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September
1st. This morning I took care to get a vessel to carry my Lord's
things to the Downs on Monday next, and so to White Hall to my Lord, where
he and I did look over the Commission drawn for him by the Duke's Council,
which I do not find my Lord displeased with, though short of what Dr.
Walker did formerly draw for him. Thence to the Privy Seal to see how
things went there, and I find that Mr. Baron had by a severe warrant from
the King got possession of the office from his brother Bickerstaffe, which
is very strange, and much to our admiration, it being against all open
justice. Mr. Moore and I and several others being invited to-day by Mr.
Goodman, a friend of his, we dined at the Bullhead upon the best venison
pasty that ever I eat of in my life, and with one dish more, it was the
best dinner I ever was at. Here rose in discourse at table a dispute between
Mr. Moore and Dr. Clerke, the former affirming that it was essential to
a tragedy to have the argument of it true, which the Doctor denied, and
left it to me to be judge, and the cause to be determined next Tuesday
morning at the same place, upon the eating of the remains of the pasty,
and the loser to spend 10s. All this afternoon sending express to the
fleet, to order things against my Lord's coming and taking direction of
my Lord about some rich furniture to take along with him for the Princess!--[Mary,
Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, who died in December of this year.]--And
talking of this, I hear by Mr. Townsend, that there is the greatest preparation
against the Prince de Ligne's a coming over from the King of Spain, that
ever was in England for their Embassador. Late home, and what with business
and my boy's roguery my mind being unquiet, I went to bed.
2nd (Sunday). To Westminster,
my Lord being gone before my coming to chapel. I and Mr. Sheply told out
my money, and made even for my Privy Seal fees and gratuity money, &c.,
to this day between my Lord and me. After that to chappell, where Dr.
Fern, a good honest sermon upon "The Lord is my shield." After
sermon a dull anthem, and so to my Lord's (he dining abroad) and dined
with Mr. Sheply. So, to St. Margarett's, and heard a good sermon upon
the text "Teach us the old way," or something like it, wherein
he ran over all the new tenets in policy and religion, which have brought
us into all our late divisions. From church to Mrs. Crisp's (having sent
Win. Hewer home to tell my wife that I could not come home to-night because
of my Lord's going out early to-morrow morning), where I sat late, and
did give them a great deal of wine, it being a farewell cup to Laud Crisp.
I drank till the daughter began to be very loving to me and kind, and
I fear is not so good as she should be. To my Lord's, and to bed with
Mr. Sheply.
3rd. Up and to Mr. -----,
the goldsmith near the new Exchange, where I bought my wedding ring, and
there, with much ado, got him to put a gold ring to the jewell, which
the King of Sweden did give my Lord: out of which my Lord had now taken
the King's picture, and intends to make a George of it. This morning at
my Lord's I had an opportunity to speak with Sir George Downing, who has
promised me to give me up my bond, and to pay me for my last quarter while
I was at sea, that so I may pay Mr. Moore and Hawly. About noon my Lord,
having taken leave of the King in the Shield Gallery (where I saw with
what kindness the King did hug my Lord at his parting), I went over with
him and saw him in his coach at Lambeth, and there took leave of him,
he going to the Downs, which put me in mind of his first voyage that ever
he made, which he did begin like this from Lambeth. In the afternoon with
Mr. Moore to my house to cast up our Privy Seal accounts, where I found
that my Lord's comes to 400 and odd pounds, and mine to L132, out of which
I do give him as good as L25 for his pains, with which I doubt he is not
satisfied, but my heart is full glad. Thence with him to Mr. Crew's, and
did fetch as much money as did make even our accounts between him and
me. Home, and there found Mr. Cooke come back from my Lord for me to get
him some things bought for him to be brought after them, a toilet cap
and comb case of silk, to make use of in Holland, for he goes to the Hague,
which I can do to-morrow morning. This day my father and my uncle Fenner,
and both his sons, have been at my house to see it, and my wife did treat
them nobly with wine and anchovies. By reason of my Lord's going to-day
I could not get the office to meet to-day.
4th. I did many things
this morning at home before I went out, as looking over the joiners, who
are flooring my diningroom, and doing business with Sir Williams ["Both
Sir Williams" is a favourite expression with Pepys, meaning Sir William
Batten and Sir William Penn.] both at the office, and so to Whitehall,
and so to the Bullhead, where we had the remains of our pasty, where I
did give my verdict against Mr. Moore upon last Saturday's wager, where
Dr. Fuller coming in do confirm me in my verdict. From thence to my Lord's
and despatched Mr. Cooke away with the things to my Lord. From thence
to Axe Yard to my house, where standing at the door Mrs. Diana comes by,
whom I took into my house upstairs, and there did dally with her a great
while, and found that in Latin "Nulla puella negat." So home
by water, and there sat up late setting my papers in order, and my money
also, and teaching my wife her music lesson, in which I take great pleasure.
So to bed.
5th. To the office. From
thence by coach upon the desire of the principal officers to a Master
of Chancery to give Mr. Stowell his oath, whereby he do answer that he
did hear Phineas Pett say very high words against the King a great while
ago. Coming back our coach broke, and so Stowell and I to Mr. Rawlinson's,
and after a glass of wine parted, and I to the office, home to dinner,
where (having put away my boy in the morning) his father brought him again,
but I did so clear up my boy's roguery to his father, that he could not
speak against my putting him away, and so I did give him 10s. for the
boy's clothes that I made him, and so parted and tore his indenture. All
the afternoon with the principal officers at Sir W. Batten's about Pett's
business (where I first saw Col. Slingsby, who has now his appointment
for Comptroller), but did bring it to no issue. This day I saw our Dedimus
to be sworn in the peace by, which will be shortly. In the evening my
wife being a little impatient I went along with her to buy her a necklace
of pearl, which will cost L4 10s., which I am willing to comply with her
in for her encouragement, and because I have lately got money, having
now above L200 in cash beforehand in the world. Home, and having in our
way bought a rabbit and two little lobsters, my wife and I did sup late,
and so to bed. Great news now-a-day of the Duke d'Anjou's desire to marry
the Princesse Henrietta. Hugh Peters is said to be taken, and the Duke
of Gloucester is ill, and it is said it will prove the small-pox.
6th. To Whitehall
by water with Sir W. Batten, and in our passage told me how Commissioner
Pett did pay himself for the entertainment that he did give the King at
Chatham at his coming in, and 20s. a day all the time he was in Holland,
which I wonder at, and so I see there is a great deal of envy between
the two. At Whitehall I met with Commissioner Pett, who told me how Mr.
Coventry and Fairbank his solicitor are falling out, one complaining of
the other for taking too great fees, which is too true. I find that Commissioner
Pett is under great discontent, and is loth to give too much money for
his place, and so do greatly desire me to go along with him in what we
shall agree to give Mr. Coventry, which I have promised him, but am unwilling
to mix my fortune with him that is going down the wind. We all met this
morning and afterwards at the Admiralty, where our business is to ask
provision of victuals ready for the ships in the Downs, which we did,
Mr. Gauden promising to go himself thither and see it done. Dined Will
and I at my Lord's upon a joint of meat that I sent Mrs. Sarah for. Afterwards
to my office and sent all my books to my Lord's, in order to send them
to my house that I now dwell in. Home and to bed.
7th. Not office day, and
in the afternoon at home all the day, it being the first that I have been
at home all day since I came hither. Putting my papers, books and other
things in order, and writing of letters. This day my Lord set sail from
the Downs for Holland.
8th. All day also at home.
At night sent for by Sir W. Pen, with whom I sat late drinking a glass
of wine and discoursing, and I find him to be a very sociable man, and
an able man, and very cunning.
9th (Sunday). In the morning
with Sir W. Pen to church, and a very good sermon of Mr. Mills. Home to
dinner, and Sir W. Pen with me to such as I had, and it was very handsome,
it being the first time that he ever saw my wife or house since we came
hither. Afternoon to church with my wife, and after that home, and there
walked with Major Hart, who came to see me, in the garden, who tells me
that we are all like to be speedily disbanded; and then I lose the benefit
of a muster. After supper to bed.
10th (Office day). News
of the Duke's intention to go tomorrow to the fleet for a day or two to
meet his sister. Col. Slingsby and I to Whitehall, thinking to proffer
our service to the Duke to wait upon him, but meeting with Sir G. Carteret
he sent us in all haste back again to hire two Catches for the present
use of the Duke. So we returned and landed at the Bear at the Bridge foot,
where we saw Southwark Fair (I having not at all seen Bartholomew Fair),
and so to the Tower wharf, where we did hire two catches. So to the office
and found Sir W. Batten at dinner with some friends upon a good chine
of beef, on which I ate heartily, I being very hungry. Home, where Mr.
Snow (whom afterwards we called one another cozen) came to me to see me,
and with him and one Shelston, a simple fellow that looks after an employment
(that was with me just upon my going to sea last),
to a tavern, where till late with them. So home, having drunk too much,
and so to bed.
11th. At Sir W. Batten's
with Sir W. Pen we drank our morning draft, and from thence for an hour
in the office and dispatch a little business. Dined at Sir W. Batten's,
and by this time I see that we are like to have a very good correspondence
and neighbourhood, but chargeable. All the afternoon at home looking over
my carpenters. At night I called Thos. Hater out of the office to my house
to sit and talk with me. After he was gone I caused the girl to wash the
wainscot of our parlour, which she did very well, which caused my wife
and I good sport. Up to my chamber to read a little, and wrote my Diary
for three or four days past. The Duke of York did go to-day by break of
day to the Downs. The Duke of Gloucester ill. The House of Parliament
was to adjourn to-day. I know not yet whether it be done or no. To bed.
12th (Office day). This
noon I expected to have had my cousin Snow and my father come to dine
with me, but it being very rainy they did not come. My brother Tom came
to my house with a letter from my brother John, wherein he desires some
books: Barthol. Anatom., Rosin. Rom. Antiq., and Gassend. Astronom., the
last of which I did give him, and an angel--[A gold
coin varying in value at different times from 6s. 8d. to 10s.]--against
my father buying of the others. At home all the afternoon looking after
my workmen, whose laziness do much trouble me. This day the Parliament
adjourned.
13th. Old East comes to
me in the morning with letters, and I did give him a bottle of Northdown
ale, which made the poor man almost drunk. In the afternoon my wife went
to the burial of a child of my cozen Scott's, and it is observable that
within this month my Aunt Wight was brought to bed of two girls, my cozen
Stradwick of a girl and a boy, and my cozen Scott of a boy, and all died.
In the afternoon to Westminster, where Mr. Dalton was ready with his money
to pay me for my house, but our writings not being drawn it could not
be done to-day. I met with Mr. Hawly, who was removing his things from
Mr. Bowyer's, where he has lodged a great while, and I took him and W.
Bowyer to the Swan and drank, and Mr. Hawly did give me a little black
rattoon,--[Probably an Indian rattan cane.]--
painted and gilt. Home by water. This day the Duke of Gloucester died
of the small-pox, by the great negligence of the doctors.
14th (Office day).
I got L42 15s. appointed me by bill for my employment of Secretary to
the 4th of this month, it being the last money I shall receive upon that
score. My wife went this afternoon to see my mother, who I hear is very
ill, at which my heart is very sad. In the afternoon Luellin comes to
my house, and takes me out to the Mitre in Wood Street, where Mr. Samford,
W. Symons and his wife, and Mr. Scobell, Mr. Mount and Chetwind, where
they were very merry, Luellin being drunk, and I being to defend the ladies
from his kissing them, I kissed them myself very often with a great deal
of mirth. Parted very late, they by coach to Westminster, and I on foot.
15th. Met very early at
our office this morning to pick out the twenty- five ships which are to
be first paid off: After that to Westminster and dined with Mr. Dalton
at his office, where we had one great court dish, but our papers not being
done we could [not] make an end of our business till Monday next. Mr.
Dalton and I over the water to our landlord Vanly, with whom we agree
as to Dalton becoming a tenant. Back to Westminster, where I met with
Dr. Castles, who chidd me for some errors in our Privy- Seal business;
among the rest, for letting the fees of the six judges pass unpaid, which
I know not what to say to, till I speak to Mr. Moore. I was much troubled,
for fear of being forced to pay the money myself. Called at my father's
going home, and bespoke mourning for myself, for the death of the Duke
of Gloucester. I found my mother pretty well. So home and to bed.
16th (Sunday). To Dr. Hardy's
church, and sat with Mr. Rawlinson and heard a good sermon upon the occasion
of the Duke's death. His text was, "And is there any evil in the
city and the Lord hath not done it?" Home to dinner, having some
sport with Win. [Hewer], who never had been at Common Prayer before. After
dinner I alone to Westminster, where I spent my time walking up and down
in Westminster Abbey till sermon time with Ben. Palmer and Fetters the
watchmaker, who told me that my Lord of Oxford is also dead of the small-pox;
in whom his family dies, after 600 years having that honour in their family
and name. From thence to the Park, where I saw how far they had proceeded
in the Pell-mell, and in making a river through the Park, which I had
never seen before since it was begun.
[This is the Mall in St. James's Park, which was made
by Charles II., the former Mall (Pall Mall) having been built upon during
the Commonwealth. Charles II. also formed the canal by throwing the several
small ponds into one.]
Thence to White Hall garden, where I saw the King in purple mourning for
his brother. So home, and in my way met with Dinah, who spoke to me and
told me she had a desire to speak too about some business when I came
to Westminster again. Which she spoke in such a manner that I was afraid
she might tell me something that I would not hear of our last meeting
at my house at Westminster. Home late, being very dark. A gentleman in
the Poultry had a great and dirty fall over a waterpipe that lay along
the channel.
17th. Office very early
about casting up the debts of those twenty-five ships which are to be
paid off, which we are to present to the Committee of Parliament. I did
give my wife L15 this morning to go to buy mourning things for her and
me, which she did. Dined at home and Mr. Moore with me, and afterwards
to Whitehall to Mr. Dalton and drank in the Cellar, where Mr. Vanly according
to appointment was. Thence forth to see the Prince de Ligne, Spanish Embassador,
come in to his audience, which was done in very great state. That being
done, Dalton, Vanly, Scrivener and some friends of theirs and I to the
Axe, and signed and sealed our writings, and hence to the Wine cellar
again, where I received L41 for my interest in my house, out of which
I paid my Landlord to Michaelmas next, and so all is even between him
and me, and I freed of my poor little house. Home by link with my money
under my arm. So to bed after I had looked over the things my wife had
bought to-day, with which being not very well pleased, they costing too
much, I went to bed in a discontent. Nothing yet from sea, where my Lord
and the Princess are.
18th. At home all the morning
looking over my workmen in my house. After dinner Sir W. Batten, Pen,
and myself by coach to Westminster Hall, where we met Mr. Wayte the lawyer
to the Treasurer, and so we went up to the Committee of Parliament, which
are to consider of the debts of the Army and Navy, and did give in our
account of the twenty-five ships. Col. Birch was very impertinent and
troublesome. But at last we did agree to fit the accounts of our ships
more perfectly for their view within a few days, that they might see what
a trouble it is to do what they desire. From thence Sir Williams both
going by water home, I took Mr. Wayte to the Rhenish winehouse, and drank
with him and so parted. Thence to Mr. Crew's and spoke with Mr. Moore
about the business of paying off Baron our share of the dividend. So on
foot home, by the way buying a hat band and other things for my mourning
to-morrow. So home and to bed. This day I heard that the Duke of York,
upon the news of the death of his brother yesterday, came hither by post
last night.
19th (Office day). I put
on my mourning and went to the office. At noon thinking to have found
my wife in hers, I found that the tailor had failed her, at which I was
vexed because of an invitation that we have to a dinner this day, but
after having waited till past one o'clock I went, and left her to put
on some other clothes and come after me to the Mitre tavern in Wood-street
(a house of the greatest note in London), where I met W. Symons, and D.
Scobell, and their wives, Mr. Samford, Luellin, Chetwind, one Mr. Vivion,
and Mr. White, formerly chaplin to the Lady Protectresse--[Elizabeth,
wife of Oliver Cromwell.]--(and still so, and one they say that
is likely to get my Lady Francess for his wife). Here we were very merry
and had a very good dinner, my wife coming after me hither to us.
Among other pleasures some of us fell to handycapp, ["A
game at cards] a sport that I never knew before, which was
very good. We staid till it was very late; it rained sadly, but we made
shift to get coaches. So home and to bed.
20th. At home, and at the
office, and in the garden walking with both Sir Williams all the morning.
After dinner to Whitehall to Mr. Dalton, and with him to my house and
took away all my papers that were left in my closet, and so I have now
nothing more in the house or to do with it. We called to speak with my
Landlord Beale, but he was not within but spoke with the old woman, who
takes it very ill that I did not let her have it, but I did give her an
answer. From thence to Sir G. Downing and staid late there (he having
sent for me to come to him), which was to tell me how my Lord Sandwich
had disappointed him of a ship to bring over his child and goods, and
made great complaint thereof; but I got him to write a letter to Lawson,
which it may be may do the business for him, I writing another also about
it. While he was writing, and his Lady and I had a great deal of discourse
in praise of Holland. By water to the Bridge, and so to Major Hart's lodgings
in Cannon-street, who used me very kindly with wine and good discourse,
particularly upon the ill method which Colonel Birch and the Committee
use in defending of the army and the navy; promising the Parliament to
save them a great deal of money, when we judge that it will cost the King
more than if they had nothing to do with it, by reason of their delays
and scrupulous enquirys into the account of both. So home and to bed.
21st (Office day). There
all the morning and afternoon till 4 o'clock. Hence to Whitehall, thinking
to have put up my, books at my Lord's, but am disappointed from want of
a chest which I had at Mr. Bowyer's. Back by water about 8 o'clock, and
upon the water saw the corpse of the Duke of Gloucester brought down Somerset
House stairs, to go by water to Westminster, to be buried to-night. I
landed at the old Swan and went to the Hoop Tavern, and (by a former agreement)
sent for Mr. Chaplin, who with Nicholas Osborne and one Daniel came to
us and we drank off two or three quarts of wine, which was very good;
the drawing of our wine causing a great quarrel in the house between the
two drawers which should draw us the best, which caused a great deal of
noise and falling out till the master parted them, and came up to us and
did give us a large account of the liberty that he gives his servants,
all alike, to draw what wine they will to please his customers; and we
did eat above 200 walnuts. About to o'clock we broke up and so home, and
in my way I called in with them at Mr. Chaplin's, where Nicholas Osborne
did give me a barrel of samphire, [Samphire was formerly
a favourite pickle] and showed me the keys of Mardyke Fort, which
he that was commander of the fort sent him as a token when the fort was
demolished, which I was mightily pleased to see, and will get them of
him if I can. Home, where I found my boy (my maid's brother) come out
of the country to-day, but was gone to bed and so I could not see him
to-night. To bed.
22nd. This morning I called
up my boy, and found him a pretty, well- looked boy, and one that I think
will please me. I went this morning by land to Westminster along with
Luellin, who came to my house this morning to get me to go with him to
Capt. Allen to speak with him for his brother to go with him to Constantinople,
but could not find him. We walked on to Fleet street, where at Mr. Standing's
in Salsbury Court we drank our morning draft and had a pickled herring.
Among other discourse here he told me how the pretty woman that I always
loved at the beginning of Cheapside that sells child's coats was served
by the Lady Bennett (a famous strumpet), who by counterfeiting to fall
into a swoon upon the sight of her in her shop, became acquainted with
her, and at last got her ends of her to lie with a gentleman that had
hired her to procure this poor soul for him. To Westminster to my Lord's,
and there in the house of office vomited up all my breakfast, my stomach
being ill all this day by reason of the last night's debauch. Here I sent
to Mr. Bowyer's for my chest and put up my books and sent them home. I
staid here all day in my Lord's chamber and upon the leads gazing upon
Diana, who looked out of a window upon me. At last I went out to Mr. Harper's,
and she standing over the way at the gate, I went over to her and appointed
to meet to-morrow in the afternoon at my Lord's. Here I bought a hanging
jack. From thence by coach home (by the way at the New Exchange.
I bought a pair of short black stockings, to wear over a pair of silk
ones for mourning; and here I met with The. Turner and Joyce, buying of
things to go into mourning too for the Duke, which is now the mode of
all the ladies in town), where I wrote some letters by the post to Hinchinbroke
to let them know that this day Mr. Edw. Pickering is come from my Lord,
and says that he left him well in Holland, and that he will be here within
three or four days. To-day not well of my last night's drinking yet. I
had the boy up to-night for his sister to teach him to put me to bed,
and I heard him read, which he did pretty well.
23rd (Lord's day). My wife
got up to put on her mourning to-day and to go to Church this morning.
I up and set down my journall for these 5 days past. This morning came
one from my father's with a black cloth coat, made of my short cloak,
to walk up and down in. To church my wife and I, with Sir W. Batten, where
we heard of Mr. Mills a very good sermon upon these words, "So run
that ye may obtain." After dinner all alone to Westminster. At Whitehall
I met with Mr. Pierce and his wife (she newly come forth after childbirth)
both in mourning for the Duke of Gloucester. She went with Mr. Child to
Whitehall chapel and Mr. Pierce with me to the Abbey, where I expected
to hear Mr. Baxter or Mr. Rowe preach their farewell sermon, and in Mr.
Symons's pew I sat and heard Mr. Rowe. Before sermon I laughed at the
reader, who in his prayer desires of God that He would imprint his word
on the thumbs of our right hands and on the right great toes of our right
feet. In the midst of the sermon some plaster fell from the top of the
Abbey, that made me and all the rest in our pew afeard, and I wished myself
out. After sermon with Mr. Pierce to Whitehall, and from thence to my
Lord, but Diana did not come according to our agreement. So calling at
my father's (where my wife had been this afternoon but was gone home)
I went home. This afternoon, the King having news of the Princess being
come to Margate, he and the Duke of York went down thither in barges to
her.
24th (Office day). From
thence to dinner by coach with my wife to my Cozen Scott's, and the company
not being come, I went over the way to the Barber's. So thither again
to dinner, where was my uncle Fenner and my aunt, my father and mother,
and others. Among the rest my Cozen Rich. Pepys, [Richard
Pepys, eldest son of Richard Pepys, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He
went to Boston, Mass., in 1634, and returned to England about 1646.]
their elder brother, whom I had not seen these fourteen years, ever since
he came from New England. It was strange for us to go a gossiping to her,
she having newly buried her child that she was brought to bed of. I rose
from table and went to the Temple church, where I had appointed Sir W.
Batten to meet him; and there at Sir Heneage Finch Sollicitor General's
chambers, before him and Sir W. Wilde, Recorder of London (whom we sent
for from his chamber) we were sworn justices of peace for Middlesex, Essex,
Kent, and Southampton; with which honour I did find myself mightily pleased,
though I am wholly ignorant in the duty of a justice of peace. From thence
with Sir William to Whitehall by water (old Mr. Smith with us) intending
to speak with Secretary Nicholas about the augmentation of our salaries,
but being forth we went to the Three Tuns tavern, where we drank awhile,
and then came in Col. Slingsby and another gentleman and sat with us.
From thence to my Lord's to enquire whether they have had any thing from
my Lord or no. Knocking at the door, there passed me Mons. L'Impertinent
[Mr. Butler] for whom I took a coach and went with him to a dancing
meeting in Broad Street, at the house that was formerly the glass-house,
Luke Channel, Master of the School, where I saw good dancing, but it growing
late, and the room very full of people and so very hot, I went home.
25th. To the office, where
Sir W. Batten, Colonel Slingsby, and I sat awhile, and Sir R. Ford coming
to us about some business, we talked together of the interest of this
kingdom to have a peace with Spain and a war with France and Holland;
where Sir R. Ford talked like a man of great reason and experience. And
afterwards I did send for a cup of tee'[ The Dutch
East India Company introduced tea into Europe in 16io, and it is said
to have been first imported into England from Holland about 1650. ]
(a China drink) of which I never had drank before, and went away. Then
came Col. Birch and Sir R. Browne by a former appointment, and with them
from Tower wharf in the barge belonging to our office we went to Deptford
to pay off the ship Success, which (Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Pen coming
afterwards to us) we did, Col. Birch being a mighty busy man and one that
is the most indefatigable and forward to make himself work of any man
that ever I knew in my life. At the Globe we had a very good dinner, and
after that to the pay again, which being finished we returned by water
again, and I from our office with Col. Slingsby by coach to Westminster
(I setting him down at his lodgings by the way) to inquire for my Lord's
coming thither (the King and the Princess coming up the river this afternoon
as we were at our pay), and I found him gone to Mr. Crew's, where I found
him well, only had got some corns upon his foot which was not well yet.
My Lord told me how the ship that brought the Princess and him (The Tredagh)
did knock six times upon the Kentish Knock, which put them in great fear
for the ship; but got off well. He told me also how the King had knighted
Vice-Admiral Lawson and Sir Richard Stayner. From him late and by coach
home, where the plasterers being at work in all the rooms in my house,
my wife was fain to make a bed upon the ground for her and me, and so
there we lay all night.
26th. Office day. That
done to the church, to consult about our gallery. So home to dinner, where
I found Mrs. Hunt, who brought me a letter for me to get my Lord to sign
for her husband, which I shall do for her. At home with the workmen all
the afternoon, our house being in a most sad pickle. In the evening to
the office, where I fell a-reading of Speed's Geography for a while. So
home thinking to have found Will at home, but he not being come home but
gone somewhere else I was very angry, and when he came did give him a
very great check for it, and so I went to bed.
27th. To my Lord at Mr.
Crew's, and there took order about some business of his, and from thence
home to my workmen all the afternoon. In the evening to my Lord's, and
there did read over with him and Dr. Walker my lord's new commission for
sea, and advised thereupon how to have it drawn. So home and to bed.
28th (Office day). This
morning Sir W. Batten and Col. Slingsby went with Col. Birch and Sir Wm.
Doyly to Chatham to pay off a ship there. So only Sir W. Pen and I left
here in town. All the afternoon among my workmen till 10 or 11 at night,
and did give them drink and very merry with them, it being my luck to
meet with a sort of drolling workmen on all occasions. To bed.
29th. All day at home to
make an end of our dirty work of the plasterers, and indeed my kitchen
is now so handsome that I did not repent of all the trouble that I have
been put to, to have it done. This day or yesterday, I hear, Prince Rupert
[This is the first mention in the Diary of this famous prince, third son
of Frederick, Prince Palatine of the Rhine, and Elizabeth, daughter of
James I., born December 17th, 1619. He died at his house in Spring Gardens,
November 29th, 1682.] is come to Court; but welcome to nobody.
30th (Lord's day). To our
Parish church both forenoon and afternoon all alone. At night went to
bed without prayers, my house being every where foul above stairs.
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