncle Wight’s, and there we played at cards till 12 at
night and went home in a great shower of rain, it having not rained
a great while before. Here was one Mr. Benson, a Dutchman, played and
supped with us, that pretends to sing well, and I expected great matters
but found nothing to be pleased with at all. So home and to bed, yet
troubled in my mind.
19th. Up, without any kindness to my wife, and so to the office, where
we sat all the morning, and at noon I to the ‘Change, and thence to Mr.
Cutler’s with Sir W. Rider to dinner, and after dinner with him to the
Old James upon our reference of Mr. Bland’s, and, having sat there upon
the business half an hour, broke up, and I home and there found Madame
Turner and her sister Dike come to see us, and staid chatting till
night, and so away, and I to my office till very late, and my eyes began
to fail me, and be in pain which I never felt to now-a-days, which I
impute to sitting up late writing and reading by candle-light. So home
to supper and to bed.
20th. Up and by coach to my Lord Sandwich’s, and after long staying till
his coming down (he not sending for me up, but it may be he did not know
I was there), he came down, and I walked with him to the Tennis Court,
and there left him, seeing the King play. At his lodgings this morning
there came to him Mr. W. Montague’s fine lady, which occasioned my
Lord’s calling me to her about some business for a friend of hers
preferred to be a midshipman at sea. My Lord recommended the whole
matter to me. She is a fine confident lady, I think, but not so pretty
as I once thought her. My Lord did also seal a lease for the house he
is now taking in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which stands him in 250 per annum
rent. Thence by water to my brother’s, whom I find not well in bed,
sicke, they think, of a consumption, and I fear he is not well, but
do not complain, nor desire to take anything. From him I visited Mr.
Honiwood, who is lame, and to thank him for his visit to me the other
day, but we were both abroad. So to Mr. Commander’s in Warwicke Lane, to
speak to him about drawing up my will, which he will meet me about in a
day or two. So to the ‘Change and walked home, thence with Sir Richard
Ford, who told me that Turner is to be hanged to-morrow, and with what
impudence he hath carried out his trial; but that last night, when
he brought him newes of his death, he began to be sober and shed some
tears, and he hopes will die a penitent; he having already confessed all
the thing, but says it was partly done for a joke, and partly to get an
occasion of obliging the old man by his care in getting him his things
again, he having some hopes of being the better by him in his estate
at his death. Home to dinner, and after dinner my wife and I by water,
which we have not done together many a day, that is not since last
summer, but the weather is now very warm, and left her at Axe Yard, and
I to White Hall, and meeting Mr. Pierce walked with him an hour in the
Matted Gallery; among other things he tells me that my Lady Castlemaine
is not at all set by by the King, but that he do doat upon Mrs. Stewart
only; and that to the leaving of all business in the world, and to the
open slighting of the Queene; that he values not who sees him or stands
by him while he dallies with her openly; and then privately in her
chamber below, where the very sentrys observe his going in and out; and
that so commonly, that the Duke or any of the nobles, when they would
ask where the King is, they will ordinarily say, “Is the King above, or
below?” meaning with Mrs. Stewart: that the King do not openly disown
my Lady Castlemaine, but that she comes to Court; but that my Lord
FitzHarding and the Hambletons,
[The three brothers, George Hamilton, James Hamilton, and the Count
Antoine Hamilton, author of the “Memoires de Grammont.”]
and sometimes my Lord Sandwich, they say, have their snaps at her. But
he says my Lord Sandwich will lead her from her lodgings in the darkest
and obscurest manner, and leave her at the entrance into the Queene’s
lodgings, that he might be the least observed; that the Duke of Monmouth
the King do still doat on beyond measure, insomuch that the King only,
the Duke of York, and Prince Rupert, and the Duke of Monmouth, do now
wear deep mourning, that is, long cloaks, for the Duchesse of Savoy; so
that he mourns as a Prince of the Blood, while the Duke of York do no
more, and all the nobles of the land not so much; which gives great
offence, and he says the Duke of York do consider. But that the Duke
of York do give himself up to business, and is like to prove a noble
Prince; and so indeed I do from my heart think he will. He says that
it is believed, as well as hoped, that care is taken to lay up a hidden
treasure of money by the King against a bad day, pray God it be so! but
I should be more glad that the King himself would look after business,
which it seems he do not in the least. By and by came by Mr. Coventry,
and so we broke off; and he and I took a turn or two and so parted, and
then my Lord Sandwich came upon me, to speak with whom my business of
coming again to-night to this ende of the town chiefly was, in order to
the seeing in what manner he received me, in order to my inviting him to
dinner to my house, but as well in the morning as now, though I did
wait upon him home and there offered occasion of talk with him, yet he
treated me, though with respect, yet as a stranger, without any of the
intimacy or friendship which he used to do, and which I fear he will
never, through his consciousness of his faults, ever do again. Which I
must confess do trouble me above anything in the world almost, though I
neither do need at present nor fear to need to be so troubled, nay, and
more, though I do not think that he would deny me any friendship now if
I did need it, but only that he has not the face to be free with me, but
do look upon me as a remembrancer of his former vanity, and an espy upon
his present practices, for I perceive that Pickering to-day is great
with him again, and that he has done a great courtesy for Mr. Pierce,
the chirurgeon, to a good value, though both these and none but these
did I mention by name to my Lord in the business which has caused
all this difference between my Lord and me. However, I am resolved to
forbear my laying out my money upon a dinner till I see him in a better
posture, and by grave and humble, though high deportment, to make him
think I do not want him, and that will make him the readier to admit me
to his friendship again, I believe the soonest of anything but downright
impudence, and thrusting myself, as others do, upon him, which yet I
cannot do, not [nor] will not endeavour. So home, calling with my wife
to see my brother again, who was up, and walks up and down the house
pretty well, but I do think he is in a consumption. Home, troubled in
mind for these passages with my Lord, but am resolved to better my case
in my business to make my stand upon my owne legs the better and to
lay up as well as to get money, and among other ways I will have a good
fleece out of Creed’s coat ere it be long, or I will have a fall. So
to my office and did some business, and then home to supper and to bed,
after I had by candlelight shaved myself and cut off all my beard clear,
which will make my worke a great deal the less in shaving.
21st. Up, and after sending my wife to my aunt Wight’s to get a place to
see Turner hanged, I to the office, where we sat all the morning, and
at noon going to the ‘Change; and seeing people flock in the City, I
enquired, and found that Turner was not yet hanged. And so I went among
them to Leadenhall Street, at the end of Lyme Street, near where the
robbery was done; and to St. Mary Axe, where he lived. And there I got
for a shilling to stand upon the wheel of a cart, in great pain, above
an houre before the execution was done; he delaying the time by long
discourses and prayers one after another, in hopes of a reprieve;
but none came, and at last was flung off the ladder in his cloake. A
comely-looked man he was, and kept his countenance to the end: I was
sorry to see him. It was believed there were at least 12 or 14,000
people in the street. So I home all in a sweat, and dined by myself,
and after dinner to the Old James, and there found Sir W. Rider and Mr.
Cutler at dinner, and made a second dinner with them, and anon came
Mr. Bland and Custos, and Clerke, and so we fell to the business of
reference, and upon a letter from Mr. Povy to Sir W. Rider and I telling
us that the King is concerned in it, we took occasion to fling off the
business from off our shoulders and would have nothing to do with it,
unless we had power from the King or Commissioners of Tangier, and I
think it will be best for us to continue of that mind, and to have
no hand, it being likely to go against the King. Thence to the
Coffee-house, and heard the full of Turner’s discourse on the cart,
which was chiefly to clear himself of all things laid to his charge but
this fault, for which he now suffers, which he confesses. He deplored
the condition of his family, but his chief design was to lengthen time,
believing still a reprieve would come, though the sheriff advised him
to expect no such thing, for the King was resolved to grant none. After
that I had good discourse with a pretty young merchant with mighty
content. So to my office and did a little business, and then to my aunt
Wight’s to fetch my wife home, where Dr. Burnett did tell me how poorly
the sheriffs did endeavour to get one jewell returned by Turner, after
he was convicted, as a due to them, and not to give it to Mr. Tryan,
the true owner, but ruled against them, to their great dishonour.
Though they plead it might be another jewell for ought they know and not
Tryan’s. After supper home, and my wife tells me mighty stories of my
uncle’s fond and kind discourses to her to-day, which makes me confident
that he has thoughts of kindness for us, he repeating his desire for her
to be with child, for it cannot enter into my head that he should have
any unworthy thoughts concerning her. After doing some business at my
office, I home to supper, prayers, and to bed.
22nd. Up, and it being a brave morning, with a gaily to Woolwich, and
there both at the Ropeyarde and the other yarde did much business, and
thence to Greenwich to see Mr. Pett and others value the carved work
of the “Henrietta” (God knows in an ill manner for the King), and so
to Deptford, and there viewed Sir W. Petty’s vessel; which hath an
odd appearance, but not such as people do make of it, for I am of the
opinion that he would never have discoursed so much of it, if it were
not better than other vessels, and so I believe that he was abused the
other day, as he is now, by tongues that I am sure speak before they
know anything good or bad of her. I am sorry to find his ingenuity
discouraged so. So home, reading all the way a good book, and so home to
dinner, and after dinner a lesson on the globes to my wife, and so to my
office till 10 or 11 o’clock at night, and so home to supper and to bed.
23rd. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home
to dinner, where Mr. Hawly came to see us and dined with us, and after
we had dined came Mr. Mallard, and after he had eat something, I brought
down my vyall which he played on, the first maister that ever touched
her yet, and she proves very well and will be, I think, an admirable
instrument. He played some very fine things of his owne, but I was
afeard to enter too far in their commendation for fear he should
offer to copy them for me out, and so I be forced to give or lend him
something. So to the office in the evening, whither Mr. Commander came
to me, and we discoursed about my will, which I am resolved to perfect
the next week by the grace of God. He being gone, I to write letters and
other business late, and so home to supper and to bed.
24th (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed, and then up, and being desirous to
perform my vowes that I lately made, among others, to be performed
this month, I did go to my office, and there fell on entering, out of
a bye-book, part of my second journall-book, which hath lain these two
years and more unentered. Upon this work till dinner, and after dinner
to it again till night, and then home to supper, and after supper to
read a lecture to my wife upon the globes, and so to prayers and to bed.
This evening also I drew up a rough draught of my last will to my mind.
25th. Up and by coach to Whitehall to my Lord’s lodgings, and seeing
that knowing that I was in the house, my Lord did not nevertheless send
for me up, I did go to the Duke’s lodgings, and there staid while he was
making ready, in which time my Lord Sandwich came, and so all into his
closet and did our common business, and so broke up, and I homeward by
coach with Sir W. Batten, and staid at Warwicke Lane and there called
upon Mr. Commander and did give him my last will and testament to write
over in form, and so to the ‘Change, where I did several businesses.
So home to dinner, and after I had dined Luellin came and we set him
something to eat, and I left him there with my wife, and to the office
upon a particular meeting of the East India Company, where I think I
did the King good service against the Company in the business of their
sending our ships home empty from the Indies contrary to their contract,
and yet, God forgive me! I found that I could be willing to receive a
bribe if it were offered me to conceal my arguments that I found against
them, in consideration that none of my fellow officers, whose duty it is
more than mine, had ever studied the case, or at this hour do understand
it, and myself alone must do it. That being done Mr. Povy and Bland came
to speak with me about their business of the reference, wherein I shall
have some more trouble, but cannot help it, besides I hope to make some
good use of Mr. Povy to my advantage. So home after business done at my
office, to supper, and then to the globes with my wife, and so to bed.
Troubled a little in mind that my Lord Sandwich should continue this
strangeness to me that methinks he shows me now a days more than while
the thing was fresh.
26th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon to the
‘Change, after being at the Coffee-house, where I sat by Tom Killigrew,
who told us of a fire last night in my Lady Castlemaine’s lodging, where
she bid L40 for one to adventure the fetching of a cabinet out, which
at last was got to be done; and the fire at last quenched without doing
much wrong. To ‘Change and there did much business, so home to dinner,
and then to the office all the afternoon. And so at night my aunt Wight
and Mrs. Buggin came to sit with my wife, and I in to them all the
evening, my uncle coming afterward, and after him Mr. Benson the
Dutchman, a frank, merry man. We were very merry and played at cards
till late and so broke up and to bed in good hopes that this my
friendship with my uncle and aunt will end well.
27th. Up and to the office, and at noon to the Coffeehouse, where I sat
with Sir G. Ascue
[Sir George Ayscue or Askew. After his return from his imprisonment
he declined to go to sea again, although he was twice afterwards
formally appointed. He sat on the court-martial on the loss of the
“Defiance” in 1668.]
and Sir William Petty, who in discourse is, methinks, one of the most
rational men that ever I heard speak with a tongue, having all his
notions the most distinct and clear, and, among other things (saying,
that in all his life these three books were the most esteemed and
generally cried up for wit in the world “Religio Medici,” “Osborne’s
Advice to a Son,”
[Francis Osborne, an English writer of considerable abilities and
popularity, was the author of “Advice to a Son,” in two parts,
Oxford, 1656-8, 8vo. He died in 1659. He is the same person
mentioned as “My Father Osborne,” October 19th, 1661.--B.]
and “Hudibras “), did say that in these--in the two first
principally--the wit lies, and confirming some pretty sayings, which are
generally like paradoxes, by some argument smartly and pleasantly urged,
which takes with people who do not trouble themselves to examine the
force of an argument, which pleases them in the delivery, upon a subject
which they like; whereas, as by many particular instances of mine, and
others, out of Osborne, he did really find fault and weaken the strength
of many of Osborne’s arguments, so as that in downright disputation
they would not bear weight; at least, so far, but that they might be
weakened, and better found in their rooms to confirm what is there said.
He shewed finely whence it happens that good writers are not admired
by the present age; because there are but few in any age that do mind
anything that is abstruse and curious; and so longer before any body do
put the true praise, and set it on foot in the world, the generality
of mankind pleasing themselves in the easy delights of the world, as
eating, drinking, dancing, hunting, fencing, which we see the meanest
men do the best, those that profess it. A gentleman never dances so well
as the dancing master, and an ordinary fiddler makes better musique for
a shilling than a gentleman will do after spending forty, and so in all
the delights of the world almost. Thence to the ‘Change, and after doing
much business, home, taking Commissioner Pett with me, and all alone
dined together. He told me many stories of the yard, but I do know him
so well, and had his character given me this morning by Hempson, as well
as my own too of him before, that I shall know how to value any thing he
says either of friendship or other business. He was mighty serious with
me in discourse about the consequence of Sir W. Petty’s boat, as
the most dangerous thing in the world, if it should be practised by
endangering our losse of the command of the seas and our trade, while
the Turkes and others shall get the use of them, which, without doubt,
by bearing more sayle will go faster than any other ships, and, not
being of burden, our merchants cannot have the use of them and so will
be at the mercy of their enemies. So that I perceive he is afeard that
the honour of his trade will down, though (which is a truth) he pretends
this consideration to hinder the growth of this invention. He being gone
my wife and I took coach and to Covent Garden, to buy a maske at the
French House, Madame Charett’s, for my wife; in the way observing the
streete full of coaches at the new play, “The Indian Queene;” which for
show, they say, exceeds “Henry the Eighth.” Thence back to Mrs. Turner’s
and sat a while with them talking of plays and I know not what, and
so called to see Tom, but not at home, though they say he is in a deep
consumption, and Mrs. Turner and Dike and they say he will not live two
months to an end. So home and to the office, and then to supper and to
bed.
28th. Up and to the office, where all the morning sitting, and at noon
upon several things to the ‘Change, and thence to Sir G. Carteret’s
to dinner of my own accord, and after dinner with Mr. Wayth down to
Deptford doing several businesses, and by land back again, it being
very cold, the boat meeting me after my staying a while for him at an
alehouse by Redriffe stairs. So home, and took Will coming out of my
doors, at which I was a little moved, and told my wife of her keeping
him from the office (though God knows my base jealous head was the cause
of it), which she seemed troubled at, and that it was only to discourse
with her about finding a place for her brother. So I to my office late,
Mr. Commander coming to read over my will in order to the engrossing
it, and so he being gone I to other business, among others chiefly upon
preparing matters against Creed for my profit, and so home to supper and
bed, being mightily troubled with my left eye all this evening from some
dirt that is got into it.
29th. Up, and after shaving myself (wherein twice now, one after
another, I have cut myself much, but I think it is from the bluntness of
the razor) there came Mr. Deane to me and staid with me a while talking
about masts, wherein he prepared me in several things against Mr. Wood,
and also about Sir W. Petty’s boat, which he says must needs prove a
folly, though I do not think so unless it be that the King will not have
it encouraged. At noon, by appointment, comes Mr. Hartlibb and his wife,
and a little before them Messrs. Langley and Bostocke (old acquaintances
of mine at Westminster, clerks), and after shewing them my house and
drinking they set out by water, my wife and I with them down to Wapping
on board the “Crowne,” a merchantman, Captain Floyd, a civil person.
Here was Vice-Admiral Goodson, whom the more I know the more I value for
a serious man and staunch. Here was Whistler the flagmaker, which vexed
me, but it mattered not. Here was other sorry company and the discourse
poor, so that we had no pleasure there at all, but only to see and bless
God to find the difference that is now between our condition and that
heretofore, when we were not only much below Hartlibb in all respects,
but even these two fellows above named, of whom I am now quite ashamed
that ever my education should lead me to such low company, but it is
God’s goodness only, for which let him be praised. After dinner I.
broke up and with my wife home, and thence to the Fleece in Cornhill,
by appointment, to meet my Lord Marlborough, a serious and worthy
gentleman, who, after doing our business, about the company, he and they
began to talk of the state of the Dutch in India, which is like to be
in a little time without any controll; for we are lost there, and the
Portuguese as bad. Thence to the Coffee-house, where good discourse,
specially of Lt.-Coll. Baron touching the manners of the Turkes’
Government, among whom he lived long. So to my uncle Wight’s, where late
playing at cards, and so home.
30th. Up, and a sorry sermon of a young fellow I knew at Cambridge; but
the day kept solemnly for the King’s murder, and all day within doors
making up my Brampton papers, and in the evening Mr. Commander came and
we made perfect and signed and sealed my last will and testament, which
is so to my mind, and I hope to the liking of God Almighty, that I take
great joy in myself that it is done, and by that means my mind in a good
condition of quiett. At night to supper and to bed. This evening, being
in a humour of making all things even and clear in the world, I tore
some old papers; among others, a romance which (under the title of “Love
a Cheate “) I begun ten years ago at Cambridge; and at this time reading
it over to-night I liked it very well, and wondered a little at myself
at my vein at that time when I wrote it, doubting that I cannot do so
well now if I would try.
31st (Lord’s day). Up, and in my chamber all day long (but a little
at dinner) settling all my Brampton accounts to this day in very good
order, I having obliged myself by oathe to do that and some other things
within this month, and did also perfectly prepare a state of my estate
and annexed it to my last will and testament, which now is perfect, and,
lastly, I did make up my monthly accounts, and find that I have gained
above L50 this month clear, and so am worth L858 clear, which is the
greatest sum I ever yet was master of, and also read over my usual
vowes, as I do every Lord’s day, but with greater seriousness than
ordinary, and I do hope that every day I shall see more and more the
pleasure of looking after my business and laying up of money, and
blessed be God for what I have already been enabled by his grace to do.
So to supper and to bed with my mind in mighty great ease and content,
but my head very full of thoughts and business to dispatch this next
month also, and among others to provide for answering to the Exchequer
for my uncle’s being Generall-Receiver in the year 1647, which I am at
present wholly unable to do, but I must find time to look over all his
papers.