1660-61. At the end of the last
and the beginning of this year, I do live in one of
the houses belonging to the Navy Office, as one of
the principal officers, and have done now about half
a year. After much trouble with workmen I am
now almost settled; my family being, myself, my wife,
Jane, Will. Hewer, and Wayneman, [Will
Wayneman appears by this to have been forgiven for
his theft (see ante). He was dismissed on July
8th, 1663.] my girle’s brother.
Myself in constant good health, and in a most handsome
and thriving condition. Blessed be Almighty God
for it. I am now taking of my sister to come and
live with me. As to things of State. The
King settled, and loved of all. The Duke of York
matched to my Lord Chancellor’s daughter, which
do not please many. The Queen upon her return
to France with the Princess Henrietta. The Princess
of Orange lately dead, and we into new mourning for
her. We have been lately frighted with a great
plot, and many taken up on it, and the fright not
quite over. The Parliament, which had done all
this great good to the King, beginning to grow factious,
the King did dissolve it December 29th last, and another
likely to be chosen speedily. I take myself now
to be worth L300 clear in money, and all my goods
and all manner of debts paid, which are none at all.
January 1st. Called up this morning
by Mr. Moore, who brought me my last things for me
to sign for the last month, and to my great comfort
tells me that my fees will come to L80 clear to myself,
and about L25 for him, which he hath got out of the
pardons, though there be no fee due to me at all out
of them. Then comes in my brother Thomas, and
after him my father, Dr. Thomas Pepys, my uncle Fenner
and his two sons (Anthony’s’ only child
dying this morning, yet he was so civil to come, and
was pretty merry) to breakfast; and I had for them
a barrel of oysters, a dish of neat’s tongues,
and a dish of anchovies, wine of all sorts, and Northdown
ale. We were very merry till about eleven o’clock,
and then they went away. At noon I carried my
wife by coach to my cozen, Thomas Pepys, where we,
with my father, Dr. Thomas, cozen Stradwick, Scott,
and their wives, dined. Here I saw first his
second wife, which is a very respectfull woman, but
his dinner a sorry, poor dinner for a man of his estate,
there being nothing but ordinary meat in it. To-day
the King dined at a lord’s, two doors from us.
After dinner I took my wife to Whitehall, I sent her
to Mrs. Pierces (where we should have dined today),
and I to the Privy Seal, where Mr. Moore took out all
his money, and he and I went to Mr. Pierces; in our
way seeing the Duke of York bring his Lady this day
to wait upon the Queen, the first time that ever she
did since that great business; and the Queen is said
to receive her now with much respect and love; and
there he cast up the fees, and I told the money, by
the same token one L100 bag, after I had told it,
fell all about the room, and I fear I have lost some
of it. That done I left my friends and went to
my Lord’s, but he being not come in I lodged
the money with Mr. Shepley, and bade good night to
Mr. Moore, and so returned to Mr. Pierces, and there
supped with them, and Mr. Pierce, the purser, and
his wife and mine, where we had a calf’s head
carboned,
[Meat cut crosswise and broiled was
said to be carboned. Falstaff says in “King
Henry iv.,” Part L, act v., s, “Well,
if Percy be alive, I’ll pierce him.
If he do come in my way, so; if he do not, if
I come in his willingly, let him make a carbonado of
me.”]
but it was raw, we could not eat it,
and a good hen. But she is such a slut that I
do not love her victualls. After supper I sent
them home by coach, and I went to my Lord’s
and there played till 12 at night at cards at Best
with J. Goods and N. Osgood, and then to bed with Mr.
Shepley.
2d. Up early, and being called
up to my Lord he did give me many commands in his
business. As about taking care to write to my
uncle that Mr. Barnewell’s papers should be
locked up, in case he should die, he being now suspected
to be very ill. Also about consulting with Mr.
W. Montagu for the settling of the L4000 a-year that
the King had promised my Lord. As also about
getting of Mr. George Montagu to be chosen at Huntingdon
this next Parliament, &c. That done he to White
Hall stairs with much company, and I with him; where
we took water for Lambeth, and there coach for Portsmouth.
The Queen’s things were all in White Hall Court
ready to be sent away, and her Majesty ready to be
gone an hour after to Hampton Court to-night, and
so to be at Ports mouth on Saturday next. I by
water to my office, and there all the morning, and
so home to dinner, where I found Pall (my sister)
was come; but I do not let her sit down at table with
me, which I do at first that she may not expect it
hereafter from me. After dinner I to Westminster
by water, and there found my brother Spicer at the
Leg with all the rest of the Exchequer men (most of
whom I now do not know) at dinner. Here I staid
and drank with them, and then to Mr. George Montagu
about the business of election, and he did give me
a piece in gold; so to my Lord’s and got the
chest of plate brought to the Exchequer, and my brother
Spicer put it into his treasury. So to Will’s
with them to a pot of ale, and so parted. I took
a turn in the Hall, and bought the King and Chancellor’s
speeches at the dissolving the Parliament last Saturday.
So to my Lord’s, and took my money I brought
’thither last night and the silver candlesticks,
and by coach left the latter at Alderman Backwell’s,
I having no use for them, and the former home.
There stood a man at our door, when I carried it in,
and saw me, which made me a little afeard. Up
to my chamber and wrote letters to Huntingdon and did
other business. This day I lent Sir W. Batten
and Captn. Rider my chine of beef for to serve
at dinner tomorrow at Trinity House, the Duke of Albemarle
being to be there and all the rest of the Brethren,
it being a great day for the reading over of their
new Charter, which the King hath newly given them.
3d. Early in the morning to the
Exchequer, where I told over what money I had of my
Lord’s and my own there, which I found to be
L970. Thence to Will’s, where Spicer and
I eat our dinner of a roasted leg of pork which Will
did give us, and after that to the Theatre, where was
acted “Beggars’ Bush,” it being
very well done; and here the first time that ever
I saw women come upon the stage.
[Downes does not give the cast of this
play. After the Restoration the acting
of female characters by women became common.
The first English professional actress was Mrs.
Coleman, who acted Ianthe in Davenant’s
“Siege of Rhodes,” at Rutland House in
1656.]
From thence to my father’s,
where I found my mother gone by Bird, the carrier,
to Brampton, upon my uncle’s great desire, my
aunt being now in despair of life. So home.
4th. Office all the morning,
my wife and Pall being gone to my father’s to
dress dinner for Mr. Honiwood, my mother being gone
out of town. Dined at home, and Mr. Moore with
me, with whom I had been early this morning at White
Hall, at the Jewell Office,
[Several of the Jewel Office rolls
are in the British Museum. They recite
all the sums of money given to the King, and the particulars
of all the plate distributed in his name, as well
as gloves and sweetmeats. The Museum possesses
these rolls for the 4th, 9th, 18th, 30th, and
31st Eliz.; for the 13th Charles I.; and the 23rd,
24th, 26th, and 27th of Charles ii. B.]
to choose a piece of gilt plate for
my Lord, in return of his offering to the King (which
it seems is usual at this time of year, and an Earl
gives twenty pieces in gold in a purse to the King).
I chose a gilt tankard, weighing 31 ounces and a half,
and he is allowed 30; so I paid 12s. for the ounce
and half over what he is to have; but strange it was
for me to see what a company of small fees I was called
upon by a great many to pay there, which, I perceive,
is the manner that courtiers do get their estates.
After dinner Mr. Moore and I to the Theatre, where
was “The Scornful Lady,” acted very well,
it being the first play that ever he saw. Thence
with him to drink a cup of ale at Hercules Pillars,
and so parted. I called to see my father, who
told me by the way how Will and Mary Joyce do live
a strange life together, nothing but fighting, &c.,
so that sometimes her father has a mind to have them
divorced. Thence home.
5th. Home all the morning.
Several people came to me about business, among others
the great Tom Fuller, who came to desire a kindness
for a friend of his, who hath a mind to go to Jamaica
with these two ships that are going, which I promised
to do. So to Whitehall to my Lady, whom I found
at dinner and dined with her, and staid with her talking
all the afternoon, and thence walked to Westminster
Hall. So to Will’s, and drank with Spicer,
and thence by coach home, staying a little in Paul’s
Churchyard, to bespeak Ogilby’s AEsop’s
Fables and Tully’s Officys to be bound for me.
So home and to bed.
6th (Lord’s day). My wife
and I to church this morning, and so home to dinner
to a boiled leg of mutton all alone. To church
again, where, before sermon, a long Psalm was set
that lasted an hour, while the sexton gathered his
year’s contribución through the whole church.
After sermon home, and there I went to my chamber
and wrote a letter to send to Mr. Coventry, with a
piece of plate along with it, which I do preserve
among my other letters. So to supper, and thence
after prayers to bed.
7th. This morning, news was brought
to me to my bedside, that there had been a great stir
in the City this night by the Fanatiques, who
had been up and killed six or seven men, but all are
fled.
["A great rising in the city of the
Fifth-monarchy men, which did very much disturb
the peace and liberty of the people, so that all the
train-bands arose in arms, both in London and Westminster,
as likewise all the king’s guards; and
most of the noblemen mounted, and put all their
servants on coach horses, for the defence of his Majesty,
and the peace of his kingdom.” Rugge’s
Diurnal. The notorious Thomas Venner, the
Fifth-monarchy man, a cooper and preacher to
a conventicle in Swan Alley, Coleman Street, with a
small following (about fifty in number) took arms
on the 6th January for the avowed purpose of
establishing the Millennium. He was a violent
enthusiast, and persuaded his followers that they were
invulnerable. After exciting much alarm
in the City, and skirmishing with the Trained
Bands, they marched to Caen Wood. They were
driven out by a party of guards, but again entered
the City, where they were overpowered by the
Trained Bands. The men were brought to
trial and condemned; four, however, were acquitted
and two reprieved. The execution of some
of these men is mentioned by Pepys under date
January 19th and 21st. “A Relation of the
Arraignment and Trial of those who made the late
Rebellious Insurrections in London, 1661,”
is reprinted in “Somers Tracts,” vol.
vii. (1812), .]
My Lord Mayor and the whole City had
been in arms, above 40,000. To the office, and
after that to dinner, where my brother Tom came and
dined with me, and after dinner (leaving 12d. with
the servants to buy a cake with at night, this day
being kept as Twelfth day) Tom and I and my wife to
the Theatre, and there saw “The Silent Woman.”
The first time that ever I did see it, and it is an
excellent play. Among other things here, Kinaston,
the boy; had the good turn to appear in three shapes:
first, as a poor woman in ordinary clothes, to please
Morose; then in fine clothes, as a gallant, and in
them was clearly the prettiest woman in the whole
house, and lastly, as a man; and then likewise did
appear the handsomest man in the house. From
thence by link to my cozen Stradwick’s, where
my father and we and Dr. Pepys, Scott, and his wife,
and one Mr. Ward and his; and after a good supper,
we had an excellent cake, where the mark for the Queen
was cut, and so there was two queens, my wife and
Mrs. Ward; and the King being lost, they chose the
Doctor to be King, so we made him send for some wine,
and then home, and in our way home we were in many
places strictly examined, more than in the worst of
times, there being great fears of these Fanatiques
rising again: for the present I do not hear that
any of them are taken. Home, it being a clear
moonshine and after 12 o’clock at night.
Being come home we found that my people had been very
merry, and my wife tells me afterwards that she had
heard that they had got young Davis and some other
neighbours with them to be merry, but no harm.
8th. My wife and I lay very long
in bed to-day talking and pleasing one another in
discourse. Being up, Mr. Warren came, and he and
I agreed for the deals that my Lord is to, have.
Then Will and I to Westminster, where I dined with
my Lady. After dinner I took my Lord Hinchinbroke
and Mr. Sidney to the Theatre, and shewed them “The
Widdow,” an indifferent good play, but wronged
by the women being to seek in their parts. That
being done, my Lord’s coach waited for us, and
so back to my Lady’s, where she made me drink
of some Florence wine, and did give me two bottles
for my wife. From thence walked to my cozen Stradwick’s,
and there chose a small banquet and some other things
against our entertainment on Thursday next. Thence
to Tom Pepys and bought a dozen of trenchers, and
so home. Some talk to-day of a head of Fanatiques
that do appear about Barnett, but I do not believe
it. However, my Lord Mayor, Sir Richd. Browne,
hath carried himself very honourably, and hath caused
one of their meeting-houses in London to be pulled
down.
9th. Waked in the morning about
six o’clock, by people running up and down in
Mr. Davis’s house, talking that the Fanatiques
were up in arms in the City. And so I rose and
went forth; where in the street I found every body
in arms at the doors. So I returned (though with
no good courage at all, but that I might not seem
to be afeared), and got my sword and pistol, which,
however, I had no powder to charge; and went to the
door, where I found Sir R. Ford, and with him I walked
up and down as far as the Exchange, and there I left
him. In our way, the streets full of Train-band,
and great stories, what mischief these rogues have
done; and I think near a dozen have been killed this
morning on both sides. Seeing the city in this
condition, the shops shut, and all things in trouble,
I went home and sat, it being office day, till noon.
So home, and dined at home, my father with me, and
after dinner he would needs have me go to my uncle
Wight’s (where I have been so long absent that
I am ashamed to go). I found him at home and his
wife, and I can see they have taken my absence ill,
but all things are past and we good friends, and here
I sat with my aunt till it was late, my uncle going
forth about business. My aunt being very fearful
to be alone. So home to my lute till late, and
then to bed, there being strict guards all night in
the City, though most of the enemies, they say, are
killed or taken. This morning my wife and Pall
went forth early, and I staid within.
10th. There comes Mr. Hawley
to me and brings me my money for the quarter of a
year’s salary of my place under Downing that
I was at sea. So I did give him half, whereof
he did in his nobleness give the odd 5s, to my Jane.
So we both went forth (calling first to see how Sir
W. Pen do, whom I found very ill), and at the Hoop
by the bridge we drank two pints of wormwood and sack.
Talking of his wooing afresh of Mrs. Lane, and of
his going to serve the Bishop of London. Thence
by water to Whitehall, and found my wife at Mrs. Hunt’s.
Leaving her to dine there, I went and dined with my
Lady, and staid to talk a while with her. After
dinner Will. comes to tell me that he had presented
my piece of plate to Mr. Coventry, who takes it very
kindly, and sends me a very kind letter, and the plate
back again; of which my heart is very glad. So
to Mrs. Hunt, where I found a Frenchman, a lodger
of hers, at dinner, and just as I came in was kissing
my wife, which I did not like, though there could
not be any hurt in it. Thence by coach to my Uncle
Wight’s with my wife, but they being out of
doors we went home, where, after I had put some papers
in order and entered some letters in my book which
I have a mind to keep, I went with my wife to see
Sir W. Pen, who we found ill still, but he do make
very much of it. Here we sat a great while, at
last comes in Mr. Davis and his lady (who takes it
very ill that my wife never did go to see her), and
so we fell to talk. Among other things Mr. Davis
told us the particular examinations of these Fanatiques
that are taken: and in short it is this, of all
these Fanatiques that have done all this,
viz., routed all the Trainbands that they met
with, put the King’s life-guards to the run,
killed about twenty men, broke through the City gates
twice; and all this in the day-time, when all the City
was in arms; are not in all about 31. Whereas
we did believe them (because they were seen up and
down in every place almost in the City, and had been
about Highgate two or three days, and in several other
places) to be at least 500. A thing that never
was heard of, that so few men should dare and do so
much mischief. Their word was, “The King
Jesus, and the heads upon the gates.” Few
of them would receive any quarter, but such as were
taken by force and kept alive; expecting Jesus to
come here and reign in the world presently, and will
not believe yet but their work will be carried on
though they do die. The King this day came to
town.
11th. Office day. This day
comes news, by letters from Portsmouth, that the Princess
Henrietta is fallen sick of the meazles on board the
London, after the Queen and she was under sail.
And so was forced to come back again into Portsmouth
harbour; and in their way, by negligence of the pilot,
run upon the Horse sand. The Queen and she continue
aboard, and do not intend to come on shore till she
sees what will become of the young Princess.
This news do make people think something indeed, that
three of the Royal Family should fall sick of the same
disease, one after another. This morning likewise,
we had order to see guards set in all the King’s
yards; and so we do appoint who and who should go
to them. Sir Wm. Batten to Chatham, Colonel Slingsby
and I to Deptford and Woolwich. Portsmouth being
a garrison, needs none. Dined at home, discontented
that my wife do not go neater now she has two maids.
After dinner comes in Kate Sterpin (whom we had not
seen a great while) and her husband to see us, with
whom I staid a while, and then to the office, and
left them with my wife. At night walked to Paul’s
Churchyard, and bespoke some books against next week,
and from thence to the Coffeehouse, where I met Captain
Morrice, the upholster, who would fain have lent me
a horse to-night to have rid with him upon the Cityguards,
with the Lord Mayor, there being some new expectations
of these rogues; but I refused by reason of my going
out of town tomorrow. So home to bed.
12th. With Colonel Slingsby and
a friend of his, Major Waters (a deaf and most amorous
melancholy gentleman, who is under a despayr in love,
as the Colonel told me, which makes him bad company,
though a most good-natured man), by water to Redriffe,
and so on foot to Deptford (our servants by water),
where we fell to choosing four captains to command
the guards, and choosing the places where to keep them,
and other things in order thereunto. We dined
at the Globe, having our messenger with us to take
care for us. Never till now did I see the great
authority of my place, all the captains of the fleet
coming cap in hand to us. Having staid very late
there talking with the Colonel, I went home with Mr.
Davis, storekeeper (whose wife is ill and so I could
not see her), and was there most prince-like lodged,
with so much respect and honour that I was at a loss
how to behave myself.
13th. In the morning we all went
to church, and sat in the pew belonging to us, where
a cold sermon of a young man that never had preached
before. Here Commissioner came with his wife and
daughters, the eldest being his wife’s daughter
is a very comely black woman. [The old
expression for a brunette.] So to the Globe
to dinner, and then with Commissioner Pett to his
lodgings there (which he hath for the present while
he is building the King’s yacht, which will be
a pretty thing, and much beyond the Dutchman’s),
and from thence with him and his wife and daughter-in-law
by coach to Greenwich Church, where a good sermon,
a fine church, and a great company of handsome women.
After sermon to Deptford again; where, at the Commissioner’s
and the Globe, we staid long. And so I to Mr.
Davis’s to bed again. But no sooner in bed,
but we had an alarm, and so we rose: and the
Comptroller comes into the Yard to us; and seamen
of all the ships present repair to us, and there we
armed with every one a handspike, with which they
were as fierce as could be. At last we hear that
it was only five or six men that did ride through
the guard in the town, without stopping to the guard
that was there; and, some say, shot at them.
But all being quiet there, we caused the seamen to
go on board again: And so we all to bed (after
I had sat awhile with Mr. Davis in his study, which
is filled with good books and some very good song
books) I likewise to bed.
14th. The arms being come this
morning from the Tower, we caused them to be distributed.
I spent much time walking with Lieutenant Lambert,
walking up and down the yards, who did give me much
light into things there, and so went along with me
and dined with us. After dinner Mrs. Pett, her
husband being gone this morning with Sir W. Batten
to Chatham, lent us her coach, and carried us to Woolwich,
where we did also dispose of the arms there and settle
the guards. So to Mr. Pett’s, the shipwright,
and there supped, where he did treat us very handsomely
(and strange it is to see what neat houses all the
officers of the King’s yards have), his wife
a proper woman, and has been handsome, and yet has
a very pretty hand. Thence I with Mr. Ackworth
to his house, where he has a very pretty house, and
a very proper lovely woman to his wife, who both sat
with me in my chamber, and they being gone, I went
to bed, which was also most neat and fine.
15th. Up and down the yard all
the morning and seeing the seamen exercise, which
they do already very handsomely. Then to dinner
at Mr. Ackworth’s, where there also dined with
us one Captain Bethell, a friend of the Comptroller’s.
A good dinner and very handsome. After that and
taking our leaves of the officers of the yard, we walked
to the waterside and in our way walked into the rope-yard,
where I do look into the tar-houses and other places,
and took great notice of all the several works belonging
to the making of a cable. So after a cup of burnt
wine [Burnt wine was somewhat similar to
mulled wine, and a favourite drink] at
the tavern there, we took barge and went to Blackwall
and viewed the dock and the new Wet dock, which is
newly made there, and a brave new merchantman which
is to be launched shortly, and they say to be called
the Royal Oak. Hence we walked to Dick-Shore,
and thence to the Towre and so home. Where I
found my wife and Pall abroad, so I went to see Sir
W. Pen, and there found Mr. Coventry come to see him,
and now had an opportunity to thank him, and he did
express much kindness to me. I sat a great while
with Sir Wm. after he was gone, and had much talk
with him. I perceive none of our officers care
much for one another, but I do keep in with them all
as much as I can. Sir W. Pen is still very ill
as when I went. Home, where my wife not yet come
home, so I went up to put my papers in order, and
then was much troubled my wife was not come, it being
10 o’clock just now striking as I write this
last line. This day I hear the Princess is recovered
again. The King hath been this afternoon at Deptford,
to see the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building,
which will be very pretty; as also that that his brother
at Woolwich is in making. By and by comes in my
boy and tells me that his mistress do lie this night
at Mrs. Hunt’s, who is very ill, with which
being something satisfied, I went to bed.
16th. This morning I went early
to the Comptroller’s and so with him by coach
to Whitehall, to wait upon Mr. Coventry to give him
an account of what we have done, which having done,
I went away to wait upon my Lady; but coming to her
lodgings I find that she is gone this morning to Chatham
by coach, thinking to meet me there, which did trouble
me exceedingly, and I did not know what to do, being
loth to follow her, and yet could not imagine what
she would do when she found me not there. In
this trouble, I went to take a walk in Westminster
Hall and by chance met with Mr. Child, who went forth
with my Lady to-day, but his horse being bad, he come
back again, which then did trouble me more, so that
I did resolve to go to her; and so by boat home and
put on my boots, and so over to Southwarke to the
posthouse, and there took horse and guide to Dartford
and thence to Rochester (I having good horses and good
way, come thither about half-an-hour after daylight,
which was before 6 o’clock and I set forth after
two), where I found my Lady and her daughter Jem.,
and Mrs. Browne’ and five servants, all at a
great loss, not finding me here, but at my coming
she was overjoyed. The sport was how she had
intended to have kept herself unknown, and how the
Captain (whom she had sent for) of the Charles had
forsoothed
[To forsooth is to address
in a polite and ceremonious manner.
“Your city-mannerly
word forsooth, use it not too often in any
case.” Ben
Jonson’s Poetaster, act iv., sc. 1.]
her, though he knew her well and she
him. In fine we supped merry and so to bed, there
coming several of the Charles’s men to see me
before, I got to bed. The page lay with me.
17th. Up, and breakfast with
my Lady. Then come Captains Cuttance and Blake
to carry her in the barge on board; and so we went
through Ham Creeke to the Soverayne (a goodly sight
all the way to see the brave ships that lie here)
first, which is a most noble ship. I never saw
her before. My Lady Sandwich, my Lady Jemimah,
Mrs. Browne, Mrs. Grace, and Mary and the page, my
lady’s servants and myself, all went into the
lanthorn together. From thence to the Charles,
where my lady took great pleasure to see all the rooms,
and to hear me tell her how things are when my Lord
is there. After we had seen all, then the officers
of the ship had prepared a handsome breakfast for
her, and while she was pledging my Lord’s health
they give her five guns. That done, we went off,
and then they give us thirteen guns more. I confess
it was a great pleasure to myself to see the ship
that I begun my good fortune in. From thence
on board the Newcastle, to show my Lady the difference
between a great and a small ship. Among these
ships I did give away L7. So back again and went
on shore at Chatham, where I had ordered the coach
to wait for us. Here I heard that Sir William
Batten and his lady (who I knew were here, and did
endeavour to avoyd) were now gone this morning to
London. So we took coach, and I went into the
coach, and went through the town, without making stop
at our inn, but left J. Goods to pay the reckoning.
So I rode with my lady in the coach, and the page on
the horse that I should have rid on he
desiring it. It begun to be dark before we could
come to Dartford, and to rain hard, and the horses
to fayle, which was our great care to prevent, for
fear of my Lord’s displeasure, so here we sat
up for to-night, as also Captains Cuttance and Blake,
who came along with us. We sat and talked till
supper, and at supper my Lady and I entered into a
great dispute concerning what were best for a man
to do with his estate whether to make his
elder son heir, which my Lady is for, and I against,
but rather to make all equall. This discourse
took us much time, till it was time to go to bed;
but we being merry, we bade my Lady goodnight, and
intended to have gone to the Post-house to drink,
and hear a pretty girl play of the cittern (and indeed
we should have lain there, but by a mistake we did
not), but it was late, and we could not hear her,
and the guard came to examine what we were; so we
returned to our Inn and to bed, the page and I in
one bed, and the two captains in another, all in one
chamber, where we had very good mirth with our most
abominable lodging.
18th. The Captains went with
me to the post-house about 9 o’clock, and after
a morning draft I took horse and guide for London;
and through some rain, and a great wind in my face,
I got to London at eleven o’clock. At home
found all well, but the monkey loose, which did anger
me, and so I did strike her till she was almost dead,
that they might make her fast again, which did still
trouble me more. In the afternoon we met at the
office and sat till night, and then I to see my father
who I found well, and took him to Standing’s’
to drink a cup of ale. He told me my aunt at
Brampton is yet alive and my mother well there.
In comes Will Joyce to us drunk, and in a talking
vapouring humour of his state, and I know not what,
which did vex me cruelly. After him Mr. Hollier
had learned at my father’s that I was here (where
I had appointed to meet him) and so he did give me
some things to take for prevention. Will Joyce
not letting us talk as I would I left my father and
him and took Mr. Hollier to the Greyhound, where he
did advise me above all things, both as to the stone
and the decay of my memory (of which I now complain
to him), to avoid drinking often, which I am resolved,
if I can, to leave off. Hence home, and took
home with me from the bookseller’s Ogilby’s
AEsop, which he had bound for me, and indeed I am very
much pleased with the book. Home and to bed.
19th. To the Comptroller’s,
and with him by coach to White Hall; in our way meeting
Venner and Pritchard upon a sledge, who with two more
Fifth Monarchy men were hanged to-day, and the two
first drawn and quartered. Where we walked up
and down, and at last found Sir G. Carteret, whom
I had not seen a great while, and did discourse with
him about our assisting the Commissioners in paying
off the Fleet, which we think to decline. Here
the Treasurer did tell me that he did suspect Thos.
Hater to be an informer of them in this work, which
we do take to be a diminution of us, which do trouble
me, and I do intend to find out the truth. Hence
to my Lady, who told me how Mr. Hetley is dead of the
small-pox going to Portsmouth with my Lord. My
Lady went forth to dinner to her father’s, and
so I went to the Leg in King Street and had a rabbit
for myself and my Will, and after dinner I sent him
home and myself went to the Theatre, where I saw “The
Lost Lady,” which do not please me much.
Here I was troubled to be seen by four of our office
clerks, which sat in the half-crown box and I in the
1d. From thence by link, and bought two mouse
traps of Thomas Pepys, the Turner, and so went and
drank a cup of ale with him, and so home and wrote
by post to Portsmouth to my Lord and so to bed.
20th (Lord’s day). To Church
in the morning. Dined at home. My wife and
I to Church in the afternoon, and that being done we
went to see my uncle and aunt Wight. There I
left my wife and came back, and sat with Sir W. Pen,
who is not yet well again. Thence back again to
my wife and supped there, and were very merry and
so home, and after prayers to write down my journall
for the last five days, and so to bed.
21st. This morning Sir W. Batten,
the Comptroller and I to Westminster, to the Commissioners
for paying off the Army and Navy, where the Duke of
Albemarle was; and we sat with our hats on, and did
discourse about paying off the ships and do find that
they do intend to undertake it without our help; and
we are glad of it, for it is a work that will much
displease the poor seamen, and so we are glad to have
no hand in it. From thence to the Exchequer,
and took L200 and carried it home, and so to the office
till night, and then to see Sir W. Pen, whither came
my Lady Batten and her daughter, and then I sent for
my wife, and so we sat talking till it was late.
So home to supper and then to bed, having eat no dinner
to-day. It is strange what weather we have had
all this winter; no cold at all; but the ways are
dusty, and the flyes fly up and down, and the rose-bushes
are full of leaves, such a time of the year as was
never known in this world before here. This day
many more of the Fifth Monarchy men were hanged.
22nd. To the Comptroller’s
house, where I read over his proposals to the Lord
Admiral for the regulating of the officers of the Navy,
in which he hath taken much pains, only he do seem
to have too good opinion of them himself. From
thence in his coach to Mercer’s Chappell, and
so up to the great hall, where we met with the King’s
Councell for Trade, upon some proposals of theirs
for settling convoys for the whole English trade,
and that by having 33 ships (four fourth-rates, nineteen
fifths, ten sixths) settled by the King for that purpose,
which indeed was argued very finely by many persons
of honour and merchants that were there. It pleased
me much now to come in this condition to this place,
where I was once a petitioner for my exhibition in
Paul’s School; and also where Sir G. Downing
(my late master) was chairman, and so but equally concerned
with me. From thence home, and after a little
dinner my wife and I by coach into London, and bought
some glasses, and then to Whitehall to see Mrs. Fox,
but she not within, my wife to my mother Bowyer, and
I met with Dr. Thomas Fuller, and took him to the
Dog, where he tells me of his last and great book
that is coming out: that is, his History of all
the Families in England;’ and could tell me more
of my own, than I knew myself. And also to what
perfection he hath now brought the art of memory;
that he did lately to four eminently great scholars
dictate together in Latin, upon different subjects
of their proposing, faster than they were able to
write, till they were tired; and by the way in discourse
tells me that the best way of beginning a sentence,
if a man should be out and forget his last sentence
(which he never was), that then his last refuge is
to begin with an Utcunque. From thence I
to Mr. Bowyer’s, and there sat a while, and
so to Mr. Fox’s, and sat with them a very little
while, and then by coach home, and so to see Sir Win.
Pen, where we found Mrs. Martha Batten and two handsome
ladies more, and so we staid supper and were very
merry, and so home to bed.
23rd. To the office all the morning.
My wife and people at home busy to get things ready
for tomorrow’s dinner. At noon, without
dinner, went into the City, and there meeting with
Greatorex, we went and drank a pot of ale. He
told me that he was upon a design to go to Teneriffe
to try experiments there. With him to Gresham
Colledge
[Gresham College occupied the house
of Sir Thomas Gresham, in Bishopsgate Street,
from 1596, when Lady Gresham, Sir Thomas’s widow,
died. The meeting which Pepys attended was an
early one of the Royal Society, which was incorporated
by royal charter in 1663.]
(where I never was before), and saw
the manner of the house, and found great company of
persons of honour there; thence to my bookseller’s,
and for books, and to Stevens, the silversmith, to
make clean some plate against to-morrow, and so home,
by the way paying many little debts for wine and pictures,
&c., which is my great pleasure. Home and found
all things in a hurry of business, Slater, our messenger,
being here as my cook till very late. I in my
chamber all the evening looking over my Osborn’s
works and new Emanuel Thesaurus Patriarchae.
So late to bed, having ate nothing to-day but a piece
of bread and cheese at the ale-house with Greatorex,
and some bread and butter at home.
24th. At home all day. There
dined with me Sir William Batten and his lady and
daughter, Sir W. Pen, Mr. Fox (his lady being ill could
not come), and Captain Cuttance; the first dinner
I have made since I came hither. This cost me
above L5, and merry we were only my chimney
smokes. In the afternoon Mr. Hater bringing me
my last quarter’s salary, which I received of
him, and so I have now Mr. Barlow’s money in
my hands. The company all go away, and by and
by Sir Wms. both and my Lady Batten and his daughter
come again and supped with me and talked till late,
and so to bed, being glad that the trouble is over.
25th. At the office all the morning.
Dined at home and Mr. Hater with me, and so I did
make even with him for the last quarter. After
dinner he and I to look upon the instructions of my
Lord Northumberland’s, but we were interrupted
by Mr. Salisbury’s coming in, who came to see
me and to show me my Lord’s picture in little,
of his doing. And truly it is strange to what
a perfection he is come in a year’s time.
From thence to Paul’s Churchyard about books,
and so back again home. This night comes two
cages, which I bought this evening for my canary birds,
which Captain Rooth this day sent me. So to bed.
26th. Within all the morning.
About noon comes one that had formerly known me and
I him, but I know not his name, to borrow L5 of me,
but I had the wit to deny him. There dined with
me this day both the Pierces’ and their wives,
and Captain Cuttance, and Lieutenant Lambert, with
whom we made ourselves very merry by taking away his
ribbans and garters, having made him to confess that
he is lately married. The company being gone
I went to my lute till night, and so to bed.
27th (Lord’s day). Before
I rose, letters come to me from Portsmouth, telling
me that the Princess is now well, and my Lord Sandwich
set sail with the Queen and her yesterday from thence
for France. To church, leaving my wife sick....
at home, a poor dull sermon of a stranger. Home,
and at dinner was very angry at my people’s eating
a fine pudding (made me by Slater, the cook, last
Thursday) without my wife’s leave. To church
again, a good sermon of Mr. Mills, and after sermon
Sir W. Pen and I an hour in the garden talking, and
he did answer me to many things, I asked Mr. Coventry’s
opinion of me, and Sir W. Batten’s of my Lord
Sandwich, which do both please me. Then to Sir
W. Batten’s, where very merry, and here I met
the Comptroller and his lady and daughter (the first
time I ever saw them) and Mrs. Turner, who and her
husband supped with us here (I having fetched my wife
thither), and after supper we fell to oysters, and
then Mr. Turner went and fetched some strong waters,
and so being very merry we parted, and home to bed.
This day the parson read a proclamation at church,
for the keeping of Wednesday next, the 30th of January,
a fast for the murther of the late King.
28th. At the office all the morning;
dined at home, and after dinner to Fleet Street, with
my sword to Mr. Brigden (lately made Captain of the
Auxiliaries) to be refreshed, and with him to an ale-house,
where I met Mr. Davenport; and after some talk of
Cromwell, Ireton and Bradshaw’s bodies being
taken out of their graves to-day,
["The bodies of Oliver Cromwell, Henry
Ireton, John Bradshaw, and Thomas Pride, were
dug up out of their graves to be hanged at Tyburn,
and buried under the gallows. Cromwell’s
vault having been opened, the people crowded
very much to see him.” Rugge’s
Diurnal.]
I went to Mr. Crew’s and thence
to the Theatre, where I saw again “The Lost
Lady,” which do now please me better than before;
and here I sitting behind in a dark place, a lady
spit backward upon me by a mistake, not seeing me,
but after seeing her to be a very pretty lady, I was
not troubled at it at all. Thence to Mr. Crew’s,
and there met Mr. Moore, who came lately to me, and
went with me to my father’s, and with him to
Standing’s, whither came to us Dr. Fairbrother,
who I took and my father to the Bear and gave a pint
of sack and a pint of claret.
He do still continue his expressions
of respect and love to me, and tells me my brother
John will make a good scholar. Thence to see the
Doctor at his lodging at Mr. Holden’s, where
I bought a hat, cost me 35s. So home by moonshine,
and by the way was overtaken by the Comptroller’s
coach, and so home to his house with him. So home
and to bed. This noon I had my press set up in
my chamber for papers to be put in.
29th. Mr. Moore making up accounts
with me all this morning till Lieut. Lambert
came, and so with them over the water to Southwark,
and so over the fields to Lambeth, and there drank,
it being a most glorious and warm day, even to amazement,
for this time of the year. Thence to my Lord’s,
where we found my Lady gone with some company to see
Hampton Court, so we three went to Blackfryers (the
first time I ever was there since plays begun), and
there after great patience and little expectation,
from so poor beginning, I saw three acts of “The
Mayd in ye Mill” acted to my great content.
But it being late, I left the play and them, and by
water through bridge home, and so to Mr. Turner’s
house, where the Comptroller, Sir William Batten,
and Mr. Davis and their ladies; and here we had a
most neat little but costly and genteel supper, and
after that a great deal of impertinent mirth by Mr.
Davis, and some catches, and so broke up, and going
away, Mr. Davis’s eldest son took up my old
Lady Slingsby in his arms, and carried her to the
coach, and is said to be able to carry three of the
biggest men that were in the company, which I wonder
at. So home and to bed.
30th (Fast day). The first time
that this day hath been yet observed: and Mr.
Mills made a most excellent sermon, upon “Lord
forgive us our former iniquities;” speaking
excellently of the justice of God in punishing men
for the sins of their ancestors. Home, and John
Goods comes, and after dinner I did pay him L30 for
my Lady, and after that Sir W. Pen and I into Moorfields
and had a brave talk, it being a most pleasant day,
and besides much discourse did please ourselves to
see young Davis and Whitton, two of our clerks, going
by us in the field, who we observe to take much pleasure
together, and I did most often see them at play together.
Back to the Old James in Bishopsgate Street, where
Sir W. Batten and Sir Wm. Rider met him about business
of the Trinity House. So I went home, and there
understand that my mother is come home well from Brampton,
and had a letter from my brother John, a very ingenious
one, and he therein begs to have leave to come to town
at the Coronación. Then to my Lady Batten’s;
where my wife and she are lately come back again from
being abroad, and seeing of Cromwell, Ireton, and
Bradshaw hanged and buried at Tyburn. Then I home.
["Jath was kept as a very solemn
day of fasting and prayer. This morning
the carcases of Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw (which
the day before had been brought from the Red Lion
Inn, Holborn), were drawn upon a sledge to Tyburn,
and then taken out of their coffins, and in their
shrouds hanged by the neck, until the going down
of the sun. They were then cut down, their heads
taken off, and their bodies buried in a grave
made under the gallows. The coffin in which
was the body of Cromwell was a very rich thing, very
full of gilded hinges and nails.” Rugge’s
Diurnal.]
31st. This morning with Mr. Coventry
at Whitehall about getting a ship to carry my Lord’s
deals to Lynne, and we have chosen the Gift. Thence
at noon to my Lord’s, where my Lady not well,
so I eat a mouthfull of dinner there, and thence to
the Theatre, and there sat in the pit among the company
of fine ladys, &c.; and the house was exceeding full,
to see Argalus and Parthenia, the first time that
it hath been acted: and indeed it is good, though
wronged by my over great expectations, as all things
else are. Thence to my father’s to see my
mother, who is pretty well after her journey from
Brampton. She tells me my aunt is pretty well,
yet cannot live long. My uncle pretty well too,
and she believes would marry again were my aunt dead,
which God forbid. So home.