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Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete 1664 N.S.

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Title: Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete 1664 N.S.

Author: Samuel Pepys

Editor: Baron Richard Griffin Braybrooke
        Henry B. Wheatley

Translator: Mynors Bright


        
Release date: October 31, 2004 [eBook #4153]
                Most recently updated: March 22, 2009

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4153

Credits: Produced by David Widger


*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS — COMPLETE 1664 N.S. ***




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

1964

By Samuel Pepys

Edited With Additions By

Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A.




    LONDON
    GEORGE BELL & SONS YORK ST.  COVENT GARDEN
    CAMBRIDGE DEIGHTON BELL & CO.


    1893




JANUARY 1663-1664

January 1st, Went to bed between 4 and 5 in the morning with my mind
in good temper of satisfaction and slept till about 8, that many people
came to speak with me. Among others one came with the best New Year's
gift that ever I had, namely from Mr. Deering, with a bill of exchange
drawn upon himself for the payment of L50 to Mr. Luellin. It being for
my use with a letter of compliment. I am not resolved what or how to do
in this business, but I conclude it is an extraordinary good new year's
gift, though I do not take the whole, or if I do then give some of it to
Luellin. By and by comes Captain Allen and his son Jowles and his wife,
who continues pretty still. They would have had me set my hand to a
certificate for his loyalty, and I know not what his ability for any
employment. But I did not think it fit, but did give them a pleasing
denial, and after sitting with me an hour they went away. Several others
came to me about business, and then being to dine at my uncle Wight's
I went to the Coffee-house, sending my wife by Will, and there staid
talking an hour with Coll. Middleton, and others, and among other things
about a very rich widow, young and handsome, of one Sir Nicholas Gold's,
a merchant, lately fallen, and of great courtiers that already look
after her: her husband not dead a week yet. She is reckoned worth
L80,000. Thence to my uncle Wight's, where Dr. of-----, among others,
dined, and his wife, a seeming proud conceited woman, I know not what to
make of her, but the Dr's. discourse did please me very well about the
disease of the stone, above all things extolling Turpentine, which he
told me how it may be taken in pills with great ease. There was brought
to table a hot pie made of a swan I sent them yesterday, given me by Mr.
Howe, but we did not eat any of it. But my wife and I rose from table,
pretending business, and went to the Duke's house, the first play I have
been at these six months, according to my last vowe, and here saw the
so much cried-up play of "Henry the Eighth;" which, though I went with
resolution to like it, is so simple a thing made up of a great many
patches, that, besides the shows and processions in it, there is nothing
in the world good or well done. Thence mightily dissatisfied back at
night to my uncle Wight's, and supped with them, but against my stomach
out of the offence the sight of my aunt's hands gives me, and ending
supper with a mighty laugh, the greatest I have had these many months,
at my uncle's being out in his grace after meat, we rose and broke up,
and my wife and I home and to bed, being sleepy since last night.

2nd. Up and to the office, and there sitting all the morning, and at
noon to the 'Change, in my going met with Luellin and told him how I had
received a letter and bill for L50 from Mr. Deering, and delivered it
to him, which he told me he would receive for me. To which I consented,
though professed not to desire it if he do not consider himself
sufficiently able by the service I have done, and that it is rather my
desire to have nothing till he be further sensible of my service. From
the 'Change I brought him home and dined with us, and after dinner I
took my wife out, for I do find that I am not able to conquer myself as
to going to plays till I come to some new vowe concerning it, and that I
am now come, that is to say, that I will not see above one in a month
at any of the publique theatres till the sum of 50s. be spent, and then
none before New Year's Day next, unless that I do become worth L1000
sooner than then, and then am free to come to some other terms, and so
leaving him in Lombard Street I took her to the King's house, and there
met Mr. Nicholson, my old colleague, and saw "The Usurper," which is
no good play, though better than what I saw yesterday. However, we rose
unsatisfied, and took coach and home, and I to the office late writing
letters, and so to supper and to bed.

3rd (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, and then rose and with a fire in my
chamber staid within all day, looking over and settling my accounts in
good order, by examining all my books, and the kitchen books, and I find
that though the proper profit of my last year was but L305, yet I did by
other gain make it up L444., which in every part of it was unforeseen
of me, and therefore it was a strange oversight for lack of examining my
expenses that I should spend L690 this year, but for the time to come
I have so distinctly settled all my accounts in writing and the
particulars of all my several layings out, that I do hope I shall
hereafter make a better judgment of my spendings than ever. I dined with
my wife in her chamber, she in bed, and then down again and till 11 at
night, and broke up and to bed with great content, but could not make
an end of writing over my vows as I purposed, but I am agreed in every
thing how to order myself for the year to come, which I trust in God
will be much for my good. So up to prayers and to bed. This evening Sir
W. Pen came to invite me against next Wednesday, being Twelfth day, to
his usual feast, his wedding day.

4th. Up betimes, and my wife being ready, and her mayd Besse and the
girl, I carried them by coach and set them all down in Covent Garden and
there left them, and I to my Lord Sandwich's lodgings, but he not being
up, I to the Duke's chamber, and there by and by to his closett, where
since his lady was ill, a little red bed of velvet is brought for him to
lie alone, which is a very pretty one. After doing business here, I
to my Lord's again, and there spoke with him, and he seems now almost
friends again as he used to be. Here meeting Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon,
he told me among other Court newes, how the Queene is very well again,
and the King lay with her on Saturday night last; and that she speaks
now very pretty English, and makes her sense out now and then with
pretty phrazes: as among others this is mightily cried up; that, meaning
to say that she did not like such a horse so well as the rest, he being
too prancing and full of tricks, she said he did make too much
vanity. Thence to the Tennis Court, after I had spent a little time in
Westminster Hall, thinking to have met with Mrs. Lane, but I could not
and am glad of it, and there saw the King play at Tennis and others: but
to see how the King's play was extolled without any cause at all, was
a loathsome sight, though sometimes, indeed, he did play very well and
deserved to be commended; but such open flattery is beastly. Afterwards
to St. James's Parke, being unwilling to go to spend money at the
ordinary, and there spent an hour or two, it being a pleasant day,
seeing people play at Pell Mell; where it pleased me mightily to hear
a gallant, lately come from France, swear at one of his companions for
suffering his man (a spruce blade) to be so saucy as to strike a ball
while his master was playing on the Mall.

     [When Egerton was Bishop of Durham, he often played at bowls with
     his guests on the public days.  On an occasion of this sort, a
     visitor happening to cross the lawn, one of the chaplains exclaimed,
     "You must not shake the green, for the bishop is going to bowl."-B.]

Thence took coach at White Hall and took up my wife, who is mighty sad
to think of her father, who is going into Germany against the Turkes;
but what will become of her brother I know not. He is so idle, and out
of all capacity, I think, to earn his bread. Home and at my office till
is at night making my solemn vowes for the next year, which I trust in
the Lord I shall keep, but I fear I have a little too severely bound
myself in some things and in too many, for I fear I may forget some. But
however, I know the worst, and shall by the blessing of God observe to
perform or pay my forfeits punctually. So home and to bed with my mind
at rest.

5th. Up and to our office, where we sat all the morning, where my head
being willing to take in all business whatever, I am afraid I shall over
clogg myself with it. But however, it is my desire to do my duty and
shall the willinger bear it. At noon home and to the 'Change, where I
met with Luellin, who went off with me and parted to meet again at the
Coffeehouse, but missed. So home and found him there, and Mr. Barrow
came to speak with me, so they both dined with me alone, my wife
not being ready, and after dinner I up in my chamber with Barrow to
discourse about matters of the yard with him, and his design of leaving
the place, which I am sorry for, and will prevent if I can. He being
gone then Luellin did give me the L50 from Mr. Deering, which he do give
me for my pains in his business and what I may hereafter take for him,
though there is not the least word or deed I have yet been guilty of in
his behalf but what I am sure has been to the King's advantage and the
profit of the service, nor ever will. And for this money I never did
condition with him or expected a farthing at the time when I did do him
the service, nor have given any receipt for it, it being brought me by
Luellin, nor do purpose to give him any thanks for it, but will wherein
I can faithfully endeavour to see him have the privilege of his Patent
as the King's merchant. I did give Luellin two pieces in gold for a pair
of gloves for his kindness herein. Then he being gone, I to my
office, where busy till late at night, that through my room being over
confounded in business I could stay there no longer, but went home, and
after a little supper to bed.

6th (Twelfth day). Up and to my office, where very busy all the morning,
being indeed over loaded with it through my own desire of doing all I
can. At noon to the 'Change, but did little, and so home to dinner with
my poor wife, and after dinner read a lecture to her in Geography, which
she takes very prettily and with great pleasure to her and me to teach
her, and so to the office again, where as busy as ever in my life,
one thing after another, and answering people's business, particularly
drawing up things about Mr. Wood's masts, which I expect to have a
quarrel about with Sir W. Batten before it be ended, but I care not. At
night home to my wife, to supper, discourse, prayers, and to bed. This
morning I began a practice which I find by the ease I do it with that I
shall continue, it saving me money and time; that is, to trimme myself
with a razer: which pleases me mightily.

7th. Up, putting on my best clothes and to the office, where all the
morning we sat busy, among other things upon Mr. Wood's performance of
his contract for masts, wherein I was mightily concerned, but I think
was found all along in the right, and shall have my desire in it to the
King's advantage. At noon, all of us to dinner to Sir W. Pen's, where a
very handsome dinner, Sir J. Lawson among others, and his lady and his
daughter, a very pretty lady and of good deportment, with looking upon
whom I was greatly pleased, the rest of the company of the women were
all of our own house, of no satisfaction or pleasure at all. My wife was
not there, being not well enough, nor had any great mind. But to see
how Sir W. Pen imitates me in everything, even in his having his chimney
piece in his dining room the same with that in my wife's closett, and in
every thing else I perceive wherein he can. But to see again how he was
out in one compliment: he lets alone drinking any of the ladies' healths
that were there, my Lady Batten and Lawson, till he had begun with my
Lady Carteret, who was absent, and that was well enough, and then Mr.
Coventry's mistresse, at which he was ashamed, and would not have had
him have drunk it, at least before the ladies present, but his policy,
as he thought, was such that he would do it. After dinner by coach with
Sir G. Carteret and Sir J. Minnes by appointment to Auditor Beale's in
Salisbury Court, and there we did with great content look over some old
ledgers to see in what manner they were kept, and indeed it was in an
extraordinary good method, and such as (at least out of design to keep
them employed) I do persuade Sir J. Minnes to go upon, which will at
least do as much good it may be to keep them for want of something to do
from envying those that do something. Thence calling to see whether Mrs.
Turner was returned, which she is, and I spoke one word only to her, and
away again by coach home and to my office, where late, and then home to
supper and bed.

8th. Up and all the morning at my office and with Sir J. Minnes,
directing him and Mr. Turner about keeping of their books according to
yesterday's work, wherein I shall make them work enough. At noon to the
'Change, and there long, and from thence by appointment took Luellin,
Mount, and W. Symons, and Mr. Pierce, the chirurgeon, home to dinner
with me and were merry. But, Lord! to hear how W. Symons do commend and
look sadly and then talk bawdily and merrily, though his wife was dead
but the other day, would make a dogg laugh. After dinner I did go in
further part of kindness to Luellin for his kindness about Deering's L50
which he procured me the other day of him. We spent all the afternoon
together and then they to cards with my wife, who this day put on her
Indian blue gowne which is very pretty, where I left them for an hour,
and to my office, and then to them again, and by and by they went
away at night, and so I again to my office to perfect a letter to Mr.
Coventry about Department Treasurers, wherein I please myself and hope
to give him content and do the King service therein. So having done, I
home and to teach my wife a new lesson in the globes, and to supper,
and to bed. We had great pleasure this afternoon; among other things, to
talk of our old passages together in Cromwell's time; and how W. Symons
did make me laugh and wonder to-day when he told me how he had
made shift to keep in, in good esteem and employment, through eight
governments in one year (the dear 1659, which were indeed, and he did
name them all), and then failed unhappy in the ninth, viz. that of the
King's coming in. He made good to me the story which Luellin did tell
me the other day, of his wife upon her death-bed; how she dreamt of her
uncle Scobell, and did foretell, from some discourse she had with him,
that she should die four days thence, and not sooner, and did all along
say so, and did so. Upon the 'Change a great talke there was of one Mr.
Tryan, an old man, a merchant in Lyme-Streete, robbed last night (his
man and mayde being gone out after he was a-bed), and gagged and robbed
of L1050 in money and about L4000 in jewells, which he had in his house
as security for money. It is believed by many circumstances that his man
is guilty of confederacy, by their ready going to his secret till in his
desk, wherein the key of his cash-chest lay.

9th. Up (my underlip being mightily swelled, I know not how but by
overrubbing it, it itching) and to the office, where we sat all the
morning, and at noon I home to dinner, and by discourse with my wife
thought upon inviting my Lord Sandwich to a dinner shortly. It will
cost me at least ten or twelve pounds; but, however, some arguments of
prudence I have, which however I shall think again upon before I proceed
to that expence. After dinner by coach I carried my wife and Jane to
Westminster, leaving her at Mr. Hunt's, and I to Westminster Hall, and
there visited Mrs. Lane, and by appointment went out and met her at
the Trumpet, Mrs. Hare's, but the room being damp we went to the Bell
tavern, and there I had her company, but could not do as I used to do
(yet nothing but what was honest)..... So I to talk about her having
Hawley, she told me flatly no, she could not love him. I took occasion
to enquire of Howlett's daughter, with whom I have a mind to meet a
little to see what mettle the young wench is made of, being very pretty,
but she tells me she is already betrothed to Mrs. Michell's son, and
she in discourse tells me more, that Mrs. Michell herself had a daughter
before marriage, which is now near thirty years old, a thing I could not
have believed. Thence leading her to the Hall, I took coach and called
my wife and her mayd, and so to the New Exchange, where we bought
several things of our pretty Mrs. Dorothy Stacy, a pretty woman, and
has the modestest look that ever I saw in my life and manner of speech.
Thence called at Tom's and saw him pretty well again, but has not been
currant. So homeward, and called at Ludgate, at Ashwell's uncle's, but
she was not within, to have spoke to her to have come to dress my
wife at the time my Lord dines here. So straight home, calling for
Walsingham's Manuals at my bookseller's to read but not to buy,
recommended for a pretty book by Sir W. Warren, whose warrant however
I do not much take till I do read it. So home to supper and to bed,
my wife not being very well since she came home, being troubled with a
fainting fit, which she never yet had before since she was my wife.

10th (Lord's day). Lay in bed with my wife till 10 or 11 o'clock, having
been very sleepy all night. So up, and my brother Tom being come to
see me, we to dinner, he telling me how Mrs. Turner found herself
discontented with her late bad journey, and not well taken by them in
the country, they not desiring her coming down, nor the burials of Mr.
Edward Pepys's corps there. After dinner I to the office, where all the
afternoon, and at night my wife and I to my uncle Wight's, and there eat
some of their swan pie, which was good, and I invited them to my house
to eat a roasted swan on Tuesday next, which after I was come home did
make a quarrels between my wife and I, because she had appointed a wish
to-morrow. But, however, we were friends again quickly. So to bed.
All our discourse to-night was Mr. Tryan's late being robbed; and that
Collonell Turner (a mad, swearing, confident fellow, well known by all,
and by me), one much indebted to this man for his very livelihood, was
the man that either did or plotted it; and the money and things are
found in his hand, and he and his wife now in Newgate for it; of which
we are all glad, so very a known rogue he was.

11th. Waked this morning by 4 o'clock by my wife to call the mayds to
their wash, and what through my sleeping so long last night and vexation
for the lazy sluts lying so long again and their great wash, neither my
wife nor I could sleep one winke after that time till day, and then I
rose and by coach (taking Captain Grove with me and three bottles of
Tent, which I sent to Mrs. Lane by my promise on Saturday night last) to
White Hall, and there with the rest of our company to the Duke and did
our business, and thence to the Tennis Court till noon, and there saw
several great matches played, and so by invitation to St. James's;
where, at Mr. Coventry's chamber, I dined with my Lord Barkeley, Sir G.
Carteret, Sir Edward Turner, Sir Ellis Layton, and one Mr. Seymour, a
fine gentleman; were admirable good discourse of all sorts, pleasant and
serious. Thence after dinner to White Hall, where the Duke being busy at
the Guinny business, the Duke of Albemarle, Sir W. Rider, Povy, Sir J.
Lawson and I to the Duke of Albemarle's lodgings, and there did some
business, and so to the Court again, and I to the Duke of York's
lodgings, where the Guinny company are choosing their assistants for
the next year by ballotting. Thence by coach with Sir J. Robinson,
Lieutenant of the Tower, he set me down at Cornhill, but, Lord! the
simple discourse that all the way we had, he magnifying his great
undertakings and cares that have been upon him for these last two years,
and how he commanded the city to the content of all parties, when
the loggerhead knows nothing almost that is sense. Thence to the
Coffee-house, whither comes Sir W. Petty and Captain Grant, and we fell
in talke (besides a young gentleman, I suppose a merchant, his name Mr.
Hill, that has travelled and I perceive is a master in most sorts of
musique and other things) of musique; the universal character; art
of memory; Granger's counterfeiting of hands and other most excellent
discourses to my great content, having not been in so good company a
great while, and had I time I should covet the acquaintance of that
Mr. Hill. This morning I stood by the King arguing with a pretty Quaker
woman, that delivered to him a desire of hers in writing. The King
showed her Sir J. Minnes, as a man the fittest for her quaking religion,
saying that his beard was the stiffest thing about him, and again
merrily said, looking upon the length of her paper, that if all she
desired was of that length she might lose her desires; she modestly
saying nothing till he begun seriously to discourse with her, arguing
the truth of his spirit against hers; she replying still with these
words, "O King!" and thou'd him all along. The general talke of the
towne still is of Collonell Turner, about the robbery; who, it is
thought, will be hanged. I heard the Duke of York tell to-night, how
letters are come that fifteen are condemned for the late plot by the
judges at York; and, among others, Captain Oates, against whom it was
proved that he drew his sword at his going out, and flinging away the
scabbard, said that he would either return victor or be hanged. So home,
where I found the house full of the washing and my wife mighty angry
about Will's being here to-day talking with her mayds, which she
overheard, idling of their time, and he telling what a good mayd my old
Jane was, and that she would never have her like again. At which I was
angry, and after directing her to beat at least the little girl, I went
to the office and there reproved Will, who told me that he went thither
by my wife's order, she having commanded him to come thither on Monday
morning. Now God forgive me! how apt I am to be jealous of her as to
this fellow, and that she must needs take this time, when she knows
I must be gone out to the Duke, though methinks had she that mind she
would never think it discretion to tell me this story of him, to let
me know that he was there, much less to make me offended with him, to
forbid him coming again. But this cursed humour I cannot cool in myself
by all the reason I have, which God forgive me for, and convince me of
the folly of it, and the disquiet it brings me. So home, where, God
be thanked, when I came to speak to my wife my trouble of mind soon
vanished, and to bed. The house foul with the washing and quite out of
order against to-morrow's dinner.

12th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon
to the 'Change awhile, and so home, getting things against dinner ready,
and anon comes my uncle Wight and my aunt, with their cozens Mary and
Robert, and by chance my uncle Thomas Pepys. We had a good dinner, the
chief dish a swan roasted, and that excellent meate. At, dinner and all
day very merry. After dinner to cards, where till evening, then to the
office a little, and to cards again with them, and lost half-a-crowne.
They being gone, my wife did tell me how my uncle did this day accost
her alone, and spoke of his hoping she was with child, and kissing
her earnestly told her he should be very glad of it, and from all
circumstances methinks he do seem to have some intention of good to us,
which I shall endeavour to continue more than ever I did yet. So to my
office till late, and then home to bed, after being at prayers, which is
the first time after my late vowe to say prayers in my family twice in
every week.

13th. Up and to my office a little, and then abroad to many several
places about business, among others to the geometrical instrument
makers, and through Bedlam (calling by the way at an old bookseller's
and there fell into looking over Spanish books and pitched upon some,
till I thought of my oathe when I was going to agree for them, and so
with much ado got myself out of the shop glad at my heart and so away)
to the African House to look upon their book of contracts for several
commodities for my information in the prices we give in the Navy. So to
the Coffee [house] where extraordinary good discourse of Dr. Whistler's'
upon my question concerning the keeping of masts, he arguing against
keeping them dry, by showing the nature of corruption in bodies and the
several ways thereof. So to the 'Change, and thence with Sir W. Rider to
the Trinity House to dinner, and then home and to my office till night,
and then with Mr. Bland to Sir T. Viner's about pieces of eight for Sir
J. Lawson, and so back to my office, and there late upon business, and
so home to supper and to bed.

14th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon all
of us, viz., Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Batten at one end, and Mr.
Coventry, Sir J. Minnes and I (in the middle at the other end, being
taught how to sit there all three by my sitting so much the backwarder)
at the other end, to Sir G. Carteret's, and there dined well. Here I saw
Mr. Scott, the bastard that married his youngest daughter. Much pleasant
talk at table, and then up and to the office, where we sat long upon our
design of dividing the Controller's work into some of the rest of our
hands for the better doing of it, but he would not yield to it, though
the simple man knows in his heart that he do not do one part of it. So
he taking upon him to do it all we rose, I vexed at the heart to see the
King's service run after this manner, but it cannot be helped. Thence to
the Old James to the reference about Mr. Bland's business. Sir W.
Rider being now added to us, and I believe we shall soon come to some
determination in it. So home and to my office, did business, and then up
to Sir W. Pen and did express my trouble about this day's business, he
not being there, and plainly told him what I thought of it, and though I
know him a false fellow yet I adventured, as I have done often, to tell
him clearly my opinion of Sir W. Batten and his design in this business,
which is very bad. Hence home, and after a lecture to my wife in her
globes, to prayers and to bed.

15th. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and among other things
Mr. Turner with me, and I did tell him my mind about the Controller his
master and all the office, and my mind touching himself too, as he did
carry himself either well or ill to me and my clerks, which I doubt not
but it will operate well. Thence to the 'Change, and there met my uncle
Wight, who was very kind to me, and would have had me home with him, and
so kind that I begin to wonder and think something of it of good to me.
Thence home to dinner, and after dinner with Mr. Hater by water, and
walked thither and back again from Deptford, where I did do something
checking the iron business, but my chief business was my discourse with
Mr. Hater about what had passed last night and to-day about the office
business, and my resolution to do him all the good I can therein. So
home, and my wife tells me that my uncle Wight hath been with her, and
played at cards with her, and is mighty inquisitive to know whether
she is with child or no, which makes me wonder what his meaning is,
and after all my thoughts, I cannot think, unless it be in order to the
making his will, that he might know how to do by me, and I would to God
my wife had told him that she was.

16th. Up, and having paid some money in the morning to my uncle Thomas
on his yearly annuity, to the office, where we sat all the morning.
At noon I to the 'Change about some pieces of eight for Sir J. Lawson.
There I hear that Collonell Turner is found guilty of felony at the
Sessions in Mr. Tryan's business, which will save his life. So home and
met there J. Hasper come to see his kinswoman our Jane. I made much of
him and made him dine with us, he talking after the old simple manner
that he used to do. He being gone, I by water to Westminster Hall, and
there did see Mrs. Lane..... So by coach home and to my office, where
Browne of the Minerys brought me an Instrument made of a Spyral line
very pretty for all questions in Arithmetique almost, but it must be
some use that must make me perfect in it. So home to supper and to bed,
with my mind 'un peu troubled pour ce que fait' to-day, but I hope it
will be 'la dernier de toute ma vie.'

17th (Lord's day). Up, and I and my wife to church, where Pembleton
appeared, which, God forgive me, did vex me, but I made nothing of it.
So home to dinner, and betimes my wife and I to the French church and
there heard a good sermon, the first time my wife and I were there ever
together. We sat by three sisters, all pretty women. It was pleasant to
hear the reader give notice to them, that the children to be catechized
next Sunday were them of Hounsditch and Blanche Chapiton. Thence home,
and there found Ashwell come to see my wife (we having called at her
lodging the other, day to speak with her about dressing my wife when
my Lord Sandwich dines here), and is as merry as ever, and speaks as
disconcerned for any difference between us on her going away as ever.
She being gone, my wife and I to see Sir W. Pen and there supped with
him much against my stomach, for the dishes were so deadly foule that I
could not endure to look upon them. So after supper home to prayers and
to bed.

18th. Up, being troubled to find my wife so ready to have me go out of
doors. God forgive me for my jealousy! but I cannot forbear, though God
knows I have no reason to do so, or to expect her being so true to me
as I would have her. I abroad to White Hall, where the Court all in
mourning for the Duchesse of Savoy. We did our business with the Duke,
and so I to W. Howe at my Lord's lodgings, not seeing my Lord, he being
abroad, and there I advised with W. Howe about my having my Lord to
dinner at my house, who likes it well, though it troubles me that I
should come to need the advice of such a boy, but for the present it is
necessary. Here I found Mr. Mallard, and had from him a common tune set
by my desire to the Lyra Vyall, which goes most admirably. Thence home
by coach to the 'Change, after having been at the Coffee-house, where I
hear Turner is found guilty of felony and burglary; and strange stories
of his confidence at the barr, but yet great indiscretion in his
argueing. All desirous of his being hanged. So home and found that Will
had been with my wife. But, Lord! why should I think any evil of that;
and yet I cannot forbear it. But upon enquiry, though I found no reason
of doubtfulness, yet I could not bring my nature to any quiet or content
in my wife all day and night, nor though I went with her to divert
myself at my uncle Wight's, and there we played at cards till 12 at
night and went home in a great shower of rain, it having not rained
a great while before. Here was one Mr. Benson, a Dutchman, played and
supped with us, that pretends to sing well, and I expected great matters
but found nothing to be pleased with at all. So home and to bed, yet
troubled in my mind.

19th. Up, without any kindness to my wife, and so to the office, where
we sat all the morning, and at noon I to the 'Change, and thence to Mr.
Cutler's with Sir W. Rider to dinner, and after dinner with him to the
Old James upon our reference of Mr. Bland's, and, having sat there upon
the business half an hour, broke up, and I home and there found Madame
Turner and her sister Dike come to see us, and staid chatting till
night, and so away, and I to my office till very late, and my eyes began
to fail me, and be in pain which I never felt to now-a-days, which I
impute to sitting up late writing and reading by candle-light. So home
to supper and to bed.

20th. Up and by coach to my Lord Sandwich's, and after long staying till
his coming down (he not sending for me up, but it may be he did not know
I was there), he came down, and I walked with him to the Tennis Court,
and there left him, seeing the King play. At his lodgings this morning
there came to him Mr. W. Montague's fine lady, which occasioned my
Lord's calling me to her about some business for a friend of hers
preferred to be a midshipman at sea. My Lord recommended the whole
matter to me. She is a fine confident lady, I think, but not so pretty
as I once thought her. My Lord did also seal a lease for the house he
is now taking in Lincoln's Inn Fields, which stands him in 250 per annum
rent. Thence by water to my brother's, whom I find not well in bed,
sicke, they think, of a consumption, and I fear he is not well, but
do not complain, nor desire to take anything. From him I visited Mr.
Honiwood, who is lame, and to thank him for his visit to me the other
day, but we were both abroad. So to Mr. Commander's in Warwicke Lane, to
speak to him about drawing up my will, which he will meet me about in a
day or two. So to the 'Change and walked home, thence with Sir Richard
Ford, who told me that Turner is to be hanged to-morrow, and with what
impudence he hath carried out his trial; but that last night, when
he brought him newes of his death, he began to be sober and shed some
tears, and he hopes will die a penitent; he having already confessed all
the thing, but says it was partly done for a joke, and partly to get an
occasion of obliging the old man by his care in getting him his things
again, he having some hopes of being the better by him in his estate
at his death. Home to dinner, and after dinner my wife and I by water,
which we have not done together many a day, that is not since last
summer, but the weather is now very warm, and left her at Axe Yard, and
I to White Hall, and meeting Mr. Pierce walked with him an hour in the
Matted Gallery; among other things he tells me that my Lady Castlemaine
is not at all set by by the King, but that he do doat upon Mrs. Stewart
only; and that to the leaving of all business in the world, and to the
open slighting of the Queene; that he values not who sees him or stands
by him while he dallies with her openly; and then privately in her
chamber below, where the very sentrys observe his going in and out; and
that so commonly, that the Duke or any of the nobles, when they would
ask where the King is, they will ordinarily say, "Is the King above, or
below?" meaning with Mrs. Stewart: that the King do not openly disown
my Lady Castlemaine, but that she comes to Court; but that my Lord
FitzHarding and the Hambletons,

     [The three brothers, George Hamilton, James Hamilton, and the Count
     Antoine Hamilton, author of the "Memoires de Grammont."]

and sometimes my Lord Sandwich, they say, have their snaps at her. But
he says my Lord Sandwich will lead her from her lodgings in the darkest
and obscurest manner, and leave her at the entrance into the Queene's
lodgings, that he might be the least observed; that the Duke of Monmouth
the King do still doat on beyond measure, insomuch that the King only,
the Duke of York, and Prince Rupert, and the Duke of Monmouth, do now
wear deep mourning, that is, long cloaks, for the Duchesse of Savoy; so
that he mourns as a Prince of the Blood, while the Duke of York do no
more, and all the nobles of the land not so much; which gives great
offence, and he says the Duke of York do consider. But that the Duke
of York do give himself up to business, and is like to prove a noble
Prince; and so indeed I do from my heart think he will. He says that
it is believed, as well as hoped, that care is taken to lay up a hidden
treasure of money by the King against a bad day, pray God it be so! but
I should be more glad that the King himself would look after business,
which it seems he do not in the least. By and by came by Mr. Coventry,
and so we broke off; and he and I took a turn or two and so parted, and
then my Lord Sandwich came upon me, to speak with whom my business of
coming again to-night to this ende of the town chiefly was, in order to
the seeing in what manner he received me, in order to my inviting him to
dinner to my house, but as well in the morning as now, though I did
wait upon him home and there offered occasion of talk with him, yet he
treated me, though with respect, yet as a stranger, without any of the
intimacy or friendship which he used to do, and which I fear he will
never, through his consciousness of his faults, ever do again. Which I
must confess do trouble me above anything in the world almost, though I
neither do need at present nor fear to need to be so troubled, nay, and
more, though I do not think that he would deny me any friendship now if
I did need it, but only that he has not the face to be free with me, but
do look upon me as a remembrancer of his former vanity, and an espy upon
his present practices, for I perceive that Pickering to-day is great
with him again, and that he has done a great courtesy for Mr. Pierce,
the chirurgeon, to a good value, though both these and none but these
did I mention by name to my Lord in the business which has caused
all this difference between my Lord and me. However, I am resolved to
forbear my laying out my money upon a dinner till I see him in a better
posture, and by grave and humble, though high deportment, to make him
think I do not want him, and that will make him the readier to admit me
to his friendship again, I believe the soonest of anything but downright
impudence, and thrusting myself, as others do, upon him, which yet I
cannot do, not [nor] will not endeavour. So home, calling with my wife
to see my brother again, who was up, and walks up and down the house
pretty well, but I do think he is in a consumption. Home, troubled in
mind for these passages with my Lord, but am resolved to better my case
in my business to make my stand upon my owne legs the better and to
lay up as well as to get money, and among other ways I will have a good
fleece out of Creed's coat ere it be long, or I will have a fall. So
to my office and did some business, and then home to supper and to bed,
after I had by candlelight shaved myself and cut off all my beard clear,
which will make my worke a great deal the less in shaving.

21st. Up, and after sending my wife to my aunt Wight's to get a place to
see Turner hanged, I to the office, where we sat all the morning, and
at noon going to the 'Change; and seeing people flock in the City, I
enquired, and found that Turner was not yet hanged. And so I went among
them to Leadenhall Street, at the end of Lyme Street, near where the
robbery was done; and to St. Mary Axe, where he lived. And there I got
for a shilling to stand upon the wheel of a cart, in great pain, above
an houre before the execution was done; he delaying the time by long
discourses and prayers one after another, in hopes of a reprieve;
but none came, and at last was flung off the ladder in his cloake. A
comely-looked man he was, and kept his countenance to the end: I was
sorry to see him. It was believed there were at least 12 or 14,000
people in the street. So I home all in a sweat, and dined by myself,
and after dinner to the Old James, and there found Sir W. Rider and Mr.
Cutler at dinner, and made a second dinner with them, and anon came
Mr. Bland and Custos, and Clerke, and so we fell to the business of
reference, and upon a letter from Mr. Povy to Sir W. Rider and I telling
us that the King is concerned in it, we took occasion to fling off the
business from off our shoulders and would have nothing to do with it,
unless we had power from the King or Commissioners of Tangier, and I
think it will be best for us to continue of that mind, and to have
no hand, it being likely to go against the King. Thence to the
Coffee-house, and heard the full of Turner's discourse on the cart,
which was chiefly to clear himself of all things laid to his charge but
this fault, for which he now suffers, which he confesses. He deplored
the condition of his family, but his chief design was to lengthen time,
believing still a reprieve would come, though the sheriff advised him
to expect no such thing, for the King was resolved to grant none. After
that I had good discourse with a pretty young merchant with mighty
content. So to my office and did a little business, and then to my aunt
Wight's to fetch my wife home, where Dr. Burnett did tell me how poorly
the sheriffs did endeavour to get one jewell returned by Turner, after
he was convicted, as a due to them, and not to give it to Mr. Tryan,
the true owner, but ruled against them, to their great dishonour.
Though they plead it might be another jewell for ought they know and not
Tryan's. After supper home, and my wife tells me mighty stories of my
uncle's fond and kind discourses to her to-day, which makes me confident
that he has thoughts of kindness for us, he repeating his desire for her
to be with child, for it cannot enter into my head that he should have
any unworthy thoughts concerning her. After doing some business at my
office, I home to supper, prayers, and to bed.

22nd. Up, and it being a brave morning, with a gaily to Woolwich, and
there both at the Ropeyarde and the other yarde did much business, and
thence to Greenwich to see Mr. Pett and others value the carved work
of the "Henrietta" (God knows in an ill manner for the King), and so
to Deptford, and there viewed Sir W. Petty's vessel; which hath an
odd appearance, but not such as people do make of it, for I am of the
opinion that he would never have discoursed so much of it, if it were
not better than other vessels, and so I believe that he was abused the
other day, as he is now, by tongues that I am sure speak before they
know anything good or bad of her. I am sorry to find his ingenuity
discouraged so. So home, reading all the way a good book, and so home to
dinner, and after dinner a lesson on the globes to my wife, and so to my
office till 10 or 11 o'clock at night, and so home to supper and to bed.

23rd. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home
to dinner, where Mr. Hawly came to see us and dined with us, and after
we had dined came Mr. Mallard, and after he had eat something, I brought
down my vyall which he played on, the first maister that ever touched
her yet, and she proves very well and will be, I think, an admirable
instrument. He played some very fine things of his owne, but I was
afeard to enter too far in their commendation for fear he should
offer to copy them for me out, and so I be forced to give or lend him
something. So to the office in the evening, whither Mr. Commander came
to me, and we discoursed about my will, which I am resolved to perfect
the next week by the grace of God. He being gone, I to write letters and
other business late, and so home to supper and to bed.

24th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, and then up, and being desirous to
perform my vowes that I lately made, among others, to be performed
this month, I did go to my office, and there fell on entering, out of
a bye-book, part of my second journall-book, which hath lain these two
years and more unentered. Upon this work till dinner, and after dinner
to it again till night, and then home to supper, and after supper to
read a lecture to my wife upon the globes, and so to prayers and to bed.
This evening also I drew up a rough draught of my last will to my mind.

25th. Up and by coach to Whitehall to my Lord's lodgings, and seeing
that knowing that I was in the house, my Lord did not nevertheless send
for me up, I did go to the Duke's lodgings, and there staid while he was
making ready, in which time my Lord Sandwich came, and so all into his
closet and did our common business, and so broke up, and I homeward by
coach with Sir W. Batten, and staid at Warwicke Lane and there called
upon Mr. Commander and did give him my last will and testament to write
over in form, and so to the 'Change, where I did several businesses.
So home to dinner, and after I had dined Luellin came and we set him
something to eat, and I left him there with my wife, and to the office
upon a particular meeting of the East India Company, where I think I
did the King good service against the Company in the business of their
sending our ships home empty from the Indies contrary to their contract,
and yet, God forgive me! I found that I could be willing to receive a
bribe if it were offered me to conceal my arguments that I found against
them, in consideration that none of my fellow officers, whose duty it is
more than mine, had ever studied the case, or at this hour do understand
it, and myself alone must do it. That being done Mr. Povy and Bland came
to speak with me about their business of the reference, wherein I shall
have some more trouble, but cannot help it, besides I hope to make some
good use of Mr. Povy to my advantage. So home after business done at my
office, to supper, and then to the globes with my wife, and so to bed.
Troubled a little in mind that my Lord Sandwich should continue this
strangeness to me that methinks he shows me now a days more than while
the thing was fresh.

26th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon to the
'Change, after being at the Coffee-house, where I sat by Tom Killigrew,
who told us of a fire last night in my Lady Castlemaine's lodging, where
she bid L40 for one to adventure the fetching of a cabinet out, which
at last was got to be done; and the fire at last quenched without doing
much wrong. To 'Change and there did much business, so home to dinner,
and then to the office all the afternoon. And so at night my aunt Wight
and Mrs. Buggin came to sit with my wife, and I in to them all the
evening, my uncle coming afterward, and after him Mr. Benson the
Dutchman, a frank, merry man. We were very merry and played at cards
till late and so broke up and to bed in good hopes that this my
friendship with my uncle and aunt will end well.

27th. Up and to the office, and at noon to the Coffeehouse, where I sat
with Sir G. Ascue

     [Sir George Ayscue or Askew.  After his return from his imprisonment
     he declined to go to sea again, although he was twice afterwards
     formally appointed.  He sat on the court-martial on the loss of the
     "Defiance" in 1668.]

and Sir William Petty, who in discourse is, methinks, one of the most
rational men that ever I heard speak with a tongue, having all his
notions the most distinct and clear, and, among other things (saying,
that in all his life these three books were the most esteemed and
generally cried up for wit in the world "Religio Medici," "Osborne's
Advice to a Son,"

     [Francis Osborne, an English writer of considerable abilities and
     popularity, was the author of "Advice to a Son," in two parts,
     Oxford, 1656-8, 8vo.  He died in 1659.  He is the same person
     mentioned as "My Father Osborne," October 19th, 1661.--B.]

and "Hudibras "), did say that in these--in the two first
principally--the wit lies, and confirming some pretty sayings, which are
generally like paradoxes, by some argument smartly and pleasantly urged,
which takes with people who do not trouble themselves to examine the
force of an argument, which pleases them in the delivery, upon a subject
which they like; whereas, as by many particular instances of mine, and
others, out of Osborne, he did really find fault and weaken the strength
of many of Osborne's arguments, so as that in downright disputation
they would not bear weight; at least, so far, but that they might be
weakened, and better found in their rooms to confirm what is there said.
He shewed finely whence it happens that good writers are not admired
by the present age; because there are but few in any age that do mind
anything that is abstruse and curious; and so longer before any body do
put the true praise, and set it on foot in the world, the generality
of mankind pleasing themselves in the easy delights of the world, as
eating, drinking, dancing, hunting, fencing, which we see the meanest
men do the best, those that profess it. A gentleman never dances so well
as the dancing master, and an ordinary fiddler makes better musique for
a shilling than a gentleman will do after spending forty, and so in all
the delights of the world almost. Thence to the 'Change, and after doing
much business, home, taking Commissioner Pett with me, and all alone
dined together. He told me many stories of the yard, but I do know him
so well, and had his character given me this morning by Hempson, as well
as my own too of him before, that I shall know how to value any thing he
says either of friendship or other business. He was mighty serious with
me in discourse about the consequence of Sir W. Petty's boat, as
the most dangerous thing in the world, if it should be practised by
endangering our losse of the command of the seas and our trade, while
the Turkes and others shall get the use of them, which, without doubt,
by bearing more sayle will go faster than any other ships, and, not
being of burden, our merchants cannot have the use of them and so will
be at the mercy of their enemies. So that I perceive he is afeard that
the honour of his trade will down, though (which is a truth) he pretends
this consideration to hinder the growth of this invention. He being gone
my wife and I took coach and to Covent Garden, to buy a maske at the
French House, Madame Charett's, for my wife; in the way observing the
streete full of coaches at the new play, "The Indian Queene;" which for
show, they say, exceeds "Henry the Eighth." Thence back to Mrs. Turner's
and sat a while with them talking of plays and I know not what, and
so called to see Tom, but not at home, though they say he is in a deep
consumption, and Mrs. Turner and Dike and they say he will not live two
months to an end. So home and to the office, and then to supper and to
bed.

28th. Up and to the office, where all the morning sitting, and at noon
upon several things to the 'Change, and thence to Sir G. Carteret's
to dinner of my own accord, and after dinner with Mr. Wayth down to
Deptford doing several businesses, and by land back again, it being
very cold, the boat meeting me after my staying a while for him at an
alehouse by Redriffe stairs. So home, and took Will coming out of my
doors, at which I was a little moved, and told my wife of her keeping
him from the office (though God knows my base jealous head was the cause
of it), which she seemed troubled at, and that it was only to discourse
with her about finding a place for her brother. So I to my office late,
Mr. Commander coming to read over my will in order to the engrossing
it, and so he being gone I to other business, among others chiefly upon
preparing matters against Creed for my profit, and so home to supper and
bed, being mightily troubled with my left eye all this evening from some
dirt that is got into it.

29th. Up, and after shaving myself (wherein twice now, one after
another, I have cut myself much, but I think it is from the bluntness of
the razor) there came Mr. Deane to me and staid with me a while talking
about masts, wherein he prepared me in several things against Mr. Wood,
and also about Sir W. Petty's boat, which he says must needs prove a
folly, though I do not think so unless it be that the King will not have
it encouraged. At noon, by appointment, comes Mr. Hartlibb and his wife,
and a little before them Messrs. Langley and Bostocke (old acquaintances
of mine at Westminster, clerks), and after shewing them my house and
drinking they set out by water, my wife and I with them down to Wapping
on board the "Crowne," a merchantman, Captain Floyd, a civil person.
Here was Vice-Admiral Goodson, whom the more I know the more I value for
a serious man and staunch. Here was Whistler the flagmaker, which vexed
me, but it mattered not. Here was other sorry company and the discourse
poor, so that we had no pleasure there at all, but only to see and bless
God to find the difference that is now between our condition and that
heretofore, when we were not only much below Hartlibb in all respects,
but even these two fellows above named, of whom I am now quite ashamed
that ever my education should lead me to such low company, but it is
God's goodness only, for which let him be praised. After dinner I.
broke up and with my wife home, and thence to the Fleece in Cornhill,
by appointment, to meet my Lord Marlborough, a serious and worthy
gentleman, who, after doing our business, about the company, he and they
began to talk of the state of the Dutch in India, which is like to be
in a little time without any controll; for we are lost there, and the
Portuguese as bad. Thence to the Coffee-house, where good discourse,
specially of Lt.-Coll. Baron touching the manners of the Turkes'
Government, among whom he lived long. So to my uncle Wight's, where late
playing at cards, and so home.

30th. Up, and a sorry sermon of a young fellow I knew at Cambridge; but
the day kept solemnly for the King's murder, and all day within doors
making up my Brampton papers, and in the evening Mr. Commander came and
we made perfect and signed and sealed my last will and testament, which
is so to my mind, and I hope to the liking of God Almighty, that I take
great joy in myself that it is done, and by that means my mind in a good
condition of quiett. At night to supper and to bed. This evening, being
in a humour of making all things even and clear in the world, I tore
some old papers; among others, a romance which (under the title of "Love
a Cheate ") I begun ten years ago at Cambridge; and at this time reading
it over to-night I liked it very well, and wondered a little at myself
at my vein at that time when I wrote it, doubting that I cannot do so
well now if I would try.

31st (Lord's day). Up, and in my chamber all day long (but a little
at dinner) settling all my Brampton accounts to this day in very good
order, I having obliged myself by oathe to do that and some other things
within this month, and did also perfectly prepare a state of my estate
and annexed it to my last will and testament, which now is perfect, and,
lastly, I did make up my monthly accounts, and find that I have gained
above L50 this month clear, and so am worth L858 clear, which is the
greatest sum I ever yet was master of, and also read over my usual
vowes, as I do every Lord's day, but with greater seriousness than
ordinary, and I do hope that every day I shall see more and more the
pleasure of looking after my business and laying up of money, and
blessed be God for what I have already been enabled by his grace to do.
So to supper and to bed with my mind in mighty great ease and content,
but my head very full of thoughts and business to dispatch this next
month also, and among others to provide for answering to the Exchequer
for my uncle's being Generall-Receiver in the year 1647, which I am at
present wholly unable to do, but I must find time to look over all his
papers.




FEBRUARY 1663-1664

February 1st. Up (my maids rising early this morning to washing), and
being ready I found Mr. Strutt the purser below with 12 bottles of
sacke, and tells me (which from Sir W. Batten I had heard before) how
young Jack Davis has railed against Sir W. Batten for his endeavouring
to turn him out of his place, at which for the fellow's sake, because it
will likely prove his ruin, I am sorry, though I do believe he is a very
arch rogue. I took Strutt by coach with me to White Hall, where I set
him down, and I to my Lord's, but found him gone out betimes to the
Wardrobe, which I am glad to see that he so attends his business, though
it troubles me that my counsel to my prejudice must be the cause of it.
They tell me that he goes into the country next week, and that the young
ladies come up this week before the old lady. Here I hear how two men
last night, justling for the wall about the New Exchange, did kill one
another, each thrusting the other through; one of them of the King's
Chappell, one Cave, and the other a retayner of my Lord Generall
Middleton's. Thence to White Hall; where, in the Duke's chamber, the
King came and stayed an hour or two laughing at Sir W. Petty, who was
there about his boat; and at Gresham College in general; at which poor
Petty was, I perceive, at some loss; but did argue discreetly, and bear
the unreasonable follies of the King's objections and other bystanders
with great discretion; and offered to take oddes against the King's best
boates; but the King would not lay, but cried him down with words
only. Gresham College he mightily laughed at, for spending time only
in weighing of ayre, and doing nothing else since they sat. Thence to
Westminster Hall, and there met with diverse people, it being terme
time. Among others I spoke with Mrs. Lane, of whom I doubted to hear
something of the effects of our last meeting about a fortnight or three
weeks ago, but to my content did not. Here I met with Mr. Pierce, who
tells me of several passages at Court, among others how the King,
coming the other day to his Theatre to see "The Indian Queene" (which he
commends for a very fine thing), my Lady Castlemaine was in the next box
before he came; and leaning over other ladies awhile to whisper to the
King, she rose out of the box and went into the King's, and set herself
on the King's right hand, between the King and the Duke of York; which,
he swears, put the King himself, as well as every body else, out of
countenance; and believes that she did it only to show the world that
she is not out of favour yet, as was believed. Thence with Alderman
Maynell by his coach to the 'Change, and there with several people busy,
and so home to dinner, and took my wife out immediately to the King's
Theatre, it being a new month, and once a month I may go, and there saw
"The Indian Queene" acted; which indeed is a most pleasant show, and
beyond my expectation; the play good, but spoiled with the ryme, which
breaks the sense. But above my expectation most, the eldest Marshall did
do her part most excellently well as I ever heard woman in my life; but
her voice not so sweet as Ianthe's; but, however, we came home mightily
contented. Here we met Mr. Pickering and his mistress, Mrs. Doll Wilde;
he tells me that the business runs high between the Chancellor and my
Lord Bristoll against the Parliament; and that my Lord Lauderdale and
Cooper open high against the Chancellor; which I am sorry for. In my
way home I 'light and to the Coffee-house, where I heard Lt. Coll. Baron
tell very good stories of his travels over the high hills in Asia above
the clouds, how clear the heaven is above them, how thicke like a mist
the way is through the cloud that wets like a sponge one's clothes,
the ground above the clouds all dry and parched, nothing in the world
growing, it being only a dry earth, yet not so hot above as below the
clouds. The stars at night most delicate bright and a fine clear blue
sky, but cannot see the earth at any time through the clouds, but the
clouds look like a world below you. Thence home and to supper, being
hungry, and so to the office, did business, specially about Creed,
for whom I am now pretty well fitted, and so home to bed. This day in
Westminster Hall W. Bowyer told me that his father is dead lately, and
died by being drowned in the river, coming over in the night; but he
says he had not been drinking. He was taken with his stick in his hand
and cloake over his shoulder, as ruddy as before he died. His horse was
taken overnight in the water, hampered in the bridle, but they were so
silly as not to look for his master till the next morning, that he was
found drowned.

2nd. Up and to the office, where, though Candlemas day, Mr. Coventry
and Sir W. Pen and I all the morning, the others being at a survey at
Deptford. At noon by coach to the 'Change with Mr. Coventry, thence to
the Coffee-house with Captain Coeke, who discoursed well of the good
effects in some kind of a Dutch warr and conquest (which I did not
consider before, but the contrary) that is, that the trade of the world
is too little for us two, therefore one must down: 2ndly, that though
our merchants will not be the better husbands by all this, yet our wool
will bear a better price by vaunting of our cloths, and by that our
tenants will be better able to pay rents, and our lands will be more
worth, and all our owne manufactures, which now the Dutch outvie us in;
that he thinks the Dutch are not in so good a condition as heretofore
because of want of men always, and now from the warrs against the Turke
more than ever. Then to the 'Change again, and thence off to the Sun
Taverne with Sir W. Warren, and with him discoursed long, and had good
advice, and hints from him, and among other things he did give me a
payre of gloves for my wife wrapt up in paper, which I would not open,
feeling it hard; but did tell him that my wife should thank him, and so
went on in discourse. When I came home, Lord! in what pain I was to get
my wife out of the room without bidding her go, that I might see what
these gloves were; and, by and by, she being gone, it proves a payre of
white gloves for her and forty pieces in good gold, which did so cheer
my heart, that I could eat no victuals almost for dinner for joy to
think how God do bless us every day more and more, and more yet I hope
he will upon the increase of my duty and endeavours. I was at great
losse what to do, whether tell my wife of it or no, which I could hardly
forbear, but yet I did and will think of it first before I do, for fear
of making her think me to be in a better condition, or in a better way
of getting money, than yet I am. After dinner to the office, where doing
infinite of business till past to at night to the comfort of my mind,
and so home with joy to supper and to bed. This evening Mr. Hempson came
and told me how Sir W, Batten his master will not hear of continuing him
in his employment as Clerk of the Survey at Chatham, from whence of a
sudden he has removed him without any new or extraordinary cause, and I
believe (as he himself do in part write, and J. Norman do confess) for
nothing but for that he was twice with me the other day and did not wait
upon him. So much he fears me and all that have to do with me. Of this
more in the Mem. Book of my office upon this day, there I shall find it.

3rd. Up, and after a long discourse with my cozen Thomas Pepys, the
executor, I with my wife by coach to Holborn, where I 'light, and she to
her father's, I to the Temple and several places, and so to the 'Change,
where much business, and then home to dinner alone; and so to the Mitre
Taverne by appointment (and there met by chance with W. Howe come to buy
wine for my Lord against his going down to Hinchingbroke, and I private
with him a great while discoursing of my Lord's strangeness to me; but
he answers that I have no reason to think any such thing, but that my
Lord is only in general a more reserved man than he was before) to
meet Sir W. Rider and Mr. Clerke, and there after much ado made an end,
giving Mr. Custos L202 against Mr. Bland, which I endeavoured to bring
down but could not, and think it is well enough ended for Mr. Bland for
all that. Thence by coach to fetch my wife from her brother's, and found
her gone home. Called at Sir Robert Bernard's about surrendering my
estate in reversion to the use of my life, which will be done, and at
Roger Pepys, who was gone to bed in pain of a boyle that he could not
sit or stand. So home, where my wife is full of sad stories of her
good-natured father and roguish brother, who is going for Holland and
his wife, to be a soldier. And so after a little at the office to bed.
This night late coming in my coach, coming up Ludgate Hill, I saw two
gallants and their footmen taking a pretty wench, which I have much
eyed, lately set up shop upon the hill, a seller of riband and gloves.
They seek to drag her by some force, but the wench went, and I believe
had her turn served, but, God forgive me! what thoughts and wishes I had
of being in their place. In Covent Garden to-night, going to fetch home
my wife, I stopped at the great Coffee-house' there, where I never was
before; where Dryden the poet (I knew at Cambridge), and all the wits of
the town, and Harris the player, and Mr. Hoole of our College. And had I
had time then, or could at ether times, it will be good coming thither,
for there, I perceive, is very witty and pleasant discourse. But I could
not tarry, and as it was late, they were all ready to go away.

4th. Up and to the office, where after a while sitting, I left the board
upon pretence of serious business, and by coach to Paul's School, where
I heard some good speeches of the boys that were to be elected
this year. Thence by and by with Mr. Pullen and Barnes (a great
Non-Conformist) with several others of my old acquaintance to the Nag's
Head Taverne, and there did give them a bottle of sacke, and away again
and I to the School, and up to hear the upper form examined; and
there was kept by very many of the Mercers, Clutterbucke, a Barker,
Harrington, and others; and with great respect used by them all, and
had a noble dinner. Here they tell me, that in Dr. Colett's will he says
that he would have a Master found for the School that hath good skill in
Latin, and (if it could be) one that had some knowledge of the Greeke;
so little was Greeke known here at that time. Dr. Wilkins and one Mr.
Smallwood, Posers. After great pleasure there, and specially to Mr.
Crumlum, so often to tell of my being a benefactor to the School, I to
my bookseller's and there spent an hour looking over Theatrum Urbium
and Flandria illustrata, with excellent cuts, with great content. So
homeward, and called at my little milliner's, where I chatted with her,
her husband out of the way, and a mad merry slut she is. So home to
the office, and by and by comes my wife home from the burial of Captain
Grove's wife at Wapping (she telling me a story how her mayd Jane going
into the boat did fall down and show her arse in the boat), and alone
comes my uncle Wight and Mr. Maes with the state of their case, which he
told me very discreetly, and I believe is a very hard one, and so after
drinking a bottle of ale or two they gone, and I a little more to the
office, and so home to prayers and to bed. This evening I made an end of
my letter to Creed about his pieces of eight, and sent it away to him.
I pray God give good end to it to bring me some money, and that duly as
from him.

5th. Up, and down by water, a brave morning, to Woolwich, and there
spent an houre or two to good purpose, and so walked to Greenwich and
thence to Deptford, where I found (with Sir W. Batten upon a survey) Sir
J. Minnes, Sir W. Pen, and my Lady Batten come down and going to dinner.
I dined with them, and so after dinner by water home, all the way going
and coming reading "Faber Fortunae," which I can never read too often.
At home a while with my wife, and so to my office, where till 8 o'clock,
and then home to look over some Brampton papers, and my uncle's accounts
as Generall-Receiver of the County for 1647 of our monthly assessment,
which, contrary to my expectation, I found in such good order and so,
thoroughly that I did not expect, nor could have thought, and that being
done, having seen discharges for every farthing of money he received, I
went to bed late with great quiett.

6th. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and so at noon
to the 'Change, where I met Mr. Coventry, the first time I ever saw him
there, and after a little talke with him and other merchants, I up and
down about several businesses, and so home, whither came one Father
Fogourdy, an Irish priest, of my wife's and her mother's acquaintance in
France, a sober, discreet person, but one that I would not have converse
with my wife for fear of meddling with her religion, but I like the man
well. Thence with my wife abroad, and left her at Tom's, while I abroad
about several businesses and so back to her, myself being vexed to find
at my first coming Tom abroad, and all his books, papers, and bills
loose upon the open table in the parlour, and he abroad, which I ranted
at him for when he came in. Then by coach home, calling at my cozen
Scott's, who (she) lies dying, they say, upon a miscarriage. My wife
could not be admitted to see her, nor anybody. At home to the office
late writing letters, and then home to supper and to bed. Father
Fogourdy confirms to me the newes that for certain there is peace
between the Pope and King of France.

7th (Lord's day). Up and to church, and thence home, my wife being ill
... kept her bed all day, and I up and dined by her bedside, and then
all the afternoon till late at night writing some letters of business
to my father stating of matters to him in general of great import, and
other letters to ease my mind in the week days that I have not time
to think of, and so up to my wife, and with great mirth read Sir W.
Davenant's two speeches in dispraise of London and Paris, by way of
reproach one to another, and so to prayers and to bed.

8th. Up, and by coach called upon Mr. Phillips, and after a little talk
with him away to my Lord Sandwich's, but he being gone abroad, I staid a
little and talked with Mr. Howe, and so to Westminster in term time,
and there met Mr. Pierce, who told me largely how the King still do doat
upon his women, even beyond all shame; and that the good Queen will of
herself stop before she goes sometimes into her dressing-room, till
she knows whether the King be there, for fear he should be, as she hath
sometimes taken him, with Mrs. Stewart; and that some of the best parts
of the Queen's joynture are, contrary to faith, and against the opinion
of my Lord Treasurer and his Council, bestowed or rented, I know not
how, to my Lord Fitz-Harding and Mrs. Stewart, and others of that crew
that the King do doat infinitely upon the Duke of Monmouth, apparently
as one that he intends to have succeed him. God knows what will be the
end of it! After he was gone I went and talked with Mrs. Lane about
persuading her to Hawly, and think she will come on, which I wish were
done, and so to Mr. Howlett and his wife, and talked about the same, and
they are mightily for it, and I bid them promote it, for I think it will
be for both their goods and my content. But I was much pleased to look
upon their pretty daughter, which is grown a pretty mayd, and will make
a fine modest woman. Thence to the 'Change by coach, and after some
business done, home to dinner, and thence to Guildhall, thinking to have
heard some pleading, but there were no Courts, and so to Cade's, the
stationer, and there did look upon some pictures which he promised to
give me the buying of, but I found he would have played the Jacke with
me, but at last he did proffer me what I expected, and I have laid aside
L10 or L12 worth, and will think of it, but I am loth to lay out so much
money upon them. So home a little vexed in my mind to think how to-day
I was forced to compliment W. Howe and admit myself to an equality with
Mr. Moore, which is come to challenge in his discourse with me, but I
will admit it no more, but let me stand or fall, I will show myself as
strange to them as my Lord do himself to me. After at the office till
9 o'clock, I home in fear of some pain by taking cold, and so to supper
and to bed.

9th. Up and to the office, where sat all the morning. At noon by coach
with Mr. Coventry to the 'Change, where busy with several people.
Great talke of the Dutch proclaiming themselves in India, Lords of the
Southern Seas, and deny traffick there to all ships but their owne, upon
pain of confiscation; which makes our merchants mad. Great doubt of two
ships of ours, the "Greyhound" and another, very rich, coming from the
Streights, for fear of the Turkes. Matters are made up between the Pope
and the King of France; so that now all the doubt is, what the French
will do with their armies. Thence home, and there found Captain Grove in
mourning for his wife, and Hawly, and they dined with me. After dinner,
and Grove gone, Hawly and I talked of his mistress, Mrs. Lane, and I
seriously advising him and inquiring his condition, and do believe that
I shall bring them together. By and by comes Mr. Moore, with whom much
good discourse of my Lord, and among other things told me that my Lord
is mightily altered, that is, grown very high and stately, and do not
admit of any to come into his chamber to him, as heretofore, and that I
must not think much of his strangeness to me, for it was the same he
do to every body, and that he would not have me be solicitous in the
matter, but keep off and give him now and then a visit and no more, for
he says he himself do not go to him now a days but when he sends
for him, nor then do not stay for him if he be not there at the hour
appointed, for, says he, I do find that I can stand upon my own legs
and I will not by any over submission make myself cheap to any body and
contemptible, which was the doctrine of the world that I lacked most,
and shall follow it. I discoursed with him about my money that my Lord
hath, and the L1000 that I stand bound with him in, to my cozen Thomas
Pepys, in both which I will get myself at liberty as soon as I can;
for I do not like his being angry and in debt both together to me; and
besides, I do not perceive he looks after paying his debts, but runs
farther and farther in. He being gone, my wife and I did walk an houre
or two above in our chamber, seriously talking of businesses. I told
her my Lord owed me L700, and shewed her the bond, and how I intended
to carry myself to my Lord. She and I did cast about how to get Captain
Grove for my sister, in which we are mighty earnest at present, and I
think it would be a good match, and will endeavour it. So to my office a
while, then home to supper and to bed.

10th. Up, and by coach to my Lord Sandwich, to his new house, a fine
house, but deadly dear, in Lincoln's Inne Fields, where I found and
spoke a little to him. He is high and strange still, but did ask me how
my wife did, and at parting remembered him to his cozen, which I thought
was pretty well, being willing to flatter myself that in time he will be
well again. Thence home straight and busy all the forenoon, and at noon
with Mr. Bland to Mr. Povy's, but he being at dinner and full of company
we retreated and went into Fleet Street to a friend of his, and after a
long stay, he telling me the long and most perplexed story of Coronell
and Bushell's business of sugars, wherein Parke and Green and Mr. Bland
and 40 more have been so concerned about the King of Portugal's duties,
wherein every party has laboured to cheat another, a most pleasant and
profitable story to hear, and in the close made me understand Mr. Maes'
business better than I did before. By and by dinner came, and after
dinner and good discourse that and such as I was willing for improvement
sake to hear, I went away too to White Hall to a Committee of Tangier,
where I took occasion to demand of Creed whether he had received my
letter, and he told me yes, and that he would answer it, which makes
me much wonder what he means to do with me, but I will be even with him
before I have done, let him make as light of it as he will. Thence to
the Temple, where my cozen Roger Pepys did show me a letter my Father
wrote to him last Terme to shew me, proposing such things about Sturtlow
and a portion for Pall, and I know not what, that vexes me to see him
plotting how to put me to trouble and charge, and not thinking to pay
our debts and legacys, but I will write him a letter will persuade him
to be wiser. So home, and finding my wife abroad (after her coming home
from being with my aunt Wight to-day to buy Lent provisions) gone with
Will to my brother's, I followed them by coach, but found them not,
for they were newly gone home from thence, which troubled me. I to
Sir Robert Bernard's chamber, and there did surrender my reversion in
Brampton lands to the use of my will, which I was glad to have done, my
will being now good in all parts. Thence homewards, calling a little at
the Coffee-house, where a little merry discourse, and so home, where I
found my wife, who says she went to her father's to be satisfied about
her brother, who I found at my house with her. He is going this next
tide with his wife into Holland to seek his fortune. He had taken his
leave of us this morning. I did give my wife 10s. to give him, and a
coat that I had by me, a close-bodied light-coloured cloth coat, with a
gold edgeing in each seam, that was the lace of my wife's best pettycoat
that she had when I married her. I staid not there, but to my office,
where Stanes the glazier was with me till to at night making up his
contract, and, poor man, I made him almost mad through a mistake of
mine, but did afterwards reconcile all, for I would not have the man
that labours to serve the King so cheap above others suffer too much.
He gone I did a little business more, and so home to supper and to bed,
being now pretty well again, the weather being warm. My pain do leave
me without coming to any great excesse, but my cold that I had got I
suppose was not very great, it being only the leaving of my wastecoat
unbuttoned one morning.

11th. Up, after much pleasant discourse with my wife, and to the office,
where we sat all the morning, and did much business, and some much to
my content by prevailing against Sir W. Batten for the King's profit. At
noon home to dinner, my wife and I hand to fist to a very fine pig. This
noon Mr. Falconer came and visited my wife, and brought her a present, a
silver state-cup and cover, value about L3 or L4, for the courtesy I did
him the other day. He did not stay dinner with me. I am almost sorry
for this present, because I would have reserved him for a place to go in
summer a-visiting at Woolwich with my wife.

12th. Up, and ready, did find below Mr. Creed's boy with a letter from
his master for me. So I fell to reading it, and it is by way of stating
the case between S. Pepys and J. Creed most excellently writ, both
showing his stoutness and yet willingness to peace, reproaching me yet
flattering me again, and in a word in as good a manner as I think the
world could have wrote, and indeed put me to a greater stand than ever
I thought I could have been in this matter. All the morning thinking
how to behave myself in the business, and at noon to the Coffee-house;
thence by his appointment met him upon the 'Change, and with him back to
the Coffee-house, where with great seriousness and strangeness on both
sides he said his part and I mine, he sometimes owning my favour and
assistance, yet endeavouring to lessen it, as that the success of his
business was not wholly or very much to be imputed to that assistance: I
to alledge the contrary, and plainly to tell him that from the beginning
I never had it in my mind to do him all that kindnesse for nothing, but
he gaining 5 or L600, I did expect a share of it, at least a real and
not a complimentary acknowledgment of it. In fine I said nothing all the
while that I need fear he can do me more hurt with them than before I
spoke them. The most I told him was after we were come to a peace, which
he asked me whether he should answer the Board's letter or no. I told
him he might forbear it a while and no more. Then he asked how the
letter could be signed by them without their much enquiry. I told him
it was as I worded it and nothing at all else of any moment, whether my
words be ever hereafter spoken of again or no. So that I have the same
neither better nor worse force over him that I had before, if he should
not do his part. And the peace between us was this: Says he after
all, well, says he, I know you will expect, since there must be some
condescension, that it do become me to begin it, and therefore, says he,
I do propose (just like the interstice between the death of the old and
the coming in of the present king, all the time is swallowed up as if
it had never been) so our breach of friendship may be as if it had never
been, that I should lay aside all misapprehensions of him or his first
letter, and that he would reckon himself obliged to show the same
ingenuous acknowledgment of my love and service to him as at the
beginning he ought to have done, before by my first letter I did (as he
well observed) put him out of a capacity of doing it, without seeming
to do it servilely, and so it rests, and I shall expect how he will deal
with me. After that I began to be free, and both of us to discourse of
other things, and he went home with me and dined with me and my wife
and very pleasant, having a good dinner and the opening of my lampry
(cutting a notch on one side), which proved very good. After dinner he
and I to Deptford, walking all the way, where we met Sir W. Petty and I
took him back, and I got him to go with me to his vessel and discourse
it over to me, which he did very well, and then walked back together to
the waterside at Redriffe, with good discourse all the way. So Creed and
I by boat to my house, and thence to coach with my wife and called at
Alderman Backewell's and there changed Mr. Falconer's state-cup, that he
did give us the other day, for a fair tankard. The cup weighed with the
fashion L5 16s., and another little cup that Joyce Norton did give us
17s., both L6 13s.; for which we had the tankard, which came to L6 10s.,
at 5s. 7d. per oz., and 3s. in money, and with great content away thence
to my brother's, Creed going away there, and my brother bringing me
the old silk standard that I lodged there long ago, and then back again
home, and thence, hearing that my uncle Wight had been at my house, I
went to him to the Miter, and there with him and Maes, Norbury, and Mr.
Rawlinson till late eating some pot venison (where the Crowne earthen
pot pleased me mightily), and then homewards and met Mr. Barrow, so
back with him to the Miter and sat talking about his business of his
discontent in the yard, wherein sometimes he was very foolish and
pettish, till 12 at night, and so went away, and I home and up to my
wife a-bed, with my mind ill at ease whether I should think that I had
by this made myself a bad end by missing the certainty of L100 which
I proposed to myself so much, or a good one by easing myself of the
uncertain good effect but the certain trouble and reflection which must
have fallen on me if we had proceeded to a public dispute, ended besides
embarking myself against my Lord, who (which I had forgot) had given him
his hand for the value of the pieces of eight at his rates which were
all false, which by the way I shall take heed to the giving of my Lord
notice of it hereafter whenever he goes out again.

13th. Up, and after I had told my wife in the morning in bed the
passages yesterday with Creed my head and heart was mightily lighter
than they were before, and so up and to the office, and thence, after
sitting, at 11 o'clock with Mr. Coventry to the African House, and
there with Sir W. Ryder by agreement we looked over part of my Lord
Peterborough's accounts, these being by Creed and Vernaty. Anon down
to dinner to a table which Mr. Coventry keeps here, out of his L300
per annum as one of the Assistants to the Royall Company, a very pretty
dinner, and good company, and excellent discourse, and so up again to
our work for an hour till the Company came to having a meeting of their
own, and so we broke up and Creed and I took coach and to Reeves,
the perspective glass maker, and there did indeed see very excellent
microscopes, which did discover a louse or mite or sand most perfectly
and largely. Being sated with that we went away (yet with a good will
were it not for my obligation to have bought one) and walked to the New
Exchange, and after a turn or two and talked I took coach and home, and
so to my office, after I had been with my wife and saw her day's work
in ripping the silke standard, which we brought home last night, and it
will serve to line a bed, or for twenty uses, to our great content. And
there wrote fair my angry letter to my father upon that that he wrote
to my cozen Roger Pepys, which I hope will make him the more carefull
to trust to my advice for the time to come without so many needless
complaints and jealousys, which are troublesome to me because without
reason.

14th (Lord's day). Up and to church alone, where a lazy sermon of Mr.
Mills, upon a text to introduce catechizing in his parish, which I
perceive he intends to begin. So home and very pleasant with my wife at
dinner. All the afternoon at my office alone doing business, and then
in the evening after a walk with my wife in the garden, she and I to my
uncle Wight's to supper, where Mr. Norbury, but my uncle out of tune,
and after supper he seemed displeased mightily at my aunt's desiring
[to] put off a copper kettle, which it seems with great study he had
provided to boil meat in, and now she is put in the head that it is not
wholesome, which vexed him, but we were very merry about it, and by and
by home, and after prayers to bed.

15th. Up, and carrying my wife to my Lord's lodgings left her, and I to
White Hall, to the Duke; where he first put on a periwigg to-day; but
methought his hair cut short in order thereto did look very prettily of
itself, before he put on his periwigg.

     [Charles II. followed his brother in the use of the periwig in the
     following April.]

Thence to his closet and there did our business, and thence Mr. Coventry
and I down to his chamber and spent a little time, and so parted, and
I took my wife homeward, I stopping at the Coffee-house, and thence
a while to the 'Change, where great newes of the arrivall of two rich
ships, the Greyhound and another, which they were mightily afeard of,
and great insurance given, and so home to dinner, and after an houre
with my wife at her globes, I to the office, where very busy till 11
at night, and so home to supper and to bed. This afternoon Sir Thomas
Chamberlin came to the office to me, and showed me several letters from
the East Indys, showing the height that the Dutch are come to there,
showing scorn to all the English, even in our only Factory there of
Surat, beating several men, and hanging the English Standard St. George
under the Dutch flagg in scorn; saying, that whatever their masters do
or say at home, they will do what they list, and will be masters of all
the world there; and have so proclaimed themselves Soveraigne of all the
South Seas; which certainly our King cannot endure, if the Parliament
will give him money. But I doubt and yet do hope they will not yet, till
we are more ready for it.

16th. Up and to the office, where very busy all the morning, and most
with Mr. Wood, I vexing him about his masts. At noon to the 'Change a
little and thence brought Mr. Barrow to dinner with me, where I had
a haunch of venison roasted, given me yesterday, and so had a pretty
dinner, full of discourse of his business, wherein the poor man is
mightily troubled, and I pity him in it, but hope to get him some ease.
He being gone I to the office, where very busy till night, that my uncle
Wight and Mr. Maes came to me, and after discourse about Maes' business
to supper very merry, but my mind upon my business, and so they being
gone I to my Vyall a little, which I have not done some months, I think,
before, and then a little to my office, at 11 at night, and so home and
to bed.

17th. Up, and with my wife, setting her down by her father's in Long
Acre, in so ill looked a place, among all the whore houses, that I was
troubled at it, to see her go thither. Thence I to White Hall and there
walked up and down talking with Mr. Pierce, who tells me of the King's
giving of my Lord Fitz-Harding two leases which belong indeed to the
Queene, worth L20,000 to him; and how people do talk of it, and other
things of that nature which I am sorry to hear. He and I walked round
the Park with great pleasure, and back again, and finding no time to
speak with my Lord of Albemarle, I walked to the 'Change and there met
my wife at our pretty Doll's, and so took her home, and Creed also whom
I met there, and sent her hose, while Creed and I staid on the 'Change,
and by and by home and dined, where I found an excellent mastiffe, his
name Towser, sent me by a chyrurgeon. After dinner I took my wife again
by coach (leaving Creed by the way going to Gresham College, of which he
is now become one of the virtuosos) and to White Hall, where I delivered
a paper about Tangier to my Lord Duke of Albemarle in the council
chamber, and so to Mrs. Hunt's to call my wife, and so by coach straight
home, and at my office till 3 o'clock in the morning, having spent much
time this evening in discourse with Mr. Cutler, who tells me how the
Dutch deal with us abroad and do not value us any where, and how he
and Sir W. Rider have found reason to lay aside Captain Cocke in their
company, he having played some indiscreet and unfair tricks with them,
and has lost himself every where by his imposing upon all the world with
the conceit he has of his own wit, and so has, he tells me, Sir R. Ford
also, both of whom are very witty men. He being gone Sir W. Rider came
and staid with me till about 12 at night, having found ourselves work
till that time, about understanding the measuring of Mr. Wood's masts,
which though I did so well before as to be thought to deal very hardly
against Wood, yet I am ashamed I understand it no better, and do hope
yet, whatever be thought of me, to save the King some more money,
and out of an impatience to breake up with my head full of confused
confounded notions, but nothing brought to a clear comprehension, I was
resolved to sit up and did till now it is ready to strike 4 o'clock, all
alone, cold, and my candle not enough left to light me to my owne house,
and so, with my business however brought to some good understanding, and
set it down pretty clear, I went home to bed with my mind at good quiet,
and the girl sitting up for me (the rest all a-bed). I eat and drank a
little, and to bed, weary, sleepy, cold, and my head akeing.

18th. Called up to the office and much against my will I rose, my head
aching mightily, and to the office, where I did argue to good purpose
for the King, which I have been fitting myself for the last night
against Mr. Wood about his masts, but brought it to no issue. Very full
of business till noon, and then with Mr. Coventry to the African House,
and there fell to my Lord Peterborough's accounts, and by and by to
dinner, where excellent discourse, Sir G. Carteret and others of the
African Company with us, and then up to the accounts again, which were
by and by done, and then I straight home, my head in great pain, and
drowsy, so after doing a little business at the office I wrote to my
father about sending him the mastiff was given me yesterday. I home and
by daylight to bed about 6 o'clock and fell to sleep, wakened about 12
when my wife came to bed, and then to sleep again and so till morning,
and then:

19th. Up in good order in my head again and shaved myself, and then to
the office, whither Mr. Cutler came, and walked and talked with me a
great while; and then to the 'Change together; and it being early, did
tell me several excellent examples of men raised upon the 'Change by
their great diligence and saving; as also his owne fortune, and how
credit grew upon him; that when he was not really worth L1100, he had
credit for L100,000 of Sir W. Rider how he rose; and others. By and by
joyned with us Sir John Bankes; who told us several passages of the East
India Company; and how in his very case, when there was due to him and
Alderman Mico L64,000 from the Dutch for injury done to them in the East
Indys, Oliver presently after the peace, they delaying to pay them the
money, sent them word, that if they did not pay them by such a day, he
would grant letters of mark to those merchants against them; by which
they were so fearful of him, they did presently pay the money every
farthing. By and by, the 'Change filling, I did many businesses, and
about 2 o'clock went off with my uncle Wight to his house, thence by
appointment we took our wives (they by coach with Mr. Mawes) and we
on foot to Mr. Jaggard, a salter, in Thames Street, for whom I did a
courtesy among the poor victuallers, his wife, whom long ago I had seen,
being daughter to old Day, my uncle Wight's master, is a very plain
woman, but pretty children they have. They live methought at first in
but a plain way, but afterward I saw their dinner, all fish, brought in
very neatly, but the company being but bad I had no great pleasure in
it. After dinner I to the office, where we should have met upon business
extraordinary, but business not coming we broke up, and I thither again
and took my wife; and taking a coach, went to visit my Ladys Jemimah
and Paulina Montagu, and Mrs. Elizabeth Dickering, whom we find at their
father's new house

     [The Earl of Sandwich had just moved to a house in Lincoln's Inn
     Fields.  Elizabeth Dickering, who afterwards married John Creed, was
     niece to Lord Sandwich.]

in Lincolne's Inn Fields; but the house all in dirt. They received us
well enough; but I did not endeavour to carry myself over familiarly
with them; and so after a little stay, there coming in presently after
us my Lady Aberguenny and other ladies, we back again by coach, and
visited, my wife did, my she cozen Scott, who is very ill still, and
thence to Jaggard's again, where a very good supper and great store of
plate; and above all after supper Mrs. Jaggard did at my entreaty play
on the Vyall, but so well as I did not think any woman in England could
and but few Maisters, I must confess it did mightily surprise me, though
I knew heretofore that she could play, but little thought so well. After
her I set Maes to singing, but he did it so like a coxcomb that I was
sick of him. About 11 at night I carried my aunt home by coach, and then
home myself, having set my wife down at home by the way. My aunt tells
me they are counted very rich people, worth at least 10 or L12,000, and
their country house all the yeare long and all things liveable, which
mightily surprises me to think for how poore a man I took him when I
did him the courtesy at our office. So after prayers to bed, pleased at
nothing all the day but Mrs. Jaggard playing on the Vyall, and that was
enough to make me bear with all the rest that did not content me.

20th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon to
the 'Change with Mr. Coventry and thence home to dinner, after dinner by
a gaily down to Woolwich, where with Mr. Falconer, and then at the other
yard doing some business to my content, and so walked to Greenwich, it
being a very fine evening and brought right home with me by water, and
so to my office, where late doing business, and then home to supper and
to bed.

21st. (Lord's day). Up, and having many businesses at the office to-day
I spent all the morning there drawing up a letter to Mr. Coventry about
preserving of masts, being collections of my own, and at noon home to
dinner, whither my brother Tom comes, and after dinner I took him up and
read my letter lately of discontent to my father, and he is seemingly
pleased at it, and cries out of my sister's ill nature and lazy life
there. He being gone I to my office again, and there made an end of my
morning's work, and then, after reading my vows of course, home and back
again with Mr. Maes and walked with him talking of his business in the
garden, and he being gone my wife and I walked a turn or two also, and
then my uncle Wight fetching of us, she and I to his house to supper,
and by the way calling on Sir G. Carteret to desire his consent to my
bringing Maes to him, which he agreed to. So I to my uncle's, but staid
a great while vexed both of us for Maes not coming in, and soon he came,
and I with him from supper to Sir G. Carteret, and there did largely
discourse of the business, and I believe he may expect as much favour as
he can do him, though I fear that will not be much. So back, and after
sitting there a good while, we home, and going my wife told me how my
uncle when he had her alone did tell her that he did love her as well
as ever he did, though he did not find it convenient to show it publicly
for reasons on both sides, seeming to mean as well to prevent my
jealousy as his wife's, but I am apt to think that he do mean us well,
and to give us something if he should die without children. So home
to prayers and to bed. My wife called up the people to washing by four
o'clock in the morning; and our little girl Susan is a most admirable
Slut and pleases us mightily, doing more service than both the others
and deserves wages better.

22nd. Up and shaved myself, and then my wife and I by coach out, and I
set her down by her father's, being vexed in my mind and angry with her
for the ill-favoured place, among or near the whore houses, that she is
forced to come to him. So left her there, and I to Sir Th. Warwick's but
did not speak with him. Thence to take a turn in St. James's Park, and
meeting with Anth. Joyce walked with him a turn in the Pell Mell and
so parted, he St. James's ward and I out to Whitehall ward, and so to
a picture-sellers by the Half Moone in the street over against the
Exchange, and there looked over the maps of several cities and did buy
two books of cities stitched together cost me 9s. 6d., and when I came
home thought of my vowe, and paid 5s. into my poor box for it, hoping
in God that I shall forfeit no more in that kind. Thence, meeting Mr.
Moore, and to the Exchange and there found my wife at pretty Doll's,
and thence by coach set her at my uncle Wight's, to go with my aunt to
market once more against Lent, and I to the Coffee-house, and thence
to the 'Change, my chief business being to enquire about the manner of
other countries keeping of their masts wet or dry, and got good advice
about it, and so home, and alone ate a bad, cold dinner, my people being
at their washing all day, and so to the office and all the afternoon
upon my letter to Mr. Coventry about keeping of masts, and ended it very
well at night and wrote it fair over. This evening came Mr. Alsopp the
King's brewer, with whom I spent an houre talking and bewailing the
posture of things at present; the King led away by half-a-dozen men,
that none of his serious servants and friends can come at him. These
are Lauderdale, Buckingham, Hamilton, Fitz-Harding (to whom he hath, it
seems, given L2,000 per annum in the best part of the King's estate);
and that that the old Duke of Buckingham could never get of the King.
Progers is another, and Sir H. Bennett. He loves not the Queen at all,
but is rather sullen to her; and she, by all reports, incapable of
children. He is so fond of the Duke of Monmouth, that every body admires
it; and he says the Duke hath said, that he would be the death of any
man that says the King was not married to his mother: though Alsopp
says, it is well known that she was a common whore before the King lay
with her. But it seems, he says, that the King is mighty kind to these
his bastard children; and at this day will go at midnight to my Lady
Castlemaine's nurses, and take the child and dance it in his arms: that
he is not likely to have his tables up again in his house,--[The tables
at which the king dined in public.-B.]--for the crew that are about
him will not have him come to common view again, but keep him obscurely
among themselves. He hath this night, it seems, ordered that the Hall
(which there is a ball to be in to-night before the King) be guarded, as
the Queen-Mother's is, by his Horse Guards; whereas heretofore they were
by the Lord Chamberlain or Steward, and their people. But it is feared
they will reduce all to the soldiery, and all other places taken away;
and what is worst of all, that he will alter the present militia, and
bring all to a flying army. That my Lord Lauderdale, being Middleton's
enemy, and one that scorns the Chancellor even to open affronts before
the King, hath got the whole power of Scotland into his hand; whereas
the other day he was in a fair way to have had his whole estate, and
honour, and life, voted away from him. That the King hath done himself
all imaginable wrong in the business of my Lord Antrim, in Ireland;
who, though he was the head of rebels, yet he by his letter owns to have
acted by his father's and mother's, and his commissions; but it seems
the truth is, he hath obliged himself, upon the clearing of his estate,
to settle it upon a daughter of the Queene-Mother's (by my Lord Germin,
I suppose,) in marriage, be it to whom the Queene pleases; which is a
sad story. It seems a daughter of the Duke of Lenox's was, by force,
going to be married the other day at Somerset House, to Harry Germin;
but she got away and run to the King, and he says he will protect her.
She is, it seems, very near akin to the King: Such mad doings there are
every day among them! The rape upon a woman at Turnstile the other day,
her husband being bound in his shirt, they both being in bed together,
it being night, by two Frenchmen, who did not only lye with her but
abused her with a linke, is hushed up for L300, being the Queen Mother's
servants. There was a French book in verse, the other day, translated
and presented to the Duke of Monmouth in such a high stile, that the
Duke of York, he tells me, was mightily offended at it. The Duke of
Monmouth's mother's brother hath a place at Court; and being a Welchman
(I think he told me) will talk very broad of the King's being married to
his sister. The King did the other day, at the Council, commit my Lord
Digby's' chaplin, and steward, and another servant, who went upon the
process begun there against their lord, to swear that they saw him at
church, end receive the Sacrament as a Protestant, (which, the judges
said, was sufficient to prove him such in the eye of the law); the King,
I say, did commit them all to the Gate-house, notwithstanding their
pleading their dependance upon him, and the faith they owed him as their
lord, whose bread they eat. And that the King should say, that he would
soon see whether he was King, or Digby. That the Queene-Mother hath
outrun herself in her expences, and is now come to pay very ill, or run
in debt; the money being spent that she received for leases. He believes
there is not any money laid up in bank, as I told him some did hope;
but he says, from the best informers he can assure me there is no such
thing, nor any body that should look after such a thing; and that there
is not now above L80,000 of the Dunkirke money left in stock. That
Oliver in the year when he spent L1,400,000 in the Navy, did spend in
the whole expence of the kingdom L2,600,000. That all the Court are
mad for a Dutch war; but both he and I did concur, that it was a thing
rather to be dreaded than hoped for; unless by the French King's falling
upon Flanders, they and the Dutch should be divided. That our Embassador
had, it is true, an audience; but in the most dishonourable way
that could be; for the Princes of the Blood (though invited by our
Embassador, which was the greatest absurdity that ever Embassador
committed these 400 years) were not there; and so were not said to give
place to our King's Embassador. And that our King did openly say, the
other day in the Privy Chamber, that he would not be hectored out of his
right and preeminencys by the King of France, as great as he was. That
the Pope is glad to yield to a peace with the French (as the newes-book
says), upon the basest terms that ever was. That the talke which these
people about our King, that I named before, have, is to tell him how
neither privilege of Parliament nor City is any thing; but his will is
all, and ought to be so: and their discourse, it seems, when they
are alone, is so base and sordid, that it makes the eares of the very
gentlemen of the back-stairs (I think he called them) to tingle to hear
it spoke in the King's hearing; and that must be very bad indeed. That
my Lord Digby did send to Lisbon a couple of priests, to search out what
they could against the Chancellor concerning the match, as to the point
of his knowing before-hand that the Queene was not capable of bearing
children; and that something was given her to make her so. But as
private as they were, when they came thither they were clapped up
prisoners. That my Lord Digby endeavours what he can to bring the
business into the House of Commons, hoping there to master the
Chancellor, there being many enemies of his there; but I hope the
contrary. That whereas the late King did mortgage 'Clarendon' to
somebody for L20,000, and this to have given it to the Duke of
Albemarle, and he sold it to my Lord Chancellor, whose title of Earldome
is fetched from thence; the King hath this day sent his order to the
Privy Seale for the payment of this L20,000 to my Lord Chancellor, to
clear the mortgage! Ireland in a very distracted condition about the
hard usage which the Protestants meet with, and the too good which the
Catholiques. And from altogether, God knows my heart, I expect nothing
but ruine can follow, unless things are better ordered in a little time.
He being gone my wife came and told me how kind my uncle Wight had been
to her to-day, and that though she says that all his kindness comes from
respect to her she discovers nothing but great civility from him, yet
but what she says he otherwise will tell me, but to-day he told her
plainly that had she a child it should be his heir, and that should I
or she want he would be a good friend to us, and did give my wife
instructions to consent to all his wife says at any time, she being a
pettish woman, which argues a design I think he has of keeping us in
with his wife in order to our good sure, and he declaring her jealous
of him that so he dares not come to see my wife as otherwise he would do
and will endeavour to do. It looks strange putting all together, but yet
I am in hopes he means well. My aunt also is mighty open to my wife and
tells her mighty plain how her husband did intend to double her portion
to her at his death as a jointure. That he will give presently L100 to
her niece Mary and a good legacy at his death, and it seems did as much
to the other sister, which vexed [me] to think that he should bestow so
much upon his wife's friends daily as he do, but it cannot be helped for
the time past, and I will endeavour to remedy it for the time to come.
After all this discourse with my wife at my office alone, she home to
see how the wash goes on and I to make an end of my work, and so home to
supper and to bed.

23rd. Up, it being Shrove Tuesday, and at the office sat all the
morning, at noon to the 'Change and there met with Sir W. Rider, and of
a sudden knowing what I had at home, brought him and Mr. Cutler and Mr.
Cooke, clerk to Mr. Secretary Morrice, a sober and pleasant man, and one
that I knew heretofore, when he was my Lord 's secretary at Dunkirke. I
made much of them and had a pretty dinner for a sudden. We talked very
pleasantly, and they many good discourses of their travels abroad. After
dinner they gone, I to my office, where doing many businesses very late,
but to my good content to see how I grow in estimation every day
more and more, and have things given more oftener than I used to have
formerly, as to have a case of very pretty knives with agate shafts by
Mrs. Russell. So home and to bed. This day, by the blessing of God, I
have lived thirty-one years in the world; and, by the grace of God, I
find myself not only in good health in every thing, and particularly as
to the stone, but only pain upon taking cold, and also in a fair way of
coming to a better esteem and estate in the world, than ever I expected.
But I pray God give me a heart to fear a fall, and to prepare for it!

24th (Ash-Wednesday). Up and by water, it being a very fine morning, to
White Hall, and there to speak with Sir Ph. Warwicke, but he was gone
out to chappell, so I spent much of the morning walking in the Park, and
going to the Queene's chappell, where I staid and saw their masse, till
a man came and bid me go out or kneel down: so I did go out. And thence
to Somerset House; and there into the chappell, where Monsieur d'Espagne
used to preach. But now it is made very fine, and was ten times more
crouded than the Queene's chappell at St. James's; which I wonder at.
Thence down to the garden of Somerset House, and up and down the new
building, which in every respect will be mighty magnificent and costly.
I staid a great while talking with a man in the garden that was sawing
of a piece of marble, and did give him 6d. to drink. He told me much of
the nature and labour of the worke, how he could not saw above 4 inches
of the stone in a day, and of a greater not above one or two, and after
it is sawed, then it is rubbed with coarse and then with finer and finer
sand till they come to putty, and so polish it as smooth as glass. Their
saws have no teeth, but it is the sand only which the saw rubs up and
down that do the thing. Thence by water to the Coffee-house, and there
sat with Alderman Barker talking of hempe and the trade, and thence to
the 'Change a little, and so home and dined with my wife, and then to
the office till the evening, and then walked a while merrily with my
wife in the garden, and so she gone, I to work again till late, and so
home to supper and to bed.

25th. Up and to the office, where we sat, and thence with Mr. Coventry
by coach to the glasshouse and there dined, and both before and after
did my Lord Peterborough's accounts. Thence home to the office, and
there did business till called by Creed, and with him by coach (setting
my wife at my brother's) to my Lord's, and saw the young ladies, and
talked a little with them, and thence to White Hall, a while talking
but doing no business, but resolved of going to meet my Lord tomorrow,
having got a horse of Mr. Coventry to-day. So home, taking up my wife,
and after doing something at my office home, God forgive me, disturbed
in my mind out of my jealousy of my wife tomorrow when I am out of town,
which is a hell to my mind, and yet without all reason. God forgive me
for it, and mend me. So home, and getting my things ready for me, weary
to bed.

26th. Up, and after dressing myself handsomely for riding, I out, and
by water to Westminster, to Mr. Creed's chamber, and after drinking
some chocolate, and playing on the vyall, Mr. Mallard being there, upon
Creed's new vyall, which proves, methinks, much worse than mine, and,
looking upon his new contrivance of a desk and shelves for books, we set
out from an inne hard by, whither Mr. Coventry's horse was carried, and
round about the bush through bad ways to Highgate. Good discourse in the
way had between us, and it being all day a most admirable pleasant day,
we, upon consultation, had stopped at the Cocke, a mile on this side
Barnett, being unwilling to put ourselves to the charge or doubtful
acceptance of any provision against my Lord's coming by, and there got
something and dined, setting a boy to look towards Barnett Hill, against
their coming; and after two or three false alarms, they come, and we met
the coach very gracefully, and I had a kind receipt from both Lord and
Lady as I could wish, and some kind discourse, and then rode by the
coach a good way, and so fell to discoursing with several of the people,
there being a dozen attending the coach, and another for the mayds and
parson. Among others talking with W. Howe, he told me how my Lord in
his hearing the other day did largely tell my Lord Peterborough and Povy
(who went with them down to Hinchinbrooke) how and when he discarded
Creed, and took me to him, and that since the Duke of York has several
times thanked him for me, which did not a little please me, and anon
I desiring Mr. Howe to tell me upon [what] occasion this discourse
happened, he desired me to say nothing of it now, for he would not
have my Lord to take notice of our being together, but he would tell me
another time, which put me into some trouble to think what he meant by
it. But when we came to my Lord's house, I went in; and whether it was
my Lord's neglect, or general indifference, I know not, but he made
me no kind of compliment there; and, methinks, the young ladies look
somewhat highly upon me. So I went away without bidding adieu to
anybody, being desirous not to be thought too servile. But I do hope and
believe that my Lord do yet value me as high as ever, though he dare not
admit me to the freedom he once did, and that my Lady is still the same
woman. So rode home and there found my uncle Wight. 'Tis an odd thing
as my wife tells me his caressing her and coming on purpose to give her
visits, but I do not trouble myself for him at all, but hope the best
and very good effects of it. He being gone I eat something and my
wife. I told all this day's passages, and she to give me very good
and rational advice how to behave myself to my Lord and his family, by
slighting every body but my Lord and Lady, and not to seem to have
the least society or fellowship with them, which I am resolved to do,
knowing that it is my high carriage that must do me good there, and to
appear in good clothes and garbe. To the office, and being weary, early
home to bed.

27th. Up, but weary, and to the office, where we sat all the morning.
Before I went to the office there came Bagwell's wife to me to speak for
her husband. I liked the woman very well and stroked her under the chin,
but could not find in my heart to offer anything uncivil to her, she
being, I believe, a very modest woman. At noon with Mr. Coventry to the
African house, and to my Lord Peterborough's business again, and then to
dinner, where, before dinner, we had the best oysters I have seen this
year, and I think as good in all respects as ever I eat in my life. I
eat a great many. Great, good company at dinner, among others Sir Martin
Noell, who told us the dispute between him, as farmer of the Additional
Duty, and the East India Company, whether callicos be linnen or no;
which he says it is, having been ever esteemed so: they say it is made
of cotton woole, and grows upon trees, not like flax or hempe. But
it was carried against the Company, though they stand out against the
verdict. Thence home and to the office, where late, and so home to
supper and to bed, and had a very pleasing and condescending answer from
my poor father to-day in answer to my angry discontentful letter to him
the other day, which pleases me mightily.

28th (Lord's day). Up and walked to Paul's; and by chance it was an
extraordinary day for the Readers of the Inns of Court and all the
Students to come to church, it being an old ceremony not used these
twenty-five years, upon the first Sunday in Lent. Abundance there was
of Students, more than there was room to seat but upon forms, and the
Church mighty full. One Hawkins preached, an Oxford man. A good sermon
upon these words: "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable." Both before and after sermon I was most impatiently troubled
at the Quire, the worst that ever I heard. But what was extraordinary,
the Bishop of London, who sat there in a pew, made a purpose for him by
the pulpitt, do give the last blessing to the congregation; which
was, he being a comely old man, a very decent thing, methought. The
Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir J. Robinson, would needs have me by coach
home with him, and sending word home to my house I did go and dine
with him, his ordinary table being very good, and his lady a very
high-carriaged but comely big woman; I was mightily pleased with her.
His officers of his regiment dined with him. No discourse at table to
any purpose, only after dinner my Lady would needs see a boy which was
represented to her to be an innocent country boy brought up to towne a
day or two ago, and left here to the wide world, and he losing his way
fell into the Tower, which my Lady believes, and takes pity on him, and
will keep him; but though a little boy and but young, yet he tells his
tale so readily and answers all questions so wittily, that for certain
he is an arch rogue, and bred in this towne; but my Lady will not
believe it, but ordered victuals to be given him, and I think will keep
him as a footboy for their eldest son. After dinner to chappell in the
Tower with the Lieutenant, with the keyes carried before us, and
the Warders and Gentleman-porter going before us. And I sat with the
Lieutenant in his pew, in great state, but slept all the sermon. None,
it seems, of the prisoners in the Tower that are there now, though they
may, will come to prayers there. Church being done, I back to Sir John's
house and there left him and home, and by and by to Sir W. Pen, and
staid a while talking with him about Sir J. Minnes his folly in his
office, of which I am sicke and weary to speak of it, and how the King
is abused in it, though Pen, I know, offers the discourse only like a
rogue to get it out of me, but I am very free to tell my mind to him, in
that case being not unwilling he should tell him again if he will or any
body else. Thence home, and walked in the garden by brave moonshine with
my wife above two hours, till past 8 o'clock, then to supper, and after
prayers to bed.

29th. Up and by coach with Sir W. Pen to Charing Cross, and there I
'light, and to Sir Phillip Warwick to visit him and discourse with him
about navy business, which I did at large and he most largely with me,
not only about the navy but about the general Revenue of England, above
two hours, I think, many staying all the while without, but he seemed
to take pains to let me either understand the affairs of the Revenue or
else to be a witness of his pains and care in stating it. He showed me
indeed many excellent collections of the State of the Revenue in former
Kings and the late times, and the present. He showed me how the very
Assessments between 1643 and 1659, which were taxes (besides Excise,
Customes, Sequestrations, Decimations, King and Queene's and Church
Lands, or any thing else but just the Assessments), come to above
fifteen millions. He showed me a discourse of his concerning the
Revenues of this and foreign States. How that of Spayne was great, but
divided with his kingdoms, and so came to little. How that of France
did, and do much exceed ours before for quantity; and that it is at the
will of the Prince to tax what he will upon his people; which is not
here. That the Hollanders have the best manner of tax, which is only
upon the expence of provisions, by an excise; and do conclude that no
other tax is proper for England but a pound-rate, or excise upon the
expence of provisions. He showed me every particular sort of payment
away of money, since the King's coming in, to this day; and told me,
from one to one, how little he hath received of profit from most of
them; and I believe him truly. That the L1,200,000 which the Parliament
with so much ado did first vote to give the King, and since hath been
reexamined by several committees of the present Parliament, is yet above
L300,000 short of making up really to the King the L1,200,000, as by
particulars he showed me.

     [A committee was appointed in September, 1660, to consider the
     subject of the King's revenue, and they "reported to the Commons that
     the average revenue of Charles I., from 1637 to 1641 inclusive, had
     been L895,819, and the average expenditure about L1,110,000.  At
     that time prices were lower and the country less burthened with navy
     and garrisons, among which latter Dunkirk alone now cost more than
     L100,000 a year.  It appeared, therefore, that the least sum to
     which the King could be expected to 'conform his expense' was
     L1,200,000."  Burnet writes, "It was believed that if two millions
     had been asked he could have carried it.  But he (Clarendon) had no
     mind to put the King out of the necessity of having recourse to his
     Parliament."--Lister's Life of Clarendon, vol. ii., pp.  22, 23.]

And in my Lord Treasurer's excellent letter to the King upon this
subject, he tells the King how it was the spending more than the revenue
that did give the first occasion of his father's ruine, and did since
to the rebels; who, he says, just like Henry the Eighth, had great and
sudden increase of wealth, but yet, by overspending, both died poor; and
further tells the King how much of this L1,200,000 depends upon the
life of the Prince, and so must be renewed by Parliament again to
his successor; which is seldom done without parting with some of the
prerogatives of the Crowne; or if denied and he persists to take it of
the people, it gives occasion to a civill war, which may, as it did in
the late business of tonnage and poundage, prove fatal to the Crowne. He
showed me how many ways the Lord Treasurer did take before he moved the
King to farme the Customes in the manner he do, and the reasons that
moved him to do it. He showed the a very excellent argument to prove,
that our importing lesse than we export, do not impoverish the kingdom,
according to the received opinion: which, though it be a paradox, and
that I do not remember the argument, yet methought there was a great
deale in what he said. And upon the whole I find him a most exact and
methodicall man, and of great industry: and very glad that he thought
fit to show me all this; though I cannot easily guess the reason why he
should do it to me, unless from the plainness that he sees I use to
him in telling him how much the King may suffer for our want of
understanding the case of our Treasury. Thence to White Hall (where
my Lord Sandwich was, and gave me a good countenance, I thought),
and before the Duke did our usual business, and so I about several
businesses in the house, and then out to the Mewes with Sir W. Pen. But
in my way first did meet with W. Howe, who did of himself advise me to
appear more free with my Lord and to come to him, for my own strangeness
he tells me he thinks do make my Lord the worse. At the Mewes Sir W. Pen
and Mr. Baxter did shew me several good horses, but Pen, which Sir W.
Pen did give the Duke of York, was given away by the Duke the other day
to a Frenchman, which Baxter is cruelly vexed at, saying that he was the
best horse that he expects a great while to have to do with. Thence I
to the 'Change, and thence to a Coffee-house with Sir W. Warren, and did
talk much about his and Wood's business, and thence homewards, and in my
way did stay to look upon a fire in an Inneyard in Lumbard Streete. But,
Lord! how the mercers and merchants who had warehouses there did carry
away their cloths and silks. But at last it was quenched, and I home to
dinner, and after dinner carried my wife and set her and her two mayds
in Fleete Streete to buy things, and I to White Hall to little purpose,
and so to Westminster Hall, and there talked with Mrs. Lane and Howlett,
but the match with Hawly I perceive will not take, and so I am resolved
wholly to avoid occasion of further ill with her. Thence by water to
Salsbury Court, and found my wife, by agreement, at Mrs. Turner's,
and after a little stay and chat set her and young Armiger down in
Cheapside, and so my wife and I home. Got home before our mayds, who by
and by came with a great cry and fright that they had like to have been
killed by a coach; but, Lord! to see how Jane did tell the story like a
foole and a dissembling fanatique, like her grandmother, but so like a
changeling, would make a man laugh to death almost, and yet be vexed to
hear her. By and by to the office to make up my monthly accounts, which
I make up to-night, and to my great content find myself worth eight
hundred and ninety and odd pounds, the greatest sum I ever yet knew, and
so with a heart at great case to bed.




MARCH 1663-1664

March 1st. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at
noon to the 'Change, and after much business and meeting my uncle Wight,
who told me how Mr. Maes had like to have been trapanned yesterday, but
was forced to run for it; so with Creed and Mr. Hunt home to dinner, and
after a good and pleasant dinner, Mr. Hunt parted, and I took Mr. Creed
and my wife and down to Deptford, it being most pleasant weather, and
there till night discoursing with the officers there about several
things, and so walked home by moonshine, it being mighty pleasant, and
so home, and I to my office, where late about getting myself a thorough
understanding in the business of masts, and so home to bed, my left eye
being mightily troubled with rheum.

2nd. Up, my eye mightily out of order with the rheum that is fallen
down into it, however, I by coach endeavoured to have waited on my Lord
Sandwich, but meeting him in Chancery Lane going towards the City
I stopped and so fairly walked home again, calling at St. Paul's
Churchyarde, and there looked upon a pretty burlesque poem, called
"Scarronides, or Virgile Travesty;" extraordinary good. At home to the
office till dinner, and after dinner my wife cut my hair short, which
is growne pretty long again, and then to the office, and there till 9
at night doing business. This afternoon we had a good present of tongues
and bacon from Mr. Shales, of Portsmouth. So at night home to supper,
and, being troubled with my eye, to bed. This morning Mr. Burgby, one of
the writing clerks belonging to the Council, was with me about business,
a knowing man, he complains how most of the Lords of the Council do look
after themselves and their own ends, and none the publique, unless Sir
Edward Nicholas. Sir G. Carteret is diligent, but all for his own ends
and profit. My Lord Privy Scale, a destroyer of every body's business,
and do no good at all to the publique. The Archbishop of Canterbury
speaks very little, nor do much, being now come to the highest pitch
that he can expect. He tells me, he believes that things will go very
high against the Chancellor by Digby, and that bad things will be
proved. Talks much of his neglecting the King; and making the King to
trot every day to him, when he is well enough to go to visit his cozen
Chief-Justice Hide, but not to the Council or King. He commends my Lord
of Ormond mightily in Ireland; but cries out cruelly of Sir G. Lane for
his corruption; and that he hath done my Lord great dishonour by selling
of places here, which are now all taken away, and the poor wretches
ready to starve. That nobody almost understands or judges of business
better than the King, if he would not be guilty of his father's fault
to be doubtfull of himself, and easily be removed from his own opinion.
That my Lord Lauderdale is never from the King's care nor council, and
that he is a most cunning fellow. Upon the whole, that he finds things
go very bad every where; and even in the Council nobody minds the
publique.

3rd. Up pretty early and so to the office, where we sat all the morning
making a very great contract with Sir W. Warren for provisions for the
yeare coming, and so home to dinner, and there was W. Howe come to dine
with me, and before dinner he and I walked in the garden, and we did
discourse together, he assuring me of what he told me the other day of
my Lord's speaking so highly in my commendation to my Lord Peterborough
and Povy, which speaks my Lord having yet a good opinion of me, and also
how well my Lord and Lady both are pleased with their children's being
at my father's, and when the bigger ladies were there a little while
ago, at which I am very glad. After dinner he went away, I having
discoursed with him about his own proceedings in his studies, and I
observe him to be very considerate and to mind his book in order to
preferring himself by my Lord's favour to something, and I hope to
the outing of Creed in his Secretaryship. For he tells me that he is
confident my Lord do not love him nor will trust him in any secret
matter, he is so cunning and crafty in all he do. So my wife and I out
of doors thinking to have gone to have seen a play, but when we came to
take coach, they tell us there are none this week, being the first of
Lent. But, Lord! to see how impatient I found myself within to see a
play, I being at liberty once a month to see one, and I think it is the
best method I could have taken. But to my office, did very much business
with several people till night, and so home, being unwilling to stay
late because of my eye which is not yet well of the rheum that is fallen
down into it, but to supper and to bed.

4th. Up, my eye being pretty well, and then by coach to my Lord
Sandwich, with whom I spoke, walking a good while with him in
his garden, which and the house is very fine, talking of my Lord
Peterborough's accounts, wherein he is concerned both for the foolery
as also inconvenience which may happen upon my Lord Peterborough's
ill-stating of his matters, so as to have his gaine discovered
unnecessarily. We did talk long and freely that I hope the worst is past
and all will be well. There were several people by trying a new-fashion
gun

     [Many attempts to produce a satisfactory revolver were made in
     former centuries, but it was not till the present one that Colt's
     revolver was invented.  On February 18th, 1661, Edward, Marquis of
     Worcester, obtained Letters Patent for "an invencon to make certeyne
     guns or pistolls which in the tenth parte of one minute of an houre
     may, with a flaske contrived to that purpose, be re-charged the
     fourth part of one turne of the barrell which remaines still fixt,
     fastening it as forceably and effectually as a dozen thrids of any
     scrue, which in the ordinary and usual way require as many turnes."
     On March 3rd, 1664, Abraham Hill obtained Letters Patent for a "gun
     or pistoll for small shott, carrying seaven or eight charges of the
     same in the stocke of the gun."]

brought my Lord this morning, to shoot off often, one after another,
without trouble or danger, very pretty. Thence to the Temple, and there
taking White's boat down to Woolwich, taking Mr. Shish at Deptford in
my way, with whom I had some good discourse of the Navy business. At
Woolwich discoursed with him and Mr. Pett about iron worke and other
businesses, and then walked home, and at Greenwich did observe the
foundation laying of a very great house for the King, which will cost a
great deale of money.

     [Building by John Webb; now a part of Greenwich Hospital.  Evelyn
     wrote in his Diary, October 19th, 1661: "I went to London to visite
     my Lord of Bristoll, having been with Sir John Denham (his Mates
     surveyor) to consult with him about the placing of his palace at
     Greenwich, which I would have had built between the river and the
     Queene's house, so as a large cutt should have let in ye Thames like
     a bay; but Sir John was for setting it in piles at the very brink of
     the water, which I did not assent to and so came away, knowing Sir
     John to be a better poet than architect, tho' he had Mr. Webb (Inigo
     Jones's man) to assist him."]

So home to dinner, and my uncle Wight coming in he along with my wife
and I by coach, and setting him down by the way going to Mr. Maes we
two to my Lord Sandwich's to visit my Lady, with whom I left my wife
discoursing, and I to White Hall, and there being met by the Duke of
Yorke, he called me to him and discoursed a pretty while with me about
the new ship's dispatch building at Woolwich, and talking of the charge
did say that he finds always the best the most cheape, instancing in
French guns, which in France you may buy for 4 pistoles, as good to look
to as others of 16, but not the service. I never had so much discourse
with the Duke before, and till now did ever fear to meet him. He found
me and Mr. Prin together talking of the Chest money, which we are to
blame not to look after. Thence to my Lord's, and took up my wife, whom
my Lady hath received with her old good nature and kindnesse, and so
homewards, and she home, I 'lighting by the way, and upon the 'Change
met my uncle Wight and told him my discourse this afternoon with Sir G.
Carteret in Maes' business, but much to his discomfort, and after a dish
of coffee home, and at my office a good while with Sir W. Warren talking
with great pleasure of many businesses, and then home to supper, my wife
and I had a good fowle to supper, and then I to the office again and so
home, my mind in great ease to think of our coming to so good a respect
with my Lord again, and my Lady, and that my Lady do so much cry up
my father's usage of her children, and the goodness of the ayre there,
found in the young ladies' faces at their return thence, as she says, as
also my being put into the commission of the Fishery,

     [There had been recently established, under the Great Seal of
     England, a Corporation for the Royal Fishing, of which the Duke of
     York was Governor, Lord Craven Deputy-Governor, and the Lord Mayor
     and Chamberlain of London, for the time being, Treasurers, in which
     body was vested the sole power of licensing lotteries ("The Newes,"
     October 6th, 1664).  The original charter (dated April 8th, 1664),
     incorporating James, Duke of York, and thirty-six assistants as
     Governor and Company of the Royal Fishing of Great Britain and
     Ireland, is among the State Papers.  The duke was to be Governor
     till February 26th, 1665]

for which I must give my Lord thanks, and so home to bed, having a great
cold in my head and throat tonight from my late cutting my hair so close
to my head, but I hope it will be soon gone again.

5th. Up and to the office, where, though I had a great cold, I was
forced to speak much upon a publique meeting of the East India Company,
at our office; where our own company was full, and there was also my
Lord George Barkeley, in behalfe of the company of merchants (I suppose
he is on that company), who, hearing my name, took notice of me, and
condoled my cozen Edward Pepys's death, not knowing whose son I was, nor
did demand it of me. We broke up without coming to any conclusion, for
want of my Lord Marlborough. We broke up and I to the 'Change, where
with several people and my uncle Wight to drink a dish of coffee, and so
home to dinner, and then to the office all the afternoon, my eye and my
throat being very bad, and my cold increasing so as I could not speak
almost at all at night. So at night home to supper, that is a posset,
and to bed.

6th (Lord's day). Up, and my cold continuing in great extremity I could
not go out to church, but sat all day (a little time at dinner excepted)
in my closet at the office till night drawing up a second letter to Mr.
Coventry about the measure of masts to my great satisfaction, and so in
the evening home, and my uncle and aunt Wight came to us and supped with
us, where pretty merry, but that my cold put me out of humour. At night
with my cold, and my eye also sore still, to bed.

7th. Up betimes, and the Duke being gone abroad to-day, as we heard by a
messenger, I spent the morning at my office writing fair my yesterday's
work till almost 2 o'clock (only Sir G. Carteret coming I went down a
little way by water towards Deptford, but having more mind to have my
business done I pretended business at the 'Change, and so went into
another boat), and then, eating a bit, my wife and I by coach to the
Duke's house, where we saw "The Unfortunate Lovers;" but I know not
whether I am grown more curious than I was or no, but I was not much
pleased with it, though I know not where to lay the fault, unless it
was that the house was very empty, by reason of a new play at the other
house. Yet here was my Lady Castlemayne in a box, and it was pleasant to
hear an ordinary lady hard by us, that it seems did not know her before,
say, being told who she was, that "she was well enough." Thence home,
and I ended and sent away my letter to Mr. Coventry (having first read
it and had the opinion of Sir W. Warren in the case), and so home to
supper and to bed, my cold being pretty well gone, but my eye remaining
still snare and rhumey, which I wonder at, my right eye ayling nothing.

8th. Up with some little discontent with my wife upon her saying that
she had got and used some puppy-dog water, being put upon it by a desire
of my aunt Wight to get some for her, who hath a mind, unknown to her
husband, to get some for her ugly face. I to the office, where we
sat all the morning, doing not much business through the multitude of
counsellors, one hindering another. It was Mr. Coventry's own saying to
me in his coach going to the 'Change, but I wonder that he did give me
no thanks for my letter last night, but I believe he did only forget it.
Thence home, whither Luellin came and dined with me, but we made no long
stay at dinner; for "Heraclius" being acted, which my wife and I have a
mighty mind to see, we do resolve, though not exactly agreeing with the
letter of my vowe, yet altogether with the sense, to see another this
month, by going hither instead of that at Court, there having been none
conveniently since I made my vowe for us to see there, nor like to be
this Lent, and besides we did walk home on purpose to make this going
as cheap as that would have been, to have seen one at Court, and my
conscience knows that it is only the saving of money and the time also
that I intend by my oaths, and this has cost no more of either, so that
my conscience before God do after good consultation and resolution of
paying my forfeit, did my conscience accuse me of breaking my vowe, I do
not find myself in the least apprehensive that I have done any violence
to my oaths. The play hath one very good passage well managed in it,
about two persons pretending, and yet denying themselves, to be son
to the tyrant Phocas, and yet heire of Mauritius to the crowne. The
garments like Romans very well. The little girle is come to act very
prettily, and spoke the epilogue most admirably. But at the beginning,
at the drawing up of the curtaine, there was the finest scene of the
Emperor and his people about him, standing in their fixed and different
pastures in their Roman habitts, above all that ever I yet saw at any of
the theatres. Walked home, calling to see my brother Tom, who is in bed,
and I doubt very ill of a consumption. To the office awhile, and so home
to supper and to bed.

9th. Up pretty betimes to my office, where all day long, but a little
at home at dinner, at my office finishing all things about Mr. Wood's
contract for masts, wherein I am sure I shall save the King L400 before
I have done. At night home to supper and to bed.

10th. Up and to the office, where all the morning doing business, and at
noon to the 'Change and there very busy, and so home to dinner with my
wife, to a good hog's harslet,

     [Harslet or haslet, the entrails of an animal, especially of a hog,
     as the heart, liver, &c.]

a piece of meat I love, but have not eat of I think these seven years,
and after dinner abroad by coach set her at Mrs. Hunt's and I to White
Hall, and at the Privy Seale I enquired, and found the Bill come for
the Corporation of the Royall Fishery; whereof the Duke of Yorke is made
present Governor, and several other very great persons, to the number
of thirty-two, made his assistants for their lives: whereof, by my Lord
Sandwich's favour, I am one; and take it not only as a matter of honour,
but that, that may come to be of profit to me, and so with great content
went and called my wife, and so home and to the office, where busy late,
and so home to supper and to bed.

11th. Up and by coach to my Lord Sandwich's, who not being up I staid
talking with Mr. Moore till my Lord was ready and come down, and went
directly out without calling for me or seeing any body. I know not
whether he knew I was there, but I am apt to think not, because if he
would have given me that slighting yet he would not have done it
to others that were there. So I went back again doing nothing but
discoursing with Mr. Moore, who I find by discourse to be grown rich,
and indeed not to use me at all with the respect he used to do, but as
his equal. He made me known to their Chaplin, who is a worthy, able
man. Thence home, and by and by to the Coffee-house, and thence to the
'Change, and so home to dinner, and after a little chat with my wife to
the office, where all the afternoon till very late at the office busy,
and so home to supper and to bed, hoping in God that my diligence, as it
is really very useful for the King, so it will end in profit to myself.
In the meantime I have good content in mind to see myself improve every
day in knowledge and being known.

12th. Lay long pleasantly entertaining myself with my wife, and then up
and to the office, where busy till noon, vexed to see how Sir J. Minnes
deserves rather to be pitied for his dotage and folly than employed at
a great salary to ruin the King's business. At noon to the 'Change, and
thence home to dinner, and then down to Deptford, where busy a while,
and then walking home it fell hard a raining. So at Halfway house put
in, and there meeting Mr. Stacy with some company of pretty women, I
took him aside to a room by ourselves, and there talked with him about
the several sorts of tarrs, and so by and by parted, and I walked home
and there late at the office, and so home to supper and to bed.

13th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed talking with my wife, and then up in
great doubt whether I should not go see Mr. Coventry or no, who hath
not been well these two or three days, but it being foul weather I staid
within, and so to my office, and there all the morning reading some
Common Law, to which I will allot a little time now and then, for I much
want it. At noon home to dinner, and then after some discourse with my
wife, to the office again, and by and by Sir W. Pen came to me after
sermon and walked with me in the garden and then one comes to tell me
that Anthony and Will Joyce were come to see me, so I in to them and
made mighty much of them, and very pleasant we were, and most of their
business I find to be to advise about getting some woman to attend my
brother Tom, whom they say is very ill and seems much to want one. To
which I agreed, and desired them to get their wives to enquire out one.
By and by they bid me good night, but immediately as they were gone out
of doors comes Mrs. Turner's boy with a note to me to tell me that my
brother Tom was so ill as they feared he would not long live, and that
it would be fit I should come and see him. So I sent for them back, and
they came, and Will Joyce desiring to speak with me alone I took him
up, and there he did plainly tell me to my great astonishment that my
brother is deadly ill, and that their chief business of coming was to
tell me so, and what is worst that his disease is the pox, which he hath
heretofore got, and hath not been cured, but is come to this, and that
this is certain, though a secret told his father Fenner by the Doctor
which he helped my brother to. This troubled me mightily, but however
I thought fit to go see him for speech of people's sake, and so walked
along with them, and in our way called on my uncle Fenner (where I have
not been these 12 months and more) and advised with him, and then to my
brother, who lies in bed talking idle. He could only say that he knew
me, and then fell to other discourse, and his face like a dying man,
which Mrs. Turner, who was here, and others conclude he is. The company
being gone, I took the mayde, which seems a very grave and serious
woman, and in W. Joyce's company' did inquire how things are with her
master. She told me many things very discreetly, and said she had all
his papers and books, and key of his cutting house, and showed me a bag
which I and Wm. Joyce told, coming to L5 14s. 0d., which we left with
her again, after giving her good counsel, and the boys, and seeing a
nurse there of Mrs. Holden's choosing, I left them, and so walked home
greatly troubled to think of my brother's condition, and the trouble
that would arise to me by his death or continuing sick. So at home, my
mind troubled, to bed.

14th. Up, and walked to my brother's, where I find he hath continued
talking idly all night, and now knows me not; which troubles me
mightily. So I walked down and discoursed a great while alone with the
mayde, who tells me many passages of her master's practices, and how she
concludes that he has run behind hand a great while and owes money,
and has been dunned by several people, among others by one Cave, both
husband and wife, but whether it was for--[See April 6th]--money or
something worse she knows not, but there is one Cranburne, I think she
called him, in Fleete Lane with whom he hath many times been mighty
private, but what their dealings have been she knows not, but believes
these were naught, and then his sitting up two Saturday nights one after
another when all were abed doing something to himself, which she now
suspects what it was, but did not before, but tells me that he hath been
a very bad husband as to spending his time, and hath often told him of
it, so that upon the whole I do find he is, whether he lives or dies, a
ruined man, and what trouble will befall me by it I know not. Thence
to White Hall; and in the Duke's chamber, while he was dressing, two
persons of quality that were there did tell his Royal Highness how the
other night, in Holborne, about midnight, being at cards, a link-boy
come by and run into the house, and told the people the house was
a-falling. Upon this the whole family was frighted, concluding that the
boy had said that the house was a-fire: so they deft their cards above,
and one would have got out of the balcone, but it was not open; the
other went up to fetch down his children, that were in bed; so all
got clear out of the house. And no sooner so, but the house fell
down indeed, from top to bottom. It seems my Lord Southampton's
canaille--[sewer]--did come too near their foundation, and so weakened
the house, and down it came; which, in every respect, is a most
extraordinary passage. By and by into his closet and did our business
with him. But I did not speed as I expected in a business about the
manner of buying hemp for this year, which troubled me, but it proceeds
only from my pride, that I must needs expect every thing to be ordered
just as I apprehend, though it was not I think from my errour, but their
not being willing to hear and consider all that I had to propose. Being
broke up I followed my Lord Sandwich and thanked him for his putting me
into the Fishery, which I perceive he expected, and cried "Oh!" says he,
"in the Fishery you mean. I told you I would remember you in it," but
offered no other discourse. But demanding whether he had any commands
for me, methought he cried "No!" as if he had no more mind to discourse
with me, which still troubles me and hath done all the day, though
I think I am a fool for it, in not pursuing my resolution of going
handsome in clothes and looking high, for that must do it when all is
done with my Lord. Thence by coach with Sir W. Batten to the city, and
his son Castle, who talks mighty highly against Captain Tayler, calling
him knave, and I find that the old Boating father is led and talks just
as the son do, or the son as the father would have him. 'Light and to
Mr. Moxon's, and there saw our office globes in doing, which will be
very handsome but cost money. So to the Coffee-house, and there very
fine discourse with Mr. Hill the merchant, a pretty, gentile, young, and
sober man. So to the 'Change, and thence home, where my wife and I fell
out about my not being willing to have her have her gowne laced, but
would lay out the same money and more on a plain new one. At this
she flounced away in a manner I never saw her, nor which I could ever
endure. So I away to the office, though she had dressed herself to go
see my Lady Sandwich. She by and by in a rage follows me, and coming
to me tells me in spitefull manner like a vixen and with a look full of
rancour that she would go buy a new one and lace it and make me pay for
it, and then let me burn it if I would after she had done it, and so
went away in a fury. This vexed me cruelly, but being very busy I had,
not hand to give myself up to consult what to do in it, but anon, I
suppose after she saw that I did not follow her, she came again to the
office, where I made her stay, being busy with another, half an houre,
and her stomach coming down we were presently friends, and so after
my business being over at the office we out and by coach to my Lady
Sandwich's, with whom I left my wife, and I to White Hall, where I met
Mr. Delsety, and after an hour's discourse with him met with nobody to
do other business with, but back again to my Lady, and after half an
hour's discourse with her to my brother's, who I find in the same or
worse condition. The doctors give him over and so do all that see him.
He talks no sense two, words together now; and I confess it made me
weepe to see that he should not be able, when I asked him, to say who
I was. I went to Mrs. Turner's, and by her discourse with my brother's
Doctor, Mr. Powell, I find that she is full now of the disease which
my brother is troubled with, and talks of it mightily, which I am sorry
for, there being other company, but methinks it should be for her
honour to forbear talking of it, the shame of this very thing I confess
troubles me as much as anything. Back to my brother's and took my
wife, and carried her to my uncle Fenner's and there had much private
discourse with him. He tells me of the Doctor's thoughts of my brother's
little hopes of recovery, and from that to tell me his thoughts long
of my brother's bad husbandry, and from that to say that he believes he
owes a great deal of money, as to my cozen Scott I know not how much,
and Dr. Thos. Pepys L30, but that the Doctor confesses that he is paid
L20 of it, and what with that and what he owes my father and me I doubt
he is in a very sad condition, that if he lives he will not be able to
show his head, which will be a very great shame to me. After this I went
in to my aunt and my wife and Anthony Joyce and his wife, who were by
chance there, and drank and so home, my mind and head troubled, but I
hope it will [be] over in a little time one way or other. After doing a
little at my office of business I home to supper and to bed. From notice
that my uncle Fenner did give my father the last week of my brother's
condition, my mother is coming up to towne, which also do trouble me.
The business between my Lords Chancellor and Bristoll, they say, is
hushed up; and the latter gone or going, by the King's licence, to
France.

15th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon
comes Madam Turner and her daughter The., her chief errand to tell me
that she had got Dr. Wiverly, her Doctor, to search my brother's mouth,
where Mr. Powell says there is an ulcer, from thence he concludes that
he hath had the pox. But the Doctor swears that there is not, nor ever
was any, and my brother being very sensible, which I was glad to hear,
he did talk with him about it, and he did wholly disclaim that ever
he had the disease, or that ever he said to Powell that he had it. All
which did put me into great comfort as to the reproach which was spread
against him. So I sent for a barrel of oysters, and they dined, and we
were very merry, I being willing to be so upon this news. After dinner
we took coach and to my brother's, where contrary to my expectation he
continues as bad or worse, talking idle, and now not at all knowing any
of us as before. Here we staid a great while, I going up and down the
house looking after things. In the evening Dr. Wiverley came again,
and I sent for Mr. Powell (the Doctor and I having first by ourselves
searched my brother again at his privities, where he was as clear as
ever he was born, and in the Doctor's opinion had been ever so), and we
three alone discoursed the business, where the coxcomb did give us his
simple reasons for what he had said, which the Doctor fully confuted,
and left the fellow only saying that he should cease to report any such
thing, and that what he had said was the best of his judgment from my
brother's words and a ulcer, as he supposed, in his mouth. I threatened
him that I would have satisfaction if I heard any more such discourse,
and so good night to them two, giving the Doctor a piece for his fee,
but the other nothing. I to my brother again, where Madam Turner and her
company, and Mrs. Croxton, my wife, and Mrs. Holding. About 8 o'clock my
brother began to fetch his spittle with more pain, and to speak as much
but not so distinctly, till at last the phlegm getting the mastery of
him, and he beginning as we thought to rattle, I had no mind to see
him die, as we thought he presently would, and so withdrew and led Mrs.
Turner home, but before I came back, which was in half a quarter of an
hour, my brother was dead. I went up and found the nurse holding his
eyes shut, and he poor wretch lying with his chops fallen, a most sad
sight, and that which put me into a present very great transport of
grief and cries, and indeed it was a most sad sight to see the poor
wretch lie now still and dead, and pale like a stone. I staid till he
was almost cold, while Mrs. Croxton, Holden, and the rest did strip and
lay him out, they observing his corpse, as they told me afterwards, to
be as clear as any they ever saw, and so this was the end of my poor
brother, continuing talking idle and his lips working even to his last
that his phlegm hindered his breathing, and at last his breath broke out
bringing a flood of phlegm and stuff out with it, and so he died. This
evening he talked among other talk a great deal of French very plain
and good, as, among others: 'quand un homme boit quand il n'a poynt
d'inclination a boire il ne luy fait jamais de bien.' I once begun to
tell him something of his condition, and asked him whither he thought he
should go. He in distracted manner answered me--"Why, whither should
I go? there are but two ways: If I go, to the bad way I must give God
thanks for it, and if I go the other way I must give God the more thanks
for it; and I hope I have not been so undutifull and unthankfull in my
life but I hope I shall go that way." This was all the sense, good or
bad, that I could get of him this day. I left my wife to see him laid
out, and I by coach home carrying my brother's papers, all I could find,
with me, and having wrote a letter to, my father telling him what hath
been said I returned by coach, it being very late, and dark, to my
brother's, but all being gone, the corpse laid out, and my wife at Mrs.
Turner's, I thither, and there after an hour's talk, we up to bed, my
wife and I in the little blue chamber, and I lay close to my wife, being
full of disorder and grief for my brother that I could not sleep nor
wake with satisfaction, at last I slept till 5 or 6 o'clock.

16th. And then I rose and up, leaving my wife in bed, and to my
brother's, where I set them on cleaning the house, and my wife coming
anon to look after things, I up and down to my cozen Stradwicke's and
uncle Fenner's about discoursing for the funeral, which I am resolved
to put off till Friday next. Thence home and trimmed myself, and then
to the 'Change, and told my uncle Wight of my brother's death, and so by
coach to my cozen Turner's and there dined very well, but my wife.... in
great pain we were forced to rise in some disorder, and in Mrs. Turner's
coach carried her home and put her to bed. Then back again with my cozen
Norton to Mrs. Turner's, and there staid a while talking with Dr. Pepys,
the puppy, whom I had no patience to hear. So I left them and to my
brother's to look after things, and saw the coffin brought; and by and
by Mrs. Holden came and saw him nailed up. Then came W. Joyce to me half
drunk, and much ado I had to tell him the story of my brother's being
found clear of what was said, but he would interrupt me by some idle
discourse or other, of his crying what a good man, and a good speaker
my brother was, and God knows what. At last weary of him I got him away,
and I to Mrs. Turner's, and there, though my heart is still heavy to
think of my poor brother, yet I could give way to my fancy to hear
Mrs. The. play upon the Harpsicon, though the musique did not please me
neither. Thence to my brother's and found them with my mayd Elizabeth
taking an inventory of the goods of the house, which I was well pleased
at, and am much beholden to Mr. Honeywood's man in doing of it. His
name is Herbert, one that says he knew me when he lived with Sir Samuel
Morland, but I have forgot him. So I left them at it, and by coach home
and to my office, there to do a little business, but God knows my heart
and head is so full of my brother's death, and the consequences of it,
that I can do very little or understand it. So home to supper, and
after looking over some business in my chamber I to bed to my wife, who
continues in bed in some pain still. This day I have a great barrel of
oysters given me by Mr. Barrow, as big as 16 of others, and I took it in
the coach with me to Mrs. Turner's, and give them to her. This day the
Parliament met again, after a long prorogation, but what they have done
I have not been in the way to hear.

17th. Up and to my brother's, where all the morning doing business
against to-morrow, and so to my cozen Stradwicke's about the same
business, and to the 'Change, and thence home to dinner, where my wife
in bed sick still, but not so bad as yesterday. I dined by her, and so
to the office, where we sat this afternoon, having changed this day our
sittings from morning to afternoons, because of the Parliament which
returned yesterday; but was adjourned till Monday next; upon pretence
that many of the members were said to be upon the road; and also the
King had other affairs, and so desired them to adjourn till then. But
the truth is, the King is offended at my Lord of Bristol, as they say,
whom he hath found to have been all this while (pretending a desire of
leave to go into France, and to have all the difference between him and
the Chancellor made up,) endeavouring to make factions in both Houses
to the Chancellor. So the King did this to keep the Houses from meeting;
and in the meanwhile sent a guard and a herald last night to have taken
him at Wimbleton, where he was in the morning, but could not find him:
at which the King was and is still mightily concerned, and runs up and
down to and from the Chancellor's like a boy: and it seems would make
Digby's articles against the Chancellor to be treasonable reflections
against his Majesty. So that the King is very high, as they say; and God
knows what will follow upon it! After office I to my brother's again,
and thence to Madam Turner's, in both places preparing things against
to-morrow; and this night I have altered my resolution of burying him
in the church yarde among my young brothers and sisters, and bury him
in the church, in the middle isle, as near as I can to my mother's pew.
This costs me 20s. more. This being all, home by coach, bringing my
brother's silver tankard for safety along with me, and so to supper,
after writing to my father, and so to bed.

18th. Up betimes, and walked to my brother's, where a great while
putting things in order against anon; then to Madam Turner's and eat a
breakfast there, and so to Wotton, my shoemaker, and there got a pair of
shoes blacked on the soles against anon for me; so to my brother's and
to church, and with the grave-maker chose a place for my brother to lie
in, just under my mother's pew. But to see how a man's tombes are at the
mercy of such a fellow, that for sixpence he would, (as his owne words
were,) "I will justle them together but I will make room for him;"
speaking of the fulness of the middle isle, where he was to lie; and
that he would, for my father's sake, do my brother that is dead all the
civility he can; which was to disturb other corps that are not quite
rotten, to make room for him; and methought his manner of speaking it
was very remarkable; as of a thing that now was in his power to do a man
a courtesy or not. At noon my wife, though in pain, comes, but I being
forced to go home, she went back with me, where I dressed myself, and so
did Besse; and so to my brother's again: whither, though invited, as the
custom is, at one or two o'clock, they came not till four or five.
But at last one after another they come, many more than I bid: and my
reckoning that I bid was one hundred and twenty; but I believe there was
nearer one hundred and fifty. Their service was six biscuits apiece, and
what they pleased of burnt claret. My cosen Joyce Norton kept the wine
and cakes above; and did give out to them that served, who had white
gloves given them. But above all, I am beholden to Mrs. Holden, who was
most kind, and did take mighty pains not only in getting the house and
every thing else ready, but this day in going up and down to see, the
house filled and served, in order to mine, and their great content,
I think; the men sitting by themselves in some rooms, and women by
themselves in others, very close, but yet room enough. Anon to church,
walking out into the streete to the Conduit, and so across the streete,
and had a very good company along with the corps. And being come to the
grave as above, Dr. Pierson, the minister of the parish, did read the
service for buriall: and so I saw my poor brother laid into the grave;
and so all broke up; and I and my wife and Madam Turner and her family
to my brother's, and by and by fell to a barrell of oysters, cake, and
cheese, of Mr. Honiwood's, with him, in his chamber and below, being
too merry for so late a sad work. But, Lord! to see how the world makes
nothing of the memory of a man, an houre after he is dead! And, indeed,
I must blame myself; for though at the sight of him dead and dying,
I had real grief for a while, while he was in my sight, yet presently
after, and ever since, I have had very little grief indeed for him.
By and by, it beginning to be late, I put things in some order in the
house, and so took my wife and Besse (who hath done me very good service
in cleaning and getting ready every thing and serving the wine and
things to-day, and is indeed a most excellent good-natured and faithful
wench, and I love her mightily), by coach home, and so after being at
the office to set down the day's work home to supper and to bed.

19th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon my
wife and I alone, having a good hen, with eggs, to dinner, with great
content. Then by coach to my brother's, where I spent the afternoon
in paying some of the charges of the buriall, and in looking over his
papers, among which I find several letters of my brother John's to him
speaking very foale words of me and my deportment to him here, and very
crafty designs about Sturtlow land and God knows what, which I am very
glad to know, and shall make him repent them. Anon my father and my
brother John came to towne by coach. I sat till night with him, giving
him an account of things. He, poor man, very sad and sickly. I in great
pain by a simple compressing of my cods to-day by putting one leg over
another as I have formerly done, which made me hasten home, and after a
little at the office in great disorder home to bed.

20th (Lord's day). Kept my bed all the morning, having laid a poultice
to my cods last night to take down the tumour there which I got
yesterday, which it did do, being applied pretty warm, and soon after
the beginning of the swelling, and the pain was gone also. We lay
talking all the while, among other things of religion, wherein I am
sorry so often to hear my wife talk of her being and resolving to die a
Catholique,

     [Mrs. Pepys's leaning towards Roman Catholicism was a constant
     trouble to her husband; but, in spite of his fears, she died a
     Protestant (Dr. Milles's certificate.)]

and indeed a small matter, I believe, would absolutely turn her, which
I am sorry for. Up at noon to dinner, and then to my chamber with a fire
till late at night looking over my brother Thomas's papers, sorting of
them, among which I find many base letters of my brother John's to him
against me, and carrying on plots against me to promote Tom's having
of his Banbury' Mistress, in base slighting terms, and in worse of my
sister Pall, such as I shall take a convenient time to make my father
know, and him also to his sorrow. So after supper to bed, our people
rising to wash to-morrow.

21st. Up, and it snowing this morning a little, which from the mildness
of the winter and the weather beginning to be hot and the summer to come
on apace, is a little strange to us. I did not go abroad for fear of my
tumour, for fear it shall rise again, but staid within, and by and by
my father came, poor man, to me, and my brother John. After much talke
and taking them up to my chamber, I did there after some discourse bring
in any business of anger--with John, and did before my father read all
his roguish letters, which troubled my father mightily, especially to
hear me say what I did, against my allowing any thing for the time to
come to him out of my owne purse, and other words very severe, while
he, like a simple rogue, made very silly and churlish answers to me, not
like a man of any goodness or witt, at which I was as much disturbed as
the other, and will be as good as my word in making him to his cost know
that I will remember his carriage to me in this particular the longest
day I live. It troubled me to see my poor father so troubled, whose good
nature did make him, poor wretch, to yield, I believe, to comply with my
brother Tom and him in part of their designs, but without any ill intent
to me, or doubt of me or my good intentions to him or them, though it do
trouble me a little that he should in any manner do it. They dined with
me, and after dinner abroad with my wife to buy some things for her,
and I to the office, where we sat till night, and then, after doing some
business at my closet, I home and to supper and to bed. This day the
Houses of Parliament met; and the King met them, with the Queene with
him. And he made a speech to them:

     [March 16th, 1663-64.  This day both Houses met, and on the gist the
     king opened the session with a speech from the throne, in which
     occurs this Passage: "I pray, Mr. Speaker, and you, gentlemen of the
     House of Commons, give that Triennial Bill once a reading in your
     house, and then, in God's name, do what you think fit for me and
     yourselves and the whole kingdom.  I need not tell you how much I
     love parliaments.  Never king was so much beholden to parliaments as
     I have been, nor do I think the crown can ever be happy without
     frequent parliaments" (Cobbett's "Parliamentary History," vol. iv.,
     cc. 290, 291).]

among other things, discoursing largely of the plots abroad against
him and the peace of the kingdom; and, among other things, that the
dissatisfied party had great hopes upon the effect of the Act for a
Triennial Parliament granted by his father, which he desired them to
peruse, and, I think, repeal. So the Houses did retire to their own
House, and did order the Act to be read to-morrow before them; and I
suppose it will be repealed, though I believe much against the will of a
good many that sit there.

22nd. Up, and spent the whole morning and afternoon at my office,
only in the evening, my wife being at my aunt Wight's, I went thither,
calling at my own house, going out found the parlour curtains drawn,
and inquiring the reason of it, they told me that their mistress had got
Mrs. Buggin's fine little dog and our little bitch, which is proud at
this time, and I am apt to think that she was helping him to line her,
for going afterwards to my uncle Wight's, and supping there with her,
where very merry with Mr. Woolly's drollery, and going home I found the
little dog so little that of himself he could not reach our bitch, which
I am sorry for, for it is the finest dog that ever I saw in my life,
as if he were painted the colours are so finely mixed and shaded. God
forgive me, it went against me to have my wife and servants look upon
them while they endeavoured to do something....

23rd. Up, and going out saw Mrs. Buggin's dog, which proves as I thought
last night so pretty that I took him and the bitch into my closet below,
and by holding down the bitch helped him to line her, which he did very
stoutly, so as I hope it will take, for it is the prettiest dog that
ever I saw. So to the office, where very busy all the morning, and so to
the 'Change, and off hence with Sir W. Rider to the Trinity House, and
there dined very well: and good discourse among the old men of Islands
now and then rising and falling again in the Sea, and that there is many
dangers of grounds and rocks that come just up to the edge almost of
the sea, that is never discovered and ships perish without the world's
knowing the reason of it. Among other things, they observed, that there
are but two seamen in the Parliament house, viz., Sir W. Batten and Sir
W. Pen, and not above twenty or thirty merchants; which is a strange
thing in an island, and no wonder that things of trade go no better nor
are better understood. Thence home, and all the afternoon at the office,
only for an hour in the evening my Lady Jemimah, Paulina, and Madam
Pickering come to see us, but my wife would not be seen, being unready.
Very merry with them; they mightily talking of their thrifty living
for a fortnight before their mother came to town, and other such simple
talk, and of their merry life at Brampton, at my father's, this winter.
So they being gone, to the office again till late, and so home and to
supper and to bed.

24th. Called up by my father, poor man, coming to advise with me about
Tom's house and other matters, and he being gone I down by water to
Greenwich, it being very-foggy, and I walked very finely to Woolwich,
and there did very much business at both yards, and thence walked
back, Captain Grove with me talking, and so to Deptford and did the
like-there, and then walked to Redriffe (calling and eating a bit of
collops and eggs at Half-way house), and so home to the office, where we
sat late, and home weary to supper and to bed.

25th (Lady-day). Up and by water to White Hall, and there to chappell;
where it was most infinite full to hear Dr. Critton. Being not knowne,
some great persons in the pew I pretended to, and went in, did question
my coming in. I told them my pretence; so they turned to the orders of
the chappell, which hung behind upon the wall, and read it; and were
satisfied; but they did not demand whether I was in waiting or no; and
so I was in some fear lest he that was in waiting might come and
betray me. The Doctor preached upon the thirty-first of Jeremy, and the
twenty-first and twenty-second verses, about a woman compassing a man;
meaning the Virgin conceiving and bearing our Saviour. It was the worst
sermon I ever heard him make, I must confess; and yet it was good,
and in two places very bitter, advising the King to do as the Emperor
Severus did, to hang up a Presbyter John (a short coat and a long gowne
interchangeably) in all the Courts of England. But the story of Severus
was pretty, that he hanged up forty senators before the Senate house,
and then made a speech presently to the Senate in praise of his owne
lenity; and then decreed that never any senator after that time should
suffer in the same manner without consent of the Senate: which he
compared to the proceeding of the Long Parliament against my Lord
Strafford. He said the greatest part of the lay magistrates in England
were Puritans, and would not do justice; and the Bishopps, their powers
were so taken away and lessened, that they could not exercise the power
they ought. He told the King and the ladies plainly, speaking of death
and of the skulls and bones of dead men and women,

     [The preacher appears to have had the grave scene in "Hamlet" in
     his mind, as he gives the same illustration of Alexander as Hamlet
     does.]

how there is no difference; that nobody could tell that of the great
Marius or Alexander from a pyoneer; nor, for all the pains the ladies
take with their faces, he that should look in a charnels-house could not
distinguish which was Cleopatra's, or fair Rosamond's, or Jane Shoare's.
Thence by water home. After dinner to the office, thence with my wife to
see my father and discourse how he finds Tom's matters, which he do very
ill, and that he finds him to have been so negligent, that he used to
trust his servants with cutting out of clothes, never hardly cutting out
anything himself; and, by the abstract of his accounts, we find him to
owe above L290, and to be coming to him under L200. Thence home with
my wife, it being very dirty on foot, and bought some fowl in Gracious.
Streets and some oysters against our feast to-morrow. So home, and after
at the office a while, home to supper and to bed.

26th. Up very betimes and to my office, and there read over some papers
against a meeting by and by at this office of Mr. Povy, Sir W. Rider,
Creed, and Vernaty, and Mr. Gauden about my Lord Peterborough's accounts
for Tangier, wherein we proceeded a good way; but, Lord! to see how
ridiculous Mr. Povy is in all he says or do; like a man not more fit for
to be in such employments as he is, and particularly that of Treasurer
(paying many and very great sums without the least written order) as he
is to be King of England, and seems but this day, after much discourse
of mine, to be sensible of that part of his folly, besides a great deal
more in other things. This morning in discourse Sir W. Rider [said],
that he hath kept a journals of his life for almost these forty years,
even to this day and still do, which pleases me mightily. That being
done Sir J. Minnes and I sat all the morning, and then I to the 'Change,
and there got away by pretence of business with my uncle Wight to put
off Creed, whom I had invited to dinner, and so home, and there found
Madam Turner, her daughter The., Joyce Norton, my father and Mr.
Honywood, and by and by come my uncle Wight and aunt. This being my
solemn feast for my cutting of the stone, it being now, blessed be God!
this day six years since the time; and I bless God I do in all respects
find myself free from that disease or any signs of it, more than
that upon the least cold I continue to have pain in making water, by
gathering of wind and growing costive, till which be removed I am at no
ease, but without that I am very well. One evil more I have, which is
that upon the least squeeze almost my cods begin to swell and come to
great pain, which is very strange and troublesome to me, though upon the
speedy applying of a poultice it goes down again, and in two days I am
well again. Dinner not being presently ready I spent some time myself
and shewed them a map of Tangier left this morning at my house by Creed,
cut by our order, the Commissioners, and drawn by Jonas Moore, which is
very pleasant, and I purpose to have it finely set out and hung up. Mrs.
Hunt coming to see my wife by chance dined here with us. After dinner
Sir W. Batten sent to speak with me, and told me that he had proffered
our bill today in the House, and that it was read without any
dissenters, and he fears not but will pass very well, which I shall
be glad of. He told me also how Sir [Richard] Temple hath spoke very
discontentfull words in the House about the Tryennial Bill; but it hath
been read the second time to-day, and committed; and, he believes,
will go on without more ado, though there are many in the House
are displeased at it, though they dare not say much. But above all
expectation, Mr. Prin is the man against it, comparing it to the idoll
whose head was of gold, and his body and legs and feet of different
metal. So this Bill had several degrees of calling of Parliaments, in
case the King, and then the Council, and then the Lord Chancellor, and
then the Sheriffes, should fail to do it. He tells me also, how, upon
occasion of some 'prentices being put in the pillory to-day for beating
of their masters, or some such like thing, in Cheapside, a company of
'prentices came and rescued them, and pulled down the pillory; and they
being set up again, did the like again. So that the Lord Mayor and Major
Generall Browne was fain to come and stay there, to keep the peace; and
drums, all up and down the city, was beat to raise the trained bands,
for to quiett the towne, and by and by, going out with my uncle and aunt
Wight by coach with my wife through Cheapside (the rest of the company
after much content and mirth being broke up), we saw a trained band
stand in Cheapside upon their guard. We went, much against my uncle's
will, as far almost as Hyde Park, he and my aunt falling out all the way
about it, which vexed me, but by this I understand my uncle more than
ever I did, for he was mighty soon angry, and wished a pox take her,
which I was sorry to hear. The weather I confess turning on a sudden to
rain did make it very unpleasant, but yet there was no occasion in the
world for his being so angry, but she bore herself very discreetly, and
I must confess she proves to me much another woman than I thought her,
but all was peace again presently, and so it raining very fast, we met
many brave coaches coming from the Parke and so we turned and set them
down at home, and so we home ourselves, and ended the day with great
content to think how it hath pleased the Lord in six years time to
raise me from a condition of constant and dangerous and most painfull
sicknesse and low condition and poverty to a state of constant health
almost, great honour and plenty, for which the Lord God of heaven make
me truly thankfull. My wife found her gowne come home laced, which is
indeed very handsome, but will cost me a great deal of money, more
than ever I intended, but it is but for once. So to the office and did
business, and then home and to bed.

27th (Lord's day). Lay long in bed wrangling with my wife about the
charge she puts me to at this time for clothes more than I intended, and
very angry we were, but quickly friends again. And so rising and ready I
to my office, and there fell upon business, and then to dinner, and then
to my office again to my business, and by and by in the afternoon walked
forth towards my father's, but it being church time, walked to St.
James's, to try if I could see the belle Butler, but could not; only saw
her sister, who indeed is pretty, with a fine Roman nose. Thence walked
through the ducking-pond fields; but they are so altered since my father
used to carry us to Islington, to the old man's, at the King's Head, to
eat cakes and ale (his name was Pitts) that I did not know which was the
ducking-pond nor where I was. So through F[l]ee[t] lane to my father's,
and there met Mr. Moore, and discoursed with him and my father about who
should administer for my brother Tom, and I find we shall have trouble
in it, but I will clear my hands of it, and what vexed me, my father
seemed troubled that I should seem to rely so wholly upon the advice of
Mr. Moore, and take nobody else, but I satisfied him, and so home; and
in Cheapside, both coming and going, it was full of apprentices, who
have been here all this day, and have done violence, I think, to the
master of the boys that were put in the pillory yesterday. But, Lord!
to see how the train-bands are raised upon this: the drums beating every
where as if an enemy were upon them; so much is this city subject to be
put into a disarray upon very small occasions. But it was pleasant to
hear the boys, and particularly one little one, that I demanded the
business. He told me that that had never been done in the city since it
was a city, two prentices put in the pillory, and that it ought not to
be so. So I walked home, and then it being fine moonshine with my wife
an houre in the garden, talking of her clothes against Easter and about
her mayds, Jane being to be gone, and the great dispute whether Besse,
whom we both love, should be raised to be chamber-mayde or no. We have
both a mind to it, but know not whether we should venture the making
her proud and so make a bad chamber-mayde of a very good natured and
sufficient cook-mayde. So to my office a little, and then to supper,
prayers and to bed.

28th. This is the first morning that I have begun, and I hope shall
continue to rise betimes in the morning, and so up and to my office,
and thence about 7 o'clock to T. Trice, and advised with him about our
administering to my brother Tom, and I went to my father and told him
what to do; which was to administer and to let my cozen Scott have a
letter of Atturny to follow the business here in his absence for him,
who by that means will have the power of paying himself (which we cannot
however hinder) and do us a kindness we think too. But, Lord! what a
shame, methinks, to me, that, in this condition, and at this age, I
should know no better the laws of my owne country! Thence to Westminster
Hall, and spent till noon, it being Parliament time, and at noon walked
with Creed into St. James's Parke, talking of many things, particularly
of the poor parts and great unfitness for business of Mr. Povy, and yet
what a show he makes in the world. Mr. Coventry not being come to his
chamber, I walked through the house with him for an hour in St. James's
fields' talking of the same subject, and then parted, and back and
with great impatience, sometimes reading, sometimes walking, sometimes
thinking that Mr. Coventry, though he invited us to dinner with him, was
gone with the rest of the office without a dinner. At last, at past 4
o'clock I heard that the Parliament was not up yet, and so walked to
Westminster Hall, and there found it so, and meeting with Sir J. Minnes,
and being very hungry, went over with him to the Leg, and before we had
cut a bit, the House rises, however we eat a bit and away to St. James's
and there eat a second part of our dinner with Mr. Coventry and his
brother Harry, Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen. The great matter today in
the House hath been, that Mr. Vaughan, the great speaker, is this day
come to towne, and hath declared himself in a speech of an houre and a
half, with great reason and eloquence, against the repealing of the
Bill for Triennial Parliaments; but with no successe: but the House
have carried it that there shall be such Parliaments, but without any
coercive power upon the King, if he will bring this Act. But, Lord! to
see how the best things are not done without some design; for I perceive
all these gentlemen that I was with to-day were against it (though there
was reason enough on their side); yet purely, I could perceive, because
it was the King's mind to have it; and should he demand any thing else,
I believe they would give it him. But this the discontented Presbyters,
and the faction of the House will be highly displeased with; but it
was carried clearly against them in the House. We had excellent good
table-talke, some of which I have entered in my book of stories. So with
them by coach home, and there find (bye my wife), that Father Fogourdy
hath been with her to-day, and she is mightily for our going to hear a
famous Reule preach at the French Embassador's house: I pray God he do
not tempt her in any matters of religion, which troubles me; and
also, she had messages from her mother to-day, who sent for her old
morning-gown, which was almost past wearing; and I used to call it her
kingdom, from the ease and content she used to have in the wearing of
it. I am glad I do not hear of her begging any thing of more value,
but I do not like that these messages should now come all upon Monday
morning, when my wife expects of course I should be abroad at the
Duke's. To the office, where Mr. Norman came and showed me a design
of his for the storekeeper's books, for the keeping of them regular in
order to a balance, which I am mightily satisfied to see, and shall love
the fellow the better, as he is in all things sober, so particularly for
his endeavour to do something in this thing so much wanted. So late home
to supper and to bed, weary-with walking so long to no purpose in the
Park to-day.

29th. Was called up this morning by a messenger from Sir G. Carteret to
come to him to Sir W. Batten's, and so I rose and thither to him,
and with him and Sir J. Minnes to, Sir G. Carteret's to examine his
accounts, and there we sat at it all the morning. About noon Sir W.
Batten came from the House of Parliament and told us our Bill for our
office was read the second time to-day, with great applause, and is
committed. By and by to dinner, where good cheere, and Sir G. Carteret
in his humour a very good man, and the most kind father and pleased
father in his children that ever I saw. Here is now hung up a picture
of my Lady Carteret, drawn by Lilly, a very fine picture, but yet not
so good as I have seen of his doing. After dinner to the business again
without any intermission till almost night, and then home, and took
coach to my father to see and discourse with him, and so home again and
to my office, where late, and then home to bed.

30th. Up very betimes to my office, and thence at 7 o'clock to Sir G.
Carteret, and there with Sir J. Minnes made an end of his accounts, but
staid not dinner, my Lady having made us drink our morning draft there
of several wines, but I drank: nothing but some of her coffee, which was
poorly made, with a little sugar in it. Thence to the 'Change a great
while, and had good discourse with Captain Cocke at the Coffee-house
about a Dutch warr, and it seems the King's design is by getting
underhand the merchants to bring in their complaints to the Parliament,
to make them in honour begin a warr, which he cannot in honour declare
first, for fear they should not second him with money. Thence homewards,
staying a pretty while with my little she milliner at the end of Birchin
Lane, talking and buying gloves of her, and then home to dinner, and in
the afternoon had a meeting upon the Chest business, but I fear unless
I have time to look after it nothing will be done,, and that I fear I
shall not. In the evening comes Sir W. Batten, who tells us that the
Committee have approved of our bill with very few amendments in words,
not in matter. So to my office, where late with Sir W. Warren, and so
home to supper and to bed.

31st. Up betimes, and to my office, where by and by comes Povy, Sir
W. Rider, Mr. Bland, Creed, and Vernatty, about my Lord Peterborough's
accounts, which we now went through, but with great difficulty, and many
high words between Mr. Povy and I; for I could not endure to see so
many things extraordinary put in, against truthe and reason. He was very
angry, but I endeavoured all I could to profess my satisfaction in my
Lord's part of the accounts, but not in those foolish idle things, they
say I said, that others had put in. Anon we rose and parted, both of us
angry, but I contented, because I knew all of them must know I was in
the right. Then with Creed to Deptford, where I did a great deal of
business enquiring into the business of canvas and other things with
great content, and so walked back again, good discourse between Creed
and I by the way, but most upon the folly of Povy, and at home found
Luellin, and so we to dinner, and thence I to the office, where we sat
all the afternoon late, and being up and my head mightily crowded with
business, I took my wife by coach to see my father. I left her at his
house and went to him to an alehouse hard by, where my cozen Scott was,
and my father's new tenant, Langford, a tailor, to whom I have promised
my custom, and he seems a very modest, carefull young man. Thence my
wife coming with the coach to the alley end I home, and after supper to
the making up my monthly accounts, and to my great content find myself
worth above L900, the greatest sum I ever yet had. Having done my
accounts, late to bed. My head of late mighty full of business, and
with good content to myself in it, though sometimes it troubles me that
nobody else but I should bend themselves to serve the King with that
diligence, whereby much of my pains proves ineffectual.




APRIL 1664

April 1st. Up and to my office, where busy till noon, and then to the
'Change, where I found all the merchants concerned with the presenting
their complaints to the Committee of Parliament appointed to receive
them this afternoon against the Dutch. So home to dinner, and thence by
coach, setting my wife down at the New Exchange, I to White Hall; and
coming too soon for the Tangier Committee walked to Mr. Blagrave for a
song. I left long ago there, and here I spoke with his kinswoman, he
not being within, but did not hear her sing, being not enough acquainted
with her, but would be glad to have her, to come and be at my house a
week now and then. Back to White Hall, and in the Gallery met the Duke
of Yorke (I also saw the Queene going to the Parke, and her Mayds
of Honour: she herself looks ill, and methinks Mrs. Stewart is grown
fatter, and not so fair as she was); and he called me to him, and
discoursed a good while with me; and after he was gone, twice or thrice
staid and called me again to him, the whole length of the house: and
at last talked of the Dutch; and I perceive do much wish that the
Parliament will find reason to fall out with them. He gone, I by and by
found that the Committee of Tangier met at the Duke of Albemarle's, and
so I have lost my labour. So with Creed to the 'Change, and there took
up my wife and left him, and we two home, and I to walk in the garden
with W. Howe, whom we took up, he having been to see us, he tells me
how Creed has been questioned before the Council about a letter that
has been met with, wherein he is mentioned by some fanatiques as a
serviceable friend to them, but he says he acquitted himself well in it,
but, however, something sticks against him, he says, with my Lord, at
which I am not very sorry, for I believe he is a false fellow. I walked
with him to Paul's, he telling me how my Lord is little at home, minds
his carding and little else, takes little notice of any body; but that
he do not think he is displeased, as I fear, with me, but is strange to
all, which makes me the less troubled. So walked back home, and late at
the office. So home and to bed. This day Mrs. Turner did lend me, as
a rarity, a manuscript of one Mr. Wells, writ long ago, teaching the
method of building a ship, which pleases me mightily. I was at it
to-night, but durst not stay long at it, I being come to have a great
pain and water in my eyes after candle-light.

2nd. Up and to my office, and afterwards sat, where great contest with
Sir W. Batten and Mr. Wood, and that doating fool Sir J. Minnes, that
says whatever Sir W. Batten says, though never minding whether to the
King's profit or not. At noon to the Coffee-house, where excellent
discourse with Sir W. Petty, who proposed it as a thing that is truly
questionable, whether there really be any difference between waking
and dreaming, that it is hard not only to tell how we know when we do
a thing really or in a dream, but also to know what the difference [is]
between one and the other. Thence to the 'Change, but having at this
discourse long afterwards with Sir Thomas Chamberlin, who tells me
what I heard from others, that the complaints of most Companies were
yesterday presented to the Committee of Parliament against the Dutch,
excepting that of the East India, which he tells me was because they
would not be said to be the first and only cause of a warr with Holland,
and that it is very probable, as well as most necessary, that we fall
out with that people. I went to the 'Change, and there found most people
gone, and so home to dinner, and thence to Sir W. Warren's, and with
him past the whole afternoon, first looking over two ships' of Captain
Taylor's and Phin. Pett's now in building, and am resolved to learn
something of the art, for I find it is not hard and very usefull, and
thence to Woolwich, and after seeing Mr. Falconer, who is very ill, I
to the yard, and there heard Mr. Pett tell me several things of Sir W.
Batten's ill managements, and so with Sir W. Warren walked to Greenwich,
having good discourse, and thence by water, it being now moonshine and
9 or 10 o'clock at night, and landed at Wapping, and by him and his man
safely brought to my door, and so he home, having spent the day with him
very well. So home and eat something, and then to my office a while, and
so home to prayers and to bed.

3rd (Lord's day). Being weary last night lay long, and called up by W.
Joyce. So I rose, and his business was to ask advice of me, he being
summonsed to the House of Lords to-morrow, for endeavouring to arrest my
Lady Peters

     [Elizabeth, daughter of John Savage, second Earl Rivers, and first
     wife to William, fourth Lord Petre, who was, in 1678, impeached by
     the Commons of high treason, and died under confinement in the
     Tower, January 5th, 1683, s. p.--B.]

for a debt. I did give him advice, and will assist him. He staid all the
morning, but would not dine with me. So to my office and did business.
At noon home to dinner, and being set with my wife in the kitchen my
father comes and sat down there and dined with us. After dinner gives me
an account of what he had done in his business of his house and goods,
which is almost finished, and he the next week expects to be going down
to Brampton again, which I am glad of because I fear the children of my
Lord that are there for fear of any discontent. He being gone I to my
office, and there very busy setting papers in order till late at night,
only in the afternoon my wife sent for me home, to see her new laced
gowne, that is her gown that is new laced; and indeed it becomes her
very nobly, and is well made. I am much pleased with it. At night to
supper, prayers, and to bed.

4th. Up, and walked to my Lord Sandwich's; and there spoke with him
about W. Joyce, who told me he would do what was fit in so tender a
point. I can yet discern a coldness in him to admit me to any discourse
with him. Thence to Westminster, to the Painted Chamber, and there
met the two Joyces. Will in a very melancholy taking. After a little
discourse I to the Lords' House before they sat; and stood within it
a good while, while the Duke of York came to me and spoke to me a good
while about the new ship' at Woolwich. Afterwards I spoke with my Lord
Barkeley and my Lord Peterborough about it. And so staid without a good
while, and saw my Lady Peters, an impudent jade, soliciting all the
Lords on her behalf. And at last W. Joyce was called in; and by the
consequences, and what my Lord Peterborough told me, I find that he did
speak all he said to his disadvantage, and so was committed to the Black
Rod: which is very hard, he doing what he did by the advice of my Lord
Peters' own steward. But the Sergeant of the Black Rod did direct one of
his messengers to take him in custody, and so he was peaceably conducted
to the Swan with two Necks, in Tuttle Street, to a handsome dining-room;
and there was most civilly used, my uncle Fenner, and his brother
Anthony, and some other friends being with him. But who would have
thought that the fellow that I should have sworn could have spoken
before all the world should in this be so daunted, as not to know what
he said, and now to cry like a child. I protest, it is very strange to
observe. I left them providing for his stay there to-night and getting a
petition against tomorrow, and so away to Westminster Hall, and meeting
Mr. Coventry, he took me to his chamber, with Sir William Hickeman, a
member of their House, and a very civill gentleman. Here we dined very
plentifully, and thence to White Hall to the Duke's, where we all met,
and after some discourse of the condition of the Fleete, in order to a
Dutch warr, for that, I perceive, the Duke hath a mind it should
come to, we away to the office, where we sat, and I took care to rise
betimes, and so by water to Halfway House, talking all the way good
discourse with Mr. Wayth, and there found my wife, who was gone with her
mayd Besse to have a walk. But, Lord! how my jealous mind did make me
suspect that she might have some appointment to meet somebody. But I
found the poor souls coming away thence, so I took them back, and eat
and drank, and then home, and after at the office a while, I home to
supper and to bed. It was a sad sight, me thought, to-day to see my Lord
Peters coming out of the House fall out with his lady (from whom he is
parted) about this business; saying that she disgraced him. But she hath
been a handsome woman, and is, it seems, not only a lewd woman, but very
high-spirited.

5th. Up very betimes, and walked to my cozen Anthony Joyce's, and thence
with him to his brother Will, in Tuttle Street, where I find him pretty
cheery over [what] he was yesterday (like a coxcomb), his wife being
come to him, and having had his boy with him last night. Here I staid
an hour or two and wrote over a fresh petition, that which was drawn by
their solicitor not pleasing me, and thence to the Painted chamber, and
by and by away by coach to my Lord Peterborough's, and there delivered
the petition into his hand, which he promised most readily to deliver to
the House today. Thence back, and there spoke to several Lords, and
so did his solicitor (one that W. Joyce hath promised L5 to if he be
released). Lord Peterborough presented a petition to the House from
W. Joyce: and a great dispute, we hear, there was in the House for and
against it. At last it was carried that he should be bayled till the
House meets again after Easter, he giving bond for his appearance. This
was not so good as we hoped, but as good as we could well expect. Anon
comes the King and passed the Bill for repealing the Triennial Act, and
another about Writs of Errour. I crowded in and heard the King's speech
to them; but he speaks the worst that ever I heard man in my life worse
than if he read it all, and he had it in writing in his hand. Thence,
after the House was up, and I inquired what the order of the House was,
I to W. Joyce,' with his brother, and told them all. Here was Kate come,
and is a comely fat woman. I would not stay dinn

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