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1660-61
At
the end of the last and the beginning of this year, I do live in one of
the houses belonging to the Navy Office, as one of the principal officers,
and have done now about half a year. After much trouble with workmen I
am now almost settled; my family being, myself, my wife, Jane, Will. Hewer,
and Wayneman,--[Will Wayneman appears by this to have
been forgiven for his theft (see ante). He was dismissed on July 8th,
1663.]--my girle's brother. Myself in constant good health, and
in a most handsome and thriving condition. Blessed be Almighty God for
it. I am now taking of my sister to come and live with me. As to things
of State.--The King settled, and loved of all. The Duke of York matched
to my Lord Chancellor's daughter, which do not please many. The Queen
upon her return to France with the Princess Henrietta. The Princess of
Orange lately dead, and we into new mourning for her. We have been lately
frighted with a great plot, and many taken up on it, and the fright not
quite over. The Parliament, which had done all this great good to the
King, beginning to grow factious, the King did dissolve it December 29th
last, and another likely to be chosen speedily. I take myself now to be
worth L300 clear in money, and all my goods and all manner of debts paid,
which are none at all.
January
1st. Called up this morning by Mr. Moore, who brought me my last
things for me to sign for the last month, and to my great comfort tells
me that my fees will come to L80 clear to myself, and about L25 for him,
which he hath got out of the pardons, though there be no fee due to me
at all out of them. Then comes in my brother Thomas, and after him my
father, Dr. Thomas Pepys, my uncle Fenner and his two sons (Anthony's'
only child dying this morning, yet he was so civil to come, and was pretty
merry) to breakfast; and I had for them a barrel of oysters, a dish of
neat's tongues, and a dish of anchovies, wine of all sorts, and Northdown
ale. We were very merry till about eleven o'clock, and then they went
away. At noon I carried my wife by coach to my cozen, Thomas Pepys, where
we, with my father, Dr. Thomas, cozen Stradwick, Scott, and their wives,
dined. Here I saw first his second wife, which is a very respectfull woman,
but his dinner a sorry, poor dinner for a man of his estate, there being
nothing but ordinary meat in it. To-day the King dined at a lord's, two
doors from us. After dinner I took my wife to Whitehall, I sent her to
Mrs. Pierces (where we should have dined today), and I to the Privy Seal,
where Mr. Moore took out all his money, and he and I went to Mr. Pierces;
in our way seeing the Duke of York bring his Lady this day to wait upon
the Queen, the first time that ever she did since that great business;
and the Queen is said to receive her now with much respect and love; and
there he cast up the fees, and I told the money, by the same token one
L100 bag, after I had told it, fell all about the room, and I fear I have
lost some of it. That done I left my friends and went to my Lord's, but
he being not come in I lodged the money with Mr. Shepley, and bade good
night to Mr. Moore, and so returned to Mr. Pierces, and there supped with
them, and Mr. Pierce, the purser, and his wife and mine, where we had
a calf's head carboned, [Meat cut crosswise and broiled
was said to be carboned. Falstaff says in "King Henry IV.,"
Part L, act v., sc. 3, "Well, if Percy be alive, I'll pierce him.
If he do come in my way, so; if he do not, if I come in his willingly,
let him make a carbonado of me."] but it was raw, we could
not eat it, and a good hen. But she is such a slut that I do not love
her victualls. After supper I sent them home by coach, and I went to my
Lord's and there played till 12 at night at cards at Best with J. Goods
and N. Osgood, and then to bed with Mr. Shepley.
2d.
Up early, and being called up to my Lord he did give me many commands
in his business. As about taking care to write to my uncle that Mr. Barnewell's
papers should be locked up, in case he should die, he being now suspected
to be very ill. Also about consulting with Mr. W. Montagu for the settling
of the L4000 a-year that the King had promised my Lord. As also about
getting of Mr. George Montagu to be chosen at Huntingdon this next Parliament,
&c. That done he to White Hall stairs with much company, and I with
him; where we took water for Lambeth, and there coach for Portsmouth.
The Queen's things were all in White Hall Court ready to be sent away,
and her Majesty ready to be gone an hour after to Hampton Court to-night,
and so to be at Ports mouth on Saturday next.
I by water to my office, and there all the morning, and so home to dinner,
where I found Pall (my sister) was come; but I do not let her sit down
at table with me, which I do at first that she may not expect it hereafter
from me. After dinner I to Westminster by water, and there found my brother
Spicer at the Leg with all the rest of the Exchequer men (most of whom
I now do not know) at dinner. Here I staid and drank with them, and then
to Mr. George Montagu about the business of election, and he did give
me a piece in gold; so to my Lord's and got the chest of plate brought
to the Exchequer, and my brother Spicer put it into his treasury. So to
Will's with them to a pot of ale, and so parted. I took a turn in the
Hall, and bought the King and Chancellor's speeches at the dissolving
the Parliament last Saturday. So to my Lord's, and took my money I brought
'thither last night and the silver candlesticks, and by coach left the
latter at Alderman Backwell's, I having no use for them, and the former
home. There stood a man at our door, when I carried it in, and saw me,
which made me a little afeard. Up to my chamber and wrote letters to Huntingdon
and did other business. This day I lent Sir W. Batten and Captn. Rider
my chine of beef for to serve at dinner tomorrow at Trinity House, the
Duke of Albemarle being to be there and all the rest of the Brethren,
it being a great day for the reading over of their new Charter, which
the King hath newly given them.
3d.
Early in the morning to the Exchequer, where I told over what money I
had of my Lord's and my own there, which I found to be L970. Thence to
Will's, where Spicer and I eat our dinner of a roasted leg of pork which
Will did give us, and after that to the Theatre, where was acted "Beggars'
Bush," it being very well done; and here the first time that ever
I saw women come upon the stage. [After the Restoration
the acting of female characters by women became common.]
From thence to my father's, where I found my mother gone by Bird, the
carrier, to Brampton, upon my uncle's great desire, my aunt being now
in despair of life. So home.
4th.
Office all the morning, my wife and Pall being gone to my father's to
dress dinner for Mr. Honiwood, my mother being gone out of town. Dined
at home, and Mr. Moore with me, with whom I had been early this morning
at White Hall, at the Jewell Office, to choose a piece of gilt plate for
my Lord, in return of his offering to the King (which it seems is usual
at this time of year, and an Earl gives twenty pieces in gold in a purse
to the King). I chose a gilt tankard, weighing 31 ounces and a half, and
he is allowed 30; so I paid 12s. for the ounce and half over what he is
to have; but strange it was for me to see what a company of small fees
I was called upon by a great many to pay there, which, I perceive, is
the manner that courtiers do get their estates. After dinner Mr. Moore
and I to the Theatre, where was "The Scornful Lady," acted very
well, it being the first play that ever he saw. Thence with him to drink
a cup of ale at Hercules Pillars, and so parted. I called to see my father,
who told me by the way how Will and Mary Joyce do live a strange life
together, nothing but fighting, &c., so that sometimes her father
has a mind to have them divorced. Thence home.
5th.
Home all the morning. Several people came to me about business, among
others the great Tom Fuller, who came to desire a kindness for a friend
of his, who hath a mind to go to Jamaica with these two ships that are
going, which I promised to do. So to Whitehall to my Lady, whom I found
at dinner and dined with her, and staid with her talking all the afternoon,
and thence walked to Westminster Hall. So to Will's, and drank with Spicer,
and thence by coach home, staying a little in Paul's Churchyard, to bespeak
Ogilby's AEsop's Fables and Tully's Officys to be bound for me. So home
and to bed.
6th
(Lord's day). My wife and I to church this morning, and so home
to dinner to a boiled leg of mutton all alone. To church again, where,
before sermon, a long Psalm was set that lasted an hour, while the sexton
gathered his year's contribucion through the whole church. After sermon
home, and there I went to my chamber and wrote a letter to send to Mr.
Coventry, with a piece of plate along with it, which I do preserve among
my other letters. So to supper, and thence after prayers to bed.
7th.
This morning, news was brought to me to my bedside, that there had been
a great stir in the City this night by the Fanatiques, who had been up
and killed six or seven men, but all are fled.
My Lord Mayor and the whole City had been in arms, above 40,000. To the
office, and after that to dinner, where my brother Tom came and dined
with me, and after dinner (leaving 12d. with the servants to buy a cake
with at night, this day being kept as Twelfth day) Tom and I and my wife
to the Theatre, and there saw "The Silent Woman." The first
time that ever I did see it, and it is an excellent play. Among other
things here, Kinaston, the boy; had the good turn to appear in three shapes:
first, as a poor woman in ordinary clothes, to please Morose; then in
fine clothes, as a gallant, and in them was clearly the prettiest woman
in the whole house, and lastly, as a man; and then likewise did appear
the handsomest man in the house. From thence by link to my cozen Stradwick's,
where my father and we and Dr. Pepys, Scott, and his wife, and one Mr.
Ward and his; and after a good supper, we had an excellent cake, where
the mark for the Queen was cut, and so there was two queens, my wife and
Mrs. Ward; and the King being lost, they chose the Doctor to be King,
so we made him send for some wine, and then home, and in our way home
we were in many places strictly examined, more than in the worst of times,
there being great fears of these Fanatiques rising again: for the present
I do not hear that any of them are taken. Home, it being a clear moonshine
and after 12 o'clock at night. Being come home we found that my people
had been very merry, and my wife tells me afterwards that she had heard
that they had got young Davis and some other neighbours with them to be
merry, but no harm.
8th.
My wife and I lay very long in bed to-day talking and pleasing one another
in discourse. Being up, Mr. Warren came, and he and I agreed for the deals
that my Lord is to, have. Then Will and I to Westminster, where I dined
with my Lady. After dinner I took my Lord Hinchinbroke and Mr. Sidney
to the Theatre, and shewed them "The Widdow," an indifferent
good play, but wronged by the women being to seek in their parts. That
being done, my Lord's coach waited for us, and so back to my Lady's, where
she made me drink of some Florence wine, and did give me two bottles for
my wife. From thence walked to my cozen Stradwick's, and there chose a
small banquet and some other things against our entertainment on Thursday
next. Thence to Tom Pepys and bought a dozen of trenchers, and so home.
Some talk to-day of a head of Fanatiques that do appear about Barnett,
but I do not believe it. However, my Lord Mayor, Sir Richd. Browne, hath
carried himself very honourably, and hath caused one of their meeting-houses
in London to be pulled down.
9th.
Waked in the morning about six o'clock, by people running up and down
in Mr. Davis's house, talking that the Fanatiques were up in arms in the
City. And so I rose and went forth; where in the street I found every
body in arms at the doors. So I returned (though with no good courage
at all, but that I might not seem to be afeared), and got my sword and
pistol, which, however, I had no powder to charge; and went to the door,
where I found Sir R. Ford, and with him I walked up and down as far as
the Exchange, and there I left him. In our way, the streets full of Train-band,
and great stories, what mischief these rogues have done; and I think near
a dozen have been killed this morning on both sides. Seeing the city in
this condition, the shops shut, and all things in trouble, I went home
and sat, it being office day, till noon. So home, and dined at home, my
father with me, and after dinner he would needs have me go to my uncle
Wight's (where I have been so long absent that I am ashamed to go). I
found him at home and his wife, and I can see they have taken my absence
ill, but all things are past and we good friends, and here I sat with
my aunt till it was late, my uncle going forth about business. My aunt
being very fearful to be alone. So home to my lute till late, and then
to bed, there being strict guards all night in the City, though most of
the enemies, they say, are killed or taken. This morning my wife and Pall
went forth early, and I staid within.
10th.
There comes Mr. Hawley to me and brings me my money for the quarter of
a year's salary of my place under Downing that I was at sea. So I did
give him half, whereof he did in his nobleness give the odd 5s, to my
Jane. So we both went forth (calling first to see how Sir W. Pen do, whom
I found very ill), and at the Hoop by the bridge we drank two pints of
wormwood and sack. Talking of his wooing afresh of Mrs. Lane, and of his
going to serve the Bishop of London. Thence by water to Whitehall, and
found my wife at Mrs. Hunt's. Leaving her to dine there, I went and dined
with my Lady, and staid to talk a while with her. After dinner Will. comes
to tell me that he had presented my piece of plate to Mr. Coventry, who
takes it very kindly, and sends me a very kind letter, and the plate back
again; of which my heart is very glad.
So
to Mrs. Hunt, where I found a Frenchman, a lodger of hers, at dinner,
and just as I came in was kissing my wife, which I did not like, though
there could not be any hurt in it. Thence by coach to my Uncle Wight's
with my wife, but they being out of doors we went home, where, after I
had put some papers in order and entered some letters in my book which
I have a mind to keep, I went with my wife to see Sir W. Pen, who we found
ill still, but he do make very much of it. Here we sat a great while,
at last comes in Mr. Davis and his lady (who takes it very ill that my
wife never did go to see her), and so we fell to talk. Among other things
Mr. Davis told us the particular examinations of these Fanatiques that
are taken: and in short it is this, of all these Fanatiques that have
done all this, viz., routed all the Trainbands that they met with, put
the King's life- guards to the run, killed about twenty men, broke through
the City gates twice; and all this in the day-time, when all the City
was in arms; are not in all about 31. Whereas we did believe them (because
they were seen up and down in every place almost in the City, and had
been about Highgate two or three days, and in several other places) to
be at least 500. A thing that never was heard of, that so few men should
dare and do so much mischief. Their word was, "The King Jesus, and
the heads upon the gates." Few of them would receive any quarter,
but such as were taken by force and kept alive; expecting Jesus to come
here and reign in the world presently, and will not believe yet but their
work will be carried on though they do die. The King this day came to
town.
11th.
Office day. This day comes news, by letters from Portsmouth, that the
Princess Henrietta is fallen sick of the meazles on board the London,
after the Queen and she was under sail. And so was forced to come back
again into Portsmouth harbour; and in their way, by negligence of the
pilot, run upon the Horse sand. The Queen and she continue aboard, and
do not intend to come on shore till she sees what will become of the young
Princess. This news do make people think something indeed, that three
of the Royal Family should fall sick of the same disease, one after another.
This morning likewise, we had order to see guards set in all the King's
yards; and so we do appoint who and who should go to them. Sir Wm. Batten
to Chatham, Colonel Slingsby and I to Deptford and Woolwich. Portsmouth
being a garrison, needs none. Dined at home, discontented that my wife
do not go neater now she has two maids. After dinner comes in Kate Sterpin
(whom we had not seen a great while) and her husband to see us, with whom
I staid a while, and then to the office, and left them with my wife. At
night walked to Paul's Churchyard, and bespoke some books against next
week, and from thence to the Coffeehouse, where I met Captain Morrice,
the upholster, who would fain have lent me a horse to-night to have rid
with him upon the Cityguards, with the Lord Mayor, there being some new
expectations of these rogues; but I refused by reason of my going out
of town tomorrow. So home to bed.
12th.
With Colonel Slingsby and a friend of his, Major Waters (a deaf and most
amorous melancholy gentleman, who is under a despayr in love, as the Colonel
told me, which makes him bad company, though a most good- natured man),
by water to Redriffe, and so on foot to Deptford (our servants by water),
where we fell to choosing four captains to command the guards, and choosing
the places where to keep them, and other things in order thereunto. We
dined at the Globe, having our messenger with us to take care for us.
Never till now did I see the great authority of my place, all the captains
of the fleet coming cap in hand to us. Having staid very late there talking
with the Colonel, I went home with Mr. Davis, storekeeper (whose wife
is ill and so I could not see her), and was there most prince-like lodged,
with so much respect and honour that I was at a loss how to behave myself.
13th.
In the morning we all went to church, and sat in the pew belonging to
us, where a cold sermon of a young man that never had preached before.
Here Commissioner came with his wife and daughters, the eldest being his
wife's daughter is a very comely black woman.--[The
old expression for a brunette.]--So to the Globe to dinner, and
then with Commissioner Pett to his lodgings there (which he hath for the
present while he is building the King's yacht, which will be a pretty
thing, and much beyond the Dutchman's), and from thence with him and his
wife and daughter-in-law by coach to Greenwich Church, where a good sermon,
a fine church, and a great company of handsome women. After sermon to
Deptford again; where, at the Commissioner's and the Globe, we staid long.
And so I to Mr. Davis's to bed again. But no sooner in bed, but we had
an alarm, and so we rose: and the Comptroller comes into the Yard to us;
and seamen of all the ships present repair to us, and there we armed with
every one a handspike, with which they were as fierce as could be. At
last we hear that it was only five or six men that did ride through the
guard in the town, without stopping to the guard that was there; and,
some say, shot at them. But all being quiet there, we caused the seamen
to go on board again: And so we all to bed (after I had sat awhile with
Mr. Davis in his study, which is filled with good books and some very
good song books) I likewise to bed.
14th.
The arms being come this morning from the Tower, we caused them to be
distributed. I spent much time walking with Lieutenant Lambert, walking
up and down the yards, who did give me much light into things there, and
so went along with me and dined with us. After dinner Mrs. Pett, her husband
being gone this morning with Sir W. Batten to Chatham, lent us her coach,
and carried us to Woolwich, where we did also dispose of the arms there
and settle the guards. So to Mr. Pett's, the shipwright, and there supped,
where he did treat us very handsomely (and strange it is to see what neat
houses all the officers of the King's yards have), his wife a proper woman,
and has been handsome, and yet has a very pretty hand. Thence I with Mr.
Ackworth to his house, where he has a very pretty house, and a very proper
lovely woman to his wife, who both sat with me in my chamber, and they
being gone, I went to bed, which was also most neat and fine.
15th.
Up and down the yard all the morning and seeing the seamen exercise, which
they do already very handsomely. Then to dinner at Mr. Ackworth's, where
there also dined with us one Captain Bethell, a friend of the Comptroller's.
A good dinner and very handsome. After that and taking our leaves of the
officers of the yard, we walked to the waterside and in our way walked
into the rope-yard, where I do look into the tar- houses and other places,
and took great notice of all the several works belonging to the making
of a cable. So after a cup of burnt wine--[Burnt wine
was somewhat similar to mulled wine, and a favourite drink]--at
the tavern there, we took barge and went to Blackwall and viewed the dock
and the new Wet dock, which is newly made there, and a brave new merchantman
which is to be launched shortly, and they say to be called the Royal Oak.
Hence we walked to Dick-Shore, and thence to the Towre and so home. Where
I found my wife and Pall abroad, so I went to see Sir W. Pen, and there
found Mr. Coventry come to see him, and now had an opportunity to thank
him, and he did express much kindness to me.
I
sat a great while with Sir Wm. after he was gone, and had much talk with
him. I perceive none of our officers care much for one another, but I
do keep in with them all as much as I can. Sir W. Pen is still very ill
as when I went. Home, where my wife not yet come home, so I went up to
put my papers in order, and then was much troubled my wife was not come,
it being 10 o'clock just now striking as I write this last line. This
day I hear the Princess is recovered again. The King hath been this afternoon
at Deptford, to see the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building, which
will be very pretty; as also that that his brother at Woolwich is in making.
By and by comes in my boy and tells me that his mistress do lie this night
at Mrs. Hunt's, who is very ill, with which being something satisfied,
I went to bed.
16th.
This morning I went early to the Comptroller's and so with him by coach
to Whitehall, to wait upon Mr. Coventry to give him an account of what
we have done, which having done, I went away to wait upon my Lady; but
coming to her lodgings I find that she is gone this morning to Chatham
by coach, thinking to meet me there, which did trouble me exceedingly,
and I did not know what to do, being loth to follow her, and yet could
not imagine what she would do when she found me not there. In this trouble,
I went to take a walk in Westminster Hall and by chance met with Mr. Child,
who went forth with my Lady to-day, but his horse being bad, he come back
again, which then did trouble me more, so that I did resolve to go to
her; and so by boat home and put on my boots, and so over to Southwarke
to the posthouse, and there took horse and guide to Dartford and thence
to Rochester (I having good horses and good way, come thither about half-an-hour
after daylight, which was before 6 o'clock and I set forth after two),
where I found my Lady and her daughter Jem., and Mrs. Browne' and five
servants, all at a great loss, not finding me here, but at my coming she
was overjoyed. The sport was how she had intended to have kept herself
unknown, and how the Captain (whom she had sent for) of the Charles had
forsoothed [To forsooth is to address in a polite
and ceremonious manner.] her, though he knew her well and she him.
In fine we supped merry and so to bed, there coming several of the Charles's
men to see me before, I got to bed. The page lay with me.
17th.
Up, and breakfast with my Lady. Then come Captains Cuttance and Blake
to carry her in the barge on board; and so we went through Ham Creeke
to the Soverayne (a goodly sight all the way to see the brave ships that
lie here) first, which is a most noble ship. I never saw her before. My
Lady Sandwich, my Lady Jemimah, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Grace, and Mary and
the page, my lady's servants and myself, all went into the lanthorn together.
From thence to the Charles, where my lady took great pleasure to see all
the rooms, and to hear me tell her how things are when my Lord is there.
After we had seen all, then the officers of the ship had prepared a handsome
breakfast for her, and while she was pledging my Lord's health they give
her five guns. That done, we went off, and then they give us thirteen
guns more. I confess it was a great pleasure to myself to see the ship
that I begun my good fortune in.
From
thence on board the Newcastle, to show my Lady the difference between
a great and a small ship. Among these ships I did give away L7. So back
again and went on shore at Chatham, where I had ordered the coach to wait
for us. Here I heard that Sir William Batten and his lady (who I knew
were here, and did endeavour to avoyd) were now gone this morning to London.
So we took coach, and I went into the coach, and went through the town,
without making stop at our inn, but left J. Goods to pay the reckoning.
So I rode with my lady in the coach, and the page on the horse that I
should have rid on--he desiring it. It begun to be dark before we could
come to Dartford, and to rain hard, and the horses to fayle, which was
our great care to prevent, for fear of my Lord's displeasure, so here
we sat up for to-night, as also Captains Cuttance and Blake, who came
along with us. We sat and talked till supper, and at supper my Lady and
I entered into a great dispute concerning what were best for a man to
do with his estate--whether to make his elder son heir, which my Lady
is for, and I against, but rather to make all equall. This discourse took
us much time, till it was time to go to bed; but we being merry, we bade
my Lady goodnight, and intended to have gone to the Post- house to drink,
and hear a pretty girl play of the cittern (and indeed we should have
lain there, but by a mistake we did not), but it was late, and we could
not hear her, and the guard came to examine what we were; so we returned
to our Inn and to bed, the page and I in one bed, and the two captains
in another, all in one chamber, where we had very good mirth with our
most abominable lodging.
18th.
The Captains went with me to the post-house about 9 o'clock, and after
a morning draft I took horse and guide for London; and through some rain,
and a great wind in my face, I got to London at eleven o'clock. At home
found all well, but the monkey loose, which did anger me, and so I did
strike her till she was almost dead, that they might make her fast again,
which did still trouble me more. In the afternoon we met at the office
and sat till night, and then I to see my father who I found well, and
took him to Standing's' to drink a cup of ale. He told me my aunt at Brampton
is yet alive and my mother well there. In comes Will Joyce to us drunk,
and in a talking vapouring humour of his state, and I know not what, which
did vex me cruelly. After him Mr. Hollier had learned at my father's that
I was here (where I had appointed to meet him) and so he did give me some
things to take for prevention. Will Joyce not letting us talk as I would
I left my father and him and took Mr. Hollier to the Greyhound, where
he did advise me above all things, both as to the stone and the decay
of my memory (of which I now complain to him), to avoid drinking often,
which I am resolved, if I can, to leave off. Hence home, and took home
with me from the bookseller's Ogilby's AEsop, which he had bound for me,
and indeed I am very much pleased with the book. Home and to bed.
19th.
To the Comptroller's, and with him by coach to White Hall; in our way
meeting Venner and Pritchard upon a sledge, who with two more Fifth Monarchy
men were hanged to-day, and the two first drawn and quartered. Where we
walked up and down, and at last found Sir G. Carteret, whom I had not
seen a great while, and did discourse with him about our assisting the
Commissioners in paying off the Fleet, which we think to decline. Here
the Treasurer did tell me that he did suspect Thos. Hater to be an informer
of them in this work, which we do take to be a diminution of us, which
do trouble me, and I do intend to find out the truth. Hence to my Lady,
who told me how Mr. Hetley is dead of the small-pox going to Portsmouth
with my Lord. My Lady went forth to dinner to her father's, and so I went
to the Leg in King Street and had a rabbit for myself and my Will, and
after dinner I sent him home and myself went to the Theatre, where I saw
"The Lost Lady," which do not please me much. Here I was troubled
to be seen by four of our office clerks, which sat in the half-crown box
and I in the 1s. 6d. From thence by link, and bought two mouse traps of
Thomas Pepys, the Turner, and so went and drank a cup of ale with him,
and so home and wrote by post to Portsmouth to my Lord and so to bed.
20th
(Lord's day). To Church in the morning. Dined at home. My wife
and I to Church in the afternoon, and that being done we went to see my
uncle and aunt Wight. There I left my wife and came back, and sat with
Sir W. Pen, who is not yet well again. Thence back again to my wife and
supped there, and were very merry and so home, and after prayers to write
down my journall for the last five days, and so to bed.
21st.
This morning Sir W. Batten, the Comptroller and I to Westminster, to the
Commissioners for paying off the Army and Navy, where the Duke of Albemarle
was; and we sat with our hats on, and did discourse about paying off the
ships and do find that they do intend to undertake it without our help;
and we are glad of it, for it is a work that will much displease the poor
seamen, and so we are glad to have no hand in it. From thence to the Exchequer,
and took L200 and carried it home, and so to the office till night, and
then to see Sir W. Pen, whither came my Lady Batten and her daughter,
and then I sent for my wife, and so we sat talking till it was late. So
home to supper and then to bed, having eat no dinner to-day. It is strange
what weather we have had all this winter; no cold at all; but the ways
are dusty, and the flyes fly up and down, and the rose-bushes are full
of leaves, such a time of the year as was never known in this world before
here. This day many more of the Fifth Monarchy men were hanged.
22nd.
To the Comptroller's house, where I read over his proposals to the Lord
Admiral for the regulating of the officers of the Navy, in which he hath
taken much pains, only he do seem to have too good opinion of them himself.
From thence in his coach to Mercer's Chappell, and so up to the great
hall, where we met with the King's Councell for Trade, upon some proposals
of theirs for settling convoys for the whole English trade, and that by
having 33 ships (four fourth-rates, nineteen fifths, ten sixths) settled
by the King for that purpose, which indeed was argued very finely by many
persons of honour and merchants that were there. It pleased me much now
to come in this condition to this place, where I was once a petitioner
for my exhibition in Paul's School; and also where Sir G. Downing (my
late master) was chairman, and so but equally concerned with me. From
thence home, and after a little dinner my wife and I by coach into London,
and bought some glasses, and then to Whitehall to see Mrs. Fox, but she
not within, my wife to my mother Bowyer, and I met with Dr. Thomas Fuller,
and took him to the Dog, where he tells me of his last and great book
that is coming out: that is, his History of all the Families in England;'
and could tell me more of my own, than I knew myself. And also to what
perfection he hath now brought the art of memory; that he did lately to
four eminently great scholars dictate together in Latin, upon different
subjects of their proposing, faster than they were able to write, till
they were tired; and by the way in discourse tells me that the best way
of beginning a sentence, if a man should be out and forget his last sentence
(which he never was), that then his last refuge is to begin with an Utcunque.
From thence I to Mr. Bowyer's, and there sat a while, and so to Mr. Fox's,
and sat with them a very little while, and then by coach home, and so
to see Sir Win. Pen, where we found Mrs. Martha Batten and two handsome
ladies more, and so we staid supper and were very merry, and so home to
bed.
23rd.
To the office all the morning. My wife and people at home busy to get
things ready for tomorrow's dinner. At noon, without dinner, went into
the City, and there meeting with Greatorex, we went and drank a pot of
ale. He told me that he was upon a design to go to Teneriffe to try experiments
there. With him to Gresham Colledge [The meeting which
Pepys attended was an early one of the Royal Society, which was incorporated
by royal charter in 1663.] (where I never was before), and saw
the manner of the house, and found great company of persons of honour
there; thence to my bookseller's, and for books, and to Stevens, the silversmith,
to make clean some plate against to-morrow, and so home, by the way paying
many little debts for wine and pictures, &c., which is my great pleasure.
Home and found all things in a hurry of business, Slater, our messenger,
being here as my cook till very late. I in my chamber all the evening
looking over my Osborn's works and new Emanuel Thesaurus Patriarchae.
So late to bed, having ate nothing to-day but a piece of bread and cheese
at the ale- house with Greatorex, and some bread and butter at home.
24th.
At home all day. There dined with me Sir William Batten and his lady and
daughter, Sir W. Pen, Mr. Fox (his lady being ill could not come), and
Captain Cuttance; the first dinner I have made since I came hither. This
cost me above L5, and merry we were--only my chimney smokes. In the afternoon
Mr. Hater bringing me my last quarter's salary, which I received of him,
and so I have now Mr. Barlow's money in my hands. The company all go away,
and by and by Sir Wms. both and my Lady Batten and his daughter come again
and supped with me and talked till late, and so to bed, being glad that
the trouble is over.
25th.
At the office all the morning. Dined at home and Mr. Hater with me, and
so I did make even with him for the last quarter. After dinner he and
I to look upon the instructions of my Lord Northumberland's, but we were
interrupted by Mr. Salisbury's coming in, who came to see me and to show
me my Lord's picture in little, of his doing. And truly it is strange
to what a perfection he is come in a year's time. From thence to Paul's
Churchyard about books, and so back again home. This night comes two cages,
which I bought this evening for my canary birds, which Captain Rooth this
day sent me. So to bed.
26th. Within all the morning.
About noon comes one that had formerly known me and I him, but I know
not his name, to borrow L5 of me, but I had the wit to deny him. There
dined with me this day both the Pierces' and their wives, and Captain
Cuttance, and Lieutenant Lambert, with whom we made ourselves very merry
by taking away his ribbans and garters, having made him to confess that
he is lately married. The company being gone I went to my lute till night,
and so to bed.
27th (Lord's day). Before
I rose, letters come to me from Portsmouth, telling me that the Princess
is now well, and my Lord Sandwich set sail with the Queen and her yesterday
from thence for France. To church, leaving my wife sick . . . . at home,
a poor dull sermon of a stranger. Home, and at dinner was very angry at
my people's eating a fine pudding (made me by Slater, the cook, last Thursday)
without my wife's leave. To church again, a good sermon of Mr. Mills,
and after sermon Sir W. Pen and I an hour in the garden talking, and he
did answer me to many things, I asked Mr. Coventry's opinion of me, and
Sir W. Batten's of my Lord Sandwich, which do both please me. Then to
Sir W. Batten's, where very merry, and here I met the Comptroller and
his lady and daughter (the first time I ever saw them) and Mrs. Turner,
who and her husband supped with us here (I having fetched my wife thither),
and after supper we fell to oysters, and then Mr. Turner went and fetched
some strong waters, and so being very merry we parted, and home to bed.
This day the parson read a proclamation at church, for the keeping of
Wednesday next, the 30th of January, a fast for the murther of the late
King.
28th. At the office all
the morning; dined at home, and after dinner to Fleet Street, with my
sword to Mr. Brigden (lately made Captain of the Auxiliaries) to be refreshed,
and with him to an ale-house, where I met Mr. Davenport; and after some
talk of Cromwell, Ireton and Bradshaw's bodies being taken out of their
graves to-day,
["The bodies of Oliver Cromwell, Henry Ireton,
John Bradshaw, and Thomas Pride, were dug up out of their graves to be
hanged at Tyburn, and buried under the gallows. Cromwell's vault having
been opened, the people crowded very much to see him."--Rugge's Diurnal.]
I went to Mr. Crew's and thence to the Theatre, where I saw again "The
Lost Lady," which do now please me better than before; and here I
sitting behind in a dark place, a lady spit backward upon me by a mistake,
not seeing me, but after seeing her to be a very pretty lady, I was not
troubled at it at all. Thence to Mr. Crew's, and there met Mr. Moore,
who came lately to me, and went with me to my father's, and with him to
Standing's, whither came to us Dr. Fairbrother, who I took and my father
to the Bear and gave a pint of sack and a pint of claret.
He do still continue his expressions of respect and love to me, and tells
me my brother John will make a good scholar. Thence to see the Doctor
at his lodging at Mr. Holden's, where I bought a hat, cost me 35s. So
home by moonshine, and by the way was overtaken by the Comptroller's coach,
and so home to his house with him. So home and to bed. This noon I had
my press set up in my chamber for papers to be put in.
29th. Mr. Moore making
up accounts with me all this morning till Lieut. Lambert came, and so
with them over the water to Southwark, and so over the fields to Lambeth,
and there drank, it being a most glorious and warm day, even to amazement,
for this time of the year. Thence to my Lord's, where we found my Lady
gone with some company to see Hampton Court, so we three went to Blackfryers
(the first time I ever was there since plays begun), and there after great
patience and little expectation, from so poor beginning, I saw three acts
of "The Mayd in ye Mill" acted to my great content. But it being
late, I left the play and them, and by water through bridge home, and
so to Mr. Turner's house, where the Comptroller, Sir William Batten, and
Mr. Davis and their ladies; and here we had a most neat little but costly
and genteel supper, and after that a great deal of impertinent mirth by
Mr. Davis, and some catches, and so broke up, and going away, Mr. Davis's
eldest son took up my old Lady Slingsby in his arms, and carried her to
the coach, and is said to be able to carry three of the biggest men that
were in the company, which I wonder at. So home and to bed.
30th (Fast day). The first
time that this day hath been yet observed: and Mr. Mills made a most excellent
sermon, upon "Lord forgive us our former iniquities;" speaking
excellently of the justice of God in punishing men for the sins of their
ancestors. Home, and John Goods comes, and after dinner I did pay him
L30 for my Lady, and after that Sir W. Pen and I into Moorfields and had
a brave talk, it being a most pleasant day, and besides much discourse
did please ourselves to see young Davis and Whitton, two of our clerks,
going by us in the field, who we observe to take much pleasure together,
and I did most often see them at play together. Back to the Old James
in Bishopsgate Street, where Sir W. Batten and Sir Wm. Rider met him about
business of the Trinity House. So I went home, and there understand that
my mother is come home well from Brampton, and had a letter from my brother
John, a very ingenious one, and he therein begs to have leave to come
to town at the Coronacion. Then to my Lady Batten's; where my wife and
she are lately come back again from being abroad, and seeing of Cromwell,
Ireton, and Bradshaw hanged and buried at Tyburn. Then I home.
["Jan. 30th was kept as a very solemn day of
fasting and prayer. This morning the carcases of Cromwell, Ireton, and
Bradshaw (which the day before had been brought from the Red Lion Inn,
Holborn), were drawn upon a sledge to Tyburn, and then taken out of their
coffins, and in their shrouds hanged by the neck, until the going down
of the sun. They were then cut down, their heads taken off, and their
bodies buried in a grave made under the gallows. The coffin in which was
the body of Cromwell was a very rich thing, very full of gilded hinges
and nails."--Rugge's Diurnal.]
31st. This morning with
Mr. Coventry at Whitehall about getting a ship to carry my Lord's deals
to Lynne, and we have chosen the Gift. Thence at noon to my Lord's, where
my Lady not well, so I eat a mouthfull of dinner there, and thence to
the Theatre, and there sat in the pit among the company of fine ladys,
&c.; and the house was exceeding full, to see Argalus and Parthenia,
the first time that it hath been acted: and indeed it is good, though
wronged by my over great expectations, as all things else are. Thence
to my father's to see my mother, who is pretty well after her journey
from Brampton. She tells me my aunt is pretty well, yet cannot live long.
My uncle pretty well too, and she believes would marry again were my aunt
dead, which God forbid. So home.
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