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Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete

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




14th. All the morning at home, Mr. Berkenshaw by appointment yesterday
coming to me, and begun composition of musique, and he being gone I to
settle my papers and things in my chamber, and so after dinner in the
afternoon to the office, and thence to my chamber about several businesses
of the office and my own, and then to supper and to bed. This day my
brave vellum covers to keep pictures in, come in, which pleases me very
much.

15th. This morning Mr. Berkenshaw came again, and after he had examined
me and taught me something in my work, he and I went to breakfast in my
chamber upon a collar of brawn, and after we had eaten, asked me whether
we had not committed a fault in eating to-day; telling me that it is a
fast day ordered by the Parliament, to pray for more seasonable weather;
it having hitherto been summer weather, that it is, both as to warmth and
every other thing, just as if it were the middle of May or June, which do
threaten a plague (as all men think) to follow, for so it was almost the
last winter; and the whole year after hath been a very sickly time to this
day. I did not stir out of my house all day, but conned my musique, and
at night after supper to bed.

16th. Towards Cheapside; and in Paul's Churchyard saw the funeral of my
Lord Cornwallis, late Steward of the King's House, a bold profane talking
man, go by, and thence I to the Paynter's, and there paid him L6 for the
two pictures, and 36s. for the two frames. From thence home, and Mr.
Holliard and my brother Tom dined with me, and he did give me good advice
about my health. In the afternoon at the office, and at night to Sir W.
Batten, and there saw him and Captain Cock and Stokes play at cards, and
afterwards supped with them. Stokes told us, that notwithstanding the
country of Gambo is so unhealthy, yet the people of the place live very
long, so as the present king there is 150 years old, which they count by
rains: because every year it rains continually four months together. He
also told us, that the kings there have above 100 wives a-piece, and
offered him the choice of any of his wives to lie with, and so he did
Captain Holmes. So home and to bed.

17th. To Westminster with Mr. Moore, and there, after several walks up
and down to hear news, I met with Lany, the Frenchman, who told me that he
had a letter from France last night, that tells him that my Lord
Hinchingbroke is dead,--[proved false]--and that he did die yesterday was
se'nnight, which do surprise me exceedingly (though we know that he hath
been sick these two months), so I hardly ever was in my life; but being
fearfull that my Lady should come to hear it too suddenly, he and I went
up to my Lord Crew's, and there I dined with him, and after dinner we told
him, and the whole family is much disturbed by it: so we consulted what to
do to tell my Lady of it; and at last we thought of my going first to Mr.
George Montagu's to hear whether he had any news of it, which I did, and
there found all his house in great heaviness for the death of his son, Mr.
George Montagu, who did go with our young gentlemen into France, and that
they hear nothing at all of our young Lord; so believing that thence comes
the mistake, I returned to my Lord Crew (in my way in the Piazza seeing a
house on fire, and all the streets full of people to quench it), and told
them of it, which they are much glad of, and conclude, and so I hope, that
my Lord is well; and so I went to my Lady Sandwich, and told her all, and
after much talk I parted thence with my wife, who had been there all the
day, and so home to my musique, and then to bed.

18th. This morning I went to Dr. Williams, and there he told me how T.
Trice had spoke to him about getting me to meet that our difference might
be made up between us by ourselves, which I am glad of, and have appointed
Monday next to be the day. Thence to the Wardrobe, and there hearing it
would be late before they went to dinner, I went and spent some time in
Paul's Churchyard among some books, and then returned thither, and there
dined with my Lady and Sir H. Wright and his lady, all glad of yesterday's
mistake, and after dinner to the office, and then home and wrote letters
by the post to my father, and by and by comes Mr. Moore to give me an
account how Mr. Montagu was gone away of a sudden with the fleet, in such
haste that he hath left behind some servants, and many things of
consequence; and among others, my Lord's commission for Embassador.
Whereupon he and I took coach, and to White Hall to my Lord's lodgings, to
have spoke with Mr. Ralph Montagu, his brother (and here we staid talking
with Sarah and the old man); but by and by hearing that he was in Covent
Garden, we went thither: and at my Lady Harvy's, his sister, I spoke with
him, and he tells me that the commission is not left behind. And so I
went thence by the same coach (setting down Mr. Moore) home, and after
having wrote a letter to my Lord at 12 o'clock at night by post I went to
bed.

19th (Lord's day). To church in the morning, where Mr. Mills preached
upon Christ's being offered up for our sins, and there proving the equity
with what justice God would lay our sins upon his Son, he did make such a
sermon (among other things pleading, from God's universal sovereignty over
all his creatures, the power he has of commanding what he would of his Son
by the same rule as that he might have made us all, and the whole world
from the beginning to have been in hell, arguing from the power the potter
has over his clay), that I could have wished he had let it alone; and
speaking again, the Father is now so satisfied by our security for our
debt, that we might say at the last day as many of us as have interest in
Christ's death: Lord, we owe thee nothing, our debt is paid. We are not
beholden to, thee for anything, for thy debt is paid to thee to the full;
which methinks were very bold words. Home to dinner, and then my wife and
I on foot to see Mrs. Turner, who continues still sick, and thence into
the Old Bayly by appointment to speak with Mrs. Norbury who lies at (it
falls out) next door to my uncle Fenner's; but as God would have it, we
having no desire to be seen by his people, he having lately married a
midwife that is old and ugly, and that hath already brought home to him a
daughter and three children, we were let in at a back door. And here she
offered me the refusall of some lands of her's at Brampton, if I have a
mind to buy, which I answered her I was not at present provided to do.
She took occasion to talk of her sister Wight's making much of the Wights,
who for namesake only my uncle do shew great kindness to, so I fear may do
us that are nearer to him a great deal of wrong, if he should die without
children, which I am sorry for. Thence to my uncle Wight's, and there we
supped and were merry, though my uncle hath lately lost 200 or 300 at sea,
and I am troubled to hear that the Turks do take more and more of our
ships in the Straights, and that our merchants here in London do daily
break, and are still likely to do so. So home, and I put in at Sir W.
Batten's, where Major Holmes was, and in our discourse and drinking I did
give Sir J. Mennes' health, which he swore he would not pledge, and called
him knave and coward (upon the business of Holmes with the Swedish ship
lately), which we all and I particularly did desire him to forbear, he
being of our fraternity, which he took in great dudgeon, and I was vexed
to hear him persist in calling him so, though I believe it to be true, but
however he is to blame and I am troubled at it. So home and to prayers,
and to bed.

20th. This morning Sir Win. Batten and Pen and I did begin the examining
the Treasurer's accounts, the first time ever he had passed in the office,
which is very long, and we were all at it till noon, and then to dinner,
he providing a fine dinner for us, and we eat it at Sir W. Batten's, where
we were very merry, there being at table the Treasurer and we three, Mr.
Wayth, Ferrer, Smith, Turner, and Mr. Morrice, the wine cooper, who this
day did divide the two butts, which we four did send for, of sherry from
Cales, and mine was put into a hogshead, and the vessel filled up with
four gallons of Malaga wine, but what it will stand us in I know not: but
it is the first great quantity of wine that I ever bought. And after
dinner to the office all the afternoon till late at night, and then home,
where my aunt and uncle Wight and Mrs. Anne Wight came to play at cards
(at gleek which she taught me and my wife last week) and so to supper, and
then to cards and so good night. Then I to my practice of musique and
then at 12 o'clock to bed. This day the workmen began to make me a sellar
door out of the back yard, which will much please me.

21st. To the finishing of the Treasurer's accounts this morning, and then
to dinner again, and were merry as yesterday, and so home, and then to the
office till night, and then home to write letters, and to practise my
composition of musique, and then to bed. We have heard nothing yet how
far the fleet hath got toward Portugall, but the wind being changed again,
we fear they are stopped, and may be beat back again to the coast of
Ireland.

22d. After musique-practice, to White Hall, and thence to Westminster, in
my way calling at Mr. George Montagu's, to condole him the loss of his
son, who was a fine gentleman, and it is no doubt a great discomfort to
our two young gentlemen, his companions in France. After this discourse
he told me, among other news, the great jealousys that are now in the
Parliament House. The Lord Chancellor, it seems, taking occasion from
this late plot to raise fears in the people, did project the raising of an
army forthwith, besides the constant militia, thinking to make the Duke of
York General thereof. But the House did, in very open terms, say, they
were grown too wise to be fooled again into another army; and said they
had found how that man that hath the command of an army is not beholden to
any body to make him King. There are factions (private ones at Court)
about Madam Palmer; but what it is about I know not. But it is something
about the King's favour to her now that the Queen is coming. He told me,
too, what sport the King and Court do make at Mr. Edward Montagu's leaving
his things behind him. But the Chancellor (taking it a little more
seriously) did openly say to my Lord Chamberlain, that had it been such a
gallant as my Lord Mandeville his son, it might have; been taken as a
frolique; but for him that would be thought a grave coxcomb, it was very
strange. Thence to the Hall, where I heard the House had ordered all the
King's murderers, that remain, to be executed, but Fleetwood and Downes.
So to the Wardrobe and there dined, meeting my wife there, who went after
dinner with my Lady to see Mr. George Montagu's lady, and I to have a
meeting by appointment with Tho. Trice and Dr. Williams in order to a
treating about the difference between us, but I find there is no hopes of
ending it but by law, and so after a pint or two of wine we parted. So to
the Wardrobe for my wife again, and so home, and after writing and doing
some things to bed.

23rd. All the morning with Mr. Berkenshaw, and after him Mr. Moore in
discourse of business, and in the afternoon by coach by invitacon to my
uncle Fenner's, where I found his new wife, a pitiful, old, ugly, illbred
woman in a hatt, a midwife. Here were many of his, and as many of her
relations, sorry, mean people; and after choosing our gloves, we all went
over to the Three Crane Tavern,' and though the best room in the house, in
such a narrow dogg-hole we were crammed, and I believe we were near forty,
that it made me loathe my company and victuals; and a sorry poor dinner it
was too. After dinner, I took aside the two Joyce's, and took occasion to
thank them for their kind thoughts for a wife for Tom: but that
considering the possibility there is of my having no child, and what then
I shall be able to leave him, I do think he may expect in that respect a
wife with more money, and so desired them to think no more of it. Now the
jest was Anthony mistakes and thinks that I did all this while encourage
him (from my thoughts of favour to Tom) to pursue the match till Will
Joyce tells him that he was mistaken. But how he takes it I know not, but
I endeavoured to tell it him in the most respectful way that I could.
This done with my wife by coach to my aunt Wight's, where I left her, and
I to the office, and that being done to her again, and sat playing at
cards after supper till 12 at night, and so by moonshine home and to bed.

24th. This morning came my cozen Thos. Pepys the Executor, to speak with
me, and I had much talk with him both about matters of money which my Lord
Sandwich has of his and I am bond for, as also of my uncle Thomas, who I
hear by him do stand upon very high terms. Thence to my painter's, and
there I saw our pictures in the frames, which please me well. Thence to
the Wardrobe, where very merry with my Lady, and after dinner I seat for
the pictures thither, and mine is well liked; but she is much offended
with my wife's, and I am of her opinion, that it do much wrong her; but I
will have it altered. So home, in my way calling at Pope's Head alley,
and there bought me a pair of scissars and a brass square. So home and to
my study and to bed.

25th. At home and the office all the morning. Walking in the garden to
give the gardener directions what to do this year (for I intend to have
the garden handsome), Sir W. Pen came to me, and did break a business to
me about removing his son from Oxford to Cambridge to some private
college. I proposed Magdalene, but cannot name a tutor at present; but I
shall think and write about it. Thence with him to the Trinity-house to
dinner; where Sir Richard Brown (one of the clerks of the Council, and who
is much concerned against Sir N. Crisp's project of making a great sasse

[A kind of weir with flood-gate, or a navigable sluice. This
project is mentioned by Evelyn, January 16th, 1661-62, and Lysons'
"Environs" vol. iv., p. 392.--B.]

in the King's lands about Deptford, to be a wett-dock to hold 200 sail of
ships. But the ground, it seems, was long since given by the King to Sir
Richard) was, and after the Trinity-house men had done their business, the
master, Sir William Rider, came to bid us welcome; and so to dinner, where
good cheer and discourse, but I eat a little too much beef, which made me
sick, and so after dinner we went to the office, and there in a garden I
went in the dark and vomited, whereby I did much ease my stomach. Thence
to supper with my wife to Sir W. Pen's, his daughter being come home
to-day, not being very well, and so while we were at supper comes Mr.
Moore with letters from my Lord Sandwich, speaking of his lying still at
Tangier, looking for the fleet; which, we hope, is now in a good way
thither. So home to write letters by the post to-night, and then again to
Sir W. Pen's to cards, where very merry, and so home and to bed.

26th (Lord's day). To church in the morning, and then home to dinner
alone with my wife, and so both to church in the afternoon and home again,
and so to read and talk with my wife, and to supper and to bed. It having
been a very fine clear frosty day-God send us more of them!--for the warm
weather all this winter makes us fear a sick summer. But thanks be to
God, since my leaving drinking of wine, I do find myself much better and
do mind my business better, and do spend less money, and less time lost in
idle company.

27th. This morning, both Sir Williams and I by barge to Deptford-yard to
give orders in businesses there; and called on several ships, also to give
orders, and so to Woolwich, and there dined at Mr. Falconer's of victuals
we carried ourselves, and one Mr. Dekins, the father of my Morena, of whom
we have lately bought some hemp. That being done we went home again.
This morning, going to take water upon Tower-hill, we met with three
sleddes standing there to carry my Lord Monson and Sir H. Mildmay and
another, to the gallows and back again, with ropes about their necks;
which is to be repeated every year, this being the day of their sentencing
the King.

28th. This morning (after my musique practice with Mr. Berkenshaw) with
my wife to the Paynter's, where we staid very late to have her picture
mended, which at last is come to be very like her, and I think well done;
but the Paynter, though a very honest man, I found to be very silly as to
matter of skill in shadows, for we were long in discourse, till I was
almost angry to hear him talk so simply. So home to dinner and then to
the office, and so home for all night.

29th. To Westminster, and at the Parliament door spoke with Mr. Coventry
about business, and so to the Wardrobe to dinner, and thence to several
places, and so home, where I found Mrs. Pen and Mrs. Rooth and Smith, who
played at cards with my wife, and I did give them a barrel of oysters, and
had a pullet to supper for them, and when it was ready to come to table,
the foolish girl had not the manners to stay and sup with me, but went
away, which did vex me cruelly. So I saw her home, and then to supper,
and so to musique practice, and to bed.

30th. Fast-day for the murthering of the late King. I went to church,
and Mr. Mills made a good sermon upon David's words, "Who can lay his
hands upon the Lord's Anoynted and be guiltless?" So home and to dinner,
and employed all the afternoon in my chamber, setting things and papers to
rights, which pleased me very well, and I think I shall begin to take
pleasure in being at home and minding my business. I pray God I may, for
I find a great need thereof. At night to supper and to bed.

31st. All the morning, after musique practice, in my cellar, ordering
some alteracons therein, being much pleased with my new door into the back
yard. So to dinner, and all the afternoon thinking upon business. I did
by night set many things in order, which pleased me well, and puts me upon
a resolution of keeping within doors and minding my business and the
business of the office, which I pray God I may put in practice. At night
to bed.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
FEBRUARY
1661-1962

February 1st. This morning within till 11 o'clock, and then with
Commissioner Pett to the office; and he staid there writing, while I and
Sir W. Pen walked in the garden talking about his business of putting his
son to Cambridge; and to that end I intend to write to-night to Dr.
Fairebrother, to give me an account of Mr. Burton of Magdalene. Thence
with Mr. Pett to the Paynter's; and he likes our pictures very well, and
so do I. Thence he and I to the Countess of Sandwich, to lead him to her
to kiss her hands: and dined with her, and told her the news (which Sir W.
Pen told me to-day) that express is come from my Lord with letters, that
by a great storm and tempest the mole of Argier is broken down, and many
of their ships sunk into the mole. So that God Almighty hath now ended
that unlucky business for us; which is very good news. After dinner to
the office, where we staid late, and so I home, and late writing letters
to my father and Dr. Fairebrother, and an angry letter to my brother John
for not writing to me, and so to bed.

2nd (Lord's day). To church in the morning, and then home and dined with
my wife, and so both of us to church again, where we had an Oxford man
give us a most impertinent sermon upon "Cast your bread upon the waters,
&c. So home to read, supper, and to prayers, and then to bed.

3rd. After musique practice I went to the office, and there with the two
Sir Williams all the morning about business, and at noon I dined with Sir
W. Batten with many friends more, it being his wedding-day, and among
other froliques, it being their third year, they had three pyes, whereof
the middlemost was made of an ovall form, in an ovall hole within the
other two, which made much mirth, and was called the middle piece; and
above all the rest, we had great striving to steal a spooneful out of it;
and I remember Mrs. Mills, the minister's wife, did steal one for me and
did give it me; and to end all, Mrs. Shippman did fill the pye full of
white wine, it holding at least a pint and a half, and did drink it off
for a health to Sir William and my Lady, it being the greatest draft that
ever I did see a woman drink in my life. Before we had dined came Sir G.
Carteret, and we went all three to the office and did business there till
night, and then to Sir W. Batten again, and I went along with my lady and
the rest of the gentlewomen to Major Holmes's, and there we had a fine
supper, among others, excellent lobsters, which I never eat at this time
of the year before. The Major bath good lodgings at the Trinity House.
Here we staid, and at last home, and, being in my chamber, we do hear
great noise of mirth at Sir William Batten's, tearing the ribbands from my
Lady and him.--[As if they were a newly-married couple.]--So I to bed.

4th. To Westminster Hall, where it was full term. Here all the morning,
and at noon to my Lord Crew's, where one Mr. Tempter (an ingenious man and
a person of honour he seems to be) dined; and, discoursing of the nature
of serpents, he told us some that in the waste places of Lancashire do
grow to a great bigness, and that do feed upon larks, which they take
thus: They observe when the lark is soared to the highest, and do crawl
till they come to be just underneath them; and there they place themselves
with their mouths uppermost, and there, as is conceived, they do eject
poyson up to the bird; for the bird do suddenly come down again in its
course of a circle, and falls directly into the mouth of the serpent;
which is very strange. He is a great traveller; and, speaking of the
tarantula, he says that all the harvest long (about which times they are
most busy) there are fidlers go up and down the fields every where, in
expectation of being hired by those that are stung. Thence to the office,
where late, and so to my chamber and then to bed, my mind a little
troubled how to put things in order to my advantage in the office in
readiness to the Duke's orders lately sent to us, and of which we are to
treat at the office to-morrow morning. This afternoon, going into the
office, one met me and did serve a subpoena upon me for one Field, whom we
did commit to prison the other day for some ill words he did give the
office. The like he had for others, but we shall scour him for it.

5th. Early at the office. Sir G. Carteret, the two Sir Williams and
myself all alone reading of the Duke's institutions for the settlement of
our office, whereof we read as much as concerns our own duties, and left
the other officers for another time. I did move several things for my
purpose, and did ease my mind. At noon Sir W. Pen dined with me, and
after dinner he and I and my wife to the Theatre, and went in, but being
very early we went out again to the next door, and drank some Rhenish wine
and sugar, and so to the House again, and there saw "Rule a Wife and have
a Wife" very well done. And here also I did look long upon my Lady
Castlemaine, who, notwithstanding her late sickness, continues a great
beauty. Home and supped with Sir W. Pen and played at cards with him, and
so home and to bed, putting some cataplasm to my . . . . which begins
to swell again.

6th. At my musique practice, and so into my cellar to my workmen, and I
am very much pleased with my alteracon there. About noon comes my uncle
Thomas to me to ask for his annuity, and I did tell him my mind freely. We
had some high words, but I was willing to end all in peace, and so I made
him' dine with me, and I have hopes to work my end upon him. After dinner
the barber trimmed me, and so to the office, where I do begin to be exact
in my duty there and exacting my privileges, and shall continue to do so.
None but Sir W. Batten and me here to-night, and so we broke up early, and
I home and to my chamber to put things in order, and so to bed. My
swelling I think do begin to go away again.

7th. Among my workmen this morning. By and by by water to Westminster
with Commissioner Pett (landing my wife at Black Friars) where I hear the
prisoners in the Tower that are to die are come to the Parliament-house
this morning. To the Wardrobe to dinner with my Lady; where a civitt cat,
parrot, apes, and many other things are come from my Lord by Captain Hill,
who dined with my Lady with us to-day. Thence to the Paynter's, and am
well pleased with our pictures. So by coach home, where I found the
joyners putting up my chimney-piece in the dining-room, which pleases me
well, only the frame for a picture they have made so massy and heavy that
I cannot tell what to do with it. This evening came my she cozen Porter
to see us (the first time that we had seen her since we came to this end
of the town) and after her Mr. Hart, who both staid with us a pretty while
and so went away. By and by, hearing that Mr. Turner was much troubled at
what I do in the office, and do give ill words to Sir W. Pen and others of
me, I am much troubled in my mind, and so went to bed; not that I fear him
at all, but the natural aptness I have to be troubled at any thing that
crosses me.

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