Books: The Diary of Samuel Pepys

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12th. We fell to choosing four captains to command the guards,
and choosing the place where to keep them, and other things in
order thereunto. Never till now did I see the great authority of
my place, all the captains of the fleete coming cap in hand to
us.

13th. After sermon to Deptford again; where, at the
Commissioner's and the Globe, we staid long. But no sooner in
bed, but we had an alarme, 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 are armed with every one a handspike,
with which they were as fierce as could be. At last we hear that
it was five or six men that did ride through the guard in the
towne, 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.

15th. This day I hear the Princesse 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 his brother at Woolwich is making.

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. [Thomas Venner, a cooper, and preacher to a
conventicle in Coleman-street. He was a violent enthusiast and
leader in the Insurrection on the 7th of January before
mentioned. He was much wounded before he could be taken, and
fought with courage amounting to desperation.]

21th. It is strange what weather we have had all this winter; no
cold at all; but the ways are dusty, and the flyes fly up and
down, and the rose-bushes are full of leaves, such a time of the
year as was never known is this world before here. This day many
more of the Fifth Monarchy men were hanged.

22nd. I met with Dr. Thos. Fuller. He tells me of his last and
great book that is coming out: that is, the History of all the
Families in England; and could tell me more of my owne, than I
knew myself. And also to what perfection he hath now brought the
art of memory; that he did lately to four eminently great
scholars dictate together is Latin, upon different subjects of
their proposing, faster than they were able to write, till they
were tired; and that the best way of beginning a sentence, if a
man should be out and forget his last sentence, (which he never
was,) that then his last refuge is to begin with an Utcunque.

27th (Lord's day) Before I rose, letters come to me from
Portsmouth, telling me that the Princesse is now well, and my
Lord Sandwich set sail with the Queen and her yesterday from
thence to France. This day the parson read a proclamation at
church, for the keeping of Wednesday next, the 30th of January, a
fast for the murther of the late King.

30th (Fast day). The first time that this day hath been yet
observed: and Mr. Mills made a most excellent sermon, upon "Lord
forgive us our former iniquities;" speaking excellently of the
justice of God in punishing men for the sins of their ancestors.
To my Lady Batten's; [Elizabeth Woodcock, married Feb. 3, 1658-9,
to Sir W. Batten; and subsequently became in 1671, the wife of a
foreigner called in the register of Battersea Parish, Lord
Leyenburgh. Lady Leighenburg was buried at Walthamstowe Sept.
16, 1681.--LYSONS' ENVIRONS.] where my wife and she are lately
come back again from being abroad, and seeing of Cromwell,
Ireton, and Bradshaw hanged and buried at Tyburne. [Henry
Ireton, married Bridget, daughter to Oliver Cromwell, and was
afterwards one of Charles the First's Judges, and of the
Committee who superintended his execution. He died at the siege
of Limerick, 1651.]

31st. To the Theatre, and there sat in the pitt among the
company of fine ladys, &c.; and the house was exceeding full, to
see Argalus and Parthenia, [Argalus and Parthenia, a pastoral, by
Henry Glapthorn, taken from Sydney's Arcadia.] the first time
that it hath been acted: and indeed it is good, though wronged
by my over great expectations, as all things else are.

FEB. 2, 1660-61. Home; where I found the parson and his wife
gone. And by and by the rest of the company very well pleased,
and I too; it being the last dinner I intend to make a great
while.

3rd (Lord's day). This day I first begun to go forth in my coate
and sword, as the manner now among gentlemen is. To White Hall;
where I staid to hear the trumpets and kettle drums, and then the
other drums, which are much cried up, though I think it dull,
vulgar musick. So to Mr. Fox's, unbidd; where I had a good
dinner and special company. Among other discourse, I observed
one story, how my Lord of Northwich, [George Lord Goring, created
Earl of Norwich 1644; died 1682.] at a public audience before
the King of France, made the Duke of Anjou cry, by making ugly
faces as he was stepping to the King, but undiscovered. And how
Sir Phillip Warwick's lady did wonder to have Mr. Daray send for
several dozen bottles of Rhenish wine to her house, not knowing
that the wine was his. [Sir Philip Warwick, Secretary to Charles
I. when in the Isle of Wight, and Clerk of the Signet, to which
place he was restored in 1660; knighted, and elected M.P. for
Westminster. He was also Secretary to the Treasury under Lord
Southampton till 1667. Ob. 1682-3. His second wife here
mentioned was Joan, daughter to Sir Henry Fanshawe, and widow of
Sir William Botteler, Bart.] Thence to my Lord's; where I am
told how Sir Thomas Crew's Pedro, with two of his countrymen
more, did last night kill one soldier of four that quarrelled
with them in the street, about ten o'clock. [Eldest son of Mr.
afterwards Lord Crewe, whom he succeeded in that title.] The
other two are taken; but he is now hid at my Lord's till night,
that he do intend to make his escape away.

5th. Into the Hall; and there saw my Lord Treasurer [Earl of
Southampton.] (who was sworn to-day at the Exchequer, with a
great company of Lords and persons of honour to attend him) go up
to the Treasury Offices, and take possession thereof; and also
saw the heads of Cromwell, Bradshaw, and Ireton, set up at the
further end of the Hall.

7th. To Westminster Hall. And after a walk to my Lord's; where,
while I and my Lady were in her chamber in talk, in comes my Lord
from sea, to our great wonder. He had dined at Havre de Grace on
Monday last, and come to the Downes the next day, and lay at
Canterbury that night; and so to Dartford, and thence this
morning to White Hall. Among others, Mr. Creed and Captn.
Ferrers tell me the stories of my Lord Duke of Buckingham's and
my Lord's falling out at Havre de Grace, at cards; they two and
my Lord St. Alban's playing. The Duke did, to my Lord's
dishonour, often say that he did in his conscience know the
contrary to what he then said, about the difference at cards; and
so did take up the money that he should have lost to my Lord.
Which my Lord resenting, said nothing then, but that he doubted
not but; there were ways enough to get his money of him. So they
parted that night; and my Lord sent Sir R. Stayner the next
morning to the Duke, to know whether he did remember what he said
last night, and whether he would owne it with his sword and a
second; which he said he would, and so both sides agreed. But my
Lord St. Alban's, and the Queen, and Ambassador Montagu, did way-
lay them at their lodgings till the difference was made up, to my
Lord's honour, who hath got great reputation thereby.

8th. Captn. Cuttle, and Curtis, and Mootham, and I, went to the
Fleece Taverne to drink; and there we spent till four o'clock,
telling stories of Algiers, and the manner of life of slaves
there. And truly Captn. Mootham and Mr. Dawes (who have been
both slaves there) did make me fully acquainted with their
condition there: as, how they eat nothing but bread and water.
At their redemption they pay so much for the water they drink at
the public fountaynes, during their being slaves. How they are
beat upon the soles of their feet and bellies at the liberty of
their padron. How they are all, at night, called into their
master a Bagnard; and there they lie. How the poorest men do
love their slaves best. How some rogues do live well, if they do
invent to bring their masters in so much a week by their industry
or theft; and then they are put to no other work at all. And
theft there is counted no great crime at all.

12th. By coach to the Theatre, and there saw "The Scornfull
Lady," [A Comedy, by Beaumont and Fletcher.] now done by a
woman, which makes the play appear much better than ever it did
to me.

14th. The talk of the towne now is, who the King is like to have
for his Queene: and whether Lent shall be kept with the
strictnesse of the King's proclamation; which is thought cannot
be, because of the poor, who cannot buy fish. And also the great
preparation for the King's crowning is now much thought upon and
talked of.

18th, It is much talked that the King is already married to the
niece of the Prince de Ligne, and that he hath two sons already
by her: which I am sorry to hear; but yet am gladder that it
should be so, than that the Duke of York and his family should
come to the crowne, he being a professed friend to the
Catholiques. Met with Sir G. Carteret: who afterwards, with the
Duke of York, my Lord Sandwich, and others, went into a private
room to consult: and we were a little troubled that we were not
called in with the rest. But I do believe it was upon something
very private. We staid walking in the gallery; where we met with
Mr. Slingsby, who showed me the stamps of the King's new coyne;
which is strange to see, how good they are in the stamp and bad
in the money, for lack of skill to make them. But he says
Blondeau will shortly come over, and then we shall have it
better, and the best in the world. He tells me, he is sure that
the King is not yet married, as it is said; nor that it is known
who he will have.

22nd. My wife to Sir W. Batten's, and there sat a while; he
having yesterday sent my wife half-a-dozen pair of gloves, and a
pair of silk stockings and garters, for her Valentines.

23rd. This my birthday, 28 years. Mr. Hartlett told me how my
Lord Chancellor had lately got the Duke of York and Duchesse, and
her woman, my Lord Ossory, [Thomas, Earl of Ossory, son of the
Duke of Ormond. Ob. 1680, aged 46.] and a Doctor, to make oath
before most of the Judges of the kingdom, concerning all the
circumstances of their marriage. And in fine, it is confessed
that they were not fully married till about a month or two before
she was brought to bed; but that they were contracted long
before, and time enough for the child to be legitimate. But I do
not hear that it was put to the Judges to determine whether it
was so or no. To the Play-house, and there saw "The Changeling,"
["The Changeling," a Tragedy, by Thomas Middleton. The plot is
taken from a story in "God's Revenge against Murder."] the first
time it hath been acted these twenty years, and it takes
exceedingly. Besides, I see the gallants do begin to be tyred
with the vanity and pride of the theatre actors, who are indeed
grown very proud and rich. I also met with the Comptroller, who
told me how it was easy for us all, the principal officers, and
proper for us, to labour to get into the next Parliament; and
would have me to ask the Duke's letter, but I shall not endeavour
it. This Is now 28 years that I am born. And blessed be God, in
a state of full content, and a great hope to be a happy man in
all respects, both to myself and friends.

27th. I called for a dish of fish, which we had for dinner, this
being the first day of Lent; and I do intend to try whether I can
keep it or no.

28th. Notwithstanding my resolution, yea for want of other
victualls, I did eat flesh this Lent, but am resolved to eat as
little as I can. This month ends with two great secrets under
dispute but yet known to very few: first, Who the King will
marry; and What the meaning of this fleet is which we are now
sheathing to set out for the southward. Most think against
Algier against the Turke, or to the East Indys against the Dutch
who, we hear, are setting out a great fleet thither.

MARCH 1, 1660-61. After dinner Mr. Shepley and I in private
talking about my Lord's intentions to go speedily into the
country, but to what end we know not. We fear he is to go to
sea, with his fleet now preparing. But we wish that he could
get his 4000l. per annum settled before he do go. To White-
fryars, and saw "The Bondman" acted; [By Massinger.] an
excellent play and well done. But above all that ever I saw,
Beterton do the Bondman the best.

2nd. After dinner I went to the theatre, where I found so few
people (which is strange, and the reason I do not know) that I
went out again, and so to Salsbury Court, where the house as full
as could be; and it seems it was a new play, "The Queen's Maske,"
["Love's Mistress, or The Queen's Masque," by T Heywood.]
wherein there are some good humours: among others, a good jeer
to the old story of the Siege of Troy, making it to be a common
country tale. But above all it was strange to see so little a
boy as that was to act Cupid, which is one of the greatest parts
in it.

4th. My Lord went this morning on his journey to Hinchingbroke,
Mr. Parker with him; the chief business being to look over and
determine how, and in what manner, his great work of building
shall be done. Before his going he did give me some jewells to
keep for him, viz. that that the King of Sweden did give him,
with the King's own picture in it, most excellently done; and a
brave George, all of diamonds.

8th. All the morning at the office. At noon Sir W. Batten, Col.
Slingsby and I by coach to the Tower, to Sir John Robinson's, to
dinner; where great good cheer. High company; among others the
Duchesse of Albemarle, [Ann Clarges, daughter of a blacksmith,
and bred a milliner; mistress and afterwards wife of General
Monk, over whom she possessed the greatest influence.] who is
ever a plain homely dowdy. After dinner, to drink all the
afternoon. Towards night the Duchesse and ladies went away.
Then we set to it again till it was very late. And at last come
in Sir William Wale, almost fuddled; and because I was set
between him and another, only to keep them from talking and
spoiling the company (as we did to others,) he fell out with the
Lieutenant of the Tower; but with much ado we made him understand
his error, and then all quiet.

9th. To my Lord's, where we found him lately come from
Hinchingbroke. I staid and dined with him. He took me aside,
and asked me what the world spoke of the King's marriage. Which
I answering as one that knew nothing, he enquired no further of
me. But I do perceive by it that there is something in it that
is ready to come out that the world knows not of yet.

11th. After dinner I went to the theatre, and there saw "Love's
Mistress" done by them, which I do not like in some things as
well as their acting in Salsbury Court.

15th. This day my wife and Pall went to see my Lady Kingston,
her brother's lady. [Balthazar St. Michel is the only brother of
Mrs. Pepys, mentioned in the Diary.]

18th. This day an ambassador from Florence was brought into the
towne in state. Yesterday was said to be the day that the
Princesse Henrietta was to marry the Duke d'Anjou in France.
This day I found in the newes-book that Roger Pepys is chosen at
Cambridge for the towne, the first place that we hear of to have
made their choice yet.

20th. To White Hall to Mr. Coventry, where I did some business
with him, and so with Sir W. Pen (who I found with Mr. Coventry
teaching of him the map to understand Jamaica). The great talk
of the towne is the strange election that the City of London made
yesterday for Parliament-men; viz. Fowle, Love, Jones, and . . .
[Sir W. Thompson was the fourth member.] men that, so far from
being episcopall, are thought to be Anabaptists; and chosen with
a great deal of zeale, in spite of the other party that thought
themselves so strong, calling out in the Hall, "No Bishops! no
Lord Bishops!" It do make people to fear it may come to worse,
by being an example to the country to do the same. And indeed
the Bishops are so high, that very few do love them.

23rd. To the Red Bull (where I had not been since plays come up
again) up to the tireing room, where strange the confusion and
disorder that there is among them in fitting themselves,
especially here, where the clothes are very poore, and the actors
but common fellows. At last into the pitt, where I think there
was not above ten more than myself, and not one hundred in the
whole house. And the play, which is called "All's lost by Lust,"
[A Tragedy, by W.Rowley.] poorly done; and with so much
disorder, among others, in the musique-room the boy that was to
sing a song, not singing it right, his master fell about his
eares and beat him so, that it put the whole house in an uprore.
Met my uncle Wight, and with him Lieut.-Col. Baron, who told us
how Crofton, the great Presbyterian minister that had preached
so highly against Bishops, is clapped up this day in the Tower.
Which do please some, and displease others exceedingly.

APRIL 2, 1661. To St. James's Park, where I saw the Duke of York
playing at Pelemele, the first time that ever I saw the sport.
Then to the Dolphin to Sir W. Batten, and Pen, and other company;
among others Mr. Delabar; where strange how these men, who at
other times are all wise men, do now, in their drink, betwitt and
reproach one another with their former conditions, and their
actions as in public concerns, till I was ashamed to see it.

3rd. I hear that the Dutch have sent the King a great present of
money, which we think will stop the match with Portugal; and
judge this to be the reason that our so great haste in sending
the two ships to the East Indys is also stayed.

7th. To White Hall, and there I met with Dr. Fuller of
Twickenham, newly come from Ireland; and took him to my Lord's,
where he and I dined; and he did give my Lord and me a good
account of the condition of Ireland, and how it come to pass,
through the joyning of the Fanatiques and the Presbyterians, that
the latter and the former are in their declaration put together
under the names of Fanatiques. [William Fuller of Magdalene Wall
Oxford, was a schoolmaster at Twickenham during the Rebellion;
and at the Restoration became Dean of St. Patrick's; and in 1663,
Bishop of Limerick; and in 1667 was translated to Lincoln. Ob.
1676.]

9th. at the sale of old stores at Chatham; and among other
things sold there was all the State's armes, which Sir W. Batten
bought; intending to set up some of the images in his garden, and
the rest to burn on the Coronacion night.

10th. Then to Rochester, and there saw the Cathedrall, which is
now fitting for use, and the organ then a-tuning. Then away
thence, observing the great doors of the church, as they say,
covered with the skins of the Danes.

13th. Met my Lord with the Duke; and after a little talk with
him, I went to the Banquet-house, and there saw the King heale,
the first time that ever I saw him do it; which he did with great
gravity, and it seemed to me to be an ugly office and a simple
one.

20th. Comes my boy to tell me that the Duke of York had sent for
all the principall officers, &c. to come to him to-day. So I
went by water to Mr. Coventry's, and there staid and talked a
good while with him till all the rest come. We went up and saw
the Duke dress himself, and in his night habitt he is a very
plain man. Then he sent us to his closett, where we saw among
other things two very fine chests, covered with gold and Indian
varnish, given him by the East India Company of Holland. The
Duke comes; and after he had told us that the fleet was designed
for Algier (which was kept from us till now,) we did advise about
many things as to the fitting of the fleet, and so went away to
White Hall; and in the Banqueting-house saw the King create my
Lord Chancellor and several others, Earles, and Mr. Crewe and
several others, Barons: the first being led up by Heralds and
five old Earles to the King, and there the patent is read, and
the King puts on his vest, and sword, and coronett, and gives him
the patent. And then he kisseth the King's hand, and rises and
stands covered before the King. And the same for each Baron,
only he is led up by three of the old Barons, And they are girt
with swords before they go to the King. To the Cockpitt; and
there, by the favour of one Mr. Bowman, he and I got in, and
there saw the King and Duke of York and his Duchesse, (which is a
plain woman, and like her mother, my Lady Chancellor). And so
saw "The Humersome Lieutenant" acted before the King, but not
very well done. ["The Humorous Lieutenant," a tragi-comedy, by
Beaumont and Fletcher.] But my pleasure was great to see the
manner of it, and so many great beauties, but above all Mrs.
Palmer, with whom the King do discover a great deal of
familiarity.

21st. Dined with Doctor Thos. Pepys [Doctor in Civil Law.] and
Dr. Fayrebrother; and all our talk about to-morrow's showe, and
our trouble that it is like to be a wet day. All the way is so
thronged with people to see the triumphall arches, that I could
hardly pass for them.

22nd. The King's going from the Tower to White Hall. Up early
and made myself as fine as I could, and put on my velvet coat,
the first day that I put it on, though made half a year ago. And
being ready, Sir W. Batten, my Lady, and his two daughters and
his son and wife, and Sir W. Pen and his son and I, went to Mr.
Young's, the flag maker, in Corne-hill; and there we had a good
room to ourselves, with wine and good cake, and saw the show very
well. In which it is impossible to relate the glory of this day,
expressed in the clothes of them that rid, and their horses and
horse-clothes. Among others, my Lord Sandwich's embroidery and
diamonds were not ordinary among them. The Knights of the Bath
was a brave sight of itself; and their Esquires, among which Mr.
Armiger was an Esquire to one of the Knights. Remarquable were
the two men that represent the two Dukes of Normandy and
Aquitane. The Bishops come next after Barons, which is the
higher place; which makes me think that the next Parliament they
will be called to the House of Lords. My Lord Monk rode bare
after the King, and led in his hand a spare horse, as being
Master of the Horse. The King, in a most rich embroidered suit
and cloak, looked most noble. Wadlow the vintner, at the Devil,
in Fleet-street, did lead a fine company of soldiers, all young
comely men, in white doublets. There followed the Vice-
Chamberlain, Sir G. Carteret, a Company of men all like Turkes;
but I know not yet what they are for. The streets all gravelled,
and the houses hung with carpets before them, made brave show,
and the ladies out of the windows. So glorious was the show with
gold and silver, that we were not able to look at it, our eyes at
last being so much overcome. Both the King and the Duke of York
took notice of us, as they saw us at the window. In the evening,
by water to White Hall to my Lord's, and there I spoke with my
Lord, He talked with me about his suit, which was made in France,
and cost him 200l., and very rich it is with embroidery.

CORONACON DAY.
23rd. About four I rose and got to the Abbey, where I followed
Sir J. Denham, the Surveyor, with some company that he was
leading in. [Created at the Restoration K.B., and Surveyor-
General of all the King's buildings; better know as the author of
"Cooper's Hill." Ob. 1668.] And with much ado, by the favour of
Mr. Cooper, his man, did get up into a great scaffold across the
North end of the Abbey, where with a great deal of patience I sat
from past four till eleven before the King come in. And a great
pleasure it was to see the Abbey raised in the middle, all
covered with red, and a throne (that is a chaire) and foot-stoole
on the top of it; and all the officers of all kinds, so much as
the very fidlers, in red vests. At last comes in the Dean and
Prebends of Westminster, with the Bishops, (many of them in cloth
of gold copes,) and after them the Nobility, all in their
Parliament robes, which was a most magnificent sight. Then the
Duke and the King with a scepter (carried by my Lord Sandwich)
and sword and wand before him, and the crowne too. The King in
his robes, bare-headed, which was very fine. And after all had
placed themselves, there was a sermon and the service; and then
in the Quire at the high altar, the King passed through all the
ceremonies of the Coronation, which to my great grief I and most
in the Abbey could not see. The crowne being put upon his head,
a great shout begun, and he come forth to the throne, and there
passed through more ceremonies: as taking the oath, and having
things read to him by the Bishopp; and his lords (who put on
their caps as soon as the King put on his crowne) and bishops
come, and kneeled before him. But three times the King at Armes
went to the three open places on the scaffold, and proclaimed,
that if any one could show any reason why Charles Stewart should
not be King of England, that now he should come and speak. And a
Generall Pardon also was read by the Lord Chancellor, and
meddalls flung up and down by my Lord Cornwallis, [Sir Frederick
Cornwallis, Bart., had been created a Baron three days before the
Coronation. He was Treasurer of His Majesty's Household, and a
Privy Counsellor. Ob. Jan. 21, 1661-2.] of silver, but I could
not come by any. But so great a noise that I could make but
little of the musique; and indeed, it was lost to every body. I
went out a little while before the King had done all his
ceremonies, and went round the Abbey to Westminster Hall, all the
way within rayles, and 10,000 people with the ground covered with
blue cloth; and scaffolds all the way. Into the Hall I got,
where it was very fine with hangings and scaffolds one upon
another full of brave ladies; and my wife in one little one, on
the right hand. Here I staid walking up and down, and at last
upon one of the side stalls I stood and saw the King come in with
all the persons (but the soldiers) that were yesterday in the
cavalcade; and a most pleasant sight it was to see them in their
several robes. And the King come in with his crowne on, and his
sceptre in his hand, under a canopy borne up by six silver
staves, carried by Barons of the Cinque Ports, and little bells
at; every end. And after a long time, he got up to the farther
end, and all set themselves down at their several tables; and
that was also a brave sight: and the King's first course carried
up by the Knights of the Bath. And many fine ceremonies there
was of the Heralds leading up people before him, and bowing; and
my Lord of Albemarle's going to the kitchin and eating a bit of
the first dish that was to go to the King's table. But, above
all, was these three Lords, Northumberland, and Suffolke, [James
Howard, third Earl of Suffolk.] and the Duke of Ormond, coming
before the courses on horseback, and staying so all dinner-time,
and at last bringing up (Dymock) the King's Champion, all in
armour on horseback, with his speare and targett carried before
him. And a herald proclaims "That if any dare deny Charles
Stewart to be lawful King of England, here was a Champion that
would fight with him;" and with these words, the Champion flings
down his gauntlet, and all this he do three times in his going up
towards the King's table. To which when he is come, the King
drinks to him, and then sends him the cup which is of gold, and
he drinks it off, and then rides back again with the cup in his
hand. I went from table to table to see the Bishops and all
others at their dinner, and was infinitely pleased with it. And
at the Lords' table, I met with William Howe, and he spoke to my
Lord for me, and he did give him four rabbits and a pullet, and
so Mr. Creed and I got Mr. Minshell to give us some bread, and so
we at a stall eat it, as every body else did what they could get.
I took a great deal of pleasure to go up and down, and look upon
the ladies, and to hear the musique of all sorts, but above all,
the 24 violins. About six at night they had dined, and I went up
to my wife. And strange it is to think, that these two days have
held up fair till now that all is done, and the King gone out of
the Hall; and then it fell a-raining and thundering and
lightening as I have not seen it do for some years: which people
did take great notice of; God's blessing of the work of these two
days, which is a foolery to take too much notice of such things.
I observed little disorder in all this, only the King's footmen
had got hold of the canopy and would keep it from the Barons of
the Cinque Ports, which they endeavoured to force from them
again, but could not do it till my Lord Duke of Albemarle caused
it to be put into Sir R. Pye's hand till to-morrow to be decided.
[Sir Robert Pye, Bart., of Faringdon House, Berks; married Ann,
daughter of the celebrated John Hampden. They lived together 60
years, and died in 1701, within a few weeks of each other.] At
Mr. Bowyer's; a great deal of company, some I knew, others I did
not. Here we staid upon the leads and below till it was late,
expecting to see the fire-works, but they were not performed to-
night: only the City had a light like a glory round about it
with bonfires. At last I went to King-streete, and there sent
Crockford to my father's and my house, to tell them I could not
come home to-night, because of the dirt, and a coach could not be
had. And so I took my wife and Mrs. Frankleyn (who I profered
the civility of lying with my wife at Mrs. Hunt's to-night) to
Axe-yard, in which at the further end there were three great
bonfires, and a great many great gallants, men and women; and
they laid hold of us, and would have us drink the King's health
upon our knees, kneeling upon a faggot, which we all did, they
drinking to us one after another. Which we thought a strange
frolique; but these gallants continued there a great while, and I
wondered to see how the ladies did tipple. At last I sent my
wife and her bedfellow to bed, and Mr. Hunt and I went in with
Mr. Thornbury (who did give the company all their wine, he being
yeoman of the wine-cellar to the King); and there, with his wife
and two of his sisters, and some gallant sparks that were there,
we drank the King's health, and nothing else, till one of the
gentlemen fell down stark drunk, and there lay; and I went to my
Lord's pretty well. Thus did the day end with joy every where;
and blessed be God, I have not heard of any mischance to any body
through it all, but only to Serjt. Glynne, whose horse fell upon
him yesterday, and is like to kill him, which people do please
themselves to see how just God is to punish the rogue at such a
time as this: he being now one of the king's Serjeants, [He had
been Recorder of London; and during the Protectorate was made
Chief Justice of the Upper Bench: nevertheless he did Charles
II. great service, and was in consequence knighted and appointed
King's Serjeant, and his son created a Baronet. Ob. 1666.] and
rode in the cavalcade with Maynard, to whom people wish the same
fortune. [John Maynard, an eminent lawyer; made Serjeant to
Cromwell in 1653, and afterwards King's Serjeant by Charles II.,
who knighted him. In 1661 he was chosen Member for Berealston,
and sat in every Parliament till the Revolution. Ob. 1690, aged
88.] There was also this night in King-streete, a woman had her
eye put out by a boy's flinging a firebrand into the coach. Now,
after all this, I can say, that, besides the pleasure of the
sight of these glorious things, I may now shut my eyes against
any other objects, nor for the future trouble myself to see
things of state and showe, as being sure never to see the like
again in this world.