Books: The Diary of Samuel Pepys

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31st. To Mr. Rawlinson's, and there supped with him. Our
discourse of the discontents that are abroad, among, and by
reason of the Presbyters. Some were clapped up to-day, and
strict watch is kept in the City by the train-bands, and abettors
of a plot are taken. God preserve us, for all these things bode
very ill.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1662. With Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen by coach
to St. James's, this being the first day of our meeting there by
the Duke's order; but when we come, we found him going out by
coach with his Duchesse, and he told us he was to go abroad with
the Queene to-day, (to Durdan's, it seems, to dine with my Lord
Barkeley, [Lord Berkeley's seat near Epsom.] where I have been
very merry when I was a little boy;) so we went and staid a
little at Mr. Coventry's chamber, and I to my Lord Sandwich's,
who is gone to wait upon the King and Queene to-day.

Sept. 3. Mr. Coventry told us how the Fanatiques and Presbyters,
that did intend to rise about this time, did choose this day as
the most auspicious to them in their endeavours against monarchy:
it being fatal twice to the King, and the day of Oliver's death.
But, blessed be God! all is likely to be quiet, I hope. Dr.
Fairbrother tells me, what I heard confirmed since, that it was
fully resolved by the King's new Council that an indulgence
should be granted the Presbyters; but upon the Bishop of London's
[Gilbert Sheldon.] speech, (who is now one of the most powerful
men in England with the King,) their minds were wholly turned.
And it is said that my Lord Albemarle did oppose him most; but
that I do believe is only an appearance. He told me also that
most of the Presbyters now begin to wish they had complied, now
they see that no indulgence will be granted them, which they
hoped for; and that the Bishop of London hath taken good care
that places are supplied with very good and able men, which is
the only thing that will keep all quiet.

4th. At noon to the Trinity House, where we treated, very dearly
I believe, the officers of the Ordnance; where was Sir W. Compton
and the Lieutenant of the Tower. We had much and good musique.
Sir Wm. Compton I heard talk with great pleasure of the
difference between the fleet now and in Queene Elizabeth's days;
where, in 88, she had but 36 sail great and small, in the world;
and ten rounds of powder was their allowance at that time against
the Spaniard.

5th. By water to Woolwich: in my way saw the yacht lately built
by our virtuosoes (my Lord Brunkard and others, with the help of
Commissioner Pett also,) set out from Greenwich with the little
Dutch bezan, to try for mastery; and before they got to Woolwich
the Dutch beat them half-a-mile; (and I hear this afternoon,
that, in coming home, it got above three miles;) which all our
people are glad of. To Mr. Bland's, the merchant, by invitation;
where I found all the officers of the Customs, very grave fine
gentlemen, and I am very glad to know them; viz.--Sir Job Harvy,
Sir John Wolstenholme [Sir John Wolstenholme; created a Baronet,
1664. An intimate friend of Lord Clarendon's; and collector
outward for the Port of London. Ob. 1679.], Sir John Jacob, [Sir
John Jacob of Bromley, Middlesex; created a Baronet, 1664, for
his loyalty and zeal for the Royal Family. Ob. 1665-6.] Sir
Nicholas Crisp, Sir John Harrison, and Sir John Shaw: [Sir John
Shaw was created a Baronet in 1665, for his services in lending
the King large sums of money during his exile. Ob. 1679-80.]
very good company. And among other discourse, some was of Sir
Jerom Bowes, Embassador from Queene Elizabeth to the Emperor of
Russia; [In 1583: the object of his mission being to persuade
the Muscovite to a peace with John, King of Sweden. He was also
employed to confirm the trade of the English with Russia; and,
having incurred some personal danger, was received with favour on
his return by the Queen. He died in 1616. There is a portrait
of him in Lord Suffolk's collection at Charlton.] who, because
some of the noblemen there would go up-stairs to the Emperor
before him, he would not go up till the Emperor had ordered those
two men to be dragged down-stairs, with their heads knocking upon
every stair till they were killed. And when he was come up, they
demanded his sword of him before he entered the room. He told
them, if they would have his sword, they should have his boots
too. And so caused his boots to be pulled off, and his night-
gown and night-cap and slippers to be sent for; and made the
Emperor stay till he could go in his night-dress, since he might
not go as a soldier. And lastly when the Emperor in contempt, to
show his command of his subjects did command one to leap from the
window down and broke his neck in the sight of our Embassador, he
replied that his mistress did set more by, and did make better
use of the necks of her subjects: but said, that, to show what
her subjects would do for her, he would, and did, fling down his
gantlett before the Emperor; and challenged all the nobility
there to take it up, in defence of the Emperor against his
Queene; for which, at this very day, the name of Sir Jerom Bowes
is famous and honoured there. I this day heard that Mr. Martin
Noell is knighted by the King, which I much wonder at; but yet he
is certainly a very useful man.

7th. Home with Mr. Fox and his lady; and there dined with them.
Most of our discourse was what ministers are flung out that will
not conform: and the care of the Bishop of London that we are
here supplied with very good men. Meeting Mr. Pierce, the
chyrurgeon, he took me into Somersett House; and there carried me
into the Queene-Mother's presence-chamber, where she was with our
own Queene sitting on her left hand (whom I did never see
before); and though she be not very charming, yet she hath a
good, modest, and innocent look, which is pleasing. Here I also
saw Madam Castlemaine, and, which pleased me most, Mr. Crofts,
[James, son of Charles II. by Mrs. Lucy Waters; who bore the name
of Crofts till he was created Duke of Monmouth in 1662,
previously to his marriage with Lady Anne Scot, daughter to
Francis, Earl of Buccleuch.] the King's bastard, a most pretty
sparke of about 15 years old, who, I perceive, do hang much upon
my Lady Castlemaine, and is always with her; and, I hear, the
Queenes both are mighty kind to him. By and by in comes the
King, and anon the Duke and his Duchesse; so that, they being all
together, was such a sight as I never could almost have happened
to see with so much ease and leisure. They staid till it was
dark, and then went away; the King and his Queene, and my Lady
Castlemaine and young Crofts, in one coach and the rest in other
coaches. Here were great stores of great ladies, but very few
handsome. The King and Queene were very merry; and he would have
made the Queene-Mother believe that his Queene was with child,
and said that she said so. And the young Queene answered, "You
lye;" which was the first English word that I ever heard her say:
which made the King good sport; and he would have made her say in
English, "Confess and be hanged."

8th. With Mr. Coventry to the Duke; who, after he was out of his
bed, did send for us in; and, when he was quite ready, took us
into his closet, and there told us that he do intend to renew the
old custom for the Admirals to have their principal officers to
meet them once a-week, to give them an account what they have
done that week; which I am glad of: and so the rest did tell His
Royal Highness that I could do it best for the time past. And so
I produced my short notes, and did give him an account of all
that we have of late done; and proposed to him several things for
his commands, which he did give us, and so dismissed us.

12th. This day, by letters from my father, I hear that Captn.
Ferrers, who is with my Lord in the country, was at Brampton
(with Mr. Creed) to see him; and that a day or two ago being
provoked to strike one of my Lord's footmen, the footman drew his
sword, and hath almost cut the fingers of one of his hands off;
which I am very sorry for: but this is the vanity of being apt
to command and strike.

14th. To White Hall chapel, where sermon almost done, and I
heard Captn. Cooke's new musique. This the first day of having
vialls and other instruments to play a symphony between every
verse of the anthems; but the musique more full than it was the
last Sunday, and very fine it is. But yet I could discern Captn.
Cooke to overdo his part at singing, which I never did before.
Thence up into the Queene's presence, and there saw the Queene
again as I did last Sunday, and some fine ladies with her; but,
my troth, not many. Thence to Sir G. Carteret's.

15th. By water with Sir Wm. Pen to White Hall; and, with much
ado, was fain to walk over the piles through the bridge, while
Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes were aground against the bridge,
and could not in a great while get through. At White Hall we
hear that the Duke of York is gone a-hunting to-day; and so we
returned: they going to the Duke of Albemarle's, where I left
them (after I had observed a very good picture or two there).

18th. At noon Sir G. Carteret, Mr Coventry, and I by invitation
to dinner to Sheriff Maynell's, the great money-man; he, Alderman
Backewell, and much noble and brave company, with the privilege
of their rare discourse, which is great content to me above all
other things in the world. And after a great dinner and much
discourse, we took leave. Among other discourses, speaking
concerning the great charity used in Catholique countrys, Mr.
Ashburnham did tell us, that this last yeare, there being great
want of corne in Paris, and so a collection made for the poor,
there was two pearles brought in, nobody knew from whom (till the
Queene, seeing them, knew whose they were, but did not, discover
it), which were sold for 200,000 crownes.

21st (Lord's-day). To the Parke. The Queene coming by in her
coach, going to her chapel at St. James's (the first time it hath
been ready for her), I crowded after her, and I got up to the
room where her closet is; and there stood and saw the fine altar,
ornaments, and the fryers in their habits, and the priests come
in with their fine crosses and many other fine things. I heard
their musique too; which may be good but it did not appear so to
me, neither as to their manner of singing, nor was it good
concord to my ears, whatever the matter was. The Queene very
devout: but what pleased me best was to see my dear Lady
Castlemaine, who, tho' a Protestant, did wait upon the Queene to
chapel. By and by, after masse was done, a fryer with his cowl
did rise up and preach a sermon in Portuguese; which I not
understanding, did go away, and to the King's chapel, but that
was done; and so up to the Queene's presence-chamber, where she
and the King was expected to dine: but she staying at St.
James's, they were forced to remove the things to the King's
presence; and there he dined alone.

23rd. Sir G. Carteret told me how in most cabaretts in France
they have writ upon the walls in fair letters to be read "Dieu te
regarde." as a good lesson to be in every man's mind, and have
also in Holland their poor's box; in both which places at the
making all contracts and bargains they give so much, which they
call God's penny.

24th. To my Lord Crewe's, and there dined alone with him, and
among other things, he do advise me by all means to keep my Lord
Sandwich from proceeding too far in the business of Tangier.
First, for that he is confident the King will not be able to find
money for the building the Mole; and next, for that it is to be
done as we propose it by the reducing of the garrison; and then
either my Lord must oppose the Duke of York, who will have the
Irish regiment under the command of Fitzgerald continued, or else
my Lord Peterborough, who is concerned to have the English
continued, but he, it seems, is gone back again merely upon my
Lord Sandwich's encouragement.

28th (Lord's-day.) To the French Church at the Savoy, and there
they have the Common Prayer Book read in French, and, which I
never saw before, the minister do preach with his hat off, I
suppose in further conformity with our Church.

29th. To Mr. Coventry's, and so with him and Sir W. Pen up to
the Duke, where the King come also and staid till the Duke was
ready. It being Collar-day, we had no time to talk with him
about any business. To the King's Theatre, where we saw
"Midsummer's Night's dream," which I had never seen before, nor
shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that
ever I saw in my life.

30th. My condition at present is this, I have long been
building, and my house to my great content is now almost done.
My Lord Sandwich has lately been in the country, and very civil
to my wife, and hath himself spent some pains in drawing a plot
of some alterations in our house there, which I shall follow as I
get money. As for the office, my late industry hath been such,
as I am become as high in reputation as any man there, and good
hold I have of Mr. Coventry and Sir G. Carteret, which I am
resolved, and it is necessary for me, to maintain by all fair
means. Things are all quiet. The late outing of the
Presbyterian clergy by their not renouncing the Covenant as the
Act of Parliament commands, is the greatest piece of state now in
discourse. But for ought I see they are gone out very peaceably,
and the people not so much concerned therein as was expected.

OCTOBER 2, 1662. At night hearing that there was a play at the
Cockpit, (and my Lord Sandwich, who come to town last night, at
it,) I do go thither, and by very great fortune did follow four
or five gentlemen who were carried to a little private door in a
wall, and so crept through a narrow place and come into one of
the boxes next the King's, but so as I could not see the King or
Queene, but many of the fine ladies, who yet are not really so
handsome generally as I used to take them to be, but that they
are finely dressed. Then we saw "The Cardinall," [A tragi-comedy
by James Shirley.] a tragedy I had never seen before, nor is
there any great matter in it. The company that come in with me
into the box, were all Frenchmen that could speak no English, but
Lord! what sport they made to ask a pretty lady that they got
among them that understood both French and English to make her
tell them what the actors said.

5th. I to church; and this day the parson has got one to read
with a surplice on. I suppose himself will take it up hereafter,
for a cunning fellow he is as any of his coate.

6th. To White Hall with Mr. Coventry, and so to my Lord
Sandwich's lodgings, but my Lord not within, being at a ball this
night with the King at my Lady Castlemaine's at next door.

8th. To my Lord Sandwich's, and among other things to my
extraordinary joy, he did tell me how much I was beholding to the
Duke of York, who did yesterday of his own accord tell him that
he did thank him for one person brought into the Navy, naming
myself, and much more to my commendation, which is the greatest
comfort and encouragement that ever I had in my life, and do owe
it all to Mr. Coventry's goodness and ingenuity. At night by
coach to my Lord's again, but he is at White Hall with the King,
before whom the puppet plays I saw this summer in Covent-garden
are acted this night.

9th. To the office; and I bid them adieu for a week, having the
Duke's leave got me by Mr. Coventry. To whom I did give thanks
for my news yesterday of the Duke's words to my Lord Sandwich
concerning me, which he took well; and do tell me so freely his
love and value of me, that my mind is now in as great a state
quiet as to my interest in the office, as I could ever wish to
be. Between one and two o'clock got on horseback at our back
gate, with my man Will. with me, both well-mounted on two grey
horses. We got to Ware before night; and so I resolved to ride
on to Puckeridge, which we did, though the way was bad, and the
evening dark before we got thither, by help of company riding
before us; among others, a gentleman that took up at the same
inn, his name Mr. Brian, with whom I supped, and was very good
company, and a scholar. He tells me that it is believed the
Queene is with child, for that the coaches are ordered to ride
very easily through the streets.

10th. Up, and between eight and nine mounted again, and so rid
to Cambridge; the way so good that I got very well thither, and
set up at the Beare: and there my cosen Angier come to me, and I
must needs to his house; and there found Dr. Fairbrother, with a
good dinner. But, above all, he telling me that this day there
is a Congregation for the choice of some officers in the
University, he after dinner gets me a gowne, cap, and hoode, and
carries me to the Schooles, where Mr. Pepper, my brother's tutor,
and this day chosen Proctor, did appoint a M.A. to lead me into
the Regent House, where I sat with them, and did vote by
subscribing papers thus: "Ego Samuel Pepys eligo Magistrum
Bernardum Skelton, (and which was more strange, my old
schoolfellow and acquaintance, and who afterwards did take notice
of me, and we spoke together,) alterum e taxatoribus hujus
academiae in annum sequentem." The like I did for one Briggs, for
the other Taxor, and for other officers, as the Vice-Proctor,
(Mr. Covell) for Mr. Pepper, and which was the gentleman that did
carry me into the Regent House.

11th. To Brampton; where I found my father and two brothers, my
mother and sister.

12th. To church; where I saw, among others, Mrs. Hanbury, a
proper lady, and Mr. Bernard and his Lady, with her father, my
late Lord St. John, who looks now like a very plain grave man.
[Oliver St. John, one of Cromwell's Lords, and Chief Justice; and
therefore, after the Restoration, properly called "My LATE Lord."
His third daughter, Elizabeth, by his second wife, daughter of
Henry Cromwell of Upwood, Esq., uncle to the Protector, married
Mr. John Bernard, who became a Baronet on the death of his
father, Sir Robert, in 1666 and was M.P. for Huntingdon. Ob.
1689.]

13th. To the Court, and did sue out a recovery, and cut off the
entayle; and my brothers there, to join therein. And my father
and I admitted to all the lands; he for life, and I for myself
and my heirs in reversion. I did with most compleat joy of mind
go from the Court with my father home, and away, calling in at
Hinchingbroke, and taking leave in three words of my lady, and
the young ladies; and so by moonlight to Cambridge, whither we
come at about nine o'clock, and took up at the Beare.

15th. Showed Mr. Cooke King's College Chapel, Trinity College,
and St. John's College Library; and that being done, to our inn
again; where I met Dr. Fairbrother. He told us how the room we
were in, was the room where Cromwell and his associated officers
did begin to plot and act their mischiefs in these counties.
Took leave of all, and begun our journey about nine o'clock, the
roads being every where but bad; but finding our horses in good
case, we even made shift to reach London, though both of us very
weary. Found all things well, there happening nothing since our
going to my discontent in the least degree; which do also please
me, that I cannot but bless God for my journey, observing a whole
course of successe from the beginning to the end of it.

16th. I hear Sir H. Bennet [Created Baron of Arlington 1663, and
Viscount Thetford and Earl of Arlington, 1672; he was also K.G.,
and Chamberlain to the King. Ob. 1685.] is made Secretary of
State in Sir Edward Nicholas's stead; not known whether by
consent or not.

17th. To Creed's chamber, and there sat a good while and drank
chocolate. Here I am told how things go at Court; that the young
men get uppermost, and the old serious lords are out of favour;
that Sir H. Bennet, being brought into Sir Edward Nicholas's
place, Sir Charles Barkeley is made Privy Purse; a most vicious
person, and one whom Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, did tell me that he
offered his wife 300l. per annum to be his mistress. He also
told me, that none in Court hath more the King's eare now than
Sir Charles Barkeley, and Sir R. Bennet, and my Lady Castlemaine,
whose interest now is as great as ever: and that Mrs.
Haslerigge, the great beauty, is now brought to bed, and lays it
to the King or the Duke of York. He tells me also, that my Lord
St. Albans is like to be Lord Treasurer: all which things do
trouble me much.

19th (Lord's-day). Put on my first new lace-band; and so neat it
is, that I am resolved my great expence shall be lace-bands, and
it will set off any thing else the more. I am sorry to hear that
the news of the selling of Dunkirke is taken so generally ill, as
I find it is among the merchants; and other things, as removal of
officers at Court, good for worse; and all things else made much
worse in their report among people than they are. And this
night, I know not upon what ground, the gates of the City ordered
to be all shut, and double guards every where. Indeed I do find
every body's spirit very full of trouble: and the things of the
Court and Council very ill taken; so as to be apt to appear in
bad colours, if there should ever be a beginning of trouble,
which God forbid!

20th. In Sir J. Minnes's coach with him and Sir W. Batten to
White Hall, where now the Duke is come again to lodge: and to
Mr. Coventry's little new chamber there. And by and by up to the
Duke, who was making himself ready; and there young Killigrew did
so commend "The Villaine," a new play made by Tom Porter, and
acted only on Saturday at the Duke's house, as if there never
had been any such play come upon the stage. The same yesterday
was told me by Captn. Ferrers; and this morning afterwards by Dr.
Clarke, who saw it. After I had done with the Duke, with
Commissioner Pett to Mr. Lilly's, the great painter, who come
forth to us; but believing that I come to bespeak a picture, he
prevented it; by telling us, that he should, not be at leisure
these three weeks; which methinks is a rare thing. And then to
see in what pomp his table was laid for himself to go to dinner;
and here, among other pictures, saw the so much desired by me
picture of my Lady Castlemaine, which is a most blessed picture;
and one that I must have a copy of. From thence I took my wife
by coach to the Duke's house, there was the house full of
company: but whether it was in overexpecting or what, I know
not, but I was never less pleased with a play in my life. Though
there was good singing and dancing, yet no fancy in the play.

21st. By water with Mr. Smith, to Mr. Lechmore, the Councellor
at the Temple, [Nicholas Lechmere, knighted and made a Baron of
the Exchequer, 1689. Ob. 1701.] about Field's business; and he
tells me plainly that there being a verdict against me, there is
no help for it, but it must proceed to judgement. It is 30l.
damage to me for my joining with others in committing Field to
prison, as being not Justices of the Peace in the City, though in
Middlesex; which troubled me, and I hope the King will make it
good to us.

24th. Mr. Pierce, the chyrurgeon, tells me how ill things go at
Court: that the King do show no countenance to any that belong
to the Queene; nor, above all, to such English as she brought
over with her, or hath here since, for fear they should tell her
how he carries himself to Mrs. Palmer; insomuch that though he
has a promise, and is sure of being made her chyrurgeon, he is at
a loss what to do in it, whether to take it or no, since the
King's mind is so altered and favor to all her dependents, whom
she is fain to let go back into Portugall, (though she brought
them from their friends against their wills with promise of
preferment,) without doing anything for them. That her owne
physician did tell him within these three days that the Queene do
know how the King orders things, and how be carries himself to my
Lady Castlemaine and others, as well as any body; but though she
hath spirit enough, yet seeing that she do no good by taking
notice of it, for the present she forbears it in policy; of which
I am very glad. But I do pray God keep us in peace; for this,
with other things, do give great discontent to all people.

26th (Lord's-day). Put on my new Scallop, which is very fine.
To church, and there saw the first time Mr. Mills in a surplice;
but it seemed absurd for him to pull it over his eares in the
reading-pew, after he had done, before all the church, to go up
to the pulpitt, to preach without it. All this day soldiers
going up and down the towne, there being an alarme, and many
Quakers and other clapped up; but I believe without any reason:
only they say in Dorsetshire there hath been some rising
discovered.

27th. To my Lord Sandwich, who now-a-days calls me into his
chamber, and alone did discourse with me about the jealousy that
the Court have of people's rising; wherein he do much dislike my
Lord Monk's being so eager against a company of poor wretches,
dragging them up and down the street; but would have him rather
take some of the greatest ringleaders of them, and punish them;
whereas this do but tell the world the King's fears and doubts.
For Dunkirke, he wonders any wise people should be so troubled
thereat, and scorns all their talk against it, for that he sees
it was not Dunkirke, but the other places, that did and would
annoy us, though we had that, as much as if we had it not. He
also took notice of the new Ministers of State, Sir H. Bennet and
Sir Charles Barkeley, their bringing in, and the high game that
my Lady Castlemaine plays at Court. Afterwards he told me of
poor Mr. Spong, that being with other people examined before the
King and Council, (they being laid up as suspected persons; and
it seems Spong is so far thought guilty as that they intend to
pitch upon him to put to the wracke or some other torture,) he do
take knowledge of my Lord Sandwich, and said that he was well
known to Mr. Pepys. But my Lord knows, and I told him, that it
was only in matter of musique and pipes, but that I thought him
to be a very innocent fellow; and indeed I am very sorry for him.
After my Lord and I had done in private, we went out, and with
Captain Cuttance and Bunn did look over their draught of a bridge
for Tangier, which will be brought by my desire to our office by
them to-morrow. To Westminster Hall, and there walked long with
Creed. He showed me our commission, wherein the Duke of York,
Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, Lord Peterborough, Lord
Sandwich, Sir G. Carteret, Sir William Compton, Mr. Coventry, Sir
R. Ford, Sir William Rider, Mr. Cholmley, Mr. Povy, myself, and
Captain Cuttance, in this order are joyned for the carrying on
the service of Tangier. He told me what great faction there is
at Court; and above all, what is whispered, that young Crofts is
lawful son to the King, the King being married to his mother.
How true this is, God knows; but I believe the Duke of York will
not be fooled in this of three crowns. Thence to White Hall, and
walked long in the gardens, till (as they are commanded to all
strange persons,) one come to tell us, we not being known, and
being observed to walk there four or five houres, (which was not
true, unless they count my walking there in the morning,) he was
commanded to ask who we were; which being told, he excused his
question, and was satisfied. These things speake great fear and
jealousys.