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November
1st. This morning Sir W. Pen and I were
mounted early, and had very merry discourse all the way, he being very
good company. We came to Sir W. Batten's, where he lives like a prince,
and we were made very welcome. Among other things he showed us my Lady's
closet, where was great store of rarities; as also a chair, which he calls
King Harry's chair, where he that sits down is catched with two irons,
that come round about him, which makes good sport. Here dined with us
two or three more country gentle men; among the rest Mr. Christmas, my
old school-fellow, with whom I had much talk. He did remember that I was
a great Roundhead when I was a boy, and I was much afraid that he would
have remembered the words that I said the day the King was beheaded (that,
were I to preach upon him, my text should be "The memory of the wicked
shall rot"); but I found afterwards that he did go away from school
before that time. [Pepys might well be anxious
on this point, for in October of this year Phieas Pett, assistant master
shipwright at Chatham, was dismissed from his post for having when a Child
spoken disrespectfully of the King. See ante, August 23rd.]
He did make us good sport in imitating Mr. Case, Ash, and Nye, the ministers,
which he did very well, but a deadly drinker he is, and grown exceeding
fat. From his house to an ale-house near the church, where we sat and
drank and were merry, and so we mounted for London again, Sir W. Batten
with us. We called at Bow and drank there, and took leave of Mr. Johnson
of Blackwall, who dined with us and rode with us thus far. So home by
moonlight, it being about 9 o'clock before we got home.
2nd. Office. Then dined
at home, and by chance Mr. Holliard called at dinner time and dined with
me, with whom I had great discourse concerning the cure of the King's
evil, which he do deny altogether any effect at all. In the afternoon
I went forth and saw some silver bosses put upon my new Bible, which cost
me 6s. 6d. the making, and 7s. 6d. the silver, which, with 9s. 6d. the
book, comes in all to L1 3s. 6d. From thence with Mr. Cooke that made
them, and Mr. Stephens the silversmith to the tavern, and did give them
a pint of wine. So to White Hall, where when I came I saw the boats going
very thick to Lambeth, and all the stairs to be full of people. I was
told the Queen was a-coming; so I got a sculler for sixpence to carry
me thither and back again, but I could not get to see the Queen; so come
back, and to my Lord's, where he was come; and I supt with him, he being
very merry, telling merry stories of the country mayors, how they entertained
the King all the way as he come along; and how the country gentlewomen
did hold up their heads to be kissed by the King, not taking his hand
to kiss as they should do. I took leave of my Lord and Lady, and so took
coach at White Hall and carried Mr. Childe as far as the Strand, and myself
got as far as Ludgate by all the bonfires, but with a great deal of trouble;
and there the coachman desired that I would release him, for he durst
not go further for the fires. So he would have had a shilling or 6d. for
bringing of me so far; but I had but 3d. about me and did give him it.
In Paul's church-yard I called at Kirton's, and there they had got a mass
book for me, which I bought and cost me twelve shillings; and, when I
came home, sat up late and read in it with great pleasure to my wife,
to hear that she was long ago so well acquainted with. So to bed. I observed
this night very few bonfires in the City, not above three in all London,
for the Queen's coming; whereby I guess that (as I believed before) her
coming do please but very few.
3d. Saturday. At home all
the morning. In the afternoon to White Hall, where my Lord and Lady were
gone to kiss the Queene's hand. To Westminster Hall, where I met with
Tom Doling, and we two took Mrs. Lane to the alehouse, where I made her
angry with commending of Tom Newton and her new sweetheart to be both
too good for her, so that we parted with much anger, which made Tom and
me good sport. So home to write letters by the post, and so to bed.
4th (Lord's day). In the
morn to our own church, where Mr. Mills did begin to nibble at the Common
Prayer, by saying "Glory be to the Father, &c." after he
had read the two psalms; but the people had been so little used to it,
that they could not tell what to answer. This declaration of the King's
do give the Presbyterians some satisfaction, and a pretence to read the
Common Prayer, which they would not do before because of their former
preaching against it. After dinner to Westminster, where I went to my
Lord's, and having spoke with him, I went to the Abbey, where the first
time that ever I heard the organs in a cathedral! Thence to my Lord's,
where I found Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, and with him and Mr. Sheply, in
our way calling at the Bell to see the seven Flanders mares that my Lord
has bought lately, where we drank several bottles of Hull ale. Much company
I found to come to her, and cannot wonder at it, for she is very pretty
and wanton. Hence to my father's, where I found my mother in greater and
greater pain of the stone. I staid long and drank with them, and so home
and to bed. My wife seemed very pretty to-day, it being the first time
I had given her leave to wear a black patch.
5th (Office day). Being
disappointed of money, we failed of going to Deptford to pay off the Henrietta
to-day. Dined at home, and at home all day, and at the office at night,
to make up an account of what the debts of nineteen of the twenty-five
ships that should have been paid off, is increased since the adjournment
of the Parliament, they being to sit again to-morrow. This 5th of November
is observed exceeding well in the City; and at night great bonfires and
fireworks. At night Mr. Moore came and sat with me, and there I took a
book and he did instruct me in many law notions, in which I took great
pleasure. To bed.
6th. In the morning with
Sir W. Batten and Pen by water to Westminster, where at my Lord's I met
with Mr. Creed. With him to see my Lord's picture (now almost done), and
thence to Westminster Hall, where we found the Parliament met to-day,
and thence meeting with Mr. Chetwind, I took them to the Sun, and did
give them a barrel of oysters, and had good discourse; among other things
Mr. Chetwind told me how he did fear that this late business of the Duke
of York's would prove fatal to my Lord Chancellor. From thence Mr. Creed
and I to Wilkinson's, and dined together, and in great haste thence to
our office, where we met all, for the sale of two ships by an inch of
candle
[The old-fashioned custom of sale by auction by inch
of candle was continued in sales by the Admiralty to a somewhat late date.
See September 3rd, 1662.]
(the first time that ever I saw any of this kind), where I observed how
they do invite one another, and at last how they all do cry,--[To
cry was to bid.]--and we have much to do to tell who did cry last.
The ships were the Indian, sold for L1,300, and the Half-moon, sold for
L830. Home, and fell a-reading of the tryalls of the late men that were
hanged for the King's death, and found good satisfaction in reading thereof.
At night to bed, and my wife and I did fall out about the dog's being
put down into the cellar, which I had a mind to have done because of his
fouling the house, and I would have my will, and so we went to bed and
lay all night in a quarrel. This night I was troubled all night with a
dream that my wife was dead, which made me that I slept ill all night.
7th (Office day). This
day my father came to dine at my house, but being sent for in the morning
I could not stay, but went by water to my Lord, where I dined with him,
and he in a very merry humour (present Mr. Borfett and Childe) at dinner:
he, in discourse of the great opinion of the virtue--gratitude (which
he did account the greatest thing in the world to him, and had, therefore,
in his mind been often troubled in the late times how to answer his gratitude
to the King, who raised his father), did say it was that did bring him
to his obedience to the King; and did also bless himself with his good
fortune, in comparison to what it was when I was with him in the Sound,
when he durst not own his correspondence with the King; which is a thing
that I never did hear of to this day before; and I do from this raise
an opinion of him, to be one of the most secret men in the world, which
I was not so convinced of before. After dinner he bid all go out of the
room, and did tell me how the King had promised him L4000 per annum for
ever, and had already given him a bill under his hand (which he showed
me) for L4000 that Mr. Fox is to pay him. My Lord did advise with me how
to get this received, and to put out L3000 into safe hands at use, and
the other he will make use of for his present occasion. This he did advise
with me about with much secresy. After all this he called for the fiddles
and books, and we two and W. Howe, and Mr. Childe, did sing and play some
psalmes of Will. Lawes's, and some songs; and so I went away.
So I went to see my Lord's picture, which is almost
done, and do please me very well. Hence to Whitehall to find out Mr. Fox,
which I did, and did use me very civilly, but I did not see his lady,
whom I had so long known when she was a maid, Mrs. Whittle. From thence
meeting my father Bowyer, I took him to Mr. Harper's, and there drank
with him. Among other things in discourse he told me how my wife's brother
had a horse at grass with him, which I was troubled to hear, it being
his boldness upon my score. Home by coach, and read late in the last night's
book of Trials, and told my wife about her brother's horse at Mr. Bowyer's,
who is also much troubled for it, and do intend to go to-morrow to inquire
the truth. Notwithstanding this was the first day of the King's proclamation
against hackney coaches coming into the streets to stand to be hired,
yet I got one to carry me home.
["A Proclamation to restrain the abuses of Hackney
Coaches in the Cities of London and Westminster and the Suburbs thereof."
. "In April, 1663, the poor widows of hackney-coachmen petitioned
for some relief, as the parliament had reduced the number of coaches to
400; there were before, in and about London, more than 2,000." --Rugge's
Diurnal.]
8th. This morning Sir Wm.
and the Treasurer and I went by barge with Sir Wm. Doyley and Mr. Prin
to Deptford, to pay off the Henrietta, and had a good dinner. I went to
Mr. Davys's and saw his house (where I was once before a great while ago)
and I found him a very pretty man. In the afternoon Commissioner Pett
and I went on board the yacht, which indeed is one of the finest things
that ever I saw for neatness and room in so small a vessel. Mr. Pett is
to make one to outdo this for the honour of his country, which I fear
he will scarce better. From thence with him as far as Ratcliffe, where
I left him going by water to London, and I (unwilling to leave the rest
of the officers) went back again to Deptford, and being very much troubled
with a sudden looseness, I went into a little alehouse at the end of Ratcliffe,
and did give a groat for a pot of ale, and there I did . . .
[another of the Rev. Wheatley's censored phrases. D.W.] So went
forward in my walk with some men that were going that way a great pace,
and in our way we met with many merry seamen that had got their money
paid them to-day. We sat very late doing the work and waiting for the
tide, it being moonshine we got to London before two in the morning. So
home, where I found my wife up, she shewed me her head which was very
well dressed to-day, she having been to see her father and mother. So
to bed.
9th. Lay long in bed this
morning though an office day, because of our going to bed late last night.
Before I went to my office Mr. Creed came to me about business, and also
Mr. Carter, my old Cambridge friend, came to give me a visit, and I did
give them a morning draught in my study. So to the office, and from thence
to dinner with Mr. Wivell at the Hoop Tavern, where we had Mr. Shepley,
Talbot, Adams, Mr. Chaplin and Osborne, and our dinner given us by Mr.
Ady and another, Mr. Wine, the King's fishmonger. Good sport with Mr.
Talbot, who eats no sort of fish, and there was nothing else till we sent
for a neat's tongue. From thence to Whitehall where I found my Lord, who
had an organ set up to-day in his dining-room, but it seems an ugly one
in the form of Bridewell. Thence I went to Sir Harry Wright's, where my
Lord was busy at cards, and so I staid below with Mrs. Carter and Evans
(who did give me a lesson upon the lute), till he came down, and having
talked with him at the door about his late business of money, I went to
my father's and staid late talking with my father about my sister Pall's
coming to live with me if she would come and be as a servant (which my
wife did seem to be pretty willing to do to-day), and he seems to take
it very well, and intends to consider of it. Home and to bed.
10th. Up early. Sir Wm.
Batten and I to make up an account of the wages of the officers and mariners
at sea, ready to present to the Committee of Parliament this afternoon.
Afterwards came the Treasurer and Comptroller, and sat all the morning
with us till the business was done. So we broke up, leaving the thing
to be wrote over fair and carried to Trinity House for Sir Wm. Batten's
hand. When staying very long I found (as appointed) the Treasurer and
Comptroller at Whitehall, and so we went with a foul copy to the Parliament
house, where we met with Sir Thos. Clarges and Mr. Spry, and after we
had given them good satisfaction we parted. The Comptroller and I to the
coffee-house, where he shewed me the state of his case; how the King did
owe him about L6000. But I do not see great likelihood for them to be
paid, since they begin already in Parliament to dispute the paying of
the just sea-debts, which were already promised to be paid, and will be
the undoing of thousands if they be not paid. So to Whitehall to look
but could not find Mr. Fox, and then to Mr. Moore at Mr. Crew's, but missed
of him also. So to Paul's Churchyard, and there bought Montelion, which
this year do not prove so good as the last was; so after reading it I
burnt it. After reading of that and the comedy of the Rump, which is also
very silly, I went to bed. This night going home, Will and I bought a
goose.
11th (Lord's day). This
morning I went to Sir W. Batten's about going to Deptford to-morrow, and
so eating some hog's pudding of my Lady's making, of the hog that I saw
a fattening the other day at her house, he and I went to Church into our
new gallery, the first time it was used, and it not being yet quite finished,
there came after us Sir W. Pen, Mr. Davis, and his eldest son. There being
no woman this day, we sat in the foremost pew, and behind us our servants,
and I hope it will not always be so, it not being handsome for our servants
to sit so equal with us. This day also did Mr. Mills begin to read all
the Common Prayer, which I was glad of. Home to dinner, and then walked
to Whitehall, it being very cold and foul and rainy weather. I found my
Lord at home, and after giving him an account of some business, I returned
and went to my father's where I found my wife, and there we supped, and
Dr. Thomas Pepys, who my wife told me after I was come home, that he had
told my brother Thomas that he loved my wife so well that if she had a
child he would never marry, but leave all that he had to my child, and
after supper we walked home, my little boy carrying a link, and Will leading
my wife. So home and to prayers and to bed. I should have said that before
I got to my Lord's this day I went to Mr. Fox's at Whitehall, when I first
saw his lady, formerly Mrs. Elizabeth Whittle, whom I had formerly a great
opinion of, and did make an anagram or two upon her name when I was a
boy. She proves a very fine lady, and mother to fine children. To-day
I agreed with Mr. Fox about my taking of the; L4000 of him that the King
had given my Lord.
12th. Lay long in bed to-day.
Sir Wm. Batten went this morning to Deptford to pay off the Wolf. Mr.
Comptroller and I sat a while at the office to do business, and thence
I went with him to his house in Lime Street, a fine house, and where I
never was before, and from thence by coach (setting down his sister at
the new Exchange) to Westminster Hall, where first I met with Jack Spicer
and agreed with him to help me to tell money this afternoon. Hence to
De Cretz, where I saw my Lord's picture finished, which do please me very
well. So back to the Hall, where by appointment I met the Comptroller,
and with him and three or four Parliament men I dined at Heaven, and after
dinner called at Will's on Jack Spicer, and took him to Mr. Fox's, who
saved me the labour of telling me the money by giving me; L3000 by consent
(the other L1000 I am to have on Thursday next), which I carried by coach
to the Exchequer, and put it up in a chest in Spicer's office. From thence
walked to my father's, where I found my wife, who had been with my father
to-day, buying of a tablecloth and a dozen of napkins of diaper [?? D.W.],
the first that ever I bought in my life. My father and I took occasion
to go forth, and went and drank at Mr. Standing's, and there discoursed
seriously about my sister's coming to live with me, which I have much
mind for her good to have, and yet I am much afeard of her ill-nature.
Coming home again, he and I, and my wife, my mother and Pall, went all
together into the little room, and there I told her plainly what my mind
was, to have her come not as a sister in any respect, but as a servant,
which she promised me that she would, and with many thanks did weep for
joy, which did give me and my wife some content and satisfaction. So by
coach home and to bed. The last night I should have mentioned how my wife
and I were troubled all night with the sound of drums in our ears, which
in the morning we found to be Mr. Davys's jack, [The
first patent taken out for an improved smoke-jack by Peter Clare is dated
December 24th, 1770. The smoke jack consists of a wind-wheel fixed in
the chimney, which communicates motion by means of an endless band to
a pulley, whence the motion is transmitted to the spit by gearing.]
but not knowing the cause of its going all night, I understand to-day
that they have had a great feast to-day.
13th. Early going to my
Lord's I met with Mr. Moore, who was going to my house, and indeed I found
him to be a most careful, painful, and able man in business, and took
him by water to the Wardrobe, and shewed him all the house; and indeed
there is a great deal of room in it, but very ugly till my Lord hath bestowed
great cost upon it. So to the Exchequer, and there took Spicer and his
fellow clerks to the Dog tavern, and did give them a peck of oysters,
and so home to dinner, where I found my wife making of pies and tarts
to try, her oven with, which she has never yet done, but not knowing the
nature of it, did heat it too hot, and so a little overbake her things,
but knows how to do better another time. At home all the afternoon. At
night made up my accounts of my sea expenses in order to my clearing off
my imprest bill of L30 which I had in my hands at the beginning of my
voyage; which I intend to shew to my Lord to-morrow. To bed.
14th (Office day). But
this day was the first that we do begin to sit in the afternoon, and not
in the forenoon, and therefore I went into Cheapside to Mr. Beauchamp's,
the goldsmith, to look out a piece of plate to give Mr. Fox from my Lord,
for his favour about the L4,000, and did choose a gilt tankard. So to
Paul's Churchyard and bought "Cornelianum. dolium:"
So home to dinner, and after that to the office till late at night, and
so Sir W. Pen, the Comptroller, and I to the Dolphin, where we found Sir
W. Batten, who is seldom a night from hence, and there we did drink a
great quantity of sack and did tell many merry stories, and in good humours
we were all. So home and to bed.
15th. To Westminster, and
it being very cold upon the water I went all alone to the Sun and drank
a draft of mulled white wine, and so to Mr. de Cretz, whither I sent for
J. Spicer (to appoint him to expect me this afternoon at the office, with
the other L1000 from Whitehall), and here we staid and did see him give
some finishing touches to my Lord's picture, so at last it is complete
to my mind, and I leave mine with him to copy out another for himself,
and took the original by a porter with me to my Lord's, where I found
my Lord within, and staid hearing him and Mr. Child playing upon my Lord's
new organ, the first time I ever heard it. My Lord did this day show me
the King's picture, which was done in Flanders, that the King did promise
my Lord before he ever saw him, and that we did expect to have had at
sea before the King came to us; but it came but to-day, and indeed it
is the most pleasant and the most like him that ever I saw picture in
my life. As dinner was coming on table, my wife came to my Lord's, and
I got her carried in to my Lady, who took physic to-day, and was just
now hiring of a French maid that was with her, and they could not understand
one another till my wife came to interpret.
Here I did leave my wife to dine with my Lord, the first
time he ever did take notice of her as my wife, and did seem to have a
just esteem for her. And did myself walk homewards (hearing that Sir W.
Pen was gone before in a coach) to overtake him and with much ado at last
did in Fleet Street, and there I went in to him, and there was Sir Arnold
Brames, and we all three to Sir W. Batten's to dinner, he having a couple
of Servants married to-day; and so there was a great number of merchants,
and others of good quality on purpose after dinner to make an offering,
which, when dinner was done, we did, and I did give ten shillings and
no more, though I believe most of the rest did give more, and did believe
that I did so too. From thence to Whitehall again by water to Mr. Fox
and by two porters carried away the other L1000. He was not within himself,
but I had it of his kinsman, and did give him L4. and other servants something;
but whereas I did intend to have given Mr. Fox himself a piece of plate
of L50 I was demanded L100, for the fee of the office at 6d. a pound,
at which I was surprised, but, however, I did leave it there till I speak
with my Lord. So I carried it to the Exchequer, where at Will's I found
Mr. Spicer, and so lodged it at his office with the rest. From thence
after a pot of ale at Will's I took boat in the dark and went for all
that to the old Swan, and so to Sir Wm. Batten's, and leaving some of
the gallants at cards I went home, where I found my wife much satisfied
with my Lord's discourse and respect to her, and so after prayers to bed.
16th. Up early to my father's,
where by appointment Mr. Moore came to me, and he and I to the Temple,
and thence to Westminster Hall to speak with Mr. Wm. Montagu about his
looking upon the title of those lands which I do take as security for
L3000 of my Lord's money. That being done Mr. Moore and I parted, and
in the Hall I met with Mr. Fontleroy (my old acquaintance, whom I had
not seen a long time), and he and I to the Swan, and in discourse he seems
to be wise and say little, though I know things are changed against his
mind. Thence home by water, where my father, Mr. Snow, and Mr. Moore did
dine with me. After dinner Mr. Snow and I went up together to discourse
about the putting out of L80 to a man who lacks the money and would give
me L15 per annum for 8 years for it, which I did not think profit enough,
and so he seemed to be disappointed by my refusal of it, but I would not
now part with my money easily. He seems to do it as a great favour to
me to offer to come in upon a way of getting of money, which they call
Bottomry,
[A contract in the nature of a mortgage of a ship,
when the owner of it borrows money to enable him to carry on the voyage,
and pledges the keel or bottom of the ship as a security for the repayment.]
which I do not yet understand, but do believe there may be something in
it of great profit. After we were parted I went to the office, and there
we sat all the afternoon, and at night we went to a barrel of oysters
at Sir W. Batten's, and so home, and I to the setting of my papers in
order, which did keep me up late. So to bed.
17th. In the morning to
Whitehall, where I inquired at the Privy Seal Office for a form for a
nobleman to make one his Chaplain. But I understanding that there is not
any, I did draw up one, and so to my Lord's, and there I did give him
it to sign for Mr. Turner to be his first Chaplain. I did likewise get
my Lord to sign my last sea accounts, so that I am even to this day when
I have received the balance of Mr. Creed. I dined with my Lady and my
Lady Pickering, where her son John dined with us, who do continue a fool
as he ever was since I knew him. His mother would fain marry him to get
a portion for his sister Betty but he will not hear of it. Hither came
Major Hart this noon, who tells me that the Regiment is now disbanded,
and that there is some money coming to me for it. I took him to my Lord
to Mr. Crew's, and from thence with Mr. Shepley and Mr. Moore to the Devil
Tavern, and there we drank. So home and wrote letters by the post. Then
to my lyra viall, [The lyre viol is a viol with extra
open bass strings, holding the same relation to the viol as the theorbo
does to the lute. A volume entitled "Musick's Recreation on the Lyra
Viol," was printed by John Playford in 1650.] and to bed.
18th (Lord's day). In the
morning to our own church, Where Mr. Powel (a crook legged man that went
formerly with me to Paul's School), preached a good sermon. In the afternoon
to our own church and my wife with me (the first time that she and my
Lady Batten came to sit in our new pew), and after sermon my Lady took
us home and there we supped with her and Sir W. Batten, and Pen, and were
much made of. The first time that ever my wife was there. So home and
to bed.
19th (Office day). After
we had done a little at the office this morning, I went with the Treasurer
in his coach to White Hall, and in our way, in discourse, do find him
a very good-natured man; and, talking of those men who now stand condemned
for murdering the King, he says that he believes that, if the law would
give leave, the King is a man of so great compassion that he would wholly
acquit them. Going to my Lord's I met with Mr. Shepley, and so he and
I to the Sun, and I did give him a morning draft of Muscadine.
And so to see my Lord's picture at De Cretz, and he says it is very like
him, and I say so too. After that to Westminster Hall, and there hearing
that Sir W. Batten was at the Leg in the Palace, I went thither, and there
dined with him and some of the Trinity House men who had obtained something
to-day at the House of Lords concerning the Ballast Office. After dinner
I went by water to London to the Globe in Cornhill, and there did choose
two pictures to hang up in my house, which my wife did not like when I
came home, and so I sent the picture of Paris back again. To the office,
where we sat all the afternoon till night. So home, and there came Mr.
Beauchamp to me with the gilt tankard, and I did pay him for it L20. So
to my musique and sat up late at it, and so to bed, leaving my wife to
sit up till 2 o'clock that she may call the wench up to wash.
20th. About two o'clock
my wife wakes me, and comes to bed, and so both to sleep and the wench
to wash. I rose and with Will to my Lord's by land, it being a very hard
frost, the first we have had this year. There I staid with my Lord and
Mr. Shepley, looking over my Lord's accounts and to set matters straight
between him and Shepley, and he did commit the viewing of these accounts
to me, which was a great joy to me to see that my Lord do look upon me
as one to put trust in. Hence to the organ, where Mr. Child and one Mr
Mackworth (who plays finely upon the violin) were playing, and so we played
till dinner and then dined, where my Lord in a very good humour and kind
to me. After dinner to the Temple, where I met Mr. Moore and discoursed
with him about the business of putting out my Lord's L3000, and that done,
Mr. Shepley and I to the new Play-house near Lincoln's-Inn-Fields (which
was formerly Gibbon's tennis-court), where the play of "Beggar's
Bush" was newly begun; and so we went in and saw it, it was well
acted: and here I saw the first time one Moone, [Michael
Mohun, or Moone, the celebrated actor] who is said to be the best
actor in the world, lately come over with the King, and indeed it is the
finest play-house, I believe, that ever was in England. From thence, after
a pot of ale with Mr. Shepley at a house hard by, I went by link home,
calling a little by the way at my father's and my uncle Fenner's, where
all pretty well, and so home, where I found the house in a washing pickle,
and my wife in a very joyful condition when I told her that she is to
see the Queen next Thursday, which puts me in mind to say that this morning
I found my Lord in bed late, he having been with the King, Queen, and
Princess, at the Cockpit all night, where. General Monk treated them;
and after supper a play, where the King did put a great affront upon Singleton's'
musique, he bidding them stop and bade the French musique play, which,
my Lord says, do much outdo all ours. But while my Lord was rising, I
went to Mr. Fox's, and there did leave the gilt tankard for Mrs. Fox,
and then to the counting-house to him, who hath invited me and my wife
to dine with him on Thursday next, and so to see the Queen and Princesses.
21st. Lay long in bed.
This morning my cozen Thomas Pepys, the turner, sent me a cupp of lignum
vitae
[A hard, compact, black-green wood, obtained from
'Guaiacum offcinale', from which pestles, ship-blocks, rollers, castors,
&c., are turned.] for a token. This morning my wife and I went
to Paternoster Row, and there we bought some green watered moyre for a
morning wastecoate. And after that we went to Mr. Cade's' to choose some
pictures for our house. After that my wife went home, and I to Pope's
Head, and bought me an aggate hafted knife, which cost me 5s. So home
to dinner, and so to the office all the afternoon, and at night to my
viallin (the first time that I have played on it since I came to this
house) in my dining room, and afterwards to my lute there, and I took
much pleasure to have the neighbours come forth into the yard to hear
me. So down to supper, and sent for the barber, who staid so long with
me that he was locked into the house, and we were fain to call up Griffith,
to let him out. So up to bed, leaving my wife to wash herself, and to
do other things against to-morrow to go to court.
22d. This morning came
the carpenters to make me a door at the other side of my house, going
into the entry, which I was much pleased with. At noon my wife and I walked
to the Old Exchange, and there she bought her a white whisk
[A gorget or neckerchief worn by women at this time.] and put it
on, and I a pair of gloves, and so we took coach for Whitehall to Mr.
Fox's, where we found Mrs. Fox within, and an alderman of London paying
L1000 or L1500 in gold upon the table for the King, which was the most
gold that ever I saw together in my life. Mr. Fox came in presently and
did receive us with a great deal of respect; and then did take my wife
and I to the Queen's presence-chamber; where he got my wife placed behind
the Queen's chair, and I got into the crowd, and by and by the Queen and
the two Princesses came to dinner. The Queen a very little plain old woman,
and nothing more in her presence in any respect nor garb than any ordinary
woman. The Princess of Orange I had often seen before. The Princess Henrietta
is very pretty, but much below my expectation; and her dressing of herself
with her hair frized short up to her ears, did make her seem so much the
less to me. But my wife standing near her with two or three black patches
on, and well dressed, did seem to me much handsomer than she. Dinner being
done, we went to Mr. Fox's again, where many gentlemen dined with us,
and most princely dinner, all provided for me and my friends, but I bringing
none but myself and wife, he did call the company to help to eat up so
much good victuals.
At the end of dinner, my Lord Sandwich's health was
drunk in the gilt tankard that I did give to Mrs. Fox the other day. After
dinner I had notice given me by Will my man that my Lord did inquire for
me, so I went to find him, and met him and the Duke of York in a coach
going towards Charing Cross. I endeavoured to follow them but could not,
so I returned to Mr. Fox, and after much kindness and good discourse we
parted from thence. I took coach for my wife and me homewards, and I light
at the Maypole in the Strand, and sent my wife home. I to the new playhouse
and saw part of the "Traitor," a very good Tragedy; Mr. Moon
did act the Traitor very well. So to my Lord's, and sat there with my
Lady a great while talking. Among other things, she took occasion to inquire
(by Madame Dury's late discourse with her) how I did treat my wife's father
and mother. At which I did give her a good account, and she seemed to
be very well opinioned of my wife. From thence to White Hall at about
9 at night, and there, with Laud the page that went with me, we could
not get out of Henry the Eighth's gallery into the further part of the
boarded gallery, where my Lord was walking with my Lord Ormond; and we
had a key of Sir S. Morland's, but all would not do; till at last, by
knocking, Mr. Harrison the door-keeper did open us the door, and, after
some talk with my Lord about getting a catch to carry my Lord St. Albans
a goods to France, I parted and went home on foot, it being very late
and dirty, and so weary to bed.
23rd. This morning standing
looking upon the workmen doing of my new door to my house, there comes
Captain Straughan the Scot (to whom the King has given half of the money
that the two ships lately sold do bring), and he would needs take me to
the Dolphin, and give me a glass of ale and a peck of oysters, he and
I. He did talk much what he is able to advise the King for good husbandry
in his ships, as by ballasting them with lead ore and many other tricks,
but I do believe that he is a knowing man in sea-business. Home and dined,
and in the afternoon to the office, where till late, and that being done
Mr. Creed did come to speak with me, and I took him to the Dolphin, where
there was Mr. Pierce the purser and his wife and some friends of theirs.
So I did spend a crown upon them behind the bar, they being akin to the
people of the house, and this being the house where Mr. Pierce was apprentice.
After they were gone Mr. Creed and I spent an hour in looking over the
account which he do intend to pass in our office for his lending moneys,
which I did advise about and approve or disapprove of as I saw cause.
After an hour being, serious at this we parted about 11 o'clock at night.
So I home and to bed, leaving my wife and the maid at their linen to get
up.
24th. To my Lord's, where
after I had done talking with him Mr. Townsend, Rumball, Blackburn, Creed
and Shepley and I to the Rhenish winehouse, and there I did give them
two quarts of Wormwood wine, and so we broke up. So we parted, and I and
Mr. Creed to Westminster Hall and looked over a book or two, and so to
my Lord's, where I dined with my lady, there being Mr. Child and Mrs.
Borfett, who are never absent at dinner there, under pretence of a wooing.
From thence I to Mr. de Cretz and did take away my Lord's picture, which
is now finished for me, and I paid L3 10s. for it and the frame, and am
well pleased with it and the price. So carried it home by water, Will
being with me. At home, and had a fire made in my closet, and put my papers
and books and things in order, and that being done I fell to entering
these two good songs of Mr. Lawes, "Helpe, helpe, O helpe,"
and "O God of Heaven and Hell" in my song book, to which I have
got Mr. Child to set the base to the Theorbo, and that done to bed.
25th (Lord's day). In the
forenoon I alone to our church, and after dinner I went and ranged about
to many churches, among the rest to the Temple, where I heard Dr. Wilkins'
a little (late Maister of Trinity in Cambridge). That being done to my
father's to see my mother who is troubled much with the stone, and that
being done I went home, where I had a letter brought me from my Lord to
get a ship ready to carry the Queen's things over to France, she being
to go within five or six days. So to supper and to bed.
26th (Office day). To it
all the morning, and dined at home where my father come and dined with
me, who seems to take much pleasure to have a son that is neat in his
house. I being now making my new door into the entry, which he do please
himself much with. After dinner to the office again, and there till night.
And that being done the Comptroller and I to the Mitre to a glass of wine,
when we fell into a discourse of poetry, and he did repeat some verses
of his own making which were very good. Home, there hear that my Lady
Batten had given my wife a visit (the first that ever she made her), which
pleased me exceedingly. So after supper to bed.
27th. To Whitehall, where
I found my Lord gone abroad to the Wardrobe, whither he do now go every
other morning, and do seem to resolve to understand and look after the
business himself. From thence to Westminster Hall, and in King Street
there being a great stop of coaches, there was a falling out between a
drayman and my Lord Chesterfield's coachman, and one of his footmen killed.
At the Hall I met with Mr. Creed, and he and I to Hell to drink our morning
draught, and so to my Lord's again, where I found my wife, and she and
I dined with him and my Lady, and great company of my Lord's friends,
and my Lord did show us great respect. Soon as dinner was done my wife
took her leave, and went with Mr. Blackburne and his wife to London to
a christening of a Brother's child of his on Tower Hill, and I to a play,
"The Scorn-full Lady," and that being done, I went homewards,
and met Mr. Moore, who had been at my house, and took him to my father's,
and we three to Standing's to drink. Here Mr. Moore told me how the House
had this day voted the King to have all the Excise for ever. This day
I do also hear that the Queen's going to France is stopt, which do like,
me well, because then the King will be in town the next month, which is
my month again at the Privy Seal. From thence home, where when I come
I do remember that I did leave my boy Waineman at Whitehall with order
to stay there for me in the court, at which I was much troubled, but about
11 o'clock at night the boy came home well, and so we all to bed.
28th. This morning went
to Whitehall to my Lord's, where Major Hart did pay me; L23 14s. 9d.,
due to me upon my pay in my Lord's troop at the time of our disbanding,
which is a great blessing to have without taking any law in the world
for. But now I must put an end to any hopes of getting any more, so that
I bless God for this. From thence with Mr. Shepley and Pinkney to the
Sun, and did give them a glass of wine and a peck of oysters for joy of
my getting this money. So home, where I found that Mr. Creed had sent
me the L11 5s. that is due to me upon the remains of account for my sea
business, which is also so much clear money to me, and my bill of impresse
for L30 is also cleared, so that I am wholly clear as to the sea in all
respects. To the office, and was there till late at night, and among the
officers do hear that they may have our salaries allowed by the Treasurer,
which do make me very glad, and praise God for it. Home to supper, and
Mr. Hater supped with me, whom I did give order to take up my money of
the Treasurer to-morrow if it can be had. So to bed.
29th. In the morning seeing
a great deal of foul water come into my parlour from under the partition
between me and Mr. Davis, I did step thither to him and tell him of it,
and he did seem very ready to have it stopt, and did also tell me how
thieves did attempt to rob his house last night, which do make us all
afraid. This noon I being troubled that the workmen that I have to do
my door were called to Mr. Davis's away, I sent for them, when Mr. Davis
sent to inquire a reason of, and I did give him a good one, that they
were come on purpose to do some work with me that they had already begun,
with which he was well pleased, and I glad, being unwilling to anger them.
In the afternoon Sir W. Batten and I met and did sell the ship Church
for L440; and we asked L391, and that being done, I went home, and Dr.
Petty came to me about Mr. Barlow's money, and I being a little troubled
to be so importuned before I had received it, and that they would have
it stopt in Mr. Fenn's hands, I did force the Doctor to go fetch the letter
of attorney that he had to receive it only to make him same labour, which
he did bring, and Mr. Hales came along with him from the Treasury with
my money for the first quarter (Michaelmas last) that ever I received
for this employment. So I paid the Dr. L25 and had L62 10s. for myself,
and L7 10s. to myself also for Will's salary, which I do intend yet to
keep for myself. With this my heart is much rejoiced, and do bless Almighty
God that he is pleased to send so sudden and unexpected payment of my
salary so soon after my great disbursements. So that now I am worth L200
again. In a great ease of mind and spirit I fell about the auditing of
Mr. Shepley's last accounts with my Lord by my Lord's desire, and about
that I sat till 12 o'clock at night, till I began to doze, and so to bed,
with my heart praising God for his mercy to us.
30th (Office day). To the
office, where Sir G. Carteret did give us an account how Mr. Holland do
intend to prevail with the Parliament to try his project of discharging
the seamen all at present by ticket, and so promise interest to all men
that will lend money upon them at eight per cent., for so long as they
are unpaid; whereby he do think to take away the growing debt, which do
now lie upon the kingdom for lack of present money to discharge the seamen.
But this we are, troubled at as some diminution to us. I having two barrels
of oysters at home, I caused one of them and some wine to be brought to
the inner room in the office, and there the Principal Officers did go
and eat them. So we sat till noon, and then to dinner, and to it again
in the afternoon till night. At home I sent for Mr. Hater, and broke the
other barrel with him, and did afterwards sit down discoursing of sea
terms to learn of him. And he being gone I went up and sat till twelve
at night again to make an end of my Lord's accounts, as I did the last
night. Which at last I made a good end of, and so to bed.
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