A	>>	B	>>	C	>>	D	>>	E
F	>>	G	>>	H	>>	I	>>	J
K	>>	L	>>	M	>>	N	>>	O
P	>>	R	>>		S	>>		T
U	>>		V			>>		W

James Joyce - "Dubliners"

Moliere - "Don Garcia of Navarre"

Pye Henry Chavasse - "Advice to a Mother on the Management of her Children"

James Otis - "A District Messenger Boy and a Necktie Party"

Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete

S >> Samuel Pepys >> Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete




3d. Early in the morning to the Exchequer, where I told over what money I
had of my Lord's and my own there, which I found to be L970. Thence to
Will's, where Spicer and I eat our dinner of a roasted leg of pork which
Will did give us, and after that to the Theatre, where was acted "Beggars'
Bush," it being very well done; and here the first time that ever I saw
women come upon the stage.

[Downes does not give the cast of this play. After the Restoration
the acting of female characters by women became common. The first
English professional actress was Mrs. Coleman, who acted Ianthe in
Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes," at Rutland House in 1656.]

From thence to my father's, where I found my mother gone by Bird, the
carrier, to Brampton, upon my uncle's great desire, my aunt being now in
despair of life. So home.

4th. Office all the morning, my wife and Pall being gone to my father's
to dress dinner for Mr. Honiwood, my mother being gone out of town. Dined
at home, and Mr. Moore with me, with whom I had been early this morning at
White Hall, at the Jewell Office,

[Several of the Jewel Office rolls are in the British Museum. They
recite all the sums of money given to the King, and the particulars
of all the plate distributed in his name, as well as gloves and
sweetmeats. The Museum possesses these rolls for the 4th, 9th,
18th, 30th, and 31st Eliz.; for the 13th Charles I.; and the 23rd,
24th, 26th, and 27th of Charles II.--B.]

to choose a piece of gilt plate for my Lord, in return of his offering to
the King (which it seems is usual at this time of year, and an Earl gives
twenty pieces in gold in a purse to the King). I chose a gilt tankard,
weighing 31 ounces and a half, and he is allowed 30; so I paid 12s. for
the ounce and half over what he is to have; but strange it was for me to
see what a company of small fees I was called upon by a great many to pay
there, which, I perceive, is the manner that courtiers do get their
estates. After dinner Mr. Moore and I to the Theatre, where was "The
Scornful Lady," acted very well, it being the first play that ever he saw.
Thence with him to drink a cup of ale at Hercules Pillars, and so parted.
I called to see my father, who told me by the way how Will and Mary Joyce
do live a strange life together, nothing but fighting, &c., so that
sometimes her father has a mind to have them divorced. Thence home.

5th. Home all the morning. Several people came to me about business,
among others the great Tom Fuller, who came to desire a kindness for a
friend of his, who hath a mind to go to Jamaica with these two ships that
are going, which I promised to do. So to Whitehall to my Lady, whom I
found at dinner and dined with her, and staid with her talking all the
afternoon, and thence walked to Westminster Hall. So to Will's, and drank
with Spicer, and thence by coach home, staying a little in Paul's
Churchyard, to bespeak Ogilby's AEsop's Fables and Tully's Officys to be
bound for me. So home and to bed.

6th (Lord's day). My wife and I to church this morning, and so home to
dinner to a boiled leg of mutton all alone. To church again, where,
before sermon, a long Psalm was set that lasted an hour, while the sexton
gathered his year's contribucion through the whole church. After sermon
home, and there I went to my chamber and wrote a letter to send to Mr.
Coventry, with a piece of plate along with it, which I do preserve among
my other letters. So to supper, and thence after prayers to bed.

7th. This morning, news was brought to me to my bedside, that there had
been a great stir in the City this night by the Fanatiques, who had been
up and killed six or seven men, but all are fled.

["A great rising in the city of the Fifth-monarchy men, which did
very much disturb the peace and liberty of the people, so that all
the train-bands arose in arms, both in London and Westminster, as
likewise all the king's guards; and most of the noblemen mounted,
and put all their servants on coach horses, for the defence of his
Majesty, and the peace of his kingdom."--Rugge's Diurnal. The
notorious Thomas Venner, the Fifth-monarchy man, a cooper and
preacher to a conventicle in Swan Alley, Coleman Street, with a
small following (about fifty in number) took arms on the 6th January
for the avowed purpose of establishing the Millennium. He was a
violent enthusiast, and persuaded his followers that they were
invulnerable. After exciting much alarm in the City, and
skirmishing with the Trained Bands, they marched to Caen Wood. They
were driven out by a party of guards, but again entered the City,
where they were overpowered by the Trained Bands. The men were
brought to trial and condemned; four, however, were acquitted and
two reprieved. The execution of some of these men is mentioned by
Pepys under date January 19th and 21st. "A Relation of the
Arraignment and Trial of those who made the late Rebellious
Insurrections in London, 1661," is reprinted in "Somers Tracts,"
vol. vii. (1812), p. 469.]

My Lord Mayor and the whole City had been in arms, above 40,000. To the
office, and after that to dinner, where my brother Tom came and dined with
me, and after dinner (leaving 12d. with the servants to buy a cake with at
night, this day being kept as Twelfth day) Tom and I and my wife to the
Theatre, and there saw "The Silent Woman." The first time that ever I did
see it, and it is an excellent play. Among other things here, Kinaston,
the boy; had the good turn to appear in three shapes: first, as a poor
woman in ordinary clothes, to please Morose; then in fine clothes, as a
gallant, and in them was clearly the prettiest woman in the whole house,
and lastly, as a man; and then likewise did appear the handsomest man in
the house. From thence by link to my cozen Stradwick's, where my father
and we and Dr. Pepys, Scott, and his wife, and one Mr. Ward and his; and
after a good supper, we had an excellent cake, where the mark for the
Queen was cut, and so there was two queens, my wife and Mrs. Ward; and the
King being lost, they chose the Doctor to be King, so we made him send for
some wine, and then home, and in our way home we were in many places
strictly examined, more than in the worst of times, there being great
fears of these Fanatiques rising again: for the present I do not hear that
any of them are taken. Home, it being a clear moonshine and after 12
o'clock at night. Being come home we found that my people had been very
merry, and my wife tells me afterwards that she had heard that they had
got young Davis and some other neighbours with them to be merry, but no
harm.

8th. My wife and I lay very long in bed to-day talking and pleasing one
another in discourse. Being up, Mr. Warren came, and he and I agreed for
the deals that my Lord is to, have. Then Will and I to Westminster, where
I dined with my Lady. After dinner I took my Lord Hinchinbroke and Mr.
Sidney to the Theatre, and shewed them "The Widdow," an indifferent good
play, but wronged by the women being to seek in their parts. That being
done, my Lord's coach waited for us, and so back to my Lady's, where she
made me drink of some Florence wine, and did give me two bottles for my
wife. From thence walked to my cozen Stradwick's, and there chose a small
banquet and some other things against our entertainment on Thursday next.
Thence to Tom Pepys and bought a dozen of trenchers, and so home. Some
talk to-day of a head of Fanatiques that do appear about Barnett, but I do
not believe it. However, my Lord Mayor, Sir Richd. Browne, hath carried
himself very honourably, and hath caused one of their meeting-houses in
London to be pulled down.

9th. Waked in the morning about six o'clock, by people running up and
down in Mr. Davis's house, talking that the Fanatiques were up in arms in
the City. And so I rose and went forth; where in the street I found every
body in arms at the doors. So I returned (though with no good courage at
all, but that I might not seem to be afeared), and got my sword and
pistol, which, however, I had no powder to charge; and went to the door,
where I found Sir R. Ford, and with him I walked up and down as far as the
Exchange, and there I left him. In our way, the streets full of
Train-band, and great stories, what mischief these rogues have done; and I
think near a dozen have been killed this morning on both sides. Seeing the
city in this condition, the shops shut, and all things in trouble, I went
home and sat, it being office day, till noon. So home, and dined at home,
my father with me, and after dinner he would needs have me go to my uncle
Wight's (where I have been so long absent that I am ashamed to go). I
found him at home and his wife, and I can see they have taken my absence
ill, but all things are past and we good friends, and here I sat with my
aunt till it was late, my uncle going forth about business. My aunt being
very fearful to be alone. So home to my lute till late, and then to bed,
there being strict guards all night in the City, though most of the
enemies, they say, are killed or taken. This morning my wife and Pall
went forth early, and I staid within.

10th. There comes Mr. Hawley to me and brings me my money for the quarter
of a year's salary of my place under Downing that I was at sea. So I did
give him half, whereof he did in his nobleness give the odd 5s, to my
Jane. So we both went forth (calling first to see how Sir W. Pen do, whom
I found very ill), and at the Hoop by the bridge we drank two pints of
wormwood and sack. Talking of his wooing afresh of Mrs. Lane, and of his
going to serve the Bishop of London. Thence by water to Whitehall, and
found my wife at Mrs. Hunt's. Leaving her to dine there, I went and dined
with my Lady, and staid to talk a while with her. After dinner Will.
comes to tell me that he had presented my piece of plate to Mr. Coventry,
who takes it very kindly, and sends me a very kind letter, and the plate
back again; of which my heart is very glad. So to Mrs. Hunt, where I
found a Frenchman, a lodger of hers, at dinner, and just as I came in was
kissing my wife, which I did not like, though there could not be any hurt
in it. Thence by coach to my Uncle Wight's with my wife, but they being
out of doors we went home, where, after I had put some papers in order and
entered some letters in my book which I have a mind to keep, I went with
my wife to see Sir W. Pen, who we found ill still, but he do make very
much of it. Here we sat a great while, at last comes in Mr. Davis and his
lady (who takes it very ill that my wife never did go to see her), and so
we fell to talk. Among other things Mr. Davis told us the particular
examinations of these Fanatiques that are taken: and in short it is this,
of all these Fanatiques that have done all this, viz., routed all the
Trainbands that they met with, put the King's life-guards to the run,
killed about twenty men, broke through the City gates twice; and all this
in the day-time, when all the City was in arms; are not in all about 31.
Whereas we did believe them (because they were seen up and down in every
place almost in the City, and had been about Highgate two or three days,
and in several other places) to be at least 500. A thing that never was
heard of, that so few men should dare and do so much mischief. Their word
was, "The King Jesus, and the heads upon the gates." Few of them would
receive any quarter, but such as were taken by force and kept alive;
expecting Jesus to come here and reign in the world presently, and will
not believe yet but their work will be carried on though they do die. The
King this day came to town.

11th. Office day. This day comes news, by letters from Portsmouth, that
the Princess Henrietta is fallen sick of the meazles on board the London,
after the Queen and she was under sail. And so was forced to come back
again into Portsmouth harbour; and in their way, by negligence of the
pilot, run upon the Horse sand. The Queen and she continue aboard, and do
not intend to come on shore till she sees what will become of the young
Princess. This news do make people think something indeed, that three of
the Royal Family should fall sick of the same disease, one after another.
This morning likewise, we had order to see guards set in all the King's
yards; and so we do appoint who and who should go to them. Sir Wm. Batten
to Chatham, Colonel Slingsby and I to Deptford and Woolwich. Portsmouth
being a garrison, needs none. Dined at home, discontented that my wife do
not go neater now she has two maids. After dinner comes in Kate Sterpin
(whom we had not seen a great while) and her husband to see us, with whom
I staid a while, and then to the office, and left them with my wife. At
night walked to Paul's Churchyard, and bespoke some books against next
week, and from thence to the Coffeehouse, where I met Captain Morrice, the
upholster, who would fain have lent me a horse to-night to have rid with
him upon the Cityguards, with the Lord Mayor, there being some new
expectations of these rogues; but I refused by reason of my going out of
town tomorrow. So home to bed.

12th. With Colonel Slingsby and a friend of his, Major Waters (a deaf and
most amorous melancholy gentleman, who is under a despayr in love, as the
Colonel told me, which makes him bad company, though a most good-natured
man), by water to Redriffe, and so on foot to Deptford (our servants by
water), where we fell to choosing four captains to command the guards, and
choosing the places where to keep them, and other things in order
thereunto. We dined at the Globe, having our messenger with us to take
care for us. Never till now did I see the great authority of my place,
all the captains of the fleet coming cap in hand to us. Having staid very
late there talking with the Colonel, I went home with Mr. Davis,
storekeeper (whose wife is ill and so I could not see her), and was there
most prince-like lodged, with so much respect and honour that I was at a
loss how to behave myself.

13th. In the morning we all went to church, and sat in the pew belonging
to us, where a cold sermon of a young man that never had preached before.
Here Commissioner came with his wife and daughters, the eldest being his
wife's daughter is a very comely black woman.--[The old expression for a
brunette.]--So to the Globe to dinner, and then with Commissioner Pett to
his lodgings there (which he hath for the present while he is building the
King's yacht, which will be a pretty thing, and much beyond the
Dutchman's), and from thence with him and his wife and daughter-in-law by
coach to Greenwich Church, where a good sermon, a fine church, and a great
company of handsome women. After sermon to Deptford again; where, at the
Commissioner's and the Globe, we staid long. And so I to Mr. Davis's to
bed again. But no sooner in bed, but we had an alarm, and so we rose: and
the Comptroller comes into the Yard to us; and seamen of all the ships
present repair to us, and there we armed with every one a handspike, with
which they were as fierce as could be. At last we hear that it was only
five or six men that did ride through the guard in the town, without
stopping to the guard that was there; and, some say, shot at them. But
all being quiet there, we caused the seamen to go on board again: And so
we all to bed (after I had sat awhile with Mr. Davis in his study, which
is filled with good books and some very good song books) I likewise to
bed.

14th. The arms being come this morning from the Tower, we caused them to
be distributed. I spent much time walking with Lieutenant Lambert,
walking up and down the yards, who did give me much light into things
there, and so went along with me and dined with us. After dinner Mrs.
Pett, her husband being gone this morning with Sir W. Batten to Chatham,
lent us her coach, and carried us to Woolwich, where we did also dispose
of the arms there and settle the guards. So to Mr. Pett's, the
shipwright, and there supped, where he did treat us very handsomely (and
strange it is to see what neat houses all the officers of the King's yards
have), his wife a proper woman, and has been handsome, and yet has a very
pretty hand. Thence I with Mr. Ackworth to his house, where he has a very
pretty house, and a very proper lovely woman to his wife, who both sat
with me in my chamber, and they being gone, I went to bed, which was also
most neat and fine.

15th. Up and down the yard all the morning and seeing the seamen
exercise, which they do already very handsomely. Then to dinner at Mr.
Ackworth's, where there also dined with us one Captain Bethell, a friend
of the Comptroller's. A good dinner and very handsome. After that and
taking our leaves of the officers of the yard, we walked to the waterside
and in our way walked into the rope-yard, where I do look into the
tar-houses and other places, and took great notice of all the several
works belonging to the making of a cable. So after a cup of burnt
wine--[Burnt wine was somewhat similar to mulled wine, and a favourite
drink]--at the tavern there, we took barge and went to Blackwall and
viewed the dock and the new Wet dock, which is newly made there, and a
brave new merchantman which is to be launched shortly, and they say to be
called the Royal Oak. Hence we walked to Dick-Shore, and thence to the
Towre and so home. Where I found my wife and Pall abroad, so I went to see
Sir W. Pen, and there found Mr. Coventry come to see him, and now had an
opportunity to thank him, and he did express much kindness to me. I sat a
great while with Sir Wm. after he was gone, and had much talk with him. I
perceive none of our officers care much for one another, but I do keep in
with them all as much as I can. Sir W. Pen is still very ill as when I
went. Home, where my wife not yet come home, so I went up to put my papers
in order, and then was much troubled my wife was not come, it being 10
o'clock just now striking as I write this last line. This day I hear the
Princess is recovered again. The King hath been this afternoon at
Deptford, to see the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building, which will
be very pretty; as also that that his brother at Woolwich is in making. By
and by comes in my boy and tells me that his mistress do lie this night at
Mrs. Hunt's, who is very ill, with which being something satisfied, I went
to bed.

16th. This morning I went early to the Comptroller's and so with him by
coach to Whitehall, to wait upon Mr. Coventry to give him an account of
what we have done, which having done, I went away to wait upon my Lady;
but coming to her lodgings I find that she is gone this morning to Chatham
by coach, thinking to meet me there, which did trouble me exceedingly, and
I did not know what to do, being loth to follow her, and yet could not
imagine what she would do when she found me not there. In this trouble, I
went to take a walk in Westminster Hall and by chance met with Mr. Child,
who went forth with my Lady to-day, but his horse being bad, he come back
again, which then did trouble me more, so that I did resolve to go to her;
and so by boat home and put on my boots, and so over to Southwarke to the
posthouse, and there took horse and guide to Dartford and thence to
Rochester (I having good horses and good way, come thither about
half-an-hour after daylight, which was before 6 o'clock and I set forth
after two), where I found my Lady and her daughter Jem., and Mrs. Browne'
and five servants, all at a great loss, not finding me here, but at my
coming she was overjoyed. The sport was how she had intended to have kept
herself unknown, and how the Captain (whom she had sent for) of the
Charles had forsoothed

[To forsooth is to address in a polite and ceremonious manner.
"Your city-mannerly word forsooth, use it not too often in any
case."--Ben Jonson's Poetaster, act iv., sc. 1.]

her, though he knew her well and she him. In fine we supped merry and so
to bed, there coming several of the Charles's men to see me before, I got
to bed. The page lay with me.

17th. Up, and breakfast with my Lady. Then come Captains Cuttance and
Blake to carry her in the barge on board; and so we went through Ham
Creeke to the Soverayne (a goodly sight all the way to see the brave ships
that lie here) first, which is a most noble ship. I never saw her before.
My Lady Sandwich, my Lady Jemimah, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Grace, and Mary and
the page, my lady's servants and myself, all went into the lanthorn
together. From thence to the Charles, where my lady took great pleasure
to see all the rooms, and to hear me tell her how things are when my Lord
is there. After we had seen all, then the officers of the ship had
prepared a handsome breakfast for her, and while she was pledging my
Lord's health they give her five guns. That done, we went off, and then
they give us thirteen guns more. I confess it was a great pleasure to
myself to see the ship that I begun my good fortune in. From thence on
board the Newcastle, to show my Lady the difference between a great and a
small ship. Among these ships I did give away L7. So back again and went
on shore at Chatham, where I had ordered the coach to wait for us. Here I
heard that Sir William Batten and his lady (who I knew were here, and did
endeavour to avoyd) were now gone this morning to London. So we took
coach, and I went into the coach, and went through the town, without
making stop at our inn, but left J. Goods to pay the reckoning. So I rode
with my lady in the coach, and the page on the horse that I should have
rid on--he desiring it. It begun to be dark before we could come to
Dartford, and to rain hard, and the horses to fayle, which was our great
care to prevent, for fear of my Lord's displeasure, so here we sat up for
to-night, as also Captains Cuttance and Blake, who came along with us. We
sat and talked till supper, and at supper my Lady and I entered into a
great dispute concerning what were best for a man to do with his
estate--whether to make his elder son heir, which my Lady is for, and I
against, but rather to make all equall. This discourse took us much time,
till it was time to go to bed; but we being merry, we bade my Lady
goodnight, and intended to have gone to the Post-house to drink, and hear
a pretty girl play of the cittern (and indeed we should have lain there,
but by a mistake we did not), but it was late, and we could not hear her,
and the guard came to examine what we were; so we returned to our Inn and
to bed, the page and I in one bed, and the two captains in another, all in
one chamber, where we had very good mirth with our most abominable
lodging.

18th. The Captains went with me to the post-house about 9 o'clock, and
after a morning draft I took horse and guide for London; and through some
rain, and a great wind in my face, I got to London at eleven o'clock. At
home found all well, but the monkey loose, which did anger me, and so I
did strike her till she was almost dead, that they might make her fast
again, which did still trouble me more. In the afternoon we met at the
office and sat till night, and then I to see my father who I found well,
and took him to Standing's' to drink a cup of ale. He told me my aunt at
Brampton is yet alive and my mother well there. In comes Will Joyce to us
drunk, and in a talking vapouring humour of his state, and I know not
what, which did vex me cruelly. After him Mr. Hollier had learned at my
father's that I was here (where I had appointed to meet him) and so he did
give me some things to take for prevention. Will Joyce not letting us
talk as I would I left my father and him and took Mr. Hollier to the
Greyhound, where he did advise me above all things, both as to the stone
and the decay of my memory (of which I now complain to him), to avoid
drinking often, which I am resolved, if I can, to leave off. Hence home,
and took home with me from the bookseller's Ogilby's AEsop, which he had
bound for me, and indeed I am very much pleased with the book. Home and
to bed.

19th. To the Comptroller's, and with him by coach to White Hall; in our
way meeting Venner and Pritchard upon a sledge, who with two more Fifth
Monarchy men were hanged to-day, and the two first drawn and quartered.
Where we walked up and down, and at last found Sir G. Carteret, whom I had
not seen a great while, and did discourse with him about our assisting the
Commissioners in paying off the Fleet, which we think to decline. Here
the Treasurer did tell me that he did suspect Thos. Hater to be an
informer of them in this work, which we do take to be a diminution of us,
which do trouble me, and I do intend to find out the truth. Hence to my
Lady, who told me how Mr. Hetley is dead of the small-pox going to
Portsmouth with my Lord. My Lady went forth to dinner to her father's,
and so I went to the Leg in King Street and had a rabbit for myself and my
Will, and after dinner I sent him home and myself went to the Theatre,
where I saw "The Lost Lady," which do not please me much. Here I was
troubled to be seen by four of our office clerks, which sat in the
half-crown box and I in the 1s. 6d. From thence by link, and bought two
mouse traps of Thomas Pepys, the Turner, and so went and drank a cup of
ale with him, and so home and wrote by post to Portsmouth to my Lord and
so to bed.

Books of The Times: A 5th Gospel Can Be Like a 5th Wheel
In Michel Faber’s novel based on the Prometheus myth, a linguist discovers what appears to be a fifth Gospel, a new account of the Crucifixion.

Arts, Briefly: False Memoir May Find New Life as Fiction
An independent publisher said it was negotiating to release Herman Rosenblat’s discredited memoir, “Angel at the Fence,” as fiction.

Currents | Books: 11 More Great Homes
The architectural historian Kenneth Frampton has updated his 1995 book with 11 additional houses.