Books: The Diary of Samuel Pepys

S >> Samuel Pepys >> The Diary of Samuel Pepys

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76

Hic jacet primus hujus sententiae Author:--
Disputandi pruritus fit ecclesiae scabies.

But unfortunately the word "Author" was wrong writ, and now so
basely altered that it disgraces the stone.

MARCH 1, 1665-6. Blessed be God! a good Bill this week we have;
being but 257 in all, and 42 of the plague, and of them but six
in the City: though my Lord Brouncker says, that these six are
most of them in new parishes where they were not the last week

3rd. To Hales's, and there saw my wife sit; and I do like her
picture mightily, and very like it will be, and a brave piece of
work. But he do complain that her nose hath cost him as much
work as another's face, and he hath done it finely indeed.

5th. News for certain of the King of Denmark's declaring for the
Dutch, and resolution to assist them. I find my Lord Brouncker
and Mrs. Williams, and they would of their own accord, though I
had never obliged them (nor my wife neither) with one visit for
many of theirs, go see my house and my wife; which I showed them,
and made them welcome with wine and China oranges (now a great
rarity since the war, none to be had.) My house happened to be
mighty clean, and did me great honour, and they mightily pleased
with it.

7th. Up betimes, and to St. James's, thinking Mr. Coventry had
lain there; but he do not, but at White Hall; so thither I went
to him. We walked an hour in the Matted Gallery: he of himself
begun to discourse of the unhappy differences between him and my
Lord of Sandwich, and from the beginning to the end did run
through all passages wherein my Lord hath, at any time gathered
any dissatisfaction, and cleared himself to me most honourably;
and in truth, I do believe he do as he says. I did afterwards
purge myself of all partiality in the business of Sir G.
Carteret, (whose story Sir W. Coventry did also run over,) that I
do mind the King's interest, notwithstanding my relation to him;
all which he declares he firmly believes, and assures me he hath
the same kindness and opinion of me as ever. And when I said I
was jealous of myself, that having now come to such an income as
I am, by his favour, I should not be found to do as much service
as might deserve it; he did assure me, he thinks it not too much
for me, but thinks I deserve it as much as any man in England.
All this discourse did cheer my heart, and sets me right again,
after a good deal of melancholy, out of fears of his
disinclination to me, upon the difference with my Lord Sandwich
and Sir G. Carteret; but I am satisfied thoroughly, and so went
away quite another man, and by the grace of God will never lose
it again by my folly in not visiting and writing to him, as I
used heretofore to do. The King and Duke are to go to-morrow to
Audly End, in order to the seeing and buying of it of my Lord
Suffolke.

9th. Made a visit to the Duke of Albemarle, and to my great joy
find him the same man to me that heretofore, which I was in great
doubt of, through my negligence in not visiting of him a great
while; and having now set all to rights there, I shall never
suffer matters to run so far backwards again as I have done of
late, with reference to my neglecting him and Sir W. Coventry.
The truth is, I do indulge myself a little the more in pleasure,
knowing that this is the proper age of my life to do it; and out
of my observation that most men that do thrive in the world, do
forget to take pleasure during the time that they are getting
their estate, but reserve that till they have got one, and then
it is too late for them to enjoy it.

12th. My Uncle Talbot Pepys died the last week. All the news
now is, that Sir Jeremy Smith is at Cales [Cadiz.] with his
fleet; and Mings in the Elve. The King is come this noon to town
from Audly End, with the Duke of York and a fine train of
gentlemen.

13th. The plague encreased this week 29 from 28, though the
total fallen from 238 to 207.

14th. With my Lord Brouncker towards London, and in our way
called in Covent Garden, and took in Sir John (formerly Dr.)
Baber; who hath this humour that he will not enter into discourse
while any stranger is in company, till he be told who he is that
seems a stranger to him. This he did declare openly to me, and
asked my Lord who I was. Thence to Guildhall, (in our way taking
in Dr. Wilkins,) and there my Lord and I had full and large
discourse with Sir Thomas Player, [One of the City Members in the
Oxford and Westminster Parliaments. See more of him in the
Notes, by Scott, to Absalom and Achitophel; in which poem he is
introduced under the designation of "railing Rabsheka."] the
Chamberlain of the City (a man I have much heard of) about the
credit of our tallies, which are lodged there for security to
such as should lend money thereon to the use of the Navy. I had
great satisfaction therein: and the truth is, I find all our
matters of credit to be in an ill condition. To walk all alone
in the fields behind Grayes Inne, making an end of reading over
my dear "Faber fortunae," of my Lord Bacon's.

15th. To Hales, where I met my wife and people; and do find the
picture, above all things, a most pretty picture, and mighty like
my wife; and I asked him his price: he says 14l. and the truth
is, I think he do deserve it.

17th. To Hales's, and paid him 14l. for the picture, and 1l. 5s.
for the frame. This day I began to sit, and he will make me, I
think, a very fine picture. He promises it shall be as good as
my wife's, and I sit to have it full of shadows, and do almost
break my neck looking over my shoulder to make the posture for
him to work by. Home, having a great cold: so to bed, drinking
butter-ale.

19th. After dinner we walked to the King's play-house, all in
dirt, they being altering of the stage to make it wider. But God
knows when they will begin to act again; but my business here was
to see the inside of the stage and all the tiring-rooms and
machines: and, indeed, it was a sight worthy seeing. But to see
their clothes, and the various sorts, and what a mixture of
things there was; here a wooden-leg, there a ruff, here a hobby-
horse, there a crown, would make a man split himself with
laughing; and particularly Lacy's [John Lacy, the celebrated
comedian, author of four plays. Ob. 1681.] wardrobe, and
Shotrell's. [Robert and William Shotterel both belonged to the
King's company at the opening of their new Theatre in 1663. One
of them had been Quarter-master to the troop of horse in which
Hart was serving as Lieutenant under Charles the First's
standard. He is called by Downs a good actor, but nothing
further is recorded of his merits or career. NOTE TO CIBBER'S
APOLOGY.] But then again, to think now fine they show on the
stage by candle-light, and how poor things they are to look at
too near hand, is not pleasant at all. The machines are fine,
and the paintings very pretty. With Sir W. Warren, talking of
many things belonging to us particularly, and I hope to get
something considerably by him before the year be over. He gives
me good advice of circumspection in my place, which I am now in
great mind to improve; for I think our office stands on very
ticklish terms, the Parliament likely to sit shortly and likely
to be asked more money, and we able to give a very bad account of
the expence of what we have done with what they did give before.
Besides, the turning out the prize officers may be an example for
the King's giving us up to Parliament's pleasure as easily, for
we deserve it as much. Besides, Sir G. Carteret did tell me to-
night how my Lord Brouncker, whose good-will I could have
depended as much on as any, did himself to him take notice of the
many places I have; and though I was a painful man, yet the Navy
was enough for any man to go through with in his own single place
there, which much troubles me, and shall yet provoke me to more
and more care and diligence than ever.

21st. Sir Robert Long [Sir Robert Long, Secretary to Charles II.
during his exile, and subsequently made Auditor of the Exchequer,
and a privy Counsellor, and created a Baronet 1662, Ob.
unmarried, 1673.] told us of the plenty of partridges in France,
where he says the King of France and his company killed with
their guns, in the plain de Versailles, 300 and odd partridges at
one bout. With Sir W. Warren, who tells me that at the Committee
of the Lords for the prizes to-day, there passed very high words
between my Lord Ashly and Sir W. Coventry, about our business of
the prize ships. And that my Lord Ashly did snuff and talk as
high to him, as he used to do to any ordinary man. And that Sir
W. Coventry did take it very quietly, but yet for all did speak
his mind soberly and with reason, and went away, saying that he
had done his duty therein.

24th. After the Committee up. I had occasion to follow the Duke
into his lodgings, into a chamber where the Duchesse was sitting
to have her picture drawn by Lilly, who was then at work. But I
was well pleased to see that there was nothing near so much
resemblance of her face in his work, which is now the second, if
not the third time, as there was of my wife's at the very first
time. Nor do I think at last it can be like, the lines not being
in proportion to those of her face.

28th. My Lord Brouncker and I to the Tower, to see the famous
engraver, to get him to grave a seal for the office. And did see
some of the finest pieces of work in embossed work, that ever I
did see in my life, for fineness and smallness of the images
thereon.

28th. To the Cockpitt, and dined with a great deal of company at
the Duke of Albemarle's, and a bad and dirty, nasty dinner. This
night, I am told, the Queene of Portugall, the mother to our
Queene, is lately dead, and news brought of it hither this day.

30th. I out to Lombard-streete, and there received 2200l. and
brought it home; and, contrary to expectation, received 35l. for
the use of 2000l. of it for a quarter of a year, where it hath
produced me this profit, and hath been a convenience to me as to
care and security at my house, and demandable at two days'
warning, as this hath been. To Hales's, and there sat till
almost quite dark upon working my gowne, which I hired to be
drawn in; an Indian gowne.

April 1, 1666. To Charing Cross, to wait on Sir Philip Howard;
whom I found in bed: and he do receive me very civilly. My
request was about suffering my wife's brother to go to sea, and
to save his pay in the Duke's guards; which after a little
difficulty he did with great respect agree to. I find him a very
fine-spoken gentleman, and one of great parts, and very
courteous. Meeting Dr. Allen, [Probably Thomas Allen, M.D. of
Caius College, Cambridge, and Member of the College of
Physicians. Ob. 1685.] the physician, he and I and another
walked in the Park, a most pleasant warm day and to the Queene's
chapel; where I do not so dislike the musick. Here I saw on a
post an invitation to all good Catholics to pray for the soul of
such a one departed this life. The Queene, I hear, do not yet
hear of the death of her mother, she being in a course of
physick, that they dare not tell it her. Up and down my Lord St.
Albans his new building and market-house, looking to and again
into every place building. I this afternoon made a visit to my
Lady Carteret, whom I understood newly come to towne; and she
took it mighty kindly, but I see her face and heart are dejected
from the condition her husband's matters stand in. But I hope
they will do all well enough. And I do comfort her as much as I
can, for she is a noble lady.

5th. The plague is, to our great grief, encreased nine this
week, though decreased a few in the total. And this encrease
runs through many parishes, which makes us much fear the next
year.

6th. Met by agreement with Sir Stephen Fox and Mr. Ashburnham,
and discoursed the business of our Excise tallies; the former
being Treasurer of the guards, and the other Cofferer of the
King's household. This day great news of the Swedes declaring
for us against the Dutch, and so far as that I believe it.

8th. To the Duke of York, where we all met to hear the debate
between Sir Thomas Allen and Mr. Wayth; the former complaining of
the latter's ill usage of him at the late pay of his ship. But a
very sorry poor occasion he had for it. The Duke did determine
it with great judgement, chiding both, but encouraging Wayth to
continue to be a check to all captains in any thing to the King's
right. And, indeed, I never did see the Duke do any thing more
in order, nor with more judgement than he did pass the verdict in
this business, The Court full this morning of the news of Tom
Cheffins' death, the King's closet-keeper. [Sir E. Walker,
Garter King at Arms, in 1644 gave a grant of arms GRATIS, to
Thomas Chiffinch, Esq., one of the Pages of His Majesty's
Bedchamber, Keeper of his private Closet, and Comptroller of the
Excise. His brother William appears to have succeeded to the two
first-named appointments, and became a great favourite with the
King, whom he survived. There is a portrait of William Chiffinch
at Gorhamburg.] He was well last night as ever, playing at
tables in the house, and not very ill this morning at six
o'clock, yet dead before seven: they think, of an imposthume in
his breast. But it looks fearfully among people now-a-days, the
plague, as we hear encreasing every where again. To the Chapel,
but could not get in to hear well. But I had the pleasure once
in my life to see an Archbishop (this was of York) [Richard
Sterne, Bishop of Carlisle, elected Archbishop of York, 1664.
Ob. 1683.] in a pulpit. Then at a loss how to get home to
dinner, having promised to carry Mrs. Hunt thither. At last got
my Lord Hinchingbroke's coach, he staying at Court; and so took
her up in Axe-yard, and home and dined. And good discourse of
the old matters of the Protector and his family, she having a
relation to them. The Protector lives in France: spends about
500l. per annum.

9th. By coach to Mrs. Pierce's, and with her and Knipp and Mrs.
Pierce's boy and girl abroad, thinking to have been merry at
Chelsey; but being come almost to the house by coach near the
waterside, a house alone, I think the Swan, a gentleman walking
by called to us to tell us that the house was shut up of the
sickness. So we with great affright turned back, being holden to
the gentleman: and went away (I for my part in great disorder)
for Kensington.

11th. To Hales's, where there was nothing to be done more to my
picture, [This potrait is now in the possession of Samuel Pepys
Cockerel, Esq.] but the musique, which now pleases me mightily,
it being painted true. To Gresham College, where a great deal of
do and formality in choosing of the Council and Officers. I had
three votes to be of the Council, who am but a stranger, nor
expected any.

15th. Walked into the Park to the Queen's chapel, and there
heard a good deal of their mass, and some of their musique, which
is not so contemptible, I think, as our people would make it, it
pleasing me very well; and, indeed, better than the anthem I
heard afterwards at White Hall, at my coming back. I staid till
the King went down to receive the Sacrament, and stood in his
closet with a great many others, and there saw him receive it,
which I did never see the manner of before. Thence walked to Mr.
Pierce's, and there dined: very good company and good discourse,
they being able to tell me all the businesses of the Court: the
amours and the mad doings that are there: how for certain Mrs.
Stewart is become the King's mistress; and that the King hath
many bastard children that are known and owned, besides the Duke
of Monmouth.

18th. To Mr. Lilly's, the painter's; and there saw the heads,
some finished, and all begun, of the flaggmen in the late great
fight with the Duke of York against the Dutch. The Duke of York
hath them done to hang in his chamber, and very finely they are
done indeed. Here are the Prince's, Sir G. Askue's, Sir Thomas
Teddiman's, Sir Christopher Mings, Sir Joseph Jordan, Sir William
Berkeley, Sir Thomas Allen, and Captain Harman's, [Afterwards Sir
John Harman.] as also the Duke of Albemarle's; and will be my
Lord Sandwich's, Sir W. Pen's, and Sir Jeremy Smith's. I was
very well satisfied with this sight, and other good pictures
hanging in the house.

21st. I down to walk in the garden at White Hall, it being a
mighty hot and pleasant day; and there was the King, who, among
others, talked to us a little; and among other pretty things, he
swore merrily that he believed the ketch that Sir W. Batten
bought the last year at Colchester, was of his own getting, it
was so thick to its length. Another pleasant thing he said of
Christopher Pett, commanding him that he will not alter his
moulds of ships upon any man's advice; "as," says he,
"Commissioner Taylor I fear do of his New London, that he makes
it differ, in hopes of mending the Old London, built by him."
"For," says he, "he finds that God hath put him into the right,
and so will keep in it while he is in." "And," says the King, "I
am sure it must be God put him in, for no art of his own ever
could have done it;" for it seems he cannot give a good account
of what he do as an artist. Thence with my Lord Brouncker in his
coach to Hide Parke, the first time I have been there this year.
There the King was; but I was sorry to see my Lady Castlemaine,
for the mourning forceing all the ladies to go in black, with
their hair plain and without spots. I find her to be a much more
ordinary woman than ever I durst have thought she was; and,
indeed, is not so pretty as Mrs. Stewart.

22nd. To the Cockpitt, and there took my leave of the Duke of
Albemarle, who is going to-morrow to sea. He seems mightily
pleased with me, which I am glad of; but I do find infinitely my
concernment in being careful to appear to the King and Duke to
continue my care of his business, and to be found diligent as I
used to be.

23rd. To White Hall, where I had the opportunity to take leave
of the Prince, and again of the Duke of Albemarle; and saw them
kiss the King's hands and the Duke's; and much content indeed,
there seems to be in all people at their going to sea, and they
promise themselves much good from them. This morning the House
of Parliament do meet, only to adjourne again till winter. The
plague, I hear, encreases in the town much, and exceedingly in
the country every where. Bonfires in the street, for being
St.George's day, and the King's Coronation, and the day of the
Prince and Duke's going to sea.

25th. I to the office, where Mr. Prin come to meet about the
Chest-business; and till company come, did discourse with me a
good while in the garden about the laws of England, telling me
the main faults in them; and among others, their obscurity
through multitude of long statutes, which he is about to abstract
out of all of a sort; and as he lives, and Parliaments come, get
them put into laws, and the other statutes repealed, and then it
will be a short work to know the law. Having supped upon the
leads, to bed. The plague, blessed be God! is decreased sixteen
this week.

29th. To Mr. Evelyn's, where I walked in his garden till he come
from Church, with great pleasure reading Ridly's discourse, all
my way going and coming, upon the Civill and Ecclesiastical Law.
He being come home, he and I walked together in the garden with
mighty pleasure, he being a very ingenious man; and the more I
know him the more I love him.

30th. I after dinner to even all my accounts of this month; and
bless God, I find myself, notwithstanding great expences of late;
viz. 80l. now to pay for a necklace; near 40l. for a set of
chairs and couch; near 40l. for my three pictures: yet I do
gather, and am worth 5200l. My wife comes home by and by, and
hath pitched upon a necklace with three rows, which is a very
good one, and 80l. is the price. So ends this month with great
layings-out. Good health and gettings, and advanced well in the
whole of my estate, for which God make me thankful!

May 1, 1666. At noon, my cosen Thomas Pepys did come to me, to
consult about the business of his being a Justice of the Peace,
which he is much against; and among other reasons, tells me, as a
confidant, that he is not free to exercise punishment according
to the Act against Quakers and other people, for religion. Nor
do he understand Latin, and so is not capable of the place as
formerly, now all warrants do run in Latin. Nor he in Kent,
though he be of Deptford parish, his house standing in Surry.
However, I did bring him to incline towards it, if he be pressed
to take it. I do think it may be some repute to me to have my
kinsman in Commission there, specially, if he behave himself to
content in the country.

12th. Met Sir G. Downing on White Hall bridge, and there walked
half an hour, talking of the success of the late new Act; and
indeed it is very much, that that hath stood really in the room
of 800,000l. [There appears to be some error in these figures.]
now since Christmas, being itself but 1,250,000l. And so I do
really take it to be a very considerable thing done by him; for
the beginning, end, and every part of it, is to be imputed to
him. The fleet is not yet gone from the Nore. The plague
encreases in many places, and is 53 this week with us.

13th. Into St. Margett's [St. Margaret's.] Church, where I
heard a young man play the fool upon the doctrine of Purgatory.

16th. I to my Lord Crowe's, who is very lately come to town, and
he talked for half an hour of the business of the warr, wherein
he is very doubtful, from our want of money, that we shall fail.
And I do concur with him therein. After some little discourse of
ordinary matters, I away to Sir Philip Warwick's again, and he
was come in, and gone out to my Lord Treasurer's; whither I
followed him, and there my business was, to be told that my Lord
Treasurer hath got 10,000l. for us in the Navy, to answer our
great necessities, which I did thank him for; but the sum is not
considerable. The five brothers Houblons came, and Mr. Hill, to
my house; and a very good supper we had, and good discourse with
great pleasure. My new plate sets off my cupboard very nobly.
Here they were till about eleven at night: and a fine sight it
is to see these five brothers thus loving one to another, and all
industrious merchants.

[Two of these brothers, Sir James and Sir John Houblon, Knts. and
Aldermen, rose to great wealth; the former represented the City
of London, and the latter became Lord Mayor in 1695. The
following epitaph, in memory of their father, who was interred in
the church of St. Mary Woolnoth, is here inserted, as having been
written by Mr. Pepys:-

Jacobus Houblon
Londin. Petri filius,
Ob fidem Flandria exulantis:
Ex C. Nepotibus habuit LXX superstites:
Filios V. videns mercatores florentissimos;
Ipse Londinensis Bursae Pater.
Plissime obiit Nonagenarius,
A.D. MDCLXXXII.]

19th. Mr. Deane and I did discourse about his ship Rupert, built
by him there, which succeeds so well as he hath got great honour
by it, and I some by recommending him; the King, Duke, and every
body, saying it is the best ship that was ever built. And then
he fell to explain to me his manner of casting the draught of
water which a ship will draw beforehand: which is a secret the
King and all admire in him; and he is the first that hath come to
any certainty beforehand of foretelling the draught of water of a
ship before she be launched

20th. I discoursed awhile with Mr. Yeabsly, whom I met and took
up in my coach with me, and who hath this day presented my Lord
Ashly with 100l. to bespeak his friendship to him in his accounts
now before us; and my Lord hath received, and so I believe is as
bad, as to bribes, as what the world says of him.

21st. I away in some haste to my Lord Ashly, where it is
stupendous to see how favourably, and yet closely, my Lord Ashly
carries himself to Mr. Yeabsly, in his business, so as I think we
shall do his business for him in very good manner. But it is a
most extraordinary thing to observe, and that which I would not
but have had the observation of for a great deal of money.

23rd. Towards White Hall, calling in my way on my Lord Bellasses,
[John Lord Bellassis, second son of Thomas Viscount Falconberg,
an officer of distinction on the King's side, during the Civil
War. He was afterwards Governor of Tangier, and Captain of the
Band of Gentlemen Pensioners. Being a Catholic, the Test Act
deprived him of all his appointments in 1672; but James II, in
1684, made him first Commissioner of the Treasury. Ob, 1689.]
where I come to his bedside, and he did give me a full and long
account of his matters, how he kept them at Tangier. Declares
himself fully satisfied with my care: seems cunningly to argue
for encreasing the number of men there. Told me the whole story
of his gains by the Turky prizes, which he owns he hath got about
5000l. by. Promised me the same profits Povy was to have had;
and in fine, I find him a pretty subtle man; and so I left him.
Staid at Sir G. Carteret's chamber till the Council rose, and
then he and I, by agreement this morning, went forth in his coach
by Tiburne, to the park; discoursing of the state of the Navy as
to money, and the state of the Kingdom too, how ill able to raise
more: and of our office, as to the condition of the officers; he
giving me caution as to myself, that there are those that are my
enemies as well as his, and by name my Lord Brouncker who hath
said some odd speeches against me. So that he advises me to
stand on my guard; which I shall do, and unless my too-much
addiction to pleasure undo me, will be acute enough for any of
them.