January 1st (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed, having been busy late last
night, then up and to my office, where upon ordering my accounts
and papers with respect to my understanding my last year’s gains and
expense, which I find very great, as I have already set down yesterday.
Now this day I am dividing my expense, to see what my clothes and every
particular hath stood me in: I mean all the branches of my expense. At
noon a good venison pasty and a turkey to ourselves without any body
so much as invited by us, a thing unusuall for so small a family of my
condition: but we did it and were very merry. After dinner to my office
again, where very late alone upon my accounts, but have not brought them
to order yet, and very intricate I find it, notwithstanding my care all
the year to keep things in as good method as any man can do. Past 11
o’clock home to supper and to bed.
2nd. Up, and it being a most fine, hard frost I walked a good way toward
White Hall, and then being overtaken with Sir W. Pen’s coach, went into
it, and with him thither, and there did our usual business with the
Duke. Thence, being forced to pay a great deale of money away in boxes
(that is, basins at White Hall), I to my barber’s, Gervas, and there had
a little opportunity of speaking with my Jane alone, and did give her
something, and of herself she did tell me a place where I might come to
her on Sunday next, which I will not fail, but to see how modestly and
harmlessly she brought it out was very pretty. Thence to the Swan, and
there did sport a good while with Herbert’s young kinswoman without
hurt, though they being abroad, the old people. Then to the Hall, and
there agreed with Mrs. Martin, and to her lodgings which she has now
taken to lie in, in Bow Streete, pitiful poor things, yet she thinks
them pretty, and so they are for her condition I believe good enough.
Here I did ‘ce que je voudrais avec’ her most freely, and it having
cost 2s. in wine and cake upon her, I away sick of her impudence, and
by coach to my Lord Brunker’s, by appointment, in the Piazza, in
Covent-Guarding; where I occasioned much mirth with a ballet I brought
with me, made from the seamen at sea to their ladies in town; saying
Sir W. Pen, Sir G. Ascue, and Sir J. Lawson made them. Here a most noble
French dinner and banquet, the best I have seen this many a day and good
discourse. Thence to my bookseller’s and at his binder’s saw Hooke’s
book of the Microscope,
[“Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies
made by Magnifying Glasses. London, 1665,” a very remarkable work
with elaborate plates, some of which have been used for lecture
illustrations almost to our own day. On November 23rd, 1664, the
President of the Royal Society was “desired to sign a licence for
printing of Mr. Hooke’s microscopical book.” At this time the book
was mostly printed, but it was delayed, much to Hooke’s disgust, by
the examination of several Fellows of the Society. In spite of this
examination the council were anxious that the author should make it
clear that he alone was responsible for any theory put forward, and
they gave him notice to that effect. Hooke made this clear in his
dedication (see Birch’s “History,” vol. i., pp. 490-491)]
which is so pretty that I presently bespoke it, and away home to the
office, where we met to do something, and then though very late by coach
to Sir Ph. Warwicke’s, but having company with him could not speak with
him. So back again home, where thinking to be merry was vexed with my
wife’s having looked out a letter in Sir Philip Sidney about jealousy
for me to read, which she industriously and maliciously caused me to do,
and the truth is my conscience told me it was most proper for me, and
therefore was touched at it, but tooke no notice of it, but read it out
most frankly, but it stucke in my stomach, and moreover I was vexed to
have a dog brought to my house to line our little bitch, which they make
him do in all their sights, which, God forgive me, do stir my jealousy
again, though of itself the thing is a very immodest sight. However, to
cards with my wife a good while, and then to bed.
3rd. Up, and by coach to Sir Ph. Warwicke’s, the streete being full
of footballs, it being a great frost, and found him and Mr. Coventry
walking in St. James’s Parke. I did my errand to him about the felling
of the King’s timber in the forests, and then to my Lord of Oxford,
Justice in Eyre, for his consent thereto, for want whereof my Lord Privy
Seale stops the whole business. I found him in his lodgings, in but an
ordinary furnished house and roome where he was, but I find him to be a
man of good discreet replys. Thence to the Coffee-house, where certain
newes that the Dutch have taken some of our colliers to the North; some
say four, some say seven. Thence to the ‘Change a while, and so home
to dinner and to the office, where we sat late, and then I to write
my letters, and then to Sir W. Batten’s, who is going out of towne to
Harwich to-morrow to set up a light-house there, which he hath lately
got a patent from the King to set up, that will turne much to his
profit. Here very merry, and so to my office again, where very late, and
then home to supper and to bed, but sat up with my wife at cards till
past two in the morning.
4th. Lay long, and then up and to my Lord of Oxford’s, but his Lordshipp
was in bed at past ten o’clock: and, Lord helpe us! so rude a dirty
family I never saw in my life. He sent me out word my business was not
done, but should against the afternoon. I thence to the Coffee-house,
there but little company, and so home to the ‘Change, where I hear of
some more of our ships lost to the Northward. So to Sir W. Batten’s, but
he was set out before I got thither. I sat long talking with my lady,
and then home to dinner. Then come Mr. Moore to see me, and he and I to
my Lord of Oxford’s, but not finding him within Mr. Moore and I to “Love
in a Tubb,” which is very merry, but only so by gesture, not wit at all,
which methinks is beneath the House. So walked home, it being a very
hard frost, and I find myself as heretofore in cold weather to begin to
burn within and pimples and pricks all over my body, my pores with cold
being shut up. So home to supper and to cards and to bed.
5th. Up, it being very cold and a great snow and frost tonight. To the
office, and there all the morning. At noon dined at home, troubled at
my wife’s being simply angry with Jane, our cook mayde (a good servant,
though perhaps hath faults and is cunning), and given her warning to
be gone. So to the office again, where we sat late, and then I to my
office, and there very late doing business. Home to supper and to the
office again, and then late home to bed.
6th. Lay long in bed, but most of it angry and scolding with my wife
about her warning Jane our cookemayde to be gone and upon that she
desires to go abroad to-day to look a place. A very good mayde she is
and fully to my mind, being neat, only they say a little apt to scold,
but I hear her not. To my office all the morning busy. Dined at home.
To my office again, being pretty well reconciled to my wife, which I
did desire to be, because she had designed much mirthe to-day to end
Christmas with among her servants. At night home, being twelfenight, and
there chose my piece of cake, but went up to my viall, and then to bed,
leaving my wife and people up at their sports, which they continue till
morning, not coming to bed at all.
7th. Up and to the office all the morning. At noon dined alone, my wife
and family most of them a-bed. Then to see my Lady Batten and sit with
her a while, Sir W. Batten being out of town, and then to my office
doing very much business very late, and then home to supper and to bed.
8th (Lord’s day). Up betimes, and it being a very fine frosty day, I and
my boy walked to White Hall, and there to the Chappell, where one Dr.
Beaumont’ preached a good sermon, and afterwards a brave anthem upon the
150 Psalm, where upon the word “trumpet” very good musique was made. So
walked to my Lady’s and there dined with her (my boy going home), where
much pretty discourse, and after dinner walked to Westminster, and there
to the house where Jane Welsh had appointed me, but it being sermon time
they would not let me in, and said nobody was there to speak with me. I
spent the whole afternoon walking into the Church and Abbey, and up and
down, but could not find her, and so in the evening took a coach and
home, and there sat discoursing with my wife, and by and by at supper,
drinking some cold drink I think it was, I was forced to go make water,
and had very great pain after it, but was well by and by and continued
so, it being only I think from the drink, or from my straining at stool
to do more than my body would. So after prayers to bed.
9th. Up and walked to White Hall, it being still a brave frost, and I
in perfect good health, blessed be God! In my way saw a woman that broke
her thigh, in her heels slipping up upon the frosty streete. To the
Duke, and there did our usual worke. Here I saw the Royal Society bring
their new book, wherein is nobly writ their charter’ and laws, and comes
to be signed by the Duke as a Fellow; and all the Fellows’ hands are to
be entered there, and lie as a monument; and the King hath put his with
the word Founder. Thence I to Westminster, to my barber’s, and found
occasion to see Jane, but in presence of her mistress, and so could
not speak to her of her failing me yesterday, and then to the Swan to
Herbert’s girl, and lost time a little with her, and so took coach, and
to my Lord Crew’s and dined with him, who receives me with the greatest
respect that could be, telling me that he do much doubt of the successe
of this warr with Holland, we going about it, he doubts, by the
instigation of persons that do not enough apprehend the consequences of
the danger of it, and therein I do think with him. Holmes was this day
sent to the Tower,--[For taking New York from the Dutch]--but I perceive
it is made matter of jest only; but if the Dutch should be our masters,
it may come to be of earnest to him, to be given over to them for a
sacrifice, as Sir W. Rawly [Raleigh] was. Thence to White Hall to a
Tangier Committee, where I was accosted and most highly complimented by
my Lord Bellasses,
[John Belasyse, second son of Thomas, first Viscount Fauconberg,
created Baron Belasyse of Worlaby, January 27th, 1644, Lord
Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Governor of Hull.
He was appointed Governor of Tangier, and Captain of the Band of
Gentlemen Pensioners. He was a Roman Catholic, and therefore was
deprived of all his appointments in 1672 by the provisions of the
Test Act, but in 1684 James II. made him First Commissioner of the
Treasury. He died 1689.]
our new governor, beyond my expectation, or measure I could imagine he
would have given any man, as if I were the only person of business that
he intended to rely on, and desires my correspondence with him. This I
was not only surprized at, but am well pleased with, and may make good
use of it. Our patent is renewed, and he and my Lord Barkeley, and Sir
Thomas Ingram put in as commissioners. Here some business happened which
may bring me some profit. Thence took coach and calling my wife at her
tailor’s (she being come this afternoon to bring her mother some apples,
neat’s tongues, and wine); I home, and there at my office late with Sir
W. Warren, and had a great deal of good discourse and counsel from him,
which I hope I shall take, being all for my good in my deportment in my
office, yet with all honesty. He gone I home to supper and to bed.
10th. Lay long, it being still very cold, and then to the office, where
till dinner, and then home, and by and by to the office, where we sat
and were very late, and I writing letters till twelve at night, and then
after supper to bed.
11th. Up, and very angry with my boy for lying long a bed and forgetting
his lute. To my office all the morning. At noon to the ‘Change, and so
home to dinner. After dinner to Gresham College to my Lord Brunker and
Commissioner Pett, taking, Mr. Castle with me there to discourse over
his draught of a ship he is to build for us. Where I first found reason
to apprehend Commissioner Pett to be a man of an ability extraordinary
in any thing, for I found he did turn and wind Castle like a chicken
in his business, and that most pertinently and mister-like, and great
pleasure it was to me to hear them discourse, I, of late having studied
something thereof, and my Lord Brunker is a very able person also
himself in this sort of business, as owning himself to be a master in
the business of all lines and Conicall Sections: Thence home, where very
late at my office doing business to my content, though [God] knows with
what ado it was that when I was out I could get myself to come home to
my business, or when I was there though late would stay there from
going abroad again. To supper and to bed. This evening, by a letter from
Plymouth, I hear that two of our ships, the Leopard and another, in the
Straights, are lost by running aground; and that three more had like to
have been so, but got off, whereof Captain Allen one: and that a Dutch
fleete are gone thither; which if they should meet with our lame ships,
God knows what would become of them. This I reckon most sad newes;
God make us sensible of it! This night, when I come home, I was much
troubled to hear my poor canary bird, that I have kept these three or
four years, is dead.
12th. Up, and to White Hall about getting a privy seal for felling of
the King’s timber for the navy, and to the Lords’ House to speak with
my Lord Privy Seale about it, and so to the ‘Change, where to my last
night’s ill news I met more. Spoke with a Frenchman who was taken, but
released, by a Dutch man-of-war of thirty-six guns (with seven more of
the like or greater ships), off the North Foreland, by Margett. Which
is a strange attempt, that they should come to our teeth; but the wind
being easterly, the wind that should bring our force from Portsmouth,
will carry them away home. God preserve us against them, and pardon our
making them in our discourse so contemptible an enemy! So home and to
dinner, where Mr. Hollyard with us dined. So to the office, and there
late till 11 at night and more, and then home to supper and to bed.
13th. Up betimes and walked to my Lord Bellasses’s lodgings in
Lincolne’s Inne Fieldes, and there he received and discoursed with me in
the most respectfull manner that could be, telling me what a character
of my judgment, and care, and love to Tangier he had received of me,
that he desired my advice and my constant correspondence, which he much
valued, and in my courtship, in which, though I understand his designe
very well, and that it is only a piece of courtship, yet it is a comfort
to me that I am become so considerable as to have him need to say that
to me, which, if I did not do something in the world, would never have
been. Here well satisfied I to Sir Ph. Warwicke, and there did some
business with him; thence to Jervas’s and there spent a little idle
time with him, his wife, Jane, and a sweetheart of hers. So to the Hall
awhile and thence to the Exchange, where yesterday’s newes confirmed,
though in a little different manner; but a couple of ships in the
Straights we have lost, and the Dutch have been in Margaret [Margate]
Road. Thence home to dinner and so abroad and alone to the King’s house,
to a play, “The Traytor,” where, unfortunately, I met with Sir W. Pen,
so that I must be forced to confess it to my wife, which troubles me.
Thence walked home, being ill-satisfied with the present actings of the
House, and prefer the other House before this infinitely. To my Lady
Batten’s, where I find Pegg Pen, the first time that ever I saw her to
wear spots. Here very merry, Sir W. Batten being looked for to-night,
but is not yet come from Harwich. So home to supper and to bed.
14th. Up and to White Hall, where long waited in the Duke’s chamber for
a Committee intended for Tangier, but none met, and so I home and to the
office, where we met a little, and then to the ‘Change, where our late
ill newes confirmed in loss of two ships in the Straights, but are now
the Phoenix and Nonsuch! Home to dinner, thence with my wife to the
King’s house, there to see “Vulpone,” a most excellent play; the best I
think I ever saw, and well, acted. So with Sir W. Pen home in his coach,
and then to the office. So home, to supper, and bed, resolving by the
grace of God from this day to fall hard to my business again, after some
weeke or fortnight’s neglect.
15th (Lord’s day). Up, and after a little at my office to prepare a
fresh draught of my vowes for the next yeare, I to church, where a most
insipid young coxcomb preached. Then home to dinner, and after dinner to
read in “Rushworth’s Collections” about the charge against the late Duke
of Buckingham, in order to the fitting me to speak and understand the
discourse anon before the King about the suffering the Turkey merchants
to send out their fleete at this dangerous time, when we can neither
spare them ships to go, nor men, nor King’s ships to convoy them. At
four o’clock with Sir W. Pen in his coach to my Lord Chancellor’s, where
by and by Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen, Sir J. Lawson, Sir G. Ascue, and
myself were called in to the King, there being several of the Privy
Council, and my Lord Chancellor lying at length upon a couch (of the
goute I suppose); and there Sir W. Pen begun, and he had prepared heads
in a paper, and spoke pretty well to purpose, but with so much leisure
and gravity as was tiresome; besides, the things he said were but very
poor to a man in his trade after a great consideration, but it was to
purpose, indeed to dissuade the King from letting these Turkey ships to
go out: saying (in short) the King having resolved to have 130 ships out
by the spring, he must have above 20 of them merchantmen. Towards which,
he in the whole River could find but 12 or 14, and of them the five
ships taken up by these merchants were a part, and so could not be
spared. That we should need 30,000 [sailors] to man these 130 ships,
and of them in service we have not above 16,000; so we shall need 14,000
more. That these ships will with their convoys carry above 2,000 men,
and those the best men that could be got; it being the men used to the
Southward that are the best men for warr, though those bred in the North
among the colliers are good for labour. That it will not be safe for the
merchants, nor honourable for the King, to expose these rich ships
with his convoy of six ships to go, it not being enough to secure them
against the Dutch, who, without doubt, will have a great fleete in the
Straights. This, Sir J. Lawson enlarged upon. Sir G. Ascue he chiefly
spoke that the warr and trade could not be supported together, and,
therefore, that trade must stand still to give way to them. This Mr.
Coventry seconded, and showed how the medium of the men the King hath
one year with another employed in his Navy since his coming, hath not
been above 3,000 men, or at most 4,000 men; and now having occasion
of 30,000, the remaining 26,000 must be found out of the trade of the
nation. He showed how the cloaths, sending by these merchants to Turkey,
are already bought and paid for to the workmen, and are as many as they
would send these twelve months or more; so the poor do not suffer by
their not going, but only the merchant, upon whose hands they lit dead;
and so the inconvenience is the less. And yet for them he propounded,
either the King should, if his Treasure would suffer it, buy them, and
showed the losse would not be so great to him: or, dispense with the Act
of Navigation, and let them be carried out by strangers; and ending
that he doubted not but when the merchants saw there was no remedy, they
would and could find ways of sending them abroad to their profit. All
ended with a conviction (unless future discourse with the merchants
should alter it) that it was not fit for them to go out, though the
ships be loaded. The King in discourse did ask me two or three questions
about my newes of Allen’s loss in the Streights, but I said nothing as
to the business, nor am not much sorry for it, unless the King had spoke
to me as he did to them, and then I could have said something to the
purpose I think. So we withdrew, and the merchants were called in.
Staying without, my Lord Fitz Harding come thither, and fell to
discourse of Prince Rupert, and made nothing to say that his disease was
the pox and that he must be fluxed, telling the horrible degree of the
disease upon him with its breaking out on his head. But above all I
observed how he observed from the Prince, that courage is not what men
take it to be, a contempt of death; for, says he, how chagrined the
Prince was the other day when he thought he should die, having no more
mind to it than another man. But, says he, some men are more apt to
think they shall escape than another man in fight, while another is
doubtfull he shall be hit. But when the first man is sure he shall die,
as now the Prince is, he is as much troubled and apprehensive of it as
any man else; for, says he, since we told [him] that we believe he would
overcome his disease, he is as merry, and swears and laughs and curses,
and do all the things of a [man] in health, as ever he did in his life;
which, methought, was a most extraordinary saying before a great many
persons there of quality. So by and by with Sir W. Pen home again, and
after supper to the office to finish my vows, and so to bed.
16th. Up and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall, where we
did our business with the Duke. Thence I to Westminster Hall and walked
up and down. Among others Ned Pickering met me and tells me how active
my Lord is at sea, and that my Lord Hinchingbroke is now at Rome,
and, by all report, a very noble and hopefull gentleman. Thence to Mr.
Povy’s, and there met Creed, and dined well after his old manner of
plenty and curiosity. But I sat in pain to think whether he would begin
with me again after dinner with his enquiry after my bill, but he did
not, but fell into other discourse, at which I was glad, but was vexed
this morning meeting of Creed at some bye questions that he demanded of
me about some such thing, which made me fear he meant that very matter,
but I perceive he did not. Thence to visit my Lady Sandwich and so to
a Tangier Committee, where a great company of the new Commissioners,
Lords, that in behalfe of my Lord Bellasses are very loud and busy and
call for Povy’s accounts, but it was a most sorrowful thing to see
how he answered to questions so little to the purpose, but to his owne
wrong. All the while I sensible how I am concerned in my bill of L100
and somewhat more. So great a trouble is fear, though in a case that at
the worst will bear enquiry. My Lord Barkeley was very violent against
Povy. But my Lord Ashly, I observe, is a most clear man in matters of
accounts, and most ingeniously did discourse and explain all matters.
We broke up, leaving the thing to a Committee of which I am one. Povy,
Creed, and I staid discoursing, I much troubled in mind seemingly for
the business, but indeed only on my own behalf, though I have no great
reason for it, but so painfull a thing is fear. So after considering how
to order business, Povy and I walked together as far as the New Exchange
and so parted, and I by coach home. To the office a while, then to
supper and to bed. This afternoon Secretary Bennet read to the Duke of
Yorke his letters, which say that Allen
[Among the State Papers is a letter from Captain Thomas Allin to Sir
Richard Fanshaw, dated from “The Plymouth, Cadiz Bay,” December
25th, 1664, in which he writes: “On the 19th attacked with his seven
ships left, a Dutch fleet of fourteen, three of which were men-of-
war; sunk two vessels and took two others, one a rich prize from
Smyrna; the others retired much battered. Has also taken a Dutch
prize laden with iron and planks, coming from Lisbon (“Calendar,”
Domestic, 1664-65, p. 122).]
has met with the Dutch Smyrna fleet at Cales,--[The old form of the name
Cadiz.]--and sunk one and taken three. How true or what these ships are
time will show, but it is good newes and the newes of our ships being
lost is doubted at dales and Malaga. God send it false!
17th. Up and walked to Mr. Povy’s by appointment, where I found him and
Creed busy about fitting things for the Committee, and thence we to my
Lord Ashly’s, where to see how simply, beyond all patience, Povy did
again, by his many words and no understanding, confound himself and his
business, to his disgrace, and rendering every body doubtfull of his
being either a foole or knave, is very wonderfull. We broke up all
dissatisfied, and referred the business to a meeting of Mr. Sherwin
and others to settle, but here it was mighty strange methought to find
myself sit herein Committee with my hat on, while Mr. Sherwin stood bare
as a clerke, with his hat off to his Lord Ashlyand the rest, but I thank
God I think myself never a whit the better man for all that. Thence
with Creed to the ‘Change and Coffee-house, and so home, where a brave
dinner, by having a brace of pheasants and very merry about Povy’s
folly. So anon to the office, and there sitting very late, and then
after a little time at Sir W. Batten’s, where I am mighty great and
could if I thought it fit continue so, I to the office again, and there
very late, and so home to the sorting of some of my books, and so to
bed, the weather becoming pretty warm, and I think and hope the frost
will break.
18th. Up and by and by to my bookseller’s, and there did give thorough
direction for the new binding of a great many of my old books, to make
my whole study of the same binding, within very few. Thence to my Lady
Sandwich’s, who sent for me this morning. Dined with her, and it was to
get a letter of hers conveyed by a safe hand to my Lord’s owne hand at
Portsmouth, which I did undertake. Here my Lady did begin to talk of
what she had heard concerning Creed, of his being suspected to be a
fanatique and a false fellow. I told her I thought he was as shrewd and
cunning a man as any in England, and one that I would feare first should
outwit me in any thing. To which she readily concurred. Thence to Mr.
Povy’s by agreement, and there with Mr. Sherwin, Auditor Beale, and
Creed and I hard at it very late about Mr. Povy’s accounts, but such
accounts I never did see, or hope again to see in my days. At night,
late, they gone, I did get him to put out of this account our sums that
are in posse only yet, which he approved of when told, but would never
have stayed it if I had been gone. Thence at 9 at night home, and so to
supper vexed and my head akeing and to bed.
19th. Up, and it being yesterday and to-day a great thaw it is not for
a man to walk the streets, but took coach and to Mr. Povy’s, and there
meeting all of us again agreed upon an answer to the Lords by and by,
and thence we did come to Exeter House, and there was a witness of most
[base] language against Mr. Povy, from my Lord Peterborough, who is most
furiously angry with him, because the other, as a foole, would needs
say that the L26,000 was my Lord Peterborough’s account, and that he had
nothing to do with it. The Lords did find fault also with our answer,
but I think really my Lord Ashly would fain have the outside of
an Exchequer,--[This word is blotted, and the whole sentence is
confused.]--but when we come better to be examined. So home by coach,
with my Lord Barkeley, who, by his discourse, I find do look upon Mr.
Coventry as an enemy but yet professes great justice and pains. I at
home after dinner to the office, and there sat all the afternoon and
evening, and then home to supper and to bed. Memorandum. This day and
yesterday, I think it is the change of the weather, I have a great deal
of pain, but nothing like what I use to have. I can hardly keep myself
loose, but on the contrary am forced to drive away my pain. Here I am so
sleepy I cannot hold open my eyes, and therefore must be forced to break
off this day’s passages more shortly than I would and should have
done. This day was buried (but I could not be there) my cozen Percivall
Angier; and yesterday I received the newes that Dr. Tom Pepys is dead,
at Impington, for which I am but little sorry, not only because he would
have been troublesome to us, but a shame to his family and profession;
he was such a coxcomb.
20th. Up and to Westminster, where having spoke with Sir Ph. Warwicke,
I to Jervas, and there I find them all in great disorder about Jane, her
mistress telling me secretly that she was sworn not to reveal anything,
but she was undone. At last for all her oath she told me that she had
made herself sure to a fellow that comes to their house that can only
fiddle for his living, and did keep him company, and had plainly told
her that she was sure to him never to leave him for any body else. Now
they were this day contriving to get her presently to marry one Hayes
that was there, and I did seem to persuade her to it. And at last got
them to suffer me to advise privately, and by that means had her company
and think I shall meet her next Sunday, but I do really doubt she will
be undone in marrying this fellow. But I did give her my advice, and so
let her do her pleasure, so I have now and then her company. Thence to
the Swan at noon, and there sent for a bit of meat and dined, and had my
baiser of the fille of the house there, but nothing plus. So took coach
and to my Lady Sandwich’s, and so to my bookseller’s, and there took
home Hooke’s book of microscopy, a most excellent piece, and of which
I am very proud. So home, and by and by again abroad with my wife
about several businesses, and met at the New Exchange, and there to our
trouble found our pretty Doll is gone away to live they say with her
father in the country, but I doubt something worse. So homeward, in
my way buying a hare and taking it home, which arose upon my discourse
to-day with Mr. Batten, in Westminster Hall, who showed me my mistake
that my hare’s foote hath not the joynt to it; and assures me he never
had his cholique since he carried it about him: and it is a strange
thing how fancy works, for I no sooner almost handled his foote but my
belly began to be loose and to break wind, and whereas I was in some
pain yesterday and t’other day and in fear of more to-day, I became very
well, and so continue. At home to my office a while, and so to supper,
read, and to cards, and to bed.
21st. At the office all the morning. Thence my Lord Brunker carried me
as far as Mr. Povy’s, and there I ‘light and dined, meeting Mr. Sherwin,
Creed, &c., there upon his accounts. After dinner they parted and
Mr. Povy carried me to Somersett House, and there showed me the
Queene-Mother’s chamber and closett, most beautiful places for furniture
and pictures; and so down the great stone stairs to the garden, and
tried the brave echo upon the stairs; which continues a voice so long
as the singing three notes, concords, one after another, they all three
shall sound in consort together a good while most pleasantly. Thence
to a Tangier Committee at White Hall, where I saw nothing ordered by
judgment, but great heat and passion and faction now in behalf of my
Lord Bellasses, and to the reproach of my Lord Tiviott, and dislike as
it were of former proceedings. So away with Mr. Povy, he carrying me
homeward to Mark Lane in his coach, a simple fellow I now find him, to
his utter shame in his business of accounts, as none but a sorry foole
would have discovered himself; and yet, in little, light, sorry things
very cunning; yet, in the principal, the most ignorant man I ever met
with in so great trust as he is. To my office till past 12, and then
home to supper and to bed, being now mighty well, and truly I cannot but
impute it to my fresh hare’s foote. Before I went to bed I sat up
till two o’clock in my chamber reading of Mr. Hooke’s Microscopicall
Observations, the most ingenious book that ever I read in my life.
22nd (Lord’s day). Up, leaving my wife in bed, being sick of her months,
and to church. Thence home, and in my wife’s chamber dined very merry,
discoursing, among other things, of a design I have come in my head this
morning at church of making a match between Mrs. Betty Pickering and
Mr. Hill, my friend the merchant, that loves musique and comes to me
a’Sundays, a most ingenious and sweet-natured and highly accomplished
person. I know not how their fortunes may agree, but their disposition
and merits are much of a sort, and persons, though different, yet
equally, I think, acceptable. After dinner walked to Westminster, and
after being at the Abbey and heard a good anthem well sung there, I as
I had appointed to the Trumpett, there expecting when Jane Welsh should
come, but anon comes a maid of the house to tell me that her mistress
and master would not let her go forth, not knowing of my being here, but
to keep her from her sweetheart. So being defeated, away by coach home,
and there spent the evening prettily in discourse with my wife and
Mercer, and so to supper, prayers, and to bed.
23rd. Up, and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall; but there
finding the Duke gone to his lodgings at St. James’s for all together,
his Duchesse being ready to lie in, we to him, and there did our usual
business. And here I met the great newes confirmed by the Duke’s own
relation, by a letter from Captain Allen. First, of our own loss of two
ships, the Phoenix and Nonesuch, in the Bay of Gibraltar: then of his,
and his seven ships with him, in the Bay of Cales, or thereabouts,
fighting with the 34 Dutch Smyrna fleete; sinking the King Salamon,
a ship worth a L150,000 or more, some say L200,000, and another; and
taking of three merchant-ships. Two of our ships were disabled, by the
Dutch unfortunately falling against their will against them; the Advice,
Captain W. Poole, and Antelope, Captain Clerke: The Dutch men-of-war did
little service. Captain Allen did receive many shots at distance
before he would fire one gun, which he did not do till he come within
pistol-shot of his enemy. The Spaniards on shore at Cales did stand
laughing at the Dutch, to see them run away and flee to the shore, 34 or
thereabouts, against eight Englishmen at most. I do purpose to get the
whole relation, if I live, of Captain Allen himself. In our loss of the
two ships in the Bay of Gibraltar, it is observable how the world do
comment upon the misfortune of Captain Moone of the Nonesuch (who did
lose, in the same manner, the Satisfaction), as a person that hath
ill-luck attending him; without considering that the whole fleete was
ashore. Captain Allen led the way, and Captain Allen himself writes that
all the masters of the fleete, old and young, were mistaken, and did
carry their ships aground. But I think I heard the Duke say that Moone,
being put into the Oxford, had in this conflict regained his credit, by
sinking one and taking another. Captain Seale of the Milford hath done
his part very well, in boarding the King Salamon, which held out half an
hour after she was boarded; and his men kept her an hour after they did
master her, and then she sunk, and drowned about 17 of her men. Thence
to Jervas’s, my mind, God forgive me, running too much after some folly,
but ‘elle’ not being within I away by coach to the ‘Change, and thence
home to dinner. And finding Mrs. Bagwell waiting at the office after
dinner, away she and I to a cabaret where she and I have eat before,
and there I had her company ‘tout’ and had ‘mon plaisir’ of ‘elle’. But
strange to see how a woman, notwithstanding her greatest pretences of
love ‘a son mari’ and religion, may be ‘vaincue’. Thence to the Court of
the Turkey Company at Sir Andrew Rickard’s to treat about carrying some
men of ours to Tangier, and had there a very civil reception, though a
denial of the thing as not practicable with them, and I think so too.
So to my office a little and to Jervas’s again, thinking ‘avoir
rencontrais’ Jane, ‘mais elle n’etait pas dedans’. So I back again and
to my office, where I did with great content ‘ferais’ a vow to mind my
business, and ‘laisser aller les femmes’ for a month, and am with all
my heart glad to find myself able to come to so good a resolution, that
thereby I may follow my business, which and my honour thereby lies a
bleeding. So home to supper and to bed.
24th. Up and by coach to Westminster Hall and the Parliament House, and
there spoke with Mr. Coventry and others about business and so back to
the ‘Change, where no news more than that the Dutch have, by consent of
all the Provinces, voted no trade to be suffered for eighteen months,
but that they apply themselves wholly to the warr.
[This statement of a total prohibition of all trade, and for so long
a period as eighteen months, by a government so essentially
commercial as that of the United Provinces, seems extraordinary.
The fact was, that when in the beginning of the year 1665 the States
General saw that the war with England was become inevitable, they
took several vigorous measures, and determined to equip a formidable
fleet, and with a view to obtain a sufficient number of men to man
it, prohibited all navigation, especially in the great and small
fisheries as they were then called, and in the whale fishery. This
measure appears to have resembled the embargoes so commonly resorted
to in this country on similar occasions, rather than a total
prohibition of trade.--B.]
And they say it is very true, but very strange, for we use to believe
they cannot support themselves without trade. Thence home to dinner
and then to the office, where all the afternoon, and at night till
very late, and then home to supper and bed, having a great cold, got on
Sunday last, by sitting too long with my head bare, for Mercer to comb
my hair and wash my eares.
25th. Up, and busy all the morning, dined at home upon a hare pye, very
good meat, and so to my office again, and in the afternoon by coach to
attend the Council at White Hall, but come too late, so back with Mr.
Gifford, a merchant, and he and I to the Coffee-house, where I met Mr.
Hill, and there he tells me that he is to be Assistant to the Secretary
of the Prize Office (Sir Ellis Layton), which is to be held at Sir
Richard Ford’s, which, methinks, is but something low, but perhaps may
bring him something considerable; but it makes me alter my opinion of
his being so rich as to make a fortune for Mrs. Pickering. Thence home
and visited Sir J. Minnes, who continues ill, but is something better;
there he told me what a mad freaking fellow Sir Ellis Layton hath been,
and is, and once at Antwerp was really mad. Thence to my office late,
my cold troubling me, and having by squeezing myself in a coach hurt my
testicles, but I hope will cease its pain without swelling. So home out
of order, to supper and to bed.
26th. Lay, being in some pain, but not much, with my last night’s
bruise, but up and to my office, where busy all the morning, the like
after dinner till very late, then home to supper and to bed. My wife
mightily troubled with the tooth ake, and my cold not being gone yet,
but my bruise yesterday goes away again, and it chiefly occasioned I
think now from the sudden change of the weather from a frost to a great
rayne on a sudden.
27th. Called up by Mr. Creed to discourse about some Tangier business,
and he gone I made me ready and found Jane Welsh, Mr. Jervas his mayde,
come to tell me that she was gone from her master, and is resolved
to stick to this sweetheart of hers, one Harbing (a very sorry little
fellow, and poor), which I did in a word or two endeavour to dissuade
her from, but being unwilling to keep her long at my house, I sent her
away and by and by followed her to the Exchange, and thence led her
about down to the 3 Cranes, and there took boat for the Falcon, and at
a house looking into the fields there took up and sat an hour or two
talking and discoursing .... Thence having endeavoured to make her think
of making herself happy by staying out her time with her master and
other counsels, but she told me she could not do it, for it was her
fortune to have this man, though she did believe it would be to her
ruine, which is a strange, stupid thing, to a fellow of no kind of worth
in the world and a beggar to boot. Thence away to boat again and landed
her at the Three Cranes again, and I to the Bridge, and so home, and
after shifting myself, being dirty, I to the ‘Change, and thence to
Mr. Povy’s and there dined, and thence with him and Creed to my Lord
Bellasses’, and there debated a great while how to put things in order
against his going, and so with my Lord in his coach to White Hall, and
with him to my Lord Duke of Albemarle, finding him at cards. After a
few dull words or two, I away to White Hall again, and there delivered
a letter to the Duke of Yorke about our Navy business, and thence walked
up and down in the gallery, talking with Mr. Slingsby, who is a very
ingenious person, about the Mint and coynage of money. Among other
things, he argues that there being L700,000 coined in the Rump time, and
by all the Treasurers of that time, it being their opinion that the Rump
money was in all payments, one with another, about a tenth part of all
their money. Then, says he, to my question, the nearest guess we can
make is, that the money passing up and down in business is L7,000,000.
To another question of mine he made me fully understand that the old law
of prohibiting bullion to be exported, is, and ever was a folly and an
injury, rather than good. Arguing thus, that if the exportations exceed
importations, then the balance must be brought home in money, which,
when our merchants know cannot be carried out again, they will forbear
to bring home in money, but let it lie abroad for trade, or keepe in
foreign banks: or if our importations exceed our exportations, then,
to keepe credit, the merchants will and must find ways of carrying out
money by stealth, which is a most easy thing to do, and is every where
done; and therefore the law against it signifies nothing in the world.
Besides, that it is seen, that where money is free, there is great
plenty; where it is restrained, as here, there is a great want, as in
Spayne. These and many other fine discourses I had from him. Thence by
coach home (to see Sir J. Minnes first), who is still sick, and I doubt
worse than he seems to be. Mrs. Turner here took me into her closet, and
there did give me a glass of most pure water, and shewed me her Rocke,
which indeed is a very noble thing but a very bawble. So away to my
office, where late, busy, and then home to supper and to bed.
28th. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and then home to
dinner, and after dinner abroad, walked to Paul’s Churchyard, but my
books not bound, which vexed me. So home to my office again, where
very late about business, and so home to supper and to bed, my cold
continuing in a great degree upon me still. This day I received a good
sum of money due to me upon one score or another from Sir G. Carteret,
among others to clear all my matters about Colours,--[Flags]--wherein a
month or two since I was so embarrassed and I thank God I find myself to
have got clear, by that commodity, L50 and something more; and earned
it with dear pains and care and issuing of my owne money, and saved the
King near L100 in it.
29th (Lord’s day). Up and to my office, where all the morning, putting
papers to rights which now grow upon my hands. At noon dined at home.
All the afternoon at my business again. In the evening come Mr. Andrews
and Hill, and we up to my chamber and there good musique, though my
great cold made it the less pleasing to me. Then Mr. Hill (the other
going away) and I to supper alone, my wife not appearing, our
discourse upon the particular vain humours of Mr. Povy, which are very
extraordinary indeed. After supper I to Sir W. Batten’s, where I found
him, Sir W. Pen, Sir J. Robinson, Sir R. Ford and Captain Cocke and
Mr. Pen, junior. Here a great deal of sorry disordered talk about the
Trinity House men, their being exempted from land service. But, Lord! to
see how void of method and sense their discourse was, and in what heat,
insomuch as Sir R. Ford (who we judged, some of us, to be a little
foxed) fell into very high terms with Sir W. Batten, and then with
Captain Cocke. So that I see that no man is wise at all times. Thence
home to prayers and to bed.
30th. This is solemnly kept as a Fast all over the City, but I kept my
house, putting my closett to rights again, having lately put it out of
order in removing my books and things in order to being made clean. At
this all day, and at night to my office, there to do some business, and
being late at it, comes Mercer to me, to tell me that my wife was in
bed, and desired me to come home; for they hear, and have, night after
night, lately heard noises over their head upon the leads. Now it is
strange to think how, knowing that I have a great sum of money in my
house, this puts me into a most mighty affright, that for more than two
hours, I could not almost tell what to do or say, but feared this and
that, and remembered that this evening I saw a woman and two men stand
suspiciously in the entry, in the darke; I calling to them, they made me
only this answer, the woman said that the men came to see her; but who
she was I could not tell. The truth is, my house is mighty dangerous,
having so many ways to be come to; and at my windows, over the stairs,
to see who goes up and down; but, if I escape to-night, I will remedy
it. God preserve us this night safe! So at almost two o’clock, I home to
my house, and, in great fear, to bed, thinking every running of a mouse
really a thiefe; and so to sleep, very brokenly, all night long, and
found all safe in the morning.
31st. Up and with Sir W. Batten to Westminster, where to speak at the
House with my Lord Bellasses, and am cruelly vexed to see myself put
upon businesses so uncertainly about getting ships for Tangier being
ordered, a servile thing, almost every day. So to the ‘Change, back by
coach with Sir W. Batten, and thence to the Crowne, a taverne hard by,
with Sir W. Rider and Cutler, where we alone, a very good dinner. Thence
home to the office, and there all the afternoon late. The office being
up, my wife sent for me, and what was it but to tell me how Jane carries
herself, and I must put her away presently. But I did hear both sides
and find my wife much in fault, and the grounds of all the difference
is my wife’s fondness of Tom, to the being displeased with all the house
beside to defend the boy, which vexes me, but I will cure it. Many high
words between my wife and I, but the wench shall go, but I will take a
course with the boy, for I fear I have spoiled him already. Thence to
the office, to my accounts, and there at once to ease my mind I have
made myself debtor to Mr. Povy for the L117 5s. got with so much joy
the last month, but seeing that it is not like to be kept without some
trouble and question, I do even discharge my mind of it, and so if I
come now to refund it, as I fear I shall, I shall now be ne’er a whit
the poorer for it, though yet it is some trouble to me to be poorer by
such a sum than I thought myself a month since. But, however, a quiet
mind and to be sure of my owne is worth all. The Lord be praised for
what I have, which is this month come down to L1257. I staid up about my
accounts till almost two in the morning.