Books: The Diary of Samuel Pepys

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28th. Captain Guy to dine with me, and he and I much talk
together. He cries out of the discipline of the fleet, and
confesses really that; the true English valour we talk of, is
almost spent and worn out; few of the commanders doing what they
should do, and he much fears we shall therefore be beaten the
next year. He assures me we were beaten home the last June
fight, and that the whole fleet was ashamed to hear of our
bonfires. He commends Smith and cries out of Holmes for an idle,
proud, conceited, though stout fellow. He tells me we are to owe
the loss of so many ships on the sands, not to any fault of the
pilots, but to the weather; but in this I have good authority to
fear there was something more. He says the Dutch do fight in
very good order, and we in none at all. He says that in the July
fight, both the Prince and Holmes had their belly-fulls, and were
fain to go aside; though, if the wind had continued, we had
utterly beaten them. He do confess the whole to be governed by a
company of fools, and fears our ruine. The Revenge having her
forecastle blown up with powder to the killing of some men in the
River, and the Dyamond's being overset in the careening at
Sheernese, are further marks of the method all the King's work is
now done in. The Foresight also and another come to disasters in
the same place this week in the cleaning; which is strange.

29th. Up, and to the office to do business, and thither comes to
me Sir Thomas Teddiman, and he and I walked a good while in the
garden together, discoursing of the disorder and discipline of
the fleet, wherein he told me how bad every thing is; but was
very wary in speaking any to the dishonour of the Prince or Duke
of Albemarle, but do magnify my Lord Sandwich much before them
both, from ability to serve the King, and do heartily wish for
him here. For he fears that we shall be undone the next year,
but that he will, however, see an end of it. To Westminster; and
I find the new Lord Mayor Bolton a-swearing at the Exchequer,
with some of the Aldermen and Livery; but Lord! to see how
meanely they now look, who upon this day used to be all little
lords, is a sad sight and worthy consideration. And every body
did reflect with pity upon the poor City, to which they are now
coming to choose and swear their Lord Mayor, compared with what
it heretofore was. To my goldsmith to bid him look out for some
gold for me; and he tells me that ginnys, which I bought 2000 of
not long ago, and cost me 18 1/2d. change, will now cost me 22d.;
and but very few to be had at any price. However, some more I
will have, for they are very convenient, and of easy disposal.
To White Hall, and into the new playhouse there, the first time I
ever was there, and the first play I have seen since before the
great plague. By and by Mr. Pierce comes, bringing my wife and
his, and Knipp. By and by the King and Queen, Duke and Duchesse,
and all the great ladies of the Court; which, indeed, was a fine
sight. But the play, being "Love in a Tub," [A comedy, by Sir
George Etheridge.] a silly play, and though done by the Duke's
people, yet having neither Beterton nor his wife, [Vide Note to
Feb. 1, 1663-4.] and the whole thing done ill, and being ill
also, I had no manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the
House, though very fine, yet bad for the voice, for hearing. The
sight of the ladies, indeed, was exceeding noble; and above all,
my Lady Castlemaine. The play done by ten o'clock.

NOVEMBER 2, 1666. On board the Ruby French prize, the only ship
of war we have taken from any of our enemies this year. It seems
a very good ship, but with galleries quite round the sterne to
walk in as a balcone, which will be taken down.

4th. My taylor's man brings my vest home, and coat to wear with
it and belt, and silver-hilted sword. I waited in the gallery
till the Council was up, and did speak with Mr. Cooling, my Lord
Chamberlain's secretary, who tells me my Lord Generall is become
mighty low in all people's opinion, and that he hath received
several slurs from the King and Duke of York. The people at
Court do see the difference between his and the Prince's
management, and my Lord Sandwich's. That this business which he
is put upon of crying out against the Catholiques and turning
them out of all employment, will undo him, when he comes to turn
the officers out of the Army, and this is a thing of his own
seeking. That he is grown a drunken sot, and drinks with nobody
but Troutbecke, whom nobody else will keep company with. Of whom
he told me this story; that once the Duke of Albemarle in his
drink taking notice as of a wonder that Nan Hide should ever come
to be Duchesse of York: "Nay," says Troutbecke, "ne'er wonder at
that; for if you will give me another bottle of wine, I will tell
you as great, if not greater, a miracle." And what was that, but
that our dirty Besse (meaning his Duchesse) should come to be
Duchesse of Albemarle?

5th. To my Lady Peterborough, who had sent to speak with me.
She makes mighty mourn of the badness of the times, and her
family as to money. My Lord's passionateness for want thereof,
and his want of coming in of rents, and no wages from the Duke
of York. No money to be had there for wages or disbursements,
and therefore prays my assistance about his pension. To my Lord
Crewe's, and there dined, and mightily made of. Here my Lord,
and Sir Thomas Crewe, Mr. John, and Dr, Crewe, [Nathaniel,
afterwards Bishop of Durham and Baron Crewe.] and two strangers.
The best family in the world for goodness and sobriety. Here
beyond my expectation I met my Lord Hinchingbroke, who is come to
town two days since from Hinchingbroke, and brought his sister
and brother Carteret with him, who are at Sir G. Carteret's.
After dinner I and Sir Thomas Crewe went aside to discourse of
public matters, and do find by him that all the country gentlemen
are publickly jealous of the courtiers in the Parliament, and
that they do doubt every thing that they propose; and that the
true reason why the country-gentlemen are for a land-tax and
against a general excise, is, because they are fearful that if
the latter be granted, they shall never get it down again;
whereas the land-tax will be but for so much, and when the war
ceases, there will be no ground got by the court to keep it up.
He says the House would be very glad to get something against Sir
G. Carteret, and will not let their inquiries die till they have
got something. He do, from what he hath heard at the Committee
for examining the burning of the City, conclude it as a thing
certain, that it was done by plots; it being proved by many
witnesses that endeavours were made in several places to encrease
the fire, and that both in City and country it was bragged by
several Papists, that upon such a day or in such a time we should
find the hottest weather that ever was in England; and words of
plainer sense. But my Lord Crewe was discoursing at table how
the Judges have determined in the case whether the landlords or
the tenants (who are, in their leases, all of them generally tied
to maintain and uphold their houses,) shall bear the loss of the
fire; and they say, that tenants should against all casualties of
fire beginning either in their own, or in their neighbour's; but,
where it is done by an enemy, they are not to do it. And this
was by an enemy, there having been one convicted and hanged upon
this very score. This is an excellent salve for the tenants, and
for which I am glad, because of my father's house. After dinner
and this discourse, I took coach, and at the same time find my
Lord Hinchingbroke and Mr. John Crewe and the Doctor going out to
see the ruins of the City; so I took the Doctor into my hackney-
coach, (and he is a very fine sober gentleman,) and so through
the City. But Lord! what pretty and sober observations he made
of the City and its desolation; anon we come to my house, and
there I took them upon Tower-Hill to show them what houses were
pulled down there since the fire; and then to my house, where I
treated them with good wine of several sorts, and they took it
mighty respectfully, and a fine company of gentlemen they are;
but above all I was glad to see my Lord Hinchingbroke drink no
wine at all. I home by coach, but met not one bonfire through
the whole town in going round by the wall, which is strange, and
speaks the melancholy disposition of the City at present, while
never more was said of, and feared of, and done against the
Papists, than just at this time.

7th. Called at Faythorne's to buy some prints for my wife to
draw by this winter, and here did see my Lady Castlemaine's
picture, done by him from Lilly's, in red chalke, and other
colours, by which he hath cut it in copper to be printed. The
picture in chalke is the finest thing I ever saw in my life, I
think; and I did desire to buy it; but he says he must keep it
awhile to correct his copper-plate by, and when that is done he
will sell it me. By the Duke of York his discourse to-day in his
chamber, they have it at Court, as well as we here, that a fatal
day is to be expected shortly, of some great mischief; whether by
the Papists, or what, they are not certain. But the day is
disputed; some say next Friday, others a day sooner, others
later, and I hope all will prove a foolery. But it is observable
how every bodys fears are busy at this time.

8th. I to Westminster Hall, and there met Mr. Grey, who tells me
the House is sitting still, (and now it was six o'clock,) and
likely to sit till midnight; and have proceeded fair to give the
King his supply presently. And herein have done more to-day than
was hoped for. Sir W. Coventry did this night tell me how the
business is about Sir J. Minnes; that he is to be a commissioner,
and my Lord Brouncker and Sir W. Pen are to be Controller
jointly, which I am very glad of, and better than if they were
either of them alone; and do hope truly that the King's business
will be better done thereby, and infinitely better than now it
is. Mr. Grey did assure me this night, that he was told this
day, by one of the greater Ministers of State in England, and one
of the King's Cabinet, that we had little left to agree on
between the Dutch and us towards a peace, but only the place of
treaty; which do astonish me to hear, but I am glad of it, for I
fear the consequence of the war. But he says that the King,
having all the money he is like to have, we shall be sure of a
peace in a little time.

9th. To Mrs. Pierce's by appointment, where we find good
company: a fair lady, my Lady Prettyman, Mrs. Corbet, Knipp; and
for men, Captain Downing, Mr. Lloyd, Sir W. Coventry's clerk, and
one Mr. Tripp, who dances well. After our first bout of dancing,
Knipp, and I to sing, and Mercer and Captain Downing (who loves
and understands musick) would by all means have my song of
"Beauty retire:" which Knipp had spread abroad, and he extols it
above any thing he ever heard. Going to dance again, and then
comes news that White Hall was on fire. And presently more
particulars, that the Horse-guard was on fire. And so we run up
to the garret, and find it so; a horrid great fire. And by and
by we saw and heard part of it blown up with powder. The ladies
begun presently to be afraid: one fell into fits. The whole
town in an alarm. Drums beat and trumpets, and the Horse-guards
every where spread, running up and down in the street. And I
begun to have mighty apprehensions how things might be, for we
are in expectation (from common fame) this night or to-morrow to
have a massacre, by the having so many fires one after another,
as that in the City, and at same time begun in Westminster, by
the Palace, but put out; and since in Southwarke, to the burning
down some houses. And now this do make all people conclude there
is something extraordinary in it; but nobody knows what. By and
by comes news that the fire is slackened; so then we were a
little cheered up again, and to supper, and pretty merry. But
above all there comes in the dumb boy that I knew in Oliver's
time, who is mightily acquainted here, and with Downing. And he
made strange signs of the fire, and how the King was abroad, and
many things they understood, but I could not. Which I wondered
at, and discoursing with Downing about it, "Why," says he, "it is
only a little use, and you will understand him, and make him
understand you with as much ease as may be." So I prayed him to
tell him that I was afraid that my coach would be gone, and that
he should go down and steal one of the seats out of the coach and
keep it, and that would make the coachman to stay. He did this,
so that the dumb boy did go down, and like a cunning rogue went
into the coach, pretending to sleep, and by and by fell to his
work, but finds the seats nailed to the coach. So he could not
do it; however, stayed there, and stayed the coach, till the
coachman's patience was quite spent, and beat the dumb boy by
force, and so went away. So the dumb boy came up and told him
all the story, which they below did see all that passed, and knew
it to be true. After supper another dance or two, and then news
that the fire is as great as ever, which put us all to our wits'
end; and I mightily anxious to go home, but the coach being gone,
and it being about ten at night, and rainy dirty weather, I knew
not what to do; but to walk out with Mr. Batelier, myself
resolving to go home on foot, and leave the women there. And so
did; but at the Savoy got a coach, and come back and took up the
women, and so (having, by people come from the fire, understood
that the fire was overcome, and all well,) we merrily parted, and
home. Stopped by several guards and constables quite through the
town, (round the wall as we went,) all being in arms.

10th. The Parliament did fall foul of our accounts again
yesterday; and we must arme to have them examined, which I am
sorry for: it will bring great trouble to me, and shame upon the
office. This is the fatal day that every body hath discoursed
for a long time to be the day that the Papists, or I know not
who, have designed to commit a massacre upon; but, however, I
trust in God we shall rise to-morrow morning as well as ever. I
hear that my Lady Denham is exceeding sick, even to death, and
that she says, and every body else discourses, that she is
poisoned; and Creed tells me, that it is said that there hath
been a design to poison the King. What the meaning of all these
sad signs is the Lord only knows, but every day things look worse
and worse. God fit us for the worst!

12th. Creed tells me of my Lady Denham, whom every body says is
poisoned, and she hath said it to the Duke of York; but is upon
the mending hand, though the town says she is dead this morning.
This day I received 450 pieces of gold more of Mr. Stokes, but
cost me 22 1/2d. change. But I am well contented with it, I
having now nearly 2800l. in gold, and will not rest till I get
full 3000l. Creed and I did stop (the Duke of York being just
going away from seeing of it) at Pauls, and in the Convocation-
House Yard did there see the body of Robert Braybrooke, Bishop of
London, that died 1404. He fell down in the tomb out of the
great church into St. Fayth's this late fire, and is here seen
his skeleton with the flesh on; but all tough and dry like a
spongy dry leather, or touchwood all upon his bones. His head
turned aside. A great man in his time, and Lord Chancellor. And
now exposed to be handled and derided by some, though admired for
its duration by others. Many flocking to see it.

14th, Knipp tells me how Smith, of the Duke's house, hath killed
a man upon a quarrel in play; which makes every body sorry, he
being a good actor, and they say a good man, however this
happens. The ladies of the Court do much bemoan him. Sir G.
Carteret tells me that just now my Lord Hollis had been with him,
and wept to think in what a condition we are fallen. Dr. Croone
[William Croune of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, chosen Rhetoric
Professor at Gresham College 1659, F.R.S. and M.D. Ob. 1684.]
told me, that at the meeting at Gresham College to-night (which
it seems, they now have every Wednesday again,) there was a
pretty experiment of the blood of one dog let out (till he died)
into the body of another on one side, while all his own run out
on the other side. The first died upon the place, and the other
very well, and likely to do well. This did give occasion to many
pretty wishes, as of the blood of a Quaker to be let into an
Archbishop, and such like; but, as Dr. Croone says, may, if it
takes, be of mighty use to man's health, for the amending of bad
blood by borrowing from a better body.

15th. To Mrs. Pierce's, where I find her as fine as possible,
and Mr. Pierce going to the ball at night at Court, it being the
Queene's birthday. I also to the ball, and with much ado got up
to the loft, where with much trouble I could see very well. Anon
the house grew full, and the candles light, and the King and
Queene and all the ladies sat: and it was, indeed, a glorious
sight to see Mrs. Stewart in black and white lace, and her head
and shoulders dressed with diamonds, and the like many great
ladies more (only the Queene none;) and the King in his rich vest
of some rich silk and silver trimming, as the Duke of York and
all the dancers were, some of cloth of silver, and others of
other sorts, exceeding rich. Presently after the King was come
in, he took the Queene, and about fourteen more couple there was,
and begun the Bransles. As many of the men as I can remember
presently, were, the King, Duke of York, Prince Rupert, Duke of
Monmouth, Duke of Buckingham, Lord Douglas, Mr. Hamilton,
Colonell Russell, Mr. Griffith, Lord Ossory, Lord Rochester; and
of the ladies, the Queene, Duchesse of York, Mrs. Stewart,
Duchesse of Monmouth, Lady Essex Howard, [Only daughter of James
third Earl of Suffolk, by his first wife Susan, daughter of Henry
Rich Earl of Holland; afterwards married to Edward Lord Griffin
of Braybrooke. There is a portrait of her at Audley End, by
Lely.] Mrs. Temple, Swedes Embassadresse, Lady Arlington,
[Isabella, of Nassau, daughter of Lord Beverweert, natural son of
Prince Maurice. She was sister to the Countess of Ossory, and
mother of the first Duchess of Grafton.] Lord George Barkeley's
daughter, and many others I remember not; but all most
excellently dressed in rich petticoats and gowns, and dyamonds
and pearls. After the Bransles, then to a Corant, and now and
then a French dance; but that so rare that the Corants grew
tiresome, that I wished it done. Only Mrs. Stewart danced mighty
finely, and many French dances, specially one the King called the
New Dance, which was very pretty. But upon the whole matter, the
business of the dancing of itself was not extraordinary pleasing.
But the clothes and sight of the persons were indeed very
pleasing, and worth my coming, being never likely to see more
gallantry while I live, if I should come twenty times. Above
twelve at night it broke up. My Lady Castlemaine (without whom
all is nothing) being there very rich, though not dancing.

16th. This noon I met with Mr. Hooke, and he tells me the dog
which was filled with another dog's blood, at the College the
other day, is very well, and like to be so as ever, and doubts
not its being found of great use to men; and so do Dr. Whistler,
who dined with us at the tavern.

19th. To Barkeshire-house; [Belonging to the Earl of Berkshire:
afterwards purchased by Charles II., and presented to the Duchess
of Cleveland, it was then of great extent, and stood on or near
the site of Lord Stafford's present residence.] where my Lord
Chancellor hath been ever since the fire. Sir Thomas Crewe told
me how hot words grew again to-day in the House of Lords between
my Lord Ossory and Ashly, the former saying that something said
by the other was said like one of Oliver's Council. Ashly said
he must give him reparation, or he would take it his own way.
The House therefore did bring my Lord Ossory to confess his
fault, and ask pardon for it, as he did also to my Lord
Buckingham, for saying that something was not truth that my Lord
Buckingham had said.

20th. To church, it being thanksgiving-day for the cessation of
the plague; but, Lord! how the town do say that it is hastened
before the plague is quite over, there being some people still
ill of it, but only to get ground of plays to be publickly acted,
which the Bishops would not suffer till the plague was over; and
one would think so, by the suddenness of the notice given of the
day, which was last Sunday, and the little ceremony. By coach to
Barkeshire-house, and there did get a very great meeting; the
Duke of York being there, and much business done, though not in
proportion to the greatness of the business, and my Lord
Chancellor sleeping and snoring the greater part of the time.

21st. I to wait on Sir Philip Howard, whom I find dressing
himself in his night-gown and turban like a Turke, but one of the
finest persons that ever I saw in my life. He had several
gentlemen of his own waiting on him, and one playing finely on
the gittar. He discourses as well as ever I heard a man, in few
words and handsome. He expressed all kindness to Balty, when I
told him how sicke he is. He says that before he comes to be
mustered again, he must bring a certificate of his swearing the
oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and having taken the Sacrament
according to the rites of the Church of England. This, I
perceive, is imposed on all.

22nd. My Lord Brouncker did show me Hollar's new print of the
City, with a pretty representation of that part which is burnt,
very fine indeed; and tells me, that he was yesterday sworn the
King's servant, and that the King hath commanded him to go on
with his great map of the City, which he was upon before the City
was burned, like Gombout of Paris, which I am glad of. Mr.
Batelier tells me the news how the King of France hath in
defiance to the King of England caused all his footmen to be put
into vests, and that the noblemen of France will do the like;
which, if true, is the greatest indignity ever done by one Prince
to another, and would excite a stone to be revenged; and I hope
our King will, if it be so, as he tells me it is: being told by
one that come over from Paris with my Lady Fanshaw, (who is come
over with the dead body of her husband,) and that saw it before
he come away. This makes me mighty merry, it being an ingenious
kind of affront; but yet makes me angry, to see that the King of
England is become so little as to have the affront offered him.

23rd. I spoke with Sir G. Downing about our prisoners in Holland
and their being released; which he is concerned in, and most of
them are. Then discoursing of matters of the House of
Parliament, he tells me that it is not the fault of the House,
but the King's own party that have hindered the passing of the
Bill for money, by their popping in of new projects for raising
it: which is a strange thing; and mighty confident he is, that
what money is raised, will be raised and put into the same form
that the last was, to come into the Exchequer. And for aught I
see, I must confess I think it is the best way.

24th. With Sir J. Minnes by coach to Stepney to the Trinity
House, where it is kept again now since the burning of their
other house in London. And here a great many met at Sir Thomas
Allen's feast, of his being made an Elder Brother; but he is
sick, and so could not be there. Here was much good company, and
very merry ; but the discourse of Scotland it seems is confirmed,
and that they are 4000 of them in armes, and do declare for King
and Covenant, which is very ill news. I pray God deliver us from
the ill consequences we may justly fear from it. Sir Philip
Warwick I find is full of trouble in his mind to see how things
go, and what our wants are; and so I have no delight to trouble
him with discourse, though I honour the man with all my heart,
and I think him to be a very able right-honest man.

25th. To Sir G. Carteret's to dinner; where much company. Among
others, Mr. Carteret and my Lady Jemimah, and Mr. Ashburnham, the
great man; who is a pleasant man, and that hath seen much of the
world, and more of the Court. Into the Court, and attended there
till the Council met, and then was called in, and I read my
letter. My Lord Treasurer declared that the King had nothing to
give, till the Parliament did give him some money. So the King
did of himself bid me to declare to all that would take our
tallies for payment, that he should, soon as the Parliament's
money do come in, take back their tallies, and give them money:
which I giving him occasion to repeat to me (it coming from him
against the gre, I perceive, of my Lord Treasurer,) I was content
therewith and went out. All the talk of Scotland, where the
highest report I perceive, runs but upon three or four hundred in
armes. Here I saw Mrs. Stewart this afternoon, methought the
beautifullest creature that ever I saw in my life, more than ever
I thought her, so often as I have seen her and I do begin to
think do exceed my Lady Castlemaine, at least now. This being
St. Katherine'a day, the Queene was at masse by seven o'clock
this morning; and Mr. Ashburnham do say that he never saw any one
have so much zeale in his life as she hath: and (the question
being asked by my Lady Carteret,) much beyond the bigotry that
ever the old Queene-mother had. I spoke with Mr. May, [Hugh
May.] who tells me that the design of building the City do go on
apace, and by his description it will be mighty handsome, and to
the satisfaction of the people; but I pray God it come not out
too late. Mr. Ashburnham today, at dinner told how the rich
fortune Mrs. Mallett reports of her servants; that my Lord
Herbert [William Lord Herbert succeeded his father as (sixth)
Earl of Pembroke, 1669. Ob, unmarried 1674.] would have her; my
Lord Hinchingbroke was indifferent to have her; my Lord John
Butler [Seventh son of the Duke of Ormond, created 1676 Baron of
Aghrim, Viscount of Clonmore, and Earl of Gowran. Ob. 1677,
s. p.] not have her; my Lord of Rochester would have forced her,
and Sir -- Popham [Probably Sir Francis Popham, K.B.] (who
nevertheless is likely to have her), would do any thing to have
her.