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Title: Diary of Samuel Pepys, Jan/Feb 1964/65
Author: Samuel Pepys, Translator: Mynors Bright, Editor: Wheatley
Release Date: June, 2003 [Etext #4154]
[Yes, we are about one year ahead of schedule]
[The actual date this file first posted = 11/16/01]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.
CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE FELLOW
AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE
(Unabridged)
WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES
EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY
HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
JANUARY
1664-1665
January 1st (Lord's day). Lay long in bed, having been busy late last
night, then up and to my office, where upon ordering my accounts and
papers with respect to my understanding my last year's gains and expense,
which I find very great, as I have already set down yesterday. Now this
day I am dividing my expense, to see what my clothes and every particular
hath stood me in: I mean all the branches of my expense. At noon a good
venison pasty and a turkey to ourselves without any body so much as
invited by us, a thing unusuall for so small a family of my condition:
but we did it and were very merry. After dinner to my office again,
where very late alone upon my accounts, but have not brought them to
order yet, and very intricate I find it, notwithstanding my care all the
year to keep things in as good method as any man can do. Past 11 o'clock
home to supper and to bed.
2nd. Up, and it being a most fine, hard frost I walked a good way toward
White Hall, and then being overtaken with Sir W. Pen's coach, went into
it, and with him thither, and there did our usual business with the Duke.
Thence, being forced to pay a great deale of money away in boxes (that
is, basins at White Hall), I to my barber's, Gervas, and there had a
little opportunity of speaking with my Jane alone, and did give her
something, and of herself she did tell me a place where I might come to
her on Sunday next, which I will not fail, but to see how modestly and
harmlessly she brought it out was very pretty. Thence to the Swan, and
there did sport a good while with Herbert's young kinswoman without hurt,
though they being abroad, the old people. Then to the Hall, and there
agreed with Mrs. Martin, and to her lodgings which she has now taken to
lie in, in Bow Streete, pitiful poor things, yet she thinks them pretty,
and so they are for her condition I believe good enough. Here I did
'ce que je voudrais avec' her most freely, and it having cost 2s. in wine
and cake upon her, I away sick of her impudence, and by coach to my Lord
Brunker's, by appointment, in the Piazza, in Covent-Guarding; where I
occasioned much mirth with a ballet I brought with me, made from the
seamen at sea to their ladies in town; saying Sir W. Pen, Sir G. Ascue,
and Sir J. Lawson made them. Here a most noble French dinner and
banquet, the best I have seen this many a day and good discourse.
Thence to my bookseller's and at his binder's saw Hooke's book of
the Microscope,
["Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies
made by Magnifying Glasses. London, 1665," a very remarkable work
with elaborate plates, some of which have been used for lecture
illustrations almost to our own day. On November 23rd, 1664, the
President of the Royal Society was "desired to sign a licence for
printing of Mr. Hooke's microscopical book." At this time the book
was mostly printed, but it was delayed, much to Hooke's disgust, by
the examination of several Fellows of the Society. In spite of this
examination the council were anxious that the author should make it
clear that he alone was responsible for any theory put forward, and
they gave him notice to that effect. Hooke made this clear in his
dedication (see Birch's "History," vol. i., pp. 490-491)]
which is so pretty that I presently bespoke it, and away home to the
office, where we met to do something, and then though very late by coach
to Sir Ph. Warwicke's, but having company with him could not speak with
him. So back again home, where thinking to be merry was vexed with my
wife's having looked out a letter in Sir Philip Sidney about jealousy for
me to read, which she industriously and maliciously caused me to do,
and the truth is my conscience told me it was most proper for me, and
therefore was touched at it, but tooke no notice of it, but read it out
most frankly, but it stucke in my stomach, and moreover I was vexed to
have a dog brought to my house to line our little bitch, which they make
him do in all their sights, which, God forgive me, do stir my jealousy
again, though of itself the thing is a very immodest sight. However, to
cards with my wife a good while, and then to bed.
3rd. Up, and by coach to Sir Ph. Warwicke's, the streete being full of
footballs, it being a great frost, and found him and Mr. Coventry walking
in St. James's Parke. I did my errand to him about the felling of the
King's timber in the forests, and then to my Lord of Oxford, Justice in
Eyre, for his consent thereto, for want whereof my Lord Privy Seale stops
the whole business. I found him in his lodgings, in but an ordinary
furnished house and roome where he was, but I find him to be a man of
good discreet replys. Thence to the Coffee-house, where certain newes
that the Dutch have taken some of our colliers to the North; some say
four, some say seven. Thence to the 'Change a while, and so home to
dinner and to the office, where we sat late, and then I to write my
letters, and then to Sir W. Batten's, who is going out of towne to
Harwich to-morrow to set up a light-house there, which he hath lately got
a patent from the King to set up, that will turne much to his profit.
Here very merry, and so to my office again, where very late, and then
home to supper and to bed, but sat up with my wife at cards till past two
in the morning.
4th. Lay long, and then up and to my Lord of Oxford's, but his Lordshipp
was in bed at past ten o'clock: and, Lord helpe us! so rude a dirty
family I never saw in my life. He sent me out word my business was not
done, but should against the afternoon. I thence to the Coffee-house,
there but little company, and so home to the 'Change, where I hear of
some more of our ships lost to the Northward. So to Sir W. Batten's, but
he was set out before I got thither. I sat long talking with my lady,
and then home to dinner. Then come Mr. Moore to see me, and he and I to
my Lord of Oxford's, but not finding him within Mr. Moore and I to "Love
in a Tubb," which is very merry, but only so by gesture, not wit at all,
which methinks is beneath the House. So walked home, it being a very
hard frost, and I find myself as heretofore in cold weather to begin to
burn within and pimples and pricks all over my body, my pores with cold
being shut up. So home to supper and to cards and to bed.
5th. Up, it being very cold and a great snow and frost tonight. To the
office, and there all the morning. At noon dined at home, troubled at
my wife's being simply angry with Jane, our cook mayde (a good servant,
though perhaps hath faults and is cunning), and given her warning to be
gone. So to the office again, where we sat late, and then I to my
office, and there very late doing business. Home to supper and to the
office again, and then late home to bed.
6th. Lay long in bed, but most of it angry and scolding with my wife
about her warning Jane our cookemayde to be gone and upon that she
desires to go abroad to-day to look a place. A very good mayde she is
and fully to my mind, being neat, only they say a little apt to scold,
but I hear her not. To my office all the morning busy. Dined at home.
To my office again, being pretty well reconciled to my wife, which I did
desire to be, because she had designed much mirthe to-day to end
Christmas with among her servants. At night home, being twelfenight, and
there chose my piece of cake, but went up to my viall, and then to bed,
leaving my wife and people up at their sports, which they continue till
morning, not coming to bed at all.
7th. Up and to the office all the morning. At noon dined alone, my wife
and family most of them a-bed. Then to see my Lady Batten and sit with
her a while, Sir W. Batten being out of town, and then to my office doing
very much business very late, and then home to supper and to bed.
8th (Lord's day). Up betimes, and it being a very fine frosty day, I and
my boy walked to White Hall, and there to the Chappell, where one Dr.
Beaumont' preached a good sermon, and afterwards a brave anthem upon the
150 Psalm, where upon the word "trumpet" very good musique was made. So
walked to my Lady's and there dined with her (my boy going home), where
much pretty discourse, and after dinner walked to Westminster, and there
to the house where Jane Welsh had appointed me, but it being sermon time
they would not let me in, and said nobody was there to speak with me. I
spent the whole afternoon walking into the Church and Abbey, and up and
down, but could not find her, and so in the evening took a coach and
home, and there sat discoursing with my wife, and by and by at supper,
drinking some cold drink I think it was, I was forced to go make water,
and had very great pain after it, but was well by and by and continued
so, it being only I think from the drink, or from my straining at stool
to do more than my body would. So after prayers to bed.
9th. Up and walked to White Hall, it being still a brave frost, and I in
perfect good health, blessed be God! In my way saw a woman that broke
her thigh, in her heels slipping up upon the frosty streete. To the
Duke, and there did our usual worke. Here I saw the Royal Society bring
their new book, wherein is nobly writ their charter' and laws, and comes
to be signed by the Duke as a Fellow; and all the Fellows' hands are to
be entered there, and lie as a monument; and the King hath put his with
the word Founder. Thence I to Westminster, to my barber's, and found
occasion to see Jane, but in presence of her mistress, and so could not
speak to her of her failing me yesterday, and then to the Swan to
Herbert's girl, and lost time a little with her, and so took coach, and
to my Lord Crew's and dined with him, who receives me with the greatest
respect that could be, telling me that he do much doubt of the successe
of this warr with Holland, we going about it, he doubts, by the
instigation of persons that do not enough apprehend the consequences of
the danger of it, and therein I do think with him. Holmes was this day
sent to the Tower,--[For taking New York from the Dutch]--but I perceive
it is made matter of jest only; but if the Dutch should be our masters,
it may come to be of earnest to him, to be given over to them for a
sacrifice, as Sir W. Rawly [Raleigh] was. Thence to White Hall to a
Tangier Committee, where I was accosted and most highly complimented by
my Lord Bellasses,
[John Belasyse, second son of Thomas, first Viscount Fauconberg,
created Baron Belasyse of Worlaby, January 27th, 1644, Lord
Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Governor of Hull.
He was appointed Governor of Tangier, and Captain of the Band of
Gentlemen Pensioners. He was a Roman Catholic, and therefore was
deprived of all his appointments in 1672 by the provisions of the
Test Act, but in 1684 James II. made him First Commissioner of the
Treasury. He died 1689.]
our new governor, beyond my expectation, or measure I could imagine he
would have given any man, as if I were the only person of business that
he intended to rely on, and desires my correspondence with him. This I
was not only surprized at, but am well pleased with, and may make good
use of it. Our patent is renewed, and he and my Lord Barkeley, and Sir
Thomas Ingram put in as commissioners. Here some business happened which
may bring me some profit. Thence took coach and calling my wife at her
tailor's (she being come this afternoon to bring her mother some apples,
neat's tongues, and wine); I home, and there at my office late with Sir
W. Warren, and had a great deal of good discourse and counsel from him,
which I hope I shall take, being all for my good in my deportment in my
office, yet with all honesty. He gone I home to supper and to bed.
10th. Lay long, it being still very cold, and then to the office, where
till dinner, and then home, and by and by to the office, where we sat and
were very late, and I writing letters till twelve at night, and then
after supper to bed.
11th. Up, and very angry with my boy for lying long a bed and forgetting
his lute. To my office all the morning. At noon to the 'Change, and so
home to dinner. After dinner to Gresham College to my Lord Brunker and
Commissioner Pett, taking, Mr. Castle with me there to discourse over his
draught of a ship he is to build for us. Where I first found reason to
apprehend Commissioner Pett to be a man of an ability extraordinary in
any thing, for I found he did turn and wind Castle like a chicken in his
business, and that most pertinently and mister-like, and great pleasure
it was to me to hear them discourse, I, of late having studied something
thereof, and my Lord Brunker is a very able person also himself in this
sort of business, as owning himself to be a master in the business of all
lines and Conicall Sections: Thence home, where very late at my office
doing business to my content, though [God] knows with what ado it was
that when I was out I could get myself to come home to my business, or
when I was there though late would stay there from going abroad again.
To supper and to bed. This evening, by a letter from Plymouth, I hear
that two of our ships, the Leopard and another, in the Straights, are
lost by running aground; and that three more had like to have been so,
but got off, whereof Captain Allen one: and that a Dutch fleete are gone
thither; which if they should meet with our lame ships, God knows what
would become of them. This I reckon most sad newes; God make us sensible
of it! This night, when I come home, I was much troubled to hear my poor
canary bird, that I have kept these three or four years, is dead.
12th. Up, and to White Hall about getting a privy seal for felling of
the King's timber for the navy, and to the Lords' House to speak with my
Lord Privy Seale about it, and so to the 'Change, where to my last
night's ill news I met more. Spoke with a Frenchman who was taken, but
released, by a Dutch man-of-war of thirty-six guns (with seven more of
the like or greater ships), off the North Foreland, by Margett. Which is
a strange attempt, that they should come to our teeth; but the wind being
easterly, the wind that should bring our force from Portsmouth, will
carry them away home. God preserve us against them, and pardon our
making them in our discourse so contemptible an enemy! So home and to
dinner, where Mr. Hollyard with us dined. So to the office, and there
late till 11 at night and more, and then home to supper and to bed.
13th. Up betimes and walked to my Lord Bellasses's lodgings in
Lincolne's Inne Fieldes, and there he received and discoursed with me in
the most respectfull manner that could be, telling me what a character of
my judgment, and care, and love to Tangier he had received of me, that he
desired my advice and my constant correspondence, which he much valued,
and in my courtship, in which, though I understand his designe very well,
and that it is only a piece of courtship, yet it is a comfort to me that
I am become so considerable as to have him need to say that to me, which,
if I did not do something in the world, would never have been. Here well
satisfied I to Sir Ph. Warwicke, and there did some business with him;
thence to Jervas's and there spent a little idle time with him, his wife,
Jane, and a sweetheart of hers. So to the Hall awhile and thence to the
Exchange, where yesterday's newes confirmed, though in a little different
manner; but a couple of ships in the Straights we have lost, and the
Dutch have been in Margaret [Margate] Road. Thence home to dinner and so
abroad and alone to the King's house, to a play, "The Traytor," where,
unfortunately, I met with Sir W. Pen, so that I must be forced to confess
it to my wife, which troubles me. Thence walked home, being ill-
satisfied with the present actings of the House, and prefer the other
House before this infinitely. To my Lady Batten's, where I find Pegg
Pen, the first time that ever I saw her to wear spots. Here very merry,
Sir W. Batten being looked for to-night, but is not yet come from
Harwich. So home to supper and to bed.
14th. Up and to White Hall, where long waited in the Duke's chamber for
a Committee intended for Tangier, but none met, and so I home and to the
office, where we met a little, and then to the 'Change, where our late
ill newes confirmed in loss of two ships in the Straights, but are now
the Phoenix and Nonsuch! Home to dinner, thence with my wife to the
King's house, there to see "Vulpone," a most excellent play; the best I
think I ever saw, and well, acted. So with Sir W. Pen home in his coach,
and then to the office. So home, to supper, and bed, resolving by the
grace of God from this day to fall hard to my business again, after some
weeke or fortnight's neglect.
15th (Lord's day). Up, and after a little at my office to prepare a
fresh draught of my vowes for the next yeare, I to church, where a most
insipid young coxcomb preached. Then home to dinner, and after dinner to
read in "Rushworth's Collections" about the charge against the late Duke
of Buckingham, in order to the fitting me to speak and understand the
discourse anon before the King about the suffering the Turkey merchants
to send out their fleete at this dangerous time, when we can neither
spare them ships to go, nor men, nor King's ships to convoy them. At
four o'clock with Sir W. Pen in his coach to my Lord Chancellor's, where
by and by Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen, Sir J. Lawson, Sir G. Ascue, and
myself were called in to the King, there being several of the Privy
Council, and my Lord Chancellor lying at length upon a couch (of the
goute I suppose); and there Sir W. Pen begun, and he had prepared heads
in a paper, and spoke pretty well to purpose, but with so much leisure
and gravity as was tiresome; besides, the things he said were but very
poor to a man in his trade after a great consideration, but it was to
purpose, indeed to dissuade the King from letting these Turkey ships to
go out: saying (in short) the King having resolved to have 130 ships out
by the spring, he must have above 20 of them merchantmen. Towards which,
he in the whole River could find but 12 or 14, and of them the five ships
taken up by these merchants were a part, and so could not be spared.
That we should need 30,000 [sailors] to man these 130 ships, and of them
in service we have not above 16,000; so we shall need 14,000 more. That
these ships will with their convoys carry above 2,000 men, and those the
best men that could be got; it being the men used to the Southward that
are the best men for warr, though those bred in the North among the
colliers are good for labour. That it will not be safe for the
merchants, nor honourable for the King, to expose these rich ships with
his convoy of six ships to go, it not being enough to secure them against
the Dutch, who, without doubt, will have a great fleete in the Straights.
This, Sir J. Lawson enlarged upon. Sir G. Ascue he chiefly spoke that
the warr and trade could not be supported together, and, therefore, that
trade must stand still to give way to them. This Mr. Coventry seconded,
and showed how the medium of the men the King hath one year with another
employed in his Navy since his coming, hath not been above 3,000 men, or
at most 4,000 men; and now having occasion of 30,000, the remaining
26,000 must be found out of the trade of the nation. He showed how the
cloaths, sending by these merchants to Turkey, are already bought and
paid for to the workmen, and are as many as they would send these twelve
months or more; so the poor do not suffer by their not going, but only
the merchant, upon whose hands they lit dead; and so the inconvenience is
the less. And yet for them he propounded, either the King should, if his
Treasure would suffer it, buy them, and showed the losse would not be so
great to him: or, dispense with the Act of Navigation, and let them be
carried out by strangers; and ending that he doubted not but when the
merchants saw there was no remedy, they would and could find ways of
sending them abroad to their profit. All ended with a conviction (unless
future discourse with the merchants should alter it) that it was not fit
for them to go out, though the ships be loaded. The King in discourse
did ask me two or three questions about my newes of Allen's loss in the
Streights, but I said nothing as to the business, nor am not much sorry
for it, unless the King had spoke to me as he did to them, and then I
could have said something to the purpose I think. So we withdrew, and
the merchants were called in. Staying without, my Lord Fitz Harding come
thither, and fell to discourse of Prince Rupert, and made nothing to say
that his disease was the pox and that he must be fluxed, telling the
horrible degree of the disease upon him with its breaking out on his
head. But above all I observed how he observed from the Prince, that
courage is not what men take it to be, a contempt of death; for, says he,
how chagrined the Prince was the other day when he thought he should die,
having no more mind to it than another man. But, says he, some men are
more apt to think they shall escape than another man in fight, while
another is doubtfull he shall be hit. But when the first man is sure he
shall die, as now the Prince is, he is as much troubled and apprehensive
of it as any man else; for, says he, since we told [him] that we believe
he would overcome his disease, he is as merry, and swears and laughs and
curses, and do all the things of a [man] in health, as ever he did in his
life; which, methought, was a most extraordinary saying before a great
many persons there of quality. So by and by with Sir W. Pen home again,
and after supper to the office to finish my vows, and so to bed.
16th. Up and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall, where we
did our business with the Duke. Thence I to Westminster Hall and walked
up and down. Among others Ned Pickering met me and tells me how active
my Lord is at sea, and that my Lord Hinchingbroke is now at Rome, and, by
all report, a very noble and hopefull gentleman. Thence to Mr. Povy's,
and there met Creed, and dined well after his old manner of plenty and
curiosity. But I sat in pain to think whether he would begin with me
again after dinner with his enquiry after my bill, but he did not, but
fell into other discourse, at which I was glad, but was vexed this
morning meeting of Creed at some bye questions that he demanded of me
about some such thing, which made me fear he meant that very matter, but
I perceive he did not. Thence to visit my Lady Sandwich and so to a
Tangier Committee, where a great company of the new Commissioners, Lords,
that in behalfe of my Lord Bellasses are very loud and busy and call for
Povy's accounts, but it was a most sorrowful thing to see how he answered
to questions so little to the purpose, but to his owne wrong. All the
while I sensible how I am concerned in my bill of L100 and somewhat more.
So great a trouble is fear, though in a case that at the worst will bear
enquiry. My Lord Barkeley was very violent against Povy. But my Lord
Ashly, I observe, is a most clear man in matters of accounts, and most
ingeniously did discourse and explain all matters. We broke up, leaving
the thing to a Committee of which I am one. Povy, Creed, and I staid
discoursing, I much troubled in mind seemingly for the business, but
indeed only on my own behalf, though I have no great reason for it, but
so painfull a thing is fear. So after considering how to order business,
Povy and I walked together as far as the New Exchange and so parted, and
I by coach home. To the office a while, then to supper and to bed. This
afternoon Secretary Bennet read to the Duke of Yorke his letters,, which
say that Allen
[Among the State Papers is a letter from Captain Thomas Allin to Sir
Richard Fanshaw, dated from "The Plymouth, Cadiz Bay," December
25th, 1664, in which he writes: "On the 19th attacked with his seven
ships left, a Dutch fleet of fourteen, three of which were men-of-
war; sunk two vessels and took two others, one a rich prize from
Smyrna; the others retired much battered. Has also taken a Dutch
prize laden with iron and planks, coming from Lisbon" ("Calendar,"
Domestic, 1664-65, p. 122).]
has met with the Dutch Smyrna fleet at Cales,--[The old form of the name
Cadiz.]--and sunk one and taken three. How true or what these ships are
time will show, but it is good newes and the newes of our ships being
lost is doubted at dales and Malaga. God send it false!
17th. Up and walked to Mr. Povy's by appointment, where I found him and
Creed busy about fitting things for the Committee, and thence we to my
Lord Ashly's, where to see how simply, beyond all patience, Povy did
again, by his many words and no understanding, confound himself and his
business, to his disgrace, and rendering every body doubtfull of his
being either a foole or knave, is very wonderfull. We broke up all
dissatisfied, and referred the business to a meeting of Mr. Sherwin and
others to settle, but here it was mighty strange methought to find myself
sit herein Committee with my hat on, while Mr. Sherwin stood bare as a
clerke, with his hat off to his Lord Ashlyand the rest, but I thank God I
think myself never a whit the better man for all that. Thence with Creed
to the 'Change and Coffee-house, and so home, where a brave dinner, by
having a brace of pheasants and very merry about Povy's folly. So anon
to the office, and there sitting very late, and then after a little time
at Sir W. Batten's, where I am mighty great and could if I thought it fit
continue so, I to the office again, and there very late, and so home to
the sorting of some of my books, and so to bed, the weather becoming
pretty warm, and I think and hope the frost will break.
18th. Up and by and by to my bookseller's, and there did give thorough
direction for the new binding of a great many of my old books, to make my
whole study of the same binding, within very few. Thence to my Lady
Sandwich's, who sent for me this morning. Dined with her, and it was to
get a letter of hers conveyed by a safe hand to my Lord's owne hand at
Portsmouth, which I did undertake. Here my Lady did begin to talk of
what she had heard concerning Creed, of his being suspected to be a
fanatique and a false fellow. I told her I thought he was as shrewd and
cunning a man as any in England, and one that I would feare first should
outwit me in any thing. To which she readily concurred. Thence to Mr.
Povy's by agreement, and there with Mr. Sherwin, Auditor Beale, and Creed
and I hard at it very late about Mr. Povy's accounts, but such accounts I
never did see, or hope again to see in my days. At night, late, they
gone, I did get him to put out of this account our sums that are in posse
[?? D.W.] only yet, which he approved of when told, but would never have
stayed it if I had been gone. Thence at 9 at night home, and so to
supper vexed and my head akeing and to bed.
19th. Up, and it being yesterday and to-day a great thaw it is not for a
man to walk the streets, but took coach and to Mr. Povy's, and there
meeting all of us again agreed upon an answer to the Lords by and by, and
thence we did come to Exeter House, and there was a witness of most
[base] language against Mr. Povy, from my Lord Peterborough, who is most
furiously angry with him, because the other, as a foole, would needs say
that the L26,000 was my Lord Peterborough's account, and that he had
nothing to do with it. The Lords did find fault also with our answer,
but I think really my Lord Ashly would fain have the outside of an
Exchequer,--[This word is blotted, and the whole sentence is confused.]--
but when we come better to be examined. So home by coach, with my Lord
Barkeley, who, by his discourse, I find do look upon Mr. Coventry as an
enemy, but yet professes great justice and pains. I at home after dinner
to the office, and there sat all the afternoon and evening, and then home
to supper and to bed. Memorandum. This day and yesterday, I think it is
the change of the weather, I have a great deal of pain, but nothing like
what I use to have. I can hardly keep myself loose, but on the contrary
am forced to drive away my pain. Here I am so sleepy I cannot hold open
my eyes, and therefore must be forced to break off this day's passages
more shortly than I would and should have done. This day was buried (but
I could not be there) my cozen Percivall Angier; and yesterday I received
the newes that Dr. Tom Pepys is dead, at Impington, for which I am but
little sorry, not only because he would have been troublesome to us, but
a shame to his family and profession; he was such a coxcomb.
20th. Up and to Westminster, where having spoke with Sir Ph. Warwicke,
I to Jervas, and there I find them all in great disorder about Jane, her
mistress telling me secretly that she was sworn not to reveal anything,
but she was undone. At last for all her oath she told me that she had
made herself sure to a fellow that comes to their house that can only
fiddle for his living, and did keep him company, and had plainly told her
that she was sure to him never to leave him for any body else. Now they
were this day contriving to get her presently to marry one Hayes that was
there, and I did seem to persuade her to it. And at last got them to
suffer me to advise privately, and by that means had her company and
think I shall meet her next Sunday, but I do really doubt she will be
undone in marrying this fellow. But I did give her my advice, and so let
her do her pleasure, so I have now and then her company. Thence to the
Swan at noon, and there sent for a bit of meat and dined, and had my
baiser of the fille of the house there, but nothing plus. So took coach
and to my Lady Sandwich's, and so to my bookseller's, and there took home
Hooke's book of microscopy, a most excellent piece, and of which I am
very proud. So home, and by and by again abroad with my wife about
several businesses, and met at the New Exchange, and there to our trouble
found our pretty Doll is gone away to live they say with her father in
the country, but I doubt something worse. So homeward, in my way buying
a hare and taking it home, which arose upon my discourse to-day with Mr.
Batten, in Westminster Hall, who showed me my mistake that my hare's
foote hath not the joynt to it; and assures me he never had his cholique
since he carried it about him: and it is a strange thing how fancy works,
for I no sooner almost handled his foote but my belly began to be loose
and to break wind, and whereas I was in some pain yesterday and t'other
day and in fear of more to-day, I became very well, and so continue. At
home to my office a while, and so to supper, read, and to cards, and to
bed.
21st. At the office all the morning. Thence my Lord Brunker carried me
as far as Mr. Povy's, and there I 'light and dined, meeting Mr. Sherwin,
Creed, &c., there upon his accounts. After dinner they parted and Mr.
Povy carried me to Somersett House, and there showed me the Queene-
Mother's chamber and closett, most beautiful places for furniture and
pictures; and so down the great stone stairs to the garden, and tried the
brave echo upon the stairs; which continues a voice so long as the
singing three notes, concords, one after another, they all three shall
sound in consort together a good while most pleasantly. Thence to a
Tangier Committee at White Hall, where I saw nothing ordered by judgment,
but great heat and passion and faction now in behalf of my Lord
Bellasses, and to the reproach of my Lord Tiviott, and dislike as it were
of former proceedings. So away with Mr. Povy, he carrying me homeward to
Mark Lane in his coach, a simple fellow I now find him, to his utter
shame in his business of accounts, as none but a sorry foole would have
discovered himself; and yet, in little, light, sorry things very cunning;
yet, in the principal, the most ignorant man I ever met with in so great
trust as he is. To my office till past 12, and then home to supper and
to bed, being now mighty well, and truly I cannot but impute it to my
fresh hare's foote. Before I went to bed I sat up till two o'clock in my
chamber reading of Mr. Hooke's Microscopicall Observations, the most
ingenious book that ever I read in my life.
22nd (Lord's day). Up, leaving my wife in bed, being sick of her months,
and to church. Thence home, and in my wife's chamber dined very merry,
discoursing, among other things, of a design I have come in my head this
morning at church of making a match between Mrs. Betty Pickering and Mr.
Hill, my friend the merchant, that loves musique and comes to me
a'Sundays, a most ingenious and sweet-natured and highly accomplished
person. I know not how their fortunes may agree, but their disposition
and merits are much of a sort, and persons, though different, yet
equally, I think, acceptable. After dinner walked to Westminster, and
after being at the Abbey and heard a good anthem well sung there, I as I
had appointed to the Trumpett, there expecting when Jane Welsh should
come, but anon comes a maid of the house to tell me that her mistress and
master would not let her go forth, not knowing of my being here, but to
keep her from her sweetheart. So being defeated, away by coach home, and
there spent the evening prettily in discourse with my wife and Mercer,
and so to supper, prayers, and to bed.
23rd. Up, and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall; but there
finding the Duke gone to his lodgings at St. James's for all together,
his Duchesse being ready to lie in, we to him, and there did our usual
business. And here I met the great newes confirmed by the Duke's own
relation, by a letter from Captain Allen. First, of our own loss of two
ships, the Phoenix and Nonesuch, in the Bay of Gibraltar: then of his,
and his seven ships with him, in the Bay of Cales, or thereabouts,
fighting with the 34 Dutch Smyrna fleete; sinking the King Salamon, a
ship worth a L150,000 or more, some say L200,000, and another; and taking
of three merchant-ships. Two of our ships were disabled, by the Dutch
unfortunately falling against their will against them; the Advice,
Captain W. Poole, and Antelope, Captain Clerke: The Dutch men-of-war did
little service. Captain Allen did receive many shots at distance before
he would fire one gun, which he did not do till he come within pistol-
shot of his enemy. The Spaniards on shore at Cales did stand laughing at
the Dutch, to see them run away and flee to the shore, 34 or thereabouts,
against eight Englishmen at most. I do purpose to get the whole
relation, if I live, of Captain Allen himself. In our loss of the two
ships in the Bay of Gibraltar, it is observable how the world do comment
upon the misfortune of Captain Moone of the Nonesuch (who did lose, in
the same manner, the Satisfaction), as a person that hath ill-luck
attending him; without considering that the whole fleete was ashore.
Captain Allen led the way, and Captain Allen himself writes that all the
masters of the fleete, old and young, were mistaken, and did carry their
ships aground. But I think I heard the Duke say that Moone, being put
into the Oxford, had in this conflict regained his credit, by sinking one
and taking another. Captain Seale of the Milford hath done his part very
well, in boarding the King Salamon, which held out half an hour after she
was boarded; and his men kept her an hour after they did master her, and
then she sunk, and drowned about 17 of her men. Thence to Jervas's, my
mind, God forgive me, running too much after some folly, but 'elle' not
being within I away by coach to the 'Change, and thence home to dinner.
And finding Mrs. Bagwell waiting at the office after dinner, away she and
I to a cabaret where she and I have eat before, and there I had her
company 'tout' and had 'mon plaisir' of 'elle'. But strange to see how a
woman, notwithstanding her greatest pretences of love 'a son mari' and
religion, may be 'vaincue'. Thence to the Court of the Turkey Company at
Sir Andrew Rickard's to treat about carrying some men of ours to Tangier,
and had there a very civil reception, though a denial of the thing as not
practicable with them, and I think so too. So to my office a little and
to Jervas's again, thinking 'avoir rencontrais' Jane, 'mais elle n'etait
pas dedans'. So I back again and to my office, where I did with great
content 'ferais' a vow to mind my business, and 'laisser aller les
femmes' for a month, and am with all my heart glad to find myself able to
come to so good a resolution, that thereby I may follow my business,
which and my honour thereby lies a bleeding. So home to supper and to
bed.
24th. Up and by coach to Westminster Hall and the Parliament House, and
there spoke with Mr. Coventry and others about business and so back to
the 'Change, where no news more than that the Dutch have, by consent of
all the Provinces, voted no trade to be suffered for eighteen months, but
that they apply themselves wholly to the warr.
[This statement of a total prohibition of all trade, and for so long
a period as eighteen months, by a government so essentially
commercial as that of the United Provinces, seems extraordinary.
The fact was, that when in the beginning of the year 1665 the States
General saw that the war with England was become inevitable, they
took several vigorous measures, and determined to equip a formidable
fleet, and with a view to obtain a sufficient number of men to man
it, prohibited all navigation, especially in the great and small
fisheries as they were then called, and in the whale fishery. This
measure appears to have resembled the embargoes so commonly resorted
to in this country on similar occasions, rather than a total
prohibition of trade.--B.]
And they say it is very true, but very strange, for we use to believe
they cannot support themselves without trade. Thence home to dinner and
then to the office, where all the afternoon, and at night till very late,
and then home to supper and bed, having a great cold, got on Sunday last,
by sitting too long with my head bare, for Mercer to comb my hair and
wash my eares.
25th. Up, and busy all the morning, dined at home upon a hare pye, very
good meat, and so to my office again, and in the afternoon by coach to
attend the Council at White Hall, but come too late, so back with Mr.
Gifford, a merchant, and he and I to the Coffee-house, where I met Mr.
Hill, and there he tells me that he is to be Assistant to the Secretary
of the Prize Office (Sir Ellis Layton), which is to be held at Sir
Richard Ford's, which, methinks, is but something low, but perhaps may
bring him something considerable; but it makes me alter my opinion of his
being so rich as to make a fortune for Mrs. Pickering. Thence home and
visited Sir J. Minnes, who continues ill, but is something better; there
he told me what a mad freaking--[?? D.W.]--fellow Sir Ellis Layton hath
been, and is, and once at Antwerp was really mad. Thence to my office
late, my cold troubling me, and having by squeezing myself in a coach
hurt my testicles, but I hope will cease its pain without swelling. So
home out of order, to supper and to bed.
26th. Lay, being in some pain, but not much, with my last night's
bruise, but up and to my office, where busy all the morning, the like
after dinner till very late, then home to supper and to bed. My wife
mightily troubled with the tooth ake, and my cold not being gone yet, but
my bruise yesterday goes away again, and it chiefly occasioned I think
now from the sudden change of the weather from a frost to a great rayne
on a sudden.
27th. Called up by Mr. Creed to discourse about some Tangier business,
and he gone I made me ready and found Jane Welsh, Mr. Jervas his mayde,
come to tell me that she was gone from her master, and is resolved to
stick to this sweetheart of hers, one Harbing (a very sorry little
fellow, and poor), which I did in a word or two endeavour to dissuade her
from, but being unwilling to keep her long at my house, I sent her away
and by and by followed her to the Exchange, and thence led her about down
to the 3 Cranes, and there took boat for the Falcon, and at a house
looking into the fields there took up and sat an hour or two talking and
discoursing . . . . Thence having endeavoured to make her think of
making herself happy by staying out her time with her master and other
counsels, but she told me she could not do it, for it was her fortune to
have this man, though she did believe it would be to her ruine, which is
a strange, stupid thing, to a fellow of no kind of worth in the world and
a beggar to boot. Thence away to boat again and landed her at the Three
Cranes again, and I to the Bridge, and so home, and after shifting
myself, being dirty, I to the 'Change, and thence to Mr. Povy's and there
dined, and thence with him and Creed to my Lord Bellasses', and there
debated a great while how to put things in order against his going, and
so with my Lord in his coach to White Hall, and with him to my Lord Duke
of Albemarle, finding him at cards. After a few dull words or two, I
away to White Hall again, and there delivered a letter to the Duke of
Yorke about our Navy business, and thence walked up and down in the
gallery, talking with Mr. Slingsby, who is a very ingenious person, about
the Mint and coynage of money. Among other things, he argues that there
being L700,000 coined in the Rump time, and by all the Treasurers of that
time, it being their opinion that the Rump money was in all payments, one
with another, about a tenth part of all their money. Then, says he, to
my question, the nearest guess we can make is, that the money passing up
and down in business is L7,000,000. To another question of mine he made
me fully understand that the old law of prohibiting bullion to be
exported, is, and ever was a folly and an injury, rather than good.
Arguing thus, that if the exportations exceed importations, then the
balance must be brought home in money, which, when our merchants know
cannot be carried out again, they will forbear to bring home in money,
but let it lie abroad for trade, or keepe in foreign banks: or if our
importations exceed our exportations, then, to keepe credit, the
merchants will and must find ways of carrying out money by stealth, which
is a most easy thing to do, and is every where done; and therefore the
law against it signifies nothing in the world. Besides, that it is seen,
that where money is free, there is great plenty; where it is restrained,
as here, there is a great want, as in Spayne. These and many other fine
discourses I had from him. Thence by coach home (to see Sir J. Minnes
first), who is still sick, and I doubt worse than he seems to be. Mrs.
Turner here took me into her closet, and there did give me a glass of
most pure water, and shewed me her Rocke, which indeed is a very noble
thing but a very bawble. So away to my office, where late, busy, and
then home to supper and to bed.
28th. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and then home to
dinner, and after dinner abroad, walked to Paul's Churchyard, but my
books not bound, which vexed me. So home to my office again, where very
late about business, and so home to supper and to bed, my cold continuing
in a great degree upon me still. This day I received a good sum of money
due to me upon one score or another from Sir G. Carteret, among others to
clear all my matters about Colours,--[Flags]--wherein a month or two
since I was so embarrassed and I thank God I find myself to have got
clear, by that commodity, L50 and something more; and earned it with dear
pains and care and issuing of my owne money, and saved the King near L100
in it.
29th (Lord's day). Up and to my office, where all the morning, putting
papers to rights which now grow upon my hands. At noon dined at home.
All the afternoon at my business again. In the evening come Mr. Andrews
and Hill, and we up to my chamber and there good musique, though my great
cold made it the less pleasing to me. Then Mr. Hill (the other going
away) and I to supper alone, my wife not appearing, our discourse upon
the particular vain humours of Mr. Povy, which are very extraordinary
indeed. After supper I to Sir W. Batten's, where I found him, Sir W.
Pen, Sir J. Robinson, Sir R. Ford and Captain Cocke and Mr. Pen, junior.
Here a great deal of sorry disordered talk about the Trinity House men,
their being exempted from land service. But, Lord! to see how void of
method and sense their discourse was, and in what heat, insomuch as Sir
R. Ford (who we judged, some of us, to be a little foxed) fell into very
high terms with Sir W. Batten, and then with Captain Cocke. So that I
see that no man is wise at all times. Thence home to prayers and to bed.
30th. This is solemnly kept as a Fast all over the City, but I kept my
house, putting my closett to rights again, having lately put it out of
order in removing my books and things in order to being made clean. At
this all day, and at night to my office, there to do some business, and
being late at it, comes Mercer to me, to tell me that my wife was in bed,
and desired me to come home; for they hear, and have, night after night,
lately heard noises over their head upon the leads. Now it is strange to
think how, knowing that I have a great sum of money in my house, this
puts me into a most mighty affright, that for more than two hours, I
could not almost tell what to do or say, but feared this and that, and
remembered that this evening I saw a woman and two men stand suspiciously
in the entry, in the darke; I calling to them, they made me only this
answer, the woman said that the men came to see her; but who she was I
could not tell. The truth is, my house is mighty dangerous, having so
many ways to be come to; and at my windows, over the stairs, to see who
goes up and down; but, if I escape to-night, I will remedy it. God
preserve us this night safe! So at almost two o'clock, I home to my
house, and, in great fear, to bed, thinking every running of a mouse
really a thiefe; and so to sleep, very brokenly, all night long, and
found all safe in the morning.
31st. Up and with Sir W. Batten to Westminster, where to speak at the
House with my Lord Bellasses, and am cruelly vexed to see myself put upon
businesses so uncertainly about getting ships for Tangier being ordered,
a servile thing, almost every day. So to the 'Change, back by coach with
Sir W. Batten, and thence to the Crowne, a taverne hard by, with Sir W.
Rider and Cutler, where we alone, a very good dinner. Thence home to the
office, and there all the afternoon late. The office being up, my wife
sent for me, and what was it but to tell me how Jane carries herself, and
I must put her away presently. But I did hear both sides and find my
wife much in fault, and the grounds of all the difference is my wife's
fondness of Tom, to the being displeased with all the house beside to
defend the boy, which vexes me, but I will cure it. Many high words
between my wife and I, but the wench shall go, but I will take a course
with the boy, for I fear I have spoiled him already. Thence to the
office, to my accounts, and there at once to ease my mind I have made
myself debtor to Mr. Povy for the L117 5s. got with so much joy the last
month, but seeing that it is not like to be kept without some trouble and
question, I do even discharge my mind of it, and so if I come now to
refund it, as I fear I shall, I shall now be ne'er a whit the poorer for
it, though yet it is some trouble to me to be poorer by such a sum than I
thought myself a month since. But, however, a quiet mind and to be sure
of my owne is worth all. The Lord be praised for what I have, which is
this month come down to L1257. I staid up about my accounts till almost
two in the morning.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1664-1665
February 1st. Lay long in bed, which made me, going by coach to St.
James's by appointment to have attended the Duke of Yorke and my Lord
Bellasses, lose the hopes of my getting something by the hire of a ship
to carry men to Tangier. But, however, according to the order of the
Duke this morning, I did go to the 'Change, and there after great pains
did light of a business with Mr. Gifford and Hubland [Houblon] for
bringing me as much as I hoped for, which I have at large expressed in my
stating the case of the "King's Fisher," which is the ship that I have
hired, and got the Duke of Yorke's agreement this afternoon after much
pains and not eating a bit of bread till about 4 o'clock. Going home I
put in to an ordinary by Temple Barr and there with my boy Tom eat a
pullet, and thence home to the office, being still angry with my wife for
yesterday's foolery. After a good while at the office, I with the boy to
the Sun behind the Exchange, by agreement with Mr. Young the flag-maker,
and there was met by Mr. Hill, Andrews, and Mr. Hubland, a pretty serious
man. Here two very pretty savoury dishes and good discourse. After
supper a song, or three or four (I having to that purpose carried Lawes's
book), and staying here till 12 o'clock got the watch to light me home,
and in a continued discontent to bed. After being in bed, my people come
and say there is a great stinke of burning, but no smoake. We called up
Sir J. Minnes's and Sir W. Batten's people, and Griffin, and the people
at the madhouse, but nothing could be found to give occasion to it. At
this trouble we were till past three o'clock, and then the stinke
ceasing, I to sleep, and my people to bed, and lay very long in the
morning.
2nd. Then up and to my office, where till noon and then to the 'Change,
and at the Coffee-house with Gifford, Hubland, the Master of the ship,
and I read over and approved a charter-party for carrying goods for
Tangier, wherein I hope to get some money. Thence home, my head akeing
for want of rest and too much business. So to the office. At night
comes, Povy, and he and I to Mrs. Bland's to discourse about my serving
her to helpe her to a good passage for Tangier. Here I heard her
kinswoman sing 3 or 4 very fine songs and in good manner, and then home
and to supper. My cook mayd Jane and her mistresse parted, and she went
away this day. I vexed to myself, but was resolved to have no more
trouble, and so after supper to my office and then to bed.
3rd. Up, and walked with my boy (whom, because of my wife's making him
idle, I dare not leave at home) walked first to Salsbury court, there to
excuse my not being at home at dinner to Mrs. Turner, who I perceive is
vexed, because I do not serve her in something against the great feasting
for her husband's Reading--[On his appointment as Reader in Law.]--in
helping her to some good penn'eths, but I care not. She was dressing
herself by the fire in her chamber, and there took occasion to show me
her leg, which indeed is the finest I ever saw, and she not a little
proud of it. Thence to my Lord Bellasses; thence to Mr. Povy's, and so
up and down at that end of the town about several businesses, it being a
brave frosty day and good walking. So back again on foot to the 'Change,
in my way taking my books from binding from my bookseller's. My bill for
the rebinding of some old books to make them suit with my study, cost me,
besides other new books in the same bill, L3; but it will be very
handsome. At the 'Change did several businesses, and here I hear that
newes is come from Deale, that the same day my Lord Sandwich sailed
thence with the fleete, that evening some Dutch men of warr were seen on
the back side of the Goodwin, and, by all conjecture, must be seen by my
Lord's fleete; which, if so, they must engage. Thence, being invited, to
my uncle Wight's, where the Wights all dined; and, among the others,
pretty Mrs. Margaret, who indeed is a very pretty lady; and though by my
vowe it costs me 12d. a kiss after the first, yet I did adventure upon a
couple. So home, and among other letters found one from Jane, that is
newly gone, telling me how her mistresse won't pay her her Quarter's
wages, and withal tells me how her mistress will have the boy sit 3 or 4
hours together in the dark telling of stories, but speaks of nothing but
only her indiscretion in undervaluing herself to do it, but I will remedy
that, but am vexed she should get some body to write so much because of
making it publique. Then took coach and to visit my Lady Sandwich, where
she discoursed largely to me her opinion of a match, if it could be
thought fit by my Lord, for my Lady Jemimah, with Sir G. Carteret's
eldest son; but I doubt he hath yet no settled estate in land. But I
will inform myself, and give her my opinion. Then Mrs. Pickering (after
private discourse ended, we going into the other room) did, at my Lady's
command, tell me the manner of a masquerade
[The masquerade at Court took place on the 2nd, and is referred to
by Evelyn, who was present, in his Diary. Some amusing incidents
connected with the entertainment are related in the "Grammont
Memoirs" (chapter vii.).]
before the King and Court the other day. Where six women (my Lady
Castlemayne and Duchesse of Monmouth being two of them) and six men (the
Duke of Monmouth and Lord Arran and Monsieur Blanfort, being three of
them) in vizards, but most rich and antique dresses, did dance admirably
and most gloriously. God give us cause to continue the mirthe! So home,
and after awhile at my office to supper and to bed.
4th. Lay long in bed discoursing with my wife about her mayds, which by
Jane's going away in discontent and against my opinion do make some
trouble between my wife and me. But these are but foolish troubles and
so not to be set to heart, yet it do disturb me mightily these things.
To my office, and there all the morning. At noon being invited, I to the
Sun behind the 'Change, to dinner to my Lord Belasses, where a great deal
of discourse with him, and some good, among others at table he told us a
very handsome passage of the King's sending him his message about holding
out the town of Newarke, of which he was then governor for the King.
This message he sent in a sluggbullet, being writ in cypher, and wrapped
up in lead and swallowed. So the messenger come to my Lord and told him
he had a message from the King, but it was yet in his belly; so they did
give him some physique, and out it come. This was a month before the
King's flying to the Scotts; and therein he told him that at such a day,
being the 3d or 6th of May, he should hear of his being come to the
Scotts, being assured by the King of France that in coming to them he
should be used with all the liberty, honour, and safety, that could be
desired. And at the just day he did come to the Scotts. He told us
another odd passage: how the King having newly put out Prince Rupert of
his generallshipp, upon some miscarriage at Bristoll, and Sir Richard
Willis
[Sir Richard Willis, the betrayer of the Royalists, was one of the
"Sealed Knot." When the Restoration had become a certainty, he
wrote to Clarendon imploring him to intercede for him with the king
(see Lister's "Life of Clarendon," vol. iii., p. 87).]
of his governorship of Newarke, at the entreaty of the gentry of the
County, and put in my Lord Bellasses, the great officers of the King's
army mutinyed, and come in that manner with swords drawn, into the
market-place of the towne where the King was; which the King hearing,
says, "I must to horse." And there himself personally, when every body
expected they should have been opposed, the King come, and cried to the
head of the mutineers, which was Prince Rupert, "Nephew, I command you to
be gone." So the Prince, in all his fury and discontent, withdrew, and
his company scattered, which they say was the greatest piece of mutiny in
the world. Thence after dinner home to my office, and in the evening was
sent to by Jane that I would give her her wages. So I sent for my wife
to my office, and told her that rather than be talked on I would give her
all her wages for this Quarter coming on, though two months is behind,
which vexed my wife, and we begun to be angry, but I took myself up and
sent her away, but was cruelly vexed in my mind that all my trouble in
this world almost should arise from my disorders in my family and the
indiscretion of a wife that brings me nothing almost (besides a comely
person) but only trouble and discontent. She gone I late at my business,
and then home to supper and to bed.
5th (Lord's day). Lay in bed most of the morning, then up and down to my
chamber, among my new books, which is now a pleasant sight to me to see
my whole study almost of one binding. So to dinner, and all the
afternoon with W. Hewer at my office endorsing of papers there, my
business having got before me much of late. In the evening comes to see
me Mr. Sheply, lately come out of the country, who goes away again
to-morrow, a good and a very kind man to me. There come also Mr. Andrews
and Hill, and we sang very pleasantly; and so, they being gone, I and my
wife to supper, and to prayers and bed.
6th. Up and with Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Pen to St. James's, but the
Duke is gone abroad. So to White Hall to him, and there I spoke with
him, and so to Westminster, did a little business, and then home to the
'Change, where also I did some business, and went off and ended my
contract with the "Kingfisher" I hired for Tangier, and I hope to get
something by it. Thence home to dinner, and visited Sir W. Batten, who
is sick again, worse than he was, and I am apt to think is very ill. So
to my office, and among other things with Sir W. Warren 4 hours or more
till very late, talking of one thing or another, and have concluded a
firm league with him in all just ways to serve him and myself all I can,
and I think he will be a most usefull and thankfull man to me. So home
to supper and to bed. This being one of the coldest days, all say, they
ever felt in England; and I this day, under great apprehensions of
getting an ague from my putting a suit on that hath lain by without
ayring a great while, and I pray God it do not do me hurte.
7th. Up and to my office, where busy all the morning, and at home to
dinner. It being Shrove Tuesday, had some very good fritters. All the
afternoon and evening at the office, and at night home to supper and to
bed. This day, Sir W. Batten, who hath been sicke four or five days, is
now very bad, so as people begin to fear his death; and I am at a loss
whether it will be better for me to have him die, because he is a bad
man, or live, for fear a worse should come.
8th. Up and by coach to my Lord Peterborough's, where anon my Lord Ashly
and Sir Thomas Ingram met, and Povy about his accounts, who is one of the
most unhappy accountants that ever I knew in all my life, and one that if
I were clear in reference to my bill of L117 he should be hanged before I
would ever have to do with him, and as he understands nothing of his
business himself, so he hath not one about him that do. Here late till I
was weary, having business elsewhere, and thence home by coach, and after
dinner did several businesses and very late at my office, and so home to
supper and to bed.
9th. Up and to my office, where all the morning very busy. At noon home
to dinner, and then to my office again, where Sir William Petty come,
among other things to tell me that Mr. Barlow
[Thomas Barlow, Pepys's predecessor as Clerk of the Acts, to whom he
paid part of the salary. Barlow held the office jointly with Dennis
Fleeting.]
is dead; for which, God knows my heart, I could be as sorry as is
possible for one to be for a stranger, by whose death he gets L100 per
annum, he being a worthy, honest man; but after having considered that
when I come to consider the providence of God by this means unexpectedly
to give me L100 a year more in my estate, I have cause to bless God, and
do it from the bottom of my heart. So home late at night, after twelve
o'clock, and so to bed.
10th. Up and abroad to Paul's Churchyard, there to see the last of my
books new bound: among others, my "Court of King James,"
["The Court and Character of King James, written and taken by Sir
Anthony Weldon, being an eye and eare witnesse," was published in
1650, and reprinted in 1651 under the title of "Truth brought to
Light" Weldon's book was answered in a work entitled "Aulicus
Coquinariae." Both the original book and the answer were reprinted
in "The Secret History of the Court of King James," Edinburgh, 1811,
two vols. (edited by Sir Walter Scott).]
and "The Rise and Fall of the Family of the Stewarts;" and much pleased I
am now with my study; it being, methinks, a beautifull sight. Thence (in
Mr. Grey's coach, who took me up), to Westminster, where I heard that
yesterday the King met the Houses to pass the great bill for the
L2,500,000. After doing a little business I home, where Mr. Moore dined
with me, and evened our reckonings on my Lord Sandwich's bond to me for
principal and interest. So that now on both there is remaining due to me
L257. 7s., and I bless God it is no more. So all the afternoon at my
office, and late home to supper, prayers, and to bed.
11th. Up and to my office, where all the morning. At noon to 'Change by
coach with my Lord Brunkard, and thence after doing much business home to
dinner, and so to my office all the afternoon till past 12 at night very
busy. So home to bed.
12th (Lord's day). Up and to church to St. Lawrence to hear Dr. Wilkins,
the great scholar, for curiosity, I having never heard him: but was not
satisfied with him at all, only a gentleman sat in the pew I by chance
sat in, that sang most excellently, and afterward I found by his face
that he had been a Paul's scholler, but know not his name, and I was also
well pleased with the church, it being a very fine church. So home to
dinner, and then to my office all the afternoon doing of business, and in
the evening comes Mr. Hill (but no Andrews) and we spent the evening very
finely, singing, supping and discoursing. Then to prayers and to bed.
13th. Up and to St. James's, did our usual business before the Duke.
Thence I to Westminster and by water (taking Mr. Stapely the rope-maker
by the way), to his rope-ground and to Limehouse, there to see the manner
of stoves and did excellently inform myself therein, and coming home did
go on board Sir W. Petty's "Experiment," which is a brave roomy vessel,
and I hope may do well. So went on shore to a Dutch [house] to drink
some mum, and there light upon some Dutchmen, with whom we had good
discourse touching stoveing
[Stoveing, in sail-making, is the heating of the bolt-ropes, so as
to make them pliable.--B.]
and making of cables. But to see how despicably they speak of us for our
using so many hands more to do anything than they do, they closing a
cable with 20, that we use 60 men upon. Thence home and eat something,
and then to my office, where very late, and then to supper and to bed.
Captain Stokes, it seems, is at last dead at Portsmouth.
14th (St. Valentine). This morning comes betimes Dicke Pen, to be my
wife's Valentine, and come to our bedside. By the same token, I had him
brought to my side, thinking to have made him kiss me; but he perceived
me, and would not; so went to his Valentine: a notable, stout, witty boy.
I up about business, and, opening the door, there was Bagwell's wife,
with whom I talked afterwards, and she had the confidence to say she came
with a hope to be time enough to be my Valentine, and so indeed she did,
but my oath preserved me from loosing any time with her, and so I and my
boy abroad by coach to Westminster, where did two or three businesses,
and then home to the 'Change, and did much business there. My Lord
Sandwich is, it seems, with his fleete at Alborough Bay. So home to
dinner and then to the office, where till 12 almost at night, and then
home to supper and to bed.
15th. Up and to my office, where busy all the morning. At noon with
Creed to dinner to Trinity-house, where a very good dinner among the old
sokers, where an extraordinary discourse of the manner of the loss of the
"Royall Oake" coming home from Bantam, upon the rocks of Scilly, many
passages therein very extraordinary, and if I can I will get it in
writing. Thence with Creed to Gresham College, where I had been by Mr.
Povy the last week proposed to be admitted a member;
[According to the minutes of the Royal Society for February 15th,
1664-65, "Mr. Pepys was unanimously elected and admitted." Notes of
the experiments shown by Hooke and Boyle are given in Birch's
"History of the Royal Society," vol. ii., p. 15.]
and was this day admitted, by signing a book and being taken by the hand
by the President, my Lord Brunkard, and some words of admittance said to
me. But it is a most acceptable thing to hear their discourse, and see
their experiments; which were this day upon the nature of fire, and how
it goes out in a place where the ayre is not free, and sooner out where
the ayre is exhausted, which they showed by an engine on purpose. After
this being done, they to the Crowne Taverne, behind the 'Change, and
there my Lord and most of the company to a club supper; Sir P. Neale,
Sir R. Murrey, Dr. Clerke, Dr. Whistler, Dr. Goddard, and others of most
eminent worth. Above all, Mr. Boyle to-day was at the meeting, and above
him Mr. Hooke, who is the most, and promises the least, of any man in
the world that ever I saw. Here excellent discourse till ten at night,
and then home, and to Sir W. Batten's, where I hear that Sir Thos. Harvy
intends to put Mr. Turner out of his house and come in himself, which
will be very hard to them, and though I love him not, yet for his
family's sake I pity him. So home and to bed.
16th. Up, and with Mr. Andrews to White Hall, where a Committee of
Tangier, and there I did our victuallers' business for some more money,
out of which I hope to get a little, of which I was glad; but, Lord! to
see to what a degree of contempt, nay, scorn, Mr. Povy, through his
prodigious folly, hath brought himself in his accounts, that if he be not
a man of a great interest, he will be kicked out of his employment for a
foole, is very strange, and that most deservedly that ever man was, for
never any man, that understands accounts so little, ever went through so
much, and yet goes through it with the greatest shame and yet with
confidence that ever I saw man in my life. God deliver me in my owne
business of my bill out of his hands, and if ever I foul my fingers with
him again let me suffer for it! Back to the 'Change, and thence home to
dinner, where Mrs. Hunt dined with me, and poor Mrs. Batters; who brought
her little daughter with her, and a letter from her husband, wherein, as
a token, the foole presents me very seriously with his daughter for me to
take the charge of bringing up for him, and to make my owne. But I took
no notice to her at all of the substance of the letter, but fell to
discourse, and so went away to the office, where all the afternoon till
almost one in the morning, and then home to bed.
17th. Up, and it being bitter cold, and frost and snow, which I had
thought had quite left us, I by coach to Povy's, where he told me, as I
knew already, how he was handled the other day, and is still, by my Lord
Barkeley, and among other things tells me, what I did not know, how my
Lord Barkeley will say openly, that he hath fought more set fields--
[Battles or actions]--than any man in England hath done. I did my
business with him, which was to get a little sum of money paid, and so
home with Mr. Andrews, who met me there, and there to the office. At
noon home and there found Lewellin, which vexed me out of my old jealous
humour. So to my office, where till 12 at night, being only a little
while at noon at Sir W. Batten's to see him, and had some high words with
Sir J. Minnes about Sir W. Warren, he calling him cheating knave, but
I cooled him, and at night at Sir W. Pen's, he being to go to Chatham
to-morrow. So home to supper and to bed.
18th. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning; at noon to the
'Change, and thence to the Royall Oake taverne in Lumbard Streete, where
Sir William Petty and the owners of the double-bottomed boat (the
Experiment) did entertain my Lord Brunkard, Sir R. Murrey, myself, and
others, with marrow bones and a chine of beefe of the victuals they have
made for this ship; and excellent company and good discourse: but, above
all, I do value Sir William Petty. Thence home; and took my Lord
Sandwich's draught of the harbour of Portsmouth down to Ratcliffe, to one
Burston, to make a plate for the King, and another for the Duke, and
another for himself; which will be very neat. So home, and till almost
one o'clock in the morning at my office, and then home to supper and to
bed. My Lord Sandwich, and his fleete of twenty-five ships in the
Downes, returned from cruising, but could not meet with any Dutchmen.
19th. Lay in bed, it being Lord's day, all the morning talking with my
wife, sometimes pleased, sometimes displeased, and then up and to dinner.
All the afternoon also at home, and Sir W. Batten's, and in the evening
comes Mr. Andrews, and we sung together, and then to supper, he not
staying, and at supper hearing by accident of my mayds their letting in a
rogueing Scotch woman that haunts the office, to helpe them to washe and
scoure in our house, and that very lately, I fell mightily out, and made
my wife, to the disturbance of the house and neighbours, to beat our
little girle, and then we shut her down into the cellar, and there she
lay all night. So we to bed.
20th. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes to attend the Duke, and then we back
again and rode into the beginning of my Lord Chancellor's new house, near
St. James's; which common people have already called Dunkirke-house, from
their opinion of his having a good bribe for the selling of that towne.
And very noble I believe it will be. Near that is my Lord Barkeley
beginning another on one side, and Sir J. Denham on the other. Thence I
to the House of Lords and spoke with my Lord Bellasses, and so to the
'Change, and there did business, and so to the Sun taverne, haling in the
morning had some high words with Sir J. Lawson about his sending of some
bayled goods to Tangier, wherein the truth is I did not favour him, but
being conscious that some of my profits may come out by some words that
fell from him, and to be quiet, I have accommodated it. Here we dined
merry; but my club and the rest come to 7s. 6d., which was too much.
Thence to the office, and there found Bagwell's wife, whom I directed to
go home, and I would do her business, which was to write a letter to my
Lord Sandwich for her husband's advance into a better ship as there
should be occasion. Which I did, and by and by did go down by water to
Deptford, and then down further, and so landed at the lower end of the
town, and it being dark 'entrer en la maison de la femme de Bagwell',
and there had 'sa compagnie', though with a great deal of difficulty,
'neanmoins en fin j'avais ma volont d'elle', and being sated therewith,
I walked home to Redriffe, it being now near nine o'clock, and there I
did drink some strong waters and eat some bread and cheese, and so home.
Where at my office my wife comes and tells me that she hath hired a
chamber mayde, one of the prettiest maydes that ever she saw in her life,
and that she is really jealous of me for her, but hath ventured to hire
her from month to month, but I think she means merrily. So to supper and
to bed.
21st. Up, and to the office (having a mighty pain in my forefinger of my
left hand, from a strain that it received last night) in struggling 'avec
la femme que je' mentioned yesterday, where busy till noon, and then my
wife being busy in going with her woman to a hot-house to bathe herself,
after her long being within doors in the dirt, so that she now pretends
to a resolution of being hereafter very clean. How long it will hold I
can guess. I dined with Sir W. Batten and my Lady, they being now a'days
very fond of me. So to the 'Change, and off of the 'Change with Mr.
Wayth to a cook's shop, and there dined again for discourse with him
about Hamaccos
[Or hammock-battens: cleats or battens nailed to the sides of a
vessel's beams, from which to suspend the seamen's hammocks.]
and the abuse now practised in tickets, and more like every day to be.
Also of the great profit Mr. Fen makes of his place, he being, though he
demands but 5 per cent. of all he pays, and that is easily computed, but
very little pleased with any man that gives him no more. So to the
office, and after office my Lord Brunkerd carried me to Lincolne's Inne
Fields, and there I with my Lady Sandwich (good lady) talking of innocent
discourse of good housewifery and husbands for her daughters, and the
luxury and looseness of the times and other such things till past 10
o'clock at night, and so by coach home, where a little at my office, and
so to supper and to bed. My Lady tells me how my Lord Castlemayne is
coming over from France, and is believed will be made friends with his
Lady again. What mad freaks the Mayds of Honour at Court have: that Mrs.
Jenings, one of the Duchesses mayds, the other day dressed herself like
an orange wench, and went up and down and cried oranges; till falling
down, or by such accident, though in the evening, her fine shoes were
discerned, and she put to a great deale of shame; that such as these
tricks being ordinary, and worse among them, thereby few will venture
upon them for wives: my Lady Castlemayne will in merriment say that her
daughter (not above a year old or two) will be the first mayde in the
Court that will be married. This day my Lord Sandwich writ me word from
the Downes, that he is like to be in towne this week.
22nd. Lay last night alone, my wife after her bathing lying alone in
another bed. So cold all night. Up and to the office, where busy all
the morning. At noon at the 'Change, busy; where great talk of a Dutch
ship in the North put on shore, and taken by a troop of horse. Home to
dinner and Creed with me. Thence to Gresham College, where very noble
discourse, and thence home busy till past 12 at night, and then home to
supper and to bed. Mrs. Bland come this night to take leave of me and my
wife, going to Tangier.
23rd. This day, by the blessing of Almighty God, I have lived thirty-two
years in the world, and am in the best degree of health at this minute
that I have been almost in my life time, and at this time in the best
condition of estate that ever I was in-the Lord make me thankfull. Up,
and to the office, where busy all the morning. At noon to the 'Change,
where I hear the most horrid and astonishing newes that ever was yet told
in my memory, that De Ruyter with his fleete in Guinny hath proceeded to
the taking of whatever we have, forts, goods, ships, and men, and tied
our men back to back, and thrown them all into the sea, even women and
children also. This a Swede or Hamburgher is come into the River and
tells that he saw the thing done.
[Similar reports of the cruelty of the English to the Dutch in
Guinea were credited in Holland, and were related by Downing in a
letter to Clarendon from the Hague, dated April 14th, 1665 (Lister's
"Life of Clarendon," vol. iii., p. 374).]
But, Lord! to see the consternation all our merchants are in is
observable, and with what fury and revenge they discourse of it. But I
fear it will like other things in a few days cool among us. But that
which I fear most is the reason why he that was so kind to our men at
first should afterward, having let them go, be so cruel when he went
further. What I fear is that there he was informed (which he was not
before) of some of Holmes's dealings with his countrymen, and so was
moved to this fury. God grant it be not so! But a more dishonourable
thing was never suffered by Englishmen, nor a more barbarous done by man,
as this by them to us. Home to dinner, and then to the office, where we
sat all the afternoon, and then at night to take my finall leave of Mrs.
Bland, who sets out to-morrow for Tangier, and then I back to my office
till past 12, and so home to supper and to bed.
24th. Up, and to my office, where all the morning upon advising again
with some fishermen and the water bayliffe of the City, by Mr. Coventry's
direction, touching the protections which are desired for the fishermen
upon the River, and I am glad of the occasion to make me understand
something of it. At noon home to dinner, and all the afternoon till 9 at
night in my chamber, and Mr. Hater with me (to prevent being disturbed at
the office), to perfect my contract book, which, for want of time, hath a
long time lain without being entered in as I used to do from month to
month. Then to my office, where till almost 12, and so home to bed.
25th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning. At noon to the
'Change; where just before I come, the Swede that had told the King and
the Duke so boldly this great lie of the Dutch flinging our men back to
back into the sea at Guinny, so particularly, and readily, and
confidently, was whipt round the 'Change: he confessing it a lie, and
that he did it in hopes to get something. It is said the judges, upon
demand, did give it their opinion that the law would judge him to be
whipt, to lose his eares, or to have his nose slit but I do not hear that
anything more is to be done to him. They say he is delivered over to the
Dutch Embassador to do what he pleased with him. But the world do think
that there is some design on one side or other, either of the Dutch or
French, for it is not likely a fellow would invent such a lie to get
money whereas he might have hoped for a better reward by telling
something in behalf of us to please us. Thence to the Sun taverne, and
there dined with Sir W. Warren and Mr. Gifford, the merchant: and I hear
how Nich. Colborne, that lately lived and got a great estate there, is
gone to live like a prince in the country, and that this Wadlow, that did
the like at the Devil by St. Dunstane's, did go into the country, and
there spent almost all he had got, and hath now choused this Colborne out
of his house, that he might come to his old trade again. But, Lord! to
see how full the house is, no room for any company almost to come into
it. Thence home to the office, where dispatched much business; at night
late home, and to clean myself with warm water; my wife will have me,
because she do herself, and so to bed.
26th (Sunday). Up and to church, and so home to dinner, and after dinner
to my office, and there busy all the afternoon, till in the evening comes
Mr. Andrews and Hill, and so home and to singing. Hill staid and supped
with me, and very good discourse of Italy, where he was, which is always
to me very agreeable. After supper, he gone, we to prayers and to bed.
27th. Up and to St. James's, where we attended the Duke as usual. This
morning I was much surprized and troubled with a letter from Mrs. Bland,
that she is left behind, and much trouble it cost me this day to find out
some way to carry her after the ships to Plymouth, but at last I hope I
have done it. At noon to the 'Change to inquire what wages the Dutch
give in their men-of-warr at this day, and I hear for certain they give
but twelve guilders at most, which is not full 24s., a thing I wonder at.
At home to dinner, and then in Sir J. Minnes's coach, my wife and I with
him, and also Mercer, abroad, he and I to White Hall, and he would have
his coach to wait upon my wife on her visits, it being the first time my
wife hath been out of doors (but the other day to bathe her) several
weeks. We to a Committee of the Council to discourse concerning pressing
of men; but, Lord! how they meet; never sit down: one comes, now another
goes, then comes another; one complaining that nothing is done, another
swearing that he hath been there these two hours and nobody come. At
last it come to this, my Lord Annesly, says he, "I think we must be
forced to get the King to come to every committee; for I do not see that
we do any thing at any time but when he is here." And I believe he said
the truth and very constant he is at the council table on council-days;
which his predecessors, it seems, very rarely did; but thus I perceive
the greatest affair in the world at this day is likely to be managed by
us. But to hear how my Lord Barkeley and others of them do cry up the
discipline of the late times here, and in the former Dutch warr is
strange, wishing with all their hearts that the business of religion were
not so severely carried on as to discourage the sober people to come
among us, and wishing that the same law and severity were used against
drunkennesse as there was then, saying that our evil living will call the
hand of God upon us again. Thence to walk alone a good while in St.
James's Parke with Mr. Coventry, who I perceive is grown a little
melancholy and displeased to see things go as they do so carelessly.
Thence I by coach to Ratcliffe highway, to the plate-maker's, and he has
begun my Lord Sandwich's plate very neatly, and so back again. Coming
back I met Colonell Atkins, who in other discourse did offer to give me a
piece to receive of me 20 when he proves the late news of the Dutch,
their drowning our men, at Guinny, and the truth is I find the generality
of the world to fear that there is something of truth in it, and I do
fear it too. Thence back by coach to Sir Philip Warwicke's; and there he
did contract with me a kind of friendship and freedom of communication,
wherein he assures me to make me understand the whole business of the
Treasurer's business of the Navy, that I shall know as well as Sir G.
Carteret what money he hath; and will needs have me come to him
sometimes, or he meet me, to discourse of things tending to the serving
the King: and I am mighty proud and happy in becoming so known to such a
man. And I hope shall pursue it. Thence back home to the office a
little tired and out of order, and then to supper and to bed.
28th: At the office all the morning. At noon dined at home. After
dinner my wife and I to my Lady batten's, it being the first time my wife
hath been there, I think, these two years, but I had a mind in part to
take away the strangenesse, and so we did, and all very quiett and kind.
Come home, I to the taking my wife's kitchen accounts at the latter end
of the month, and there find 7s. wanting, which did occasion a very high
falling out between us, I indeed too angrily insisting upon so poor a
thing, and did give her very provoking high words, calling her beggar,
and reproaching her friends, which she took very stomachfully and
reproached me justly with mine; and I confess, being myself, I cannot see
what she could have done less. I find she is very cunning, and when she
least shews it hath her wit at work; but it is an ill one, though I think
not so bad but with good usage I might well bear with it, and the truth
is I do find that my being over-solicitous and jealous and froward and
ready to reproach her do make her worse. However, I find that now and
then a little difference do no hurte, but too much of it will make her
know her force too much. We parted after many high words very angry, and
I to my office to my month's accounts, and find myself worth L1270, for
which the Lord God be praised! So at almost 2 o'clock in the morning I
home to supper and to bed, and so ends this month, with great expectation
of the Hollanders coming forth, who are, it seems, very high and rather
more ready than we. God give a good issue to it!
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
Accounts I never did see, or hope again to see in my days
At a loss whether it will be better for me to have him die
By his many words and no understanding, confound himself
Church, where a most insipid young coxcomb preached
Clean myself with warm water; my wife will have me
Costs me 12d. a kiss after the first
Find that now and then a little difference do no hurte
Going with her woman to a hot-house to bathe herself
Good discourse and counsel from him, which I hope I shall take
Great thaw it is not for a man to walk the streets
Heard noises over their head upon the leads
His disease was the pox and that he must be fluxed (Rupert)
I know not how their fortunes may agree
If the exportations exceed importations
It is a strange thing how fancy works
Law against it signifies nothing in the world
Law and severity were used against drunkennesse
Luxury and looseness of the times
Must be forced to confess it to my wife, which troubles me
My wife after her bathing lying alone in another bed
No man is wise at all times
Offer to give me a piece to receive of me 20
Pretends to a resolution of being hereafter very clean
Sat an hour or two talking and discoursing . . . .
So great a trouble is fear
Those bred in the North among the colliers are good for labour
Tied our men back to back, and thrown them all into the sea
Too much of it will make her know her force too much
Up, leaving my wife in bed, being sick of her months
When she least shews it hath her wit at work
Where money is free, there is great plenty
Who is the most, and promises the least, of any man
Wife that brings me nothing almost (besides a comely person)
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of The Diary of Samuel Pepys, v38
by Samuel Pepys, Unabridged, transcribed by Bright, edited by Wheatley