Books: The Diary of Samuel Pepys

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17th. To Sir R. Viner's with 600 pieces of gold to turn into
silver, for the enabling me to answer Sir G. Carteret's 3000l.;
which he now draws all out of my hand towards the paying for a
purchase he hath made for his son and my Lady Jemimah, in
Northamptonshire, of Sir Samuel Luke, [Sir Samuel Luke was
(according to Granger) the original Hudibras of Butler.] in a
good place: a good house, and near all her friends; which is a
very happy thing.

19th. Great talk of the good end that my Lord Treasurer made;
closing his own eyes, and wetting his mouth, and bidding adieu
with the greatest content and freedom in the world: and is said
to die with the cleanest hands that ever any Lord Treasurer did.
Mr. How come to see us; and, among other things, told us how the
Barristers and Students of Gray's Inne rose in rebellion against
the Benchers the other day; who outlawed them, and a great deal
of do: but now they are at peace again.

20th. Among other news I hear that the Commissioners for the
Treasury were named by the King yesterday; but who they are
nobody could tell: but the persons are the Lord Chancellor, the
two Secretaries, Lord Ashly, and others say Sir W. Coventry and
Sir John Duncomb, but all conclude the Duke of Albemarle: but
reports do differ.

22nd. Up, and by water to White Hall to Sir G. Carteret, who
tells me now for certain how the Commission for the Treasury is
disposed of; viz. to Duke of Albemarle, Lord Ashly, Sir W.
Coventry, Sir John Duncomb, and Sir Thomas Clifford: at which,
he says, all the whole Court is disturbed; it having been once
concluded otherwise into the other hands formerly mentioned in
yesterday's notes, but all of a sudden the King's choice was
changed, and these are to be the men: the first of which is only
for a puppet to give honour to the rest. He do presage that
these men will make it their business to find faults in the
management of the late Lord Treasurer, and in discouraging the
bankers: but I am (whatever I in compliance do say to him) of
another mind, and my heart is very glad of it, for I do expect
they will do much good, and that it is the happiest thing that
hath appeared to me for the good of the nation since the King
come in. Thence to St. James's, and up to the Duke of York; and
there in his chamber Sir W. Coventry did of himself take notice
of this business of the Treasury, wherein he is in the
Commission, and desired that I would be thinking of any thing fit
for him to be acquainted with for the lessening of charge and
bettering of our credit, and what our expence hath been since the
King's coming home, which he believes will be one of the first
things they shall enquire into: which I promised him, and from
time to time, which he desires, give him an account of what I can
think of worthy his knowledge. I am mighty glad of this
opportunity of professing my joy to him in what choice the King
hath made, and the hopes I have that it will save the kingdom
from perishing: and how it do encourage me to take pains again,
after my having through despair neglected it! which he told me
of himself that it was so with him, that he had given himself up
to more ease than ever he expected, and that his opinion of
matters was so bad that there was no public employment in the
kingdom should have been accepted by him but this which the King
hath now given him; and therein he is glad, in hopes of the
service he may do therein; and in my conscience he will. So into
the Duke of York's closet, and there, among other things, Sir W.
Coventry did take notice of what he told me the other day, about
a report of Commissioner Pett's dealing for timber in the Navy
and selling it to us in other names; and besides his own proof,
did produce a paper I had given him this morning about it, in the
case of Widow Murford and Morecocke, which was so handled, that
the Duke of York grew very angry, and commanded us presently to
fall into the examination of it, saying that he would not trust a
man for his sake that lifts up the whites of his eyes. And it
was declared that if he be found to have done so, he should be
reckoned unfit to serve the Navy; and I do believe he will be
turned out: and it was, methought, a worthy saying of Sir W.
Coventry to the Duke of York, "Sir," says he, "I do not make this
complaint out of any disrespect to Commissioner Pett, but because
I do love to do these things fairly and openly." This day coming
from Westminster with W. Batten, we saw at White Hall stairs a
fisher-boat with a sturgeon that he had newly catched in the
River; which I saw, but it was but a little one; but big enough
to prevent my mistake of that for a colt, if ever I become Mayor
of Huntingdon.

23rd. Sir John Duncomb is sworn yesterday a Privy-councillor.
This day I hear also that last night the Duke of Kendall, [Henry
Stuart. Created Duke of Kendall, 1664.] second son of the Duke
of York, did die; and that the other, Duke of Cambridge,
continues very ill still.

26th. All our discourse about Brampton, and my intentions to
build there if I could be free of my engagement to my uncle
Thomas and his son, that they may not have what I have built
against my will in case of me and my brother's being without
heirs male; which is the true reason why I am against laying out
money upon that place, together with my fear of some
inconvenience by being so near Hinchingbroke; being obliged to be
a servant to that family, and subject to what expence they shall
call me; and to have all that I shall buy or do esteemed as got
by the death of my uncle, when indeed what I have from him is not
worth naming.

27th. The new Commissioners of the Treasury have chosen Sir G.
Downing for their Secretary: and I think in my conscience they
have done a great thing in it; for he is active and a man of
business, and values himself upon having of things do well under
his hand; so that I am mightily pleased in their choice. Abroad,
and stopped at Bear-garden stairs, there to see a prize fought.
But the house so full there was no getting in there, so forced to
go through an alehouse into the pit, where the bears are baited;
and upon a stool did see them fight, which they did very
furiously, a butcher and a waterman. The former had the better
all along till by and by the latter dropped his sword out of his
hand, and the butcher, whether not seeing his sword dropped I
know not, but did give him a cut over the wrist, so as he was
disabled to fight any longer. But, Lord! to see how in a minute
the whole stage was full of watermen to revenge the foul play,
and the butchers to defend their fellow, though most blamed him;
and there they all fell to it to knocking down and cutting many
on each side. It was pleasant to see, but that I stood in the
pit, and feared that in the tumult I might get some hurt. At
last the battle broke up, and so I away. The Duke of Cambridge
very ill still.

28th. Up, and by coach to St. James's, where I find Sir W.
Coventry desirous to have spoke with me. It was to read over a
draught of a letter which he hath made for his brother
Commissioners and him to sign to us, demanding an account of the
whole business of the Navy accounts; and I perceive, by the way
he goes about it, that they will do admirable things. He tells
me that they have chosen Sir G. Downing their Secretary, who will
be as fit a man as any in the world: and he said, by the by,
speaking of the banquers being fearful of Sir G. Downing's being
Secretary, he being their enemy, that they did not intend to be
ruled by their Secretary but do the business themselves. My
heart is glad to see so great hopes of good to the nation as will
be by these men; and it do me good to see Sir W. Coventry so
cheerfull as he now is on the same score. My wife away down with
Jane and W. Hewer to Woolwich, in order to a little ayre and to
lie there to night, and so to gather May-dew to-morrow morning,
which Mrs. Turner hath taught her is the only thing in the world
to wash her face with; and I am contented with it. I by water to
Fox-hall, and there walked in Spring-garden. A great deal of
company, and the weather and garden pleasant: and it is very
pleasant and cheap going thither, for a man may go to spend what
he will, or nothing, all as one. But to hear the nightingale and
other birds, and hear fiddles and there a harp, and here a Jew's
trump, and here laughing, and there fine people walking, is
mighty divertising.

29th. Our parson Mills having the offer of another benefice [The
Rectory of Wansted in Essex, to which he was presented.] by Sir
Robert Brookes, who was his tutor, he by my Lord Barkeley is made
one of the Duke's Chaplains, which qualifies him for two livings.
But to see how slightly such things are done, the Duke of York
only taking my Lord Barkeley's word upon saying, that we the
officers of the Navy do say that he is a good man and minister of
our parish, and the Duke of York admits him to kiss his hand, but
speaks not one word to him; but so a warrant will be drawn from
the Duke of York to qualify him, and there's an end of it.

30th. After dinner I walked to Arundell House, the way very
dusty, (the day of meeting of the Society being changed from
Wednesday to Thursday, which I knew not before, because the
Wednesday is a Council-day, and several of the Council are of the
Society, and would come but for their attending the King at
Council;) where I find very much company, in expectation of the
Duchesse of Newcastle, who had desired to be invited to the
Society; and was; after much debate PRO and CON, it seems many
being against it; and we do believe the town will be full of
ballads of it. Anon comes the Duchesse with her women attending
her; among others the Ferabosco, of whom so much talk is that her
lady would bid her show her face and kill the gallants. She is
indeed black, and hath good black little eyes, but otherwise a
very ordinary woman I do think, but they say sings well. The
Duchesse hath been a good, comely woman; but her dress so antick,
and her deportment so ordinary, that I do not like her at all,
nor did I hear her say any thing that was worth hearing, but that
she was full of admiration, all admiration. Several fine
experiments were shown her of colours, loadstones, microscopes,
and of liquors: among others, of one that did while she was
there turn a piece of roasted mutton into pure blood, which was
very rare. Here was Mrs. Moore of Cambridge, whom I had not seen
before, and I was glad to see her; as also a very black boy that
ran up and down the room, somebody's child in Arundell House.
After they had shown her many experiments, and she cried still
she was full of admiration, she departed, being led out and in by
several Lords that were there; among others, Lord George Barkeley
and Earl of Carlisle, [Charles Howard, created Earl of Carlisle
1661, employed on several Embassies, and Governor of Jamaica.
Ob. 1684.] and a very pretty young man, the Duke of Somerset.
[Francis fifth Duke of Somerset, murdered in Italy 1678.]

31st. At the Treasury chamber. Here I saw Duncomb look as big,
and take as much state on him, as if he had been born a lord.
Here I met, with Sir H. Cholmly, who tells me that he is told
this day by Secretary Morris that he believes we are, and shall
be only fooled by the French; and that the Dutch are very high
and insolent, and do look upon us as come over only to beg a
peace; which troubles me very much, and I do fear it is true.
Thence to Sir G. Carteret at his lodgings; who, I perceive, is
mightily displeased with this new Treasury; and he hath reason,
for it will eclipse him. And he tells me that my Lord Ashly says
they understand nothing; and he says he believes the King do not
intend they shall sit long. But I believe no such thing, but
that the King will find such benefit by them as he will desire to
have them continue, as we see he hath done in the late new Act
that was so much decried about the King; but yet the King hath
since permitted it, and found good by it. He says, and I
believe, that a great many persons at Court are angry at the rise
of this Duncomb, whose father, he tells me, was a long-Parliament
man, and a great Committee man; and this fellow used to carry his
papers to Committees after him: he was a kind of an atturny:
but for all this, I believe will be a great man, in spite of all.
In the evening home, and there to my unexpected satisfaction did
get my intricate accounts of interest (which have been of late
much perplexed by mixing of some moneys of Sir G. Carteret's with
mine) evened and set right: and so late to supper, and with
great quiet to bed; finding by the balance of my account that I
am creditor 6900l. for which the Lord of Heaven be praised!

JUNE 1, 1667. Up; and there comes to me Mr. Commander, whom I
employ about hiring of some ground behind the office, for the
building of me a stable and coach-house: for I do find it
necessary for me, both in respect of honour and the profit of it
also, (my expense in hackney-coaches being now so great), to keep
a coach, and therefore will do it. Having given him some
instructions about it, I to the office; where we have news that
our peace with Spain as to trade is wholly concluded, and we are
to furnish him with some men for Flanders against the French.
How that will agree with the French I know not; but they say that
he also hath liberty to get what men he pleases out of England.
But for the Spaniard, I hear that my Lord Castlehaven is raising
a regiment of 4000 men which he is to command there; and several
young gentlemen are going over in commands with him: and they
say the Duke of Monmouth is going over only as a traveller, not
to engage on either side, but only to see the campagne, which
will be becoming him much more: than to live as he now do.

3rd. Met Mr. Mills, our parson, whom I went back with to bring
him to Sir W. Coventry to give him the form of a qualification
for the Duke of York to sign to, to enable him to have two
livings; which was a service I did, but much against my will, for
a lazy, fat priest. Sir William Doyly did lay a wager with me,
the Treasurership would be in one hand (notwithstanding this
present Commission) before Christmas: on which we did lay a poll
of ling, a brace of carps, and a bottle of wine; and Sir W. Pen
and Mr. Scowen to be at the eating of them. Thence down by water
to Deptford, it being Trinity Monday, when the Master is chosen.
And so I down with them; and we had a good dinner of plain meat,
and good company at our table: among others my good Mr. Evelyn,
with whom after dinner I stepped aside and talked upon the
present posture of our affairs; which is, that the Dutch are
known to be abroad with eighty sail of ships of war, and twenty
fire-ships, and the French come into the Channell with twenty
sail of men-of-war, and five fire-ships, while we have not a ship
at sea to do them any hurt with, but are calling in all we can,
while our Embassadors are treating at Bredah, and the Dutch look
upon them as come to beg peace, and use them accordingly: and
all this through the negligence of our Prince, who had power, if
he would, to master all these with the money and men that he hath
had the command of, and may now have, if he would mind his
business. In the Treasury-chamber an hour or two, where we saw
the Country Receivers and Accountants come to attend; and one of
them a brisk young fellow (with his hat cocked like a fool
behind, as the present fashion among the blades is) committed to
the Serjeant. By and by I upon desire was called in, and
delivered in my Report of my Accounts. Present, Lord Ashly,
Clifford, and Duncomb. But I do like the way of these lords,
that they admit nobody to use many words, nor do they spend many
words themselves, but in great state do bear what they see
necessary, and say little themselves, but bid withdraw.

5th. Captain Perriman brings us word bow the Happy Returne's
crew below in the Hope, ordered to carry the Portugal Embassador
to Holland, (and the Embassador, I think, on board,) refuse to go
till paid; and by their example two or three more ships are in a
mutiny: which is a sad consideration, while so many of the
enemy's ships are at this day triumphing in the sea. Sir G.
Carteret showed me a gentleman coming by in his coach who hath
been sent for up out of Lincolnshire, (I think he says he is a
justice of peace there,) that the Council have laid by the heels
here, and here lies in a messenger's hands, for saying that a man
and his wife are but one person, and so ought to pay but 12d. for
both to the Poll Bill; by which others were led to do the like:
and so here he lies prisoner.

7th. With Mr. Townsend, whom I sent for to come to me to
discourse about my Lord Sandwich's business; (for whom I am in
some pain lest the Accounts of the Wardrobe may not be in so good
order as may please the new Lords' Treasurers, who are quick-
sighted, and under obligations of recommending themselves to the
King and the world by their finding and mending of faults, and
are most of them not the best friends to my Lord.)

8th. Up, and to the office, where all the news this morning is
that the Dutch are come with a fleet of eighty sail to Harwich,
and that guns were heard plain by Sir W. Rider's people at
Bednall-greene all yesterday even. The news is confirmed that
the Dutch are off Harwich, but had done nothing last night. The
King hath sent down my Lord of Oxford to raise the countries
there; and all the Western barges are taken up to make a bridge
over the river about the Hope for horse to cross the River, if
there be occasion.

9th. I hear that the Duke of Cambridge, who was given over long
since by the Doctors, is now likely to recover; for which God be
praised! To Sir W. Coventry, and there talked with him a great
while; and mighty glad I was of my good fortune to visit him, for
it keeps in my acquaintance with him, and the world sees it, and
reckons my interest accordingly. In comes my Lord Barkeley, who
is going down to Harwich also to look after the militia there:
and there is also the Duke of Monmouth, and with him a great many
young Hectors, the Lord Chesterfield, my Lord Mandeville, and
others; but to little purpose, I fear, but to debauch the country
women thereabouts. My Lord Barkeley wanting some maps, and Sir
W. Coventry recommending the six maps of England that are bound
up for the pocket, I did offer to present my Lord with them,
which he accepted; and so I will send them him. I find an order
come for the getting some fire-ships presently to annoy the
Dutch, who are in the King's Channel, and expected up higher.

10th. Up; and news brought us that the Dutch are come up as high
as the Nore; and more presing orders for fire-ships. W. Batten,
W. Pen, and I to St. James's; whence the Duke of York gone this
morning betimes, to send away some men down to Chatham. So we
then to White Hall, and meet Sir W. Coventry, who presses all
that is possible for fireships. So we three to the office
presently; and thither comes Sir Fretcheville Hollis, who is to
command them all in some exploits he is to do with them on the
enemy in the River. [Son of Fretcheville Hollis, of Grimsby
(Colonel of a regiment on the King's side during the Civil Wars,
in which he acquired considerable credit,) by his second wife
Elizabeth Molesworth, and himself a distinguished naval officer.
He lost an arm in the sea-fight 1665, and afterwards served as
Rear-Admiral under Sir R. Holmes, when they attacked the Smyrna
fleet. He fell in the battle of Southwold Bay, 1672, on board
the Cambridge. Although Mr. Pepys speaks slightingly of Sir F.
H. he was a man of high spirit and enterprise, and is thus
eulogised by Dryden in his ANNUS MIRABILIS.
"Young Hollis on a Muse by Mars begot,
Born, Caesar-like, to write and act great deeds,
Impatient to revenge his fatal shot,
His right hand doubly to his left succeeds."]
So we all down to Deptford, and pitched upon ships and set men at
work: but, Lord! to see how backwardly things move at this
pinch, notwithstanding that by the enemy's being now come up as
high as almost the Hope, Sir J. Minnes, who was gone down to pay
some ships there, hath sent up the money; and so we are possessed
of money to do what we will with. Yet partly ourselves, being
used to be idle and in despair, and partly people that have been
used to be deceived by us as to money won't believe us; and we
know not, though we have it, how almost to promise it; and our
wants such, and men out of the way, that it is an admirable thing
to consider how much the King suffers, and how necessary it is in
a State to keep the King's service always in a good posture and
credit. Down to Gravesend, where I find the Duke of Albemarle
just come, with a great many idle lords and gentlemen, with their
pistols and fooleries; and the bulworke not able to have stood
half an hour had they come up; but the Dutch are fallen down from
the Hope and Shell-haven as low as Sheerenesse, and we do plainly
at this time hear the guns play. Yet I do not find the Duke of
Albemarle intends to go thither, but stays here to-night, and
hath (though the Dutch are gone) ordered our frigates to be
brought to a line between the two block-houses; which I took then
to be a ridiculous thing. I find the town had removed most of
their goods out of the town, for fear of the Dutch coming up to
them; and from Sir John Griffen, that last night there was not
twelve men to be got in the town to defend it: which the master
of the house tells me is not true, but that the men of the town
did intend to stay, though they did indeed, and so had he (at the
Ship,) removed their goods. Thence went to an Ostend man-of-war
just now come up, who met the Dutch fleet, who took three ships
that he came convoying hither from him: says they are as low as
the Nore, or thereabouts.

11th. Brouncker come to us, who is just now going to Chatham
upon a desire of Commissioner Pett's, who is very fearful of the
Dutch, and desires help for God and the King and kingdom's sake.
So Brouncker goes down, and Sir J. Minnes also from Gravesend.
This morning Pett writes us word that Sheerenesse is lost last
night, after two or three hours' dispute. The enemy hath
possessed himself of that place; which is very sad, and puts us
into great fears of Chatham. Home, and there to our business,
hiring some fire-ships, and receiving every hour almost letters
from Sir W. Coventry, calling for more fire-ships: and an order
from Council to enable us to take any man's ships; and Sir W.
Coventry, in his letter to us, says he do not; doubt but at this
time (under an invasion, as he owns it to be) the King may by law
take any man's goods. At this business late, and then home;
where a great deal of serious talk with my wife about the sad
state we are in, and especially from the beating up of drums this
night for the train-bands upon pain of death to appear in arms
to-morrow morning, with bullet and powder, and money to supply
themselves with victuals for a fortnight: which, considering the
soldiers drawn out to Chatham and elsewhere, looks as if they had
a design to ruin the City and give it up to be undone; which, I
hear, makes the sober citizens to think very sadly of things.

12th. Up very betimes to our business at the office, their
hiring of more fire-ships; and at it close all the morning. At
noon home, and Sir W. Pen dined with us. By and by after dinner
my wife out by coach to see her mother; and I in another (being
afraid at this busy time to be seen with a woman in a coach, as
if I were idle) towards The. Turner's: but met Sir W. Coventry's
boy; and there in a letter find that; the Dutch had made no
motion since their taking Sheerenesse, and the Duke of Albemarle
writes that all is safe as to the great ships against any
assault, the bomb and chaine being so fortified: which put my
heart into great joy. When I come to Sir W. Coventry's chamber,
I find him abroad; but his clerk, Powell, do tell me that ill
news is come to Court of the Dutch breaking the Chaine at
Chatham; which struck me to the heart. And to White Hall to hear
the truth of it; and there going up the Park-stairs I did hear
some lacquies speaking of sad news come to Court, saying, there
is hardly any body in the Court but do look as if he cried. I
met Roger Pepys, newly come out of the country: in discourse he
told me that his grandfather, my great grandfather, had 800l. per
annum in Queene Elizabeth's time in the very town of Cottenham;
and that we did certainly come out of Scotland with the Abbot of
Crowland. Home, where all our hearts do now ake; for the news is
true that the Dutch have broke the chaine and burned our ships,
and particularly "The Royal Charles:" other particulars I know
not, but it is said to be so. And the truth is I do fear so much
that the whole kingdom is undone, that I do this night resolve to
study with my father and wife what to do with the little that I
have in money by me, for I give all the rest that I have in the
King's hands for Tangier for lost. So God help us! and God
knows what disorders we may fall into, and whether any violence
on this office, or perhaps some severity on our persons, as being
reckoned by the silly people, or perhaps may by policy of State
be thought fit to be condemned by the King and Duke of York, and
so put to trouble; though, God knows I have in my own person done
my full duty, I am sure.