Sept. 1st. A sad rainy night, up and to the office, where busy all
the morning. At noon to the ‘Change and thence brought Mr. Pierce, the
Surgeon, and Creed, and dined very merry and handsomely; but my wife
not being well of those she not with us; and we cut up the great cake
Moorcocke lately sent us, which is very good. They gone I to my office,
and there very busy till late at night, and so home to supper and to
bed.
2nd. Up very betimes and walked (my boy with me) to Mr. Cole’s, and
after long waiting below, he being under the barber’s hands, I spoke
with him, and he did give me much hopes of getting my debt that my
brother owed me, and also that things would go well with my father. But
going to his attorney’s, that he directed me to, they tell me both that
though I could bring my father to a confession of a judgment, yet he
knowing that there are specialties out against him he is bound to plead
his knowledge of them to me before he pays me, or else he must do it in
his own wrong. I took a great deal of pains this morning in the thorough
understanding hereof, and hope that I know the truth of our case, though
it be but bad, yet better than to run spending money and all to no
purpose. However, I will inquire a little more. Walked home, doing very
many errands by the way to my great content, and at the ‘Change met
and spoke with several persons about serving us with pieces of eight at
Tangier. So home to dinner above stairs, my wife not being well of those
in bed. I dined by her bedside, but I got her to rise and abroad with
me by coach to Bartholomew Fayre, and our boy with us, and there shewed
them and myself the dancing on the ropes, and several other the best
shows; but pretty it is to see how our boy carries himself so innocently
clownish as would make one laugh. Here till late and dark, then up and
down, to buy combes for my wife to give her mayds, and then by coach
home, and there at the office set down my day’s work, and then home to
bed.
3rd. I have had a bad night’s rest to-night, not sleeping well, as my
wife observed, and once or twice she did wake me, and I thought myself
to be mightily bit with fleas, and in the morning she chid her mayds for
not looking the fleas a-days. But, when I rose, I found that it is only
the change of the weather from hot to cold, which, as I was two winters
ago, do stop my pores, and so my blood tingles and itches all day all
over my body, and so continued to-day all the day long just as I was
then, and if it continues to be so cold I fear I must come to the same
pass, but sweating cured me then, and I hope, and am told, will this
also. At the office sat all the morning, dined at home, and after dinner
to White Hall, to the Fishing Committee, but not above four of us met,
which could do nothing, and a sad thing it is to see so great a work so
ill followed, for at this pace it can come to any thing at first sight.
Mr. Hill came to tell me that he had got a gentlewoman for my wife, one
Mrs. Ferrabosco, that sings most admirably. I seemed glad of it; but
I hear she is too gallant for me, and I am not sorry that I misse her.
Thence to the office, setting some papers right, and so home to supper
and to bed, after prayers.
5th. Up and to St. James’s, and there did our business with the Duke;
where all our discourse of warr in the highest measure. Prince Rupert
was with us; who is fitting himself to go to sea in the Heneretta. And
afterwards in White Hall I met him and Mr. Gray, and he spoke to me,
and in other discourse, says he, “God damn me, I can answer but for
one ship, and in that I will do my part; for it is not in that as in an
army, where a man can command every thing.” By and by to a Committee
for the Fishery, the Duke of Yorke there, where, after Duke was made
Secretary, we fell to name a Committee, whereof I was willing to be one,
because I would have my hand in the business, to understand it and be
known in doing something in it; and so, after cutting out work for the
Committee, we rose, and I to my wife to Unthanke’s, and with her from
shop to shop, laying out near L10 this morning in clothes for her.
And so I to the ‘Change, where a while, and so home and to dinner, and
thither came W. Bowyer and dined with us; but strange to see how he
could not endure onyons in sauce to lamb, but was overcome with the
sight of it, and so-was forced to make his dinner of an egg or two. He
tells us how Mrs. Lane is undone, by her marrying so bad, and desires to
speak with me, which I know is wholly to get me to do something for her
to get her husband a place, which he is in no wise fit for. After dinner
down to Woolwich with a gaily, and then to Deptford, and so home, all
the way reading Sir J. Suck[l]ing’s “Aglaura,” which, methinks, is but a
mean play; nothing of design in it. Coming home it is strange to see how
I was troubled to find my wife, but in a necessary compliment, expecting
Mr. Pen to see her, who had been there and was by her people denied,
which, he having been three times, she thought not fit he should be any
more. But yet even this did raise my jealousy presently and much vex me.
However, he did not come, which pleased me, and I to supper, and to the
office till 9 o’clock or thereabouts, and so home to bed. My aunt James
had been here to-day with Kate Joyce twice to see us. The second time my
wife was at home, and they it seems are going down to Brampton, which I
am sorry for, for the charge that my father will be put to. But it must
be borne with, and my mother has a mind to see them, but I do condemn
myself mightily for my pride and contempt of my aunt and kindred that
are not so high as myself, that I have not seen her all this while, nor
invited her all this while.
6th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home
to dinner, then to my office and there waited, thinking to have had
Bagwell’s wife come to me about business, that I might have talked with
her, but she came not. So I to White Hall by coach with Mr. Andrews,
and there I got his contract for the victualling of Tangier signed and
sealed by us there, so that all the business is well over, and I hope
to have made a good business of it and to receive L100 by it the next
weeke, for which God be praised! Thence to W. Joyce’s and Anthony’s, to
invite them to dinner to meet my aunt James at my house, and the rather
because they are all to go down to my father the next weeke, and so I
would be a little kind to them before they go. So home, having called
upon Doll, our pretty ‘Change woman, for a pair of gloves trimmed with
yellow ribbon, to [match the] petticoate my wife bought yesterday, which
cost me 20s.; but she is so pretty, that, God forgive me! I could not
think it too much--which is a strange slavery that I stand in to beauty,
that I value nothing near it. So going home, and my coach stopping in
Newgate Market over against a poulterer’s shop, I took occasion to buy
a rabbit, but it proved a deadly old one when I came to eat it, as I did
do after an hour being at my office, and after supper again there till
past 11 at night. So home,, and to bed. This day Mr. Coventry did tell
us how the Duke did receive the Dutch Embassador the other day; by
telling him that, whereas they think us in jest, he believes that the
Prince (Rupert) which goes in this fleete to Guinny will soon tell them
that we are in earnest, and that he himself will do the like here, in
the head of the fleete here at home, and that for the meschants, which
he told the Duke there were in England, which did hope to do themselves
good by the King’s being at warr, says he, the English have ever united
all this private difference to attend foraigne, and that Cromwell,
notwithstanding the meschants in his time, which were the Cavaliers, did
never find them interrupt him in his foraigne businesses, and that he
did not doubt but to live to see the Dutch as fearfull of provoking the
English, under the government of a King, as he remembers them to have
been under that of a Coquin. I writ all this story to my Lord Sandwich
tonight into the Downes, it being very good and true, word for word from
Mr. Coventry to-day.
7th. Lay long to-day, pleasantly discoursing with my wife about the
dinner we are to have for the Joyces, a day or two hence. Then up and
with Mr. Margetts to Limehouse to see his ground and ropeyarde there,
which is very fine, and I believe we shall employ it for the Navy, for
the King’s grounds are not sufficient to supply our defence if a warr
comes. Thence back to the ‘Change, where great talke of the forwardnesse
of the Dutch, which puts us all to a stand, and particularly myself for
my Lord Sandwich, to think him to lie where he is for a sacrifice, if
they should begin with us. So home and Creed with me, and to dinner, and
after dinner I out to my office, taking in Bagwell’s wife, who I knew
waited for me, but company came to me so soon that I could have no
discourse with her, as I intended, of pleasure. So anon abroad with
Creed walked to Bartholomew Fayre, this being the last day, and there
saw the best dancing on the ropes that I think I ever saw in my life,
and so all say, and so by coach home, where I find my wife hath had her
head dressed by her woman, Mercer, which is to come to her to-morrow,
but my wife being to go to a christening tomorrow, she came to do her
head up to-night. So a while to my office, and then to supper and to
bed.
8th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning. At noon dined at
home, and I by water down to Woolwich by a galley, and back again in the
evening. All haste made in setting out this Guinny fleete, but yet not
such as will ever do the King’s business if we come to a warr. My wife
this afternoon being very well dressed by her new woman, Mary Mercer,
a decayed merchant’s daughter that our Will helps us to, did go to the
christening of Mrs. Mills, the parson’s wife’s child, where she never
was before. After I was come home Mr. Povey came to me and took me out
to supper to Mr. Bland’s, who is making now all haste to be gone for
Tangier. Here pretty merry, and good discourse, fain to admire the
knowledge and experience of Mrs. Bland, who I think as good a merchant
as her husband. I went home and there find Mercer, whose person I like
well, and I think will do well, at least I hope so. So to my office a
while and then to bed.
9th. Up, and to put things in order against dinner. I out and bought
several things, among others, a dozen of silver salts; home, and to the
office, where some of us met a little, and then home, and at noon comes
my company, namely, Anthony and Will Joyce and their wives, my aunt
James newly come out of Wales, and my cozen Sarah Gyles. Her husband did
not come, and by her I did understand afterwards, that it was because he
was not yet able to pay me the 40s. she had borrowed a year ago of me.
[Pepys would have been more proud of his cousin had he anticipated
her husband’s becoming a knight, for she was probably the same
person whose burial is recorded in the register of St. Helen’s,
Bishopsgate, September 4th, 1704: “Dame Sarah Gyles, widow, relict
of Sir John Gyles.”--B.]
I was as merry as I could, giving them a good dinner; but W. Joyce did
so talk, that he made every body else dumb, but only laugh at him. I
forgot there was Mr. Harman and his wife, my aunt, a very good harmlesse
woman. All their talke is of her and my two she-cozen Joyces and Will’s
little boy Will (who was also here to-day), down to Brampton to my
father’s next week, which will be trouble and charge to them, but
however my father and mother desire to see them, and so let them. They
eyed mightily my great cupboard of plate, I this day putting my two
flaggons upon my table; and indeed it is a fine sight, and better than
ever I did hope to see of my owne. Mercer dined with us at table, this
being her first dinner in my house. After dinner left them and to White
Hall, where a small Tangier Committee, and so back again home, and there
my wife and Mercer and Tom and I sat till eleven at night, singing and
fiddling, and a great joy it is to see me master of so much pleasure in
my house, that it is and will be still, I hope, a constant pleasure to
me to be at home. The girle plays pretty well upon the harpsicon, but
only ordinary tunes, but hath a good hand; sings a little, but hath a
good voyce and eare. My boy, a brave boy, sings finely, and is the most
pleasant boy at present, while his ignorant boy’s tricks last, that ever
I saw. So to supper, and with great pleasure to bed.
10th. Up and to the office, where we sate all the morning, and I much
troubled to think what the end of our great sluggishness will be, for we
do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr. We must
be put out, or other people put in. Dined at home, and then my wife and
I and Mercer to the Duke’s house, and there saw “The Rivalls,” which is
no excellent play, but good acting in it; especially Gosnell comes and
sings and dances finely, but, for all that, fell out of the key, so that
the musique could not play to her afterwards, and so did Harris also go
out of the tune to agree with her. Thence home and late writing letters,
and this night I received, by Will, L105, the first-fruits of my
endeavours in the late contract for victualling of Tangier, for which
God be praised! for I can with a safe conscience say that I have therein
saved the King L5000 per annum, and yet got myself a hope of L300 per
annum without the least wrong to the King. So to supper and to bed.
11th (Lord’s day). Up and to church in the best manner I have gone a
good while, that is to say, with my wife, and her woman, Mercer, along
with us, and Tom, my boy, waiting on us. A dull sermon. Home, dined,
left my wife to go to church alone, and I walked in haste being late to
the Abbey at Westminster, according to promise to meet Jane Welsh, and
there wearily walked, expecting her till 6 o’clock from three, but no
Jane came, which vexed me, only part of it I spent with Mr. Blagrave
walking in the Abbey, he telling me the whole government and discipline
of White Hall Chappell, and the caution now used against admitting any
debauched persons, which I was glad to hear, though he tells me there
are persons bad enough. Thence going home went by Jarvis’s, and there
stood Jane at the door, and so I took her in and drank with her, her
master and mistress being out of doors. She told me how she could not
come to me this afternoon, but promised another time. So I walked home
contented with my speaking with her, and walked to my uncle Wight’s,
where they were all at supper, and among others comes fair Mrs.
Margarett Wight, who indeed is very pretty. So after supper home to
prayers and to bed. This afternoon, it seems, Sir J. Minnes fell sicke
at church, and going down the gallery stairs fell down dead, but came to
himself again and is pretty well.
12th. Up, and to my cozen Anthony Joyce’s, and there took leave of my
aunt James, and both cozens, their wives, who are this day going down to
my father’s by coach. I did give my Aunt 20s., to carry as a token to my
mother, and 10s. to Pall. Thence by coach to St. James’s, and there did
our business as usual with the Duke; and saw him with great pleasure
play with his little girle,--[Afterwards Queen Mary II.]--like an
ordinary private father of a child. Thence walked to Jervas’s, where
I took Jane in the shop alone, and there heard of her, her master and
mistress were going out. So I went away and came again half an hour
after. In the meantime went to the Abbey, and there went in to see the
tombs with great pleasure. Back again to Jane, and there upstairs and
drank with her, and staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing
more. Anon took boat and by water to the Neat Houses over against Fox
Hall to have seen Greatorex dive, which Jervas and his wife were gone to
see, and there I found them (and did it the rather for a pretence for
my having been so long at their house), but being disappointed of some
necessaries to do it I staid not, but back to Jane, but she would not
go out with me. So I to Mr. Creed’s lodgings, and with him walked up
and down in the New Exchange, talking mightily of the convenience and
necessity of a man’s wearing good clothes, and so after eating a messe
of creame I took leave of him, he walking with me as far as Fleete
Conduit, he offering me upon my request to put out some money for me
into Backewell’s hands at 6 per cent. interest, which he seldom gives,
which I will consider of, being doubtful of trusting any of these great
dealers because of their mortality, but then the convenience of having
one’s money, at an houre’s call is very great. Thence to my uncle
Wight’s, and there supped with my wife, having given them a brave barrel
of oysters of Povy’s giving me. So home and to bed.
13th. Up and, to the office, where sat busy all morning, dined at home
and after dinner to Fishmonger’s Hall, where we met the first time upon
the Fishery Committee, and many good things discoursed of concerning
making of farthings, which was proposed as a way of raising money for
this business, and then that of lotterys,
[Among the State Papers is a “Statement of Articles in the Covenant
proposed by the Commissioners for the Royal Fishing to, Sir Ant.
Desmarces & Co. in reference to the regulation of lotteries; which
are very unreasonable, and of the objections thereto” (“Calendar of
State Papers,” Domestic, 1663-64, p. 576.)]
but with great confusion; but I hope we shall fall into greater order.
So home again and to my office, where after doing business home and to a
little musique, after supper, and so to bed.
14th. Up, and wanting some things that should be laid ready for my
dressing myself I was angry, and one thing after another made my wife
give Besse warning to be gone, which the jade, whether out of fear or
ill-nature or simplicity I know not, but she took it and asked leave
to go forth to look a place, and did, which vexed me to the heart, she
being as good a natured wench as ever we shall have, but only forgetful.
At the office all the morning and at noon to the ‘Change, and there went
off with Sir W. Warren and took occasion to desire him to lend me L100,
which he said he would let the have with all his heart presently, as he
had promised me a little while ago to give me for my pains in his two
great contracts for masts L100, and that this should be it. To which end
I did move it to him, and by this means I hope to be, possessed of the
L100 presently within 2 or 3 days. So home to dinner, and then to the
office, and down to Blackwall by water to view a place found out for
laying of masts, and I think it will be most proper. So home and there
find Mr. Pen come to visit my wife, and staid with them till sent for to
Mr. Bland’s, whither by appointment I was to go to supper, and against
my will left them together, but, God knows, without any reason of fear
in my conscience of any evil between them, but such is my natural folly.
Being thither come they would needs have my wife, and so Mr. Bland and
his wife (the first time she was ever at my house or my wife at hers)
very civilly went forth and brought her and W. Pen, and there Mr. Povy
and we supped nobly and very merry, it being to take leave of Mr. Bland,
who is upon going soon to Tangier. So late home and to bed.
15th. At the office all the morning, then to the ‘Change, and so home to
dinner, where Luellin dined with us, and after dinner many people came
in and kept me all the afternoon, among other the Master and Wardens
of Chyrurgeon’s Hall, who staid arguing their cause with me; I did give
them the best answer I could, and after their being two hours with me
parted, and I to my office to do business, which is much on my hands,
and so late home to supper and to bed.
16th. Up betimes and to my office, where all the morning very busy
putting papers to rights. And among other things Mr. Gauden coming to
me, I had a good opportunity to speak to him about his present, which
hitherto hath been a burden: to me, that I could not do it, because I
was doubtfull that he meant it as a temptation to me to stand by him in
the business of Tangier victualling; but he clears me it was not, and
that he values me and my proceedings therein very highly, being but
what became me, and that what he did was for my old kindnesses to him in
dispatching of his business, which I was glad to hear, and with my heart
in good rest and great joy parted, and to my business again. At noon to
the ‘Change, where by appointment I met Sir W. Warren, and afterwards to
the Sun taverne, where he brought to me, being all alone; L100 in a bag,
which I offered him to give him my receipt for, but he told me, no, it
was my owne, which he had a little while since promised me and was glad
that (as I had told him two days since) it would now do me courtesy; and
so most kindly he did give it me, and I as joyfully, even out of myself,
carried it home in a coach, he himself expressly taking care that
nobody might see this business done, though I was willing enough to have
carried a servant with me to have received it, but he advised me to do
it myself. So home with it and to dinner; after dinner I forth with my
boy to buy severall things, stools and andirons and candlesticks, &c.,
household stuff, and walked to the mathematical instrument maker in
Moorefields and bought a large pair of compasses, and there met Mr.
Pargiter, and he would needs have me drink a cup of horse-radish ale,
which he and a friend of his troubled with the stone have been drinking
of, which we did and then walked into the fields as far almost as Sir
G. Whitmore’s, all the way talking of Russia, which, he says, is a
sad place; and, though Moscow is a very great city, yet it is from the
distance between house and house, and few people compared with this, and
poor, sorry houses, the Emperor himself living in a wooden house, his
exercise only flying a hawk at pigeons and carrying pigeons ten or
twelve miles off and then laying wagers which pigeon shall come soonest
home to her house. All the winter within doors, some few playing at
chesse, but most drinking their time away. Women live very slavishly
there, and it seems in the Emperor’s court no room hath above two or
three windows, and those the greatest not a yard wide or high, for
warmth in winter time; and that the general cure for all diseases there
is their sweating houses, or people that are poor they get into their
ovens, being heated, and there lie. Little learning among things of
any sort. Not a man that speaks Latin, unless the Secretary of State
by chance. Mr. Pargiter and I walked to the ‘Change together and there
parted, and so I to buy more things and then home, and after a little
at my office, home to supper and to bed. This day old Hardwicke came and
redeemed a watch he had left with me in pawne for 40s. seven years ago,
and I let him gave it. Great talk that the Dutch will certainly be out
this week, and will sail directly to Guinny, being convoyed out of the
Channel with 42 sail of ships.
17th. Up and to the office, where Mr. Coventry very angry to see things
go so coldly as they do, and I must needs say it makes me fearful every
day of having some change of the office, and the truth is, I am of late
a little guilty of being remiss myself of what I used to be, but I hope
I shall come to my old pass again, my family being now settled again.
Dined at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my
businesses in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting
afternoon’s work. This day my aunt Wight sent my wife a new scarfe, with
a compliment for the many favours she had received of her, which is the
several things we have sent her. I am glad enough of it, for I see my
uncle is so given up to the Wights that I hope for little more of them.
So home to supper and to bed.
18th (Lord’s day). Up and to church all of us. At noon comes Anthony
and W. Joyce (their wives being in the country with my father) and dined
with me very merry as I can be in such company. After dinner walked
to Westminster (tiring them by the way, and so left them, Anthony
in Cheapside and the other in the Strand), and there spent all the
afternoon in the Cloysters as I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came
not, which vexed me, staying till 5 o’clock, and then walked homeward,
and by coach to the old Exchange, and thence to my aunt Wight’s, and
invited her and my uncle to supper, and so home, and by and by they
came, and we eat a brave barrel of oysters Mr. Povy sent me this
morning, and very merry at supper, and so to prayers and to bed. Last
night it seems my aunt Wight did send my wife a new scarfe, laced, as a
token for her many givings to her. It is true now and then we give them
some toys, as oranges, &c., but my aime is to get myself something more
from my uncle’s favour than this.
19th. Up, my wife and I having a little anger about her woman already,
she thinking that I take too much care of her at table to mind her (my
wife) of cutting for her, but it soon over, and so up and with Sir W.
Batten and Sir W. Pen to St. James’s, and there did our business with
the Duke, and thence homeward straight, calling at the Coffee-house, and
there had very good discourse with Sir----Blunt and Dr. Whistler about
Egypt and other things. So home to dinner, my wife having put on to-day
her winter new suit of moyre, which is handsome, and so after dinner I
did give her L15 to lay out in linen and necessaries for the house
and to buy a suit for Pall, and I myself to White Hall to a Tangier
Committee, where Colonell Reames hath brought us so full and methodical
an account of all matters there, that I never have nor hope to see the
like of any publique business while I live again. The Committee up, I to
Westminster to Jervas’s, and spoke with Jane; who I find cold and not
so desirous of a meeting as before, and it is no matter, I shall be
the freer from the inconvenience that might follow thereof, besides
offending God Almighty and neglecting my business. So by coach home and
to my office, where late, and so to supper and to bed. I met with Dr.
Pierce to-day, who, speaking of Dr. Frazier’s being so earnest to have
such a one (one Collins) go chyrurgeon to the Prince’s person will have
him go in his terms and with so much money put into his hands, he tells
me (when I was wondering that Frazier should order things with the
Prince in that confident manner) that Frazier is so great with my Lady
Castlemayne, and Stewart, and all the ladies at Court, in helping to
slip their calfes when there is occasion, and with the great men in
curing of their claps that he can do what he please with the King, in
spite of any man, and upon the same score with the Prince; they all
having more or less occasion to make use of him. Sir G. Carteret tells
me this afternoon that the Dutch are not yet ready to set out; and by
that means do lose a good wind which would carry them out and keep us
in, and moreover he says that they begin to boggle in the business, and
he thinks may offer terms of peace for all this, and seems to argue
that it will be well for the King too, and I pray God send it. Colonell
Reames did, among other things, this day tell me how it is clear that,
if my Lord Tiviott had lived, he would have quite undone Tangier, or
designed himself to be master of it. He did put the King upon most
great, chargeable, and unnecessary works there, and took the course
industriously to deter, all other merchants but himself to deal there,
and to make both King and all others pay what he pleased for all that
was brought thither.
20th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, at noon to the
‘Change, and there met by appointment with Captain Poyntz, who hath some
place, or title to a place, belonging to gameing, and so I discoursed
with him about the business of our improving of the Lotterys, to the
King’s benefit, and that of the Fishery, and had some light from him in
the business, and shall, he says, have more in writing from him. So home
to dinner and then abroad to the Fishing Committee at Fishmongers’ Hall,
and there sat and did some business considerable, and so up and home,
and there late at my office doing much business, and I find with great
delight that I am come to my good temper of business again. God continue
me in it. So home to supper, it being washing day, and to bed.
21st. Up, and by coach to Mr. Povy’s, and there got him to signe the
payment of Captain Tayler’s bills for the remainder of freight for
the Eagle, wherein I shall be gainer about L30, thence with him to
Westminster by coach to Houseman’s [Huysman] the great picture drawer,
and saw again very fine pictures, and have his promise, for Mr. Povy’s
sake, to take pains in what picture I shall set him about, and I think
to have my wife’s. But it is a strange thing to observe and fit for me
to remember that I am at no time so unwilling to part with money as when
I am concerned in the getting of it most, as I thank God of late I have
got more in this month, viz. near 0250, than ever I did in half a year
before in my life, I think. Thence to White Hall with him, and so walked
to the old Exchange and back to Povy’s to dinner, where great and good
company; among others Sir John Skeffington, whom I knew at Magdalen
College, a fellow-commoner, my fellow-pupil, but one with whom I had no
great acquaintance, he being then, God knows, much above me. Here I
was afresh delighted with Mr. Povy’s house and pictures of perspective,
being strange things to think how they do delude one’s eye, that
methinks it would make a man doubtful of swearing that ever he saw any
thing. Thence with him to St. James’s, and so to White Hall to a Tangier
Committee, and hope I have light of another opportunity of getting a
little money if Sir W. Warren will use me kindly for deales to Tangier,
and with the hopes went joyfully home, and there received Captain
Tayler’s money, received by Will to-day, out of which (as I said above)
I shall get above L30. So with great comfort to bed, after supper. By
discourse this day I have great hopes from Mr. Coventry that the Dutch
and we shall not fall out.
22nd. Up and at the office all the morning. To the ‘Change at noon, and
among other things discoursed with Sir William Warren what I might do
to get a little money by carrying of deales to Tangier, and told him the
opportunity I have there of doing it, and he did give me some advice,
though not so good as he would have done at any other time of the year,
but such as I hope to make good use of, and get a little money by. So to
Sir G. Carteret’s to dinner, and he and I and Captain Cocke all alone,
and good discourse, and thence to a Committee of Tangier at White Hall,
and so home, where I found my wife not well, and she tells me she thinks
she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it. But God’s will
be done! So to my office late, and home to supper and to bed; having got
a strange cold in my head, by flinging off my hat at dinner, and sitting
with the wind in my neck.
[In Lord Clarendon’s Essay, “On the decay of respect paid to Age,”
he says that in his younger days he never kept his hat on before
those older than himself, except at dinner.--B.]
23rd. My cold and pain in my head increasing, and the palate of my mouth
falling, I was in great pain all night. My wife also was not well,
so that a mayd was fain to sit up by her all night. Lay long in the
morning, at last up, and amongst others comes Mr. Fuller, that was the
wit of Cambridge, and Praevaricator
[At the Commencement (Comitia Majora) in July, the Praevaricator, or
Varier, held a similar position to the Tripos at the Comitia Minora.
He was so named from varying the question which he proposed, either
by a play upon the words or by the transposition of the terms in
which it was expressed. Under the pretence of maintaining some
philosophical question, he poured out a medley of absurd jokes and
‘personal ridicule, which gradually led to the abolition of the
office. In Thoresby’s “Diary” we read, “Tuesday, July 6th. The
Praevaricator’s speech was smart and ingenious, attended with
vollies of hurras” (see Wordsworth’s “University Life in the
Eighteenth Century “).--M. B.]
in my time, and staid all the morning with me discoursing, and his
business to get a man discharged, which I did do for him. Dined with
little heart at noon, in the afternoon against my will to the office,
where Sir G. Carteret and we met about an order of the Council for the
hiring him a house, giving him L1000 fine, and L70 per annum for
it. Here Sir J. Minnes took occasion, in the most childish and most
unbeseeming manner, to reproach us all, but most himself, that he was
not valued as Comptroller among us, nor did anything but only set his
hand to paper, which is but too true; and every body had a palace, and
he no house to lie in, and wished he had but as much to build him a
house with, as we have laid out in carved worke. It was to no end to
oppose, but all bore it, and after laughed at him for it. So home, and
late reading “The Siege of Rhodes” to my wife, and then to bed, my head
being in great pain and my palate still down.
24th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy, then home to
dinner, and so after dinner comes one Phillips, who is concerned in
the Lottery, and from him I collected much concerning that business. I
carried him in my way to White Hall and set him down at Somersett House.
Among other things he told me that Monsieur Du Puy, that is so great a
man at the Duke of Yorke’s, and this man’s great opponent, is a knave
and by quality but a tailor. To the Tangier Committee, and there I
opposed Colonell Legg’s estimate of supplies of provisions to be sent
to Tangier till all were ashamed of it, and he fain after all his good
husbandry and seeming ignorance and joy to have the King’s money saved,
yet afterwards he discovered all his design to be to keep the furnishing
of these things to the officers of the Ordnance, but Mr. Coventry
seconded me, and between us we shall save the King some money in the
year. In one business of deales in L520, I offer to save L172, and yet
purpose getting money, to myself by it. So home and to my office, and
business being done home to supper and so to bed, my head and throat
being still out of order mightily. This night Prior of Brampton came and
paid me L40, and I find this poor painful man is the only thriving and
purchasing man in the town almost. We were told to-day of a Dutch ship
of 3 or 400 tons, where all the men were dead of the plague, and the
ship cast ashore at Gottenburgh.
25th (Lord’s day). Up, and my throat being yet very sore, and, my head
out of order, we went not to church, but I spent all the morning reading
of “The Madd Lovers,” a very good play, and at noon comes Harman and his
wife, whom I sent for to meet the Joyces, but they came not. It seems
Will has got a fall off his horse and broke his face. However, we were
as merry as I could in their company, and we had a good chine of beef,
but I had no taste nor stomach through my cold, and therefore little
pleased with my dinner. It raining, they sat talking with us all the
afternoon. So anon they went away; and then I to read another play, “The
Custome of the Country,” which is a very poor one, methinks. Then to
supper, prayers, and bed.
26th. Up pretty well again, but my mouth very scabby, my cold being
going away, so that I was forced to wear a great black patch, but that
would not do much good, but it happens we did not go to the Duke to-day,
and so I staid at home busy all the morning. At noon, after dinner,
to the ‘Change, and thence home to my office again, where busy, well
employed till 10 at night, and so home to supper and to bed, my mind
a little troubled that I have not of late kept up myself so briske in
business; but mind my ease a little too much and my family upon the
coming of Mercer and Tom. So that I have not kept company, nor appeared
very active with Mr. Coventry, but now I resolve to settle to it again,
not that I have idled all my time, but as to my ease something. So I
have looked a little too much after Tangier and the Fishery, and that
in the sight of Mr. Coventry, but I have good reason to love myself for
serving Tangier, for it is one of the best flowers in my garden.
27th. Lay long, sleeping, it raining and blowing very hard. Then up and
to the office, my mouth still being scabby and a patch on it. At the
office all the morning. At noon dined at home, and so after dinner
(Lewellin dining with me and in my way talking about Deering) to the
Fishing Committee, and had there very many fine things argued, and I
hope some good will cone of it. So home, where my wife having (after all
her merry discourse of being with child) her months upon her is gone to
bed. I to my office very late doing business, then home to supper and
to bed. To-night Mr. T. Trice and Piggot came to see me, and desire my
going down to Brampton Court, where for Piggot’s sake, for whom it is
necessary, I should go, I would be glad to go, and will, contrary to my
purpose, endeavour it, but having now almost L1000, if not above, in my
house, I know not what to do with it, and that will trouble my mind to
leave in the house, and I not at home.
28th. Up and by water with Mr. Tucker down to Woolwich, first to do
several businesses of the King’s, then on board Captain Fisher’s ship,
which we hire to carry goods to Tangier. All the way going and coming
I reading and discoursing over some papers of his which he, poor man,
having some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit, did at
the King’s first coming over make proposals of, ordering in a new manner
the whole revenue of the kingdom, but, God knows, a most weak thing;
however, one paper I keep wherein he do state the main branches of the
publick revenue fit to consider and remember. So home, very cold, and
fearfull of having got some pain, but, thanks be to God! I was well
after it. So to dinner, and after dinner by coach to White Hall,
thinking to have met at a Committee of Tangier, but nobody being there
but my Lord Rutherford, he would needs carry me and another Scotch Lord
to a play, and so we saw, coming late, part of “The Generall,” my Lord
Orrery’s (Broghill) second play; but, Lord! to see how no more either in
words, sense, or design, it is to his “Harry the 5th” is not imaginable,
and so poorly acted, though in finer clothes, is strange. And here I
must confess breach of a vowe in appearance, but I not desiring it, but
against my will, and my oathe being to go neither at my own charge nor
at another’s, as I had done by becoming liable to give them another, as
I am to Sir W. Pen and Mr. Creed; but here I neither know which of them
paid for me, nor, if I did, am I obliged ever to return the like, or did
it by desire or with any willingness. So that with a safe conscience I
do think my oathe is not broke and judge God Almighty will not think it
other wise. Thence to W. Joyce’s, and there found my aunt and cozen Mary
come home from my father’s with great pleasure and content, and thence
to Kate’s and found her also mighty pleased with her journey and their
good usage of them, and so home, troubled in my conscience at my being
at a play. But at home I found Mercer playing on her Vyall, which is a
pretty instrument, and so I to the Vyall and singing till late, and so
to bed. My mind at a great losse how to go down to Brampton this weeke,
to satisfy Piggott; but what with the fears of my house, my money, my
wife, and my office, I know not how in the world to think of it, Tom
Hater being out of towne, and I having near L1000 in my house.
29th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, dined at home and
Creed with me; after dinner I to Sir G. Carteret, and with him to his
new house he is taking in Broad Streete, and there surveyed all the
rooms and bounds, in order to the drawing up a lease thereof; and that
done, Mr. Cutler, his landlord, took me up and down, and showed me all
his ground and house, which is extraordinary great, he having bought
all the Augustine Fryers, and many, many a L1000 he hath and will bury
there. So home to my business, clearing my papers and preparing my
accounts against tomorrow for a monthly and a great auditt. So to supper
and to bed. Fresh newes come of our beating the Dutch at Guinny quite
out of all their castles almost, which will make them quite mad here
at home sure. And Sir G. Carteret did tell me, that the King do joy
mightily at it; but asked him laughing, “But,” says he, “how shall I do
to answer this to the Embassador when he comes?” Nay they say that we
have beat them out of the New Netherlands too;
[Captain (afterwards Sir Robert) Holmes’ expedition to attack the
Dutch settlements in Africa eventuated in an important exploit.
Holmes suddenly left the coast of Africa, sailed across the
Atlantic, and reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to
English rule, under the title of New York. “The short and true
state of the matter is this: the country mentioned was part of the
province of Virginia, and, as there is no settling an extensive
country at once, a few Swedes crept in there, who surrendered the
plantations they could not defend to the Dutch, who, having bought
the charts and papers of one Hudson, a seaman, who, by the
commission from the crown of England, discovered a river, to which
he gave his name, conceited they had purchased a province.
Sometimes, when we had strength in those parts, they were English
subjects; at others, when that strength declined, they were subjects
of the United Provinces. However, upon King Charles’s claim the
States disowned the title, but resumed it during our confusions. On
March 12th, 1663-64, Charles II. granted it to the Duke of York
... The King sent Holmes, when he returned, to the Tower, and did
not discharge him; till he made it evidently appear that he had not
infringed the law of nations “. (Campbell’s “Naval History,” vol.
ii, p., 89). How little did the King or Holmes himself foresee
the effects of the capture,--B.]
so that we have been doing them mischief for a great while in several
parts of the world; without publique knowledge or reason. Their fleete
for Guinny is now, they say, ready, and abroad, and will be going
this week. Coming home to-night, I did go to examine my wife’s house
accounts, and finding things that seemed somewhat doubtful, I was angry
though she did make it pretty plain, but confessed that when she do
misse a sum, she do add something to other things to make it, and, upon
my being very angry, she do protest she will here lay up something for
herself to buy her a necklace with, which madded me and do still trouble
me, for I fear she will forget by degrees the way of living cheap and
under a sense of want.
30th. Up, and all day, both morning and afternoon, at my accounts, it
being a great month, both for profit and layings out, the last being L89
for kitchen and clothes for myself and wife, and a few extraordinaries
for the house; and my profits, besides salary, L239; so that I have this
weeke, notwithstanding great layings out, and preparations for laying
out, which I make as paid this month, my balance to come to L1203, for
which the Lord’s name be praised! Dined at home at noon, staying long
looking for Kate Joyce and my aunt James and Mary, but they came not. So
my wife abroad to see them, and took Mary Joyce to a play. Then in
the evening came and sat working by me at the office, and late home
to supper and to bed, with my heart in good rest for this day’s work,
though troubled to think that my last month’s negligence besides the
making me neglect business and spend money, and lessen myself both as
to business and the world and myself, I am fain to preserve my vowe by
paying 20s. dry--[ Dry = hard, as “hard cash.” ]--money into the poor’s
box, because I had not fulfilled all my memorandums and paid all my
petty debts and received all my petty credits, of the last month, but I
trust in God I shall do so no more.