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April
1st.
Up, and to dress myself, and call as I use Deb. to brush and dress me
. . . , and I to my office, where busy till noon, and then out to bespeak
some things against my wife's going into the country to-morrow, and so
home to dinner, my wife and I alone, she being mighty busy getting her
things ready for her journey, I all the afternoon with her looking after
things on the same account, and then in the afternoon out and all alone
to the King's house, and there sat in an upper box, to hide myself, and
saw "The Black Prince," a very good play; but only the fancy,
most of it, the same as in the rest of my Lord Orrery's plays; but the
dance very stately; but it was pretty to see how coming after dinner and
with no company with me to talk to, and at a play that I had seen, and
went to now not for curiosity but only idleness, I did fall asleep the
former part of the play, but afterward did mind it and like it very well.
Thence called at my bookseller's, and took Mr. Boyle's Book of Formes,
newly reprinted, and sent my brother my old one. So home, and there to
my chamber till anon comes Mr. Turner and his wife and daughter, and Pelting,
to sup with us and talk of my wife's journey to-morrow, her daughter going
with my wife; and after supper to talk with her husband about the Office,
and his place, which, by Sir J. Minnes's age and inability, is very uncomfortable
to him, as well as without profit, or certainty what he shall do, when
Sir J. Minnes dies, which is a sad condition for a man that hath lived
so long in the Office as Mr. Turner hath done. But he aymes, and I advise
him to it, to look for Mr. Ackworth's place, in case he should be removed.
His wife afterwards did take me into my closet, and give me a cellar
[A box to hold bottles. "Run for the cellar
of strong waters quickly" --Ben Jonson, Magnetic Lady, act iii.,
sc. r.]
of waters of her own distilling for my father, to be carried down with
my wife and her daughter to-morrow, which was very handsome. So broke
up and to bed.
2nd. Up, after much pleasant
talk with my wife, and upon some alterations I will make in my house in
her absence, and I do intend to lay out some money thereon. So she and
I up, and she got her ready to be gone, and by and by comes Betty Turner
and her mother, and W. Batelier, and they and Deb., to whom I did give
10s. this morning, to oblige her to please her mistress (and ego did baiser
her mouche), and also Jane, and so in two coaches set out about eight
o'clock towards the carrier, there for to take coach for my father's,
that is to say, my wife and Betty Turner, Deb., and Jane; but I meeting
my Lord Anglesey going to the Office, was forced to 'light in Cheapside,
and there took my leave of them (not baisado Deb., which je had a great
mind to), left them to go to their coach, and I to the office, where all
the morning busy, and so at noon with my other clerks (W. Hewer being
a day's journey with my wife) to dinner, where Mr. Pierce come and dined
with me, and then with Lord Brouncker (carrying his little kinswoman on
my knee, his coach being full), to the Temple, where my Lord and I 'light
and to Mr. Porter's chamber, where Cocke and his counsel, and so to the
attorney's, whither the Sollicitor-Generall come, and there, their cause
about their assignments on the LI,250,000 Act was argued, where all that
was to be said for them was said, and so answered by the Sollicitor-Generall
beyond what I expected, that I said not one word all my time, rather choosing
to hold my tongue, and so mind my reputation with the Sollicitor-Generall,
who did mightily approve of my speech in Parliament, than say anything
against him to no purpose. This I believe did trouble Cocke and these
gentlemen, but I do think this best for me, and so I do think that the
business will go against them, though it is against my judgment, and I
am sure against all justice to the men to be invited to part with their
goods and be deceived afterward of their security for payment. Thence
with Lord Brouncker to the Royall Society, where they were just done;
but there I was forced to subscribe to the building of a College, and
did give L40; and several others did subscribe, some greater and some
less sums; but several I saw hang off: and I doubt it will spoil the Society,
for it breeds faction and ill-will, and becomes burdensome to some that
cannot, or would not, do it. Here, to my great content, I did try the
use of the Otacousticon,--[Ear trumpet.]--which
was only a great glass bottle broke at the bottom, putting the neck to
my eare, and there I did plainly hear the dashing of the oares of the
boats in the Thames to Arundell gallery window, which, without it, I could
not in the least do, and may, I believe, be improved to a great height,
which I am mighty glad of. Thence with Lord Brouncker and several of them
to the King's Head Taverne by Chancery Lane, and there did drink and eat
and talk, and, above the rest, I did hear of Mr. Hooke and my Lord an
account of the reason of concords and discords in musique, which they
say is from the equality of vibrations; but I am not satisfied in it,
but will at my leisure think of it more, and see how far that do go to
explain it. So late at night home with Mr. Colwell, and parted, and I
to the office, and then to Sir W. Pen to confer with him, and Sir R. Ford
and Young, about our St. John Baptist prize, and so home, without more
supper to bed, my family being now little by the departure of my wife
and two maids.
3rd. Up, and Captain Perryman
come to me to tell me how Tatnell told him that this day one How is to
charge me before the Commissioners of Prizes to the value of L8000 in
prizes, which I was troubled to hear, so fearful I am, though I know that
there is not a penny to be laid to my charge that I dare not own, or that
I have not owned under my hand, but upon recollection it signifies nothing
to me, and so I value it not, being sure that I can have nothing in the
world to my hurt known from the business. So to the office, where all
the morning to despatch business, and so home to dinner with my clerks,
whose company is of great pleasure to me for their good discourse in any
thing of the navy I have a mind to talk of. After dinner by water from
the Tower to White Hall, there to attend the Duke of York as usual, and
particularly in a fresh complaint the Commissioners of the Treasury do
make to him, and by and by to the Council this day of our having prepared
certificates on the Exchequer to the further sum of near L50,000, and
soon as we had done with the Duke of York we did attend the Council; and
were there called in, and did hear Mr. Sollicitor [General] make his Report
to the Council in the business; which he did in a most excellent manner
of words, but most cruelly severe against us, and so were some of the
Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, as men guilty of a practice with
the tradesmen, to the King's prejudice. I was unwilling to enter into
a contest with them; but took advantage of two or three words last spoke,
and brought it to a short issue in good words, that if we had the King's
order to hold our hands, we would, which did end the matter: and they
all resolved we should have it, and so it ended: and so we away; I vexed
that I did not speak more in a cause so fit to be spoke in, and wherein
we had so much advantage; but perhaps I might have provoked the Sollicitor
and the Commissioners of the Treasury, and therefore, since, I am not
sorry that I forbore. Thence my Lord Brouncker and I to the Duke of York's
playhouse, and there saw the latter part of "The Master and the Man,"
and thence by coach to Duck Lane, to look out for Marsanne, in French,
a man that has wrote well of musique, but it is not to be had, but I have
given order for its being sent for over, and I did here buy Des Cartes
his little treatise of musique, and so home, and there to read a little,
and eat a little, though I find that my having so little taste do make
me so far neglect eating that, unless company invite, I do not love to
spend time upon eating, and so bring emptiness and the Cholique. So to
bed. This day I hear that Prince Rupert and Holmes do go to sea: and by
this there is a seeming friendship and peace among our great seamen; but
the devil a bit is there any love among them, or can be.
4th. Up betimes, and by
coach towards White Hall, and took Aldgate Street in my way, and there
called upon one Hayward, that makes virginalls, and did there like of
a little espinette, and will have him finish it for me; for I had a mind
to a small harpsichon, but this takes up less room, and will do my business
as to finding out of chords, and I am very well pleased that I have found
it. Thence to White Hall, and after long waiting did get a small running
Committee of Tangier, where I staid but little, and little done but the
correcting two or three egregious faults in the Charter for Tangier after
it had so long lain before the Council and been passed there and drawn
up by the Atturney Generall, so slightly are all things in this age done.
Thence home to the office by water, where we sat till noon, and then I
moved we might go to the Duke of York and the King presently to get out
their order in writing that was ordered us yesterday about the business
of certificates, that we might be secure against the tradesmen who (Sir
John Banks by name) have told me this day that they will complain in Parliament
against us for denying to do them right. So we rose of a sudden, being
mighty sensible of this inconvenience we are liable to should we delay
to give them longer, and yet have no order for our indemnity. I did dine
with Sir W. Pen, where my Lady Batten did come with desire of meeting
me there, and speaking with me about the business of the L500 we demand
of her for the Chest. She do protest, before God, she never did see the
account, but that it was as her husband in his life-time made it, and
he did often declare to her his expecting L500, and that we could not
deny it him for his pains in that business, and that he hath left her
worth nothing of his own in the world, and that therefore she could pay
nothing of it, come what will come, but that he hath left her a beggar,
which I am sorry truly for, though it is a just judgment upon people that
do live so much beyond themselves in housekeeping and vanity, as they
did. I did give her little answer, but generally words that might not
trouble her, and so to dinner, and after dinner Sir W. Pen and I away
by water to White Hall, and there did attend the Duke of York, and he
did carry us to the King's lodgings: but he was asleep in his closet;
so we stayed in the Green-Roome, where the Duke of York did tell us what
rules he had, of knowing the weather, and did now tell us we should have
rain before to- morrow, it having been a dry season for some time, and
so it did rain all night almost; and pretty rules he hath, and told Brouncker
and me some of them, which were such as no reason seems ready to be given.
By and by the King comes out, and he did easily agree to what we moved,
and would have the Commissioners of the Navy to meet us with him to-morrow
morning: and then to talk of other things; about the Quakers not swearing,
and how they do swear in the business of a late election of a Knight of
the Shire of Hartfordshire in behalf of one they have a mind to have;
and how my Lord of Pembroke says he hath heard him (the Quaker) at the
tennis-court swear to himself when he loses: and told us what pretty notions
my Lord Pembroke hath of the first chapter of Genesis, how Adam's sin
was not the sucking (which he did before) but the swallowing of the apple,
by which the contrary elements begun to work in him, and to stir up these
passions, and a great deal of such fooleries, which the King made mighty
mockery at. Thence my Lord Brouncker and I into the Park in his coach,
and there took a great deal of ayre, saving that it was mighty dusty,
and so a little unpleasant. Thence to Common Garden with my Lord, and
there I took a hackney and home, and after having done a few letters at
the office, I home to a little supper and so to bed, my eyes being every
day more and more weak and apt to be tired.
5th (Lord's day). Up, and
to my chamber, and there to the writing fair some of my late musique notions,
and so to church, where I have not been a good while, and thence home,
and dined at home, with W. Hewer with me; and after dinner, he and I a
great deal of good talk touching this Office, how it is spoiled by having
so many persons in it, and so much work that is not made the work of any
one man, but of all, and so is never done; and that the best way to have
it well done, were to have the whole trust in one, as myself, to set whom
I pleased to work in the several businesses of the Office, and me to be
accountable for the whole, and that would do it, as I would find instruments:
but this is not to be compassed; but something I am resolved to do about
Sir J. Minnes before it be long. Then to my chamber again, to my musique,
and so to church; and then home, and thither comes Captain Silas Taylor
to me, the Storekeeper of Harwich, where much talk, and most of it against
Captain Deane, whom I do believe to be a high, proud fellow; but he is
an active man, and able in his way, and so I love him. He gone, I to my
musique again, and to read a little, and to sing with Mr. Pelling, who
come to see me, and so spent the evening, and then to supper and to bed.
I hear that eight of the ringleaders in the late tumults of the 'prentices
at Easter are condemned to die.
[Four were executed on May 9th, namely, Thomas Limmerick,
Edward Cotton, Peter Massenger, and Richard Beasley. They were drawn,
hanged, and quartered at Tyburn, and two of their heads fixed upon London
Bridge ("The London Gazette," No. 259). See "The Tryals
of such persons as under the notion of London Apprentices were tumultuously
assembled in Moore Fields, under colour of pulling down bawdy-houses,"
4to., London, 1668. "It is to be observed," says "The London
Gazette," "to the just vindication of the City, that none of
the persons apprehended upon the said tumult were found to be apprentices,
as was given out, but some idle persons, many of them nursed in the late
Rebellion, too readily embracing any opportunity of making their own advantages
to the disturbance of the peace, and injury of others."]
6th. Betimes I to Alderman
Backewell, and with him to my Lord Ashly's, where did a little business
about Tangier, and to talk about the business of certificates, wherein,
contrary to what could be believed, the King and Duke of York themselves,
in my absence, did call for some of the Commissioners of the Treasury,
and give them directions about the business [of the certificates], which
I, despairing to do any thing on a Sunday, and not thinking that they
would think of it themselves, did rest satisfied, and stayed at home all
yesterday, leaving it to do something in this day; but I find that the
King and Duke of York had been so pressing in it, that my Lord Ashly was
more forward with the doing of it this day, than I could have been. And
so I to White Hall with Alderman Backewell in his coach, with Mr. Blany;
my Lord's Secretary: and there did draw up a rough draught of what order
I would have, and did carry it in, and had it read twice and approved
of, before my Lord Ashly and three more of the Commissioners of the Treasury,
and then went up to the Council-chamber, where the Duke of York, and Prince
Rupert, and the rest of the Committee of the Navy were sitting: and I
did get some of them to read it there: and they would have had it passed
presently, but Sir John Nicholas desired they would first have it approved
by a full Council: and, therefore, a Council Extraordinary was readily
summoned against the afternoon, and the Duke of York run presently to
the King, as if now they were really set to mind their business, which
God grant! So I thence to Westminster, and walked in the Hall and up and
down, the House being called over to-day, and little news, but some talk
as if the agreement between France and Spain were like to be, which would
be bad for us, and at noon with Sir Herbert Price to Mr. George Montagu's
to dinner, being invited by him in the hall, and there mightily made of,
even to great trouble to me to be so commended before my face, with that
flattery and importunity, that I was quite troubled with it. Yet he is
a fine gentleman, truly, and his lady a fine woman; and, among many sons
that I saw there, there was a little daughter that is mighty pretty, of
which he is infinite fond: and, after dinner, did make her play on the
gittar and sing, which she did mighty prettily, and seems to have a mighty
musical soul, keeping time with most excellent spirit. Here I met with
Mr. Brownlow, my old schoolfellow, who come thither, I suppose, as a suitor
to one of the young ladies that were there, and a sober man he seems to
be. But here Mr. Montagu did tell me how Mr. Vaughan, in that very room,
did say that I was a great man, and had great understanding, and I know
not what, which, I confess, I was a little proud of, if I may believe
him. Here I do hear, as a great secret, that the King, and Duke of York
and Duchesse, and my Lady Castlemayne, are now all agreed in a strict
league, and all things like to go very current, and that it is not impossible
to have my Lord Clarendon, in time, here again. But I do hear that my
Lady Castlemayne is horribly vexed at the late libell,
["The Poor Whores' Petition to the most splendid,
illustrious, serene and eminent Lady of Pleasure the Countess of Castlemayne,
&c., signed by us, Madam Cresswell and Damaris Page, this present
25th day of March, 1668." This sham petition occasioned a pretended
answer, entitled, "The Gracious Answer of the Most Illustrious Lady
of Pleasure, the Countess of Castlem . . . . to the Poor Whores' Petition."
It is signed, "Given at our Closset, in King Street, Westminster,
die Veneris, April 24, 1668. Castlem . . . ." Compare Evelyn, April
2nd, 1668.]
the petition of the poor whores about the town, whose houses were pulled
down the other day. I have got one of them, but it is not very witty,
but devilish severe against her and the King and I wonder how it durst
be printed and spread abroad, which shews that the times are loose, and
come to a great disregard of the King, or Court, or Government. Thence
I to White Hall to attend the Council, and when the Council rose we find
my order mightily enlarged by the Sollicitor Generall, who was called
thither, making it more safe for him and the Council, but their order
is the same in the command of it that I drew, and will I think defend
us well. So thence, meeting Creed, he and I to the new Cocke-pitt by the
King's gate, and there saw the manner of it, and the mixed rabble of people
that come thither; and saw two battles of cocks, wherein is no great sport,
but only to consider how these creatures, without any provocation, do
fight and kill one another, and aim only at one another's heads, and by
their good will not leave till one of them be killed; and thence to the
Park in a hackney coach, so would not go into the tour, but round about
the Park, and to the House, and there at the door eat and drank; whither
come my Lady Kerneagy, of whom Creed tells me more particulars; how her
Lord, finding her and the Duke of York at the King's first coming in too
kind, did get it out of her that he did dishonour him, and so bid her
continue . . . , which is the most pernicious and full piece of revenge
that ever I heard of; and he at this day owns it with great glory, and
looks upon the Duke of York and the world with great content in the ampleness
of his revenge. Thence (where the place was now by the last night's rain
very pleasant, and no dust) to White Hall, and set Creed down, and I home
and to my chamber, and there about my musique notions again, wherein I
take delight and find great satisfaction in them, and so, after a little
supper, to bed. This day, in the afternoon, stepping with the Duke of
York into St. James's Park, it rained: and I was forced to lend the Duke
of York my cloak, which he wore through the Park.
7th. Up, and at the office
all the morning, where great hurry to be made in the fitting forth of
this present little fleet, but so many rubs by reason of want of money,
and people's not believing us in cases where we had money unless (which
in several cases, as in hiring of vessels, cannot be) they be paid beforehand,
that every thing goes backward instead of forward. At noon comes Mr. Clerke,
my solicitor, and the Auditor's men with my account drawn up in the Exchequer
way with their queries, which are neither many nor great, or hard to answer
upon it, and so dined with me, and then I by coach to the King's playhouse,
and there saw "The English Monsieur;"' sitting for privacy sake
in an upper box: the play hath much mirth in it as to that particular
humour. After the play done, I down to Knipp, and did stay her undressing
herself; and there saw the several players, men and women go by; and pretty
to see how strange they are all, one to another, after the play is done.
Here I saw a wonderful pretty maid of her own, that come to undress her,
and one so pretty that she says she intends not to keep her, for fear
of her being undone in her service, by coming to the playhouse. Here I
hear Sir W. Davenant is just now dead; and so who will succeed him in
the mastership of the house is not yet known. The eldest Davenport is,
it seems, gone from this house to be kept by somebody; which I am glad
of, she being a very bad actor. I took her then up into a coach and away
to the Park, which is now very fine after some rain, but the company was
going away most, and so I took her to the Lodge, and there treated her
and had a deal of good talk, and now and then did baiser la, and that
was all, and that as much or more than I had much mind to because of her
paint. She tells me mighty news, that my Lady Castlemayne is mightily
in love with Hart of their house: and he is much with her in private,
and she goes to him, and do give him many presents; and that the thing
is most certain, and Becke Marshall only privy to it, and the means of
bringing them together, which is a very odd thing; and by this means she
is even with the King's love to Mrs. Davis. This done, I carried her and
set her down at Mrs. Manuel's, but stayed not there myself, nor went in;
but straight home, and there to my letters, and so home to bed.
8th. Up, and at my office
all the morning, doing business, and then at noon home to dinner all alone.
Then to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes in his coach to attend the Duke
of York upon our usual business, which was this day but little, and thence
with Lord Brouncker to the Duke of York's playhouse, where we saw "The
Unfortunate Lovers," no extraordinary play, methinks, and thence
I to Drumbleby's, and there did talk a great deal about pipes; and did
buy a recorder, which I do intend to learn to play on, the sound of it
being, of all sounds in the world, most pleasing to me. Thence home, and
to visit Mrs. Turner, where among other talk, Mr. Foly and her husband
being there, she did tell me of young Captain Holmes's marrying of Pegg
Lowther last Saturday by stealth, which I was sorry for, he being an idle
rascal, and proud, and worth little, I doubt; and she a mighty pretty,
well-disposed lady, and good fortune. Her mother and friends take on mightily;
but the sport is, Sir Robert Holmes do seem to be mad too with his brother,
and will disinherit him, saying that he hath ruined himself, marrying
below himself, and to his disadvantage; whereas, I said, in this company,
that I had married a sister lately, with little above half that portion,
that he should have kissed her breech before he should have had her, which,
if R. Holmes should hear, would make a great quarrel; but it is true I
am heartily sorry for the poor girl that is undone by it. So home to my
chamber, to be fingering of my Recorder, and getting of the scale of musique
without book, which I at last see is necessary for a man that would understand
musique, as it is now taught to understand, though it be a ridiculous
and troublesome way, and I know I shall be able hereafter to show the
world a simpler way; but, like the old hypotheses in philosophy, it must
be learned, though a man knows a better. Then to supper, and to bed. This
morning Mr. Christopher Pett's widow and daughter come to me, to desire
my help to the King and Duke of York, and I did promise, and do pity her.
9th. Up, and to the office,
where all the morning sitting, then at noon home to dinner with my people,
and so to the office again writing of my letters, and then abroad to my
bookseller's, and up and down to the Duke of York's playhouse, there to
see, which I did, Sir W. Davenant's corpse carried out towards Westminster,
there to be buried. Here were many coaches and six horses, and many hacknies,
that made it look, methought, as if it were the buriall of a poor poet.
He seemed to have many children, by five or six in the first mourning-coach,
all boys. And there I left them coming forth, and I to the New Exchange,
there to meet Mrs. Burroughs, and did take her in a carosse and carry
elle towards the Park, kissing her . . . , but did not go into any house,
but come back and set her down at White Hall, and did give her wrapt in
paper for my Valentine's gift for the last year before this, which I never
did yet give her anything for, twelve half-crowns, and so back home and
there to my office, where come a packet from the Downes from my brother
Balty, who, with Harman, is arrived there, of which this day come the
first news. And now the Parliament will be satisfied, I suppose, about
the business they have so long desired between Brouncker and Harman about
not prosecuting the first victory. Balty is very well, and I hope hath
performed his work well, that I may get him into future employment. I
wrote to him this night, and so home, and there to the perfecting my getting
the scale of musique without book, which I have done to perfection backward
and forward, and so to supper and to bed.
10th (Friday) All the morning
at Office. At noon with W. Pen to Duke of York, and attended Council.
So to piper and Duck Lane, and there kissed bookseller's wife, and bought
Legend. So home, coach. Sailor. Mrs. Hannam dead. News of Peace. Conning
my gamut.
[The entries from April 10th to April 19th are transcribed
from three leaves (six pages) of rough notes, which are inserted in the
MS. The rough notes were made to serve for a sort of account book, but
the amounts paid are often not registered in the fair copy when he came
to transcribe his notes into the Diary.]
12th (Sunday). Dined at
Brouncker's, and saw the new book. Peace. Cutting away sails.
13th (Monday). Spent at
Michel's 6d.; in the Folly, 1s.;
[The Folly was a floating house of entertainment on
the Thames, which at this time was a fashionable resort.]
oysters, 1s.; coach to W. Coventry about Mrs. Pett, 1s.; thence to Commissioners
of Treasury, and so to Westminster Hall by water, 6d. With G. Montagu
and Roger Pepys, and spoke with Birch and Vaughan, all in trouble about
the prize business. So to Lord Crew's (calling for a low pipe by the way),
where Creed and G. M. and G. C. come, 1s. So with Creed to a play. Little
laugh, 4s. Thence towards the Park by coach, 2s. 6d. Come home, met with
order of Commissioners of Accounts, which put together with the rest vexed
me, and so home to supper and to bed.
14th (Tuesday). Up betimes
by water to the Temple. In the way read the Narrative about prizes; and
so to Lord Crew's bedside, and then to Westminster, where I hear Pen is,
and sent for by messenger last night. Thence to Commissioners of Accounts
and there examined, and so back to Westminster Hall, where all the talk
of committing all to the Tower, and Creed and I to the Quaker's, dined
together. Thence to the House, where rose about four o'clock; and, with
much ado, Pen got to Thursday to bring in his answer; so my Lord escapes
to-day. Thence with Godage and G. Montagu to G. Carteret's, and there
sat their dinner-time: and hear myself, by many Parliament-men, mightily
commended. Thence to a play, "Love's Cruelty," and so to my
Lord Crew's, who glad of this day's time got, and so home, and there office,
and then home to supper and to bed, my eyes being the better upon leaving
drinking at night. Water, 1s. Porter, 6d. Water, 6d. Dinner, 3s. 6d. Play
part, 2s. Oranges, 1s. Home coach, 1s. 6d.
15th. After playing a little
upon my new little flageolet, that is so soft that pleases me mightily,
betimes to my office, where most of the morning. Then by coach, 1s., and
meeting Lord Brouncker, 'light at the Exchange, and thence by water to
White Hall, 1s., and there to the Chapel, expecting wind musick and to
the Harp-and-Ball, and drank all alone, 2d. Back, and to the fiddling
concert, and heard a practice mighty good of Grebus, and thence to Westminster
Hall, where all cry out that the House will be severe with Pen; but do
hope well concerning the buyers, that we shall have no difficulty, which
God grant! Here met Creed, and, about noon, he and I, and Sir P. Neale
to the Quaker's, and there dined with a silly Executor of Bishop Juxon's,
and cozen Roger Pepys. Business of money goes on slowly in the House.
Thence to White Hall by water, and there with the Duke of York a little,
but stayed not, but saw him and his lady at his little pretty chapel,
where I never was before: but silly devotion, God knows! Thence I left
Creed, and to the King's playhouse, into a corner of the 18d. box, and
there saw "The Maid's Tragedy," a good play. Coach, 1s.: play
and oranges, 2s. 6d. Creed come, dropping presently here, but he did not
see me, and come to the same place, nor would I be seen by him. Thence
to my Lord Crew's, and there he come also after, and there with Sir T.
Crew bemoaning my Lord's folly in leaving his old interest, by which he
hath now lost all. An ill discourse in the morning of my Lord's being
killed, but this evening Godolphin tells us here that my Lord is well.
Thence with Creed to the Cock ale-house, and there spent 6d., and so by
coach home, 2s. 6d., and so to bed.
16th. Th[ursday]. Greeting's
book, is. Begun this day to learn the Recorder. To the office, where all
the morning. Dined with my clerks: and merry at Sir W. Pen's crying yesterday,
as they say, to the King, that he was his martyr. So to White Hall by
coach to Commissioners of [the] Treasury about certificates, but they
met not, 2s. To Westminster by water. To Westminster Hall, where I hear
W. Pen is ordered to be impeached, 6d. There spoke with many, and particularly
with G. Montagu: and went with him and Creed to his house, where he told
how W. Pen hath been severe to Lord Sandwich; but the Coventrys both labouring
to save him, by laying it on Lord Sandwich, which our friends cry out
upon, and I am silent, but do believe they did it as the only way to save
him. It could not be carried to commit him. It is thought the House do
coole: W. Coventry's being for him, provoked Sir R. Howard and his party;
Court, all for W. Pen. Thence to White Hall, but no meeting of the Commissioners,
and there met Mr. Hunt, and thence to Mrs. Martin's, and, there did what
I would, she troubled for want of employ for her husband, spent on her
1s. Thence to the Hall to walk awhile and ribbon, spent is. So [to] Lord
Crew's, and there with G. Carteret and my Lord to talk, and they look
upon our matters much the better, and by this and that time is got, 1s.
So to the Temple late, and by water, by moonshine, home, 1s. Cooks, 6d.
Wrote my letters to my Lady Sandwich, and so home, where displeased to
have my maid bring her brother, a countryman, to lye there, and so to
bed.
17th (Friday). Called up
by Balty's coming, who gives me a good account of his voyage, and pleases
me well, and I hope hath got something. This morning paid the Royall Society
L1 6s., and so to the office all the morning. At noon home to dinner with
my people, and there much pretty discourse of Balty's. So by coach to
White Hall: the coachman on Ludgate Hill 'lighted, and beat a fellow with
a sword, 2s. 6d. Did little business with the Duke of York. Hear that
the House is upon the business of Harman, who, they say, takes all on
himself. Thence, with Brouncker, to the King's house, and saw "The
Surprizall," where base singing, only Knepp,' who come, after her
song in the clouds, to me in the pit, and there, oranges, 2s. After the
play, she, and I, and Rolt, by coach, 6s. 6d., to Kensington, and there
to the Grotto, and had admirable pleasure with their singing, and fine
ladies listening to us: with infinite pleasure, I enjoyed myself: so to
the tavern there, and did spend 16s. 6d., and the gardener 2s. Mighty
merry, and sang all the way to the town, a most pleasant evening, moonshine,
and set them at her house in Covent Garden, and I home and to bed.
18th (Saturday). Up, and
my bookseller brought home books, bound--the binding comes to 17s. Advanced
to my maid Bridget L1. Sir W. Pen at the Office, seemingly merry. Do hear
this morning that Harman is committed by the Parliament last night, the
day he come up, which is hard; but he took all upon himself first, and
then when a witness come in to say otherwise, he would have retracted;
and the House took it so ill, they would commit him. Thence home to dinner
with my clerks, and so to White Hall by water, 1s., and there a short
Committee for Tangier, and so I to the King's playhouse, 1s., and to the
play of the "Duke of Lerma," 2s. 6d., and oranges, 1s. Thence
by coach to Westminster, 1s., and the House just up, having been about
money business, 1s. So home by coach, 3s., calling in Duck Lane, and did
get Des Cartes' Musique in English,' and so home and wrote my letters,
and then to my chamber to save my eyes, and to bed.
19th (Sunday). Lay long.
Roger Pepys and his son come, and to Church with me, where W. Pen was,
and did endeavour to shew himself to the Church. Then home to dinner,
and Roger Pepys did tell me the whole story of Harman, how he prevaricated,
and hath undoubtedly been imposed on, and wheedled; and he is called the
miller's man that, in Richard the Third's time, was hanged for his master.
[The story alluded to by Pepys, which belongs not
to the reign of Richard III., but to that of Edward VI., occurred during
a seditious outbreak at Bodmin, in Cornwall, and is thus related by Holinshed:
"At the same time, and neare the same place [Bodmin], dwelled a miller,
that had beene a greate dooer in that rebellion, for whom also Sir Anthonie
Kingston sought: but the miller being thereof warned, called a good tall
fellow that he had to his servant, and said unto him, 'I have business
to go from home; if anie therefore come to ask for me, saie thou art the
owner of the mill, and the man for whom they shall so aske, and that thou
hast kept this mill for the space of three yeares; but in no wise name
me.' The servant promised his maister so to doo. And shortlie after, came
Sir Anthonie Kingston to the miller's house, and calling for the miller,
the servant came forth, and answered that he was the miller. 'How long,'
quoth Sir Anthonie, 'hast thou kept this mill?' He answered, 'Three years.'--'Well,
then,' said he, 'come on: thou must go with me;' and caused his men to
laie hands on him, and to bring him to the next tree, saieing to him,
'Thou hast been a busie knave, and therefore here shalt thou hang.' Then
cried the fellow out, and saide that he was not the miller, but the miller's
man. 'Well, then,' said Sir Anthonie, 'thou art a false knave to be in
two tales: therefore,' said he, 'hang him up;' and so incontinentlie hanged
he was indeed. After he was dead, one that was present told Sir Anthonie,
'Surelie, sir, this was but the miller's man.'--`What then!' said he,
'could he ever have done his maister better service than to hang for him?'"--B.]
So after dinner I took them by water to White Hall, taking in a very pretty
woman at Paul's Wharf, and there landed we, and I left Roger Pepys and
to St. Margaret's Church, and there saw Betty, and so to walk in the Abbey
with Sir John Talbot, who would fain have pumped me about the prizes,
but I would not let him, and so to walk towards Michell's to see her,
but could not, and so to Martin's, and her husband was at home, and so
took coach and to the Park, and thence home and to bed betimes. Water
1s., coach 5s. Balty borrowed L2.
20th. Up betimes and to
the getting ready my answer to the Committee of Accounts to several questions,
which makes me trouble, though I know of no blame due to me from any,
let them enquire what they can out.
[The first part of the entry for April 20th is among
the rough notes, and stands as follows: "Monday 20. Up and busy about
answer to Committee of Accounts this morning about several questions which
vexed me though in none I have reason to be troubled. But the business
of The Flying Greyhound begins to find me some care, though in that I
am wholly void of blame." This may be compared with the text.]
I to White Hall, and there hear how Henry Brouncker is fled, which, I
think, will undo him: but what good it will do Harman I know not, he hath
so befooled himself; but it will be good sport to my Lord Chancellor to
hear how his great enemy is fain to take the same course that he is. There
met Robinson, who tells me that he fears his master, W. Coventry, will
this week have his business brought upon the stage again, about selling
of places, which I shall be sorry for, though the less, since I hear his
standing for Pen the other day, to the prejudice, though not to the wrong,
of my Lord Sandwich; and yet I do think what he did, he did out of a principle
of honesty. Thence to Committee of Accounts, and delivered my paper, and
had little discourse, and was unwilling to stay long with them to enter
into much, but away and glad to be from them, though very civil to me,
but cunning and close I see they are. So to Westminster Hall, and there
find the Parliament upon the Irish business, where going into the Speaker's
chamber I did hear how plainly one lawyer of counsel for the complainants
did inveigh by name against all the late Commissioners there. Thence with
Creed, thinking, but failed, of dining with Lord Crew, and so he and I
to Hercules Pillars, and there dined, and thence home by coach, and so
with Jack Fenn to the Chamberlain of London to look after the state of
some Navy assignments that are in his hands, and thence away, and meeting
Sir William Hooker, the Alderman, he did cry out mighty high against Sir
W. Pen for his getting such an estate, and giving L15,000 with his daughter,
which is more, by half, than ever he did give; but this the world believes,
and so let them. Thence took coach and I all alone to Hyde Park (passing
through Duck Lane among the booksellers, only to get a sight of the pretty
little woman I did salute the other night, and did in passing), and so
all the evening in the Park, being a little unwilling to be seen there,
and at night home, and thereto W. Pen's and sat and talked there with
his wife and children a good while, he being busy in his closet, I believe
preparing his defence in Parliament, and so home to bed.
21st. Up, and at the office
all the morning, at noon dined at home, and thence took Mrs. Turner out
and carried her to the King's house, and saw "The Indian Emperour;"
and after that done, took Knepp out, and to Kensington; and there walked
in the garden, and then supped, and mighty merry, there being also in
the house Sir Philip Howard, and some company, and had a dear reckoning,
but merry, and away, it being quite night, home, and dark, about 9 o'clock
or more, and in my coming had the opportunity the first time in my life
to be bold with Knepp . . . , and so left her at home, and so Mrs. Turner
and I home to my letters and to bed. Here hear how Sir W. Pen's impeachment
was read, and agreed to, in the House this day, and ordered to be engrossed;
and he suspended the House--[From sitting as a member
pending the impeachment.-B.]-- Harman set at liberty; and Brouncker
put out of the House, and a writ for a new election, and an impeachment
ordered to be brought in against him, he being fled!
[Sir Charles Berkeley, jun. was chosen in his room.
In the sea- fight off Southwold Bay on June 3rd, 1665, the English triumphed
over the Dutch, but the very considerable victory was not followed up.
During the night, while the Duke of York slept, Henry Brouncker, his groom
of the bedchamber, ordered the lieutenant to shorten sail, by which means
the progress of the whole fleet was retarded, the Duke of York's being
the leading ship. The duke affirmed that he first heard of Brouncker's
unjustifiable action in July, and yet he kept the culprit in his service
for nearly two years after the offence had come to his knowledge. After
Brouncker had been dismissed from the duke's service, the House of Commons
ejected him. The whole matter is one of the unsolved difficulties of history.
See Lister's "Life of Clarendon," ii., 334 335]
22nd. Up, and all the morning
at my office busy. At noon, it being washing day, I toward White Hall,
and stopped and dined all alone at Hercules Pillars, where I was mighty
pleased to overhear a woman talk to her counsel how she had troubled her
neighbours with law, and did it very roguishly and wittily. Thence to
White Hall, and there we attended the Duke of York as usual; and I did
present Mrs. Pett, the widow, and her petition to the Duke of York, for
some relief from the King. Here was to-day a proposition made to the Duke
of York by Captain Von Hemskirke for L20,000, to discover an art how to
make a ship go two foot for one what any ship do now, which the King inclines
to try, it costing him nothing to try; and it is referred to us to contract
with the man. Thence to attend the Council about the business of certificates
to the Exchequer, where the Commissioners of the Treasury of different
minds, some would, and my Lord Ashly would not have any more made out,
and carried it there should not. After done here, and the Council up,
I by water from the Privy-stairs to Westminster Hall; and, taking water,
the King and the Duke of York were in the new buildings; and the Duke
of York called to me whither I was going? and I answered aloud, "To
wait on our maisters at Westminster;" at which he and all the company
laughed; but I was sorry and troubled for it afterwards, for fear any
Parliament-man should have been there; and will be a caution to me for
the time to come. Met with Roger Pepys, who tells me they have been on
the business of money, but not ended yet, but will take up more time.
So to the fishmonger's, and bought a couple of lobsters, and over to the
'sparagus garden, thinking to have met Mr. Pierce, and his wife and Knepp;
but met their servant coming to bring me to Chatelin's, the French house,
in Covent Garden, and there with musick and good company, Manuel and his
wife, and one Swaddle, a clerk of Lord Arlington's, who dances, and speaks
French well, but got drunk, and was then troublesome, and here mighty
merry till ten at night, and then I away, and got a coach, and so home,
where I find Balty and his wife come to town, and did sup with them, and
so they to bed. This night the Duke of Monmouth and a great many blades
were at Chatelin's, and I left them there, with a hackney- coach attending
him.
23rd. Up, and to the office,
where all the morning, and at noon comes Knepp and Mrs. Pierce, and her
daughter, and one Mrs. Foster, and dined with me, and mighty merry, and
after dinner carried them to the Tower, and shewed them all to be seen
there, and, among other things, the Crown and Scepters and rich plate,
which I myself never saw before, and indeed is noble, and I mightily pleased
with it. Thence by water to the Temple, and thereto the Cocke alehouse,
and drank, and eat a lobster, and sang, and mighty merry. So, almost night,
I carried Mrs. Pierce home, and then Knepp and I to the Temple again,
and took boat, it being darkish, and to Fox Hall, it being now night,
and a bonfire burning at Lambeth for the King's coronation-day. And there
she and I drank; . . . . and so back, and led her home, it being now ten
at night; and so got a link; and, walking towards home, just at my entrance
into the ruines at St. Dunstan's, I was met by two rogues with clubs,
who come towards us. So I went back, and walked home quite round by the
wall, and got well home, and to bed weary, but pleased at my day's pleasure,
but yet displeased at my expence, and time I lose.
24th. Up betimes, and by
water to White Hall, to the Duke of York, and there hear that this day
Hopis and Temple purpose to bring in the petition against Sir W. Coventry,
which I am sorry for, but hope he will get out of it. Here I presented
Mrs. Pett and her condition to Mr. Wren for his favour, which he promised
us. Thence to Lord Brouncker and sat and talked with him, who thinks the
Parliament will, by their violence and delay in money matters, force the
King to run any hazard, and dissolve them. Thence to Ducke Lane, and there
did overlook a great many of Monsieur Fouquet's library, that a bookseller
hath bought, and I did buy one Spanish [work], "Los Illustres Varones."
[Nicholas Fouquet, "Surintendant des Finances"
in France, had built at Vaux a house which surpassed in magnificence any
palace belonging to Louis XIV., prior to the erection of Versailles, and
caused much envy to all the Court, especially to Colbert. Fouquet died
at Pignerol in 1680, after nineteen years' incarceration; and whilst Pepys
was buying his books in London, Colbert had become prime minister in France,
and Colbert's brother ambassador in England. The 'viper' had caught the
'squirrel'!--B.]
Here did I endeavour to see my pretty woman that I did baiser in las tenebras
a little while depuis. And did find her sofa in the book[shop], but had
not la confidence para alter a elle. So lost my pains. But will another
time, and so home and to my office, and then to dinner. After dinner down
to the Old Swan, and by the way called at Michell's, and there did see
Betty, and that was all, for either she is shy or foolish, and su mardi
hath no mind para laiser me see su moher. To White Hall by water, and
there did our business with the Duke of York, which was very little, only
here I do hear the Duke of York tell how Sir W. Pen's impeachment was
brought into the House of Lords to-day; and spoke with great kindness
of him: and that the Lords would not commit him till they could find precedent
for it, and did incline to favour him. Thence to the King's playhouse,
and there saw a piece of "Beggar's Bush," which I have not seen
some years, and thence home, and there to Sir W. Pen's and supped and
sat talking there late, having no where else to go, and my eyes too bad
to read right, and so home to bed.
25th. Up, and with Sir
J. Minnes to my Lord Brouncker, and with him all of us to my Lord Ashly
to satisfy him about the reason of what we do or have done in the business
of the tradesmen's certificates, which he seems satisfied with, but is
not, but I believe we have done what we can justify, and he hath done
what he cannot in stopping us to grant them, and I believe it will come
into Parliament and make trouble. So home and there at the office all
the morning. At noon home to dinner, and thence after dinner to the Duke
of York's playhouse, and there saw "Sir Martin Marr-all," which,
the more I see, the more I like, and thence to Westminster Hall, and there
met with Roger Pepys; and he tells me that nothing hath lately passed
about my Lord Sandwich, but only Sir Robert Carr did speak hardly of him.
But it is hoped that nothing will be done more, this meeting of Parliament,
which the King did, by a message yesterday, declare again, should rise
the 4th of May, and then only adjourne for three months: and this message
being only adjournment, did please them mightily, for they are desirous
of their power mightily. Thence homeward by the Coffee House in Covent
Garden, thinking to have met Harris here but could not, and so home, and
there, after my letters, I home to have my hair cut by my sister Michell
and her husband, and so to bed. This day I did first put off my waste-coate,
the weather being very hot, but yet lay in it at night, and shall, for
a little time.
26th (Lord's day). Lay
long, and then up and to Church, and so home, where there come and dined
with me Harris, Rolt, and Bannister, and one Bland, that sings well also,
and very merry at dinner, and, after dinner, to sing all the afternoon.
But when all was done, I did begin to think that the pleasure of these
people was not worth so often charge and cost to me, as it hath occasioned
me. They being gone I and Balty walked as far as Charing Cross, and there
got a coach and to Hales's the painter, thinking to have found Harris
sitting there for his picture, which is drawing for me. But he, and all
this day's company, and Hales, were got to the Crown tavern, at next door,
and thither I to them and stayed a minute, leaving Captain Grant telling
pretty stories of people that have killed themselves, or been accessory
to it, in revenge to other people, and to mischief other people, and thence
with Hales to his house, and there did see his beginning of Harris's picture,
which I think will be pretty like, and he promises a very good picture.
Thence with Balty away and got a coach and to Hide Park, and there up
and down and did drink some milk at the Lodge, and so home and to bed.
27th. Up, and Captain Deane
come to see me, and he and I toward Westminster together, and I set him
down at White Hall, while I to Westminster Hall, and up to the Lords'
House, and there saw Sir W. Pen go into the House of Lords, where his
impeachment was read to him, and he used mighty civilly, the Duke of York
being there; and two days hence, at his desire, he is to bring in his
answer, and a day then to be appointed for his being heard with Counsel.
Thence down into the Hall, and with Creed and Godolphin walked; and do
hear that to-morrow is appointed, upon a motion on Friday last, to discourse
the business of my Lord Sandwich, moved by Sir R. Howard, that he should
be sent for, home; and I fear it will be ordered. Certain news come, I
hear, this day, that the Spanish Plenipotentiary in Flanders will not
agree to the peace and terms we and the Dutch have made for him and the
King of France; and by this means the face of things may be altered, and
we forced to join with the French against Spain, which will be an odd
thing. At noon with Creed to my Lord Crew's, and there dined; and here
was a very fine-skinned lady dined, the daughter of my Lord Roberts, and
also a fine lady, Mr. John Parkhurst his wife, that was but a boy the
other day. And after dinner there comes in my Lady Roberts herself, and
with her Mr. Roberts's daughter, that was Mrs. Boddevill, the great beauty,
and a fine lady indeed, the first time I saw her. My Lord Crew, and Sir
Thomas, and I, and Creed, all the afternoon debating of my Lord Sandwich's
business, against to-morrow, and thence I to the King's playhouse, and
there saw most of "The Cardinall," a good play, and thence to
several places to pay my debts, and then home, and there took a coach
and to Mile End to take a little ayre, and thence home to Sir W. Pen's,
where I supped, and sat all the evening; and being lighted homeward by
Mrs. Markham, I blew out the candle and kissed her, and so home to bed.
28th. Up betimes, and to
Sir W. Coventry's by water, but lost my labour, so through the Park to
White Hall, and thence to my Lord Crew's to advise again with him about
my Lord Sandwich, and so to the office, where till noon, and then I by
coach to Westminster Hall, and there do understand that the business of
religion, and the Act against Conventicles, have so taken them up all
this morning, and do still, that my Lord Sandwich's business is not like
to come on to-day, which I am heartily glad of. This law against Conventicles
is very severe; but Creed, whom I met here, do tell me that, it being
moved that Papists' meetings might be included, the House was divided
upon it, and it was carried in the negative; which will give great disgust
to the people, I doubt. Thence with Creed to Hercules Pillars by the Temple
again, and there dined he and I all alone, and thence to the King's house,
and there did see "Love in a Maze," wherein very good mirth
of Lacy, the clown, and Wintersell, the country- knight, his master. Thence
to the New Exchange to pay a debt of my wife's there, and so home, and
there to the office and walk in the garden in the dark to ease my eyes,
and so home to supper and to bed.
29th. Up, and to my office,
where all the morning busy. At noon dined at home, and my clerks with
me, and thence I to White Hall, and there do hear how Sir W. Pen hath
delivered in his answer; and the Lords have sent it down to the Commons,
but they have not yet read it, nor taken notice of it, so as, I believe,
they will by design defer it till they rise, that so he, by lying under
an impeachment, may be prevented in his going to sea, which will vex him,
and trouble the Duke of York. Did little business with the Duke of York,
and then Lord Brouncker and I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there
saw "Love in a Tubb;" and, after the play done, I stepped up
to Harris's dressing-room, where I never was, and there I observe much
company come to him, and the Witts, to talk, after the play is done, and
to assign meetings. Mine was to talk about going down to see "The
Resolution," and so away, and thence to Westminster Hall, and there
met with Mr. G. Montagu, and walked and talked; who tells me that the
best fence against the Parliament's present fury is delay, and recommended
it to me, in my friends' business and my own, if I have any; and is that,
that Sir W. Coventry do take, and will secure himself; that the King will
deliver up all to the Parliament; and being petitioned the other day by
Mr. Brouncker to protect him, with teares in his eyes, the King did say
he could not, and bid him shift for himself, at least till the House is
up. Thence I away to White Hall, and there took coach home with a stranger
I let into the coach, to club with me for it, he going into London, I
set him down at the lower end of Cheapside, and I home, and to Sir W.
Pen's, and there sat, and by and by, it being now about nine o'clock at
night, I heard Mercer's voice, and my boy Tom's singing in the garden,
which pleased me mightily, I longing to see the girl, having not seen
her since my wife went; and so into the garden to her and sang, and then
home to supper, and mightily pleased with her company, in talking and
singing, and so parted, and to bed.
30th. Up, and at the office
all the morning. At noon Sir J. Minnes and I to the Dolphin Tavern, there
to meet our neighbours, all of the Parish, this being Procession-day,
to dine. And did; and much very good discourse; they being, most of them,
very able merchants as any in the City: Sir Andrew Rickard, Mr. Vandeputt,
Sir John Fredericke, Harrington, and others. They talked with Mr. Mills
about the meaning of this day, and the good uses of it; and how heretofore,
and yet in several places, they do whip a boy at each place they stop
at in their procession. Thence I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and
there saw "The Tempest," which still pleases me mightily, and
thence to the New Exchange, and then home, and in the way stopped to talk
with Mr. Brisband, who gives me an account of the rough usage Sir G. Carteret
and his Counsel had the other day, before the Commissioners of Accounts,
and what I do believe we shall all of us have, in a greater degree than
any he hath had yet with them, before their three years are out, which
are not yet begun, nor God knows when they will, this being like to be
no session of Parliament, when they now rise. So home, and there took
up Mrs. Turner and carried her to Mile End and drank, and so back talking,
and so home and to bed, I being mighty cold, this being a mighty cold
day, and I had left off my waistcoat three or four days. This evening,
coming home in the dusk, I saw and spoke to our Nell, Pain's daughter,
and had I not been very cold I should have taken her to Tower hill para
together et toker her. Thus ends this month; my wife in the country, myself
full of pleasure and expence; and some trouble for my friends, my Lord
Sandwich, by the Parliament, and more for my eyes, which are daily worse
and worse, that I dare not write or read almost any thing. The Parliament
going in a few days to rise; myself so long without accounting now, for
seven or eight months, I think, or more, that I know not what condition
almost I am in, as to getting or spending for all that time, which troubles
me, but I will soon do it. The kingdom in an ill state through poverty;
a fleete going out, and no money to maintain it, or set it out; seamen
yet unpaid, and mutinous when pressed to go out again; our Office able
to do little, nobody trusting us, nor we desiring any to trust us, and
yet have not money for any thing, but only what particularly belongs to
this fleete going out, and that but lamely too. The Parliament several
months upon an Act for L300,000, but cannot or will not agree upon it,
but do keep it back, in spite of the King's desires to hasten it, till
they can obtain what they have a mind, in revenge upon some men for the
late ill managements; and he is forced to submit to what they please,
knowing that, without it, he shall have no money, and they as well, that,
if they give the money, the King will suffer them to do little more; and
then the business of religion do disquiet every body, the Parliament being
vehement against the Nonconformists, while the King seems to be willing
to countenance them. So we are all poor, and in pieces--God help us! while
the peace is like to go on between Spain and France; and then the French
may be apprehended able to attack us. So God help us!
May 1668
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