Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1664 N.S. Complete

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15th. Up, and to my Lord Sandwich's; where he sent for me up, and I did
give my Lord an account of what had passed with my Lord Chancellor
yesterday; with which he was well pleased, and advised me by all means to
study in the best manner I could to serve him in this business. After
this discourse ended, he begun to tell me that he had now pitched upon his
day of going to sea upon Monday next, and that he would now give me an
account how matters are with him. He told me that his work now in the
world is only to keep up his interest at Court, having little hopes to get
more considerably, he saying that he hath now about L8,000 per annum. It
is true, he says, he oweth about L10,000; but he hath been at great
charges in getting things to this pass in his estate; besides his building
and good goods that he hath bought. He says he hath now evened his
reckonings at the Wardrobe till Michaelmas last, and hopes to finish it to
Ladyday before he goes. He says now there is due, too, L7,000 to him
there, if he knew how to get it paid, besides L2000 that Mr. Montagu do
owe him. As to his interest, he says that he hath had all the injury done
him that ever man could have by another bosom friend that knows all his
secrets, by Mr. Montagu; but he says that the worst of it all is past, and
he gone out and hated, his very person by the King, and he believes the
more upon the score of his carriage to him; nay, that the Duke of Yorke
did say a little while since in his closett, that he did hate him because
of his ungratefull carriage to my Lord of Sandwich. He says that he is as
great with the Chancellor, or greater, than ever in his life. That with
the King he is the like; and told me an instance, that whereas he formerly
was of the private council to the King before he was last sicke, and that
by the sickness an interruption was made in his attendance upon him; the
King did not constantly call him, as he used to do, to his private
council, only in businesses of the sea and the like; but of late the King
did send a message to him by Sir Harry Bennet, to excuse the King to my
Lord that he had not of late sent for him as he used to do to his private
council, for it was not out of any distaste, but to avoid giving offence
to some others whom he did not name; but my Lord supposes it might be
Prince Rupert, or it may be only that the King would rather pass it by an
excuse, than be thought unkind: but that now he did desire him to attend
him constantly, which of late he hath done, and the King never more kind
to him in his life than now. The Duke of Yorke, as much as is possible;
and in the business of late, when I was to speak to my Lord about his
going to sea, he says that he finds the Duke did it with the greatest
ingenuity and love in the world; "and whereas," says my Lord, "here is a
wise man hard by that thinks himself so, and would be thought so, and it
may be is in a degree so (naming by and by my Lord Crew), would have had
me condition with him that neither Prince Rupert nor any body should come
over his head, and I know not what." The Duke himself hath caused in his
commission, that he be made Admirall of this and what other ships or
fleets shall hereafter be put out after these; which is very noble. He
tells me in these cases, and that of Mr. Montagu's, and all others, he
finds that bearing of them patiently is his best way, without noise or
trouble, and things wear out of themselves and come fair again. But, says
he, take it from me, never to trust too much to any man in the world, for
you put yourself into his power; and the best seeming friend and real
friend as to the present may have or take occasion to fall out with you,
and then out comes all. Then he told me of Sir Harry Bennet, though they
were always kind, yet now it is become to an acquaintance and familiarity
above ordinary, that for these months he hath done no business but with my
Lord's advice in his chamber, and promises all faithfull love to him and
service upon all occasions. My Lord says, that he hath the advantage of
being able by his experience to helpe and advise him; and he believes that
that chiefly do invite Sir Harry to this manner of treating him. "Now,"
says my Lord, "the only and the greatest embarras that I have in the world
is, how to behave myself to Sir H. Bennet and my Lord Chancellor, in case
that there do lie any thing under the embers about my Lord Bristoll, which
nobody can tell; for then," says he, "I must appear for one or other, and
I will lose all I have in the world rather than desert my Lord Chancellor:
so that," says he, "I know not for my life what to do in that case." For
Sir H. Bennet's love is come to the height, and his confidence, that he
hath given my Lord a character, and will oblige my Lord to correspond with
him. "This," says he, "is the whole condition of my estate and interest;
which I tell you, because I know not whether I shall see you again or no."
Then as to the voyage, he thinks it will be of charge to him, and no
profit; but that he must not now look after nor think to encrease, but
study to make good what he hath, that what is due to him from the Wardrobe
or elsewhere may be paid, which otherwise would fail, and all a man hath
be but small content to him. So we seemed to take leave one of another;
my Lord of me, desiring me that I would write to him and give him
information upon all occasions in matters that concern him; which, put
together with what he preambled with yesterday, makes me think that my
Lord do truly esteem me still, and desires to preserve my service to him;
which I do bless God for. In the middle of our discourse my Lady Crew
came in to bring my Lord word that he hath another son, my Lady being
brought to bed just now, I did not think her time had been so nigh, but
she's well brought to bed, for which God be praised! and send my Lord to
study the laying up of something the more! Then with Creed to St.
James's, and missing Mr. Coventry, to White Hall; where, staying for him
in one of the galleries, there comes out of the chayre-room Mrs. Stewart,
in a most lovely form, with her hair all about her eares, having her
picture taking there. There was the King and twenty more, I think,
standing by all the while, and a lovely creature she in this dress seemed
to be. Thence to the 'Change by coach, and so home to dinner and then to
my office. In the evening Mr. Hill, Andrews and I to my chamber to sing,
which we did very pleasantly, and then to my office again, where very late
and so home, with my mind I bless God in good state of ease and body of
health, only my head at this juncture very full of business, how to get
something. Among others what this rogue Creed will do before he goes to
sea, for I would fain be rid of him and see what he means to do, for I
will then declare myself his firm friend or enemy.

16th. Up in the morning, my head mightily confounded with the great deale
of business I have upon me to do. But to the office, and there dispatched
Mr. Creed's business pretty well about his bill; but then there comes W.
Howe for my Lord's bill of Imprest for L500 to carry with him this voyage,
and so I was at a loss how to carry myself in it, Creed being there, but
there being no help I delivered it to them both, and let them contend,
when I perceive they did both endeavour to have it, but W. Howe took it,
and the other had the discretion to suffer it. But I think I cleared
myself to Creed that it past not from any practice of mine. At noon rose
and did some necessary business at the 'Change. Thence to Trinity House
to a dinner which Sir G. Carteret makes there as Maister this year.
Thence to White Hall to the Tangier Committee, and there, above my
expectation, got the business of our contract for the victualling carried
for my people, viz., Alsopp, Lanyon, and Yeabsly; and by their promise I
do thereby get L300 per annum to myself, which do overjoy me; and the
matter is left to me to draw up. Mr. Lewes was in the gallery and is
mightily amazed at it, and I believe Mr. Gauden will make some stir about
it, for he wrote to Mr. Coventry to-day about it to argue why he should
for the King's convenience have it, but Mr. Coventry most justly did argue
freely for them that served cheapest. Thence walked a while with Mr.
Coventry in the gallery, and first find that he is mighty cold in his
present opinion of Mr. Peter Pett for his flagging and doing things so
lazily there, and he did also surprise me with a question why Deane did
not bring in their report of the timber of Clarendon. What he means
thereby I know not, but at present put him off; nor do I know how to steer
myself: but I must think of it, and advise with my Lord Sandwich. Thence
with Creed by coach to my Lord Sandwich's, and there I got Mr. Moore to
give me my Lord's hand for my receipt of L109 more of my money of Sir G.
Carteret, so that then his debt to me will be under L500, I think. This
do ease my mind also. Thence carried him and W. Howe into London, and set
them down at Sir G. Carteret's to receive some money, and I home and there
busy very late, and so home to supper and to bed, with my mind in pretty
good ease, my business being in a pretty good condition every where.

17th (Lord's day). All the morning at my office doing business there, it
raining hard. So dined at home alone. After dinner walked to my Lord's,
and there found him and much other guests at table at dinner, and it seems
they have christened his young son to-day-called him James. I got a piece
of cake. I got my Lord to signe and seale my business about my selling of
Brampton land, which though not so full as I would, yet is as full as I
can at present. Walked home again, and there fell to read, and by and by
comes my uncle Wight, Dr. Burnett, and another gentleman, and talked and
drank, and the Doctor showed me the manner of eating, turpentine, which
pleases me well, for it is with great ease. So they being gone, I to
supper and to bed.

18th. Up, and walked to my Lord's, and there took my leave of him, he
seeming very friendly to me in as serious a manner as ever in his life,
and I believe he is very confident of me. He sets out this morning for
Deale. Thence to St. James's to the Duke, and there did our usual
business. He discourses very freely of a warr with Holland, to begin
about winter, so that I believe we shall come to it. Before we went up to
the Duke, Sir G. Carteret and I did talk together in the Parke about my
Lord Chancellor's business of the timber; he telling me freely that my
Lord Chancellor was never so angry with him in all his life, as he was for
this business, in great passion; and that when he saw me there, he knew
what it was about. And plots now with me how we may serve my Lord, which
I am mightily glad of; and I hope together we may do it. Thence to
Westminster to my barber's, to have my Periwigg he lately made me cleansed
of its nits, which vexed me cruelly that he should put such a thing into
my hands. Here meeting his mayd Jane, that has lived with them so long, I
talked with her, and sending her of an errand to Dr. Clerk's, did meet
her, and took her into a little alehouse in Brewers Yard, and there did
sport with her, without any knowledge of her though, and a very pretty
innocent girl she is. Thence to my Lord Chancellor's, but he being busy I
went away to the 'Change, and so home to dinner. By and by comes Creed,
and I out with him to Fleet Street, and he to Mr. Povy's, I to my Lord
Chancellor's, and missing him again walked to Povy's, and there saw his
new perspective in his closet. Povy, to my great surprise and wonder, did
here attacque me in his own and Mr. Bland's behalf that I should do for
them both for the new contractors for the victualling of the garrison.
Which I am ashamed that he should ask of me, nor did I believe that he was
a man that did seek benefit in such poor things. Besides that he
professed that he did not believe that I would have any hand myself in the
contract, and yet here declares that he himself would have profit by it,
and himself did move me that Sir W. Rider might join, and Ford with
Gauden. I told him I had no interest in them, but I fear they must do
something to him, for he told me that those of the Mole did promise to
consider him. Thence home and Creed with me, and there he took occasion
to owne his obligations to me, and did lay down twenty pieces in gold upon
my shelf in my closett, which I did not refuse, but wish and expected
should have been more. But, however, this is better than nothing, and now
I am out of expectation, and shall henceforward know how to deal with him.
After discourse of settling his matters here, we went out by coach, and he
'light at the Temple, and there took final leave of me, in order to his
following my Lord to-morrow. I to my Lord Chancellor, and discoursed his
business with him. I perceive, and he says plainly, that he will not have
any man to have it in his power to say that my Lord Chancellor did
contrive the wronging the King of his timber; but yet I perceive, he would
be glad to have service done him therein; and told me Sir G. Carteret hath
told him that he and I would look after his business to see it done in the
best manner for him. Of this I was glad, and so away. Thence home, and
late with my Tangier men about drawing up their agreement with us, wherein
I find much trouble, and after doing as much as we could to-night, broke
up and I to bed.

19th. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon dined
alone at home. After dinner Sir W. Batten and I down by water to
Woolwich, where coming to the ropeyarde we are told that Mr. Falconer, who
hath been ill of a relapse these two days, is just now dead. We went up
to his widow, who is sicke in bed also. The poor woman in great sorrow,
and entreats our friendship, which we shall, I think, in every thing do
for her. I am sure I will. Thence to the Docke, and there in Sheldon's
garden eat some fruit; so to Deptford a little, and thence home, it
raining mightily, and being cold I doubted my health after it. At the
office till 9 o'clock about Sir W. Warren's contract for masts, and then
at home with Lanyon and Yeabsly till 12 and past about their contract for
Tangier, wherein they and I differed, for I would have it drawn to the
King's advantage, as much as might be, which they did not like, but parted
good friends; however, when they were gone, I wished that I had forborne
any disagreement till I had had their promise to me in writing. They
being gone, I to bed.

20th. Up, and a while to my office, and then home with Mr. Deane till
dinner, discoursing upon the business of my Lord Chancellor's timber in
Clarendon Parke, and how to make a report therein without offending him;
which at last I drew up, and hope it will please him. But I would to God
neither I nor he ever had had any thing to have done with it! Dined
together with a good pig, and then out by coach to White Hall, to the
Committee for Fishing; but nothing done, it being a great day to-day there
upon drawing at the Lottery of Sir Arthur Slingsby. I got in and stood by
the two Queenes and the Duchesse of Yorke, and just behind my Lady
Castlemayne, whom I do heartily adore; and good sport it was to see how
most that did give their ten pounds did go away with a pair of globes only
for their lot, and one gentlewoman, one Mrs. Fish, with the only blanke.
And one I staid to see drew a suit of hangings valued at L430, and they
say are well worth the money, or near it. One other suit there is better
than that; but very many lots of three and fourscore pounds. I observed
the King and Queenes did get but as poor lots as any else. But the wisest
man I met with was Mr. Cholmley, who insured as many as would, from
drawing of the one blank for 12d.; in which case there was the whole
number of persons to one, which I think was three or four hundred. And so
he insured about 200 for 200 shillings, so that he could not have lost if
one of them had drawn it, for there was enough to pay the L10; but it
happened another drew it, and so he got all the money he took. I left the
lottery, and went to a play, only a piece of it, which was the Duke's
house, "Worse and Worse;" just the same manner of play, and writ, I
believe, by the same man as "The Adventures of Five Hours;" very pleasant
it was, and I begin to admire Harris more than ever. Thence to
Westminster to see Creed, and he and I took a walk in the Parke. He is
ill, and not able yet to set out after my Lord, but will do to-morrow. So
home, and late at my office, and so home to bed. This evening being
moonshine I played a little late upon my flageolette in the garden. But
being at Westminster Hall I met with great news that Mrs. Lane is married
to one Martin, one that serves Captain Marsh. She is gone abroad with him
to-day, very fine. I must have a bout with her very shortly to see how
she finds marriage.

21st. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning, among other
things making a contract with Sir W. Warren for almost 1000 Gottenburg
masts, the biggest that ever was made in the Navy, and wholly of my
compassing and a good one I hope it is for the King. Dined at Sir W.
Batten's, where I have not eat these many months. Sir G. Carteret, Mr.
Coventry, Sir J. Minnes, and myself there only, and my Lady. A good
venison pasty, and very merry, and pleasant I made myself with my Lady,
and she as much to me. This morning to the office comes Nicholas Osborne,
Mr. Gauden's clerke, to desire of me what piece of plate I would choose to
have a L100, or thereabouts, bestowed upon me in, he having order to lay
out so much; and, out of his freedom with me, do of himself come to make
this question. I a great while urged my unwillingnesse to take any, not
knowing how I could serve Mr. Gauden, but left it wholly to himself; so at
noon I find brought home in fine leather cases, a pair of the noblest
flaggons that ever I saw all the days of my life; whether I shall keepe
them or no I cannot tell; for it is to oblige me to him in the business of
the Tangier victualling, wherein I doubt I shall not; but glad I am to see
that I shall be sure to get something on one side or other, have it which
will: so, with a merry heart, I looked upon them, and locked them up.
After dinner to [give] my Lord Chancellor a good account of his business,
and he is very well pleased therewith, and carries himself with great
discretion to me, without seeming over glad or beholding to me; and yet I
know that he do think himself very well served by me. Thence to
Westminster and to Mrs. Lane's lodgings, to give her joy, and there
suffered me to deal with her as I hoped to do, and by and by her husband
comes, a sorry, simple fellow, and his letter to her which she proudly
showed me a simple, nonsensical thing. A man of no discourse, and I fear
married her to make a prize of, which he is mistaken in, and a sad wife I
believe she will prove to him, for she urged me to appoint a time as soon
as he is gone out of town to give her a meeting next week. So by water
with a couple of cozens of Mrs. Lane's, and set them down at Queenhive,
and I through Bridge home, and there late at business, and so home to
supper and to bed.

22nd. Up and to my office, where busy all the morning. At noon to the
'Change, and so home to dinner, and then down by water to Deptford, where
coming too soon, I spent an houre in looking round the yarde, and putting
Mr. Shish

[Jonas Shish, master-shipwright at Deptford. There are several
papers of his among the State Papers. "I was at the funeral of old
Mr. Shish, Master Shipwright of His Majesty's Yard here, an honest
and remarkable man, and his death a public loss, for his excellent
success in building ships (though altogether illiterate) and for
bringing up so many of his children to be able artists. I held up
the pall with three knights who did him that honour, and he was
worthy of it. It was the custom of this good man to rise in the
night and pray, kneeling in his own coffin, which he had lying by
him for many years. He was born that famous year, the Gunpowder-
plot, 1605" (Evelyn's "Diary," May 13th, 1680).]

to measure a piece or two of timber, which he did most cruelly wrong, and
to the King's losse 12 or 13s. in a piece of 28 feet in contents. Thence
to the Clerke of the Cheques, from whose house Mr. Falconer was buried
to-day; Sir J. Minnes and I the only principal officers that were there.
We walked to church with him, and then I left them without staying the
sermon and straight home by water, and there find, as I expected, Mr.
Hill, and Andrews, and one slovenly and ugly fellow, Seignor Pedro, who
sings Italian songs to the theorbo most neatly, and they spent the whole
evening in singing the best piece of musique counted of all hands in the
world, made by Seignor Charissimi, the famous master in Rome. Fine it
was, indeed, and too fine for me to judge of. They have spoke to Pedro to
meet us every weeke, and I fear it will grow a trouble to me if we once
come to bid judges to meet us, especially idle Masters, which do a little
displease me to consider. They gone comes Mr. Lanyon, who tells me Mr.
Alsopp is now become dangerously ill, and fears his recovery, covery,
which shakes my expectation of L630 per annum by the business; and,
therefore, bless God for what Mr. Gauden hath sent me, which, from some
discourse to-day with Mr. Osborne, swearing that he knows not any thing of
this business of the victualling; but, the contrary, that it is not that
moves Mr. Gauden to send it me, for he hath had order for it any time
these two months. Whether this be true or no, I know not; but I shall
hence with the more confidence keepe it. To supper and to the office a
little, and to walk in the garden, the moon shining bright, and fine warm
fair weather, and so home to bed.

23rd. Up, and all the morning at the office. At noon to the 'Change,
where I took occasion to break the business of my Lord Chancellor's timber
to Mr. Coventry in the best manner I could. He professed to me, that,
till, Sir G. Carteret did speake of it at the table, after our officers
were gone to survey it, he did not know that my Lord Chancellor had any
thing to do with it; but now he says that he had been told by the Duke
that Sir G. Carteret had spoke to him about it, and that he had told the
Duke that, were he in my Lord Chancellor's case, if he were his father, he
would rather fling away the gains of two or L3,000, than have it said that
the timber, which should have been the King's, if it had continued the
Duke of Albemarle's, was concealed by us in favour of my Lord Chancellor;
for, says he, he is a great man, and all such as he, and he himself
particularly, have a great many enemies that would be glad of such an
advantage against him. When I told him it was strange that Sir J. Minnes
and Sir G. Carteret, that knew my Lord Chancellor's concernment therein,
should not at first inform us, he answered me that for Sir J. Minnes, he
is looked upon to be an old good companion, but by nobody at the other end
of the towne as any man of business, and that my Lord Chancellor, he dares
say, never did tell him of it, only Sir G. Carteret, he do believe, must
needs know it, for he and Sir J. Shaw are the greatest confidants he hath
in the world. So for himself, he said, he would not mince the matter, but
was resolved to do what was fit, and stand upon his owne legs therein, and
that he would speak to the Duke, that he and Sir G. Carteret might be
appointed to attend my Lord Chancellor in it. All this disturbs me
mightily. I know not what to say to it, nor how to carry myself therein;
for a compliance will discommend me to Mr. Coventry, and a discompliance
to my Lord Chancellor. But I think to let it alone, or at least meddle in
it as little more as I can. From thence walked toward Westminster, and
being in an idle and wanton humour, walked through Fleet Alley, and there
stood a most pretty wench at one of the doors, so I took a turn or two,
but what by sense of honour and conscience I would not go in, but much
against my will took coach and away, and away to Westminster Hall, and
there 'light of Mrs. Lane, and plotted with her to go over the water. So
met at White's stairs in Chanel Row, and over to the old house at Lambeth
Marsh, and there eat and drank, and had my pleasure of her twice, she
being the strangest woman in talk of love to her husband sometimes, and
sometimes again she do not care for him, and yet willing enough to allow
me a liberty of doing what I would with her. So spending 5s. or 6s. upon
her, I could do what I would, and after an hour's stay and more back again
and set her ashore there again, and I forward to Fleet Street, and called
at Fleet Alley, not knowing how to command myself, and went in and there
saw what formerly I have been acquainted with, the wickedness of these
houses, and the forcing a man to present expense. The woman indeed is a
most lovely woman, but I had no courage to meddle with her for fear of her
not being wholesome, and so counterfeiting that I had not money enough, it
was pretty to see how cunning she was, would not suffer me to have to do
in any manner with her after she saw I had no money, but told me then I
would not come again, but she now was sure I would come again, but I hope
in God I shall not, for though she be one of the prettiest women I ever
saw, yet I fear her abusing me. So desiring God to forgive me for this
vanity, I went home, taking some books from my bookseller, and taking his
lad home with me, to whom I paid L10 for books I have laid up money for,
and laid out within these three weeks, and shall do no more a great while
I hope. So to my office writing letters, and then home and to bed, weary
of the pleasure I have had to-day, and ashamed to think of it.

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