Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1667 N.S. Complete

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7th. So up, and to the office, my head full of Carcasse's business; then
hearing that Knipp is at my house, I home, and it was about a ticket for a
friend of hers. I do love the humour of the jade very well. So to the
office again, not being able to stay, and there about noon my Lord
Bruncker did begin to talk of Carcasse's business. Only Commissioner
Pett, my Lord, and I there, and it was pretty to see how Pett hugged the
occasion of having anything against Sir W. Batten, which I am not much
troubled at, for I love him not neither. Though I did really endeavour to
quash it all I could, because I would prevent their malice taking effect.
My Lord I see is fully resolved to vindicate Carcasse, though to the
undoing of Sir W. Batten, but I believe he will find himself in a mistake,
and do himself no good, and that I shall be glad of, for though I love the
treason I hate the traitor. But he is vexed at my moving it to the Duke
of York yesterday, which I answered well, so as I think he could not
answer. But, Lord! it is pretty to see how Pett hugs this business, and
how he favours my Lord Bruncker; who to my knowledge hates him, and has
said more to his disadvantage, in my presence, to the King and Duke of
York than any man in England, and so let them thrive one with another by
cheating one another, for that is all I observe among them. Thence home
late, and find my wife hath dined, and she and Mrs. Hewer going to a play.
Here was Creed, and he and I to Devonshire House, to a burial of a kinsman
of Sir R. Viner's; and there I received a ring, and so away presently to
Creed, who staid for me at an alehouse hard by, and thence to the Duke's
playhouse, where he parted, and I in and find my wife and Mrs. Hewer, and
sat by them and saw "The English Princesse, or Richard the Third;" a most
sad, melancholy play, and pretty good; but nothing eminent in it, as some
tragedys are; only little Mis. Davis did dance a jig after the end of the
play, and there telling the next day's play; so that it come in by force
only to please the company to see her dance in boy's 'clothes; and, the
truth is, there is no comparison between Nell's dancing the other day at
the King's house in boy's clothes and this, this being infinitely beyond
the other. Mere was Mr. Clerke and Pierce, to whom one word only of "How
do you," and so away home, Mrs. Hewer with us, and I to the office and so
to [Sir] W. Batten's, and there talked privately with him and [Sir] W. Pen
about business of Carcasse against tomorrow, wherein I think I did give
them proof enough of my ability as well as friendship to [Sir] W. Batten,
and the honour of the office, in my sense of the rogue's business. So
back to finish my office business, and then home to supper, and to bed.
This day, Commissioner Taylor come to me for advice, and would force me to
take ten pieces in gold of him, which I had no mind to, he being become
one of our number at the Board. This day was reckoned by all people the
coldest day that ever was remembered in England; and, God knows! coals at
a very great price.

8th. Up, and to the Old Swan, where drank at Michell's, but not seeing
her whom I love I by water to White Hall, and there acquainted Sir G.
Carteret betimes what I had to say this day before the Duke of York in the
business of Carcasse, which he likes well of, being a great enemy to him,
and then I being too early here to go to Sir W. Coventry's chamber, having
nothing to say to him, and being able to give him but a bad account of the
business of the office (which is a shame to me, and that which I shall rue
if I do not recover), to the Exchequer about getting a certificate of Mr.
Lanyon's entered at Sir R. Longs office, and strange it is to see what
horrid delays there are at this day in the business of money, there being
nothing yet come from my Lord Treasurer to set the business of money in
action since the Parliament broke off, notwithstanding the greatness and
number of the King's occasions for it. So to the Swan, and there had three
or four baisers of the little ancilla there, and so to Westminster Hall,
where I saw Mr. Martin, the purser, come through with a picture in his
hand, which he had bought, and observed how all the people of the Hall did
fleer and laugh upon him, crying, "There is plenty grown upon a sudden;"
and, the truth is, I was a little troubled that my favour should fall on
so vain a fellow as he, and the more because, methought, the people do
gaze upon me as the man that had raised him, and as if they guessed whence
my kindness to him springs. So thence to White Hall, where I find all met
at the Duke of York's chamber; and, by and by, the Duke of York comes, and
Carcasse is called in, and I read the depositions and his answers, and he
added with great confidence and good words, even almost to persuasion,
what to say; and my Lord Bruncker, like a very silly solicitor, argued
against me and us all for him; and, being asked first by the Duke of York
his opinion, did give it for his being excused. I next did answer the
contrary very plainly, and had, in this dispute, which vexed and will
never be forgot by my Lord, many occasions of speaking severely, and did,
against his bad practices. Commissioner Pett, like a fawning rogue, sided
with my Lord, but to no purpose; and [Sir] W. Pen, like a cunning rogue,
spoke mighty indifferently, and said nothing in all the fray, like a knave
as he is. But [Sir] W. Batten spoke out, and did come off himself by the
Duke's kindness very well; and then Sir G. Carteret, and Sir W. Coventry,
and the Duke of York himself, flatly as I said; and so he was declared
unfit to continue in, and therefore to be presently discharged the office;
which, among other good effects, I hope, will make my Lord Bruncker not
'alloquer' so high, when he shall consider he hath had such a publick
foyle as this is. So home with [Sir] W. Batten, and [Sir] W. Pen, by
coach, and there met at the office, and my Lord Bruncker presently after
us, and there did give order to Mr. Stevens for securing the tickets in
Carcasses hands, which my Lord against his will could not refuse to sign,
and then home to dinner, and so away with my wife by coach, she to Mrs.
Pierce's and I to my Lord Bellasses, and with him to [my] Lord
Treasurer's, where by agreement we met with Sir H. Cholmly, and there sat
and talked all the afternoon almost about one thing or other, expecting
Sir Philip Warwicke's coming, but he come not, so we away towards night,
Sir H. Cholmly and I to the Temple, and there parted, telling me of my
Lord Bellasses's want of generosity, and that he [Bellasses] will
certainly be turned out of his government, and he thinks himself stands
fair for it. So home, and there found, as I expected, Mrs. Pierce and Mr.
Batelier; he went for Mrs. Jones, but no Mrs. Knipp come, which vexed me,
nor any other company. So with one fidler we danced away the evening, but
I was not well contented with the littleness of the room, and my wife's
want of preparing things ready, as they should be, for supper, and bad.
So not very merry, though very well pleased. So after supper to bed, my
wife and Mrs. Pierce, and her boy James and I. Yesterday I began to make
this mark (V) stand instead of three pricks, which therefore I must
observe every where, it being a mark more easy to make.

9th. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning busy. At noon home
to dinner, where Mrs. Pierce did continue with us and her boy (who I still
find every day more and more witty beyond his age), and did dine with us,
and by and by comes in her husband and a brother-in-law of his, a parson,
one of the tallest biggest men that ever I saw in my life. So to the
office, where a meeting extraordinary about settling the number and wages
of my Lord Bruncker's clerks for his new work upon the Treasurer's
accounts, but this did put us upon running into the business of yesterday
about Carcasse, wherein I perceive he is most dissatisfied with me, and I
am not sorry for it, having all the world but him of my side therein, for
it will let him know another time that he is not to expect our submitting
to him in every thing, as I think he did heretofore expect. He did speak
many severe words to me, and I returned as many to him, so that I do think
there cannot for a great while, be, any right peace between us, and I care
not a fart for it; but however, I must look about me and mind my business,
for I perceive by his threats and enquiries he is and will endeavour to
find out something against me or mine. Breaking up here somewhat brokenly
I home, and carried Mrs. Pierce and wife to the New Exchange, and there
did give her and myself a pair of gloves, and then set her down at home,
and so back again straight home and thereto do business, and then to Sir
W. Batten's, where [Sir] W. Pen and others, and mighty merry, only I have
got a great cold, and the scolding this day at the office with my Lord
Bruncker hath made it worse, that I am not able to speak. But, Lord! to
see how kind Sir W. Batten and his Lady are to me upon this business of my
standing by [Sir] W. Batten against Carcasse, and I am glad of it.
Captain Cocke, who was here to-night, did tell us that he is certain that
yesterday a proclamation was voted at the Council, touching the
proclaiming of my Lord Duke of Buckingham a traytor, and that it will be
out on Monday. So home late, and drank some buttered ale, and so to bed
and to sleep. This cold did most certainly come by my staying a little too
long bare-legged yesterday morning when I rose while I looked out fresh
socks and thread stockings, yesterday's having in the night, lying near
the window, been covered with snow within the window, which made me I
durst not put them on.

10th (Lord's day). Having my cold still grown more upon me, so as I am
not able to speak, I lay in bed till noon, and then up and to my chamber
with a good fire, and there spent an hour on Morly's Introduction to
Musique, a very good but unmethodical book. Then to dinner, my wife and
I, and then all the afternoon alone in my chamber preparing a letter for
Commissioner Taylor to the City about getting his accounts for The Loyal
London,

[The "Loyal London" was the ship given to the king by the City. It
was launched at Deptford on June 10th, 1666]

by him built for them, stated and discharged, they owing him still about
L4000. Towards the evening comes Mr. Spong to see me, whose discourse
about several things I proposed to him was very good, better than I have
had with any body a good while. He gone, I to my business again, and anon
comes my Lady Pen and her son-in law and daughter, and there we talked all
the evening away, and then to supper; and after supper comes Sir W. Pen,
and there we talked together, and then broke up, and so to bed. He tells
me that our Mr. Turner has seen the proclamation against the Duke of
Buckingham, and that therefore it is true what we heard last night.
Yesterday and to-day I have been troubled with a hoarseness through cold
that I could not almost speak.

11th. Up, and with my cold still upon me and hoarseness, but I was forced
to rise and to the office, where all the morning busy, and among other
things Sir W. Warren come to me, to whom of late I have been very strange,
partly from my indifference how more than heretofore to get money, but
most from my finding that he is become great with my Lord Bruncker, and so
I dare not trust him as I used to do, for I will not be inward with him
that is open to another. By and by comes Sir H. Cholmly to me about
Tangier business, and then talking of news he tells me how yesterday the
King did publiquely talk of the King of France's dealing with all the
Princes of Christendome. As to the States of Holland, he [the King of
France] hath advised them, on good grounds, to refuse to treat with us at
the Hague, because of having opportunity of spies, by reason of our
interest in the House of Orange; and then, it being a town in one
particular province, it would not be fit to have it, but in a town wherein
the provinces have equal interest, as at Mastricht, and other places
named. That he advises them to offer no terms, nor accept of any, without
his privity and consent, according to agreement; and tells them, if not
so, he hath in his power to be even with them, the King of England being
come to offer him any terms he pleases; and that my Lord St. Albans is now
at Paris, Plenipotentiary, to make what peace he pleases; and so he can
make it, and exclude them, the Dutch, if he sees fit. A copy of this
letter of the King of France's the Spanish Ambassador here gets, and comes
and tells all to our King; which our King denies, and says the King of
France only uses his power of saying anything. At the same time, the King
of France writes to the Emperor, that he is resolved to do all things to
express affection to the Emperor, having it now in his power to make what
peace he pleases between the King of England and him, and the States of
the United Provinces; and, therefore, that he would not have him to
concern himself in a friendship with us; and assures him that, on that
regard, he will not offer anything to his disturbance, in his interest in
Flanders, or elsewhere. He writes, at the same time, to Spayne, to tell
him that he wonders to hear of a league almost ended between the Crown of
Spayne and England, by my Lord Sandwich, and all without his privity,
while he was making a peace upon what terms he pleased with England: that
he is a great lover of the Crown of Spayne, and would take the King and
his affairs, during his minority, into his protection, nor would offer to
set his foot in Flanders, or any where else, to disturb him; and,
therefore, would not have him to trouble himself to make peace with any
body; only he hath a desire to offer an exchange, which he thinks may be
of moment to both sides: that is, that he [France] will enstate the King
of Spayne in the kingdom of Portugall, and he and the Dutch will put him
into possession of Lisbon; and, that being done, he [France] may have
Flanders: and this, they say; do mightily take in Spayne, which is
sensible of the fruitless expence Flanders, so far off, gives them; and
how much better it would be for them to be master of Portugall; and the
King of France offers, for security herein, that the King of England shall
be bond for him, and that he will countersecure the King of England with
Amsterdam; and, it seems, hath assured our King, that if he will make a
league with him, he will make a peace exclusive to the Hollander. These
things are almost romantique, but yet true, as Sir H. Cholmly tells me the
King himself did relate it all yesterday; and it seems as if the King of
France did think other princes fit for nothing but to make sport for him:
but simple princes they are, that are forced to suffer this from him. So
at noon with Sir W. Pen by coach to the Sun in Leadenhall Streete, where
Sir R. Ford, Sir W. Batten, and Commissioner Taylor (whose feast it was)
were, and we dined and had a very good dinner. Among other discourses Sir
R. Ford did tell me that he do verily believe that the city will in few
years be built again in all the greatest streets, and answered the
objections I did give to it. Here we had the proclamation this day come
out against the Duke of Buckingham, commanding him to come in to one of
the Secretaries, or to the Lieutenant of the Tower. A silly, vain man to
bring himself to this: and there be many hard circumstances in the
proclamation of the causes of this proceeding of the King's, which speak
great displeasure of the King's, and crimes of his. Then to discourse of
the business of the day, that is, to see Commissioner Taylor's accounts
for his ship he built, The Loyall London, and it is pretty to see how
dully this old fellow makes his demands, and yet plaguy wise sayings will
come from the man sometimes, and also how Sir R. Ford and [Sir] W. Batten
did with seeming reliance advise him what to do, and how to come prepared
to answer objections to the Common Council. Thence away to the office,
where late busy, and then home to supper, mightily pleased with my wife's
trill, and so to bed. This night Mr. Carcasse did come to me again to
desire favour, and that I would mediate that he might be restored, but I
did give him no kind answer at all, but was very angry, and I confess a
good deal of it from my Lord Bruncker's simplicity and passion.

12th. Up, and to the office, where all-the morning, and my Lord Bruncker
mighty quiet, and no words all day, which I wonder at, expecting that he
would have fallen again upon the business of Carcasse, and the more for
that here happened that Perkins, who was the greatest witness of all
against him, was brought in by Sir W. Batten to prove that he did really
belong to The Prince, but being examined was found rather a fool than
anything, as not being able to give any account when he come in nor when
he come out of her, more than that he was taken by the Dutch in her, but
did agree in earnest to Sir W. Pen's saying that she lay up all, the
winter before at Lambeth. This I confess did make me begin to doubt the
truth of his evidence, but not to doubt the faults of Carcasse, for he was
condemned by, many other better evidences than his, besides the whole
world's report. At noon home, and there find Mr. Goodgroome, whose
teaching of my wife only by singing over and over again to her, and
letting her sing with him, not by herself, to correct her faults, I do not
like at all, but was angry at it; but have this content, that I do think
she will come to sing pretty well, and to trill in time, which pleases me
well. He dined with us, and then to the office, when we had a sorry
meeting to little purpose, and then broke up, and I to my office, and busy
late to good purpose, and so home to supper and to bed. This day a poor
seaman, almost starved for want of food, lay in our yard a-dying. I sent
him half-a-crown, and we ordered his ticket to be paid.

13th. Up, and with [Sir] W. Batten to the Duke of York to our usual
attendance, where I did fear my Lord Bruncker might move something in
revenge that might trouble me, but he did not, but contrarily had the
content to hear Sir G. Carteret fall foul on him in the Duke of York's bed
chamber for his directing people with tickets and petitions to him,
bidding him mind his Controller's place and not his, for if he did he
should be too hard for him, and made high words, which I was glad of.
Having done our usual business with the Duke of York, I away; and meeting
Mr. D. Gawden in the presence-chamber, he and I to talk; and among other
things he tells me, and I do find every where else, also, that our masters
do begin not to like of their councils in fitting out no fleete, but only
squadrons, and are finding out excuses for it; and, among others, he tells
me a Privy-Councillor did tell him that it was said in Council that a
fleete could not be set out this year, for want of victuals, which gives
him and me a great alarme, but me especially for had it been so, I ought
to have represented it; and therefore it puts me in policy presently to
prepare myself to answer this objection, if ever it should come about, by
drawing up a state of the Victualler's stores, which I will presently do.
So to Westminster Hall, and there staid and talked, and then to Sir G.
Carteret's, where I dined with the ladies, he not at home, and very well
used I am among them, so that I am heartily ashamed that my wife hath not
been there to see them; but she shall very shortly. So home by water, and
stepped into Michell's, and there did baiser my Betty, 'que aegrotat' a
little. At home find Mr. Holliard, and made him eat a bit of victuals.
Here I find Mr. Greeten, who teaches my wife on the flageolet, and I think
she will come to something on it. Mr. Holliard advises me to have my
father come up to town, for he doubts else in the country he will never
find ease, for, poor man, his grief is now grown so great upon him that he
is never at ease, so I will have him up at Easter. By and by by coach,
set down Mr. Holliard near his house at Hatton Garden and myself to Lord
Treasurer's, and sent my wife to the New Exchange. I staid not here, but
to Westminster Hall, and thence to Martin's, where he and she both within,
and with them the little widow that was once there with her when I was
there, that dissembled so well to be grieved at hearing a tune that her,
late husband liked, but there being so much company, I had no pleasure
here, and so away to the Hall again, and there met Doll Lane coming out,
and 'par contrat did hazer bargain para aller to the cabaret de vin',
called the Rose, and 'ibi' I staid two hours, 'sed' she did not 'venir',
'lequel' troubled me, and so away by coach and took up my wife, and away
home, and so to Sir W. Batten's, where I am told that it is intended by
Mr. Carcasse to pray me to be godfather with Lord Bruncker to-morrow to
his child, which I suppose they tell me in mirth, but if he should ask me
I know not whether I should refuse it or no. Late at my office preparing
a speech against to-morrow morning, before the King, at my Lord
Treasurer's, and the truth is it run in my head all night. So home to
supper and to bed. The Duke of Buckingham is concluded gone over sea,
and, it is thought, to France.

14th. Up, and with Sir W. Batten and [Sir] W. Pen to my Lord Treasurer's,
where we met with my Lord Bruncker an hour before the King come, and had
time to talk a little of our business. Then come much company, among
others Sir H. Cholmly, who tells me that undoubtedly my Lord Bellasses
will go no more as Governor to Tangier, and that he do put in fair for it,
and believes he shall have it, and proposes how it may conduce to his
account and mine in the business of money. Here we fell into talk with
Sir Stephen Fox, and, among other things, of the Spanish manner of
walking, when three together, and shewed me how, which was pretty, to
prevent differences. By and by comes the King and Duke of York, and
presently the officers of the Ordnance were called; my Lord Berkeley, Sir
John Duncomb, and Mr. Chichly; then we, my Lord Bruncker, [Sir] W. Batten,
[Sir] W. Pen, and myself; where we find only the King and Duke of York,
and my Lord Treasurer, and Sir G. Carteret; where I only did speak, laying
down the state of our wants, which the King and Duke of York seemed very
well pleased with, and we did get what we asked, L500,000, assigned upon
the eleven months' tax: but that is not so much ready money, or what will
raise L40,000 per week, which we desired, and the business will want. Yet
are we fain to come away answered, when, God knows, it will undo the
King's business to have matters of this moment put off in this manner.
The King did prevent my offering anything by and by as Treasurer for
Tangier, telling me that he had ordered us L30,000 on the same tax; but
that is not what we would have to bring our payments to come within a
year. So we gone out, in went others; viz., one after another, Sir
Stephen Fox for the army, Captain Cocke for sick and wounded, Mr.
Ashburnham for the household. Thence [Sir] W. Batten, [Sir] W. Pen, and
I, back again; I mightily pleased with what I had said and done, and the
success thereof. But, it being a fine clear day, I did, 'en gayete de
coeur', propose going to Bow for ayre sake, and dine there, which they
embraced, and so [Sir] W. Batten and I (setting [Sir] W. Pen down at Mark
Lane end) straight to Bow, to the Queen's Head, and there bespoke our
dinner, carrying meat with us from London; and anon comes [Sir] W. Pen
with my wife and Lady Batten, and then Mr. Lowder with his mother and
wife. While [Sir] W. Batten and I were alone, we had much friendly
discourse, though I will never trust him far; but we do propose getting
"The Flying Greyhound," our privateer, to us and [Sir] W. Pen at the end
of the year when we call her home, by begging her of the King, and I do
not think we shall be denied her. They being come, we to oysters and so
to talk, very pleasant I was all day, and anon to dinner, and I made very
good company. Here till the evening, so as it was dark almost before we
got home (back again in the same method, I think, we went), and spent the
night talking at Sir W. Batten's, only a little at my office, to look over
the Victualler's contract, and draw up some arguments for him to plead for
his charges in transportation of goods beyond the ports which the letter
of one article in his contract do lay upon him. This done I home to
supper and to bed. Troubled a little at my fear that my Lord Bruncker
should tell Sir W. Coventry of our neglecting the office this afternoon
(which was intended) to look after our pleasures, but nothing will fall
upon me alone about this.

15th. Up, and pleased at Tom's teaching of Barker something to sing a 3rd
part to a song, which will please mightily. So I to the office all the
morning, and at noon to the 'Change, where I do hear that letters this day
come to Court do tell us that we are likely not to agree, the Dutch
demanding high terms, and the King of France the like, in a most braving
manner. The merchants do give themselves over for lost, no man knowing
what to do, whether to sell or buy, not knowing whether peace or war to
expect, and I am told that could that be now known a man might get L20,000
in a week's time by buying up of goods in case there should be war.
Thence home and dined well, and then with my wife, set her at Unthanke's
and I to Sir G. Carteret, where talked with the ladies a while, and my
Lady Carteret talks nothing but sorrow and afflictions coming on us, and
indeed I do fear the same. So away and met Dr. Fuller, Bishop of
Limricke, and walked an hour with him in the Court talking of newes only,
and he do think that matters will be bad with us. Then to Westminster
Hall, and there spent an hour or two walking up and down, thinking 'para
avoir' got out Doll Lane, 'sed je ne' could do it, having no opportunity
'de hazer le, ainsi lost the tota' afternoon, and so away and called my
wife and home, where a little at the office, and then home to my closet to
enter my journalls, and so to supper and to bed. This noon come little
Mis. Tooker, who is grown a little woman; ego had opportunity 'para baiser
her . . . . This morning I was called up by Sir John Winter, poor man!
come in his sedan from the other end of the town, before I was up, and
merely about the King's business, which is a worthy thing of him, and I
believe him to be a worthy good man, and I will do him the right to tell
the Duke of it, who did speak well of him the other day. It was about
helping the King in the business of bringing down his timber to the
sea-side, in the Forest of Deane.