April 1st. Up, and to dress myself, and call as I use Deb. to brush and
dress me..., and I to my office, where busy till noon, and then out to
bespeak some things against my wife's going into the country to-morrow,
and so home to dinner, my wife and I alone, she being mighty busy
getting her things ready for her journey, I all the afternoon with her
looking after things on the same account, and then in the afternoon out
and all alone to the King's house, and there sat in an upper box, to
hide myself, and saw "The Black Prince," a very good play; but only the
fancy, most of it, the same as in the rest of my Lord Orrery's plays;
but the dance very stately; but it was pretty to see how coming after
dinner and with no company with me to talk to, and at a play that I had
seen, and went to now not for curiosity but only idleness, I did fall
asleep the former part of the play, but afterward did mind it and like
it very well. Thence called at my bookseller's, and took Mr. Boyle's
Book of Formes, newly reprinted, and sent my brother my old one. So
home, and there to my chamber till anon comes Mr. Turner and his wife
and daughter, and Pelting, to sup with us and talk of my wife's journey
to-morrow, her daughter going with my wife; and after supper to talk
with her husband about the Office, and his place, which, by Sir J.
Minnes's age and inability, is very uncomfortable to him, as well as
without profit, or certainty what he shall do, when Sir J. Minnes dies,
which is a sad condition for a man that hath lived so long in the Office
as Mr. Turner hath done. But he aymes, and I advise him to it, to
look for Mr. Ackworth's place, in case he should be removed. His wife
afterwards did take me into my closet, and give me a cellar
[A box to hold bottles. "Run for the cellar of strong waters
quickly"
--Ben Jonson, Magnetic Lady, act iii., sc. r.]
of waters of her own distilling for my father, to be carried down with
my wife and her daughter to-morrow, which was very handsome. So broke up
and to bed.
2nd. Up, after much pleasant talk with my wife, and upon some
alterations I will make in my house in her absence, and I do intend to
lay out some money thereon. So she and I up, and she got her ready to be
gone, and by and by comes Betty Turner and her mother, and W. Batelier,
and they and Deb., to whom I did give 10s. this morning, to oblige her
to please her mistress (and ego did baiser her mouche), and also Jane,
and so in two coaches set out about eight o'clock towards the carrier,
there for to take coach for my father's, that is to say, my wife and
Betty Turner, Deb., and Jane; but I meeting my Lord Anglesey going to
the Office, was forced to 'light in Cheapside, and there took my leave
of them (not baisado Deb., which je had a great mind to), left them to
go to their coach, and I to the office, where all the morning busy, and
so at noon with my other clerks (W. Hewer being a day's journey with my
wife) to dinner, where Mr. Pierce come and dined with me, and then with
Lord Brouncker (carrying his little kinswoman on my knee, his coach
being full), to the Temple, where my Lord and I 'light and to Mr.
Porter's chamber, where Cocke and his counsel, and so to the attorney's,
whither the Sollicitor-Generall come, and there, their cause about their
assignments on the L1,250,000 Act was argued, where all that was to
be said for them was said, and so answered by the Sollicitor-Generall
beyond what I expected, that I said not one word all my time, rather
choosing to hold my tongue, and so mind my reputation with the
Sollicitor-Generall, who did mightily approve of my speech in
Parliament, than say anything against him to no purpose. This I believe
did trouble Cocke and these gentlemen, but I do think this best for me,
and so I do think that the business will go against them, though it is
against my judgment, and I am sure against all justice to the men to
be invited to part with their goods and be deceived afterward of their
security for payment. Thence with Lord Brouncker to the Royall Society,
where they were just done; but there I was forced to subscribe to
the building of a College, and did give L40; and several others did
subscribe, some greater and some less sums; but several I saw hang
off: and I doubt it will spoil the Society, for it breeds faction and
ill-will, and becomes burdensome to some that cannot, or would not,
do it. Here, to my great content, I did try the use of the
Otacousticon,--[Ear trumpet.]--which was only a great glass bottle broke
at the bottom, putting the neck to my eare, and there I did plainly hear
the dashing of the oares of the boats in the Thames to Arundell gallery
window, which, without it, I could not in the least do, and may, I
believe, be improved to a great height, which I am mighty glad of.
Thence with Lord Brouncker and several of them to the King's Head
Taverne by Chancery Lane, and there did drink and eat and talk, and,
above the rest, I did hear of Mr. Hooke and my Lord an account of the
reason of concords and discords in musique, which they say is from the
equality of vibrations; but I am not satisfied in it, but will at my
leisure think of it more, and see how far that do go to explain it. So
late at night home with Mr. Colwell, and parted, and I to the office,
and then to Sir W. Pen to confer with him, and Sir R. Ford and Young,
about our St. John Baptist prize, and so home, without more supper to
bed, my family being now little by the departure of my wife and two
maids.
3rd. Up, and Captain Perryman come to me to tell me how Tatnell told him
that this day one How is to charge me before the Commissioners of
Prizes to the value of L8000 in prizes, which I was troubled to hear, so
fearful I am, though I know that there is not a penny to be laid to my
charge that I dare not own, or that I have not owned under my hand, but
upon recollection it signifies nothing to me, and so I value it not,
being sure that I can have nothing in the world to my hurt known from
the business. So to the office, where all the morning to despatch
business, and so home to dinner with my clerks, whose company is of
great pleasure to me for their good discourse in any thing of the navy
I have a mind to talk of. After dinner by water from the Tower to White
Hall, there to attend the Duke of York as usual, and particularly in a
fresh complaint the Commissioners of the Treasury do make to him, and
by and by to the Council this day of our having prepared certificates
on the Exchequer to the further sum of near L50,000, and soon as we had
done with the Duke of York we did attend the Council; and were there
called in, and did hear Mr. Sollicitor [General] make his Report to
the Council in the business; which he did in a most excellent manner of
words, but most cruelly severe against us, and so were some of the Lords
Commissioners of the Treasury, as men guilty of a practice with the
tradesmen, to the King's prejudice. I was unwilling to enter into a
contest with them; but took advantage of two or three words last spoke,
and brought it to a short issue in good words, that if we had the King's
order to hold our hands, we would, which did end the matter: and they
all resolved we should have it, and so it ended: and so we away; I vexed
that I did not speak more in a cause so fit to be spoke in, and
wherein we had so much advantage; but perhaps I might have provoked the
Sollicitor and the Commissioners of the Treasury, and therefore, since,
I am not sorry that I forbore. Thence my Lord Brouncker and I to the
Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw the latter part of "The
Master and the Man," and thence by coach to Duck Lane, to look out for
Marsanne, in French, a man that has wrote well of musique, but it is not
to be had, but I have given order for its being sent for over, and I
did here buy Des Cartes his little treatise of musique, and so home, and
there to read a little, and eat a little, though I find that my having
so little taste do make me so far neglect eating that, unless company
invite, I do not love to spend time upon eating, and so bring emptiness
and the Cholique. So to bed. This day I hear that Prince Rupert and
Holmes do go to sea: and by this there is a seeming friendship and peace
among our great seamen; but the devil a bit is there any love among
them, or can be.
4th. Up betimes, and by coach towards White Hall, and took Aldgate
Street in my way, and there called upon one Hayward, that makes
virginalls, and did there like of a little espinette, and will have him
finish it for me; for I had a mind to a small harpsichon, but this takes
up less room, and will do my business as to finding out of chords, and
I am very well pleased that I have found it. Thence to White Hall, and
after long waiting did get a small running Committee of Tangier, where
I staid but little, and little done but the correcting two or three
egregious faults in the Charter for Tangier after it had so long lain
before the Council and been passed there and drawn up by the Atturney
Generall, so slightly are all things in this age done. Thence home to
the office by water, where we sat till noon, and then I moved we might
go to the Duke of York and the King presently to get out their order
in writing that was ordered us yesterday about the business of
certificates, that we might be secure against the tradesmen who (Sir
John Banks by name) have told me this day that they will complain in
Parliament against us for denying to do them right. So we rose of a
sudden, being mighty sensible of this inconvenience we are liable to
should we delay to give them longer, and yet have no order for our
indemnity. I did dine with Sir W. Pen, where my Lady Batten did come
with desire of meeting me there, and speaking with me about the business
of the L500 we demand of her for the Chest. She do protest, before God,
she never did see the account, but that it was as her husband in his
life-time made it, and he did often declare to her his expecting L500,
and that we could not deny it him for his pains in that business, and
that he hath left her worth nothing of his own in the world, and that
therefore she could pay nothing of it, come what will come, but that he
hath left her a beggar, which I am sorry truly for, though it is a
just judgment upon people that do live so much beyond themselves in
housekeeping and vanity, as they did. I did give her little answer, but
generally words that might not trouble her, and so to dinner, and after
dinner Sir W. Pen and I away by water to White Hall, and there did
attend the Duke of York, and he did carry us to the King's lodgings: but
he was asleep in his closet; so we stayed in the Green-Roome, where the
Duke of York did tell us what rules he had, of knowing the weather, and
did now tell us we should have rain before to-morrow, it having been
a dry season for some time, and so it did rain all night almost; and
pretty rules he hath, and told Brouncker and me some of them, which were
such as no reason seems ready to be given. By and by the King comes
out, and he did easily agree to what we moved, and would have the
Commissioners of the Navy to meet us with him to-morrow morning: and
then to talk of other things; about the Quakers not swearing, and how
they do swear in the business of a late election of a Knight of the
Shire of Hartfordshire in behalf of one they have a mind to have; and
how my Lord of Pembroke says he hath heard him (the Quaker) at the
tennis-court swear to himself when he loses: and told us what pretty
notions my Lord Pembroke hath of the first chapter of Genesis, how
Adam's sin was not the sucking (which he did before) but the swallowing
of the apple, by which the contrary elements begun to work in him, and
to stir up these passions, and a great deal of such fooleries, which
the King made mighty mockery at. Thence my Lord Brouncker and I into the
Park in his coach, and there took a great deal of ayre, saving that it
was mighty dusty, and so a little unpleasant. Thence to Common Garden
with my Lord, and there I took a hackney and home, and after having done
a few letters at the office, I home to a little supper and so to bed, my
eyes being every day more and more weak and apt to be tired.
5th (Lord's day). Up, and to my chamber, and there to the writing fair
some of my late musique notions, and so to church, where I have not been
a good while, and thence home, and dined at home, with W. Hewer with
me; and after dinner, he and I a great deal of good talk touching this
Office, how it is spoiled by having so many persons in it, and so much
work that is not made the work of any one man, but of all, and so is
never done; and that the best way to have it well done, were to have
the whole trust in one, as myself, to set whom I pleased to work in
the several businesses of the Office, and me to be accountable for the
whole, and that would do it, as I would find instruments: but this is
not to be compassed; but something I am resolved to do about Sir J.
Minnes before it be long. Then to my chamber again, to my musique, and
so to church; and then home, and thither comes Captain Silas Taylor to
me, the Storekeeper of Harwich, where much talk, and most of it against
Captain Deane, whom I do believe to be a high, proud fellow; but he is
an active man, and able in his way, and so I love him. He gone, I to my
musique again, and to read a little, and to sing with Mr. Pelling, who
come to see me, and so spent the evening, and then to supper and to
bed. I hear that eight of the ringleaders in the late tumults of the
'prentices at Easter are condemned to die.
[Four were executed on May 9th, namely, Thomas Limmerick, Edward
Cotton, Peter Massenger, and Richard Beasley. They were drawn,
hanged, and quartered at Tyburn, and two of their heads fixed upon
London Bridge ("The London Gazette," No. 259). See "The Tryals of
such persons as under the notion of London Apprentices were
tumultuously assembled in Moore Fields, under colour of pulling down
bawdy-houses," 4to., London, 1668. "It is to be observed," says
"The London Gazette," "to the just vindication of the City, that
none of the persons apprehended upon the said tumult were found to
be apprentices, as was given out, but some idle persons, many of
them nursed in the late Rebellion, too readily embracing any
opportunity of making their own advantages to the disturbance of the
peace, and injury of others."]
6th. Betimes I to Alderman Backewell, and with him to my Lord Ashly's,
where did a little business about Tangier, and to talk about the
business of certificates, wherein, contrary to what could be believed,
the King and Duke of York themselves, in my absence, did call for some
of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and give them directions about the
business [of the certificates], which I, despairing to do any thing on
a Sunday, and not thinking that they would think of it themselves,
did rest satisfied, and stayed at home all yesterday, leaving it to do
something in this day; but I find that the King and Duke of York had
been so pressing in it, that my Lord Ashly was more forward with the
doing of it this day, than I could have been. And so I to White
Hall with Alderman Backewell in his coach, with Mr. Blany; my Lord's
Secretary: and there did draw up a rough draught of what order I would
have, and did carry it in, and had it read twice and approved of, before
my Lord Ashly and three more of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and
then went up to the Council-chamber, where the Duke of York, and Prince
Rupert, and the rest of the Committee of the Navy were sitting: and I
did get some of them to read it there: and they would have had it
passed presently, but Sir John Nicholas desired they would first have it
approved by a full Council: and, therefore, a Council Extraordinary
was readily summoned against the afternoon, and the Duke of York run
presently to the King, as if now they were really set to mind their
business, which God grant! So I thence to Westminster, and walked in
the Hall and up and down, the House being called over to-day, and little
news, but some talk as if the agreement between France and Spain were
like to be, which would be bad for us, and at noon with Sir Herbert
Price to Mr. George Montagu's to dinner, being invited by him in the
hall, and there mightily made of, even to great trouble to me to be so
commended before my face, with that flattery and importunity, that I was
quite troubled with it. Yet he is a fine gentleman, truly, and his lady
a fine woman; and, among many sons that I saw there, there was a little
daughter that is mighty pretty, of which he is infinite fond: and, after
dinner, did make her play on the gittar and sing, which she did mighty
prettily, and seems to have a mighty musical soul, keeping time
with most excellent spirit. Here I met with Mr. Brownlow, my old
schoolfellow, who come thither, I suppose, as a suitor to one of the
young ladies that were there, and a sober man he seems to be. But here
Mr. Montagu did tell me how Mr. Vaughan, in that very room, did say that
I was a great man, and had great understanding, and I know not what,
which, I confess, I was a little proud of, if I may believe him. Here
I do hear, as a great secret, that the King, and Duke of York and
Duchesse, and my Lady Castlemayne, are now all agreed in a strict
league, and all things like to go very current, and that it is not
impossible to have my Lord Clarendon, in time, here again. But I do hear
that my Lady Castlemayne is horribly vexed at the late libell,
["The Poor Whores' Petition to the most splendid, illustrious,
serene and eminent Lady of Pleasure the Countess of Castlemayne,
&c., signed by us, Madam Cresswell and Damaris Page, this present
25th day of March, 1668." This sham petition occasioned a pretended
answer, entitled, "The Gracious Answer of the Most Illustrious Lady
of Pleasure, the Countess of Castlem.... to the Poor Whores'
Petition." It is signed, "Given at our Closset, in King Street,
Westminster, die Veneris, April 24, 1668. Castlem...."
Compare Evelyn, April 2nd, 1668.]
the petition of the poor whores about the town, whose houses were pulled
down the other day. I have got one of them, but it is not very witty,
but devilish severe against her and the King and I wonder how it durst
be printed and spread abroad, which shews that the times are loose, and
come to a great disregard of the King, or Court, or Government. Thence
I to White Hall to attend the Council, and when the Council rose we find
my order mightily enlarged by the Sollicitor Generall, who was called
thither, making it more safe for him and the Council, but their order
is the same in the command of it that I drew, and will I think defend
us well. So thence, meeting Creed, he and I to the new Cocke-pitt by
the King's gate, and there saw the manner of it, and the mixed rabble
of people that come thither; and saw two battles of cocks, wherein is
no great sport, but only to consider how these creatures, without
any provocation, do fight and kill one another, and aim only at one
another's heads, and by their good will not leave till one of them be
killed; and thence to the Park in a hackney coach, so would not go into
the tour, but round about the Park, and to the House, and there at the
door eat and drank; whither come my Lady Kerneagy, of whom Creed tells
me more particulars; how her Lord, finding her and the Duke of York at
the King's first coming in too kind, did get it out of her that he did
dishonour him, and so bid her continue..., which is the most pernicious
and full piece of revenge that ever I heard of; and he at this day owns
it with great glory, and looks upon the Duke of York and the world with
great content in the ampleness of his revenge. Thence (where the place
was now by the last night's rain very pleasant, and no dust) to White
Hall, and set Creed down, and I home and to my chamber, and there
about my musique notions again, wherein I take delight and find great
satisfaction in them, and so, after a little supper, to bed. This day,
in the afternoon, stepping with the Duke of York into St. James's Park,
it rained: and I was forced to lend the Duke of York my cloak, which he
wore through the Park.
7th. Up, and at the office all the morning, where great hurry to be made
in the fitting forth of this present little fleet, but so many rubs by
reason of want of money, and people's not believing us in cases where
we had money unless (which in several cases, as in hiring of vessels,
cannot be) they be paid beforehand, that every thing goes backward
instead of forward. At noon comes Mr. Clerke, my solicitor, and the
Auditor's men with my account drawn up in the Exchequer way with their
queries, which are neither many nor great, or hard to answer upon it,
and so dined with me, and then I by coach to the King's playhouse, and
there saw "The English Monsieur;"' sitting for privacy sake in an upper
box: the play hath much mirth in it as to that particular humour. After
the play done, I down to Knipp, and did stay her undressing herself; and
there saw the several players, men and women go by; and pretty to see
how strange they are all, one to another, after the play is done. Here
I saw a wonderful pretty maid of her own, that come to undress her, and
one so pretty that she says she intends not to keep her, for fear of her
being undone in her service, by coming to the playhouse. Here I hear
Sir W. Davenant is just now dead; and so who will succeed him in the
mastership of the house is not yet known. The eldest Davenport is, it
seems, gone from this house to be kept by somebody; which I am glad of,
she being a very bad actor. I took her then up into a coach and away to
the Park, which is now very fine after some rain, but the company was
going away most, and so I took her to the Lodge, and there treated her
and had a deal of good talk, and now and then did baiser la, and that
was all, and that as much or more than I had much mind to because of her
paint. She tells me mighty news, that my Lady Castlemayne is mightily in
love with Hart of their house: and he is much with her in private, and
she goes to him, and do give him many presents; and that the thing is
most certain, and Becke Marshall only privy to it, and the means of
bringing them together, which is a very odd thing; and by this means she
is even with the King's love to Mrs. Davis. This done, I carried her and
set her down at Mrs. Manuel's, but stayed not there myself, nor went in;
but straight home, and there to my letters, and so home to bed.
8th. Up, and at my office all the morning, doing business, and then at
noon home to dinner all alone. Then to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes in
his coach to attend the Duke of York upon our usual business, which
was this day but little, and thence with Lord Brouncker to the Duke
of York's playhouse, where we saw "The Unfortunate Lovers," no
extraordinary play, methinks, and thence I to Drumbleby's, and there did
talk a great deal about pipes; and did buy a recorder, which I do intend
to learn to play on, the sound of it being, of all sounds in the world,
most pleasing to me. Thence home, and to visit Mrs. Turner, where among
other talk, Mr. Foly and her husband being there, she did tell me
of young Captain Holmes's marrying of Pegg Lowther last Saturday by
stealth, which I was sorry for, he being an idle rascal, and proud, and
worth little, I doubt; and she a mighty pretty, well-disposed lady, and
good fortune. Her mother and friends take on mightily; but the sport
is, Sir Robert Holmes do seem to be mad too with his brother, and will
disinherit him, saying that he hath ruined himself, marrying below
himself, and to his disadvantage; whereas, I said, in this company, that
I had married a sister lately, with little above half that portion, that
he should have kissed her breech before he should have had her, which,
if R. Holmes should hear, would make a great quarrel; but it is true I
am heartily sorry for the poor girl that is undone by it. So home to
my chamber, to be fingering of my Recorder, and getting of the scale of
musique without book, which I at last see is necessary for a man that
would understand musique, as it is now taught to understand, though
it be a ridiculous and troublesome way, and I know I shall be able
hereafter to show the world a simpler way; but, like the old hypotheses
in philosophy, it must be learned, though a man knows a better. Then
to supper, and to bed. This morning Mr. Christopher Pett's widow and
daughter come to me, to desire my help to the King and Duke of York, and
I did promise, and do pity her.
9th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning sitting, then at noon
home to dinner with my people, and so to the office again writing of my
letters, and then abroad to my bookseller's, and up and down to the Duke
of York's playhouse, there to see, which I did, Sir W. Davenant's corpse
carried out towards Westminster, there to be buried. Here were many
coaches and six horses, and many hacknies, that made it look, methought,
as if it were the buriall of a poor poet. He seemed to have many
children, by five or six in the first mourning-coach, all boys. And
there I left them coming forth, and I to the New Exchange, there to meet
Mrs. Burroughs, and did take her in a carosse and carry elle towards the
Park, kissing her..., but did not go into any house, but come back
and set her down at White Hall, and did give her wrapt in paper for my
Valentine's gift for the last year before this, which I never did yet
give her anything for, twelve half-crowns, and so back home and there
to my office, where come a packet from the Downes from my brother Balty,
who, with Harman, is arrived there, of which this day come the first
news. And now the Parliament will be satisfied, I suppose, about the
business they have so long desired between Brouncker and Harman about
not prosecuting the first victory. Balty is very well, and I hope hath
performed his work well, that I may get him into future employment. I
wrote to him this night, and so home, and there to the perfecting
my getting the scale of musique without book, which I have done to
perfection backward and forward, and so to supper and to bed.
10th (Friday) All the morning at Office. At noon with W. Pen to Duke of
York, and attended Council. So to piper and Duck Lane, and there kissed
bookseller's wife, and bought Legend. So home, coach. Sailor. Mrs.
Hannam dead. News of Peace. Conning my gamut.
[The entries from April 10th to April 19th are transcribed from
three leaves (six pages) of rough notes, which are inserted in the
MS. The rough notes were made to serve for a sort of account book,
but the amounts paid are often not registered in the fair copy when
he came to transcribe his notes into the Diary.]
12th (Sunday). Dined at Brouncker's, and saw the new book. Peace.
Cutting away sails.
13th (Monday). Spent at Michel's 6d.; in the Folly, 1s.;
[The Folly was a floating house of entertainment on the Thames,
which at this time was a fashionable resort.]
oysters, 1s.; coach to W. Coventry about Mrs. Pett, 1s.; thence to
Commissioners of Treasury, and so to Westminster Hall by water, 6d. With
G. Montagu and Roger Pepys, and spoke with Birch and Vaughan, all in
trouble about the prize business. So to Lord Crew's (calling for a low
pipe by the way), where Creed and G. M. and G. C. come, 1s. So with
Creed to a play. Little laugh, 4s. Thence towards the Park by coach, 2s.
6d. Come home, met with order of Commissioners of Accounts, which put
together with the rest vexed me, and so home to supper and to bed.
14th (Tuesday). Up betimes by water to the Temple. In the way read
the Narrative about prizes; and so to Lord Crew's bedside, and then to
Westminster, where I hear Pen is, and sent for by messenger last night.
Thence to Commissioners of Accounts and there examined, and so back to
Westminster Hall, where all the talk of committing all to the Tower, and
Creed and I to the Quaker's, dined together. Thence to the House, where
rose about four o'clock; and, with much ado, Pen got to Thursday to
bring in his answer; so my Lord escapes to-day. Thence with Godage and
G. Montagu to G. Carteret's, and there sat their dinner-time: and hear
myself, by many Parliament-men, mightily commended. Thence to a play,
"Love's Cruelty," and so to my Lord Crew's, who glad of this day's time
got, and so home, and there office, and then home to supper and to bed,
my eyes being the better upon leaving drinking at night. Water, 1s.
Porter, 6d. Water, 6d. Dinner, 3s. 6d. Play part, 2s. Oranges, 1s. Home
coach, 1s. 6d.
15th. After playing a little upon my new little flageolet, that is so
soft that pleases me mightily, betimes to my office, where most of the
morning. Then by coach, 1s., and meeting Lord Brouncker, 'light at
the Exchange, and thence by water to White Hall, 1s., and there to the
Chapel, expecting wind musick and to the Harp-and-Ball, and drank all
alone, 2d. Back, and to the fiddling concert, and heard a practice
mighty good of Grebus, and thence to Westminster Hall, where all cry out
that the House will be severe with Pen; but do hope well concerning
the buyers, that we shall have no difficulty, which God grant! Here met
Creed, and, about noon, he and I, and Sir P. Neale to the Quaker's, and
there dined with a silly Executor of Bishop Juxon's, and cozen Roger
Pepys. Business of money goes on slowly in the House. Thence to White
Hall by water, and there with the Duke of York a little, but stayed not,
but saw him and his lady at his little pretty chapel, where I never was
before: but silly devotion, God knows! Thence I left Creed, and to the
King's playhouse, into a corner of the 18d. box, and there saw "The
Maid's Tragedy," a good play. Coach, 1s.: play and oranges, 2s. 6d.
Creed come, dropping presently here, but he did not see me, and come to
the same place, nor would I be seen by him. Thence to my Lord Crew's,
and there he come also after, and there with Sir T. Crew bemoaning my
Lord's folly in leaving his old interest, by which he hath now lost
all. An ill discourse in the morning of my Lord's being killed, but this
evening Godolphin tells us here that my Lord is well. Thence with Creed
to the Cock ale-house, and there spent 6d., and so by coach home, 2s.
6d., and so to bed.
16th. Th[ursday]. Greeting's book, is. Begun this day to learn the
Recorder. To the office, where all the morning. Dined with my clerks:
and merry at Sir W. Pen's crying yesterday, as they say, to the King,
that he was his martyr. So to White Hall by coach to Commissioners of
[the] Treasury about certificates, but they met not, 2s. To Westminster
by water. To Westminster Hall, where I hear W. Pen is ordered to be
impeached, 6d. There spoke with many, and particularly with G. Montagu:
and went with him and Creed to his house, where he told how W. Pen hath
been severe to Lord Sandwich; but the Coventrys both labouring to save
him, by laying it on Lord Sandwich, which our friends cry out upon, and
I am silent, but do believe they did it as the only way to save him. It
could not be carried to commit him. It is thought the House do coole: W.
Coventry's being for him, provoked Sir R. Howard and his party;
Court, all for W. Pen. Thence to White Hall, but no meeting of the
Commissioners, and there met Mr. Hunt, and thence to Mrs. Martin's, and,
there did what I would, she troubled for want of employ for her husband,
spent on her 1s. Thence to the Hall to walk awhile and ribbon, spent is.
So [to] Lord Crew's, and there with G. Carteret and my Lord to talk, and
they look upon our matters much the better, and by this and that time
is got, 1s. So to the Temple late, and by water, by moonshine, home,
1s. Cooks, 6d. Wrote my letters to my Lady Sandwich, and so home, where
displeased to have my maid bring her brother, a countryman, to lye
there, and so to bed.
17th (Friday). Called up by Balty's coming, who gives me a good account
of his voyage, and pleases me well, and I hope hath got something. This
morning paid the Royall Society L1 6s., and so to the office all the
morning. At noon home to dinner with my people, and there much pretty
discourse of Balty's. So by coach to White Hall: the coachman on Ludgate
Hill 'lighted, and beat a fellow with a sword, 2s. 6d. Did little
business with the Duke of York. Hear that the House is upon the business
of Harman, who, they say, takes all on himself. Thence, with Brouncker,
to the King's house, and saw "The Surprizall," where base singing, only
Knepp,' who come, after her song in the clouds, to me in the pit, and
there, oranges, 2s. After the play, she, and I, and Rolt, by coach, 6s.
6d., to Kensington, and there to the Grotto, and had admirable pleasure
with their singing, and fine ladies listening to us: with infinite
pleasure, I enjoyed myself: so to the tavern there, and did spend 16s.
6d., and the gardener 2s. Mighty merry, and sang all the way to the
town, a most pleasant evening, moonshine, and set them at her house in
Covent Garden, and I home and to bed.
18th (Saturday). Up, and my bookseller brought home books, bound--the
binding comes to 17s. Advanced to my maid Bridget L1. Sir W. Pen at the
Office, seemingly merry. Do hear this morning that Harman is committed
by the Parliament last night, the day he come up, which is hard; but
he took all upon himself first, and then when a witness come in to say
otherwise, he would have retracted; and the House took it so ill, they
would commit him. Thence home to dinner with my clerks, and so to White
Hall by water, 1s., and there a short Committee for Tangier, and so I to
the King's playhouse, 1s., and to the play of the "Duke of Lerma," 2s.
6d., and oranges, 1s. Thence by coach to Westminster, 1s., and the House
just up, having been about money business, 1s. So home by coach, 3s.,
calling in Duck Lane, and did get Des Cartes' Musique in English,' and
so home and wrote my letters, and then to my chamber to save my eyes,
and to bed.
19th (Sunday). Lay long. Roger Pepys and his son come, and to Church
with me, where W. Pen was, and did endeavour to shew himself to the
Church. Then home to dinner, and Roger Pepys did tell me the whole story
of Harman, how he prevaricated, and hath undoubtedly been imposed on,
and wheedled; and he is called the miller's man that, in Richard the
Third's time, was hanged for his master.
[The story alluded to by Pepys, which belongs not to the reign of
Richard III., but to that of Edward VI., occurred during a seditious
outbreak at Bodmin, in Cornwall, and is thus related by Holinshed:
"At the same time, and neare the same place [Bodmin], dwelled a
miller, that had beene a greate dooer in that rebellion, for whom
also Sir Anthonie Kingston sought: but the miller being thereof
warned, called a good tall fellow that he had to his servant, and
said unto him, 'I have business to go from home; if anie therefore
come to ask for me, saie thou art the owner of the mill, and the man
for whom they shall so aske, and that thou hast kept this mill for
the space of three yeares; but in no wise name me.' The servant
promised his maister so to doo. And shortlie after, came Sir
Anthonie Kingston to the miller's house, and calling for the miller,
the servant came forth, and answered that he was the miller. 'How
long,' quoth Sir Anthonie, 'hast thou kept this mill?' He answered,
'Three years.'--'Well, then,' said he, 'come on: thou must go with
me;' and caused his men to laie hands on him, and to bring him to
the next tree, saieing to him, 'Thou hast been a busie knave, and
therefore here shalt thou hang.' Then cried the fellow out, and
saide that he was not the miller, but the miller's man. 'Well,
then,' said Sir Anthonie, 'thou art a false knave to be in two
tales: therefore,' said he, 'hang him up;' and so incontinentlie
hanged he was indeed. After he was dead, one that was present told
Sir Anthonie, 'Surelie, sir, this was but the miller's man.'--'What
then!' said he, 'could he ever have done his maister better service
than to hang for him?'"--B.]
So after dinner I took them by water to White Hall, taking in a very
pretty woman at Paul's Wharf, and there landed we, and I left Roger
Pepys and to St. Margaret's Church, and there saw Betty, and so to walk
in the Abbey with Sir John Talbot, who would fain have pumped me about
the prizes, but I would not let him, and so to walk towards Michell's to
see her, but could not, and so to Martin's, and her husband was at home,
and so took coach and to the Park, and thence home and to bed betimes.
Water 1s., coach 5s. Balty borrowed L2.
20th. Up betimes and to the getting ready my answer to the Committee of
Accounts to several questions, which makes me trouble, though I know of
no blame due to me from any, let them enquire what they can out.
[The first part of the entry for April 20th is among the rough
notes, and stands as follows: "Monday 20. Up and busy about answer
to Committee of Accounts this morning about several questions which
vexed me though in none I have reason to be troubled. But the
business of The Flying Greyhound begins to find me some care, though
in that I am wholly void of blame." This may be compared with the
text.]
I to White Hall, and there hear how Henry Brouncker is fled, which, I
think, will undo him: but what good it will do Harman I know not,
he hath so befooled himself; but it will be good sport to my Lord
Chancellor to hear how his great enemy is fain to take the same course
that he is. There met Robinson, who tells me that he fears his master,
W. Coventry, will this week have his business brought upon the stage
again, about selling of places, which I shall be sorry for, though the
less, since I hear his standing for Pen the other day, to the prejudice,
though not to the wrong, of my Lord Sandwich; and yet I do think what
he did, he did out of a principle of honesty. Thence to Committee of
Accounts, and delivered my paper, and had little discourse, and was
unwilling to stay long with them to enter into much, but away and glad
to be from them, though very civil to me, but cunning and close I see
they are. So to Westminster Hall, and there find the Parliament upon the
Irish business, where going into the Speaker's chamber I did hear how
plainly one lawyer of counsel for the complainants did inveigh by name
against all the late Commissioners there. Thence with Creed, thinking,
but failed, of dining with Lord Crew, and so he and I to Hercules
Pillars, and there dined, and thence home by coach, and so with Jack
Fenn to the Chamberlain of London to look after the state of some Navy
assignments that are in his hands, and thence away, and meeting Sir
William Hooker, the Alderman, he did cry out mighty high against Sir
W. Pen for his getting such an estate, and giving L15,000 with his
daughter, which is more, by half, than ever he did give; but this the
world believes, and so let them. Thence took coach and I all alone to
Hyde Park (passing through Duck Lane among the booksellers, only to get
a sight of the pretty little woman I did salute the other night, and
did in passing), and so all the evening in the Park, being a little
unwilling to be seen there, and at night home, and thereto W. Pen's and
sat and talked there with his wife and children a good while, he being
busy in his closet, I believe preparing his defence in Parliament, and
so home to bed.
21st. Up, and at the office all the morning, at noon dined at home, and
thence took Mrs. Turner out and carried her to the King's house, and
saw "The Indian Emperour;" and after that done, took Knepp out, and to
Kensington; and there walked in the garden, and then supped, and
mighty merry, there being also in the house Sir Philip Howard, and some
company, and had a dear reckoning, but merry, and away, it being quite
night, home, and dark, about 9 o'clock or more, and in my coming had the
opportunity the first time in my life to be bold with Knepp..., and so
left her at home, and so Mrs. Turner and I home to my letters and to
bed. Here hear how Sir W. Pen's impeachment was read, and agreed to, in
the House this day, and ordered to be engrossed; and he suspended the
House--[From sitting as a member pending the impeachment.-B.]--Harman
set at liberty; and Brouncker put out of the House, and a writ for a new
election, and an impeachment ordered to be brought in against him, he
being fled!
[Sir Charles Berkeley, jun. was chosen in his room. In the sea-
fight off Southwold Bay on June 3rd, 1665, the English triumphed
over the Dutch, but the very considerable victory was not followed
up. During the night, while the Duke of York slept, Henry
Brouncker, his groom of the bedchamber, ordered the lieutenant to
shorten sail, by which means the progress of the whole fleet was
retarded, the Duke of York's being the leading ship. The duke
affirmed that he first heard of Brouncker's unjustifiable action in
July, and yet he kept the culprit in his service for nearly two
years after the offence had come to his knowledge. After Brouncker
had been dismissed from the duke's service, the House of Commons
ejected him. The whole matter is one of the unsolved difficulties
of history. See Lister's "Life of Clarendon," ii., 334 335]
22nd. Up, and all the morning at my office busy. At noon, it being
washing day, I toward White Hall, and stopped and dined all alone at
Hercules Pillars, where I was mighty pleased to overhear a woman talk
to her counsel how she had troubled her neighbours with law, and did it
very roguishly and wittily. Thence to White Hall, and there we attended
the Duke of York as usual; and I did present Mrs. Pett, the widow, and
her petition to the Duke of York, for some relief from the King.
Here was to-day a proposition made to the Duke of York by Captain Von
Hemskirke for L20,000, to discover an art how to make a ship go two foot
for one what any ship do now, which the King inclines to try, it costing
him nothing to try; and it is referred to us to contract with the man.
Thence to attend the Council about the business of certificates to the
Exchequer, where the Commissioners of the Treasury of different minds,
some would, and my Lord Ashly would not have any more made out, and
carried it there should not. After done here, and the Council up, I by
water from the Privy-stairs to Westminster Hall; and, taking water, the
King and the Duke of York were in the new buildings; and the Duke of
York called to me whither I was going? and I answered aloud, "To wait on
our maisters at Westminster;" at which he and all the company
laughed; but I was sorry and troubled for it afterwards, for fear any
Parliament-man should have been there; and will be a caution to me for
the time to come. Met with Roger Pepys, who tells me they have been on
the business of money, but not ended yet, but will take up more time.
So to the fishmonger's, and bought a couple of lobsters, and over to
the 'sparagus garden, thinking to have met Mr. Pierce, and his wife
and Knepp; but met their servant coming to bring me to Chatelin's, the
French house, in Covent Garden, and there with musick and good company,
Manuel and his wife, and one Swaddle, a clerk of Lord Arlington's, who
dances, and speaks French well, but got drunk, and was then troublesome,
and here mighty merry till ten at night, and then I away, and got a
coach, and so home, where I find Balty and his wife come to town, and
did sup with them, and so they to bed. This night the Duke of Monmouth
and a great many blades were at Chatelin's, and I left them there, with
a hackney-coach attending him.
23rd. Up, and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon comes
Knepp and Mrs. Pierce, and her daughter, and one Mrs. Foster, and dined
with me, and mighty merry, and after dinner carried them to the Tower,
and shewed them all to be seen there, and, among other things, the Crown
and Scepters and rich plate, which I myself never saw before, and indeed
is noble, and I mightily pleased with it. Thence by water to the Temple,
and thereto the Cocke alehouse, and drank, and eat a lobster, and sang,
and mighty merry. So, almost night, I carried Mrs. Pierce home, and then
Knepp and I to the Temple again, and took boat, it being darkish, and to
Fox Hall, it being now night, and a bonfire burning at Lambeth for the
King's coronation-day. And there she and I drank;.... and so back, and
led her home, it being now ten at night; and so got a link; and, walking
towards home, just at my entrance into the ruines at St. Dunstan's, I
was met by two rogues with clubs, who come towards us. So I went back,
and walked home quite round by the wall, and got well home, and to
bed weary, but pleased at my day's pleasure, but yet displeased at my
expence, and time I lose.
24th. Up betimes, and by water to White Hall, to the Duke of York,
and there hear that this day Hopis and Temple purpose to bring in the
petition against Sir W. Coventry, which I am sorry for, but hope he will
get out of it. Here I presented Mrs. Pett and her condition to Mr. Wren
for his favour, which he promised us. Thence to Lord Brouncker and sat
and talked with him, who thinks the Parliament will, by their violence
and delay in money matters, force the King to run any hazard, and
dissolve them. Thence to Ducke Lane, and there did overlook a great many
of Monsieur Fouquet's library, that a bookseller hath bought, and I did
buy one Spanish [work], "Los Illustres Varones."
[Nicholas Fouquet, "Surintendant des Finances" in France, had built
at Vaux a house which surpassed in magnificence any palace belonging
to Louis XIV., prior to the erection of Versailles, and caused much
envy to all the Court, especially to Colbert. Fouquet died at
Pignerol in 1680, after nineteen years' incarceration; and whilst
Pepys was buying his books in London, Colbert had become prime
minister in France, and Colbert's brother ambassador in England.
The 'viper' had caught the 'squirrel'!--B.]
Here did I endeavour to see my pretty woman that I did baiser in las
tenebras a little while depuis. And did find her sofa in the book[shop],
but had not la confidence para alter a elle. So lost my pains. But will
another time, and so home and to my office, and then to dinner. After
dinner down to the Old Swan, and by the way called at Michell's, and
there did see Betty, and that was all, for either she is shy or foolish,
and su mardi hath no mind para laiser me see su moher. To White Hall by
water, and there did our business with the Duke of York, which was
very little, only here I do hear the Duke of York tell how Sir W. Pen's
impeachment was brought into the House of Lords to-day; and spoke with
great kindness of him: and that the Lords would not commit him till they
could find precedent for it, and did incline to favour him. Thence to
the King's playhouse, and there saw a piece of "Beggar's Bush," which I
have not seen some years, and thence home, and there to Sir W. Pen's and
supped and sat talking there late, having no where else to go, and my
eyes too bad to read right, and so home to bed.
25th. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes to my Lord Brouncker, and with him all
of us to my Lord Ashly to satisfy him about the reason of what we do
or have done in the business of the tradesmen's certificates, which he
seems satisfied with, but is not, but I believe we have done what we can
justify, and he hath done what he cannot in stopping us to grant them,
and I believe it will come into Parliament and make trouble. So home and
there at the office all the morning. At noon home to dinner, and thence
after dinner to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "Sir
Martin Marr-all," which, the more I see, the more I like, and thence to
Westminster Hall, and there met with Roger Pepys; and he tells me that
nothing hath lately passed about my Lord Sandwich, but only Sir Robert
Carr did speak hardly of him. But it is hoped that nothing will be
done more, this meeting of Parliament, which the King did, by a message
yesterday, declare again, should rise the 4th of May, and then only
adjourne for three months: and this message being only adjournment, did
please them mightily, for they are desirous of their power mightily.
Thence homeward by the Coffee House in Covent Garden, thinking to have
met Harris here but could not, and so home, and there, after my letters,
I home to have my hair cut by my sister Michell and her husband, and so
to bed. This day I did first put off my waste-coate, the weather being
very hot, but yet lay in it at night, and shall, for a little time.
26th (Lord's day). Lay long, and then up and to Church, and so home,
where there come and dined with me Harris, Rolt, and Bannister, and
one Bland, that sings well also, and very merry at dinner, and, after
dinner, to sing all the afternoon. But when all was done, I did begin
to think that the pleasure of these people was not worth so often charge
and cost to me, as it hath occasioned me. They being gone I and Balty
walked as far as Charing Cross, and there got a coach and to Hales's the
painter, thinking to have found Harris sitting there for his picture,
which is drawing for me. But he, and all this day's company, and Hales,
were got to the Crown tavern, at next door, and thither I to them and
stayed a minute, leaving Captain Grant telling pretty stories of people
that have killed themselves, or been accessory to it, in revenge to
other people, and to mischief other people, and thence with Hales to
his house, and there did see his beginning of Harris's picture, which I
think will be pretty like, and he promises a very good picture. Thence
with Balty away and got a coach and to Hide Park, and there up and down
and did drink some milk at the Lodge, and so home and to bed.
27th. Up, and Captain Deane come to see me, and he and I toward
Westminster together, and I set him down at White Hall, while I to
Westminster Hall, and up to the Lords' House, and there saw Sir W. Pen
go into the House of Lords, where his impeachment was read to him,
and he used mighty civilly, the Duke of York being there; and two days
hence, at his desire, he is to bring in his answer, and a day then to be
appointed for his being heard with Counsel. Thence down into the Hall,
and with Creed and Godolphin walked; and do hear that to-morrow is
appointed, upon a motion on Friday last, to discourse the business of my
Lord Sandwich, moved by Sir R. Howard, that he should be sent for, home;
and I fear it will be ordered. Certain news come, I hear, this day, that
the Spanish Plenipotentiary in Flanders will not agree to the peace and
terms we and the Dutch have made for him and the King of France; and by
this means the face of things may be altered, and we forced to join with
the French against Spain, which will be an odd thing. At noon with Creed
to my Lord Crew's, and there dined; and here was a very fine-skinned
lady dined, the daughter of my Lord Roberts, and also a fine lady, Mr.
John Parkhurst his wife, that was but a boy the other day. And after
dinner there comes in my Lady Roberts herself, and with her Mr.
Roberts's daughter, that was Mrs. Boddevill, the great beauty, and
a fine lady indeed, the first time I saw her. My Lord Crew, and
Sir Thomas, and I, and Creed, all the afternoon debating of my Lord
Sandwich's business, against to-morrow, and thence I to the King's
playhouse, and there saw most of "The Cardinall," a good play, and
thence to several places to pay my debts, and then home, and there took
a coach and to Mile End to take a little ayre, and thence home to Sir
W. Pen's, where I supped, and sat all the evening; and being lighted
homeward by Mrs. Markham, I blew out the candle and kissed her, and so
home to bed.
28th. Up betimes, and to Sir W. Coventry's by water, but lost my labour,
so through the Park to White Hall, and thence to my Lord Crew's to
advise again with him about my Lord Sandwich, and so to the office,
where till noon, and then I by coach to Westminster Hall, and there
do understand that the business of religion, and the Act against
Conventicles, have so taken them up all this morning, and do still, that
my Lord Sandwich's business is not like to come on to-day, which I am
heartily glad of. This law against Conventicles is very severe; but
Creed, whom I met here, do tell me that, it being moved that Papists'
meetings might be included, the House was divided upon it, and it was
carried in the negative; which will give great disgust to the people,
I doubt. Thence with Creed to Hercules Pillars by the Temple again,
and there dined he and I all alone, and thence to the King's house, and
there did see "Love in a Maze," wherein very good mirth of Lacy, the
clown, and Wintersell, the country-knight, his master. Thence to the New
Exchange to pay a debt of my wife's there, and so home, and there to the
office and walk in the garden in the dark to ease my eyes, and so home
to supper and to bed.
29th. Up, and to my office, where all the morning busy. At noon dined
at home, and my clerks with me, and thence I to White Hall, and there
do hear how Sir W. Pen hath delivered in his answer; and the Lords have
sent it down to the Commons, but they have not yet read it, nor taken
notice of it, so as, I believe, they will by design defer it till they
rise, that so he, by lying under an impeachment, may be prevented in
his going to sea, which will vex him, and trouble the Duke of York. Did
little business with the Duke of York, and then Lord Brouncker and I to
the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "Love in a Tubb;" and, after
the play done, I stepped up to Harris's dressing-room, where I never
was, and there I observe much company come to him, and the Witts, to
talk, after the play is done, and to assign meetings. Mine was to talk
about going down to see "The Resolution," and so away, and thence to
Westminster Hall, and there met with Mr. G. Montagu, and walked and
talked; who tells me that the best fence against the Parliament's
present fury is delay, and recommended it to me, in my friends' business
and my own, if I have any; and is that, that Sir W. Coventry do take,
and will secure himself; that the King will deliver up all to the
Parliament; and being petitioned the other day by Mr. Brouncker to
protect him, with teares in his eyes, the King did say he could not, and
bid him shift for himself, at least till the House is up. Thence I away
to White Hall, and there took coach home with a stranger I let into the
coach, to club with me for it, he going into London, I set him down at
the lower end of Cheapside, and I home, and to Sir W. Pen's, and there
sat, and by and by, it being now about nine o'clock at night, I heard
Mercer's voice, and my boy Tom's singing in the garden, which pleased me
mightily, I longing to see the girl, having not seen her since my wife
went; and so into the garden to her and sang, and then home to supper,
and mightily pleased with her company, in talking and singing, and so
parted, and to bed.
30th. Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon Sir J. Minnes and I
to the Dolphin Tavern, there to meet our neighbours, all of the
Parish, this being Procession-day, to dine. And did; and much very good
discourse; they being, most of them, very able merchants as any in
the City: Sir Andrew Rickard, Mr. Vandeputt, Sir John Fredericke,
Harrington, and others. They talked with Mr. Mills about the meaning
of this day, and the good uses of it; and how heretofore, and yet in
several places, they do whip a boy at each place they stop at in their
procession. Thence I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw
"The Tempest," which still pleases me mightily, and thence to the
New Exchange, and then home, and in the way stopped to talk with Mr.
Brisband, who gives me an account of the rough usage Sir G. Carteret and
his Counsel had the other day, before the Commissioners of Accounts, and
what I do believe we shall all of us have, in a greater degree than any
he hath had yet with them, before their three years are out, which are
not yet begun, nor God knows when they will, this being like to be no
session of Parliament, when they now rise. So home, and there took up
Mrs. Turner and carried her to Mile End and drank, and so back talking,
and so home and to bed, I being mighty cold, this being a mighty cold
day, and I had left off my waistcoat three or four days. This evening,
coming home in the dusk, I saw and spoke to our Nell, Pain's daughter,
and had I not been very cold I should have taken her to Tower hill para
together et toker her. Thus ends this month; my wife in the country,
myself full of pleasure and expence; and some trouble for my friends, my
Lord Sandwich, by the Parliament, and more for my eyes, which are daily
worse and worse, that I dare not write or read almost any thing.
The Parliament going in a few days to rise; myself so long without
accounting now, for seven or eight months, I think, or more, that I know
not what condition almost I am in, as to getting or spending for all
that time, which troubles me, but I will soon do it. The kingdom in an
ill state through poverty; a fleete going out, and no money to maintain
it, or set it out; seamen yet unpaid, and mutinous when pressed to go
out again; our Office able to do little, nobody trusting us, nor we
desiring any to trust us, and yet have not money for any thing, but only
what particularly belongs to this fleete going out, and that but lamely
too. The Parliament several months upon an Act for L300,000, but cannot
or will not agree upon it, but do keep it back, in spite of the King's
desires to hasten it, till they can obtain what they have a mind, in
revenge upon some men for the late ill managements; and he is forced to
submit to what they please, knowing that, without it, he shall have no
money, and they as well, that, if they give the money, the King will
suffer them to do little more; and then the business of religion
do disquiet every body, the Parliament being vehement against the
Nonconformists, while the King seems to be willing to countenance them.
So we are all poor, and in pieces--God help us! while the peace is
like to go on between Spain and France; and then the French may be
apprehended able to attack us. So God help us!