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November
1st.
Up and after a little while with my workmen I went to my office, and then
to our sitting all the morning. At noon with Mr. Creede, whom I found
at my house, to the Trinity House, to a great dinner there, by invitacion,
and much company. It seems one Captain Evans makes his Elder Brother's
dinner to-day. Among other discourses one Mr. Oudant, secretary to the
late Princesse of Orange, did discourse of the convenience as to keeping
the highways from being deep, by their horses, in Holland (and Flanders
where the ground is as miry as ours is), going in their carts and, waggons
as ours in coaches, wishing the same here as an expedient to make the
ways better, and I think there is something in it, where there is breadth
enough.
Thence
to my office, sent for to meet Mr. Leigh again; from Sir H. Bennet. And
he and I, with Wade and his intelligencer and labourers, to the Tower
cellars, to make one tryall more; where we staid two or three hours digging,
and dug a great deal all under the arches, as it was now most confidently
directed, and so seriously, and upon pretended good grounds, that I myself
did truly expect to speed; but we missed of all: and so we went away the
second time like fools.
And
to our office, whither, a coach being come, Mr. Leigh goes home to Whitehall;
and I by appointment to the Dolphin Tavern, to meet Wade and the other,
Captn. Evett, who now do tell me plainly, that he that do put him upon
this is one that had it from Barkestead's own mouth, and was advised with
by him, just before the King's coming in, how to get it out, and had all
the signs told him how and where it lay, and had always been the great
confident of Barkestead even to the trusting him with his life and all
he had. So that he did much convince me that there is good ground for
what we go about. But I fear it may be that he did find some conveyance
of it away, without the help of this man, before he died. But he is resolved
to go to the party once more, and then to determine what we shall do further.
So
we parted, and I to my office, where after sending away my letters to
the post I do hear that Sir J. Minnes is resolved to turn part of our
entry into a room and to divide the back yard between Sir W. Pen and him,
which though I do not see how it will annoy me much particularly, yet
it do trouble me a little for fear it should, but I do not see how it
can well unless in his desiring my coming to my back stairs, but for that
I shall do as well as himself or Sir W. Pen, who is most concerned to
look after it.
2nd (Lord's day). Lay long
with pleasure talking with my wife, in whom I never had greater content,
blessed be God! than now, she continuing with the same care and thrift
and innocence, so long as I keep her from occasions of being otherwise,
as ever she was in her life, and keeps the house as well. To church, where
Mr. Mills, after he had read the service, and shifted himself as he did
the last day, preached a very ordinary sermon. So home to dinner with
my wife. Then up into my new rooms which are, almost finished, and there
walked with great content talking with my wife till church time, and then
to church, and there being a lazy preacher I slept out the sermon, and
so home, and after visiting the two Sir Williams, who are both of them
mending apace, I to my office preparing things against to-morrow for the
Duke, and so home and to bed, with some pain, . . . having taken cold
this morning in sitting too long bare-legged to pare my corns. My wife
and I spent a good deal of this evening in reading "Du Bartas' Imposture"
and other parts which my wife of late has taken up to read, and is very
fine as anything I meet with.
3d. Up and with Sir J.
Minnes in his coach to White Hall, to the Duke's; but found him gone out
a-hunting. Thence to my Lord Sandwich, from whom I receive every day more
and more signs of his confidence and esteem of me. Here I met with Pierce
the chyrurgeon, who tells me that my Lady Castlemaine is with child; but
though it be the King's, yet her Lord being still in town, and sometimes
seeing of her, though never to eat or lie together, it will be laid to
him. He tells me also how the Duke of York is smitten in love with my
Lady Chesterfield [Lady Elizabeth Butler, daughter
of James Butler, first Duke of Ormond, second wife of Philip Stanhope,
second Earl of Chesterfield. She died July, 1665] (a virtuous lady,
daughter to my Lord of Ormond); and so much, that the duchess of York
hath complained to the King and her father about it, and my Lady Chesterfield
is gone into the country for it. At all which I am sorry; but it is the
effect of idleness, and having nothing else to employ their great spirits
upon. Thence with Mr. Creede and Mr. Moore (who is got upon his legs and
come to see my Lord) to Wilkinson's, and there I did give them and Mr.
Howe their dinner of roast beef, cost me 5s., and after dinner carried
Mr. Moore as far as Paul's in a coach, giving him direction about my law
business, and there set him down, and I home and among my workmen, who
happened of all sorts to meet to their making an end of a great many jobbs,
so that after to-morrow I shall have but a little plastering and all the
painting almost to do, which was good content to me. At night to my office,
and did business; and there came to me Mr. Wade and Evett, who have been
again with their prime intelligencer, a woman, I perceive: and though
we have missed twice, yet they bring such an account of the probability
of the truth of the thing, though we are not certain of the place, that
we shall set upon it once more; and I am willing and hopefull in it. So
we resolved to set upon it again on Wednesday morning; and the woman herself
will be there in a disguise, and confirm us in the place. So they took
leave for the night, and I to my business, and then home to my wife and
to supper and bed, my pain being going away. So by God's great blessing
my mind is in good condition of quiet.
4th. Lay long talking pleasantly
with my wife in bed, it having rained, and do still, very much all night
long. Up and to the office, where we sat till noon. This morning we had
news by letters that Sir Richard Stayner is dead at sea in the Mary, which
is now come into Portsmouth from Lisbon; which we are sorry for, he being
a very stout seaman. But there will be no great miss of him for all that.
Dined at home with my wife, and all the afternoon among my workmen, and
at night to my office to do business there, and then to see Sir W. Pen,
who is still sick, but his pain less than it was. He took occasion to
talk with me about Sir J. Minnes's intention to divide the entry and the
yard, and so to keep him out of the yard, and forcing him to go through
the garden to his house. Which he is vexed at, and I am glad to see that
Sir J. Minnes do use him just as he do me, and so I perceive it is not
anything extraordinary his carriage to me in the matter of our houses,
for this is worse than anything he has done to me, that he should give
order for the stopping up of his way to his house without so much as advising
with him or letting of him know it, and I confess that it is very highly
and basely done of him. So to my office again, and after doing business
there, then home to supper and to bed.
5th. Up and with my painters
painting my dining room all day long till night, not stirring out at all.
Only in the morning my. Lady Batten did send to speak with me, and told
me very civilly that she did not desire, nor hoped I did, that anything
should pass between us but what was civill, though there was not the neighbourliness
between her and my wife that was fit to be, and so complained of my maid's
mocking of her; when she called "Nan" to her maid within her
own house, my maid Jane in the garden overheard her, and mocked her, and
some other such like things she told me, and of my wife's speaking unhandsomely
of her; to all which I did give her a very respectfull answer, such as
did please her, and am sorry indeed that this should be, though I do not
desire there should be any acquaintance between my wife and her. But I
promised to avoid such words and passages for the future. So home, and
by and by Sir W. Pen did send for me to his bedside; and tell me how really
Sir J. Minnes did resolve to have one of my rooms, and that he was very
angry and hot, and said he would speak to the Duke. To which, knowing
that all this was but to scare me, and to get him to put off his resolution
of making up the entry, I did tell him plainly how I did not value his
anger more, than he did mine, and that I should be willing to do what
the Duke commanded, and I was sure to have justice of him, and that was
all I did say to him about it, though I was much vexed, and after a little
stay went home; and there telling my wife she did put me into heart, and
resolve to offer him to change lodgings, and believe that that will one
way or other bring us to some end in this dispute. At night I called up
my maids, and schooled Jane, who did answer me so humbly and drolly about
it, that though I seemed angry, I was much pleased with her and [my] wife
also. So at night to bed.
6th. At the office forenoon
and afternoon till late at night, very busy answering my Lord Treasurer's
letter, and my mind troubled till we come to some end with Sir J. Minnes
about our lodgings, and so home. And after some pleasant discourse and
supper to bed, and in my dream much troubled by being with Will. Swan,
a great fanatic, my old acquaintance, and, methought, taken and led up
with him for a plotter, all our discourse being at present about the late
plots.
7th. Up and being by appointment
called upon by Mr. Lee, he and I to the Tower, to make our third attempt
upon the cellar. And now privately the woman, Barkestead's great confident,
is brought, who do positively say that this is the place which he did
say the money was hid in, and where he and she did put up the L50,000
in butter firkins; and the very day that he went out of England did say
that neither he nor his would be the better for that money, and therefore
wishing that she and hers might. And so left us, and we full of hope did
resolve to dig all over the cellar, which by seven o'clock at night we
performed. At noon we sent for a dinner, and upon the head of a barrel
dined very merrily, and to work again. Between times, Mr. Lee, who had
been much in Spain, did tell me pretty stories of the customs and other
things, as I asked him, of the country, to my great content. But at last
we saw we were mistaken; and after digging the cellar quite through, and
removing the barrels from one side to the other, we were forced to pay
our porters, and give over our expectations, though I do believe there
must be money hid somewhere by him, or else he did delude this woman in
hopes to oblige her to further serving him, which I am apt to believe.
Thence by coach to White Hall, and at my Lord's lodgings did write a letter,
he not being within, to tell him how things went, and so away again, only
hearing that Mrs. Sarah is married, I did go up stairs again and joy her
and kiss her, she owning of it; and it seems it is to a cook. I am glad
she is disposed of, for she grows old, and is very painfull,-- [painstaking]--and
one I have reason to wish well for her old service to me. Then to my brother's,
where my wife, by my order, is tonight to stay a night or two while my
house is made clean, and thence home, where I am angry to see, instead
of the house made in part clean, all the pewter goods and other things
are brought up to scouring, which makes the house ten times worse, at
which I was very much displeased, but cannot help it. So to my office
to set down my journal, and so home and to bed.
8th. All the morning sitting
at the office, and after that dined alone at home, and so to the office
again till 9 o'clock, being loth to go home, the house is so dirty, and
my wife at my brother's. So home and to bed.
9th (Lord's day). Lay alone
a good while, my mind busy about pleading to-morrow to the Duke if there
shall be occasion for this chamber that I lie in against Sir J., Minnes.
Then up, and after being ready walked to my brother's, where my wife is,
calling at many churches, and then to the Temple, hearing a bit there
too, and observing that in the streets and churches the Sunday is kept
in appearance as well as I have known it at any time. Then to dinner to
my brother's, only he and my wife, and after dinner to see Mr. Moore,
who is pretty well, and he and I to St. Gregory's, where I escaped a great
fall down the staires of the gallery: so into a pew there and heard Dr.
Ball make a very good sermon, though short of what I expected, as for
the most part it do fall out. So home with Mr. Moore to his chamber, and
after a little talk I walked home to my house and staid at Sir W. Batten's.
Till late at night with him and Sir J. Minnes, with whom we did abundance
of most excellent discourse of former passages of sea commanders and officers
of the navy, and so home and to bed, with my mind well at ease but only
as to my chamber, which I fear to lose.
10th. Up betimes and to
set my workmen to work, and then a little to the office, and so with Sir
J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, and myself by coach to White Hall, to the Duke,
who, after he was ready, did take us into his closett. Thither come my
Lord General Monk, and did privately talk with the Duke about having the
life-guards pass through the City today only for show and to fright people,
for I perceive there are great fears abroad; for all which I am troubled
and full of doubt that things will not go well. He being gone, we fell
to business of the Navy. Among other things, how to pay off this fleet
that is now come from Portugall; the King of Portugall sending them home,
he having no more use for them, which we wonder at, that his condition
should be so soon altered. And our landmen also are coming back, being
almost starved in that poor country. Having done here I went by my Lord
Sandwich's, who was not at home, and so to Westminster Hall, where full
of term, and here met with many about business, among others my cozen
Roger Pepys, who is all for a composition with my uncle Thomas, which
upon any fair terms I am for also and desire it. Thence by water, and
so by land to my Lord Crew's, and dined with him and his brother, I know
not his name; where very good discourse; among others, of France's intention
to make a patriarch of his own, independent from the Pope, by which he
will be able to cope with the Spaniard in all councils, which hitherto
he has never done. My Lord Crew told us how he heard my Lord of Holland
say that, being Embassador about the match with the Queene-Mother that
now is, the King of France--[Louis XIII., in 1624.]--insisted
upon a dispensation from the Pope, which my Lord Holland making a question
of, and that he was commanded to yield to nothing to the prejudice of
our religion, says the King of France, "You need not fear that, for
if the Pope will not dispense with the match, my Bishopp of Paris shall."
By and by come in great Mr. Swinfen, the Parliament-man, who, among other
discourse of the rise and fall of familys, told us of Bishopp Bridgeman
(brother of Sir Orlando) who lately hath bought a seat anciently of the
Levers, and then the Ashtons; and so he hath in his great hall window
(having repaired and beautified the house) caused four great places to
be left for coates of armes. In one, he hath put the Levers, with this
motto, "Olim." In another the Ashtons, with this, "Heri."
In the next his own, with this, "Hodie." In the fourth nothing
but this motto, "Cras nescio cujus." Thence towards my brother's;
met with Jack Cole in Fleet Street, and he and I went into his cozen Mary
Cole's (whom I never saw since she was married), and drank a pint of wine
and much good discourse. I found him a little conceited, but he had good
things in him, and a man may know the temper of the City by him, he being
of a general conversation, and can tell how matters go; and upon that
score I will encourage his acquaintance. Thence to my brother's, and taking
my wife up, carried her to Charing Cross, and there showed her the Italian
motion, much after the nature of what I showed her a while since in Covent
Garden. Their puppets here are somewhat better, but their motions not
at all. Thence by coach to my Lady's, and, hiding my wife with Sarah below,
I went up and heard some musique with my Lord, and afterwards discoursed
with him alone, and so good night to him and below, having sent for Mr.
Creed, had thought to have shown my wife a play before the King, but it
is so late that we could not, and so we took coach, and taking up Sarah
at my brother's with their night geare we went home, and I to my office
to settle matters, and so home and to bed. This morning in the Duke's
chamber Sir J. Minnes did break to me his desire about my chamber, which
I did put off to another time to discourse of, he speaking to me very
kindly to make me the less trouble myself, hoping to save myself and to
contrive something or other to pleasure him as well, though I know not
well what. The town, I hear, is full of discontents, and all know of the
King's new bastard by Mrs. Haslerigge, and as far as I can hear will never
be contented with Episcopacy, they are so cruelly set for Presbytery,
and the Bishopps carry themselves so high, that they are never likely
to gain anything upon them.
11th. All the morning sitting
at the office, and then to dinner with my wife, and so to the office again
(where a good while Mr. Bland was with me, telling me very fine things
in merchandize, which, but that the trouble of my office do so cruelly
hinder me, I would take some pains in) till late at night. Towards the
evening I, as I have done for three or four nights, studying something
of Arithmetique, which do please me well to see myself come forward. So
home, to supper, and to bed.
12th. At my office most
of the morning, after I had done among my painters, and sent away Mr.
Shaw and Hawly, who came to give me a visit this morning. Shaw it seems
is newly re-married to a rich widow. At noon dined at home with my wife,
and by and by, by my wife's appointment came two young ladies, sisters,
acquaintances of my wife's brother's, who are desirous to wait upon some
ladies, and proffer their service to my wife. The youngest, indeed, hath
a good voice, and sings very well, besides other good qualitys; but I
fear hath been bred up with too great liberty for my family, and I fear
greater inconveniences of expenses, and my wife's liberty will follow,
which I must study to avoid till I have a better purse; though, I confess,
the gentlewoman, being pretty handsome, and singing, makes me have a good
mind to her. Anon I took them by coach and carried them to a friend's
of theirs, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and there I left them and I to the
Temple by appointment to my cousin Roger's chamber, where my uncle Thomas
and his son Thomas met us, I having hoped that they would have agreed
with me to have had [it] ended by my cozen Roger, but they will have two
strangers to be for them against two others of mine, and so we parted
without doing any thing till the two send me the names of their arbiters.
Thence I walked home, calling a little in Paul's Churchyard, and, I thank
God, can read and never buy a book, though I have a great mind to it.
So to the Dolphin Tavern near home, by appointment, and there met with
Wade and Evett, and have resolved to make a new attempt upon another discovery,
in which God give us better fortune than in the other, but I have great
confidence that there is no cheat in these people, but that they go upon
good grounds, though they have been mistaken in the place of the first.
From thence, without drinking a drop of wine, home to my office and there
made an end, though late, of my collection of the prices of masts for
these twelve years to this day, in order to the buying of some of Wood,
and I bound it up in painted paper to lie by as a book for future use.
So home and to supper and to bed, and a little before and after we were
in bed we had much talk and difference between us about my wife's having
a woman, which I seemed much angry at, that she should go so far in it
without consideration and my being consulted with. So to bed.
13th. Up and began our
discontent again and sorely angered my wife, who indeed do live very lonely,
but I do perceive that it is want of work that do make her and all other
people think of ways of spending their time worse, and this I owe to my
building, that do not admit of her undertaking any thing of work, because
the house has been and is still so dirty. I to my office, and there sat
all the morning and dined with discontent with my wife at noon, and so
to my office, and there this afternoon we had our first meeting upon our
commission of inspecting the Chest, and there met Sir J. Minnes, Sir Francis
Clerke, Mr. Heath, Atturney of the Dutchy, Mr. Prinn, Sir W. Rider, Captn.
Cocke, and myself. Our first work to read over the Institution, which
is a decree in Chancery in the year 1617, upon an inquisition made at
Rochester about that time into the revenues of the Chest, which had then,
from the year 1588 or 1590, by the advice of the Lord High Admiral and
principal officers then being, by consent of the seamen, been settled,
paying sixpence per month, according to their wages then, which was then
but 10s. which is now 24s. We adjourned to a fortnight hence. So broke
up, and I to see Sir W. Pen, who is now pretty well, but lies in bed still;
he cannot rise to stand. Then to my office late, and this afternoon my
wife in her discontent sent me a letter, which I am in a quandary what
to do, whether to read it or not, but I purpose not, but to burn it before
her face, that I may put a stop to more of this nature. But I must think
of some way, either to find her some body to keep her company, or to set
her to work, and by employment to take up her thoughts and time. After
doing what I had to do I went home to supper, and there was very sullen
to my wife, and so went to bed and to sleep (though with much ado, my
mind being troubled) without speaking one word to her.
14th. She begun to talk
in the morning and to be friends, believing all this while that. I had
read her letter, which I perceive by her discourse was full of good counsel,
and relating the reason of her desiring a woman, and how little charge
she did intend it to be to me, so I begun and argued it as full and plain
to her, and she to reason it highly to me, to put her away, and take one
of the Bowyers if I did dislike her, that I did resolve when the house
is ready she shall try her for a while; the truth is, I having a mind
to have her come for her musique and dancing. So up and about my papers
all the morning, and her brother coming I did tell him my mind plain,
who did assure me that they were both of the sisters very humble and very
poor, and that she that we are to have would carry herself so. So I was
well contented and spent part of the morning at my office, and so home
and to dinner, and after dinner, finding Sarah to be discontented at the
news of this woman, I did begin in my wife's chamber to talk to her and
tell her that it was not out of unkindness to her, but my wife came up,
and I perceive she is not too reconciled to her whatever the matter is,
that I perceive I shall not be able to keep her, though she is as good
a servant (only a little pettish) that ever I desire to have, and a creditable
servant. So she desired leave to go out to look [for] a service, and did,
for which I am troubled, and fell out highly afterwards with my wife about
it. So to my office, where we met this afternoon about answering a great
letter of my Lord Treasurer's, and that done to my office drawing up a
letter to him, and so home to supper.
15th. All the morning at
the office sitting, dined with my wife pleasantly at home, then among
my painters, and by and by went to my Civil Lawyers about my uncle's suit,
and so home again and saw my painters make an end of my house this night,
which is my great joy, and so to my office and did business till ten at
night, and so home and to supper, and after reading part of Bussy d'Ambois,
a good play I bought to-day, to bed.
16th (Lord's day). About
3 o'clock in the morning waked with a rude noise among Sir J. Minnes his
servants (he not being yet come to his lodgings), who are the rudest people
but they that lived before, one Mrs. Davis, that ever I knew in my life.
To sleep again, and after long talking pleasantly with my wife, up and
to church, where Mrs. Goodyer, now Mrs. Buckworth, was churched. I love
the woman for her gravity above any in the parish. So home and to dinner
with my wife with great content, and after dinner walked up and down my
house, which is now almost finished, there being nothing to do but the
glazier and furniture to put up. By and by comes Tom, and after a little
talk I with him towards his end, but seeing many strangers and coaches
coming to our church, and finding that it was a sermon to be preached
by a probationer for the Turkey Company, to be sent to Smyrna, I returned
thither. And several Turkey merchants filled all the best pews (and some
in ours) in the Church, but a most pitiful sermon it was upon a text in
Zachariah, and a great time he spent to show whose son Zachary was, and
to prove Malachi to be the last prophet before John the Baptist. Home
and to see Sir W. Pen, who gets strength, but still keeps his bed. Then
home and to my office to do some business there, and so home to supper
and to bed.
17th. To the Duke's to-day,
but he is gone a-hunting, and therefore I to my Lord Sandwich's, and having
spoke a little with him about his businesses, I to Westminster Hall and
there staid long doing many businesses, and so home by the Temple and
other places doing the like, and at home I found my wife dressing by appointment
by her woman--[Mrs. Gosnell.]--that I think
is to be, and her other sister being here to-day with her and my wife's
brother, I took Mr. Creed, that came to dine, to an ordinary behind the
Change, and there dined together, and after dinner home and there spent
an hour or two till almost dark, talking with my wife, and making Mrs.
Gosnell sing; and then, there being no coach to be got, by water to White
Hall; but Gosnell not being willing to go through bridge, we were forced
to land and take water, again, and put her and her sister ashore at the
Temple. I am mightily pleased with her humour and singing. At White Hall
by appointment, Mr. Creed carried my wife and I to the Cockpitt, and we
had excellent places, and saw the King, Queen, Duke of Monmouth, his son,
and my Lady Castlemaine, and all the fine ladies; and "The Scornfull
Lady," well performed. They had done by eleven o'clock, and it being
fine moonshine, we took coach and home, but could wake nobody at my house,
and so were fain to have my boy get through one of the windows, and so
opened the door and called up the maids, and went to supper and to bed,
my mind being troubled at what my wife tells me, that her woman will not
come till she hears from her mother, for I am so fond of her that I am
loth now not to have her, though I know it will be a great charge to me
which I ought to avoid, and so will make it up in other things. So to
bed.
18th. Up and to the office,
where Mr. Phillip the lawyer came to me, but I put him off to the afternoon.
At noon I dined at Sir W. Batten's, Sir John Minnes being here, and he
and I very kind, but I every day expect to pull a crow with him about
our lodgings. My mind troubled about Gosnell and my law businesses. So
after dinner to Mr. Phillips his chamber, where he demands an abatement
for Piggott's money, which vexes me also, but I will not give it him without
my father's consent, which I will write to him to-night about, and have
done it. Here meeting my uncle Thomas, he and I to my cozen Roger's chamber,
and there I did give my uncle him and Mr. Philips to be my two arbiters
against Mr. Cole and Punt, but I expect no great good of the matter. Thence
walked home, and my wife came home, having been abroad to-day, laying
out above L12 in linen, and a copper, and a pot, and bedstead, and other
household stuff, which troubles me also, so that my mind to-night is very
heavy and divided. Late at my office, drawing up a letter to my Lord Treasurer,
which we have been long about, and so home, and, my mind troubled, to
bed.
20th. All the morning sitting
at the office, at noon with Mr. Coventry to the Temple to advise about
Field's, but our lawyers not being in the way we went to St. James's,
and there at his chamber dined, and I am still in love more and more with
him for his real worth. I broke to him my desire for my wife's brother
to send him to sea as a midshipman, which he is willing to agree to, and
will do it when I desire it. After dinner to the Temple, to Mr. Thurland;
and thence to my Lord Chief Baron, Sir Edward Hale's, and back with Mr.
Thurland to his chamber, where he told us that Field will have the better
of us; and that we must study to make up the business as well as we can,
which do much vex and trouble us: but I am glad the Duke is concerned
in it. Thence by coach homewards, calling at a tavern in the way (being
guided by the messenger in whose custody Field lies), and spoke with Mr.
Smith our messenger about the business, and so home, where I found that
my wife had finished very neatly my study with the former hangings of
the diningroom, which will upon occasion serve for a fine withdrawing
room. So a little to my office and so home, and spent the evening upon
my house, and so to supper and to bed.
21st. Within all day long,
helping to put up my hangings in my house in my wife's chamber, to my
great content. In the afternoon I went to speak to Sir J. Minnes at his
lodgings, where I found many great ladies, and his lodgings made very
fine indeed. At night to supper and to bed: this night having first put
up a spitting sheet,--[?? D.W.] which I find
very convenient. This day come the King's pleasure-boats from Calais,
with the Dunkirk money, being 400,000 pistolles.
22nd. This morning, from
some difference between my wife and Sarah, her maid, my wife and I fell
out cruelly, to my great discontent. But I do see her set so against the
wench, whom I take to be a most extraordinary good servant, that I was
forced for the wench's sake to bid her get her another place, which shall
cost some trouble to my wife, however, before I suffer to be. Thence to
the office, where I sat all the morning, then dined; Mr. Moore with me,
at home, my wife busy putting her furniture in order. Then he and I out,
and he home and I to my cozen Roger Pepys to advise about treating with
my uncle Thomas, and thence called at the Wardrobe on Mr. Moore again,
and so home, and after doing much business at my office I went home and
caused a new fashion knocker to be put on my door, and did other things
to the putting my house in order, and getting my outward door painted,
and the arch. This day I bought the book of country dances against my
wife's woman Gosnell comes, who dances finely; and there meeting Mr. Playford
he did give me his Latin songs of Mr. Deering's, which he lately printed.
This day Mr. Moore told me that for certain the Queen-Mother is married
to my Lord St. Albans, and he is like to be made Lord Treasurer. Newes
that Sir J. Lawson hath made up a peace now with Tunis and Tripoli, as
well as Argiers, by which he will come home very highly honoured.
23rd (Lord's day). Up,
after some talk with my wife, soberly, upon yesterday's difference, and
made good friends, and to church to hear Mr. Mills, and so home, and Mr.
Moore and my brother Tom dined with me. My wife not being well to-day
did not rise. In the afternoon to church again, and heard drowsy Mr. Graves,
and so to see Sir W. Pen, who continues ill in bed, but grows better and
better every day. Thence to Sir W. Batten's, and there staid awhile and
heard how Sir R. Ford's daughter is married to a fellow without friends'
consent, and the match carried on and made up at Will Griffin's, our doorkeeper's.
So to my office and did a little business, and so home and to bed. I talked
to my brother to-day, who desires me to give him leave to look after his
mistress still; and he will not have me put to any trouble or obligation
in it, which I did give him leave to do. I hear to-day how old rich Audley
is lately dead, and left a very great estate, and made a great many poor
familys rich, not all to one. Among others, one Davis, my old schoolfellow
at Paul's, and since a bookseller in Paul's Church Yard: and it seems
do forgive one man L60,000 which he had wronged him of, but names not
his name; but it is well known to be the scrivener in Fleet Street, at
whose house he lodged. There is also this week dead a poulterer, in Gracious
Street, which was thought rich, but not so rich, that hath left L800 per
annum, taken in other men's names, and 40,000 Jacobs in gold.
24th. Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, and I,
going forth toward White Hall, we hear that the King and Duke are come
this morning to the Tower to see the Dunkirk money! So we by coach to
them, and there went up and down all the magazines with them; but methought
it was but poor discourse and frothy that the King's companions (young
Killigrew among the rest) about the codpieces of some of the men in armour
there to be seen, had with him. We saw none of the money, but Mr. Slingsby
did show the King, and I did see, the stamps of the new money that is
now to be made by Blondeau's fashion, [Peter Blondeau
was employed by the Commonwealth to coin their money.] which are
very neat, and like the King. Thence the King to Woolwich, though a very
cold day; and the Duke to White Hall, commanding us to come after him,
which we did by coach; and in his closett, my Lord Sandwich being there,
did discourse with us about getting some of this money to pay off the
Fleets, and other matters; and then away hence, and, it being almost dinner
time, I to my Lord Crew's, and dined with him, and had very good discourse,
and he seemed to be much pleased with my visits. Thence to Mr. Phillips,
and so to the Temple, where met my cozen Roger Pepys and his brother,
Dr. John, as my arbitrators against Mr. Cole and Mr. John Bernard for
my uncle Thomas, and we two with them by appointment. They began very
high in their demands, and my friends, partly being not so well acquainted
with the will, and partly, I doubt, not being so good wits as they, for
which I blame my choosing of relations (who besides that are equally engaged
to stand for them as me), I was much troubled thereat, and taking occasion
to deny without my father's consent to bind myself in a bond of L2000
to stand to their award, I broke off the business for the present till
I hear and consider further, and so thence by coach (my cozen, Thomas
Pepys, being in another chamber busy all the while, going along with me)
homeward, and I set him down by the way; but, Lord! how he did endeavour
to find out a ninepence to clubb with me for the coach, and for want was
forced to give me a shilling, and how he still cries "Gad!"
and talks of Popery coming in, as all the Fanatiques do, of which I was
ashamed. So home, finding my poor wife very busy putting things in order,
and so to bed, my mind being very much troubled, and could hardly sleep
all night, thinking how things are like to go with us about Brampton,
and blaming myself for living so high as I do when for ought I know my
father and mother may come to live upon my hands when all is done.
25th. Up and to the office
all the morning, and at noon with the rest, by Mr. Holy, the ironmonger's
invitation, to the Dolphin, to a venison pasty, very good, and rare at
this time of the year, and thence by coach with Mr. Coventry as far as
the Temple, and thence to Greatorex's, where I staid and talked with him,
and got him to mend my pocket ruler for me, and so by coach to my Lord's
lodging, where I sat with Mr. Moore by appointment, making up accounts
for my Lord Sandwich, which done he and I and Capt. Ferrers and W. Howe
very merry a good while in the great dining room, and so it being late
and my Lord not coming in, I by coach to the Temple, and thence walked
home, and so to my study to do some business, and then home and to bed.
Great talk among people how some of the Fanatiques do say that the end
of the world is at hand, and that next Tuesday is to be the day. Against
which, whenever it shall be, good God fit us all.
26th. In the morning to
the Temple to my cozen Roger, who now desires that I would excuse him
from arbitrating, he not being able to stand for me as he would do, without
appearing too high against my uncle Thomas, which will raise his clamour.
With this I am very well pleased, for I did desire it, and so I shall
choose other counsel. Thence home, he being busy that I could not speak
more with him. All day long till twelve o'clock at night getting my house
in order, my wife putting up the red hangings and bed in her woman's chamber,
and I my books and all other matters in my chamber and study, which is
now very pretty. So to bed.
27th. At my waking, I found
the tops of the houses covered with snow, which is a rare sight, that
I have not seen these three years. Up, and put my people to perfect the
cleaning of my house, and so to the office, where we sat till noon; and
then we all went to the next house upon Tower Hill, to see the coming
by of the Russia Embassador; for whose reception all the City trained-bands
do attend in the streets, and the King's life- guards, and most of the
wealthy citizens in their black velvet coats, and gold chains (which remain
of their gallantry at the King's coming in), but they staid so long that
we went down again home to dinner. And after I had dined, I heard they
were coming, and so I walked to the Conduit in the Quarrefowr, at the
end of Gracious-street and Cornhill; and there (the spouts thereof running
very near me upon all the people that were under it) I saw them pretty
well go by. I could not see the Embassador in his coach; but his attendants
in their habits and fur caps very handsome, comely men, and most of them
with hawkes upon their fists to present to the King. But Lord! to see
the absurd nature of Englishmen, that cannot forbear laughing and jeering
at every thing that looks strange. So back and to the office, and there
we met and sat till seven o'clock, making a bargain with Mr. Wood for
his masts of New England; and then in Mr. Coventry's coach to the Temple,
but my cozen Roger Pepys not being at leisure to speak to me about my
business, I presently walked home, and to my office till very late doing
business, and so home, where I found my house more and more clear and
in order, and hope in a day or two now to be in very good condition there
and to my full content. Which God grant! So to supper and to bed.
28th. A very hard frost;
which is news to us after having none almost these three years. Up and
to Ironmongers' Hall by ten o'clock to the funeral of Sir Richard Stayner.
Here we were, all the officers of the Navy, and my Lord Sandwich, who
did discourse with us about the fishery, telling us of his Majesty's resolution
to give L200 to every man that will set out a Busse; [A
small sea-vessel used in the Dutch herring-fishery.] and advising
about the effects of this encouragement, which will be a very great matter
certainly. Here we had good rings, and by and by were to take coach; and
I being got in with Mr. Creed into a four-horse coach, which they come
and told us were only for the mourners, I went out, and so took this occasion
to go home. Where I staid all day expecting Gosnell's coming, but there
came an excuse from her that she had not heard yet from her mother, but
that she will come next week, which I wish she may, since I must keep
one that I may have some pleasure therein. So to my office till late writing
out a copy of my uncle's will, and so home and to bed.
29th. Before I went to
the office my wife's brother did come to us, and we did instruct him to
go to Gosnell's and to see what the true matter is of her not coming,
and whether she do intend to come or no, and so I to the office; and this
morning come Sir G. Carteret to us (being the first time we have seen
him since his coming from France): he tells us, that the silver which
he received for Dunkirk did weigh 120,000 weight. Here all the morning
upon business, and at noon (not going home to dinner, though word was
brought me that Will. Joyce was there, whom I had not seen at my house
nor any where else these three or four months) with Mr. Coventry by his
coach as far as Fleet Street, and there stepped into Madam Turner's, where
was told I should find my cozen Roger Pepys, and with him to the Temple,
but not having time to do anything I went towards my Lord Sandwich's.
(In my way went into Captn. Cuttance's coach, and with him to my Lord's.)
But the company not being ready I did slip down to Wilkinson's, and having
not eat any thing to-day did eat a mutton pie and drank, and so to my
Lord's, where my Lord and Mr. Coventry, Sir Wm. Darcy, one Mr. Parham
(a very knowing and well-spoken man in this business), with several others,
did meet about stating the business of the fishery, and the manner of
the King's giving of this L200 to every man that shall set out a new-made
English Busse by the middle of June next. In which business we had many
fine pretty discourses; and I did here see the great pleasure to be had
in discoursing of publique matters with men that are particularly acquainted
with this or that business. Having come to some issue, wherein a motion
of mine was well received, about sending these invitations from the King
to all the fishing-ports in general, with limiting so many Busses to this,
and that port, before we know the readiness of subscribers, we parted,
and I walked home all the way, and having wrote a letter full of business
to my father, in my way calling upon my cozen Turner and Mr. Calthrop
at the Temple, for their consent to be my arbitrators, which they are
willing to. My wife and I to bed pretty pleasant, for that her brother
brings word that Gosnell, which my wife and I in discourse do pleasantly
call our Marmotte, will certainly come next week without fail, which God
grant may be for the best.
30th (Lord's day). To church
in the morning, and Mr. Mills made a pretty good sermon. It is a bitter
cold frost to-day. Dined alone with my wife to-day with great content,
my house being quite clean from top to bottom. In the afternoon I to the
French church here in the city, and stood in the aisle all the sermon,
with great delight hearing a very admirable sermon, from a very young
man, upon the article in our creed, in order of catechism, upon the Resurrection.
Thence home, and to visit Sir W. Pen, who continues still bed-rid. Here
was Sir W. Batten and his Lady, and Mrs. Turner, and I very merry, talking
of the confidence of Sir R. Ford's new-married daughter, though she married
so strangely lately, yet appears at church as brisk as can be, and takes
place of her elder sister, a maid. Thence home and to supper, and then,
cold as it is, to my office, to make up my monthly accounts, and I do
find that, through the fitting of my house this month, I have spent in
that and kitchen L50 this month; so that now I am worth but L660, or thereabouts.
This being done and fitted myself for the Duke to-morrow, I went home,
and to prayers and to bed. This day I first did wear a muffe, being my
wife's last year's muffe, [The fashion of men wearing
muffs appears to have been introduced from France in this reign.]
and now I have bought her a new one, this serves me very well. Thus ends
this month; in great frost; myself and family all well, but my mind much
disordered about my uncle's law business, being now in an order of being
arbitrated between us, which I wish to God it were done. I am also somewhat
uncertain what to think of my going about to take a woman- servant into
my house, in the quality of a woman for my wife. My wife promises it shall
cost me nothing but her meat and wages, and that it shall not be attended
with any other expenses, upon which termes I admit of it; for that it
will, I hope, save me money in having my wife go abroad on visits and
other delights; so that I hope the best, but am resolved to alter it,
if matters prove otherwise than I would have them. Publique matters in
an ill condition of discontent against the height and vanity of the Court,
and their bad payments: but that which troubles most, is the Clergy, which
will never content the City, which is not to be reconciled to Bishopps:
the more the pity that differences must still be. Dunkirk newly sold,
and the money brought over; of which we hope to get some to pay the Navy:
which by Sir J. Lawson's having dispatched the business in the Straights,
by making peace with Argier,--[The ancient name for
Algiers.]--Tunis, and Tripoli (and so his fleet will also shortly
come home), will now every day grow less, and so the King's charge be
abated; which God send!
December
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