16th (Lord's day). It raining, we set out, and about nine o

Produced by David Widger

THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.

CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY

TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY

MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE FELLOW

AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE

(Unabridged)

WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES

EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY

HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

1664

October 1st. Up and at the office both forenoon and afternoon very busy,

and with great pleasure in being so. This morning Mrs. Lane (now Martin)

like a foolish woman, came to the Horseshoe hard by, and sent for me while

I was: at the office; to come to speak with her by a note sealed up, I

know to get me to do something for her husband, but I sent her an answer

that I would see her at Westminster, and so I did not go, and she went

away, poor soul. At night home to supper, weary, and my eyes sore with

writing and reading, and to bed. We go now on with great vigour in

preparing against the Dutch, who, they say, will now fall upon us without

doubt upon this high newes come of our beating them so, wholly in Guinny.

2nd (Lord's day). My wife not being well to go to church I walked with my

boy through the City, putting in at several churches, among others at

Bishopsgate, and there saw the picture usually put before the King's book,

put up in the church, but very ill painted, though it were a pretty piece

to set up in a church. I intended to have seen the Quakers, who, they

say, do meet every Lord's day at the Mouth at Bishopsgate; but I could see

none stirring, nor was it fit to aske for the place, so I walked over

Moorefields, and thence to Clerkenwell church, and there, as I wished, sat

next pew to the fair Butler, who indeed is a most perfect beauty still;

and one I do very much admire myself for my choice of her for a beauty,

she having the best lower part of her face that ever I saw all days of my

life. After church I walked to my Lady Sandwich's, through my Lord

Southampton's new buildings in the fields behind Gray's Inn; and, indeed,

they are a very great and a noble work. So I dined with my Lady, and the

same innocent discourse that we used to have, only after dinner, being

alone, she asked me my opinion about Creed, whether he would have a wife

or no, and what he was worth, and proposed Mrs. Wright for him, which, she

says, she heard he was once inquiring after. She desired I would take a

good time and manner of proposing it, and I said I would, though I

believed he would love nothing but money, and much was not to be expected

there, she said. So away back to Clerkenwell Church, thinking to have got

sight of la belle Boteler again, but failed, and so after church walked

all over the fields home, and there my wife was angry with me for not

coming home, and for gadding abroad to look after beauties, she told me

plainly, so I made all peace, and to supper. This evening came Mrs. Lane

(now Martin) with her husband to desire my helpe about a place for him.

It seems poor Mr. Daniel is dead of the Victualling Office, a place too

good for this puppy to follow him in. But I did give him the best words I

could, and so after drinking a glasse of wine sent them going, but with

great kindnesse. Go to supper, prayers, and to bed.

3rd. Up with Sir J. Minnes, by coach, to St. James's; and there all the

newes now of very hot preparations for the Dutch: and being with the Duke,

he told us he was resolved to make a tripp himself, and that Sir W. Pen

should go in the same ship with him. Which honour, God forgive me! I

could grudge him, for his knavery and dissimulation, though I do not envy

much the having the same place myself. Talke also of great haste in the

getting out another fleete, and building some ships; and now it is likely

we have put one another by each other's dalliance past a retreate. Thence

with our heads full of business we broke up, and I to my barber's, and

there only saw Jane and stroked her under the chin, and away to the

Exchange, and there long about several businesses, hoping to get money by

them, and thence home to dinner and there found Hawly. But meeting

Bagwell's wife at the office before I went home I took her into the office

and there kissed her only. She rebuked me for doing it, saying that did I

do so much to many bodies else it would be a stain to me. But I do not

see but she takes it well enough, though in the main I believe she is very

honest. So after some kind discourse we parted, and I home to dinner, and

after dinner down to Deptford, where I found Mr. Coventry, and there we

made, an experiment of Holland's and our cordage, and ours outdid it a

great deale, as my book of observations tells particularly. Here we were

late, and so home together by water, and I to my office, where late,

putting things in order. Mr. Bland came this night to me to take his

leave of me, he going to Tangier, wherein I wish him good successe. So

home to supper and to bed, my mind troubled at the businesses I have to

do, that I cannot mind them as I ought to do and get money, and more that

I have neglected my frequenting and seeming more busy publicly than I have

done of late in this hurry of business, but there is time left to recover

it, and I trust in God I shall.

4th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and this morning

Sir W. Pen went to Chatham to look: after the ships now going out thence,

and particularly that wherein the Duke and himself go. He took Sir G.

Ascue with: him, whom, I believe, he hath brought into play. At noon to

the 'Change and thence home, where I found my aunt James and the two she

joyces. They dined and were merry with us. Thence after dinner to a

play, to see "The Generall;" which is so dull and so ill-acted, that I

think it is the worst. I ever saw or heard in all my days. I happened to

sit near; to Sir Charles Sidly; who I find a very witty man, and he did at

every line take notice of the dullness of the poet and badness of the

action, that most pertinently; which I was mightily taken with; and among

others where by Altemire's command Clarimont, the Generall, is commanded

to rescue his Rivall, whom she loved, Lucidor, he, after a great deal of

demurre, broke out; "Well, I'le save my Rivall and make her confess, that

I deserve, while he do but possesse." "Why, what, pox," says Sir Charles

Sydly, "would he have him have more, or what is there more to be had of a

woman than the possessing her?" Thence-setting all them at home, I home

with my wife and Mercer, vexed at my losing my time and above 20s. in

money, and neglecting my business to see so bad a play. To-morrow they

told us should be acted, or the day after, a new play, called "The

Parson's Dreame," acted all by women. So to my office, and there did

business; and so home to supper and to bed.

5th. Up betimes and to my office, and thence by coach to New Bridewell to

meet with Mr. Poyntz to discourse with him (being Master of the Workhouse

there) about making of Bewpers for us. But he was not within; however his

clerke did lead me up and down through all the house, and there I did with

great pleasure see the many pretty works, and the little children

employed, every one to do something, which was a very fine sight, and

worthy encouragement. I cast away a crowne among them, and so to the

'Change and among the Linnen Wholesale Drapers to enquire about Callicos,

to see what can be done with them for the supplying our want of Bewpers

for flaggs, and I think I shall do something therein to good purpose for

the King. So to the Coffeehouse, and there fell in discourse with the

Secretary of the Virtuosi of Gresham College, and had very fine discourse

with him. He tells me of a new invented instrument to be tried before the

College anon, and I intend to see it. So to Trinity House, and there I

dined among the old dull fellows, and so home and to my office a while,

and then comes Mr. Cocker to see me, and I discoursed with him about his

writing and ability of sight, and how I shall do to get some glasse or

other to helpe my eyes by candlelight; and he tells me he will bring me

the helps he hath within a day or two, and shew me what he do. Thence to

the Musique-meeting at the Postoffice, where I was once before. And

thither anon come all the Gresham College, and a great deal of noble

company: and the new instrument was brought called the Arched Viall,

["There seems to be a curious fate reigning over the instruments

which have the word 'arch' prefixed to their name. They have no

vitality, and somehow or other come to grief. Even the famous

archlute, which was still a living thing in the time of Handel, has

now disappeared from the concert room and joined Mr. Pepys's 'Arched

Viall' in the limbo of things forgotten . . . . Mr. Pepys's

verdict that it would never do . . . has been fully confirmed by

the event, as his predictions usually were, being indeed always

founded on calm judgment and close observation."--B. (Hueffer's

Italian and other Studies, 1883, p. 263).]

where being tuned with lute-strings, and played on with kees like an

organ, a piece of parchment is always kept moving; and the strings, which

by the kees are pressed down upon it, are grated in imitation of a bow, by

the parchment; and so it is intended to resemble several vyalls played on

with one bow, but so basely and harshly, that it will never do. But after

three hours' stay it could not be fixed in tune; and so they were fain to

go to some other musique of instruments, which I am grown quite out of

love with, and so I, after some good discourse with Mr. Spong, Hill,

Grant, and Dr. Whistler, and others by turns, I home to my office and

there late, and so home, where I understand my wife has spoke to Jane and

ended matters of difference between her and her, and she stays with us,

which I am glad of; for her fault is nothing but sleepiness and

forgetfulness, otherwise a good-natured, quiet, well-meaning, honest

servant, and one that will do as she is bid, so one called upon her and

will see her do it. This morning, by three o'clock, the

Prince--[Rupert]--and King, and Duke with him, went down the River, and

the Prince under sail the next tide after, and so is gone from the Hope.

God give him better successe than he used to have! This day Mr. Bland

went away hence towards his voyage to Tangier. This day also I had a

letter from an unknown hand that tells me that Jacke Angier, he believes,

is dead at Lisbon, for he left him there ill.

6th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning, among other things

about this of the flags and my bringing in of callicos to oppose Young and

Whistler. At noon by promise Mr. Pierce and his wife and Madam Clerke and

her niece came and dined with me to a rare chine of beefe and spent the

afternoon very pleasantly all the afternoon, and then to my office in the

evening, they being gone, and late at business, and then home to supper

and to bed, my mind coming to itself in following of my business.

7th. Lay pretty while with some discontent abed, even to the having bad

words with my wife, and blows too, about the ill-serving up of our

victuals yesterday; but all ended in love, and so I rose and to my office

busy all the morning. At noon dined at home, and then to my office again,

and then abroad to look after callicos for flags, and hope to get a small

matter by my pains therein and yet save the King a great deal of money,

and so home to my office, and there came Mr. Cocker, and brought me a

globe of glasse, and a frame of oyled paper, as I desired, to show me the

manner of his gaining light to grave by, and to lessen the glaringnesse of

it at pleasure by an oyled paper. This I bought of him, giving him a

crowne for it; and so, well satisfied, he went away, and I to my business

again, and so home to supper, prayers, and to bed.

8th. All the morning at the office, and after dinner abroad, and among

other things contracted with one Mr. Bridges, at the White Bear on

Cornhill, for 100 pieces of Callico to make flaggs; and as I know I shall

save the King money, so I hope to get a little for my pains and venture of

my own money myself. Late in the evening doing business, and then comes

Captain Tayler, and he and I till 12 o'clock at night arguing about the

freight of his ship Eagle, hired formerly by me to Tangier, and at last we

made an end, and I hope to get a little money, some small matter by it.

So home to bed, being weary and cold, but contented that I have made an

end of that business.

9th (Lord's day). Lay pretty long, but however up time enough with my

wife to go to church. Then home to dinner, and Mr. Fuller, my Cambridge

acquaintance, coming to me about what he was with me lately, to release a

waterman, he told me he was to preach at Barking Church; and so I to heare

him, and he preached well and neatly. Thence, it being time enough, to

our owne church, and there staid wholly privately at the great doore to

gaze upon a pretty lady, and from church dogged her home, whither she went

to a house near Tower hill, and I think her to be one of the prettiest

women I ever saw. So home, and at my office a while busy, then to my

uncle Wight's, whither it seems my wife went after sermon and there

supped, but my aunt and uncle in a very ill humour one with another, but I

made shift with much ado to keep them from scolding, and so after supper

home and to bed without prayers, it being cold, and to-morrow washing day.

10th. Up and, it being rainy, in Sir W. Pen's coach to St. James's, and

there did our usual business with the Duke, and more and more preparations

every day appear against the Dutch, and (which I must confess do a little

move my envy) Sir W. Pen do grow every day more and more regarded by the

Duke,

["The duke had decided that the English fleet should consist of

three squadrons to be commanded by himself, Prince Rupert, and Lord

Sandwich, from which arrangement the two last, who were land

admirals; had concluded that Penn would have no concern in this

fleet. Neither the duke, Rupert, nor Sandwich had ever been engaged

in an encounter of fleets . . . . Penn alone of the four was

familiar with all these things. By the duke's unexpected

announcement that he should take Penn with him into his own ship,

Rupert and Sandwich at once discovered that they would be really and

practically under Penn's command in everything."]

because of his service heretofore in the Dutch warr which I am confident

is by some strong obligations he hath laid upon Mr. Coventry; for Mr.

Coventry must needs know that he is a man of very mean parts, but only a

bred seaman: Going home in coach with Sir W. Batten he told me how Sir J.

Minnes by the means of Sir R. Ford was the last night brought to his house

and did discover the reason of his so long discontent with him, and now

they are friends again, which I am sorry for, but he told it me so plainly

that I see there is no thorough understanding between them, nor love, and

so I hope there will be no great combination in any thing, nor do I see

Sir J. Minnes very fond as he used to be. But: Sir W. Batten do raffle

still against Mr. Turner and his wife, telling me he is a false fellow,

and his wife a false woman, and has rotten teeth and false, set in with

wire, and as I know they are so, so I am glad he finds it so. To the

Coffee-house, and thence to the 'Change, and therewith Sir W. Warren to

the Coffee-house behind the 'Change, and sat alone with him till 4 o'clock

talking of his businesses first and then of business in general, and

discourse how I might get money and how to carry myself to advantage to

contract no envy and yet make the world see my pains; which was with great

content to me, and a good friend and helpe I am like to find him, for

which God be thanked! So home to dinner at 4 o'clock, and then to the

office, and there late, and so home to supper and to bed, having sat up

till past twelve at night to look over the account of the collections for

the Fishery, and the loose and base manner that monies so collected are

disposed of in, would make a man never part with a penny in that manner,

and, above all, the inconvenience of having a great man, though never so

seeming pious as my Lord Pembroke is. He is too great to be called to an

account, and is abused by his servants, and yet obliged to defend them for

his owne sake. This day, by the blessing of God, my wife and I have been

married nine years: but my head being full of business, I did not think of

it to keep it in any extraordinary manner. But bless God for our long

lives and loves and health together, which the same God long continue, I

wish, from my very heart!

11th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. My wife this

morning went, being invited, to my Lady Sandwich, and I alone at home at

dinner, till by and by Luellin comes and dines with me. He tells me what

a bawdy loose play this "Parson's Wedding" is, that is acted by nothing

but women at the King's house, and I am glad of it. Thence to the Fishery

in Thames Street, and there several good discourses about the letting of

the Lotterys, and, among others, one Sir Thomas Clifford, whom yet I knew

not, do speak very well and neatly. Thence I to my cozen Will Joyce to

get him to go to Brampton with me this week, but I think he will not, and

I am not a whit sorry for it, for his company both chargeable and

troublesome. So home and to my office, and then to supper and then to my

office again till late, and so home, with my head and heart full of

business, and so to bed. My wife tells me the sad news of my Lady

Castlemayne's being now become so decayed, that one would not know her; at

least far from a beauty, which I am sorry for. This day with great joy

Captain Titus told us the particulars of the French's expedition against

Gigery upon the Barbary Coast, in the Straights, with 6,000 chosen men.

They have taken the Fort of Gigery, wherein were five men and three guns,

which makes the whole story of the King of France's policy and power to be

laughed at.

12th. This morning all the morning at my office ordering things against

my journey to-morrow. At noon to the Coffeehouse, where very good

discourse. For newes, all say De Ruyter is gone to Guinny before us. Sir

J. Lawson is come to Portsmouth; and our fleete is hastening all speed: I

mean this new fleete. Prince Rupert with his is got into the Downes. At

home dined with me W. Joyce and a friend of his. W. Joyce will go with me

to Brampton. After dinner I out to Mr. Bridges, the linnen draper, and

evened with (him) for 100 pieces of callico, and did give him L208 18s.,

which I now trust the King for, but hope both to save the King money and

to get a little by it to boot. Thence by water up and down all the timber

yards to look out some Dram timber, but can find none for our turne at the

price I would have; and so I home, and there at my office late doing

business against my journey to clear my hands of every thing for two days.

So home and to supper and bed.

13th. After being at the office all the morning, I home and dined, and

taking leave of my wife with my mind not a little troubled how she would

look after herself or house in my absence, especially, too, leaving a

considerable sum of money in the office, I by coach to the Red Lyon in

Aldersgate Street, and there, by agreement, met W. Joyce and Tom Trice,

and mounted, I upon a very fine mare that Sir W. Warren helps me to, and

so very merrily rode till it was very darke, I leading the way through the

darke to Welling, and there, not being very weary, to supper and to bed.

But very bad accommodation at the Swan. In this day's journey I met with

Mr. White, Cromwell's chaplin that was, and had a great deale of discourse

with him. Among others, he tells me that Richard is, and hath long been,

in France, and is now going into Italy. He owns publiquely that he do

correspond, and return him all his money. That Richard hath been in some

straits at the beginning; but relieved by his friends. That he goes by

another name, but do not disguise himself, nor deny himself to any man

that challenges him. He tells me, for certain, that offers had been made

to the old man, of marriage between the King and his daughter, to have

obliged him, but he would not.

[The Protector wished the Duke of Buckingham to marry his daughter

Frances. She married, 1. Robert Rich, grandson and heir to Robert,

Earl of Warwick, on November 11th, 1657, who died in the following

February; 2. Sir John Russell, Bart. She died January 27th,

1721-22, aged eighty-four. In T. Morrice's life of Roger, Earl of

Orrery, prefixed to Orrery's "State Letters" (Dublin, 1743, vol.

i., p. 40), there is a circumstantial account of an interview

between Orrery (then Lord Broghill) and Cromwell, in which the

former suggested to the latter that Charles II. should marry Frances

Cromwell. Cromwell gave great attention to the reasons urged, "but

walking two or three turns, and pondering with himself, he told Lord

Broghill the king would never forgive him the death of his father.

His lordship desired him to employ somebody to sound the king in

this matter, to see how he would take it, and offered himself to

mediate in it for him. But Cromwell would not consent, but again

repeated, 'The king cannot and will not forgive the death of his

father;' and so he left his lordship, who durst not tell him he had

already dealt with his majesty in that affair. Upon this my lord

withdrew, and meeting Cromwell's wife and daughter, they inquired

how he had succeeded; of which having given them an account, he

added they must try their interest in him, but none could prevail."]

He thinks (with me) that it never was in his power to bring in the King

with the consent of any of his officers about him; and that he scorned to

bring him in as Monk did, to secure himself and deliver every body else.

When I told him of what I found writ in a French book of one Monsieur

Sorbiere, that gives an account of his observations herein England; among

other things he says, that it is reported that Cromwell did, in his

life-time, transpose many of the bodies of the Kings of England from one

grave to another, and that by that means it is not known certainly whether

the head that is now set up upon a post be that of Cromwell, or of one of

the Kings; Mr. White tells me that he believes he never had so poor a low

thought in him to trouble himself about it. He says the hand of God is

much to be seen; that all his children are in good condition enough as to

estate, and that their relations that betrayed their family are all now

either hanged or very miserable.

14th. Up by break of day, and got to Brampton by three o'clock, where my

father and mother overjoyed to see me, my mother, ready to weepe every

time she looked upon me. After dinner my father and I to the Court, and

there did all our business to my mind, as I have set down in a paper

particularly expressing our proceedings at this court. So home, where W.

Joyce full of talk and pleased with his journey, and after supper I to bed

and left my father, mother, and him laughing.

15th. My father and I up and walked alone to Hinchingbroke; and among the

other late chargeable works that my Lord hath done there, we saw his

water-works and the Oral which is very fine; and so is the house all over,

but I am sorry to think of the money at this time spent therein. Back to

my father's (Mr. Sheply being out of town) and there breakfasted, after

making an end with Barton about his businesses, and then my mother called

me into the garden, and there but all to no purpose desiring me to be

friends with John, but I told her I cannot, nor indeed easily shall, which

afflicted the poor woman, but I cannot help it. Then taking leave, W.

Joyce and I set out, calling T. Trice at Bugden, and thence got by night

to Stevenage, and there mighty merry, though I in bed more weary than the

other two days, which, I think, proceeded from our galloping so much, my

other weariness being almost all over; but I find that a coney skin in my

breeches preserves me perfectly from galling, and that eating after I come

to my Inne, without drinking, do keep me from being stomach sick, which

drink do presently make me. We lay all in several beds in the same room,

and W. Joyce full of his impertinent tricks and talk, which then made us

merry, as any other fool would have done. So to sleep.

16th (Lord's day). It raining, we set out, and about nine o'clock got to

Hatfield in church-time; and I 'light and saw my simple Lord Salsbury sit

there in his gallery. Staid not in the Church, but thence mounted again

and to Barnett by the end of sermon, and there dined at the Red Lyon very

weary again, but all my weariness yesterday night and to-day in my thighs

only, the rest of my weariness in my shoulders and arms being quite gone.

Thence home, parting company at my cozen Anth. Joyce's, by four o'clock,

weary, but very well, to bed at home, where I find all well. Anon my wife

came to bed, but for my ease rose again and lay with her woman.

17th. Rose very well and not weary, and with Sir W. Batten to St.

James's; there did our business. I saw Sir J. Lawson since his return

from sea first this morning, and hear that my Lord Sandwich is come from

Portsmouth to town. Thence I to him, and finding him at my Lord Crew's, I

went with him home to his house and much kind discourse. Thence my Lord

to Court, and I with Creed to the 'Change, and thence with Sir W. Warren

to a cook's shop and dined, discoursing and advising him about his great

contract he is to make tomorrow, and do every day receive great

satisfaction in his company, and a prospect of a just advantage by his

friendship. Thence to my office doing some business, but it being very

cold, I, for fear of getting cold, went early home to bed, my wife not

being come home from my Lady Jemimah, with whom she hath been at a play

and at Court to-day.

18th. Up and to the office, where among other things we made a very great

contract with Sir W. Warren for 3,000 loade of timber. At noon dined at

home. In the afternoon to the Fishery, where, very confused and very

ridiculous, my Lord Craven's proceedings, especially his finding fault

with Sir J. Collaton and Colonell Griffin's' report in the accounts of the

lottery-men. Thence I with Mr. Gray in his coach to White Hall, but the

King and Duke being abroad, we returned to Somersett House. In discourse

I find him a very worthy and studious gentleman in the business of trade,

and among-other things he observed well to me, how it is not the greatest

wits, but the steady man, that is a good merchant: he instanced in Ford

and Cocke, the last of whom he values above all men as his oracle, as Mr.

Coventry do Mr. Jolliffe. He says that it is concluded among merchants,

that where a trade hath once been and do decay, it never recovers again,

and therefore that the manufacture of cloath of England will never come to

esteem again; that, among other faults, Sir Richard Ford cannot keepe a

secret, and that it is so much the part of a merchant to be guilty of that

fault that the Duke of Yoke is resolved to commit no more secrets to the

merchants of the Royall Company; that Sir Ellis Layton is, for a speech of

forty words, the wittiest man that ever he knew in his life, but longer he

is nothing, his judgment being nothing at all, but his wit most absolute.

At Somersett House he carried me in, and there I saw the Queene's new

rooms, which are most stately and nobly furnished; and there I saw her,

and the Duke of Yorke and Duchesse were there. The Duke espied me, and

came to me, and talked with me a very great while about our contract this

day with Sir W. Warren, and among other things did with some contempt ask

whether we did except Polliards, which Sir W. Batten did yesterday (in

spite, as the Duke I believe by my Lord Barkely do well enough know) among

other things in writing propose. Thence home by coach, it raining hard,

and to my office, where late, then home to supper and to bed. This night

the Dutch Embassador desired and had an audience of the King. What the

issue of it was I know not. Both sides I believe desire peace, but

neither will begin, and so I believe a warr will follow. The Prince is

with his fleet at Portsmouth, and the Dutch are making all preparations

for warr.

19th. Up and to my office all the morning. At noon dined at home; then

abroad by coach to buy for the office "Herne upon the Statute of

Charitable Uses," in order to the doing something better in the Chest than

we have done, for I am ashamed to see Sir W. Batten possess himself so

long of so much money as he hath done. Coming home, weighed, my two

silver flaggons at Stevens's. They weigh 212 oz. 27 dwt., which is about

L50, at 5s. per oz., and then they judge the fashion to be worth above 5s.

per oz. more--nay, some say 10s. an ounce the fashion. But I do not

believe, but yet am sorry to see that the fashion is worth so much, and

the silver come to no more. So home and to my office, where very busy

late. My wife at Mercer's mother's, I believe, W. Hewer with them, which

I do not like, that he should ask my leave to go about business, and then

to go and spend his time in sport, and leave me here busy. To supper and

to bed, my wife coming in by and by, which though I know there was no hurt

in it; I do not like.

20th. Up and to the office, where all the morning. At noon my uncle

Thomas came, dined with me, and received some money of me. Then I to my

office, where I took in with me Bagwell's wife, and there I caressed her,

and find her every day more and more coming with good words and promises

of getting her husband a place, which I will do. So we parted, and I to

my Lord Sandwich at his lodgings, and after a little stay away with Mr.

Cholmely to Fleete Streete; in the way he telling me that Tangier is like

to be in a bad condition with this same Fitzgerald, he being a man of no

honour, nor presence, nor little honesty, and endeavours: to raise the

Irish and suppress the English interest there; and offend every body, and

do nothing that I hear of well, which I am sorry for. Thence home, by the

way taking two silver tumblers home, which I have bought, and so home, and

there late busy at my office, and then home to supper and to bed.

21st. Up and by coach to Mr. Cole's, and there conferred with him about

some law business, and so to Sir W. Turner's, and there bought my cloth,

coloured, for a suit and cloake, to line with plush the cloak, which will

cost me money, but I find that I must go handsomely, whatever it costs me,

and the charge will be made up in the fruit it brings. Thence to the

Coffee-house and 'Change, and so home to dinner, and then to the office

all the afternoon, whither comes W. Howe to see me, being come from, and

going presently back to sea with my Lord. Among other things he tells me

Mr. Creed is much out of favour with my Lord from his freedom of talke and

bold carriage, and other things with which my Lord is not pleased, but

most I doubt his not lending my Lord money, and Mr. Moore's reporting what

his answer was I doubt in the worst manner. But, however, a very unworthy

rogue he is, and, therefore, let him go for one good for nothing, though

wise to the height above most men I converse with. In the evening (W.

Howe being gone) comes Mr. Martin, to trouble me again to get him a

Lieutenant's place for which he is as fit as a foole can be. But I put him

off like an arse, as he is, and so setting my papers and books in order: I

home to supper and to bed.

22nd. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon comes

my uncle Thomas and his daughter Mary about getting me to pay them the L30

due now, but payable in law to her husband. I did give them the best

answer I could, and so parted, they not desiring to stay to dinner. After

dinner I down to Deptford, and there did business, and so back to my

office, where very late busy, and so home to supper and to bed.

23rd (Lord's day). Up and to church. At noon comes unexpected Mr.

Fuller, the minister, and dines with me, and also I had invited Mr. Cooper

with one I judge come from sea, and he and I spent the whole afternoon

together, he teaching me some things in understanding of plates. At night

to the office, doing business, and then home to supper. Then a psalm, to

prayers, and to bed.

24th. Up and in Sir J. Minnes' coach (alone with Mrs. Turner as far as

Paternoster Row, where I set her down) to St. James's, and there did our

business, and I had the good lucke to speak what pleased the Duke about

our great contract in hand with Sir W. Warren against Sir W. Batten,

wherein the Duke is very earnest for our contracting. Thence home to the

office till noon, and then dined and to the 'Change and off with Sir W.

Warren for a while, consulting about managing his contract. Thence to a

Committee at White Hall of Tangier, where I had the good lucke to speak

something to very good purpose about the Mole at Tangier, which was well

received even by Sir J. Lawson and Mr. Cholmely, the undertakers, against

whose interest I spoke; that I believe I shall be valued for it. Thence

into the galleries to talk with my Lord Sandwich; among other things,

about the Prince's writing up to tell us of the danger he and his fleete

lie in at Portsmouth, of receiving affronts from the Dutch; which, my Lord

said, he would never have done, had he lain there with one ship alone: nor

is there any great reason for it, because of the sands. However, the

fleete will be ordered to go and lay themselves up at the Cowes. Much

beneath the prowesse of the Prince, I think, and the honour of the nation,

at the first to be found to secure themselves. My Lord is well pleased to

think, that, if the Duke and the Prince go, all the blame of any

miscarriage will not light on him; and that if any thing goes well, he

hopes he shall have the share of the glory, for the Prince is by no means

well esteemed of by any body. Thence home, and though not very well yet

up late about the Fishery business, wherein I hope to give an account how

I find the Collections to have been managed, which I did finish to my

great content, and so home to supper and to bed. This day the great

O'Neale died; I believe, to the content of all the Protestant pretenders

in Ireland.

25th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and finished

Sir W. Warren's great contract for timber, with great content to me,

because just in the terms I wrote last night to Sir W. Warren and against

the terms proposed by Sir W. Batten. At noon home to dinner, and there

found Creed and Hawley. After dinner comes in Mrs. Ingram, the first time

to make a visit to my wife. After a little stay I left them and to the

Committee of the Fishery, and there did make my report of the late public

collections for the Fishery, much to the satisfaction of the Committee,

and I think much to my reputation, for good notice was taken of it and

much it was commended. So home, in my way taking care of a piece of plate

for Mr. Christopher Pett, against the launching of his new great ship

tomorrow at Woolwich, which I singly did move to His Royall Highness, and

did obtain it for him, to the value of twenty pieces. And he, under his

hand, do acknowledge to me that he did never receive so great a kindness

from any man in the world as from me herein. So to my office, and then to

supper, and then to my office again, where busy late, being very full now

a days of business to my great content, I thank God, and so home to bed,

my house being full of a design, to go to-morrow, my wife and all her

servants, to see the new ship launched.

26th. Up, my people rising mighty betimes, to fit themselves to go by

water; and my boy, he could not sleep, but wakes about four o'clock, and

in bed lay playing on his lute till daylight, and, it seems, did the like

last night till twelve o'clock. About eight o'clock, my wife, she and her

woman, and Besse and Jane, and W. Hewer and the boy, to the water-side,

and there took boat, and by and by I out of doors, to look after the

flaggon, to get it ready to carry to Woolwich. That being not ready, I

stepped aside and found out Nellson, he that Whistler buys his bewpers of,

and did there buy 5 pieces at their price, and am in hopes thereby to

bring them down or buy ourselves all we spend of Nellson at the first

hand. This jobb was greatly to my content, and by and by the flaggon

being finished at the burnisher's, I home, and there fitted myself, and

took a hackney-coach I hired, it being a very cold and foule day, to

Woolwich, all the way reading in a good book touching the fishery, and

that being done, in the book upon the statute of charitable uses, mightily

to my satisfaction. At Woolwich; I there up to the King and Duke, and

they liked the plate well. Here I staid above with them while the ship

was launched, which was done with great success, and the King did very

much like the ship, saying, she had the best bow that ever he saw. But,

Lord! the sorry talke and discourse among the great courtiers round about

him, without any reverence in the world, but with so much disorder. By

and by the Queene comes and her Mayds of Honour; one whereof, Mrs.

Boynton, and the Duchesse of Buckingham, had been very siclee coming by

water in the barge (the water being very rough); but what silly sport they

made with them in very common terms, methought, was very poor, and below

what people think these great people say and do. The launching being done,

the King and company went down to take barge; and I sent for Mr. Pett, and

put the flaggon into the Duke's hand, and he, in the presence of the King,

did give it, Mr. Pett taking it upon his knee. This Mr. Pett is wholly

beholding to me for, and he do know and I believe will acknowledge it.

Thence I to Mr. Ackworth, and there eat and drank with Commissioner Pett

and his wife, and thence to Shelden's, where Sir W. Batten and his Lady

were. By and by I took coach after I had enquired for my wife or her

boat, but found none. Going out of the gate, an ordinary woman prayed me

to give her room to London, which I did, but spoke not to her all the way,

but read, as long as I could see, my book again. Dark when we came to

London, and a stop of coaches in Southwarke. I staid above half an houre

and then 'light, and finding Sir W. Batten's coach, heard they were gone

into the Beare at the Bridge foot, and thither I to them. Presently the

stop is removed, and then going out to find my coach, I could not find it,

for it was gone with the rest; so I fair to go through the darke and dirt

over the bridge, and my leg fell in a hole broke on the bridge, but, the

constable standing there to keep people from it, I was catched up,

otherwise I had broke my leg; for which mercy the Lord be praised! So at

Fanchurch I found my coach staying for me, and so home, where the little

girle hath looked to the house well, but no wife come home, which made me

begin to fear [for] her, the water being very rough, and cold and darke.

But by and by she and her company come in all well, at which I was glad,

though angry. Thence I to Sir W. Batten's, and there sat late with him,

Sir R. Ford, and Sir John Robinson; the last of whom continues still the

same foole he was, crying up what power he has in the City, in knowing

their temper, and being able to do what he will with them. It seems the

City did last night very freely lend the King L100,000 without any

security but the King's word, which was very noble. But this loggerhead

and Sir R. Ford would make us believe that they did it. Now Sir R. Ford

is a cunning man, and makes a foole of the other, and the other believes

whatever the other tells him. But, Lord! to think that such a man should

be Lieutenant of the Tower, and so great a man as he is, is a strange

thing to me. With them late and then home and with my wife to bed, after

supper.

27th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy. At noon, Sir G.

Carteret, Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, Sir W. Pen, and myself, were

treated at the Dolphin by Mr. Foly, the ironmonger, where a good plain

dinner, but I expected musique, the missing of which spoiled my dinner,

only very good merry discourse at dinner. Thence with Sir G. Carteret by

coach to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier, and thence back to London,

and 'light in Cheapside and I to Nellson's, and there met with a rub at

first, but took him out to drink, and there discoursed to my great content

so far with him that I think I shall agree with him for Bewpers to serve

the Navy with. So with great content home and to my office, where late,

and having got a great cold in my head yesterday home to supper and to

bed.

28th. Slept ill all night, having got a very great cold the other day at

Woolwich in [my] head, which makes me full of snot. Up in the morning,

and my tailor brings me home my fine, new, coloured cloth suit, my cloake

lined with plush, as good a suit as ever I wore in my life, and mighty

neat, to my great content. To my office, and there all the morning. At

noon to Nellson's, and there bought 20 pieces more of Bewpers, and hope to

go on with him to a contract. Thence to the 'Change a little, and thence

home with Luellin to dinner, where Mr. Deane met me by appointment, and

after dinner he and I up to my chamber, and there hard at discourse, and

advising him what to do in his business at Harwich, and then to discourse

of our old business of ships and taking new rules of him to my great

pleasure, and he being gone I to my office a little, and then to see Sir

W. Batten, who is sick of a greater cold than I, and thither comes to me

Mr. Holliard, and into the chamber to me, and, poor man (beyond all I ever

saw of him), was a little drunk, and there sat talking and finding

acquaintance with Sir W. Batten and my Lady by relations on both sides,

that there we staid very long. At last broke up, and he home much

overcome with drink, but well enough to get well home. So I home to

supper and to bed.

29th. Up, and it being my Lord Mayor's show, my boy and three mayds went

out; but it being a very foule, rainy day, from morning till night, I was

sorry my wife let them go out. All the morning at the office. At dinner

at home. In the afternoon to the office again, and about 9 o'clock by

appointment to the King's Head tavern upon Fish Street Hill, whither Mr.

Wolfe (and Parham by his means) met me to discourse about the Fishery, and

great light I had by Parham, who is a little conceited, but a very knowing

man in his way, and in the general fishing trade of England. Here I staid

three hours, and eat a barrel of very fine oysters of Wolfe's giving me,

and so, it raining hard, home and to my office, and then home to bed. All

the talke is that De Ruyter is come over-land home with six or eight of

his captaines to command here at home, and their ships kept abroad in the

Straights; which sounds as if they had a mind to do something with us.

30th (Lord's day). Up, and this morning put on my new, fine, coloured

cloth suit, with my cloake lined with plush, which is a dear and noble

suit, costing me about L17. To church, and then home to dinner, and after

dinner to a little musique with my boy, and so to church with my wife, and

so home, and with her all the evening reading and at musique with my boy

with great pleasure, and so to supper, prayers, and to bed.

31st. Very busy all the morning, at noon Creed to me and dined with me,

and then he and I to White Hall, there to a Committee of Tangier, where it

is worth remembering when Mr. Coventry proposed the retrenching some of

the charge of the horse, the first word asked by the Duke of Albemarle

was, "Let us see who commands them," there being three troops. One of

them he calls to mind was by Sir Toby Bridges. "Oh!" says he, "there is a

very good man. If you must reform

[Reform, i.e. disband. See "Memoirs of Sir John Reresby,"

September 2nd, 1651. "A great many younger brothers and reformed

officers of the King's army depended upon him for their meat and

drink." So reformado, a discharged or disbanded officer.--M. B.]

two of them, be sure let him command the troop that is left." Thence

home, and there came presently to me Mr. Young and Whistler, who find that

I have quite overcome them in their business of flags, and now they come

to intreat my favour, but I will be even with them. So late to my office

and there till past one in the morning making up my month's accounts, and

find that my expense this month in clothes has kept me from laying up

anything; but I am no worse, but a little better than I was, which is

L1205, a great sum, the Lord be praised for it! So home to bed, with my

mind full of content therein, and vexed for my being so angry in bad words

to my wife to-night, she not giving me a good account of her layings out

to my mind to-night. This day I hear young Mr. Stanly, a brave young

[gentleman], that went out with young Jermin, with Prince Rupert, is

already dead of the small-pox, at Portsmouth. All preparations against

the Dutch; and the Duke of Yorke fitting himself with all speed, to go to

the fleete which is hastening for him; being now resolved to go in the

Charles.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.

NOVEMBER

1664

November 1st. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning, at noon

(my wife being invited to my Lady Sandwich's) all alone dined at home upon

a good goose with Mr. Wayth, discussing of business. Thence I to the

Committee of the Fishery, and there we sat with several good discourses

and some bad and simple ones, and with great disorder, and yet by the men

of businesse of the towne. But my report in the business of the

collections is mightily commended and will get me some reputation, and

indeed is the only thing looks like a thing well done since we sat. Then

with Mr. Parham to the tavern, but I drank no wine, only he did give me

another barrel of oysters, and he brought one Major Greene, an able

fishmonger, and good discourse to my information. So home and late at

business at my office. Then to supper and to bed.

2nd. Up betimes, and down with Mr. Castle to Redriffe, and there walked

to Deptford to view a parcel of brave knees--[Knees of timber]--of his,

which indeed are very good, and so back again home, I seeming very

friendly to him, though I know him to be a rogue, and one that hates me

with his heart. Home and to dinner, and so to my office all the

afternoon, where in some pain in my backe, which troubled me, but I think

it comes only with stooping, and from no other matter. At night to

Nellson's, and up and down about business, and so home to my office, then

home to supper and to bed.

3rd. Up and to the office, where strange to see how Sir W. Pen is flocked

to by people of all sorts against his going to sea. At the office did

much business, among other an end of that that has troubled me long, the

business of the bewpers and flags. At noon to the 'Change, and thence by

appointment was met with Bagwell's wife, and she followed me into

Moorfields, and there into a drinking house, and all alone eat and drank

together. I did there caress her, but though I did make some offer did

not receive any compliance from her in what was bad, but very modestly she

denied me, which I was glad to see and shall value her the better for it,

and I hope never tempt her to any evil more. Thence back to the town, and

we parted and I home, and then at the office late, where Sir W. Pen came

to take his leave of me, being to-morrow, which is very sudden to us, to

go on board to lie on board, but I think will come ashore again before the

ship, the Charles,

["The Royal Charles" was the Duke of York's ship, and Sir William

Penn, who hoisted his flag in the "Royal James" on November 8th,

shifted to the "Royal Charles" on November 30th. The duke gave Penn

the command of the fleet immediately under himself. On Penn's

monument he is styled "Great Captain Commander under His Royal

Highness" (Penn's "Memorials of Sir William Penn," vol. ii.,

p. 296).]

can go away. So home to supper and to bed. This night Sir W. Batten did,

among other things, tell me strange newes, which troubles me, that my Lord

Sandwich will be sent Governor to Tangier, which, in some respects,

indeed, I should be glad of, for the good of the place and the safety of

his person; but I think his honour will suffer, and, it may be, his

interest fail by his distance.

4th. Waked very betimes and lay long awake, my mind being so full of

business. Then up and to St. James's, where I find Mr. Coventry full of

business, packing up for his going to sea with the Duke. Walked with him,

talking, to White Hall, where to the Duke's lodgings, who is gone thither

to lodge lately. I appeared to the Duke, and thence Mr. Coventry and I an

hour in the Long Gallery, talking about the management of our office, he

tells me the weight of dispatch will lie chiefly on me, and told me freely

his mind touching Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes, the latter of whom, he

most aptly said, was like a lapwing; that all he did was to keepe a

flutter, to keepe others from the nest that they would find. He told me

an old story of the former about the light-houses, how just before he had

certified to the Duke against the use of them, and what a burden they are

to trade, and presently after, at his being at Harwich, comes to desire

that he might have the setting one up there, and gets the usefulness of it

certified also by the Trinity House. After long discoursing and

considering all our stores and other things, as how the King hath resolved

upon Captain Taylor