Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1664 N.S. Complete

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7th. Lay long to-day, pleasantly discoursing with my wife about the
dinner we are to have for the Joyces, a day or two hence. Then up and
with Mr. Margetts to Limehouse to see his ground and ropeyarde there,
which is very fine, and I believe we shall employ it for the Navy, for the
King's grounds are not sufficient to supply our defence if a warr comes.
Thence back to the 'Change, where great talke of the forwardnesse of the
Dutch, which puts us all to a stand, and particularly myself for my Lord
Sandwich, to think him to lie where he is for a sacrifice, if they should
begin with us. So home and Creed with me, and to dinner, and after dinner
I out to my office, taking in Bagwell's wife, who I knew waited for me,
but company came to me so soon that I could have no discourse with her, as
I intended, of pleasure. So anon abroad with Creed walked to Bartholomew
Fayre, this being the last day, and there saw the best dancing on the
ropes that I think I ever saw in my life, and so all say, and so by coach
home, where I find my wife hath had her head dressed by her woman, Mercer,
which is to come to her to-morrow, but my wife being to go to a
christening tomorrow, she came to do her head up to-night. So a while to
my office, and then to supper and to bed.

8th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning. At noon dined at
home, and I by water down to Woolwich by a galley, and back again in the
evening. All haste made in setting out this Guinny fleete, but yet not
such as will ever do the King's business if we come to a warr. My wife
this afternoon being very well dressed by her new woman, Mary Mercer, a
decayed merchant's daughter that our Will helps us to, did go to the
christening of Mrs. Mills, the parson's wife's child, where she never was
before. After I was come home Mr. Povey came to me and took me out to
supper to Mr. Bland's, who is making now all haste to be gone for Tangier.
Here pretty merry, and good discourse, fain to admire the knowledge and
experience of Mrs. Bland, who I think as good a merchant as her husband.
I went home and there find Mercer, whose person I like well, and I think
will do well, at least I hope so. So to my office a while and then to
bed.

9th. Up, and to put things in order against dinner. I out and bought
several things, among others, a dozen of silver salts; home, and to the
office, where some of us met a little, and then home, and at noon comes my
company, namely, Anthony and Will Joyce and their wives, my aunt James
newly come out of Wales, and my cozen Sarah Gyles. Her husband did not
come, and by her I did understand afterwards, that it was because he was
not yet able to pay me the 40s. she had borrowed a year ago of me.

[Pepys would have been more proud of his cousin had he anticipated
her husband's becoming a knight, for she was probably the same
person whose burial is recorded in the register of St. Helen's,
Bishopsgate, September 4th, 1704: "Dame Sarah Gyles, widow, relict
of Sir John Gyles."--B.]

I was as merry as I could, giving them a good dinner; but W. Joyce did so
talk, that he made every body else dumb, but only laugh at him. I forgot
there was Mr. Harman and his wife, my aunt, a very good harmlesse woman.
All their talke is of her and my two she-cozen Joyces and Will's little
boy Will (who was also here to-day), down to Brampton to my father's next
week, which will be trouble and charge to them, but however my father and
mother desire to see them, and so let them. They eyed mightily my great
cupboard of plate, I this day putting my two flaggons upon my table; and
indeed it is a fine sight, and better than ever I did hope to see of my
owne. Mercer dined with us at table, this being her first dinner in my
house. After dinner left them and to White Hall, where a small Tangier
Committee, and so back again home, and there my wife and Mercer and Tom
and I sat till eleven at night, singing and fiddling, and a great joy it
is to see me master of so much pleasure in my house, that it is and will
be still, I hope, a constant pleasure to me to be at home. The girle
plays pretty well upon the harpsicon, but only ordinary tunes, but hath a
good hand; sings a little, but hath a good voyce and eare. My boy, a
brave boy, sings finely, and is the most pleasant boy at present, while
his ignorant boy's tricks last, that ever I saw. So to supper, and with
great pleasure to bed.

10th. Up and to the office, where we sate all the morning, and I much
troubled to think what the end of our great sluggishness will be, for we
do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr. We must be
put out, or other people put in. Dined at home, and then my wife and I
and Mercer to the Duke's house, and there saw "The Rivalls," which is no
excellent play, but good acting in it; especially Gosnell comes and sings
and dances finely, but, for all that, fell out of the key, so that the
musique could not play to her afterwards, and so did Harris also go out of
the tune to agree with her. Thence home and late writing letters, and
this night I received, by Will, L105, the first-fruits of my endeavours in
the late contract for victualling of Tangier, for which God be praised!
for I can with a safe conscience say that I have therein saved the King
L5000 per annum, and yet got myself a hope of L300 per annum without the
least wrong to the King. So to supper and to bed.

11th (Lord's day). Up and to church in the best manner I have gone a good
while, that is to say, with my wife, and her woman, Mercer, along with us,
and Tom, my boy, waiting on us. A dull sermon. Home, dined, left my wife
to go to church alone, and I walked in haste being late to the Abbey at
Westminster, according to promise to meet Jane Welsh, and there wearily
walked, expecting her till 6 o'clock from three, but no Jane came, which
vexed me, only part of it I spent with Mr. Blagrave walking in the Abbey,
he telling me the whole government and discipline of White Hall Chappell,
and the caution now used against admitting any debauched persons, which I
was glad to hear, though he tells me there are persons bad enough. Thence
going home went by Jarvis's, and there stood Jane at the door, and so I
took her in and drank with her, her master and mistress being out of
doors. She told me how she could not come to me this afternoon, but
promised another time. So I walked home contented with my speaking with
her, and walked to my uncle Wight's, where they were all at supper, and
among others comes fair Mrs. Margarett Wight, who indeed is very pretty.
So after supper home to prayers and to bed. This afternoon, it seems, Sir
J. Minnes fell sicke at church, and going down the gallery stairs fell
down dead, but came to himself again and is pretty well.

12th. Up, and to my cozen Anthony Joyce's, and there took leave of my
aunt James, and both cozens, their wives, who are this day going down to
my father's by coach. I did give my Aunt 20s., to carry as a token to my
mother, and 10s. to Pall. Thence by coach to St. James's, and there did
our business as usual with the Duke; and saw him with great pleasure play
with his little girle,--[Afterwards Queen Mary II.]--like an ordinary
private father of a child. Thence walked to Jervas's, where I took Jane
in the shop alone, and there heard of her, her master and mistress were
going out. So I went away and came again half an hour after. In the
meantime went to the Abbey, and there went in to see the tombs with great
pleasure. Back again to Jane, and there upstairs and drank with her, and
staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing more. Anon took boat
and by water to the Neat Houses over against Fox Hall to have seen
Greatorex dive, which Jervas and his wife were gone to see, and there I
found them (and did it the rather for a pretence for my having been so
long at their house), but being disappointed of some necessaries to do it
I staid not, but back to Jane, but she would not go out with me. So I to
Mr. Creed's lodgings, and with him walked up and down in the New Exchange,
talking mightily of the convenience and necessity of a man's wearing good
clothes, and so after eating a messe of creame I took leave of him, he
walking with me as far as Fleete Conduit, he offering me upon my request
to put out some money for me into Backewell's hands at 6 per cent.
interest, which he seldom gives, which I will consider of, being doubtful
of trusting any of these great dealers because of their mortality, but
then the convenience of having one's money, at an houre's call is very
great. Thence to my uncle Wight's, and there supped with my wife, having
given them a brave barrel of oysters of Povy's giving me. So home and to
bed.

13th. Up and, to the office, where sat busy all morning, dined at home
and after dinner to Fishmonger's Hall, where we met the first time upon
the Fishery Committee, and many good things discoursed of concerning
making of farthings, which was proposed as a way of raising money for this
business, and then that of lotterys,

[Among the State Papers is a "Statement of Articles in the Covenant
proposed by the Commissioners for the Royal Fishing to, Sir Ant.
Desmarces & Co. in reference to the regulation of lotteries; which
are very unreasonable, and of the objections thereto" ("Calendar of
State Papers," Domestic, 1663-64, p. 576.)]

but with great confusion; but I hope we shall fall into greater order. So
home again and to my office, where after doing business home and to a
little musique, after supper, and so to bed.

14th. Up, and wanting some things that should be laid ready for my
dressing myself I was angry, and one thing after another made my wife give
Besse warning to be gone, which the jade, whether out of fear or
ill-nature or simplicity I know not, but she took it and asked leave to go
forth to look a place, and did, which vexed me to the heart, she being as
good a natured wench as ever we shall have, but only forgetful. At the
office all the morning and at noon to the 'Change, and there went off with
Sir W. Warren and took occasion to desire him to lend me L100, which he
said he would let the have with all his heart presently, as he had
promised me a little while ago to give me for my pains in his two great
contracts for masts L100, and that this should be it. To which end I did
move it to him, and by this means I hope to be, possessed of the L100
presently within 2 or 3 days. So home to dinner, and then to the office,
and down to Blackwall by water to view a place found out for laying of
masts, and I think it will be most proper. So home and there find Mr. Pen
come to visit my wife, and staid with them till sent for to Mr. Bland's,
whither by appointment I was to go to supper, and against my will left
them together, but, God knows, without any reason of fear in my conscience
of any evil between them, but such is my natural folly. Being thither
come they would needs have my wife, and so Mr. Bland and his wife (the
first time she was ever at my house or my wife at hers) very civilly went
forth and brought her and W. Pen, and there Mr. Povy and we supped nobly
and very merry, it being to take leave of Mr. Bland, who is upon going
soon to Tangier. So late home and to bed.

15th. At the office all the morning, then to the 'Change, and so home to
dinner, where Luellin dined with us, and after dinner many people came in
and kept me all the afternoon, among other the Master and Wardens of
Chyrurgeon's Hall, who staid arguing their cause with me; I did give them
the best answer I could, and after their being two hours with me parted,
and I to my office to do business, which is much on my hands, and so late
home to supper and to bed.

16th. Up betimes and to my office, where all the morning very busy
putting papers to rights. And among other things Mr. Gauden coming to me,
I had a good opportunity to speak to him about his present, which hitherto
hath been a burden: to me, that I could not do it, because I was doubtfull
that he meant it as a temptation to me to stand by him in the business of
Tangier victualling; but he clears me it was not, and that he values me
and my proceedings therein very highly, being but what became me, and that
what he did was for my old kindnesses to him in dispatching of his
business, which I was glad to hear, and with my heart in good rest and
great joy parted, and to my business again. At noon to the 'Change, where
by appointment I met Sir W. Warren, and afterwards to the Sun taverne,
where he brought to me, being all alone; L100 in a bag, which I offered
him to give him my receipt for, but he told me, no, it was my owne, which
he had a little while since promised me and was glad that (as I had told
him two days since) it would now do me courtesy; and so most kindly he did
give it me, and I as joyfully, even out of myself, carried it home in a
coach, he himself expressly taking care that nobody might see this
business done, though I was willing enough to have carried a servant with
me to have received it, but he advised me to do it myself. So home with it
and to dinner; after dinner I forth with my boy to buy severall things,
stools and andirons and candlesticks, &c., household stuff, and walked to
the mathematical instrument maker in Moorefields and bought a large pair
of compasses, and there met Mr. Pargiter, and he would needs have me drink
a cup of horse-radish ale, which he and a friend of his troubled with the
stone have been drinking of, which we did and then walked into the fields
as far almost as Sir G. Whitmore's, all the way talking of Russia, which,
he says, is a sad place; and, though Moscow is a very great city, yet it
is from the distance between house and house, and few people compared with
this, and poor, sorry houses, the Emperor himself living in a wooden
house, his exercise only flying a hawk at pigeons and carrying pigeons ten
or twelve miles off and then laying wagers which pigeon shall come soonest
home to her house. All the winter within doors, some few playing at
chesse, but most drinking their time away. Women live very slavishly
there, and it seems in the Emperor's court no room hath above two or three
windows, and those the greatest not a yard wide or high, for warmth in
winter time; and that the general cure for all diseases there is their
sweating houses, or people that are poor they get into their ovens, being
heated, and there lie. Little learning among things of any sort. Not a
man that speaks Latin, unless the Secretary of State by chance. Mr.
Pargiter and I walked to the 'Change together and there parted, and so I
to buy more things and then home, and after a little at my office, home to
supper and to bed. This day old Hardwicke came and redeemed a watch he
had left with me in pawne for 40s. seven years ago, and I let him gave it.
Great talk that the Dutch will certainly be out this week, and will sail
directly to Guinny, being convoyed out of the Channel with 42 sail of
ships.

17th. Up and to the office, where Mr. Coventry very angry to see things
go so coldly as they do, and I must needs say it makes me fearful every
day of having some change of the office, and the truth is, I am of late a
little guilty of being remiss myself of what I used to be, but I hope I
shall come to my old pass again, my family being now settled again. Dined
at home, and to the office, where late busy in setting all my businesses
in order, and I did a very great and a very contenting afternoon's work.
This day my aunt Wight sent my wife a new scarfe, with a compliment for
the many favours she had received of her, which is the several things we
have sent her. I am glad enough of it, for I see my uncle is so given up
to the Wights that I hope for little more of them. So home to supper and
to bed.

18th (Lord's day). Up and to church all of us. At noon comes Anthony and
W. Joyce (their wives being in the country with my father) and dined with
me very merry as I can be in such company. After dinner walked to
Westminster (tiring them by the way, and so left them, Anthony in
Cheapside and the other in the Strand), and there spent all the afternoon
in the Cloysters as I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came not, which
vexed me, staying till 5 o'clock, and then walked homeward, and by coach
to the old Exchange, and thence to my aunt Wight's, and invited her and my
uncle to supper, and so home, and by and by they came, and we eat a brave
barrel of oysters Mr. Povy sent me this morning, and very merry at supper,
and so to prayers and to bed. Last night it seems my aunt Wight did send
my wife a new scarfe, laced, as a token for her many givings to her. It
is true now and then we give them some toys, as oranges, &c., but my aime
is to get myself something more from my uncle's favour than this.

19th. Up, my wife and I having a little anger about her woman already,
she thinking that I take too much care of her at table to mind her (my
wife) of cutting for her, but it soon over, and so up and with Sir W.
Batten and Sir W. Pen to St. James's, and there did our business with the
Duke, and thence homeward straight, calling at the Coffee-house, and there
had very good discourse with Sir----Blunt and Dr. Whistler about Egypt and
other things. So home to dinner, my wife having put on to-day her winter
new suit of moyre, which is handsome, and so after dinner I did give her
L15 to lay out in linen and necessaries for the house and to buy a suit
for Pall, and I myself to White Hall to a Tangier Committee, where
Colonell Reames hath brought us so full and methodical an account of all
matters there, that I never have nor hope to see the like of any publique
business while I live again. The Committee up, I to Westminster to
Jervas's, and spoke with Jane; who I find cold and not so desirous of a
meeting as before, and it is no matter, I shall be the freer from the
inconvenience that might follow thereof, besides offending God Almighty
and neglecting my business. So by coach home and to my office, where
late, and so to supper and to bed. I met with Dr. Pierce to-day, who,
speaking of Dr. Frazier's being so earnest to have such a one (one
Collins) go chyrurgeon to the Prince's person will have him go in his
terms and with so much money put into his hands, he tells me (when I was
wondering that Frazier should order things with the Prince in that
confident manner) that Frazier is so great with my Lady Castlemayne, and
Stewart, and all the ladies at Court, in helping to slip their calfes when
there is occasion, and with the great men in curing of their claps that he
can do what he please with the King, in spite of any man, and upon the
same score with the Prince; they all having more or less occasion to make
use of him. Sir G. Carteret tells me this afternoon that the Dutch are
not yet ready to set out; and by that means do lose a good wind which
would carry them out and keep us in, and moreover he says that they begin
to boggle in the business, and he thinks may offer terms of peace for all
this, and seems to argue that it will be well for the King too, and I pray
God send it. Colonell Reames did, among other things, this day tell me
how it is clear that, if my Lord Tiviott had lived, he would have quite
undone Tangier, or designed himself to be master of it. He did put the
King upon most great, chargeable, and unnecessary works there, and took
the course industriously to deter, all other merchants but himself to deal
there, and to make both King and all others pay what he pleased for all
that was brought thither.

20th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, at noon to the
'Change, and there met by appointment with Captain Poyntz, who hath some
place, or title to a place, belonging to gameing, and so I discoursed with
him about the business of our improving of the Lotterys, to the King's
benefit, and that of the Fishery, and had some light from him in the
business, and shall, he says, have more in writing from him. So home to
dinner and then abroad to the Fishing Committee at Fishmongers' Hall, and
there sat and did some business considerable, and so up and home, and
there late at my office doing much business, and I find with great delight
that I am come to my good temper of business again. God continue me in
it. So home to supper, it being washing day, and to bed.

21st. Up, and by coach to Mr. Povy's, and there got him to signe the
payment of Captain Tayler's bills for the remainder of freight for the
Eagle, wherein I shall be gainer about L30, thence with him to Westminster
by coach to Houseman's [Huysman] the great picture drawer, and saw again
very fine pictures, and have his promise, for Mr. Povy's sake, to take
pains in what picture I shall set him about, and I think to have my
wife's. But it is a strange thing to observe and fit for me to remember
that I am at no time so unwilling to part with money as when I am
concerned in the getting of it most, as I thank God of late I have got
more in this month, viz. near 0250, than ever I did in half a year before
in my life, I think. Thence to White Hall with him, and so walked to the
old Exchange and back to Povy's to dinner, where great and good company;
among others Sir John Skeffington, whom I knew at Magdalen College, a
fellow-commoner, my fellow-pupil, but one with whom I had no great
acquaintance, he being then, God knows, much above me. Here I was afresh
delighted with Mr. Povy's house and pictures of perspective, being strange
things to think how they do delude one's eye, that methinks it would make
a man doubtful of swearing that ever he saw any thing. Thence with him to
St. James's, and so to White Hall to a Tangier Committee, and hope I have
light of another opportunity of getting a little money if Sir W. Warren
will use me kindly for deales to Tangier, and with the hopes went joyfully
home, and there received Captain Tayler's money, received by Will to-day,
out of which (as I said above) I shall get above L30. So with great
comfort to bed, after supper. By discourse this day I have great hopes
from Mr. Coventry that the Dutch and we shall not fall out.

22nd. Up and at the office all the morning. To the 'Change at noon, and
among other things discoursed with Sir William Warren what I might do to
get a little money by carrying of deales to Tangier, and told him the
opportunity I have there of doing it, and he did give me some advice,
though not so good as he would have done at any other time of the year,
but such as I hope to make good use of, and get a little money by. So to
Sir G. Carteret's to dinner, and he and I and Captain Cocke all alone, and
good discourse, and thence to a Committee of Tangier at White Hall, and so
home, where I found my wife not well, and she tells me she thinks she is
with child, but I neither believe nor desire it. But God's will be done!
So to my office late, and home to supper and to bed; having got a strange
cold in my head, by flinging off my hat at dinner, and sitting with the
wind in my neck.

[In Lord Clarendon's Essay, "On the decay of respect paid to Age,"
he says that in his younger days he never kept his hat on before
those older than himself, except at dinner.--B.]

23rd. My cold and pain in my head increasing, and the palate of my mouth
falling, I was in great pain all night. My wife also was not well, so
that a mayd was fain to sit up by her all night. Lay long in the morning,
at last up, and amongst others comes Mr. Fuller, that was the wit of
Cambridge, and Praevaricator

[At the Commencement (Comitia Majora) in July, the Praevaricator, or
Varier, held a similar position to the Tripos at the Comitia Minora.
He was so named from varying the question which he proposed, either
by a play upon the words or by the transposition of the terms in
which it was expressed. Under the pretence of maintaining some
philosophical question, he poured out a medley of absurd jokes and
'personal ridicule, which gradually led to the abolition of the
office. In Thoresby's "Diary" we read, "Tuesday, July 6th. The
Praevaricator's speech was smart and ingenious, attended with
vollies of hurras" (see Wordsworth's "University Life in the
Eighteenth Century ").--M. B.]

in my time, and staid all the morning with me discoursing, and his
business to get a man discharged, which I did do for him. Dined with
little heart at noon, in the afternoon against my will to the office,
where Sir G. Carteret and we met about an order of the Council for the
hiring him a house, giving him L1000 fine, and L70 per annum for it. Here
Sir J. Minnes took occasion, in the most childish and most unbeseeming
manner, to reproach us all, but most himself, that he was not valued as
Comptroller among us, nor did anything but only set his hand to paper,
which is but too true; and every body had a palace, and he no house to lie
in, and wished he had but as much to build him a house with, as we have
laid out in carved worke. It was to no end to oppose, but all bore it,
and after laughed at him for it. So home, and late reading "The Siege of
Rhodes" to my wife, and then to bed, my head being in great pain and my
palate still down.

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