October 1st. Up and at the office both forenoon and afternoon very busy,
and with great pleasure in being so. This morning Mrs. Lane (now Martin)
like a foolish woman, came to the Horseshoe hard by, and sent for me
while I was: at the office; to come to speak with her by a note sealed
up, I know to get me to do something for her husband, but I sent her an
answer that I would see her at Westminster, and so I did not go, and she
went away, poor soul. At night home to supper, weary, and my eyes sore
with writing and reading, and to bed. We go now on with great vigour
in preparing against the Dutch, who, they say, will now fall upon us
without doubt upon this high newes come of our beating them so, wholly
in Guinny.
2nd (Lord’s day). My wife not being well to go to church I walked with
my boy through the City, putting in at several churches, among others
at Bishopsgate, and there saw the picture usually put before the King’s
book, put up in the church, but very ill painted, though it were a
pretty piece to set up in a church. I intended to have seen the Quakers,
who, they say, do meet every Lord’s day at the Mouth at Bishopsgate; but
I could see none stirring, nor was it fit to aske for the place, so I
walked over Moorefields, and thence to Clerkenwell church, and there, as
I wished, sat next pew to the fair Butler, who indeed is a most perfect
beauty still; and one I do very much admire myself for my choice of her
for a beauty, she having the best lower part of her face that ever I
saw all days of my life. After church I walked to my Lady Sandwich’s,
through my Lord Southampton’s new buildings in the fields behind Gray’s
Inn; and, indeed, they are a very great and a noble work. So I dined
with my Lady, and the same innocent discourse that we used to have, only
after dinner, being alone, she asked me my opinion about Creed, whether
he would have a wife or no, and what he was worth, and proposed Mrs.
Wright for him, which, she says, she heard he was once inquiring after.
She desired I would take a good time and manner of proposing it, and
I said I would, though I believed he would love nothing but money, and
much was not to be expected there, she said. So away back to Clerkenwell
Church, thinking to have got sight of la belle Boteler again, but
failed, and so after church walked all over the fields home, and there
my wife was angry with me for not coming home, and for gadding abroad
to look after beauties, she told me plainly, so I made all peace, and
to supper. This evening came Mrs. Lane (now Martin) with her husband to
desire my helpe about a place for him. It seems poor Mr. Daniel is dead
of the Victualling Office, a place too good for this puppy to follow him
in. But I did give him the best words I could, and so after drinking a
glasse of wine sent them going, but with great kindnesse. Go to supper,
prayers, and to bed.
3rd. Up with Sir J. Minnes, by coach, to St. James’s; and there all the
newes now of very hot preparations for the Dutch: and being with the
Duke, he told us he was resolved to make a tripp himself, and that Sir
W. Pen should go in the same ship with him. Which honour, God forgive
me! I could grudge him, for his knavery and dissimulation, though I
do not envy much the having the same place myself. Talke also of great
haste in the getting out another fleete, and building some ships; and
now it is likely we have put one another by each other’s dalliance past
a retreate. Thence with our heads full of business we broke up, and I to
my barber’s, and there only saw Jane and stroked her under the chin, and
away to the Exchange, and there long about several businesses, hoping to
get money by them, and thence home to dinner and there found Hawly. But
meeting Bagwell’s wife at the office before I went home I took her
into the office and there kissed her only. She rebuked me for doing it,
saying that did I do so much to many bodies else it would be a stain to
me. But I do not see but she takes it well enough, though in the main I
believe she is very honest. So after some kind discourse we parted, and
I home to dinner, and after dinner down to Deptford, where I found Mr.
Coventry, and there we made, an experiment of Holland’s and our cordage,
and ours outdid it a great deale, as my book of observations tells
particularly. Here we were late, and so home together by water, and I
to my office, where late, putting things in order. Mr. Bland came this
night to me to take his leave of me, he going to Tangier, wherein I wish
him good successe. So home to supper and to bed, my mind troubled at the
businesses I have to do, that I cannot mind them as I ought to do and
get money, and more that I have neglected my frequenting and seeming
more busy publicly than I have done of late in this hurry of business,
but there is time left to recover it, and I trust in God I shall.
4th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and this
morning Sir W. Pen went to Chatham to look: after the ships now going
out thence, and particularly that wherein the Duke and himself go. He
took Sir G. Ascue with: him, whom, I believe, he hath brought into play.
At noon to the ‘Change and thence home, where I found my aunt James
and the two she joyces. They dined and were merry with us. Thence
after dinner to a play, to see “The Generall;” which is so dull and so
ill-acted, that I think it is the worst. I ever saw or heard in all my
days. I happened to sit near; to Sir Charles Sidly; who I find a very
witty man, and he did at every line take notice of the dullness of
the poet and badness of the action, that most pertinently; which I
was mightily taken with; and among others where by Altemire’s command
Clarimont, the Generall, is commanded to rescue his Rivall, whom she
loved, Lucidor, he, after a great deal of demurre, broke out; “Well,
I’le save my Rivall and make her confess, that I deserve, while he do
but possesse.” “Why, what, pox,” says Sir Charles Sydly, “would he
have him have more, or what is there more to be had of a woman than the
possessing her?” Thence-setting all them at home, I home with my wife
and Mercer, vexed at my losing my time and above 20s. in money, and
neglecting my business to see so bad a play. To-morrow they told us
should be acted, or the day after, a new play, called “The Parson’s
Dreame,” acted all by women. So to my office, and there did business;
and so home to supper and to bed.
5th. Up betimes and to my office, and thence by coach to New Bridewell
to meet with Mr. Poyntz to discourse with him (being Master of the
Workhouse there) about making of Bewpers for us. But he was not within;
however his clerke did lead me up and down through all the house, and
there I did with great pleasure see the many pretty works, and the
little children employed, every one to do something, which was a very
fine sight, and worthy encouragement. I cast away a crowne among them,
and so to the ‘Change and among the Linnen Wholesale Drapers to enquire
about Callicos, to see what can be done with them for the supplying our
want of Bewpers for flaggs, and I think I shall do something therein
to good purpose for the King. So to the Coffeehouse, and there fell in
discourse with the Secretary of the Virtuosi of Gresham College, and had
very fine discourse with him. He tells me of a new invented instrument
to be tried before the College anon, and I intend to see it. So to
Trinity House, and there I dined among the old dull fellows, and so home
and to my office a while, and then comes Mr. Cocker to see me, and I
discoursed with him about his writing and ability of sight, and how I
shall do to get some glasse or other to helpe my eyes by candlelight;
and he tells me he will bring me the helps he hath within a day or two,
and shew me what he do. Thence to the Musique-meeting at the Postoffice,
where I was once before. And thither anon come all the Gresham College,
and a great deal of noble company: and the new instrument was brought
called the Arched Viall,
[“There seems to be a curious fate reigning over the instruments
which have the word ‘arch’ prefixed to their name. They have no
vitality, and somehow or other come to grief. Even the famous
archlute, which was still a living thing in the time of Handel, has
now disappeared from the concert room and joined Mr. Pepys’s ‘Arched
Viall’ in the limbo of things forgotten.... Mr. Pepys’s
verdict that it would never do... has been fully confirmed by
the event, as his predictions usually were, being indeed always
founded on calm judgment and close observation.”--B. (Hueffer’s
Italian and other Studies, 1883, p. 263).]
where being tuned with lute-strings, and played on with kees like an
organ, a piece of parchment is always kept moving; and the strings,
which by the kees are pressed down upon it, are grated in imitation of a
bow, by the parchment; and so it is intended to resemble several vyalls
played on with one bow, but so basely and harshly, that it will never
do. But after three hours’ stay it could not be fixed in tune; and so
they were fain to go to some other musique of instruments, which I am
grown quite out of love with, and so I, after some good discourse with
Mr. Spong, Hill, Grant, and Dr. Whistler, and others by turns, I home
to my office and there late, and so home, where I understand my wife has
spoke to Jane and ended matters of difference between her and her, and
she stays with us, which I am glad of; for her fault is nothing
but sleepiness and forgetfulness, otherwise a good-natured, quiet,
well-meaning, honest servant, and one that will do as she is bid, so one
called upon her and will see her do it. This morning, by three o’clock,
the Prince--[Rupert]--and King, and Duke with him, went down the River,
and the Prince under sail the next tide after, and so is gone from the
Hope. God give him better successe than he used to have! This day Mr.
Bland went away hence towards his voyage to Tangier. This day also I
had a letter from an unknown hand that tells me that Jacke Angier, he
believes, is dead at Lisbon, for he left him there ill.
6th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning, among other
things about this of the flags and my bringing in of callicos to oppose
Young and Whistler. At noon by promise Mr. Pierce and his wife and Madam
Clerke and her niece came and dined with me to a rare chine of beefe and
spent the afternoon very pleasantly all the afternoon, and then to my
office in the evening, they being gone, and late at business, and then
home to supper and to bed, my mind coming to itself in following of my
business.
7th. Lay pretty while with some discontent abed, even to the having
bad words with my wife, and blows too, about the ill-serving up of
our victuals yesterday; but all ended in love, and so I rose and to
my office busy all the morning. At noon dined at home, and then to my
office again, and then abroad to look after callicos for flags, and hope
to get a small matter by my pains therein and yet save the King a great
deal of money, and so home to my office, and there came Mr. Cocker, and
brought me a globe of glasse, and a frame of oyled paper, as I desired,
to show me the manner of his gaining light to grave by, and to lessen
the glaringnesse of it at pleasure by an oyled paper. This I bought of
him, giving him a crowne for it; and so, well satisfied, he went away,
and I to my business again, and so home to supper, prayers, and to bed.
8th. All the morning at the office, and after dinner abroad, and among
other things contracted with one Mr. Bridges, at the White Bear on
Cornhill, for 100 pieces of Callico to make flaggs; and as I know I
shall save the King money, so I hope to get a little for my pains and
venture of my own money myself. Late in the evening doing business, and
then comes Captain Tayler, and he and I till 12 o’clock at night arguing
about the freight of his ship Eagle, hired formerly by me to Tangier,
and at last we made an end, and I hope to get a little money, some small
matter by it. So home to bed, being weary and cold, but contented that I
have made an end of that business.
9th (Lord’s day). Lay pretty long, but however up time enough with my
wife to go to church. Then home to dinner, and Mr. Fuller, my Cambridge
acquaintance, coming to me about what he was with me lately, to release
a waterman, he told me he was to preach at Barking Church; and so I
to heare him, and he preached well and neatly. Thence, it being time
enough, to our owne church, and there staid wholly privately at the
great doore to gaze upon a pretty lady, and from church dogged her home,
whither she went to a house near Tower hill, and I think her to be one
of the prettiest women I ever saw. So home, and at my office a while
busy, then to my uncle Wight’s, whither it seems my wife went after
sermon and there supped, but my aunt and uncle in a very ill humour one
with another, but I made shift with much ado to keep them from scolding,
and so after supper home and to bed without prayers, it being cold, and
to-morrow washing day.
10th. Up and, it being rainy, in Sir W. Pen’s coach to St. James’s,
and there did our usual business with the Duke, and more and more
preparations every day appear against the Dutch, and (which I must
confess do a little move my envy) Sir W. Pen do grow every day more and
more regarded by the Duke,
[“The duke had decided that the English fleet should consist of
three squadrons to be commanded by himself, Prince Rupert, and Lord
Sandwich, from which arrangement the two last, who were land
admirals; had concluded that Penn would have no concern in this
fleet. Neither the duke, Rupert, nor Sandwich had ever been engaged
in an encounter of fleets.... Penn alone of the four was
familiar with all these things. By the duke’s unexpected
announcement that he should take Penn with him into his own ship,
Rupert and Sandwich at once discovered that they would be really and
practically under Penn’s command in everything.”]
because of his service heretofore in the Dutch warr which I am confident
is by some strong obligations he hath laid upon Mr. Coventry; for Mr.
Coventry must needs know that he is a man of very mean parts, but only
a bred seaman: Going home in coach with Sir W. Batten he told me how Sir
J. Minnes by the means of Sir R. Ford was the last night brought to his
house and did discover the reason of his so long discontent with him,
and now they are friends again, which I am sorry for, but he told it me
so plainly that I see there is no thorough understanding between them,
nor love, and so I hope there will be no great combination in any thing,
nor do I see Sir J. Minnes very fond as he used to be. But: Sir W.
Batten do raffle still against Mr. Turner and his wife, telling me he
is a false fellow, and his wife a false woman, and has rotten teeth
and false, set in with wire, and as I know they are so, so I am glad
he finds it so. To the Coffee-house, and thence to the ‘Change, and
therewith Sir W. Warren to the Coffee-house behind the ‘Change, and sat
alone with him till 4 o’clock talking of his businesses first and then
of business in general, and discourse how I might get money and how to
carry myself to advantage to contract no envy and yet make the world
see my pains; which was with great content to me, and a good friend and
helpe I am like to find him, for which God be thanked! So home to dinner
at 4 o’clock, and then to the office, and there late, and so home to
supper and to bed, having sat up till past twelve at night to look over
the account of the collections for the Fishery, and the loose and base
manner that monies so collected are disposed of in, would make a
man never part with a penny in that manner, and, above all, the
inconvenience of having a great man, though never so seeming pious as
my Lord Pembroke is. He is too great to be called to an account, and
is abused by his servants, and yet obliged to defend them for his owne
sake. This day, by the blessing of God, my wife and I have been married
nine years: but my head being full of business, I did not think of it
to keep it in any extraordinary manner. But bless God for our long lives
and loves and health together, which the same God long continue, I wish,
from my very heart!
11th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. My wife this
morning went, being invited, to my Lady Sandwich, and I alone at home at
dinner, till by and by Luellin comes and dines with me. He tells me what
a bawdy loose play this “Parson’s Wedding” is, that is acted by nothing
but women at the King’s house, and I am glad of it. Thence to the
Fishery in Thames Street, and there several good discourses about the
letting of the Lotterys, and, among others, one Sir Thomas Clifford,
whom yet I knew not, do speak very well and neatly. Thence I to my cozen
Will Joyce to get him to go to Brampton with me this week, but I think
he will not, and I am not a whit sorry for it, for his company both
chargeable and troublesome. So home and to my office, and then to supper
and then to my office again till late, and so home, with my head and
heart full of business, and so to bed. My wife tells me the sad news of
my Lady Castlemayne’s being now become so decayed, that one would not
know her; at least far from a beauty, which I am sorry for. This day
with great joy Captain Titus told us the particulars of the French’s
expedition against Gigery upon the Barbary Coast, in the Straights, with
6,000 chosen men. They have taken the Fort of Gigery, wherein were five
men and three guns, which makes the whole story of the King of France’s
policy and power to be laughed at.
12th. This morning all the morning at my office ordering things against
my journey to-morrow. At noon to the Coffeehouse, where very good
discourse. For newes, all say De Ruyter is gone to Guinny before us. Sir
J. Lawson is come to Portsmouth; and our fleete is hastening all speed:
I mean this new fleete. Prince Rupert with his is got into the Downes.
At home dined with me W. Joyce and a friend of his. W. Joyce will go
with me to Brampton. After dinner I out to Mr. Bridges, the linnen
draper, and evened with (him) for 100 pieces of callico, and did give
him L208 18s., which I now trust the King for, but hope both to save
the King money and to get a little by it to boot. Thence by water up
and down all the timber yards to look out some Dram timber, but can find
none for our turne at the price I would have; and so I home, and there
at my office late doing business against my journey to clear my hands of
every thing for two days. So home and to supper and bed.
13th. After being at the office all the morning, I home and dined, and
taking leave of my wife with my mind not a little troubled how she would
look after herself or house in my absence, especially, too, leaving a
considerable sum of money in the office, I by coach to the Red Lyon in
Aldersgate Street, and there, by agreement, met W. Joyce and Tom Trice,
and mounted, I upon a very fine mare that Sir W. Warren helps me to, and
so very merrily rode till it was very darke, I leading the way through
the darke to Welling, and there, not being very weary, to supper and to
bed. But very bad accommodation at the Swan. In this day’s journey I met
with Mr. White, Cromwell’s chaplin that was, and had a great deale of
discourse with him. Among others, he tells me that Richard is, and hath
long been, in France, and is now going into Italy. He owns publiquely
that he do correspond, and return him all his money. That Richard hath
been in some straits at the beginning; but relieved by his friends. That
he goes by another name, but do not disguise himself, nor deny himself
to any man that challenges him. He tells me, for certain, that offers
had been made to the old man, of marriage between the King and his
daughter, to have obliged him, but he would not.
[The Protector wished the Duke of Buckingham to marry his daughter
Frances. She married, 1. Robert Rich, grandson and heir to Robert,
Earl of Warwick, on November 11th, 1657, who died in the following
February; 2. Sir John Russell, Bart. She died January 27th,
1721-22, aged eighty-four. In T. Morrice’s life of Roger, Earl of
Orrery, prefixed to Orrery’s “State Letters” (Dublin, 1743, vol.
i., p. 40), there is a circumstantial account of an interview
between Orrery (then Lord Broghill) and Cromwell, in which the
former suggested to the latter that Charles II. should marry Frances
Cromwell. Cromwell gave great attention to the reasons urged, “but
walking two or three turns, and pondering with himself, he told Lord
Broghill the king would never forgive him the death of his father.
His lordship desired him to employ somebody to sound the king in
this matter, to see how he would take it, and offered himself to
mediate in it for him. But Cromwell would not consent, but again
repeated, ‘The king cannot and will not forgive the death of his
father;’ and so he left his lordship, who durst not tell him he had
already dealt with his majesty in that affair. Upon this my lord
withdrew, and meeting Cromwell’s wife and daughter, they inquired
how he had succeeded; of which having given them an account, he
added they must try their interest in him, but none could prevail.”]
He thinks (with me) that it never was in his power to bring in the King
with the consent of any of his officers about him; and that he scorned
to bring him in as Monk did, to secure himself and deliver every body
else. When I told him of what I found writ in a French book of one
Monsieur Sorbiere, that gives an account of his observations herein
England; among other things he says, that it is reported that Cromwell
did, in his life-time, transpose many of the bodies of the Kings of
England from one grave to another, and that by that means it is not
known certainly whether the head that is now set up upon a post be that
of Cromwell, or of one of the Kings; Mr. White tells me that he believes
he never had so poor a low thought in him to trouble himself about it.
He says the hand of God is much to be seen; that all his children are
in good condition enough as to estate, and that their relations that
betrayed their family are all now either hanged or very miserable.
14th. Up by break of day, and got to Brampton by three o’clock, where my
father and mother overjoyed to see me, my mother, ready to weepe every
time she looked upon me. After dinner my father and I to the Court, and
there did all our business to my mind, as I have set down in a paper
particularly expressing our proceedings at this court. So home, where W.
Joyce full of talk and pleased with his journey, and after supper I to
bed and left my father, mother, and him laughing.
15th. My father and I up and walked alone to Hinchingbroke; and among
the other late chargeable works that my Lord hath done there, we saw
his water-works and the Oral which is very fine; and so is the house all
over, but I am sorry to think of the money at this time spent
therein. Back to my father’s (Mr. Sheply being out of town) and there
breakfasted, after making an end with Barton about his businesses,
and then my mother called me into the garden, and there but all to no
purpose desiring me to be friends with John, but I told her I cannot,
nor indeed easily shall, which afflicted the poor woman, but I cannot
help it. Then taking leave, W. Joyce and I set out, calling T. Trice at
Bugden, and thence got by night to Stevenage, and there mighty merry,
though I in bed more weary than the other two days, which, I think,
proceeded from our galloping so much, my other weariness being almost
all over; but I find that a coney skin in my breeches preserves me
perfectly from galling, and that eating after I come to my Inne, without
drinking, do keep me from being stomach sick, which drink do presently
make me. We lay all in several beds in the same room, and W. Joyce full
of his impertinent tricks and talk, which then made us merry, as any
other fool would have done. So to sleep.
16th (Lord’s day). It raining, we set out, and about nine o’clock got
to Hatfield in church-time; and I ‘light and saw my simple Lord Salsbury
sit there in his gallery. Staid not in the Church, but thence mounted
again and to Barnett by the end of sermon, and there dined at the Red
Lyon very weary again, but all my weariness yesterday night and to-day
in my thighs only, the rest of my weariness in my shoulders and arms
being quite gone. Thence home, parting company at my cozen Anth.
Joyce’s, by four o’clock, weary, but very well, to bed at home, where I
find all well. Anon my wife came to bed, but for my ease rose again and
lay with her woman.
17th. Rose very well and not weary, and with Sir W. Batten to St.
James’s; there did our business. I saw Sir J. Lawson since his return
from sea first this morning, and hear that my Lord Sandwich is come from
Portsmouth to town. Thence I to him, and finding him at my Lord Crew’s,
I went with him home to his house and much kind discourse. Thence my
Lord to Court, and I with Creed to the ‘Change, and thence with Sir W.
Warren to a cook’s shop and dined, discoursing and advising him about
his great contract he is to make tomorrow, and do every day receive
great satisfaction in his company, and a prospect of a just advantage
by his friendship. Thence to my office doing some business, but it being
very cold, I, for fear of getting cold, went early home to bed, my wife
not being come home from my Lady Jemimah, with whom she hath been at a
play and at Court to-day.
18th. Up and to the office, where among other things we made a very
great contract with Sir W. Warren for 3,000 loade of timber. At noon
dined at home. In the afternoon to the Fishery, where, very confused and
very ridiculous, my Lord Craven’s proceedings, especially his finding
fault with Sir J. Collaton and Colonell Griffin’s’ report in the
accounts of the lottery-men. Thence I with Mr. Gray in his coach to
White Hall, but the King and Duke being abroad, we returned to Somersett
House. In discourse I find him a very worthy and studious gentleman in
the business of trade, and among-other things he observed well to me,
how it is not the greatest wits, but the steady man, that is a good
merchant: he instanced in Ford and Cocke, the last of whom he values
above all men as his oracle, as Mr. Coventry do Mr. Jolliffe. He says
that it is concluded among merchants, that where a trade hath once
been and do decay, it never recovers again, and therefore that the
manufacture of cloath of England will never come to esteem again; that,
among other faults, Sir Richard Ford cannot keepe a secret, and that it
is so much the part of a merchant to be guilty of that fault that the
Duke of Yoke is resolved to commit no more secrets to the merchants
of the Royall Company; that Sir Ellis Layton is, for a speech of forty
words, the wittiest man that ever he knew in his life, but longer he is
nothing, his judgment being nothing at all, but his wit most absolute.
At Somersett House he carried me in, and there I saw the Queene’s new
rooms, which are most stately and nobly furnished; and there I saw her,
and the Duke of Yorke and Duchesse were there. The Duke espied me, and
came to me, and talked with me a very great while about our contract
this day with Sir W. Warren, and among other things did with some
contempt ask whether we did except Polliards, which Sir W. Batten did
yesterday (in spite, as the Duke I believe by my Lord Barkely do well
enough know) among other things in writing propose. Thence home by
coach, it raining hard, and to my office, where late, then home to
supper and to bed. This night the Dutch Embassador desired and had an
audience of the King. What the issue of it was I know not. Both sides
I believe desire peace, but neither will begin, and so I believe a warr
will follow. The Prince is with his fleet at Portsmouth, and the Dutch
are making all preparations for warr.
19th. Up and to my office all the morning. At noon dined at home;
then abroad by coach to buy for the office “Herne upon the Statute of
Charitable Uses,” in order to the doing something better in the Chest
than we have done, for I am ashamed to see Sir W. Batten possess himself
so long of so much money as he hath done. Coming home, weighed, my two
silver flaggons at Stevens’s. They weigh 212 oz. 27 dwt., which is about
L50, at 5s. per oz., and then they judge the fashion to be worth above
5s. per oz. more--nay, some say 10s. an ounce the fashion. But I do not
believe, but yet am sorry to see that the fashion is worth so much, and
the silver come to no more. So home and to my office, where very busy
late. My wife at Mercer’s mother’s, I believe, W. Hewer with them, which
I do not like, that he should ask my leave to go about business, and
then to go and spend his time in sport, and leave me here busy. To
supper and to bed, my wife coming in by and by, which though I know
there was no hurt in it; I do not like.
20th. Up and to the office, where all the morning. At noon my uncle
Thomas came, dined with me, and received some money of me. Then I to
my office, where I took in with me Bagwell’s wife, and there I caressed
her, and find her every day more and more coming with good words and
promises of getting her husband a place, which I will do. So we parted,
and I to my Lord Sandwich at his lodgings, and after a little stay
away with Mr. Cholmely to Fleete Streete; in the way he telling me that
Tangier is like to be in a bad condition with this same Fitzgerald,
he being a man of no honour, nor presence, nor little honesty, and
endeavours: to raise the Irish and suppress the English interest there;
and offend every body, and do nothing that I hear of well, which I am
sorry for. Thence home, by the way taking two silver tumblers home,
which I have bought, and so home, and there late busy at my office, and
then home to supper and to bed.
21st. Up and by coach to Mr. Cole’s, and there conferred with him about
some law business, and so to Sir W. Turner’s, and there bought my cloth,
coloured, for a suit and cloake, to line with plush the cloak, which
will cost me money, but I find that I must go handsomely, whatever it
costs me, and the charge will be made up in the fruit it brings. Thence
to the Coffee-house and ‘Change, and so home to dinner, and then to the
office all the afternoon, whither comes W. Howe to see me, being come
from, and going presently back to sea with my Lord. Among other things
he tells me Mr. Creed is much out of favour with my Lord from his
freedom of talke and bold carriage, and other things with which my Lord
is not pleased, but most I doubt his not lending my Lord money, and Mr.
Moore’s reporting what his answer was I doubt in the worst manner. But,
however, a very unworthy rogue he is, and, therefore, let him go for one
good for nothing, though wise to the height above most men I converse
with. In the evening (W. Howe being gone) comes Mr. Martin, to trouble
me again to get him a Lieutenant’s place for which he is as fit as a
foole can be. But I put him off like an arse, as he is, and so setting
my papers and books in order: I home to supper and to bed.
22nd. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon comes
my uncle Thomas and his daughter Mary about getting me to pay them the
L30 due now, but payable in law to her husband. I did give them the
best answer I could, and so parted, they not desiring to stay to dinner.
After dinner I down to Deptford, and there did business, and so back to
my office, where very late busy, and so home to supper and to bed.
23rd (Lord’s day). Up and to church. At noon comes unexpected Mr.
Fuller, the minister, and dines with me, and also I had invited Mr.
Cooper with one I judge come from sea, and he and I spent the whole
afternoon together, he teaching me some things in understanding of
plates. At night to the office, doing business, and then home to supper.
Then a psalm, to prayers, and to bed.
24th. Up and in Sir J. Minnes’ coach (alone with Mrs. Turner as far as
Paternoster Row, where I set her down) to St. James’s, and there did our
business, and I had the good lucke to speak what pleased the Duke about
our great contract in hand with Sir W. Warren against Sir W. Batten,
wherein the Duke is very earnest for our contracting. Thence home to the
office till noon, and then dined and to the ‘Change and off with Sir W.
Warren for a while, consulting about managing his contract. Thence to a
Committee at White Hall of Tangier, where I had the good lucke to speak
something to very good purpose about the Mole at Tangier, which was
well received even by Sir J. Lawson and Mr. Cholmely, the undertakers,
against whose interest I spoke; that I believe I shall be valued for
it. Thence into the galleries to talk with my Lord Sandwich; among other
things, about the Prince’s writing up to tell us of the danger he and
his fleete lie in at Portsmouth, of receiving affronts from the Dutch;
which, my Lord said, he would never have done, had he lain there with
one ship alone: nor is there any great reason for it, because of the
sands. However, the fleete will be ordered to go and lay themselves up
at the Cowes. Much beneath the prowesse of the Prince, I think, and the
honour of the nation, at the first to be found to secure themselves. My
Lord is well pleased to think, that, if the Duke and the Prince go,
all the blame of any miscarriage will not light on him; and that if any
thing goes well, he hopes he shall have the share of the glory, for the
Prince is by no means well esteemed of by any body. Thence home, and
though not very well yet up late about the Fishery business, wherein I
hope to give an account how I find the Collections to have been managed,
which I did finish to my great content, and so home to supper and to
bed. This day the great O’Neale died; I believe, to the content of all
the Protestant pretenders in Ireland.
25th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and finished
Sir W. Warren’s great contract for timber, with great content to me,
because just in the terms I wrote last night to Sir W. Warren and
against the terms proposed by Sir W. Batten. At noon home to dinner,
and there found Creed and Hawley. After dinner comes in Mrs. Ingram, the
first time to make a visit to my wife. After a little stay I left them
and to the Committee of the Fishery, and there did make my report of the
late public collections for the Fishery, much to the satisfaction of the
Committee, and I think much to my reputation, for good notice was taken
of it and much it was commended. So home, in my way taking care of a
piece of plate for Mr. Christopher Pett, against the launching of his
new great ship tomorrow at Woolwich, which I singly did move to His
Royall Highness, and did obtain it for him, to the value of twenty
pieces. And he, under his hand, do acknowledge to me that he did never
receive so great a kindness from any man in the world as from me herein.
So to my office, and then to supper, and then to my office again, where
busy late, being very full now a days of business to my great content,
I thank God, and so home to bed, my house being full of a design, to go
to-morrow, my wife and all her servants, to see the new ship launched.
26th. Up, my people rising mighty betimes, to fit themselves to go by
water; and my boy, he could not sleep, but wakes about four o’clock,
and in bed lay playing on his lute till daylight, and, it seems, did the
like last night till twelve o’clock. About eight o’clock, my wife, she
and her woman, and Besse and Jane, and W. Hewer and the boy, to the
water-side, and there took boat, and by and by I out of doors, to look
after the flaggon, to get it ready to carry to Woolwich. That being not
ready, I stepped aside and found out Nellson, he that Whistler buys his
bewpers of, and did there buy 5 pieces at their price, and am in hopes
thereby to bring them down or buy ourselves all we spend of Nellson at
the first hand. This jobb was greatly to my content, and by and by the
flaggon being finished at the burnisher’s, I home, and there fitted
myself, and took a hackney-coach I hired, it being a very cold and
foule day, to Woolwich, all the way reading in a good book touching the
fishery, and that being done, in the book upon the statute of charitable
uses, mightily to my satisfaction. At Woolwich; I there up to the King
and Duke, and they liked the plate well. Here I staid above with them
while the ship was launched, which was done with great success, and the
King did very much like the ship, saying, she had the best bow that
ever he saw. But, Lord! the sorry talke and discourse among the great
courtiers round about him, without any reverence in the world, but with
so much disorder. By and by the Queene comes and her Mayds of Honour;
one whereof, Mrs. Boynton, and the Duchesse of Buckingham, had been very
siclee coming by water in the barge (the water being very rough); but
what silly sport they made with them in very common terms, methought,
was very poor, and below what people think these great people say and
do. The launching being done, the King and company went down to take
barge; and I sent for Mr. Pett, and put the flaggon into the Duke’s
hand, and he, in the presence of the King, did give it, Mr. Pett taking
it upon his knee. This Mr. Pett is wholly beholding to me for, and he
do know and I believe will acknowledge it. Thence I to Mr. Ackworth, and
there eat and drank with Commissioner Pett and his wife, and thence to
Shelden’s, where Sir W. Batten and his Lady were. By and by I took coach
after I had enquired for my wife or her boat, but found none. Going out
of the gate, an ordinary woman prayed me to give her room to London,
which I did, but spoke not to her all the way, but read, as long as I
could see, my book again. Dark when we came to London, and a stop of
coaches in Southwarke. I staid above half an houre and then ‘light, and
finding Sir W. Batten’s coach, heard they were gone into the Beare at
the Bridge foot, and thither I to them. Presently the stop is removed,
and then going out to find my coach, I could not find it, for it was
gone with the rest; so I fair to go through the darke and dirt over
the bridge, and my leg fell in a hole broke on the bridge, but, the
constable standing there to keep people from it, I was catched up,
otherwise I had broke my leg; for which mercy the Lord be praised! So at
Fanchurch I found my coach staying for me, and so home, where the little
girle hath looked to the house well, but no wife come home, which made
me begin to fear [for] her, the water being very rough, and cold and
darke. But by and by she and her company come in all well, at which I
was glad, though angry. Thence I to Sir W. Batten’s, and there sat late
with him, Sir R. Ford, and Sir John Robinson; the last of whom continues
still the same foole he was, crying up what power he has in the City,
in knowing their temper, and being able to do what he will with them. It
seems the City did last night very freely lend the King L100,000
without any security but the King’s word, which was very noble. But this
loggerhead and Sir R. Ford would make us believe that they did it. Now
Sir R. Ford is a cunning man, and makes a foole of the other, and the
other believes whatever the other tells him. But, Lord! to think that
such a man should be Lieutenant of the Tower, and so great a man as he
is, is a strange thing to me. With them late and then home and with my
wife to bed, after supper.
27th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy. At noon, Sir
G. Carteret, Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, Sir W. Pen, and myself, were
treated at the Dolphin by Mr. Foly, the ironmonger, where a good plain
dinner, but I expected musique, the missing of which spoiled my dinner,
only very good merry discourse at dinner. Thence with Sir G. Carteret
by coach to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier, and thence back to
London, and ‘light in Cheapside and I to Nellson’s, and there met with
a rub at first, but took him out to drink, and there discoursed to my
great content so far with him that I think I shall agree with him for
Bewpers to serve the Navy with. So with great content home and to my
office, where late, and having got a great cold in my head yesterday
home to supper and to bed.
28th. Slept ill all night, having got a very great cold the other day at
Woolwich in [my] head, which makes me full of snot. Up in the morning,
and my tailor brings me home my fine, new, coloured cloth suit, my
cloake lined with plush, as good a suit as ever I wore in my life,
and mighty neat, to my great content. To my office, and there all
the morning. At noon to Nellson’s, and there bought 20 pieces more of
Bewpers, and hope to go on with him to a contract. Thence to the ‘Change
a little, and thence home with Luellin to dinner, where Mr. Deane met
me by appointment, and after dinner he and I up to my chamber, and
there hard at discourse, and advising him what to do in his business at
Harwich, and then to discourse of our old business of ships and taking
new rules of him to my great pleasure, and he being gone I to my office
a little, and then to see Sir W. Batten, who is sick of a greater cold
than I, and thither comes to me Mr. Holliard, and into the chamber to
me, and, poor man (beyond all I ever saw of him), was a little drunk,
and there sat talking and finding acquaintance with Sir W. Batten and my
Lady by relations on both sides, that there we staid very long. At last
broke up, and he home much overcome with drink, but well enough to get
well home. So I home to supper and to bed.
29th. Up, and it being my Lord Mayor’s show, my boy and three mayds went
out; but it being a very foule, rainy day, from morning till night, I
was sorry my wife let them go out. All the morning at the office.
At dinner at home. In the afternoon to the office again, and about 9
o’clock by appointment to the King’s Head tavern upon Fish Street Hill,
whither Mr. Wolfe (and Parham by his means) met me to discourse about
the Fishery, and great light I had by Parham, who is a little conceited,
but a very knowing man in his way, and in the general fishing trade of
England. Here I staid three hours, and eat a barrel of very fine oysters
of Wolfe’s giving me, and so, it raining hard, home and to my office,
and then home to bed. All the talke is that De Ruyter is come over-land
home with six or eight of his captaines to command here at home, and
their ships kept abroad in the Straights; which sounds as if they had a
mind to do something with us.
30th (Lord’s day). Up, and this morning put on my new, fine, coloured
cloth suit, with my cloake lined with plush, which is a dear and noble
suit, costing me about L17. To church, and then home to dinner, and
after dinner to a little musique with my boy, and so to church with my
wife, and so home, and with her all the evening reading and at musique
with my boy with great pleasure, and so to supper, prayers, and to bed.
31st. Very busy all the morning, at noon Creed to me and dined with me,
and then he and I to White Hall, there to a Committee of Tangier, where
it is worth remembering when Mr. Coventry proposed the retrenching
some of the charge of the horse, the first word asked by the Duke of
Albemarle was, “Let us see who commands them,” there being three troops.
One of them he calls to mind was by Sir Toby Bridges. “Oh!” says he,
“there is a very good man. If you must reform
[Reform, i.e. disband. See “Memoirs of Sir John Reresby,”
September 2nd, 1651. “A great many younger brothers and reformed
officers of the King’s army depended upon him for their meat and
drink.” So reformado, a discharged or disbanded officer.--M. B.]
two of them, be sure let him command the troop that is left.” Thence
home, and there came presently to me Mr. Young and Whistler, who find
that I have quite overcome them in their business of flags, and now they
come to intreat my favour, but I will be even with them. So late to
my office and there till past one in the morning making up my month’s
accounts, and find that my expense this month in clothes has kept me
from laying up anything; but I am no worse, but a little better than I
was, which is L1205, a great sum, the Lord be praised for it! So home
to bed, with my mind full of content therein, and vexed for my being so
angry in bad words to my wife to-night, she not giving me a good account
of her layings out to my mind to-night. This day I hear young Mr.
Stanly, a brave young [gentleman], that went out with young Jermin,
with Prince Rupert, is already dead of the small-pox, at Portsmouth. All
preparations against the Dutch; and the Duke of Yorke fitting himself
with all speed, to go to the fleete which is hastening for him; being
now resolved to go in the Charles.