He and I did bemoan our public condition. He tells me the Duke of
Albemarle is under a cloud, and they have a mind at Court to lay him
aside. This I know not; but all things are not right with him, and I am
glad of it, but sorry for the time. So home to supper, and to bed, it
being my wedding night,
[See Life, vol. i., p. xxi., where the register of St. Margaret’s
parish, Westminster, is quoted to the effect that Pepys was married
December 1st, 1655. It seems incomprehensible that both husband and
wife should have been wrong as to the date of their wedding day, but
Mrs. Pepys was unquestionably wrong as to the number of years, for
they had been married nearly eleven.]
but how many years I cannot tell; but my wife says ten.
11th. Up, and discoursed with my father of my sending some money for
safety into the country, for I am in pain what to do with what I have. I
did give him money, poor man, and he overjoyed. So left him, and to the
office, where nothing but sad evidences of ruine coming on us for want
of money. So home to dinner, which was a very good dinner, my father,
brother, wife and I, and then to the office again, where I was all the
afternoon till very late, busy, and then home to supper and to bed.
Memorandum. I had taken my Journall during the fire and the
disorders following in loose papers until this very day, and could
not get time to enter them in my book till January 18, in the
morning, having made my eyes sore by frequent attempts this winter
to do it. But now it is done, for which I thank God, and pray never
the like occasion may happen.
12th. Up, and after taking leave of my poor father, who is setting out
this day for Brampton by the Cambridge coach, he having taken a journey
to see the city burned, and to bring my brother to towne, I out by
water; and so coach to St. James’s, the weather being foul; and there,
from Sir W. Coventry, do hear how the House have cut us off L150,000 of
our wear and tear, for that which was saved by the King while the fleete
lay in harbour in winter. However, he seems pleased, and so am I, that
they have abated no more, and do intend to allow of 28,000 men for the
next year; and this day have appointed to declare the sum they will give
the King,
[The parliament voted this day a supply of L1,800,000 sterling.
See below.]
and to propose the way of raising it; so that this is likely to be the
great day. This done in his chamber, I with him to Westminster Hall, and
there took a few turns, the Hall mighty full of people, and the House
likely to be very full to-day about the money business. Here I met with
several people, and do find that people have a mighty mind to have a
fling at the Vice-Chamberlain, if they could lay hold of anything,
his place being, indeed, too much for such, they think, or any single
subject of no greater parts and quality than he, to enjoy. But I hope he
may weather all, though it will not be by any dexterity of his, I dare
say, if he do stand, but by his fate only, and people’s being taken off
by other things. Thence home by coach, mighty dirty weather, and then to
the Treasurer’s office and got a ticket paid for my little Michell, and
so again by coach to Westminster, and come presently after the House
rose. So to the Swan, and there sent for a piece of meat and dined alone
and played with Sarah, and so to the Hall a while, and thence to Mrs.
Martin’s lodging and did what I would with her. She is very big,
and resolves I must be godfather. Thence away by water with Cropp to
Deptford. It was almost night before I got thither. So I did only
give directions concerning a press that I have making there to hold my
turning and joyner’s tooles that were lately given me, which will be
very handsome, and so away back again, it being now dark, and so home,
and there find my wife come home, and hath brought her new girle I have
helped her to, of Mr. Falconbridge’s. She is wretched poor; and but
ordinary favoured; and we fain to lay out seven or eight pounds worth of
clothes upon her back, which, methinks, do go against my heart; and I
do not think I can ever esteem her as I could have done another that had
come fine and handsome; and which is more, her voice, for want of use,
is so furred, that it do not at present please me; but her manner of
singing is such, that I shall, I think, take great pleasure in it. Well,
she is come, and I wish us good fortune in her. Here I met with notice
of a meeting of the Commissioners for Tangier tomorrow, and so I must
have my accounts ready for them, which caused me to confine myself to
my chamber presently and set to the making up my accounts, which I find
very clear, but with much difficulty by reason of my not doing them
sooner, things being out of my mind.
13th. It cost me till four o’clock in the morning, and, which was pretty
to think, I was above an hour, after I had made all right, in casting
up of about twenty sums, being dozed with much work, and had for forty
times together forgot to carry the 60 which I had in my mind, in one
denomination which exceeded 60; and this did confound me for above an
hour together. At last all even and done, and so to bed. Up at seven,
and so to the office, after looking over my last night’s work. We sat
all the morning. At noon by coach with my Lord Bruncker and ‘light at
the Temple, and so alone I to dinner at a cooke’s, and thence to my
Lord Bellasses, whom I find kind; but he had drawn some new proposal
to deliver to the Lords Commissioners to-day, wherein one was, that the
garrison would not be well paid without some goldsmith’s undertaking
the paying of the bills of exchange for Tallys. He professing so
much kindness to me, and saying that he would not be concerned in the
garrison without me; and that if he continued in the employment, no man
should have to do with the money but myself. I did ask his Lordship’s
meaning of the proposition in his paper. He told me he had not much
considered it, but that he meant no harm to me. I told him I thought it
would render me useless; whereupon he did very frankly, after my seeming
denials for a good while, cause it to be writ over again, and that
clause left out, which did satisfy me abundantly. It being done, he and
I together to White Hall, and there the Duke of York (who is gone over
to all his pleasures again, and leaves off care of business, what with
his woman, my Lady Denham, and his hunting three times a week) was just
come in from hunting. So I stood and saw him dress himself, and try on
his vest, which is the King’s new fashion, and will be in it for good
and all on Monday next, and the whole Court: it is a fashion, the King
says; he will never change. He being ready, he and my Lord Chancellor,
and Duke of Albemarle, and Prince Rupert, Lord Bellasses, Sir H.
Cholmly, Povy, and myself, met at a Committee for Tangier. My Lord
Bellasses’s propositions were read and discoursed of, about reducing
the garrison to less charge; and indeed I am mad in love with my Lord
Chancellor, for he do comprehend and speak out well, and with the
greatest easinesse and authority that ever I saw man in my life. I
did never observe how much easier a man do speak when he knows all
the company to be below him, than in him; for though he spoke, indeed,
excellent welt, yet his manner and freedom of doing it, as if he played
with it, and was informing only all the rest of the company, was mighty
pretty. He did call again and again upon Mr. Povy for his accounts. I
did think fit to make the solemn tender of my accounts that I intended.
I said something that was liked, touching the want of money, and the bad
credit of our tallys. My Lord Chancellor moved, that without any trouble
to any of the rest of the Lords, I might alone attend the King, when he
was with his private Council; and open the state of the garrison’s want
of credit; and all that could be done, should. Most things moved were
referred to Committees, and so we broke up. And at the end Sir W.
Coventry come; so I away with him, and he discoursed with me something
of the Parliament’s business. They have voted giving the [King] for next
year L1,800,000; which, were it not for his debts, were a great sum.
He says, he thinks the House may say no more to us for the present, but
that we must mend our manners against the next tryall, and mend them
we will. But he thinks it not a fit time to be found making of trouble
among ourselves, meaning about Sir J. Minnes, who most certainly must be
removed, or made a Commissioner, and somebody else Comptroller. But he
tells me that the House has a great envy at Sir G. Carteret, and that
had he ever thought fit in all his discourse to have touched upon the
point of our want of money and badness of payment, it would have been
laid hold on to Sir G. Carteret’s hurt; but he hath avoided it, though
without much reason for it, most studiously, and in short did end thus,
that he has never shewn so much of the pigeon in all his life as in his
innocence to Sir G. Carteret at this time; which I believe, and will
desire Sir G. Carteret to thank him for it. So we broke up and I by
coach home, calling for a new pair of shoes, and so, little being to do
at the office, did go home, and after spending a little in righting some
of my books, which stood out of order, I to bed.
14th (Lord’s day). Lay long in bed, among other things, talking of my
wife’s renewing her acquaintance with Mrs. Pierce, which, by my wife’s
ill using her when she was here last, hath been interrupted. Herein we
were a little angry together, but presently friends again; and so up,
and I to church, which was mighty full, and my beauties, Mrs. Lethulier
and fair Batelier, both there. A very foul morning, and rained; and sent
for my cloake to go out of the church with. So dined, and after dinner
(a good discourse thereat to my brother) he and I by water to White
Hall, and he to Westminster Abbey. Here I met with Sir Stephen Fox, who
told me how much right I had done myself, and how well it is represented
by the Committee to the House, my readinesse to give them satisfaction
in everything when they were at the office. I was glad of this. He
did further discourse of Sir W. Coventry’s, great abilities, and how
necessary it were that I were of the House to assist him. I did not owne
it, but do myself think it were not unnecessary if either he should die,
or be removed to the Lords, or any thing to hinder his doing the like
service the next trial, which makes me think that it were not a thing
very unfit; but I will not move in it. He and I parted, I to Mrs.
Martin’s, thinking to have met Mrs. Burrows, but she was not there, so
away and took my brother out of the Abbey and home, and there to set
some accounts right, and to the office to even my Journall, and so home
to supper and to bed.
15th. Called up, though a very rainy morning, by Sir H. Cholmley, and he
and I most of the morning together evening of accounts, which I was very
glad of. Then he and I out to Sir Robt. Viner’s, at the African house
(where I had not been since he come thither); but he was not there; but
I did some business with his people, and then to Colvill’s, who, I find,
lives now in Lyme Streete, and with the same credit as ever, this fire
having not done them any wrong that I hear of at all. Thence he and I
together to Westminster Hall, in our way talking of matters and passages
of state, the viciousness of the Court; the contempt the King brings
himself into thereby; his minding nothing, but doing all things just as
his people about him will have it; the Duke of York becoming a slave to
this whore Denham, and wholly minds her; that there really was amours
between the Duchesse and Sidney; a that there is reason to fear that, as
soon as the Parliament have raised this money, the King will see that
he hath got all that he can get, and then make up a peace. He tells me,
what I wonder at, but that I find it confirmed by Mr. Pierce, whom I met
by-and-by in the Hall, that Sir W. Coventry is of the caball with the
Duke of York, and Bruncker, with this Denham; which is a shame, and I
am sorry for it, and that Sir W. Coventry do make her visits; but yet I
hope it is not so. Pierce tells me, that as little agreement as there is
between the Prince--[Rupert]--and Duke of Albemarle, yet they are likely
to go to sea again; for the first will not be trusted alone, and nobody
will go with him but this Duke of Albemarle. He tells me much how all
the commanders of the fleete and officers that are sober men do cry
out upon their bad discipline, and the ruine that must follow it if it
continue. But that which I wonder most at, it seems their secretaries
have been the most exorbitant in their fees to all sorts of the people,
that it is not to be believed that they durst do it, so as it is
believed they have got L800 apiece by the very vacancies in the fleete.
He tells me that Lady Castlemayne is concluded to be with child again;
and that all the people about the King do make no scruple of saying
that the King do lie with Mrs. Stewart, who, he says, is a most
excellent-natured lady. This day the King begins to put on his vest, and
I did see several persons of the House of Lords and Commons too, great
courtiers, who are in it; being a long cassocke close to the body, of
black cloth, and pinked with white silke under it, and a coat over it,
and the legs ruffled with black riband like a pigeon’s leg; and, upon
the whole, I wish the King may keep it, for it is a very fine and
handsome garment.
[Evelyn describes the new fashion as “a comely dress after ye
Persian mode” (see “Diary,” October 18th, 1666). He adds that he
had described the “comelinesse and usefulnesse” of the Persian
clothing in his pamphlet entitled “Tyrannus, or the Mode.” “I do
not impute to this discourse the change which soone happen’d, but
it was an identity I could not but take notice of.” Rugge, in his
“Diurnal,” thus describes the new Court costume “1666, Oct. 11. In
this month His Majestie and whole Court changed the fashion of their
clothes-viz. a close coat of cloth, pinkt with a white taffety under
the cutts. This in length reached the calf of the leg, and upon
that a sercoat cutt at the breast, which hung loose and shorter than
the vest six inches. The breeches the Spanish cut, and buskins some
of cloth, some of leather, but of the same colour as the vest or
garment; of never the like fashion since William the Conqueror.” It
is represented in a portrait of Lord Arlington, by Sir P. Lely,
formerly belonging to Lord de Clifford, and engraved in Lodge’s
“Portraits.” Louis XIV. ordered his servants to wear the dress.
See November 22.]
Walking with Pierce in the Court of Wards out comes Sir W. Coventry, and
he and I talked of business. Among others I proposed the making Sir J.
Minnes a Commissioner, and make somebody else Comptroller. He tells me
it is the thing he hath been thinking of, and hath spoke to the Duke of
York of it. He believes it will be done; but that which I fear is that
Pen will be Comptroller, which I shall grudge a little. The Duke of
Buckingham called him aside and spoke a good while with him. I did
presently fear it might be to discourse something of his design to
blemish my Lord of Sandwich, in pursuance of the wild motion he made the
other day in the House. Sir W. Coventry, when he come to me again, told
me that he had wrought a miracle, which was, the convincing the Duke of
Buckingham that something--he did not name what--that he had intended
to do was not fit to be done, and that the Duke is gone away of that
opinion. This makes me verily believe it was something like what I
feared. By and by the House rose, and then we parted, and I with Sir G.
Carteret, and walked in the Exchequer Court, discoursing of businesses.
Among others, I observing to him how friendly Sir W. Coventry had
carried himself to him in these late inquiries, when, if he had borne
him any spleen, he could have had what occasion he pleased offered him,
he did confess he found the same thing, and would thanke him for it. I
did give him some other advices, and so away with him to his lodgings at
White Hall to dinner, where my Lady Carteret is, and mighty kind,
both of them, to me. Their son and my Lady Jemimah will be here very
speedily. She tells me the ladies are to go into a new fashion shortly,
and that is, to wear short coats, above their ancles; which she and I do
not like, but conclude this long trayne to be mighty graceful. But she
cries out of the vices of the Court, and how they are going to set up
plays already; and how, the next day after the late great fast, the
Duchesse of York did give the King and Queene a play. Nay, she told me
that they have heretofore had plays at Court the very nights before
the fast for the death of the late King: She do much cry out upon these
things, and that which she believes will undo the whole nation; and I
fear so too. After dinner away home, Mr. Brisband along with me as
far as the Temple, and there looked upon a new booke, set out by one
Rycault, secretary to my Lord Winchelsea, of the policy and customs of
the Turks, which is, it seems, much cried up. But I could not stay,
but home, where I find Balty come back, and with him some muster-books,
which I am glad of, and hope he will do me credit in his employment.
By and by took coach again and carried him home, and my wife to her
tailor’s, while I to White Hall to have found out Povy, but miss him and
so call in my wife and home again, where at Sir W. Batten’s I met Sir
W. Pen, lately come from the fleete at the Nore; and here were many good
fellows, among others Sir R. Holmes, who is exceeding kind to me, more
than usual, which makes me afeard of him, though I do much wish his
friendship. Thereupon, after a little stay, I withdrew, and to the
office and awhile, and then home to supper and to my chamber to settle
a few papers, and then to bed. This day the great debate was in
Parliament, the manner of raising the L1,800,000 they voted [the
King] on Friday; and at last, after many proposals, one moved that the
Chimney-money might be taken from the King, and an equal revenue of
something else might be found for the King, and people be enjoyned to
buy off this tax of Chimney-money for ever at eight years’ purchase,
which will raise present money, as they think, L1,600,000, and the State
be eased of an ill burthen and the King be supplied of something as food
or better for his use. The House seems to like this, and put off the
debate to to-morrow.
16th. Up, and to the office, where sat to do little business but hear
clamours for money. At noon home to dinner, and to the office again,
after hearing my brother play a little upon the Lyra viall, which he do
so as to show that he hath a love to musique and a spirit for it, which
I am well pleased with. All the afternoon at the office, and at night
with Sir W. Batten, Sir W. Pen, [and Sir] J. Minnes, at [Sir] W. Pen’s
lodgings, advising about business and orders fit presently to make about
discharging of ships come into the river, and which to pay first, and
many things in order thereto. But it vexed me that, it being now past
seven o’clock, and the businesses of great weight, and I had done them
by eight o’clock, and sending them to be signed, they were all gone to
bed, and Sir W. Pen, though awake, would not, being in bed, have them
brought to him to sign; this made me quite angry. Late at work at the
office, and then home to supper and to bed. Not come to any resolution
at the Parliament to-day about the manner of raising this L1,800,000.
17th. Up, and busy about public and private business all the morning at
the office. At noon home to dinner, alone with my brother, with whom I
had now the first private talke I have had, and find he hath
preached but twice in his life. I did give him some advice to study
pronunciation; but I do fear he will never make a good speaker, nor, I
fear, any general good scholar, for I do not see that he minds optickes
or mathematiques of any sort, nor anything else that I can find. I know
not what he may be at divinity and ordinary school-learning. However, he
seems sober, and that pleases me. After dinner took him and my wife and
Barker (for so is our new woman called, and is yet but a sorry girle),
and set them down at Unthanke’s, and so to White Hall, and there find
some of my brethren with the Duke of York, but so few I put off the
meeting. So staid and heard the Duke discourse, which he did mighty
scurrilously, of the French, and with reason, that they should give
Beaufort orders when he was to bring, and did bring, his fleete hither,
that his rendezvous for his fleete, and for all sluggs to come to,
should be between Calais and Dover; which did prove the taking of La
Roche[lle], who, among other sluggs behind, did, by their instructions,
make for that place, to rendezvous with the fleete; and Beaufort, seeing
them as he was returning, took them for the English fleete, and wrote
word to the King of France that he had passed by the English fleete, and
the English fleete durst not meddle with him. The Court is all full of
vests, only my Lord St. Albans not pinked but plain black; and they
say the King says the pinking upon white makes them look too much like
magpyes, and therefore hath bespoke one of plain velvet. Thence to
St. James’s by coach, and spoke, at four o’clock or five, with Sir W.
Coventry, newly come from the House, where they have sat all this day
and not come to an end of the debate how the money shall be raised.
He tells me that what I proposed to him the other day was what he had
himself thought on and determined, and that he believes it will speedily
be done--the making Sir J. Minnes a Commissioner, and bringing somebody
else to be Comptroller, and that (which do not please me, I confess, for
my own particulars, so well as Sir J. Minnes) will, I fear, be Sir W.
Pen, for he is the only fit man for it. Away from him and took up my
wife, and left her at Temple Bar to buy some lace for a petticoat, and I
took coach and away to Sir R. Viner’s about a little business, and then
home, and by and by to my chamber, and there late upon making up an
account for the Board to pass to-morrow, if I can get them, for the
clearing all my imprest bills, which if I can do, will be to my very
good satisfaction. Having done this, then to supper and to bed.
18th. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning. The waters so
high in the roads, by the late rains, that our letters come not in till
to-day, and now I understand that my father is got well home, but had a
painful journey of it. At noon with Lord Bruncker to St. Ellen’s, where
the master of the late Pope’s Head Taverne is now set up again, and
there dined at Sir W. Warren’s cost, a very good dinner. Here my
Lord Bruncker proffered to carry me and my wife into a play at Court
to-night, and to lend me his coach home, which tempted me much; but
I shall not do it. Thence rose from table before dinner ended, and
homewards met my wife, and so away by coach towards Lovett’s (in the way
wondering at what a good pretty wench our Barker makes, being now put
into good clothes, and fashionable, at my charge; but it becomes her,
so that I do not now think much of it, and is an example of the power
of good clothes and dress), where I stood godfather. But it was pretty,
that, being a Protestant, a man stood by and was my Proxy to answer for
me. A priest christened it, and the boy’s name is Samuel. The ceremonies
many, and some foolish. The priest in a gentleman’s dress, more than my
owne; but is a Capuchin, one of the Queene-mother’s priests. He did give
my proxy and the woman proxy (my Lady Bills, absent, had a proxy also)
good advice to bring up the child, and, at the end, that he ought never
to marry the child nor the godmother, nor the godmother the child or the
godfather: but, which is strange, they say that the mother of the
child and the godfather may marry. By and by the Lady Bills come in, a
well-bred but crooked woman. The poor people of the house had good wine,
and a good cake; and she a pretty woman in her lying-in dress. It cost
me near 40s. the whole christening: to midwife 20s., nurse 10s., mayde
2s. 6d., and the coach 5s. I was very well satisfied with what I have
done, and so home and to the office, and thence to Sir W. Batten’s, and
there hear how the business of buying off the Chimney-money is passed in
the House; and so the King to be satisfied some other way, and the King
supplied with the money raised by this purchasing off of the chimnies.
So home, mightily pleased in mind that I have got my bills of imprest
cleared by bills signed this day, to my good satisfaction. To supper,
and to bed.
19th. Up, and by coach to my Lord Ashly’s, and thence (he being gone
out), to the Exchequer chamber, and there find him and my Lord Bellasses
about my Lord Bellasses’ accounts, which was the business I went upon.
This was soon ended, and then I with Creed back home to my house, and
there he and I did even accounts for salary, and by that time dinner was
ready, and merry at dinner, and then abroad to Povy’s, who continues as
much confounded in all his business as ever he was; and would have
had me paid money, as like a fool as himself, which I troubled him in
refusing; but I did persist in it. After a little more discourse, I left
them, and to White Hall, where I met with Sir Robert Viner, who told
me a little of what, in going home, I had seen; also a little of the
disorder and mutiny among the seamen at the Treasurer’s office, which
did trouble me then and all day since, considering how many more seamen
will come to towne every day, and no money for them. A Parliament
sitting, and the Exchange close by, and an enemy to hear of, and laugh
at it.
[The King of Denmark was induced to conclude a treaty with the
United Provinces, a secret article of which bound him to declare war
against England. The order in council for the printing and
publishing a declaration of war against Denmark is dated “Whitehall,
Sept. 19, 1666;” annexed is “A True Declaration of all
transactions between his Majesty of Great Britain and the King of
Denmark, with a declaration of war against the said king, and the
motives that obliged his Majesty thereunto” (“Calendar of State
Papers,” 1666-67, p. 140).]
Viner too, and Backewell, were sent for this afternoon; and was before
the King and his Cabinet about money; they declaring they would advance
no more, it being discoursed of in the House of Parliament for the King
to issue out his privy-seals to them to command them to trust him, which
gives them reason to decline trusting. But more money they are persuaded
to lend, but so little that (with horrour I speake it), coming after the
Council was up, with Sir G. Carteret, Sir W. Coventry, Lord Bruncker,
and myself, I did lay the state of our condition before the Duke of
York, that the fleete could not go out without several things it wanted,
and we could not have without money, particularly rum and bread, which
we have promised the man Swan to helpe him to L200 of his debt, and
a few other small sums of L200 a piece to some others, and that I do
foresee the Duke of York would call us to an account why the fleete is
not abroad, and we cannot answer otherwise than our want of money; and
that indeed we do not do the King any service now, but do rather abuse
and betray his service by being there, and seeming to do something,
while we do not. Sir G. Carteret asked me (just in these words, for
in this and all the rest I set down the very words for memory sake, if
there should be occasion) whether L50 or L60 would do us any good; and
when I told him the very rum man must have L200, he held up his eyes as
if we had asked a million. Sir W. Coventry told the Duke of York plainly
he did rather desire to have his commission called in than serve in so
ill a place, where he cannot do the King service, and I did concur
in saying the same. This was all very plain, and the Duke of York did
confess that he did not see how we could do anything without a present
supply of L20,000, and that he would speak to the King next Council day,
and I promised to wait on him to put him in mind of it. This I set down
for my future justification, if need be, and so we broke up, and all
parted, Sir W. Coventry being not very well, but I believe made much
worse by this night’s sad discourse. So I home by coach, considering
what the consequence of all this must be in a little time. Nothing but
distraction and confusion; which makes me wish with all my heart that I
were well and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton,
where I might live peaceably, and study, and pray for the good of the
King and my country. Home, and to Sir W. Batten’s, where I saw my Lady,
who is now come down stairs after a great sickness. Sir W. Batten was
at the pay to-day, and tells me how rude the men were, but did go away
quietly, being promised pay on Wednesday next. God send us money for
it! So to the office, and then to supper and to bed. Among other things
proposed in the House to-day, to give the King in lieu of chimneys,
there was the bringing up of sealed paper, such as Sir J. Minnes shewed
me to-night, at Sir W. Batten’s, is used in Spayne, and brings the King
a great revenue; but it shows what shifts we are put to too much.
20th. Up, and all the morning at the office, where none met but myself.
So I walked a good while with Mr. Gawden in the garden, who is lately
come from the fleete at the buoy of the Nore, and he do tell me how all
the sober commanders, and even Sir Thomas Allen himself, do complain of
the ill government of the fleete. How Holmes and Jennings have commanded
all the fleete this yeare, that nothing is done upon deliberation, but
if a sober man give his opinion otherwise than the Prince would have it
the Prince would cry, “Damn him, do you follow your orders, and that
is enough for you.” He tells me he hears of nothing but of swearing and
drinking and whoring, and all manner of profaneness, quite through the
whole fleete. He being gone, there comes to me Commissioner Middleton,
whom I took on purpose to walk in the garden with me, and to learn what
he observed when the fleete was at Portsmouth. He says that the fleete
was in such a condition, as to discipline, as if the Devil had commanded
it; so much wickedness of all sorts. Enquiring how it come to pass that
so many ships miscarried this year, he tells me that he enquired; and
the pilots do say, that they dare not do nor go but as the Captains will
have them; and if they offer to do otherwise, the Captains swear they
will run them through. He says that he heard Captain Digby (my Lord of
Bristoll’s son, a young fellow that never was but one year, if that, in
the fleete) say that he did hope he should not see a tarpaulin have the
command of a ship within this twelve months. He observed while he was on
board the Admirall, when the fleete was at Portsmouth, that there was a
faction there. Holmes commanded all on the Prince’s side, and Sir Jeremy
Smith on the Duke’s, and every body that come did apply themselves to
one side or other; and when the Duke of Albemarle was gone away to
come hither, then Sir Jeremy Smith did hang his head, and walked in the
Generall’s ship but like a private commander. He says he was on board
The Prince, when the newes come of the burning of London; and all the
Prince said was, that now Shipton’s prophecy was out; and he heard a
young commander presently swear, that now a citizen’s wife that would
not take under half a piece before, would be occupied for half-a-crowne:
and made mighty sport of it. He says that Hubberd that commanded this
year the Admiral’s ship is a proud conceited fellow (though I thought
otherwise of him), and fit to command a single ship but not a fleete,
and he do wonder that there hath not been more mischief this year than
there hath. He says the fleete come to anchor between the Horse and
the Island, so that when they came to weigh many of the ships could not
turn, but run foul of the Horse, and there stuck, but that the weather
was good. He says that nothing can do the King more disservice, nor
please the standing officers of the ship better than these silly
commanders that now we have, for they sign to anything that their
officers desire of them, nor have judgment to contradict them if they
would. He told me other good things, which made me bless God that we
have received no greater disasters this year than we have, though they
have been the greatest that ever was known in England before, put
all their losses of the King’s ships by want of skill and seamanship
together from the beginning. He being gone, comes Sir G. Carteret, and
he and I walked together awhile, discoursing upon the sad condition of
the times, what need we have, and how impossible it is to get money. He
told me my Lord Chancellor the other day did ask him how it come to pass
that his friend Pepys do so much magnify all things to worst, as I did
on Sunday last, in the bad condition of the fleete. Sir G. Carteret
tells me that he answered him, that I was but the mouth of the rest, and
spoke what they have dictated to me; which did, as he says, presently
take off his displeasure. So that I am well at present with him, but I
must have a care not to be over busy in the office again, and burn my
fingers. He tells me he wishes he had sold his place at some good rate
to somebody or other at the beginning of the warr, and that he would do
it now, but no body will deale with him for it. He tells me the Duke
of Albemarle is very much discontented, and the Duke of York do not, it
seems, please him. He tells me that our case as to money is not to
be made good at present, and therefore wishes a good and speedy peace
before it be too late, and from his discourse methinks I find that there
is something moving towards it. Many people at the office, but having no
more of the office I did put it off till the next meeting. Thence, with
Sir G. Carteret, home to dinner, with him, my Lady and Mr. Ashburnham,
the Cofferer. Here they talk that the Queene hath a great mind to alter
her fashion, and to have the feet seen, which she loves mightily; and
they do believe that it [will] come into it in a little time. Here I
met with the King’s declaration about his proceedings with the King of
Denmarke, and particularly the business of Bergen; but it is so well
writ, that, if it be true, the King of Denmarke is one of the most
absolute wickednesse in the world for a person of his quality. After
dinner home, and there met Mr. Povy by appointment, and there he and I
all the afternoon, till late at night, evening of all accounts between
us, which we did to both our satisfaction; but that which troubles me
most is, that I am to refund to the ignoble Lord Peterborough what he
had given us six months ago, because we did not supply him with money;
but it is no great matter. He gone I to the office, and there did some
business; and so home, my mind in good ease by having done with Povy
in order to the adjusting of all my accounts in a few days. So home to
supper and to bed.
21st (Lord’s day). Up, and with my wife to church, and her new woman
Barker with her the first time. The girle will, I think, do very well.
Here a lazy sermon, and so home to dinner, and took in my Lady Pen and
Peg (Sir William being below with the fleete), and mighty merry we were,
and then after dinner presently (it being a mighty cool day) I by coach
to White Hall, and there attended the Cabinet, and was called in before
the King and them to give an account of our want of money for Tangier,
which troubles me that it should be my place so often and so soon after
one another to come to speak there of their wants--the thing of the
world that they love least to hear of, and that which is no welcome
thing to be the solicitor for--and to see how like an image the King
sat and could not speak one word when I had delivered myself was very
strange; only my Lord Chancellor did ask me, whether I thought it was in
nature at this time to help us to anything. So I was referred to another
meeting of the Lords Commissioners for Tangier and my Lord Treasurer,
and so went away, and by coach home, where I spent the evening in
reading Stillingfleet’s defence of the Archbishopp, the part about
Purgatory, a point I had never considered before, what was said for it
or against it, and though I do believe we are in the right, yet I do
not see any great matter in this book. So to supper; and my people being
gone, most of them, to bed, my boy and Jane and I did get two of my
iron chests out of the cellar into my closett, and the money to my great
satisfaction to see it there again, and the rather because the damp
cellar spoils all my chests. This being done, and I weary, to bed. This
afternoon walking with Sir H. Cholmly long in the gallery, he told
me, among many other things, how Harry Killigrew is banished the Court
lately, for saying that my Lady Castlemayne was a little lecherous girle
when she was young.... This she complained to the King of, and he sent
to the Duke of York, whose servant he is, to turn him away. The Duke
of York hath done it, but takes it ill of my Lady that he was not
complained to first. She attended him to excute it, but ill blood is
made by it. He told me how Mr. Williamson stood in a little place to
have come into the House of Commons, and they would not choose him;
they said, “No courtier.” And which is worse, Bab May went down in great
state to Winchelsea with the Duke of York’s letters, not doubting to be
chosen; and there the people chose a private gentleman in spite of him,
and cried out they would have no Court pimp to be their burgesse; which
are things that bode very ill. This afternoon I went to see and sat a
good while with Mrs. Martin, and there was her sister Doll, with whom,
contrary to all expectation, I did what I would, and might have done
anything else.
22nd. Up, and by coach to Westminster Hall, there thinking to have met
Betty Michell, who I heard yesterday staid all night at her father’s,
but she was gone. So I staid a little and then down to the bridge by
water, and there overtook her and her father. So saluted her and walked
over London Bridge with them and there parted, the weather being very
foul, and so to the Tower by water, and so heme, where I find Mr. Caesar
playing the treble to my boy upon the Theorbo, the first time I heard
him, which pleases me mightily. After dinner I carried him and my wife
towards Westminster, by coach, myself ‘lighting at the Temple, and
there, being a little too soon, walked in the Temple Church, looking
with pleasure on the monuments and epitaphs, and then to my Lord
Belasses, where Creed and Povy by appointment met to discourse of some
of their Tangier accounts between my Lord and Vernatty, who will prove a
very knave. That being done I away with Povy to White Hall, and thence
I to Unthanke’s, and there take up my wife, and so home, it being very
foule and darke. Being there come, I to the settling of some of my money
matters in my chests, and evening some accounts, which I was at late, to
my extraordinary content, and especially to see all things hit so
even and right and with an apparent profit and advantage since my last
accounting, but how much I cannot particularly yet come to adjudge.
23rd. Up, and to the office all the morning. At noon Sir W. Batten
told me Sir Richard Ford would accept of one-third of my profit of our
private man-of-war, and bear one-third of the charge, and be bound in
the Admiralty, so I shall be excused being bound, which I like mightily
of, and did draw up a writing, as well as I could, to that purpose and
signed and sealed it, and so he and Sir R. Ford are to go to enter into
bond this afternoon. Home to dinner, and after dinner, it being late,
I down by water to Shadwell, to see Betty Michell, the first time I was
ever at their new dwelling since the fire, and there find her in the
house all alone. I find her mighty modest. But had her lips as much as
I would, and indeed she is mighty pretty, that I love her exceedingly. I
paid her L10 1s. that I received upon a ticket for her husband, which
is a great kindness I have done them, and having kissed her as much as
I would, I away, poor wretch, and down to Deptford to see Sir J. Minnes
ordering of the pay of some ships there, which he do most miserably, and
so home. Bagwell’s wife, seeing me come the fields way, did get over her
pales to come after and talk with me, which she did for a good way, and
so parted, and I home, and to the office, very busy, and so to supper
and to bed.
24th. Up, and down to the Old Swan, and there find little Michell come
to his new shop that he hath built there in the room of his house that
was burned. I hope he will do good here. I drank and bade him joy, for
I love him and his wife well, him for his care, and her for her person,
and so to White Hall, where we attended the Duke; and to all our
complaints for want of money, which now we are tired out with making,
the Duke only tells us that he is sorry for it, and hath spoke to the
King of it, and money we shall have as soon as it can be found; and
though all the issue of the war lies upon it, yet that is all the
answer we can get, and that is as bad or worse than nothing. Thence to
Westminster Hall, where the term is begun, and I did take a turn or two,
and so away by coach to Sir R. Viner’s, and there received some money,
and then home and to dinner. After dinner to little business, and
then abroad with my wife, she to see her brother, who is sick, and she
believes is from some discontent his wife hath given him by her loose
carriage, which he is told, and he hath found has been very suspicious
in his absence, which I am sorry for. I to the Hall and there walked
long, among others talking with Mr. Hayes, Prince Rupert’s Secretary,
a very ingenious man, and one, I think, fit to contract some friendship
with. Here I staid late, walking to and again, hearing how the
Parliament proceeds, which is mighty slowly in the settling of the money
business, and great factions growing every day among them. I am told
also how Holmes did last Sunday deliver in his articles to the King and
Cabinet against [Sir Jeremy] Smith, and that Smith hath given in his
answer, and lays his not accompanying the fleete to his pilot, who would
not undertake to carry the ship further; which the pilot acknowledges.
The thing is not accommodated, but only taken up, and both sides
commanded to be quiet; but no peace like to be. The Duke of Albemarle is
Smith’s friend, and hath publiquely swore that he would never go to sea
again unless Holmes’s commission were taken from him.
[In the instructions given to Sir Thomas Clifford (August 5th, 1666)
to be communicated to Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle, we
read: “to tell them that the complaint of Sir Jeremy Smith’s
misbehaviour in the late engagement being so universal, unless he
have fully satisfied the generals he should be brought to trial by
court-martial, and there purged or condemned.” The Duke of
Albemarle answered the king (August 14th?): “Wishes to clear a
gallant man falsely accused, Sir Jeremiah Smith, who had more men
killed and hurt, and his ship received more shot than any in the
fleet. There is not a more spirited man serves in the fleet” On
October 27th H. Muddiman wrote to Sir Edward Stradling: “Sir Jeremy
Smith has got as much credit by his late examination as his enemies
wished him disgrace, the King and Duke of York being fully satisfied
of his valour in the engagement. It appears that he had 147 men
killed and wounded, while the most eminent of his accusers had but
two or three.” With regard to Sir Jeremy’s counter-charges, we
read: “Nov. 3. The King having maturely considered the charges
brought against Sir Rob. Holmes by Sir Jeremy Smith, finds no cause
to suspect Sir Robert of cowardice in the fight with the Dutch of
June 25 and 26, but thinks that on the night of the 26th he yielded
too easily to the opinion of his pilot, without consulting those of
the other ships, muzzled his ship, and thus obliged the squadron to
do the same, and so the enemy, which might have been driven into the
body of the king’s fleet, then returning from the pursuit, was
allowed to escape” (“Calendar of State Papers,” 1666-67, pp. 14,
40, 222, 236).]
I find by Hayes that they did expect great glory in coming home in so
good condition as they did with the fleete, and therefore I the less
wonder that the Prince was distasted with my discourse the other day
about the bad state of the fleete. But it pleases me to hear that he did
expect great thanks, and lays the fault of the want of it upon the fire,
which deadened everything, and the glory of his services. About seven at
night home, and called my wife, and, it being moonshine, took her into
the garden, and there layed open our condition as to our estate, and the
danger of my having it [his money] all in the house at once, in case of
any disorder or troubles in the State, and therefore resolved to remove
part of it to Brampton, and part some whither else, and part in my owne
house, which is very necessary, and will tend to our safety, though I
shall not think it safe out of my owne sight. So to the office, and then
to supper and to bed.
25th. Up betimes and by water to White Hall, and there with Sir G.
Carteret to Sir W. Coventry, who is come to his winter lodgings at White
Hall, and there agreed upon a method of paying of tickets; and so I
back again home and to the office, where we sate all the morning, but
to little purpose but to receive clamours for money. At noon home to
dinner, where the two Mrs. Daniels come to see us, and dined with us.
After dinner I out with my wife to Mrs. Pierces, where she hath not been
a great while, from some little unkindness of my wife’s to her when she
was last here, but she received us with mighty respect and discretion,
and was making herself mighty fine to go to a great ball to-night at
Court, being the Queene’s birthday; so the ladies for this one day do
wear laces, but to put them off again to-morrow. Thence I to my Lord
Bruncker’s, and with him to Mrs. Williams’s where we met Knipp. I was
glad to see the jade. Made her sing; and she told us they begin at both
houses to act on Monday next. But I fear, after all this sorrow, their
gains will be but little. Mrs. Williams says, the Duke’s house will now
be much the better of the two, because of their women; which I am glad
to hear. Thence with Lord Bruncker to White Hall and there spoke with
Sir W. Coventry about some office business, and then I away to Mrs.
Pierces, and there saw her new closet, which is mighty rich and fine.
Her daughter Betty grows mighty pretty. Thence with my wife home and to
do business at the office. Then to Sir W. Batten’s, who tells me that
the House of Parliament makes mighty little haste in settling the money,
and that he knows not when it will be done; but they fall into faction,
and libells have been found in the House. Among others, one yesterday,
wherein they reckon up divers great sums to be given away by the King,
among others, L10,000 to Sir W. Coventry, for weare and teare (the point
he stood upon to advance that sum by, for them to give the King); Sir G.
Carteret L50,000 for something else, I think supernumerarys; and so to
Matt. Wren L5000 for passing the Canary Company’s patent; and so a great
many other sums to other persons. So home to supper and to bed.
26th. Up, and all the morning and most of the afternoon within doors,
beginning to set my accounts in order from before this fire, I being
behindhand with them ever since; and this day I got most of my tradesmen
to bring in their bills and paid them. Dined at home, and busy again
after dinner, and then abroad by water to Westminster Hall, where I
walked till the evening, and then out, the first time I ever was abroad
with Doll Lane, to the Dog tavern, and there drank with her, a bad face,
but good bodied girle. Did nothing but salute and play with her and
talk, and thence away by coach, home, and so to do a little more in my
accounts, and then to supper and to bed. Nothing done in the House yet
as to the finishing of the bill for money, which is a mighty sad thing,
all lying at stake for it.
27th. Up, and there comes to see me my Lord Belasses, which was a great
honour. He tells me great newes, yet but what I suspected, that Vernatty
is fled, and so hath cheated him and twenty more, but most of all, I
doubt, Mr. Povy. Thence to talk about publique business; he tells me how
the two Houses begin to be troublesome; the Lords to have quarrels
one with another. My Lord Duke of Buckingham having said to the Lord
Chancellor (who is against the passing of the Bill for prohibiting the
bringing over of Irish cattle), that whoever was against the Bill, was
there led to it by an Irish interest, or an Irish understanding,
which is as much as to say he is a Poole; this bred heat from my Lord
Chancellor, and something he [Buckingham] said did offend my Lord of
Ossory (my Lord Duke’ of Ormond’s son), and they two had hard words,
upon which the latter sends a challenge to the former; of which the
former complains to the House, and so the business is to be heard on
Monday next. Then as to the Commons; some ugly knives, like poignards,
to stab people with, about two or three hundred of them were brought
in yesterday to the House, found in one of the house’s rubbish that
was burned, and said to be the house of a Catholique. This and several
letters out of the country, saying how high the Catholiques are
everywhere and bold in the owning their religion, have made the Commons
mad, and they presently voted that the King be desired to put all
Catholiques out of employment, and other high things; while the business
of money hangs in the hedge. So that upon the whole, God knows we are in
a sad condition like to be, there being the very beginnings of the late
troubles. He gone, I at the office all the morning. At noon home to
dinner, where Mrs. Pierce and her boy and Knipp, who sings as well, and
is the best company in the world, dined with us, and infinite merry. The
playhouses begin to play next week. Towards evening I took them out to
the New Exchange, and there my wife bought things, and I did give each
of them a pair of Jesimy
[Jessemin (Jasminum), the flowers of which are of a delicate sweet
smell, and often used to perfume gloves. Edmund Howes, Stows
continuator, informs us that sweet or perfumed gloves were first
brought into England by the Earl of Oxford on his return from Italy,
in the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth, during whose reign, and
long afterwards, they were very fashionable. They are frequently
mentioned by Shakespeare. Autolyctis, in the “Winter’s Tale,” has
among his wares--“Gloves as sweet as damask roses.”--B.]
plain gloves, and another of white. Here Knipp and I walked up and down
to see handsome faces, and did see several. Then carried each of them
home, and with great pleasure and content, home myself, where, having
writ several letters, I home, and there, upon some serious discourse
between my wife and I upon the business, I called to us my brother, and
there broke to him our design to send him into the country with some
part of our money, and so did seriously discourse the whole thing,
and then away to supper and to bed. I pray God give a blessing to our
resolution, for I do much fear we shall meet with speedy distractions
for want of money.
28th (Lord’s day). Up, and to church with my wife, and then home, and
there is come little Michell and his wife, I sent for them, and also
tomes Captain Guy to dine with me, and he and I much talk together. He
cries out of the discipline of the fleete, and confesses really that the
true English valour we talk of is almost spent and worn out; few of
the commanders doing what they should do, and he much fears we shall
therefore be beaten the next year. He assures me we were beaten home the
last June fight, and that the whole fleete was ashamed to hear of our
bonefires. He commends Smith, and cries out of Holmes for an idle,
proud, conceited, though stout fellow. He tells me we are to owe the
losse of so many ships on the sands, not to any fault of the pilots,
but to the weather; but in this I have good authority to fear there was
something more. He says the Dutch do fight in very good order, and we in
none at all. He says that in the July fight, both the Prince and Holmes
had their belly-fulls, and were fain to go aside; though, if the wind
had continued, we had utterly beaten them. He do confess the whole to
be governed by a company of fools, and fears our ruine. After dinner
he gone, I with my brother to White Hall and he to Westminster Abbey. I
presently to Mrs. Martin’s, and there met widow Burroughes and Doll, and
did tumble them all the afternoon as I pleased, and having given them a
bottle of wine I parted and home by boat (my brother going by land), and
thence with my wife to sit and sup with my uncle and aunt Wight, and
see Woolly’s wife, who is a pretty woman, and after supper, being
very merry, in abusing my aunt with Dr. Venner, we home, and I to
do something in my accounts, and so to bed. The Revenge having her
forecastle blown up with powder to the killing of some men in the River,
and the Dyamond’s being overset in the careening at Sheernesse, are
further marks of the method all the King’s work is now done in. The
Foresight also and another come to disasters in the same place this week
in the cleaning; which is strange.
29th. Up, and to the office to do business, and thither comes to me
Sir Thomas Teddiman, and he and I walked a good while in the garden
together, discoursing of the disorder and discipline of the fleete,
wherein he told me how bad every thing is; but was very wary in speaking
any thing to the dishonour of the Prince or Duke of Albemarle, but do
magnify my Lord Sandwich much before them both, for ability to serve the
King, and do heartily wish for him here. For he fears that we shall be
undone the next year, but that he will, however, see an end of it. To
prevent the necessity of his dining with me I was forced to pretend
occasion of going to Westminster, so away I went, and Mr. Barber, the
clerk, having a request to make to me to get him into employment, did
walk along with me, and by water to Westminster with me, he professing
great love to me, and an able clerk he is. When I come thither I find
the new Lord Mayor Bolton a-swearing at the Exchequer, with some of the
Aldermen and Livery; but, Lord! to see how meanely they now look, who
upon this day used to be all little lords, is a sad sight and worthy
consideration. And every body did reflect with pity upon the poor City,
to which they are now coming to choose and swear their Lord Mayor,
compared with what it heretofore was. Thence by coach (having in the
Hall bought me a velvet riding cap, cost me 20s.) to my taylor’s, and
there bespoke a plain vest, and so to my goldsmith to bid him look out
for some gold for me; and he tells me that ginnys, which I bought 2,000
of not long ago, and cost me but 18 1/2d. change, will now cost me 22d.;
and but very few to be had at any price. However, some more I will have,
for they are very convenient, and of easy disposal. So home to dinner
and to discourse with my brother upon his translation of my Lord
Bacon’s “Faber Fortunae,” which I gave him to do and he has done it, but
meanely; I am not pleased with it at all, having done it only literally,
but without any life at all. About five o’clock I took my wife (who is
mighty fine, and with a new fair pair of locks, which vex me, though
like a foole I helped her the other night to buy them), and to Mrs.
Pierces, and there staying a little I away before to White Hall, and
into the new playhouse there, the first time I ever was there, and the
first play I have seen since before the great plague. By and by Mr.
Pierce comes, bringing my wife and his, and Knipp. By and by the King
and Queene, Duke and Duchesse, and all the great ladies of the Court;
which, indeed, was a fine sight. But the play being “Love in a Tub,”
a silly play, and though done by the Duke’s people, yet having neither
Betterton nor his wife, and the whole thing done ill, and being ill
also, I had no manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the House,
though very fine, yet bad for the voice, for hearing. The sight of the
ladies, indeed, was exceeding noble; and above all, my Lady Castlemayne.
The play done by ten o’clock. I carried them all home, and then home
myself, and well satisfied with the sight, but not the play, we with
great content to bed.
30th. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning, and at noon
home to dinner, and then to the office again, where late, very busy,
and dispatching much business. Mr. Hater staying most of the afternoon
abroad, he come to me, poor man, to make excuse, and it was that he had
been looking out for a little house for his family. His wife being much
frightened in the country with the discourses of troubles and disorders
like to be, and therefore durst not be from him, and therefore he is
forced to bring her to towne that they may be together. This is now the
general apprehension of all people; particulars I do not know, but my
owne fears are also great, and I do think it time to look out to save
something, if a storm should come. At night home to supper, and singing
with my wife, who hath lately begun to learn, and I think will come
to do something, though her eare is not good, nor I, I confess, have
patience enough to teach her, or hear her sing now and then a note out
of tune, and am to blame that I cannot bear with that in her which is
fit I should do with her as a learner, and one that I desire much could
sing, and so should encourage her. This I was troubled at, for I do find
that I do put her out of heart, and make her fearfull to sing before me.
So after supper to bed.
31st. Out with Sir W. Batten toward White Hall, being in pain in my
cods by being squeezed the other night in a little coach when I carried
Pierce and his wife and my people. But I hope I shall be soon well
again. This day is a great day at the House, so little to do with the
Duke of York, but soon parted. Coming out of the Court I met Colonell
Atkins, who tells me the whole city rings to-day of Sir Jeremy Smith’s
killing of Holmes in a duell, at which I was not much displeased, for I
fear every day more and more mischief from the man, if he lives; but the
thing is not true, for in my coach I did by and by meet Sir Jer. Smith
going to Court. So I by coach to my goldsmith, there to see what gold I
can get, which is but little, and not under 22d. So away home to dinner,
and after dinner to my closett, where I spent the whole afternoon till
late at evening of all my accounts publique and private, and to my
great satisfaction I do find that I do bring my accounts to a very near
balance, notwithstanding all the hurries and troubles I have been put
to by the late fire, that I have not been able to even my accounts since
July last before; and I bless God I do find that I am worth more than
ever I yet was, which is L6,200, for which the Holy Name of God be
praised! and my other accounts of Tangier in a very plain and clear
condition, that I am not liable to any trouble from them; but in fear
great I am, and I perceive the whole city is, of some distractions and
disorders among us, which God of his goodness prevent! Late to supper
with my wife and brother, and then to bed. And thus ends the month
with an ill aspect, the business of the Navy standing wholly still. No
credit, no goods sold us, nobody will trust. All we have to do at the
office is to hear complaints for want of money. The Duke of York himself
for now three weeks seems to rest satisfied that we can do nothing
without money, and that all must stand still till the King gets
money, which the Parliament have been a great while about; but are so
dissatisfied with the King’s management, and his giving himself up to
pleasures, and not minding the calling to account any of his officers,
and they observe so much the expense of the war, and yet that after we
have made it the most we can, it do not amount to what they have
given the King for the warn that they are backward of giving any more.
However, L1,800,000 they have voted, but the way of gathering it has
taken up more time than is fit to be now lost: The seamen grow very
rude, and every thing out of order; commanders having no power over
their seamen, but the seamen do what they please. Few stay on board, but
all coming running up hither to towne, and nobody can with justice blame
them, we owing them so much money; and their familys must starve if we
do not give them money, or they procure upon their tickets from some
people that will trust them. A great folly is observed by all people in
the King’s giving leave to so many merchantmen to go abroad this winter,
and some upon voyages where it is impossible they should be back again
by the spring, and the rest will be doubtfull, but yet we let them go;
what the reason of State is nobody can tell, but all condemn it. The
Prince and Duke of Albemarle have got no great credit by this year’s
service. Our losses both of reputation and ships having been greater
than is thought have ever been suffered in all ages put together before;
being beat home, and fleeing home the first fight, and then losing so
many ships then and since upon the sands, and some falling into the
enemy’s hands, and not one taken this yeare, but the Ruby, French prize,
now at the end of the yeare, by the Frenchmen’s mistake in running upon
us. Great folly in both Houses of Parliament, several persons falling
together by the eares, among others in the House of Lords, the Duke of
Buckingham and my Lord Ossory. Such is our case, that every body fears
an invasion the next yeare; and for my part, I do methinks foresee great
unhappiness coming upon us, and do provide for it by laying by something
against a rainy day, dividing what I have, and laying it in several
places, but with all faithfulness to the King in all respects; my grief
only being that the King do not look after his business himself, and
thereby will be undone both himself and his nation, it being not yet,
I believe, too late if he would apply himself to it, to save all,
and conquer the Dutch; but while he and the Duke of York mind their
pleasure, as they do and nothing else, we must be beaten. So late with
my mind in good condition of quiet after the settling all my accounts,
and to bed.