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May
1st. Up
early, and bated at Petersfield, in the room which the King lay in lately
at his being there. Here very merry, and played us and our wives at bowls.
Then we set forth again, and so to Portsmouth, seeming to me to be a very
pleasant and strong place; and we lay at the Red Lyon, where Haselrigge
and Scott and Walton did hold their councill, when they were here, against
Lambert and the Committee of Safety. Several officers of the Yard came
to see us to-night, and merry we were, but troubled to have no better
lodgings.
2nd. Up, and Mr. Creed
and I to walk round the town upon the walls. Then to our inn, and there
all the officers of the Yard to see me with great respect, and I walked
with them to the Dock and saw all the stores, and much pleased with the
sight of the place. Back and brought them all to dinner with me, and treated
them handsomely; and so after dinner by water to the Yard, and there we
made the sale of the old provisions. Then we and our wives all to see
the Montagu, which is a fine ship, and so to the town again by water,
and then to see the room where the Duke of Buckingham was killed by Felton.--[1628].
So to our lodging, and to supper and to bed. To-night came Mr. Stevens
to town to help us to pay off the Fox.
3rd Early
to walk with Mr. Creed up and down the town, and it was in his and some
others' thoughts to have got me made free of the town, but the Mayor,
it seems, unwilling, and so they could not do it. Then to the payhouse,
and there paid off the ship, and so to a short dinner, and then took coach,
leaving Mrs. Hater there to stay with her husband's friends, and we to
Petersfield, having nothing more of trouble in all my journey, but the
exceeding unmannerly and most epicure-like palate of Mr. Creed. Here my
wife and I lay in the room the Queen lately lay at her going into France.
4th. Up in the morning
and took coach, and so to Gilford, where we lay at the Red Lyon, the best
Inn, and lay in the room the King lately lay in, where we had time to
see the Hospital, built by Archbishop Abbott, and the free school, and
were civilly treated by the Mayster. So to supper, and to bed, being very
merry about our discourse with the Drawers concerning the minister of
the Town, with a red face and a girdle. So to bed, where we lay and sleep
well.
5th (Lord's day). Mr.
Creed and I went to the red-faced Parson's church, and heard a good sermon
of him, better than I looked for. Then home, and had a good dinner, and
after dinner fell in some talk in Divinity with Mr. Stevens that kept
us till it was past Church time. Anon we walked into the garden, and there
played the fool a great while, trying who of Mr. Creed or I could go best
over the edge of an old fountain well, and I won a quart of sack of him.
Then to supper in the banquet house, and there my wife and I did talk
high, she against and I for Mrs. Pierce (that she was a beauty), till
we were both angry. Then to walk in the fields, and so to our quarters,
and to bed.
6th. Up by four o'clock
and took coach. Mr. Creed rode, and left us that we know not whither he
went. We went on, thinking to be at home before the officers rose, but
finding we could not we staid by the way and eat some cakes, and so home,
where I was much troubled to see no more work done in my absence than
there was, but it could not be helped. I sent my wife to my father's,
and I went and sat till late with my Lady Batten, both the Sir Williams
being gone this day to pay off some ships at Deptford. So home and to
bed without seeing of them. I hear to-night that the Duke of York's son
is this day dead, which I believe will please every body; and I hear that
the Duke and his Lady themselves are not much troubled at it.
7th. In the morning
to Mr. Coventry, Sir G. Carteret, and my Lord's to give them an account
of my return. My Lady, I find, is, since my going, gone to the Wardrobe.
Then with Mr. Creed into London, to several places about his and my business,
being much stopped in our way by the City traynebands, who go in much
solemnity and pomp this day to muster before the King and the Duke, and
shops in the City are shut up every where all this day. He carried me
to an ordinary by the Old Exchange, where we come a little too late, but
we had very good cheer for our 18d. a-piece, and an excellent droll too,
my host, and his wife so fine a woman; and sung and played so well that
I staid a great while and drunk a great deal of wine. Then home and staid
among my workmen all day, and took order for things for the finishing
of their work, and so at night to Sir W. Batten's, and there supped and
so home and to bed, having sent my Lord a letter to-night to excuse myself
for not going with him to-morrow to the Hope, whither he is to go to see
in what condition the fleet is in.
8th. This morning
came my brother John to take his leave of me, he being to return to Cambridge
to-morrow, and after I had chid him for going with my Will the other day
to Deptford with the principal officers, I did give him some good counsell
and 20s. in money, and so he went away. All this day I staid at home with
my workmen without eating anything, and took much pleasure to see my work
go forward. At night comes my wife not well from my father's, having had
a fore-tooth drawn out to-day, which do trouble me, and the more because
I am now in the greatest of all my dirt. My Will also returned to-night
pretty well, he being gone yesterday not very well to his father's. To-day
I received a letter from my uncle, to beg an old fiddle of me for my Cozen
Perkin, the miller, whose mill the wind hath lately broke down, and now
he hath nothing to live by but fiddling, and he must needs have it against
Whitsuntide to play to the country girls; but it vexed me to see how my
uncle writes to me, as if he were not able to buy him one. But I intend
tomorrow to send him one. At night I set down my journal of my late journey
to this time, and so to bed. My wife not being well and I very angry with
her for her coming hither in that condition.
9th. With my workmen
all the morning, my wife being ill and in great pain with her old pain,
which troubled me much because that my house is in this condition of dirt.
In the afternoon I went to Whitehall and there spoke with my Lord at his
lodgings, and there being with him my Lord Chamberlain, I spoke for my
old waterman Payne, to get into White's place, who was waterman to my
Lord Chamberlain, and is now to go master of the barge to my Lord to sea,
and my Lord Chamberlain did promise that Payne should be entertained in
White's place with him. From thence to Sir G. Carteret, and there did
get his promise for the payment of the remainder of the bill of Mr. Creed's,
wherein of late I have been so much concerned, which did so much rejoice
me that I meeting with Mr. Childe took him to the Swan Tavern in King
Street, and there did give him a tankard of white wine and sugar,--[The
popular taste was formerly for sweet wines, and sugar was frequently mixed
with the wine.]--and so I went by water
home and set myself to get my Lord's accounts made up, which was till
nine at night before I could finish, and then I walked to the Wardrobe,
being the first time I was there since my Lady came thither, who I found
all alone, and so she shewed me all the lodgings as they are now fitted,
and they seem pretty pleasant. By and by comes in my Lord, and so, after
looking over my accounts, I returned home, being a dirty and dark walk.
So to bed.
10th. At the office
all the morning, and the afternoon among my workmen with great pleasure,
because being near an end of their work. This afternoon came Mr. Blackburn
and Creed to see me, and I took them to the Dolphin, and there drank a
great deal of Rhenish wine with them and so home, having some talk with
Mr. Blackburn about his kinsman my Will, and he did give me good satisfaction
in that it is his desire that his kinsman should do me all service, and
that he would give him the best counsel he could to make him good. Which
I begin of late to fear that he will not because of the bad company that
I find that he do begin to take. This afternoon Mr. Hater received for
me the L225 due upon Mr. Creed's bill in which I am concerned so much,
which do make me very glad. At night to Sir W. Batten and sat a while.
So to bed.
11th. This morning
I went by water with Payne (Mr. Moore being with me) to my Lord Chamberlain
at Whitehall, and there spoke with my Lord, and he did accept of Payne
for his waterman, as I had lately endeavoured to get him to be. After
that Mr. Cooling did give Payne an order to be entertained, and so I left
him and Mr. Moore, and I went to Graye's Inne, and there to a barber's,
where I was trimmed, and had my haire cut, in which I am lately become
a little curious, finding that the length of it do become me very much.
So, calling at my father's, I went home, and there staid and saw my workmen
follow their work, which this night is brought to a very good condition.
This afternoon Mr. Shepley, Moore, and Creed came to me all about their
several accounts with me, and we did something with them all, and so they
went away. This evening Mr. Hater brought my last quarter's salary, of
which I was very glad, because I have lost my first bill for it, and so
this morning was forced to get another signed by three of my fellow officers
for it. All this evening till late setting my accounts and papers in order,
and so to bed.
12th. My wife had
a very troublesome night this night and in great pain, but about the morning
her swelling broke, and she was in great ease presently as she useth to
be. So I put in a vent (which Dr. Williams sent me yesterday) into the
hole to keep it open till all the matter be come out, and so I question
not that she will soon be well again. I staid at home all this morning,
being the Lord's day, making up my private accounts and setting papers
in order. At noon went with my Lady Montagu at the Wardrobe, but I found
it so late that I came back again, and so dined with my wife in her chamber.
After dinner I went awhile to my chamber to set my papers right. Then
I walked forth towards Westminster and at the Savoy heard Dr. Fuller preach
upon David's words, "I will wait with patience all the days of my
appointed time until my change comes;" but methought it was a poor
dry sermon. And I am afeard my former high esteem of his preaching was
more out of opinion than judgment. From thence homewards, but met with
Mr. Creed, with whom I went and walked in Grayes-Inn-walks, and from thence
to Islington, and there eat and drank at the house my father and we were
wont of old to go to; and after that walked homeward, and parted in Smithfield:
and so I home, much wondering to see how things are altered with Mr. Creed,
who, twelve months ago, might have been got to hang himself almost as
soon as go to a drinking-house on a Sunday.
13th. All the morning
at home among my workmen. At noon Mr. Creed and I went to the ordinary
behind the Exchange, where we lately were, but I do not like it so well
as I did. So home with him and to the office, where we sat late, and he
did deliver his accounts to us. The office being done I went home and
took pleasure to see my work draw to an end.
14th. Up early and
by water to Whitehall to my Lord, and there had much talk with him about
getting some money for him. He told me of his intention to get the Muster
Master's place for Mr. Pierce, the purser, who he has a mind to carry
to sea with him, and spoke very slightingly of Mr. Creed, as that he had
no opinion at all of him, but only he was forced to make use of him because
of his present accounts. Thence to drink with Mr. Shepley and Mr. Pinkny,
and so home and among my workmen all day. In the evening Mr. Shepley came
to me for some money, and so he and I to the Mitre, and there we had good
wine and a gammon of bacon. My uncle Wight, Mr. Talbot, and others were
with us, and we were pretty merry. So at night home and to bed. Finding
my head grow weak now-a-days if I come to drink wine, and therefore hope
that I shall leave it off of myself, which I pray God I could do.
15th. With my workmen
all day till the afternoon, and then to the office, where Mr. Creed's
accounts were passed. Home and found all my joyner's work now done, but
only a small job or two, which please me very well. This afternoon there
came two men with an order from a Committee of Lords to demand some books
of me out of the office, in order to the examining of Mr. Hutchinson's
accounts, but I give them a surly answer, and they went away to complain,
which put me into some trouble with myself, but I resolve to go to-morrow
myself to these Lords and answer them. To bed, being in great fear because
of the shavings which lay all up and down the house and cellar, for fear
of fire.
16th. Up early to
see whether the work of my house be quite done, and I found it to my mind.
Staid at home all the morning, and about 2 o'clock went in my velvet coat
by water to the Savoy, and there, having staid a good while, I was called
into the Lords, and there, quite contrary to my expectations, they did
treat me very civilly, telling me that what they had done was out of zeal
to the King's service, and that they would joyne with the governors of
the chest with all their hearts, since they knew that there was any, which
they did not before. I give them very respectful answer and so went away
to the Theatre, and there saw the latter end of "The Mayd's Tragedy,"
which I never saw before, and methinks it is too sad and melancholy. Thence
homewards, and meeting Mr. Creed I took him by water to the Wardrobe with
me, and there we found my Lord newly gone away with the Duke of Ormond
and some others, whom he had had to the collation; and so we, with the
rest of the servants in the hall, sat down and eat of the best cold meats
that ever I eat on in all my life. From thence I went home (Mr. Moore
with me to the waterside, telling me how kindly he is used by my Lord
and my Lady since his coming hither as a servant), and to bed.
17th. All the morning
at home. At noon Lieutenant Lambert came to me, and he and I to the Exchange,
and thence to an ordinary over against it, where to our dinner we had
a fellow play well upon the bagpipes and whistle like a bird exceeding
well, and I had a fancy to learn to whistle as he do, and did promise
to come some other day and give him an angell to teach me. To the office,
and sat there all the afternoon till 9 at night. So home to my musique,
and my wife and I sat singing in my chamber a good while together, and
then to bed.
18th. Towards Westminster,
from the Towre, by water, and was fain to stand upon one of the piers
about the bridge, [The dangers of shooting
the bridge were so great that a popular proverb has it--London Bridge
was made for wise men to go over and fools to go under.]
before the men could drag their boat through the lock, and which they
could not do till another was called to help them. Being through bridge
I found the Thames full of boats and gallys, and upon inquiry found that
there was a wager to be run this morning. So spying of Payne in a gully,
I went into him, and there staid, thinking to have gone to Chelsy with
them. But upon, the start, the wager boats fell foul one of another, till
at last one of them gives over, pretending foul play, and so the other
row away alone, and all our sport lost. So, I went ashore, at Westminster;
and to the Hall I went, where it was very pleasant to see the Hall in
the condition it is now with the judges on the benches at the further
end of it, which I had not seen all this term till now. Thence with Mr.
Spicer, Creed and some others to drink. And so away homewards by water
with Mr. Creed, whom I left in London going about business and I home,
where I staid all the afternoon in the garden reading "Faber Fortunae"
with great pleasure. So home to bed.
19th. (Lord's day)
I walked in the morning towards Westminster, and seeing many people at
York House, I went down and found them at mass, it being the Spanish ambassodors;
and so I go into one of the gallerys, and there heard two masses done,
I think, not in so much state as I have seen them heretofore. After that
into the garden, and walked a turn or two, but found it not so fine a
place as I always took it for by the outside. Thence to my Lord's and
there spake with him about business, and then he went to Whitehall to
dinner, and Capt. Ferrers and Mr. Howe and myself to Mr. Wilkinson's at
the Crown, and though he had no meat of his own, yet we happened to find
our cook Mr. Robinson there, who had a dinner for himself and some friends,
and so he did give us a very fine dinner.
Then to my Lord's, where we went and sat talking
and laughing in the drawing-room a great while. All our talk about their
going to sea this voyage, which Capt. Ferrers is in some doubt whether
he shall go or no, but swears that he would go, if he were sure never
to come back again; and I, giving him some hopes, he grew so mad with
joy that he fell a-dancing and leaping like a madman. Now it fell out
so that the balcone windows were open, and he went to the rayle and made
an offer to leap over, and asked what if he should leap over there. I
told him I would give him L40 if he did not go to sea. With that thought
I shut the doors, and W. Howe hindered him all we could; yet he opened
them again, and, with a vault, leaps down into the garden:--the greatest
and most desperate frolic that ever I saw in my life. I run to see what
was become of him, and we found him crawled upon his knees, but could
not rise; so we went down into the garden and dragged him to the bench,
where he looked like a dead man, but could not stir; and, though he had
broke nothing, yet his pain in his back was such as he could not endure.
With this, my Lord (who was in the little new room) come to us in amaze,
and bid us carry him up, which, by our strength, we did, and so laid him
in East's bed, by the door; where he lay in great pain. We sent for a
doctor and chyrurgeon, but none to be found, till by-and-by by chance
comes in Dr. Clerke, who is afeard of him. So we sent to get a lodging
for him, and I went up to my Lord, where Captain Cooke, Mr. Gibbons, and
others of the King's musicians were come to present my Lord with some
songs and symphonys, which were performed very finely. Which being done
I took leave and supped at my father's, where was my cozen Beck come lately
out of the country. I am troubled to see my father so much decay of a
suddain, as he do both in his seeing and hearing, and as much to hear
of him how my brother Tom do grow disrespectful to him and my mother.
I took leave and went home, where to prayers (which I have not had in
my house a good while), and so to bed.
20th. At home all the morning;
paid L50 to one Mr. Grant for Mr. Barlow, for the last half year, and
was visited by Mr. Anderson, my former chamber fellow at Cambridge, with
whom I parted at the Hague, but I did not go forthwith him, only gave
him a morning draft at home. At noon Mr. Creed came to me, and he and
I to the Exchange, and so to an ordinary to dinner, and after dinner to
the Mitre, and there sat drinking while it rained very much. Then to the
office, where I found Sir Williams both, choosing of masters for the new
fleet of ships that is ordered to be set forth, and Pen seeming to be
in an ugly humour, not willing to gratify one that I mentioned to be put
in, did vex me. We sat late, and so home. Mr. Moore came to me when I
was going to bed, and sat with me a good while talking about my Lord's
business and our own and so good night.
21st. Up early, and, with
Sir R. Slingsby (and Major Waters the deaf gentleman, his friend, for
company's sake) to the Victualling-office (the first time that I ever
knew where it was), and there staid while he read a commission for enquiry
into some of the King's lands and houses thereabouts, that are given his
brother. And then we took boat to Woolwich, where we staid and gave order
for the fitting out of some more ships presently. And then to Deptford,
where we staid and did the same; and so took barge again, and were overtaken
by the King in his barge, he having been down the river with his yacht
this day for pleasure to try it; and, as I hear, Commissioner Pett's do
prove better than the Dutch one, and that that his brother built. While
we were upon the water, one of the greatest showers of rain fell that
ever I saw. The Comptroller and I landed with our barge at the Temple,
and from thence I went to my father's, and there did give order about
some clothes to be made, and did buy a new hat, cost between 20 and 30
shillings, at Mr. Holden's. So home.
22nd. To Westminster, and
there missed of my Lord, and so about noon I and W. Howe by water to the
Wardrobe, where my Lord and all the officers of the Wardrobe dined, and
several other friends of my Lord, at a venison pasty. Before dinner, my
Lady Wright and my Lady Jem. sang songs to the harpsicon. Very pleasant
and merry at dinner. And then I went away by water to the office, and
there staid till it was late. At night before I went to bed the barber
came to trim me and wash me, and so to bed, in order to my being clean
to-morrow.
23rd. This day I went to
my Lord, and about many other things at Whitehall, and there made even
my accounts with Mr. Shepley at my Lord's, and then with him and Mr. Moore
and John Bowles to the Rhenish wine house, and there came Jonas Moore,
the mathematician, to us, and there he did by discourse make us fully
believe that England and France were once the same continent, by very
good arguments, and spoke very many things, not so much to prove the Scripture
false as that the time therein is not well computed nor understood. From
thence home by water, and there shifted myself into my black silk suit
(the first day I have put it on this year), and so to my Lord Mayor's
by coach, with a great deal of honourable company, and great entertainment.
At table I had very good discourse with Mr. Ashmole, wherein he did assure
me that frogs and many insects do often fall from the sky, ready formed.
Dr. Bates's singularity in not rising up nor drinking the King's nor other
healths at the table was very much observed.
From thence we all took coach, and to our office, and there sat till it
was late; and so I home and to bed by day-light. This day was kept a holy-day
through the town; and it pleased me to see the little boys walk up and
down in procession with their broom-staffs in their hands, as I had myself
long ago gone.
[Pepys here refers to the perambulation of parishes
on Holy Thursday, still observed. This ceremony was sometimes enlivened
by whipping the boys, for the better impressing on their minds the remembrance
of the day, and the boundaries of the parish ... Amongst Dorsetshire customs,
it seems that, in perambulating a manor or parish, a boy is tossed into
a stream, if that be the boundary; if a hedge, a sapling from it is applied
for the purpose of flagellation.--B.]
24th. At home all the morning
making up my private accounts, and this is the first time that I do find
myself to be clearly worth L500 in money, besides all my goods in my house,
&c. In the afternoon at the office late, and then I went to the Wardrobe,
where I found my Lord at supper, and therefore I walked a good while till
he had done, and I went in to him, and there he looked over my accounts.
And they were committed to Mr. Moore to see me paid what remained due
to me. Then down to the kitchen to eat a bit of bread and butter, which
I did, and there I took one of the maids by the chin, thinking her to
be Susan, but it proved to be her sister, who is very like her. From thence
home.
25th. All the morning at
home about business. At noon to the Temple, where I staid and looked over
a book or two at Playford's, and then to the Theatre, where I saw a piece
of "The Silent Woman," which pleased me. So homewards, and in
my way bought "The Bondman" in Paul's Churchyard, and so home,
where I found all clean, and the hearth and range, as it is now enlarged,
set up, which pleases me very much.
26th (Lord's day). Lay
long in bed. To church and heard a good sermon at our own church, where
I have not been a great many weeks. Dined with my wife alone at home pleasing
myself in that my house do begin to look as if at last it would be in
good order. This day the Parliament received the communion of Dr. Gunning
at St. Margaret's, Westminster. In the afternoon both the Sir Williams
came to church, where we had a dull stranger. After church home, and so
to the Mitre, where I found Dr. Burnett, the first time that ever I met
him to drink with him, and my uncle Wight and there we sat and drank a
great deal, and so I to Sir W. Batten's, where I have on purpose made
myself a great stranger, only to get a high opinion a little more of myself
in them. Here I heard how Mrs. Browne, Sir W. Batten's sister, is brought
to bed, and I to be one of the godfathers, which I could not nor did deny.
Which, however, did trouble me very much to be at charge to no purpose,
so that I could not sleep hardly all night, but in the morning I bethought
myself, and I think it is very well I should do it. Sir W. Batten told
me how Mr. Prin (among the two or three that did refuse to-day to receive
the sacrament upon their knees) was offered by a mistake the drink afterwards,
which he did receive, being denied the drink by Dr. Gunning, unless he
would take it on his knees; and after that by another the bread was brought
him, and he did take it sitting, which is thought very preposterous. Home
and to bed.
27th. To the Wardrobe,
and from thence with my Lords Sandwich and Hinchinbroke to the Lords'
House by boat at Westminster, and there I left them. Then to the lobby,
and after waiting for Sir G. Downing's coming out, to speak with him about
the giving me up of my bond for my honesty when I was his clerk, but to
no purpose, I went to Clerke's at the Legg, and there I found both Mr.
Pierces, Mr. Rolt, formerly too great a man to meet upon such even terms,
and there we dined very merry, there coming to us Captain Ferrers, this
being the first day of his going abroad since his leap a week ago, which
I was greatly glad to see. By water to the office, and there sat late,
Sir George Carteret coming in, who among other things did inquire into
the naming of the maisters for this fleet, and was very angry that they
were named as they are, and above all to see the maister of the Adventure
(for whom there is some kind of difference between Sir W. Pen and me)
turned out, who has been in her list.
The office done, I went with the Comptroller to the
Coffee house, and there we discoursed of this, and I seem to be fond of
him, and indeed I find I must carry fair with all as far as I see it safe,
but I have got of him leave to have a little room from his lodgings to
my house, of which I am very glad, besides I do open him a way to get
lodgings himself in the office, of which I should be very glad. Home and
to bed.
28th. This morning to the
Wardrobe, and thence to a little alehouse hard by, to drink with John
Bowies, who is now going to Hinchinbroke this day. Thence with Mr. Shepley
to the Exchange about business, and there, by Mr. Rawlinson's favour,
got into a balcone over against the Exchange; and there saw the hangman
burn, by vote of Parliament, two old acts, the one for constituting us
a Commonwealth, and the others I have forgot. Which still do make me think
of the greatness of this late turn, and what people will do tomorrow against
what they all, through profit or fear, did promise and practise this day.
Then to the Mitre with Mr. Shepley, and there dined with D. Rawlinson
and some friends of his very well. So home, and then to Cheapside about
buying a piece of plate to give away to-morrow to Mrs. Browne's child.
So to the Star in Cheapside, where I left Mr. Moore telling L5 out for
me, who I found in a great strait for my coming back again, and so he
went his way at my coming. Then home, where Mr. Cook I met and he paid
me 30s., an old debt of his to me. So to Sir W. Pen's, and there sat alone
with him till ten at night in talk with great content, he telling me things
and persons that I did not understand in the late times, and so I home
to bed. My cozen John Holcroft (whom I have not seen many years) this
morning came to see me.
29th (King's birth-day).
Rose early and having made myself fine, and put six spoons and a porringer
of silver in my pocket to give away to-day, Sir W. Pen and I took coach,
and (the weather and ways being foul) went to Walthamstowe; and being
come there heard Mr. Radcliffe, my former school fellow at Paul's (who
is yet a mere boy), preach upon "Nay, let him take all, since my
Lord the King is returned," &c. He reads all, and his sermon
very simple, but I looked for new matter. Back to dinner to Sir William
Batten's; and then, after a walk in the fine gardens, we went to Mrs.
Browne's, where Sir W. Pen and I were godfathers, and Mrs. Jordan and
Shipman godmothers to her boy. And there, before and after the christening;
we were with the woman above in her chamber; but whether we carried ourselves
well or ill, I know not; but I was directed by young Mrs. Batten. One
passage of a lady that eat wafers with her dog did a little displease
me. I did give the midwife 10s. and the nurse 5s. and the maid of the
house 2s. But for as much I expected to give the name to the child, but
did not (it being called John), I forbore then to give my plate till another
time after a little more advice. All being done, we went to Mrs. Shipman's,
who is a great butter-woman, and I did see there the most of milk and
cream, and the cleanest that ever I saw in my life. After we had filled
our bellies with cream, we took our leaves and away. In our way, we had
great sport to try who should drive fastest, Sir W. Batten's coach, or
Sir W. Pen's chariott, they having four, and we two horses, and we beat
them. But it cost me the spoiling of my clothes and velvet coat with dirt.
Being come home I to bed, and give my breeches to be dried by the fire
against to-morrow.
30th. To the Wardrobe and
there, with my Lord, went into his new barge to try her, and found her
a good boat, and like my Lord's contrivance of the door to come out round
and not square as they used to do. Back to the Wardrobe with my Lord,
and then with Mr. Moore to the Temple, and thence to. Greatorex, who took
me to Arundell-House, and there showed me some fine flowers in his garden,
and all the fine statues in the gallery, which I formerly had seen, and
is a brave sight, and thence to a blind dark cellar, where we had two
bottles of good ale, and so after giving him direction for my silver side-table,
I took boat at Arundell stairs, and put in at Milford . . . .
[What could he have done at Milford to require censorship? D.W.]
So home and found Sir Williams both and my Lady going to Deptford to christen
Captain Rooth's child, and would have had me with them, but I could not
go. To the office, where Sir R. Slingsby was, and he and I into his and
my lodgings to take a view of them, out of a desire he has to have mine
of me to join to his, and give me Mr. Turner's. To the office again, where
Sir G. Carteret came and sat a while, he being angry for Sir Williams
making of the maisters of this fleet upon their own heads without a full
table. Then the Comptroller and I to the Coffee House, and there sat a
great while talking of many things. So home and to bed. This day, I hear,
the Parliament have ordered a bill to be brought in for the restoring
the Bishops to the House of Lords; which they had not done so soon but
to spite Mr. Prin, who is every day so bitter against them in his discourse
in the House.
31st. I went to my father's
thinking to have met with my cozen John Holcroft, but he came not, but
to my great grief I found my father and mother in a great deal of discontent
one with another, and indeed my mother is grown now so pettish that I
know not how my father is able to bear with it. I did talk to her so as
did not indeed become me, but I could not help it, she being so unsufferably
foolish and simple, so that my father, poor man, is become a very unhappy
man. There I dined, and so home and to the office all the afternoon till
9 at night, and then home and to supper and to bed. Great talk now how
the Parliament intend to make a collection of free gifts to the King through
the Kingdom; but I think it will not come to much.
June
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