Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1664 N.S. Complete

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21st (Lord's day). Waked about 4 o'clock with my wife, having a
looseness, and peoples coming in the yard to the pump to draw water
several times, so that fear of this day's fire made me fearful, and called
Besse and sent her down to see, and it was Griffin's maid for water to
wash her house. So to sleep again, and then lay talking till 9 o'clock.
So up and drunk three bottles of Epsum water, which wrought well with me.
I all the morning and most of the afternoon after dinner putting papers to
rights in my chamber, and the like in the evening till night at my office,
and renewing and writing fair over my vowes. So home to supper, prayers,
and to bed. Mr. Coventry told us the Duke was gone ill of a fit of an
ague to bed; so we sent this morning to see how he do.

[Elizabeth Falkener, wife of John Falkener, announced to Pepys the
death of "her dear and loving husband" in a letter dated July 19th,
1664 "begs interest that she may be in something considered by the
person succeeding her husband in his employment, which has
occasioned great expenses." ("Calendar of State Papers," Domestic,
1663-64, p. 646)]

22nd. Up and abroad, doing very many errands to my great content which
lay as burdens upon my mind and memory. Home to dinner, and so to White
Hall, setting down my wife at her father's, and I to the Tangier
Committee, where several businesses I did to my mind, and with hopes
thereby to get something. So to Westminster Hall, where by appointment I
had made I met with Dr. Tom Pepys, but avoided all discourse of difference
with him, though much against my will, and he like a doating coxcomb as he
is, said he could not but demand his money, and that he would have his
right, and that let all anger be forgot, and such sorry stuff, nothing to
my mind, but only I obtained this satisfaction, that he told me about
Sturbridge last was 12 months or 2 years he was at Brampton, and there my
father did tell him that what he had done for my brother in giving him his
goods and setting him up as he had done was upon condition that he should
give my brother John L20 per ann., which he charged upon my father, he
tells me in answer, as a great deal of hard measure that he should expect
that with him that had a brother so able as I am to do that for him. This
is all that he says he can say as to my father's acknowledging that he had
given Tom his goods. He says his brother Roger will take his oath that my
father hath given him thanks for his counsel for his giving of Tom his
goods and setting him up in the manner that he hath done, but the former
part of this he did not speak fully so bad nor as certain what he could
say. So we walked together to my cozen Joyce's, where my wife staid for
me, and then I home and her by coach, and so to my office, then to supper
and to bed.

23rd. Lay long talking with my wife, and angry awhile about her desiring
to have a French mayde all of a sudden, which I took to arise from
yesterday's being with her mother. But that went over and friends again,
and so she be well qualitied, I care not much whether she be French or no,
so a Protestant. Thence to the office, and at noon to the 'Change, where
very busy getting ships for Guinny and for Tangier. So home to dinner,
and then abroad all the afternoon doing several errands, to comply with my
oath of ending many businesses before Bartholomew's day, which is two days
hence. Among others I went into New Bridewell, in my way to Mr. Cole, and
there I saw the new model, and it is very handsome. Several at work, among
others, one pretty whore brought in last night, which works very lazily.
I did give them 6d. to drink, and so away. To Graye's Inn, but missed Mr.
Cole, and so homeward called at Harman's, and there bespoke some chairs
for a room, and so home, and busy late, and then to supper and to bed.
The Dutch East India Fleete are now come home safe, which we are sorry
for. Our Fleets on both sides are hastening out to Guinny.

24th. Up by six o'clock, and to my office with Tom Hater dispatching
business in haste. At nine o'clock to White Hall about Mr. Maes's
business at the Council, which stands in an ill condition still. Thence
to Graye's Inn, but missed of Mr. Cole the lawyer, and so walked home,
calling among the joyners in Wood Streete to buy a table and bade in many
places, but did not buy it till I come home to see the place where it is
to stand, to judge how big it must be. So after 'Change home and a good
dinner, and then to White Hall to a Committee of the Fishery, where my
Lord Craven and Mr. Gray mightily against Mr. Creed's being joined in the
warrant for Secretary with Mr. Duke. However I did get it put off till
the Duke of Yorke was there, and so broke up doing nothing. So walked
home, first to the Wardrobe, and there saw one suit of clothes made for my
boy and linen set out, and I think to have him the latter end of this
week, and so home, Mr. Creed walking the greatest part of the way with me
advising what to do in his case about his being Secretary to us in
conjunction with Duke, which I did give him the best I could, and so home
and to my office, where very much business, and then home to supper and to
bed.

25th. Up and to the office after I had spoke to my taylor, Langford (who
came to me about some work), desiring to know whether he knew of any debts
that my father did owe of his own in the City. He tells me, "No, not
any." I did on purpose try him because of what words he and his wife have
said of him (as Herbert told me the other day), and further did desire
him, that if he knew of any or could hear of any that he should bid them
come to me, and I would pay them, for I would not that because he do not
pay my brother's debts that therefore he should be thought to deny the
payment of his owne. All the morning at the office busy. At noon to the
'Change, among other things busy to get a little by the hire of a ship for
Tangier. So home to dinner, and after dinner comes Mr. Cooke to see me;
it is true he was kind to me at sea in carrying messages to and fro to my
wife from sea, but I did do him kindnesses too, and therefore I matter not
much to compliment or make any regard of his thinking me to slight him as
I do for his folly about my brother Tom's mistress. After dinner and some
talk with him, I to my office; there busy, till by and by Jacke Noble came
to me to tell me that he had Cave in prison, and that he would give me and
my father good security that neither we nor any of our family should be
troubled with the child; for he could prove that he was fully satisfied
for him; and that if the worst came to the worst, the parish must keep it;
that Cave did bring the child to his house, but they got it carried back
again, and that thereupon he put him in prison. When he saw that I would
not pay him the money, nor made anything of being secured against the
child, he then said that then he must go to law, not himself, but come in
as a witness for Cave against us. I could have told him that he could
bear witness that Cave is satisfied, or else there is no money due to
himself; but I let alone any such discourse, only getting as much out of
him as I could. I perceive he is a rogue, and hath inquired into
everything and consulted with Dr. Pepys, and that he thinks as Dr. Pepys
told him that my father if he could would not pay a farthing of the debts,
and yet I made him confess that in all his lifetime he never knew my
father to be asked for money twice, nay, not once, all the time he lived
with him, and that for his own debts he believed he would do so still, but
he meant only for those of Tom. He said now that Randall and his wife and
the midwife could prove from my brother's own mouth that the child was
his, and that Tom had told them the circumstances of time, upon November
5th at night, that he got it on her. I offered him if he would secure my
father against being forced to pay the money again I would pay him, which
at first he would do, give his own security, and when I asked more than
his own he told me yes he would, and those able men, subsidy men, but when
we came by and by to discourse of it again he would not then do it, but
said he would take his course, and joyne with Cave and release him, and so
we parted. However, this vexed me so as I could not be quiet, but took
coach to go speak with Mr. Cole, but met him not within, so back, buying a
table by the way, and at my office late, and then home to supper and to
bed, my mind disordered about this roguish business--in every thing else,
I thank God, well at ease.

26th. Up by 5 o'clock, which I have not been many a day, and down by
water to Deptford, and there took in Mr. Pumpfield the rope-maker, and
down with him to Woolwich to view Clothier's cordage, which I found bad
and stopped the receipt of it. Thence to the ropeyard, and there among
other things discoursed with Mrs. Falconer, who tells me that she has
found the writing, and Sir W. Pen's daughter is not put into the lease for
her life as he expected, and I am glad of it. Thence to the Dockyarde,
and there saw the new ship in very great forwardness, and so by water to
Deptford a little, and so home and shifting myself, to the 'Change, and
there did business, and thence down by water to White Hall, by the way, at
the Three Cranes, putting into an alehouse and eat a bit of bread and
cheese. There I could not get into the Parke, and so was fain to stay in
the gallery over the gate to look to the passage into the Parke, into
which the King hath forbid of late anybody's coming, to watch his coming
that had appointed me to come, which he did by and by with his lady and
went to Guardener's Lane, and there instead of meeting with one that was
handsome and could play well, as they told me, she is the ugliest beast
and plays so basely as I never heard anybody, so that I should loathe her
being in my house. However, she took us by and by and showed us indeed
some pictures at one Hiseman's, a picture drawer, a Dutchman, which is
said to exceed Lilly, and indeed there is both of the Queenes and Mayds of
Honour (particularly Mrs. Stewart's in a buff doublet like a soldier) as
good pictures, I think, as ever I saw. The Queene is drawn in one like a
shepherdess, in the other like St. Katharin, most like and most admirably.
I was mightily pleased with this sight indeed, and so back again to their
lodgings, where I left them, but before I went this mare that carried me,
whose name I know not but that they call him Sir John, a pitiful fellow,
whose face I have long known but upon what score I know not, but he could
have the confidence to ask me to lay down money for him to renew the lease
of his house, which I did give eare to there because I was there receiving
a civility from him, but shall not part with my money. There I left them,
and I by water home, where at my office busy late, then home to supper,
and so to bed. This day my wife tells me Mr. Pen,

[William Penn, afterwards the famous Quaker. P. Gibson, writing to
him in March, 1711-12, says: "I remember your honour very well,
when you newly came out of France and wore pantaloon breeches"]

Sir William's son, is come back from France, and come to visit her. A
most modish person, grown, she says, a fine gentleman.

27th. Up and to the office, where all the morning. At noon to the
'Change, and there almost made my bargain about a ship for Tangier, which
will bring me in a little profit with Captain Taylor. Off the 'Change
with Mr. Cutler and Sir W. Rider to Cutler's house, and there had a very
good dinner, and two or three pretty young ladies of their relations
there. Thence to my case-maker for my stone case, and had it to my mind,
and cost me 24s., which is a great deale of money, but it is well done and
pleases me. So doing some other small errands I home, and there find my
boy, Tom Edwards, come, sent me by Captain Cooke, having been bred in the
King's Chappell these four years. I propose to make a clerke of him, and
if he deserves well, to do well by him. Spent much of the afternoon to
set his chamber in order, and then to the office leaving him at home, and
late at night after all business was done I called Will and told him my
reason of taking a boy, and that it is of necessity, not out of any
unkindness to him, nor should be to his injury, and then talked about his
landlord's daughter to come to my wife, and I think it will be. So home
and find my boy a very schoole boy, that talks innocently and
impertinently, but at present it is a sport to us, and in a little time he
will leave it. So sent him to bed, he saying that he used to go to bed at
eight o'clock, and then all of us to bed, myself pretty well pleased with
my choice of a boy. All the newes this day is, that the Dutch are, with
twenty-two sayle of ships of warr, crewsing up and down about Ostend; at
which we are alarmed. My Lord Sandwich is come back into the Downes with
only eight sayle, which is or may be a prey to the Dutch, if they knew our
weakness and inability to set out any more speedily.

28th (Lord's day). Up the first time I have had great while. Home to
dined, and with my boy alone to church anybody to attend me to church a
dinner, and there met Creed, who, and we merry together, as his learning
is such and judgment that I cannot but be pleased with it. After dinner I
took him to church, into our gallery, with me, but slept the best part of
the sermon, which was a most silly one. So he and I to walk to the
'Change a while, talking from one pleasant discourse to another, and so
home, and thither came my uncle Wight and aunt, and supped with us mighty
merry. And Creed lay with us all night, and so to bed, very merry to
think how Mr. Holliard (who came in this evening to see me) makes nothing,
but proving as a most clear thing that Rome is Antichrist.

29th. Up betimes, intending to do business at my office, by 5 o'clock,
but going out met at my door Mr. Hughes come to speak with me about office
business, and told me that as he came this morning from Deptford he left
the King's yarde a-fire. So I presently took a boat and down, and there
found, by God's providence, the fire out; but if there had been any wind
it must have burned all our stores, which is a most dreadfull
consideration. But leaving all things well I home, and out abroad doing
many errands, Mr. Creed also out, and my wife to her mother's, and Creed
and I met at my Lady Sandwich's and there dined; but my Lady is become as
handsome, I think, as ever she was; and so good and discreet a woman I
know not in the world. After dinner I to Westminster to Jervas's a while,
and so doing many errands by the way, and necessary ones, I home, and
thither came the woman with her mother which our Will recommends to my
wife. I like her well, and I think will please us. My wife and they
agreed, and she is to come the next week. At which I am very well
contented, for then I hope we shall be settled, but I must remember that,
never since I was housekeeper, I ever lived so quietly, without any noise
or one angry word almost, as I have done since my present mayds Besse,
Jane, and Susan came and were together. Now I have taken a boy and am
taking a woman, I pray God we may not be worse, but I will observe it.
After being at my office a while, home to supper and to bed.

30th. Up and to the office, where sat long, and at noon to dinner at
home; after dinner comes Mr. Pen to visit me, and staid an houre talking
with me. I perceive something of learning he hath got, but a great deale,
if not too much, of the vanity of the French garbe and affected manner of
speech and gait. I fear all real profit he hath made of his travel will
signify little. So, he gone, I to my office and there very busy till late
at night, and so home to supper and to bed.

31st. Up by five o'clock and to my office, where T. Hater and Will met
me, and so we dispatched a great deal of my business as to the ordering my
papers and books which were behindhand. All the morning very busy at my
office. At noon home to dinner, and there my wife hath got me some pretty
good oysters, which is very soon and the soonest, I think, I ever eat any.
After dinner I up to hear my boy play upon a lute, which I have this day
borrowed of Mr. Hunt; and indeed the boy would, with little practice, play
very well upon the lute, which pleases me well. So by coach to the
Tangier Committee, and there have another small business by which I may
get a little small matter of money. Staid but little there, and so home
and to my office, where late casting up my monthly accounts, and, blessed
be God! find myself worth L1020, which is still the most I ever was
worth. So home and to bed. Prince Rupert I hear this day is to go to
command this fleete going to Guinny against the Dutch. I doubt few will
be pleased with his going, being accounted an unhappy' man. My mind at
good rest, only my father's troubles with Dr. Pepys and my brother Tom's
creditors in general do trouble me. I have got a new boy that understands
musique well, as coming to me from the King's Chappell, and I hope will
prove a good boy, and my wife and I are upon having a woman, which for her
content I am contented to venture upon the charge of again, and she is one
that our' Will finds out for us, and understands a little musique, and I
think will please us well, only her friends live too near us. Pretty well
in health, since I left off wearing of a gowne within doors all day, and
then go out with my legs into the cold, which brought me daily pain.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
SEPTEMBER
1664

Sept. 1st. A sad rainy night, up and to the office, where busy all the
morning. At noon to the 'Change and thence brought Mr. Pierce, the
Surgeon, and Creed, and dined very merry and handsomely; but my wife not
being well of those she not with us; and we cut up the great cake
Moorcocke lately sent us, which is very good. They gone I to my office,
and there very busy till late at night, and so home to supper and to bed.

2nd. Up very betimes and walked (my boy with me) to Mr. Cole's, and after
long waiting below, he being under the barber's hands, I spoke with him,
and he did give me much hopes of getting my debt that my brother owed me,
and also that things would go well with my father. But going to his
attorney's, that he directed me to, they tell me both that though I could
bring my father to a confession of a judgment, yet he knowing that there
are specialties out against him he is bound to plead his knowledge of them
to me before he pays me, or else he must do it in his own wrong. I took a
great deal of pains this morning in the thorough understanding hereof, and
hope that I know the truth of our case, though it be but bad, yet better
than to run spending money and all to no purpose. However, I will inquire
a little more. Walked home, doing very many errands by the way to my
great content, and at the 'Change met and spoke with several persons about
serving us with pieces of eight at Tangier. So home to dinner above
stairs, my wife not being well of those in bed. I dined by her bedside,
but I got her to rise and abroad with me by coach to Bartholomew Fayre,
and our boy with us, and there shewed them and myself the dancing on the
ropes, and several other the best shows; but pretty it is to see how our
boy carries himself so innocently clownish as would make one laugh. Here
till late and dark, then up and down, to buy combes for my wife to give
her mayds, and then by coach home, and there at the office set down my
day's work, and then home to bed.

3rd. I have had a bad night's rest to-night, not sleeping well, as my
wife observed, and once or twice she did wake me, and I thought myself to
be mightily bit with fleas, and in the morning she chid her mayds for not
looking the fleas a-days. But, when I rose, I found that it is only the
change of the weather from hot to cold, which, as I was two winters ago,
do stop my pores, and so my blood tingles and itches all day all over my
body, and so continued to-day all the day long just as I was then, and if
it continues to be so cold I fear I must come to the same pass, but
sweating cured me then, and I hope, and am told, will this also. At the
office sat all the morning, dined at home, and after dinner to White Hall,
to the Fishing Committee, but not above four of us met, which could do
nothing, and a sad thing it is to see so great a work so ill followed, for
at this pace it can come to any thing at first sight. Mr. Hill came to
tell me that he had got a gentlewoman for my wife, one Mrs. Ferrabosco,
that sings most admirably. I seemed glad of it; but I hear she is too
gallant for me, and I am not sorry that I misse her. Thence to the
office, setting some papers right, and so home to supper and to bed, after
prayers.

5th. Up and to St. James's, and there did our business with the Duke;
where all our discourse of warr in the highest measure. Prince Rupert was
with us; who is fitting himself to go to sea in the Heneretta. And
afterwards in White Hall I met him and Mr. Gray, and he spoke to me, and
in other discourse, says he, "God damn me, I can answer but for one ship,
and in that I will do my part; for it is not in that as in an army, where
a man can command every thing." By and by to a Committee for the Fishery,
the Duke of Yorke there, where, after Duke was made Secretary, we fell to
name a Committee, whereof I was willing to be one, because I would have my
hand in the business, to understand it and be known in doing something in
it; and so, after cutting out work for the Committee, we rose, and I to my
wife to Unthanke's, and with her from shop to shop, laying out near L10
this morning in clothes for her. And so I to the 'Change, where a while,
and so home and to dinner, and thither came W. Bowyer and dined with us;
but strange to see how he could not endure onyons in sauce to lamb, but
was overcome with the sight of it, and so-was forced to make his dinner of
an egg or two. He tells us how Mrs. Lane is undone, by her marrying so
bad, and desires to speak with me, which I know is wholly to get me to do
something for her to get her husband a place, which he is in no wise fit
for. After dinner down to Woolwich with a gaily, and then to Deptford,
and so home, all the way reading Sir J. Suck[l]ing's "Aglaura," which,
methinks, is but a mean play; nothing of design in it. Coming home it is
strange to see how I was troubled to find my wife, but in a necessary
compliment, expecting Mr. Pen to see her, who had been there and was by
her people denied, which, he having been three times, she thought not fit
he should be any more. But yet even this did raise my jealousy presently
and much vex me. However, he did not come, which pleased me, and I to
supper, and to the office till 9 o'clock or thereabouts, and so home to
bed. My aunt James had been here to-day with Kate Joyce twice to see us.
The second time my wife was at home, and they it seems are going down to
Brampton, which I am sorry for, for the charge that my father will be put
to. But it must be borne with, and my mother has a mind to see them, but
I do condemn myself mightily for my pride and contempt of my aunt and
kindred that are not so high as myself, that I have not seen her all this
while, nor invited her all this while.

6th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon home to
dinner, then to my office and there waited, thinking to have had Bagwell's
wife come to me about business, that I might have talked with her, but she
came not. So I to White Hall by coach with Mr. Andrews, and there I got
his contract for the victualling of Tangier signed and sealed by us there,
so that all the business is well over, and I hope to have made a good
business of it and to receive L100 by it the next weeke, for which God be
praised! Thence to W. Joyce's and Anthony's, to invite them to dinner to
meet my aunt James at my house, and the rather because they are all to go
down to my father the next weeke, and so I would be a little kind to them
before they go. So home, having called upon Doll, our pretty 'Change
woman, for a pair of gloves trimmed with yellow ribbon, to [match the]
petticoate my wife bought yesterday, which cost me 20s.; but she is so
pretty, that, God forgive me! I could not think it too much--which is a
strange slavery that I stand in to beauty, that I value nothing near it.
So going home, and my coach stopping in Newgate Market over against a
poulterer's shop, I took occasion to buy a rabbit, but it proved a deadly
old one when I came to eat it, as I did do after an hour being at my
office, and after supper again there till past 11 at night. So home,, and
to bed. This day Mr. Coventry did tell us how the Duke did receive the
Dutch Embassador the other day; by telling him that, whereas they think us
in jest, he believes that the Prince (Rupert) which goes in this fleete to
Guinny will soon tell them that we are in earnest, and that he himself
will do the like here, in the head of the fleete here at home, and that
for the meschants, which he told the Duke there were in England, which did
hope to do themselves good by the King's being at warr, says he, the
English have ever united all this private difference to attend foraigne,
and that Cromwell, notwithstanding the meschants in his time, which were
the Cavaliers, did never find them interrupt him in his foraigne
businesses, and that he did not doubt but to live to see the Dutch as
fearfull of provoking the English, under the government of a King, as he
remembers them to have been under that of a Coquin. I writ all this story
to my Lord Sandwich tonight into the Downes, it being very good and true,
word for word from Mr. Coventry to-day.

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