Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1664 N.S. Complete

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24th. Up and to the office, where all the morning busy, then home to
dinner, and so after dinner comes one Phillips, who is concerned in the
Lottery, and from him I collected much concerning that business. I
carried him in my way to White Hall and set him down at Somersett House.
Among other things he told me that Monsieur Du Puy, that is so great a man
at the Duke of Yorke's, and this man's great opponent, is a knave and by
quality but a tailor. To the Tangier Committee, and there I opposed
Colonell Legg's estimate of supplies of provisions to be sent to Tangier
till all were ashamed of it, and he fain after all his good husbandry and
seeming ignorance and joy to have the King's money saved, yet afterwards
he discovered all his design to be to keep the furnishing of these things
to the officers of the Ordnance, but Mr. Coventry seconded me, and between
us we shall save the King some money in the year. In one business of
deales in L520, I offer to save L172, and yet purpose getting money, to
myself by it. So home and to my office, and business being done home to
supper and so to bed, my head and throat being still out of order
mightily. This night Prior of Brampton came and paid me L40, and I find
this poor painful man is the only thriving and purchasing man in the town
almost. We were told to-day of a Dutch ship of 3 or 400 tons, where all
the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore at Gottenburgh.

25th (Lord's day). Up, and my throat being yet very sore, and, my head
out of order, we went not to church, but I spent all the morning reading
of "The Madd Lovers," a very good play, and at noon comes Harman and his
wife, whom I sent for to meet the Joyces, but they came not. It seems
Will has got a fall off his horse and broke his face. However, we were as
merry as I could in their company, and we had a good chine of beef, but I
had no taste nor stomach through my cold, and therefore little pleased
with my dinner. It raining, they sat talking with us all the afternoon.
So anon they went away; and then I to read another play, "The Custome of
the Country," which is a very poor one, methinks. Then to supper,
prayers, and bed.

26th. Up pretty well again, but my mouth very scabby, my cold being going
away, so that I was forced to wear a great black patch, but that would not
do much good, but it happens we did not go to the Duke to-day, and so I
staid at home busy all the morning. At noon, after dinner, to the
'Change, and thence home to my office again, where busy, well employed
till 10 at night, and so home to supper and to bed, my mind a little
troubled that I have not of late kept up myself so briske in business; but
mind my ease a little too much and my family upon the coming of Mercer and
Tom. So that I have not kept company, nor appeared very active with Mr.
Coventry, but now I resolve to settle to it again, not that I have idled
all my time, but as to my ease something. So I have looked a little too
much after Tangier and the Fishery, and that in the sight of Mr. Coventry,
but I have good reason to love myself for serving Tangier, for it is one
of the best flowers in my garden.

27th. Lay long, sleeping, it raining and blowing very hard. Then up and
to the office, my mouth still being scabby and a patch on it. At the
office all the morning. At noon dined at home, and so after dinner
(Lewellin dining with me and in my way talking about Deering) to the
Fishing Committee, and had there very many fine things argued, and I hope
some good will cone of it. So home, where my wife having (after all her
merry discourse of being with child) her months upon her is gone to bed. I
to my office very late doing business, then home to supper and to bed.
To-night Mr. T. Trice and Piggot came to see me, and desire my going down
to Brampton Court, where for Piggot's sake, for whom it is necessary, I
should go, I would be glad to go, and will, contrary to my purpose,
endeavour it, but having now almost L1000, if not above, in my house, I
know not what to do with it, and that will trouble my mind to leave in the
house, and I not at home.

28th. Up and by water with Mr. Tucker down to Woolwich, first to do
several businesses of the King's, then on board Captain Fisher's ship,
which we hire to carry goods to Tangier. All the way going and coming I
reading and discoursing over some papers of his which he, poor man, having
some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit, did at the King's
first coming over make proposals of, ordering in a new manner the whole
revenue of the kingdom, but, God knows, a most weak thing; however, one
paper I keep wherein he do state the main branches of the publick revenue
fit to consider and remember. So home, very cold, and fearfull of having
got some pain, but, thanks be to God! I was well after it. So to dinner,
and after dinner by coach to White Hall, thinking to have met at a
Committee of Tangier, but nobody being there but my Lord Rutherford, he
would needs carry me and another Scotch Lord to a play, and so we saw,
coming late, part of "The Generall," my Lord Orrery's (Broghill) second
play; but, Lord! to see how no more either in words, sense, or design, it
is to his "Harry the 5th" is not imaginable, and so poorly acted, though
in finer clothes, is strange. And here I must confess breach of a vowe in
appearance, but I not desiring it, but against my will, and my oathe being
to go neither at my own charge nor at another's, as I had done by becoming
liable to give them another, as I am to Sir W. Pen and Mr. Creed; but here
I neither know which of them paid for me, nor, if I did, am I obliged ever
to return the like, or did it by desire or with any willingness. So that
with a safe conscience I do think my oathe is not broke and judge God
Almighty will not think it other wise. Thence to W. Joyce's, and there
found my aunt and cozen Mary come home from my father's with great
pleasure and content, and thence to Kate's and found her also mighty
pleased with her journey and their good usage of them, and so home,
troubled in my conscience at my being at a play. But at home I found
Mercer playing on her Vyall, which is a pretty instrument, and so I to the
Vyall and singing till late, and so to bed. My mind at a great losse how
to go down to Brampton this weeke, to satisfy Piggott; but what with the
fears of my house, my money, my wife, and my office, I know not how in the
world to think of it, Tom Hater being out of towne, and I having near
L1000 in my house.

29th. Up and to the office, where all the morning, dined at home and
Creed with me; after dinner I to Sir G. Carteret, and with him to his new
house he is taking in Broad Streete, and there surveyed all the rooms and
bounds, in order to the drawing up a lease thereof; and that done, Mr.
Cutler, his landlord, took me up and down, and showed me all his ground
and house, which is extraordinary great, he having bought all the
Augustine Fryers, and many, many a L1000 he hath and will bury there. So
home to my business, clearing my papers and preparing my accounts against
tomorrow for a monthly and a great auditt. So to supper and to bed.
Fresh newes come of our beating the Dutch at Guinny quite out of all their
castles almost, which will make them quite mad here at home sure. And Sir
G. Carteret did tell me, that the King do joy mightily at it; but asked
him laughing, "But," says he, "how shall I do to answer this to the
Embassador when he comes?" Nay they say that we have beat them out of the
New Netherlands too;

[Captain (afterwards Sir Robert) Holmes' expedition to attack the
Dutch settlements in Africa eventuated in an important exploit.
Holmes suddenly left the coast of Africa, sailed across the
Atlantic, and reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to
English rule, under the title of New York. "The short and true
state of the matter is this: the country mentioned was part of the
province of Virginia, and, as there is no settling an extensive
country at once, a few Swedes crept in there, who surrendered the
plantations they could not defend to the Dutch, who, having bought
the charts and papers of one Hudson, a seaman, who, by the
commission from the crown of England, discovered a river, to which
he gave his name, conceited they had purchased a province.
Sometimes, when we had strength in those parts, they were English
subjects; at others, when that strength declined, they were subjects
of the United Provinces. However, upon King Charles's claim the
States disowned the title, but resumed it during our confusions. On
March 12th, 1663-64, Charles II. granted it to the Duke of York
. . . The King sent Holmes, when he returned, to the Tower, and did
not discharge him; till he made it evidently appear that he had not
infringed the law of nations ". (Campbell's "Naval History," vol.
ii, p., 89). How little did the King or Holmes himself foresee
the effects of the capture,--B.]

so that we have been doing them mischief for a great while in several
parts of the world; without publique knowledge or reason. Their fleete
for Guinny is now, they say, ready, and abroad, and will be going this
week. Coming home to-night, I did go to examine my wife's house accounts,
and finding things that seemed somewhat doubtful, I was angry though she
did make it pretty plain, but confessed that when she do misse a sum, she
do add something to other things to make it, and, upon my being very
angry, she do protest she will here lay up something for herself to buy
her a necklace with, which madded me and do still trouble me, for I fear
she will forget by degrees the way of living cheap and under a sense of
want.

30th. Up, and all day, both morning and afternoon, at my accounts, it
being a great month, both for profit and layings out, the last being L89
for kitchen and clothes for myself and wife, and a few extraordinaries for
the house; and my profits, besides salary, L239; so that I have this
weeke, notwithstanding great layings out, and preparations for laying out,
which I make as paid this month, my balance to come to L1203, for which
the Lord's name be praised! Dined at home at noon, staying long looking
for Kate Joyce and my aunt James and Mary, but they came not. So my wife
abroad to see them, and took Mary Joyce to a play. Then in the evening
came and sat working by me at the office, and late home to supper and to
bed, with my heart in good rest for this day's work, though troubled to
think that my last month's negligence besides the making me neglect
business and spend money, and lessen myself both as to business and the
world and myself, I am fain to preserve my vowe by paying 20s. dry--[ Dry
= hard, as "hard cash." ]--money into the poor's box, because I had not
fulfilled all my memorandums and paid all my petty debts and received all
my petty credits, of the last month, but I trust in God I shall do so no
more.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

All the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore
And with the great men in curing of their claps
Expressly taking care that nobody might see this business done
Having some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit
Helping to slip their calfes when there is occasion
Her months upon her is gone to bed
I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came not, which vexed me
Lay long caressing my wife and talking
Let her brew as she has baked
New Netherlands to English rule, under the title of New York
Reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to English rule
Staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing more
Strange slavery that I stand in to beauty
Thinks she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it
Up, my mind very light from my last night's accounts
We do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr
Would either conform, or be more wise, and not be catched!

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.
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
1664

October 1st. Up and at the office both forenoon and afternoon very busy,
and with great pleasure in being so. This morning Mrs. Lane (now Martin)
like a foolish woman, came to the Horseshoe hard by, and sent for me while
I was: at the office; to come to speak with her by a note sealed up, I
know to get me to do something for her husband, but I sent her an answer
that I would see her at Westminster, and so I did not go, and she went
away, poor soul. At night home to supper, weary, and my eyes sore with
writing and reading, and to bed. We go now on with great vigour in
preparing against the Dutch, who, they say, will now fall upon us without
doubt upon this high newes come of our beating them so, wholly in Guinny.

2nd (Lord's day). My wife not being well to go to church I walked with my
boy through the City, putting in at several churches, among others at
Bishopsgate, and there saw the picture usually put before the King's book,
put up in the church, but very ill painted, though it were a pretty piece
to set up in a church. I intended to have seen the Quakers, who, they
say, do meet every Lord's day at the Mouth at Bishopsgate; but I could see
none stirring, nor was it fit to aske for the place, so I walked over
Moorefields, and thence to Clerkenwell church, and there, as I wished, sat
next pew to the fair Butler, who indeed is a most perfect beauty still;
and one I do very much admire myself for my choice of her for a beauty,
she having the best lower part of her face that ever I saw all days of my
life. After church I walked to my Lady Sandwich's, through my Lord
Southampton's new buildings in the fields behind Gray's Inn; and, indeed,
they are a very great and a noble work. So I dined with my Lady, and the
same innocent discourse that we used to have, only after dinner, being
alone, she asked me my opinion about Creed, whether he would have a wife
or no, and what he was worth, and proposed Mrs. Wright for him, which, she
says, she heard he was once inquiring after. She desired I would take a
good time and manner of proposing it, and I said I would, though I
believed he would love nothing but money, and much was not to be expected
there, she said. So away back to Clerkenwell Church, thinking to have got
sight of la belle Boteler again, but failed, and so after church walked
all over the fields home, and there my wife was angry with me for not
coming home, and for gadding abroad to look after beauties, she told me
plainly, so I made all peace, and to supper. This evening came Mrs. Lane
(now Martin) with her husband to desire my helpe about a place for him.
It seems poor Mr. Daniel is dead of the Victualling Office, a place too
good for this puppy to follow him in. But I did give him the best words I
could, and so after drinking a glasse of wine sent them going, but with
great kindnesse. Go to supper, prayers, and to bed.

3rd. Up with Sir J. Minnes, by coach, to St. James's; and there all the
newes now of very hot preparations for the Dutch: and being with the Duke,
he told us he was resolved to make a tripp himself, and that Sir W. Pen
should go in the same ship with him. Which honour, God forgive me! I
could grudge him, for his knavery and dissimulation, though I do not envy
much the having the same place myself. Talke also of great haste in the
getting out another fleete, and building some ships; and now it is likely
we have put one another by each other's dalliance past a retreate. Thence
with our heads full of business we broke up, and I to my barber's, and
there only saw Jane and stroked her under the chin, and away to the
Exchange, and there long about several businesses, hoping to get money by
them, and thence home to dinner and there found Hawly. But meeting
Bagwell's wife at the office before I went home I took her into the office
and there kissed her only. She rebuked me for doing it, saying that did I
do so much to many bodies else it would be a stain to me. But I do not
see but she takes it well enough, though in the main I believe she is very
honest. So after some kind discourse we parted, and I home to dinner, and
after dinner down to Deptford, where I found Mr. Coventry, and there we
made, an experiment of Holland's and our cordage, and ours outdid it a
great deale, as my book of observations tells particularly. Here we were
late, and so home together by water, and I to my office, where late,
putting things in order. Mr. Bland came this night to me to take his
leave of me, he going to Tangier, wherein I wish him good successe. So
home to supper and to bed, my mind troubled at the businesses I have to
do, that I cannot mind them as I ought to do and get money, and more that
I have neglected my frequenting and seeming more busy publicly than I have
done of late in this hurry of business, but there is time left to recover
it, and I trust in God I shall.

4th. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and this morning
Sir W. Pen went to Chatham to look: after the ships now going out thence,
and particularly that wherein the Duke and himself go. He took Sir G.
Ascue with: him, whom, I believe, he hath brought into play. At noon to
the 'Change and thence home, where I found my aunt James and the two she
joyces. They dined and were merry with us. Thence after dinner to a
play, to see "The Generall;" which is so dull and so ill-acted, that I
think it is the worst. I ever saw or heard in all my days. I happened to
sit near; to Sir Charles Sidly; who I find a very witty man, and he did at
every line take notice of the dullness of the poet and badness of the
action, that most pertinently; which I was mightily taken with; and among
others where by Altemire's command Clarimont, the Generall, is commanded
to rescue his Rivall, whom she loved, Lucidor, he, after a great deal of
demurre, broke out; "Well, I'le save my Rivall and make her confess, that
I deserve, while he do but possesse." "Why, what, pox," says Sir Charles
Sydly, "would he have him have more, or what is there more to be had of a
woman than the possessing her?" Thence-setting all them at home, I home
with my wife and Mercer, vexed at my losing my time and above 20s. in
money, and neglecting my business to see so bad a play. To-morrow they
told us should be acted, or the day after, a new play, called "The
Parson's Dreame," acted all by women. So to my office, and there did
business; and so home to supper and to bed.

5th. Up betimes and to my office, and thence by coach to New Bridewell to
meet with Mr. Poyntz to discourse with him (being Master of the Workhouse
there) about making of Bewpers for us. But he was not within; however his
clerke did lead me up and down through all the house, and there I did with
great pleasure see the many pretty works, and the little children
employed, every one to do something, which was a very fine sight, and
worthy encouragement. I cast away a crowne among them, and so to the
'Change and among the Linnen Wholesale Drapers to enquire about Callicos,
to see what can be done with them for the supplying our want of Bewpers
for flaggs, and I think I shall do something therein to good purpose for
the King. So to the Coffeehouse, and there fell in discourse with the
Secretary of the Virtuosi of Gresham College, and had very fine discourse
with him. He tells me of a new invented instrument to be tried before the
College anon, and I intend to see it. So to Trinity House, and there I
dined among the old dull fellows, and so home and to my office a while,
and then comes Mr. Cocker to see me, and I discoursed with him about his
writing and ability of sight, and how I shall do to get some glasse or
other to helpe my eyes by candlelight; and he tells me he will bring me
the helps he hath within a day or two, and shew me what he do. Thence to
the Musique-meeting at the Postoffice, where I was once before. And
thither anon come all the Gresham College, and a great deal of noble
company: and the new instrument was brought called the Arched Viall,

["There seems to be a curious fate reigning over the instruments
which have the word 'arch' prefixed to their name. They have no
vitality, and somehow or other come to grief. Even the famous
archlute, which was still a living thing in the time of Handel, has
now disappeared from the concert room and joined Mr. Pepys's 'Arched
Viall' in the limbo of things forgotten . . . . Mr. Pepys's
verdict that it would never do . . . has been fully confirmed by
the event, as his predictions usually were, being indeed always
founded on calm judgment and close observation."--B. (Hueffer's
Italian and other Studies, 1883, p. 263).]

where being tuned with lute-strings, and played on with kees like an
organ, a piece of parchment is always kept moving; and the strings, which
by the kees are pressed down upon it, are grated in imitation of a bow, by
the parchment; and so it is intended to resemble several vyalls played on
with one bow, but so basely and harshly, that it will never do. But after
three hours' stay it could not be fixed in tune; and so they were fain to
go to some other musique of instruments, which I am grown quite out of
love with, and so I, after some good discourse with Mr. Spong, Hill,
Grant, and Dr. Whistler, and others by turns, I home to my office and
there late, and so home, where I understand my wife has spoke to Jane and
ended matters of difference between her and her, and she stays with us,
which I am glad of; for her fault is nothing but sleepiness and
forgetfulness, otherwise a good-natured, quiet, well-meaning, honest
servant, and one that will do as she is bid, so one called upon her and
will see her do it. This morning, by three o'clock, the
Prince--[Rupert]--and King, and Duke with him, went down the River, and
the Prince under sail the next tide after, and so is gone from the Hope.
God give him better successe than he used to have! This day Mr. Bland
went away hence towards his voyage to Tangier. This day also I had a
letter from an unknown hand that tells me that Jacke Angier, he believes,
is dead at Lisbon, for he left him there ill.

6th. Up and to the office, where busy all the morning, among other things
about this of the flags and my bringing in of callicos to oppose Young and
Whistler. At noon by promise Mr. Pierce and his wife and Madam Clerke and
her niece came and dined with me to a rare chine of beefe and spent the
afternoon very pleasantly all the afternoon, and then to my office in the
evening, they being gone, and late at business, and then home to supper
and to bed, my mind coming to itself in following of my business.

7th. Lay pretty while with some discontent abed, even to the having bad
words with my wife, and blows too, about the ill-serving up of our
victuals yesterday; but all ended in love, and so I rose and to my office
busy all the morning. At noon dined at home, and then to my office again,
and then abroad to look after callicos for flags, and hope to get a small
matter by my pains therein and yet save the King a great deal of money,
and so home to my office, and there came Mr. Cocker, and brought me a
globe of glasse, and a frame of oyled paper, as I desired, to show me the
manner of his gaining light to grave by, and to lessen the glaringnesse of
it at pleasure by an oyled paper. This I bought of him, giving him a
crowne for it; and so, well satisfied, he went away, and I to my business
again, and so home to supper, prayers, and to bed.

8th. All the morning at the office, and after dinner abroad, and among
other things contracted with one Mr. Bridges, at the White Bear on
Cornhill, for 100 pieces of Callico to make flaggs; and as I know I shall
save the King money, so I hope to get a little for my pains and venture of
my own money myself. Late in the evening doing business, and then comes
Captain Tayler, and he and I till 12 o'clock at night arguing about the
freight of his ship Eagle, hired formerly by me to Tangier, and at last we
made an end, and I hope to get a little money, some small matter by it.
So home to bed, being weary and cold, but contented that I have made an
end of that business.

9th (Lord's day). Lay pretty long, but however up time enough with my
wife to go to church. Then home to dinner, and Mr. Fuller, my Cambridge
acquaintance, coming to me about what he was with me lately, to release a
waterman, he told me he was to preach at Barking Church; and so I to heare
him, and he preached well and neatly. Thence, it being time enough, to
our owne church, and there staid wholly privately at the great doore to
gaze upon a pretty lady, and from church dogged her home, whither she went
to a house near Tower hill, and I think her to be one of the prettiest
women I ever saw. So home, and at my office a while busy, then to my
uncle Wight's, whither it seems my wife went after sermon and there
supped, but my aunt and uncle in a very ill humour one with another, but I
made shift with much ado to keep them from scolding, and so after supper
home and to bed without prayers, it being cold, and to-morrow washing day.

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