The Diary of Samuel Pepys
by
Samuel Pepys
Part 7 out of 18
told the people the house was a-falling. Upon this the whole
family was frighted, concluding that the boy had said that; the
house was a-fire: so they left their cards above, and one would
have got out of the balcony, but it was not open; the other went
up to fetch down his children, that were in bed: so all got
clear out of the house. And no sooner so, but the house fell
down indeed, from top to bottom. It seems my Lord Southampton's
canaille did come too near their foundation, and so weakened the
house, and down it come: which, in every respect, is a most
extraordinary passage. The business between my Lords Chancellor
and Bristoll, they say, is hushed up: and the latter gone or
going, by the King's licence, to France.
15th. My poor brother Tom died.
16th. To the office, where we sat this afternoon, having changed
this day our sittings from morning to afternoon, because of the
Parliament which returned yesterday; but was adjourned till
Monday next, upon pretence that many of the members were said to
be upon the road; and also the King had other affairs, and so
desired them to adjourn till then. But the truth is, the King is
offended at my Lord of Bristoll, as they say, whom he hath found
to have been all this while (pretending a desire of leave to go
into France, and to have all the differences between him and the
Chancellor made up,) endeavouring to make: factions in both
Houses to the Chancellor. So the King did this to keep the
Houses from meeting; and in the meanwhile sent a guard and a
herald last night to have taken him at Wimbleton, where he was in
the morning, but could not find him: at which the King was and
is still mightily concerned, and runs up and down to and from the
Chancellor's like a boy: and it seems would make Digby's
articles against the Chancellor to be treasonable reflections
against his Majesty. So that the King is very high, as they say;
and God knows what will follow upon it!
18th. To church, and with the grave-maker chose a place for my
brother to lie in, just under my mother's pew. But to see how a
man's tombes [QUERY Bones?] are at the mercy of such a fellow,
that for sixpence he would, (as his own words were,) "I will
justle them together but I will make room for him;" speaking of
the fulness of the middle isle, where he was to lie. I dressed
myself, and so did my servant Besse; and so to my brother's
again: whither, though invited, as the custom is, at one or two
o'clock, they come not till four or five. But at last one after
another they come, many more than I bid: and my reckoning that I
bid was one hundred and twenty; but I believe there was nearer
one hundred and fifty. Their service was six biscuits a-piece,
and what they pleased of burnt claret. My cosen Joyce Norton
kept the wine and cakes above; and did give out to them that
served, who had white gloves given them. But above all, I am
beholden to Mrs. Holding, who was most kind, and did take mighty
pains not only in getting the house and every thing else ready,
but this day in going up and down to see the house filled and
served, in order to mine and their great content, I think; the
men sitting by themselves in some rooms, and the women by
themselves in others, very close, but yet room enough. Anon to
church, walking out into the street to the Conduit, and so across
the street; and had a very good company along with the corps and
being come to the grave as above, Dr. Pierson, the minister of
the parish, did read the service for buriall: and so I saw my
poor brother laid into the grave.
21st. This day the Houses of Parliament met; and the King met
them, with the Queene with him. And he made a speech to them:
among other things, discoursing largely of the plots abroad
against him and the peace of the kingdom; and that the
dissatisfied party had great hopes upon the effect of the Act for
a Triennial Parliament granted by his father, which he desired
them to peruse, and, I think, repeal. So the Houses did retire
to their own House, and did order the Act to be read to-morrow
before them; and I suppose it will be repealed, though I believe
much against the will of a good many that sit there.
23rd. To the Trinity House, and there dined very well: and good
discourse among the old men. Among other things, they observed,
that there are but two seamen in the Parliament, viz. Sir W.
Batten and Sir W. Pen, and not above twenty or thirty merchants;
which is a strange thing in an island.
25th. To White Hall, and there to chapel; where it was most
infinite full to hear Dr. Critton. [Creighton.] The Doctor
preached upon the thirty-first of Jeremy, and the twenty-first
and twenty-second verses, about a woman compassing a man; meaning
the Virgin conceiving and bearing our Saviour. It was the worst
sermon I ever heard him make, I must confess; and yet it was
good, and in two places very bitter, advising the King to do as
the Emperor Severus did, to hang up a Presbyter John (a short
coat and a long gowne interchangeably) in all the Courts of
England. But the story of Severus was pretty, that he hanged up
forty senators before the Senate-house, and then made a speech
presently to the Senate in praise of his own lenity; and then
decreed that never any senator after that time should suffer in
the same manner without consent of the Senate: which he compared
to the proceeding of the Long Parliament against my Lord
Strafford. He said the greatest part of the lay magistrates in
England were Puritans, and would not do justice; and the Bishops'
powers were so taken away and lessened, that they could not
exercise the power they ought. He told the King and the ladies,
plainly speaking of death and of the skulls and bones of dead men
and women, how there is no difference; that nobody could tell
that of the great Marius or Alexander from a pyoneer; nor, for
all the pains the ladies take with their faces, he that should
look in a charnel-house could not distinguish which was
Cleopatra's, or fair Rosamond's, or Jane Shore's.
26th. Sir W. Batten told me how Sir Richard Temple hath spoke
very discontentful words in the house about the Triennial Bill;
but it hath been read the second time to-day, and committed; and,
he believes, will go on without more ado, though there are many
in the house are displeased at it, though they dare not say much.
But above all expectation, Mr. Prin is the man against it,
comparing it to the idoll whose head was of gold, and his body
and legs and feet of different metal. So this Bill had several
degrees of calling of Parliaments, in case the King, and then the
Council, and then the Lord Chancellor, and then the Sheriffes,
should fail to do it. He tells me also, how, upon occasion of
some 'prentices being put in the pillory to-day for beating of
their masters or such like thing, in Cheapside, a company of
'prentices come and rescued them, and pulled down the pillory;
and they being set up again, did the like again.
28th. The great matter to-day in the House hath been, that Mr.
Vaughan, [John Vaughan, afterwards knighted, and made Chief
Justice of the Common Pleas.] the great speaker, is this day
come to town, and hath declared himself in a speech of an hour
and a half with great reason and eloquence, against the repealing
of the Bill for Triennial Parliaments, but with no successe: but
the House have carried it that there shall be such Parliaments,
but without any coercive power upon the King, if he will bring
this Act. But, Lord! to see how the best things are not done
without some design; for I perceive all these gentlemen that I
was with to-day, are against it (though there was reason enough
on their side); yet purely I could perceive, because it was the
King's mind to have it; and should he demand any thing else, I
believe they would give it him.
APRIL 1, 1664. To White Hall; and in the Gallery met the Duke of
York; (I also saw the Queene going to the Park, and her Maids of
Honour: she herself looks ill, and methinks Mrs. Stewart is
grown fatter, and not so fair as she was:) and he called me to
him, and discoursed a good while with me; and after he was gone,
twice or thrice staid and called me again to him, the whole
length of the house: and at last talked of the Dutch; and I
perceive do much wish that the Parliament will find reason to
fall out with them.
3rd. Called up by W. Joyce, [William Joyce had married Mr.
Pepys' first cousin, Kate Fenner.] he being summonsed to the
House of Lords to-morrow, for endeavouring to arrest my Lady
Peters for a debt. [Elizabeth, daughter of John Earl Rivers, and
first wife to William fourth Lord Petre, who was, in 1678,
impeached by the Commons of High Treason, and died under
confinement in the Tower, January 5th, 1683, S.P.]
4th. Up, and walked to my Lord Sandwich's; and there spoke with
him about W. Joyce, who tells me he would do what was fit; in so
tender a point. I to the Lords' House before they sat; and stood
within it, while the Duke of York come to me and spoke to me a
good while about the new ship at Woolwich. Afterwards I spoke
with my Lord Barkeley and my Lord Peterborough about it. And so
staid without a good while, and saw my Lady Peters, an impudent
jade, soliciting all the Lords on her behalf. And at last W.
Joyce was called in; and by the consequences, and what my Lord
Peterborough told me, I find that he did speak all he said to his
disadvantage, and so was committed to the Black Rod: which is
very hard, he doing what he did by the advice of my Lord Peter's
own steward. But the Serjeant of the Black Rod did direct one of
his messengers to take him in custody, and peaceably conducted
him to the Swan with two Necks, in Tuttle-street, to a handsome
dining-room; and there was most civilly used. It was a sad
sight, methought, to-day to see my Lord Peters coming out of the
House, fall out with his lady (from whom he is parted) about this
business, saying that she disgraced him. But she hath been a
handsome woman, and is, it seems, not only a lewd woman, but very
high-spirited.
5th. Lord Peterborough presented a petition to the House from W.
Joyce: and a great dispute, we hear, there was in the House for
and against it. At last it was carried that he should be bayled
till the House meets again after Easter, he giving bond for his
appearance. Anon comes the King and passed the Bill for
repealing the Triennial Act, and another about Writs of Errour.
I crowded in and heard the King's Speech to them; but he speaks
the worst that ever I heard man in my life: worse than if he
read it all, and he had it in writing in his hand. I went to W.
Joyce, where I found the order come, and bayle (his father and
brother) given; and he paying his fees, which come to above 12l.,
besides 5l. he is to give one man, and his charges of eating and
drinking here, and 10s. a-day as many days as he stands under
bayle: which, I hope, will teach him hereafter to hold his
tongue better than he used to do.
8th. Home to the only Lenten supper I have had of wiggs [Buns,
still called wiggs in the West of England.] and ale.
15th. To the Duke's house, and there saw "The German Princesse"
acted, by the woman herself; but never was any thing so well done
in earnest, worse performed in jest upon the stage. [Mary
Moders, alias Stedman, alias Carleton, a celebrated impostor, who
had induced the son of a London citizen to marry her under the
pretence that she was a German Princess. She next became an
actress, after having been tried for bigamy and acquitted. The
rest of her life was one continued course of robbery and fraud;
and in 1678 she suffered at Tyburn, for stealing a piece of plate
from a tavern in Chancery-lane.]
18th. Up and by coach to Westminster, and there solicited W.
Joyce's business again; and did speak to the Duke of York about
it, who did understand it very well. I afterwards did without
the House fall in company with my Lady Peters, and endeavoured to
mollify her: but she told me she would not, to redeem her from
hell, do any thing to release him; but would be revenged while
she lived, if she lived the age of Methusalem. I made many
friends, and so did others. At last it was ordered by the Lords
that it should be referred to the Committee of Priviledges to
consider. So I away by coach to the 'Change; and there do hear
that a Jew hath put in a policy of four per cent. to any man, to
insure him against a Dutch warr for four months: I could find in
my heart to take him at this offer. To Hide Park, where I have
not been since last year: where I saw the King with his
periwigg, but not altered at all; and my Lady Castlemaine in a
coach by herself, in yellow satin and a pinner on; and many brave
persons. And myself being in a hackney and full of people, was
ashamed to be seen by the world, many of them knowing me.
19th. To the Physique Garden in St, James's Parke; where I first
saw orange-trees, and other fine trees.
20th. Mr. Coventry told me how the Committee for Trade have
received now all the complaints of the merchants against the
Dutch, and were resolved to report very highly the wrongs they
have done us, (when God knows! it is only our own negligence and
laziness that hath done us the wrong): and this to be made to
the House to-morrow.
21st. At the Lords' House heard that it is ordered, that, upon
submission upon the knee both to the House and my Lady Peters, W.
Joyce shall be released. I forthwith made him submit, and ask
pardon upon his knees; which he did before several Lords. But my
Lady would not hear it; but swore she would post the Lords, that
the world might know what pitifull Lords the King hath: and that
revenge was sweeter to her than milk; and that she would never be
satisfied unless he stood in a pillory, and demand pardon there.
But I perceive the Lords are ashamed of her. I find that the
House this day have voted that the King be desired to demand
right for the wrong done us by the Dutch, and that they will
stand by him with their lives and fortunes: which is a very high
vote, and more than I expected. What the issue will be, God
knows!
23rd. I met with Mr. Coventry, who himself is now full of talk
of a Dutch war: for it seems the Lords have concurred in the
Commons' vote about it; and so the next week it will be presented
to the King.
26th. Saw W. Joyce: and the late business hath cost the poor
man above 40l., besides, he is likely to lose his debt. Lady
Peters, Creed says, is a drunken jade, he himself having seen her
drunk in the lobby of their House. My wife gone this afternoon
to the buriall of my she-cosen Scott, a good woman: and it is a
sad consideration how the Pepys's decay, and nobody almost that I
know in a present way of encreasing them.
27th. This day the Houses attended the King, and delivered their
votes to him upon the business of the Dutch; and he thanks them,
and promises an answer in writing.
MAY 3, 1664. To Westminster Hall; and there, in the Lords'
house, did in a great crowd, from ten o'clock till almost three,
hear the cause of Mr. Roberts, [VIDE "Lords' Journals of the
day."] my Lord Privy Seale's son, against Win, who by false ways
did get the father of Mr. Roberts's wife (Mr. Bodvill) to give
him the estate and disinherit, his daughter. The cause was
managed for my Lord Privy Seale by Finch the solicitor; but I do
really think that he is a man of as great eloquence as ever I
heard, or ever hope to hear in all my life. Mr. Cutler told me
how for certain Lawson hath proclaimed war again with Argier,
though they had at his first coming given back the ships which
they had taken, and all their men; though they refused afterwards
to make him restitution for the goods which they had taken.
5th. My eyes beginning every day to grow less and less able to
bear with long reading or writing, though it be by daylight;
which I never observed till now.
13th. In the Painted Chamber I heard a fine conference between
some of the two Houses upon the Bill for Conventicles. The Lords
would be freed from having their houses searched by any but the
Lord Lieutenant of the County: and upon being found guilty, to
be tried only by their peers; and thirdly, would have it added,
that whereas the Bill says, "That that, among other things, shall
be a conventicle wherein any such meeting is found doing any
thing contrary to the Liturgy of the Church of England," they
would have it added, "or practice." The Commons to the Lords
said, that they knew not what might hereafter be found out which
might he called the practice of the Church of England: for there
are many things may be said to be the practice of the Church,
which were never established by any law either common, statute,
or canon; as singing of psalms, binding up; prayers at the end of
the Bible, and praying extempore before and after sermon: and
though these are things indifferent, yet things for aught they at
present know may be started, which may be said to be the practice
of the Church which would not be fit to allow. For the Lords'
priviledges, Mr. Waller told them how tender their predecessors
had been of the priviledges of the Lords; but, however, where the
peace of the kingdom stands in competition with them, they
apprehend those priviledges must give place. He told them that
he thought, if they should own all to be the priviledges of the
Lords which might be demanded, they should be led like the man
(who granted leave to his neighbour to pull off his horse's tail,
meaning that he could not do it at once,) that hair by hair had
his horse's tail pulled off indeed: so the Commons, by granting
one thing after another, might be served by the Lords. Mr.
Vaughan, whom I could not to my grief perfectly hear, did say, if
that they should be obliged in this manner to exempt the Lords
from every thing, it would in time come to pass that whatever (be
it ever so great) should be voted by the Commons as a thing
penall for a commoner, the contrary should be thought a
priviledge to the Lords: that also in this business, the work of
a conventicle being but the work of an hour, the cause of a
search would be over before a Lord Lieutenant, who may be many
miles off, can be sent for; and that all this dispute is but
about 100l.: for it is said in the Act, that it shall be
banishment or payment of 100l. I thereupon heard the Duke of
Lennox say, that there might be Lords who could not always be
ready to lose 100l., or some such thing. They broke up without
coming to any end in it. There was also in the Commons' House a
great quarrel about Mr. Prin, and it was believed that he should
have been sent to the Tower, for adding something to a Bill
(after it was ordered to be engrossed) of his own head--a Bill
for measures for wine and other things of that sort, and a Bill
of his own bringing in; but it appeared he could not mean any
hurt in it. But, however, the King was fain to write in his
behalf and all was passed over. But it is worth my remembrance,
that I saw old Ryly the Herald, and his son; and spoke to his
son, who told me in very bad words concerning Mr. Prin, that the
King had given him an office of keeping the Records; but that he
never comes thither, nor had been there these six months: so
that I perceive they expect to get his employment from him.
19th, To a Committee of Tangier; where God forgive how our Report
of my Lord Peterborough's accounts was read over and agreed to by
the Lords, without one of them understanding it! And had it been
what it would, it had gone: and, besides, not one thing touching
the King's profit in it minded or hit upon.
20th. Mr. Edward Montagu is turned out of the Court, not to
return again. His fault, I perceive, was his pride, and most of
all his affecting to be great with the Queene: and it seems
indeed he had more of her eare than every body else, and would be
with her talking alone two or three hours together; insomuch that
the Lords about the King, when he would be jesting with them
about their wives, would tell the King that he must have a care
of his wife too, for she hath now the gallant: and they say the
King himself did once ask Montagu how his mistress (meaning the
Queene) did. He grew so proud and despised every body, besides
suffering nobody he or she to get or do any thing about the
Queene, that they all laboured to do him a good turn. They all
say that he did give some affront to the Duke of Monmouth, which
the King himself did speak to him of. So he is gone,nobody
pitying, but laughing at him: and he pretends only that he is
gone to his father that is sick in the country.
23rd. The King is gone down with the Duke and a great crew this
morning by break of day to Chatham.
29th. Mr. Coventry and I did a long discourse together of the
business of the office, and the war with the Dutch; and he seemed
to argue mightily with the little reason that there is for all
this. For first, as to the wrong we pretend they have done us;
that of the East Indys, for their not delivering of Poleron, it
is not yet known whether they have failed or no; that of their
hindering the Leopard cannot amount to above 3000l. if true; that
of the Guinny Company, all they had done us did not amount to
above 2 or 300l. he told me truly; and that now, from what
Holmes, without any commission, hath done in taking an island and
two forts, hath set us much in debt to them; and he believes that
Holmes will have been so puffed up with this, that he by this
time hath been enforced with more strength than he had then,
hath, I say, done a great deal more wrong to them. He do, as to
the effect of the war, tell me clearly that it is not any skill
of the Dutch that can hinder our trade if we will, we having so
many advantages over them, of winds, good ports, and men; but it
is our pride, and the laziness of the merchant. The main thing
he desired to speak with me about was, to understand my Lord
Sandwich's intentions as to going to sea with this fleet; saying,
that the Duke, if he desires it, is most willing to do it; but
thinking that twelve ships is not a fleet fit for my Lord to be
troubled to go out with, he is not willing to offer it to him
till he hath some intimations of his mind to go, or not. To the
King's closet; whither by and by the King come, my Lord Sandwich
carrying the sword. A Bishop preached, but he speaking too low
for me to hear. By and by my Lord Sandwich come forth, and
called me to him: and we fell into discourse a great while about
his business, wherein he seems to be very open with me, and to
receive my opinion as he used to do: and I hope I shall become
necessary to him again. He desired me to think of the fitness,
or not, for him to offer himself to go to sea; and to give him my
thoughts in a day or two. Thence after sermon among the ladies
in the Queene's side; where I saw Mrs. Stewart, very fine and
pretty, but far beneath my Lady Castlemaine. Thence with Mr.
Povy home to dinner; where extraordinary cheer. [Evelyn mentions
Mr. Povy's house in Lincoln's Inn.] And after dinner up and down
to see his house, and in a word, methinks, for his perspective in
the little closet; his room floored above with woods of several
colours, like but above the best cabinet-work I ever saw; his
grotto and vault, with his bottles of wine, and a well therein to
keep them cool; his furniture of all sorts; his bath at the top
of the house, good pictures, and his manner of eating and
drinking; do surpass all that ever I did see of one man in all my
life.
31st. I was told to-day, that upon Sunday night last, being the
King's birth-day, the King was at my Lady Castlemaine's lodgings
over the hither-gate at Lambert's lodgings, dancing with fiddlers
all night almost; and all the world coming by taking notice of
it.
JUNE 1, 1664. Southwell (Sir W. Pen's friend) tells me the very
sad newes of my Lord Teviott's and nineteen more commission
officers being killed at Tangier by the Moores, by an ambush of
the enemy upon them, while they were surveying their lines:
which is very sad and he says, afflicts the King much. To the
Kings house and saw "The Silent Woman;" but methought not so well
done or so good a play as I formerly thought it to be. Before
the play was done, it fell such a storm of hayle, that we in the
middle of the pit were fain to rise; and all the house in a
disorder.
2nd. It seems my Lord Teviott's design was to go a mile and half
out of the town to cut down a wood in which the enemy did use to
lie in ambush. He had sent several spyes: but all brought word
that the way was clear, and so might be for any body's discovery
of an enemy before you are upon them. There they were all snapt,
he and all his officers, and about two hundred men, as they say;
there being left now in the garrison but four captains. This
happened the 3rd of May last, being not before that day
twelvemonth of his entering into his government there: but at
his going out in the morning he said to some of his officers,
"Gentlemen let us look to ourselves, for it was this day three
years that so many brave Englishmen were knocked on the head by
the Moores, when Fines made his sally out."
4th. Mr. Coventry discoursing this noon about Sir W. Batten,
(what a sad fellow he is!) told me how the King told him the
other day how Sir W. Batten, being in the ship with him and
Prince Rupert when they expected to fight with Warwicke, did walk
up and down sweating with a napkin under his throat to dry up his
sweat: and that Prince Rupert being a most jealous man, and
particularly of Batten, do walk up and down swearing bloodily to
the King, that Batten had a mind to betray them to-day, and that
the napkin was a signal; "but, by God," says he, "if things go
ill, the first thing I will do is to shoot him." He discoursed
largely and bravely to me concerning the different sorts of
valours, the active and passive valour. For the latter, he
brought as an instance General Blake, who, in the defending of
Taunton and Lime for the Parliament, did through his sober sort
of valour defend it the most opiniastrement that ever any man did
any thing; and yet never was the man that ever made an attaque by
land or sea, but rather avoyded it on all, even fair occasions.
On the other side, Prince Rupert, the boldest attaquer in the
world for personal courage; and yet in the defending of Bristol
no man did any thing worse, he wanting the patience and seasoned
head to consult and advise for defence, and to bear with the
evils of a siege. The like he says of my Lord Teviott, who was
the boldest adventurer of his person in the world, and from a
mean man in few years was come to this greatness of command and
repute only by the death of all his officers, he many times
having the luck of being the only survivor of them all, by
venturing upon services for the King of France that nobody else
would; and yet no man upon a defence, he being all fury and no
judgment in a fight. He tells me above all of the Duke of York,
that he is more himself and more of judgment is at hand in him in
the middle of a desperate service, than at other times, as
appeared in the business of Dunkirke, wherein no man ever did
braver things, or was in hotter service in the close of that day,
being surrounded with enemies; and then, contrary to the advice
of all about him, his counsel carried himself and the rest
through them safe, by advising that he might make his passage
with but a dozen with him; "For," says he, "the enemy cannot move
after me so fast with a great body, and with a small one we shall
be enough to deal with them:" and though he is a man naturally
martiall to the hottest degree, yet a man that never in his life
talks one word of himself or service of his own, but only that he
saw such or such a thing, and lays it down for a maxime that a
Hector can have no courage. He told me also, as a great instance
of some men, that the Prince of Conde's excellence is, that there
not being a more furious man in the world, danger in fight never
disturbs him more than just to make him civill, and to command in
words of great obligation to his officers and men; but without
any the least disturbance in his judgment or spirit.
6th. By barge with Sir W. Batten to Trinity House. Here were my
Lord Sandwich, Mr. Coventry, my Lord Craven, and others. A great
dinner, and good company. Mr. Prin also, who would not drink any
health, no, not the King's, but sat down with his hat on all the
while; but nobody took notice of it to him at all.
11th. With my wife only to take the ayre, it being very warm and
pleasant, to Bowe and Old Ford: and thence to Hackney. There
light, and played at shuffle-board, eat cream and good cherries:
and so with good refreshment home.
13th. Spent the whole morning reading of some old Navy books;
wherein the order that was observed in the Navy then, above what
it is now, is very observable.
15th. At home, to look after things for dinner. And anon at
noon comes Mr. Creed by chance, and by and by the three young
ladies: [Lord Sandwich's daughters.] and very merry we were
with our pasty, very well baked; and a good dish of roasted
chickens; pease, lobsters, strawberries. But after dinner to
cards: and about five o'clock, by water down to Greenwich; and
up to the top of the hill, and there played upon the ground at
cards. And so to the Cherry Garden, and then by water singing
finely to the Bridge, and there landed; and so took boat again,
and to Somerset House. And by this time, the tide being against
us, it was past ten of the clock; and such a troublesome passage,
in regard of my Lady Paulina's fearfullness, that in all my life
I never did see any poor wretch in that, condition. Being come
hither, there waited for them their coach; but it being so late,
I doubted what to do how to get them home. After half an hour's
stay in the street, I sent my wife home by coach with Mr. Creed's
boy; and myself and Creed in the coach home with them. But,
Lord! the fear that my Lady Paulina was in every step of the
way: and indeed at this time of the night it was no safe thing
to go that road; so that I was even afraid myself, though I
appeared otherwise. We come safe, however, to their house; where
we knocked them up, my Lady and all the family being in bed. So
put them into doors and leaving them with the maids, bade them
good night.
16th. The talk upon the 'Change is, that De Ruyter is dead, with
fifty men of his own ship, of the plague, at Cales: that the
Holland Embassador here do endeavour to sweeten us with fair
words; and things like to be peaceable.
20th. I to the Duke, where we did our usual business. And among
other discourse of the Dutch, he was merrily saying how they
print that Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, and my Lord
Sandwich, are to be Generalls; and soon after is to follow them
"Vieux Pen:" and so the Duke called him in mirth Old Pen. They
have, it seems, lately wrote to the King, to assure him that
their setting-out ships was only to defend their fishing-trade,
and to stay near home, not to annoy the King's subjects; and to
desire that he would do the like with his ships: which the King
laughs at, but yet is troubled they should think him such a
child, to suffer them to bring home their fish and East India
Company's ships, and then they will not care for us. To my
Lord's lodgings; and were merry with the young ladies, who made
a great story of their appearing before their mother the morning
after we carried them, the last week, home so late; and that
their mother took it very well, at least without any anger. Here
I heard how the rich widow, my Lady Gold, is married to one
Neale, after he had received a box on the eare by her brother
(who was there a sentinel, in behalf of some courtier,) at the
door; but made him draw, and wounded him. She called Neale up to
her, and sent for a priest, married presently, and went to bed.
The brother sent to the Court, and had a serjeant sent for Neale;
but Neale sent for him up to be seen in bed, and she owned him
for her husband: and so all is past.
23rd. W. How was with me this afternoon, to desire some things
to be got ready for my Lord against his going down to his ship,
which will be soon; for it seems the King and both the Queenes
intend to visit him. The Lord knows how my Lord will get out of
this charge; for Mr. Moore tells me to-day that he is 10,000l. in
debt: and this will, with many other things that daily will grow
upon him, (while he minds his pleasure as he do,) set him further
backward.
24th. To White Hall; and Mr. Pierce showed me the Queene's bed.
chamber, and her closet, where she had nothing but some pretty
pious pictures, and books of devotion; and her holy water at her
head as she sleeps, with a clock by her bed-side, wherein a lamp
burns that tells her the time of the night at any time. Thence
with him to the Park, and there met the Queene coming from
Chapell, with her Maids of Honour, all in silver-lace gowns
again; which is new to me, and that which I did not think would
have been brought up again. Thence he carried me to the King's
closet: where such variety of pictures, and other things of
value and rarity, that I was properly confounded and enjoyed no
pleasure in the sight of them; which is the only time in my life
that ever I was so at a loss for pleasure, in the greatest plenty
of objects to give it me.
26th. At my Lord Sandwich's; where his little daughter, my Lady
Catharine was brought, who is lately come from my father's at
Brampton, to have her cheeke looked after, which is and hath long
been sore. But my Lord will rather have it be as it is, with a
scarr in her face, than endanger it being worse with tampering.
[She married, first, Nicholas, son and heir of Sir N. Bacon,
K.B.; and secondly the Rev. Mr. Gardeman; and lived to be 96,
dying 1757.]
JULY 4, 1664. This day the King and the Queenes went to visit my
Lord Sandwich and the fleet, going forth in the Hope.
7th. The King is pretty well to-day, though let blood the night
before yesterday.
10th. My Lady Sandwich showed us my Lady Castlemaine's picture,
finely done: given my Lord; and a most beautiful picture it is.
[There is a beautiful portrait of Lady Castlemaine in the dining-
room at Hinchingbroke.]
14th. To my Lord's. He did begin with a most solemn profession
of the same confidence in and love for me that he ever had, and
then told me what a misfortune was fallen upon me and him: in
me, by a displeasure which my Lord Chancellor did show to him
last night against me, in the highest and most passionate manner
that ever any man did speak, even to the not hearing of anything
to be said to him: but he told me, that he did say all that
could be said for a man as to my faithfullnesse and duty to his
Lordship, and did me the greatest right imaginable. And what
should the business be, but that I should be forward to have the
trees in Clarendon Park marked and cut down, [Near Salisbury,
granted by Edward VI. to Sir W. Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, for
two lives, which term ended in 1601, when it reverted to the
Crown, and was conferred on the Duke of Albemarle, whose family,
as I imagine, got back the estate after Lord Clarendon's fall;
for, according to Britton, Clarendon Park was alienated by
Christopher, second Duke of Albemarle, to the Earl of Bath, from
whom it passed, by purchase, to Mr. Bathurst, the ancestor of the
present possessor.] which he, it seems, hath bought of my Lord
Albemarle; when, God knows! I am the most innocent man in the
world in it, and did nothing of myself, nor knew of his
concernment therein, but barely obeyed my Lord Treasurer's
warrant for the doing thereof. And said that I did most
ungentlemanly-like with him, and had justified the rogues in
cutting down a tree of his; and that I had sent the veriest
Fanatique that is in England to mark them, on purpose to nose
him. All which, I did assure my Lord, was most properly false,
and nothing like it true; and told my Lord the whole passage. My
Lord do seem most nearly affected with him; partly, I believe,
for me, and partly for himself. So he advised me to wait
presently upon my Lord, and clear myself in the most perfect
manner I could, with all submission and assurance that I am his
creature both in this and all other things: and that I do own
that all I have, is derived through my Lord Sandwich from his
Lordship. So, full of horror I went, and found him busy in
trials of law in his great room; and it being Sitting-day, durst
not stay, but went to my Lord and told him so: whereupon he
directed me to take him after dinner: and so away I home,
leaving my Lord mightily concerned for me. So I to my Lord
Chancellor's; and there coming out after dinner I accosted him,
telling him that I was the unhappy Pepys that had fallen into his
high displeasure, and come to desire him to give me leave to make
myself better understood to his Lordship, assuring him of my duty
and service. He answered me very pleasingly, that he was
confident upon the score of my Lord Sandwich's character of me,
but that he had reason to think what he did, and desired me to
call upon him some evening: I named to-night, and he accepted of
it. To my Lord Chancellor's, and there heard several trials,
wherein I perceive my Lord is a most able and ready man. After
all done, he himself called, "Come, Mr. Pepys, you and I will
take a turn in the garden." So he was led down stairs, having
the goute, and there walked with me, I think, above an hour,
talking most friendly, yet cunningly. I told him clearly how
things were; how ignorant I was of his Lordship's concernment in
it; how I did not do nor say one word singly, but what was done
was the act of the whole Board. He told me by name that he was
more angry with Sir G. Carteret than with me, and also with the
whole body of the Board. But thinking who it was of the Board
that did know him least, he did place his fear upon me: but he
finds that he is indebted to none of his friends there. I think
I did thoroughly appease him, till he thanked me for my desire
and pains to satisfy him; and upon my desiring to be directed who
I should of his servants advise with about this business, he told
me nobody, but would be glad to hear from me himself. He told me
he would not direct me in anything, that it might not be said
that the Lord Chancellor did labour to abuse the King; or (as I
offered) direct the suspending the Report of the Purveyors: but
I see what he means, and will make it my work to do him service
in it. But, Lord! to see how he is incensed against poor Deane,
as a fanatick rogue, and I know not what: and what he did was
done in spite to his Lordship, among an his friends and tenants,
He did plainly say that he would not direct me in any thing, for
he would not put himself into the power of any man to say that he
did so and so; but plainly told me as if he would be glad I did
something. Lord! to see how we poor wretches dare not do the
King good service for fear of the greatness of these men. He
named Sir G. Carteret, and Sir J. Minnes, and the rest; and that
he was as angry with them all as me. But it was pleasant to
think that, while he was talking to me, comes into the garden Sir
G. Carteret; and my Lord avoided speaking with him, and made him
and many others stay expecting him; while I walked up and down
above an hour, I think and would have me walk with my hat on.
And yet, after all, there has been so little ground for his
jealousy of me, that I am sometimes afraid that he do this only
in policy to bring me to his side by scaring me; or else, which
is worse, to try how faithfull I would be to the King; but I
rather think the former of the two. I parted with great
assurance how I acknowledged all I had to come from his Lordship;
which he did not seem to refuse, but with great kindness and
respect parted.
15th. Up, and to my Lord Sandwich's; where he sent for me up,
and I did give my Lord an account of what had passed with my Lord
Chancellor yesterday; with which he was pleased, and advised me
by all means to study in the best manner I could to serve him in
this business. After this discourse ended, he began to tell me
that he had now pitched upon his day of going to sea upon Monday
next, and that he would now give me an account how matters are
with him. He told me that his work now in the world is only to
keep up his interest at Court, having little hopes to get more
considerably, he saying that he hath now about 8000l. per annum.
It is true, be says, he oweth about 10,000l.; but he hath been at
great charges in getting things to this pass in his estate;
besides his building and good goods that he hath bought. He says
that he hath now evened his reckonings at the Wardrobe till
Michaelmas last, and hopes to finish it to Lady-day before he
goes. He says now there is due, too, 7000l. to him there, if he
knew how to get it paid, besides 2000l. that Mr. Montagu do owe
him. As to his interest, he says that he hath had all the injury
done him that ever man could have by another bosom friend that
knows all his secrets, by Mr. Montagu: but he says that the
worst of it all is past, and he gone out and hated, his very
person by the King, and he believes the more upon the score of
his carriage to him; nay, that the Duke of York did say a little
while since in his closet, that he did hate him because of his
ungrateful carriage to my Lord of Sandwich. He says that he is
as great with the Chancellor, or greater, than ever in his life.
That with the King he is the like; and told me an instance, that
whereas he formerly was of the private council to the King before
he was last sick, and that by the sickness an interruption was
made in his attendance upon him; the King did not constantly call
him as he used to do to his private council, only in businesses
of the sea and the like; but of late the King did send a message
to him by Sir Harry Bennet, to excuse the King to my Lord that he
had not of late sent for him as he used to do to his private
council, for it was not out of any distaste, but to avoid giving
offence to some others whom he did not name; but my Lord supposes
it might be Prince Rupert, or it may be only that the King would
rather pass it by an excuse, than be thought unkind; but that now
he did desire him to attend him constantly, which of late he hath
done, and the King never more kind to him in his life than now.
The Duke of York, as much as is possible; and in the business of
late, when I was to speak to my Lord about his going to sea, he
says that he finds the Duke did it with the greatest ingenuity
and love in the world: "and whereas," says my Lord, "here is a
wise man hard by that thinks himself so, and it may be is in a
degree so, (naming by and by my Lord Crewe,) would have had me
condition with him that neither Prince Rupert nor any body should
come over his head, and I know not what." The Duke himself hath
caused in his commission, that he be made Admirall of this and
what other ships or fleets shall hereafter be put out after
these; which is very noble. He tells me in these cases, and that
of Mr. Montagu's, and all others, he finds that bearing of them
patiently is the best way, without noise or trouble, and things
wear out of themselves and come fair again. But says he takes it
from me, never to trust too much to any man in the world, for you
put yourself into his power; and the best seeming friend and real
friend as to the present may have or take occasion to fall out
with you, and then out comes all. Then he told me of Sir Harry
Bennet, though they were always kind, yet now it is become to an
acquaintance and familiarity above ordinary, that for these
months he hath done no business but with my Lord's advice in his
chamber, and promises all faithfull love to him and service upon
all occasions. My Lord says, that he hath the advantage of being
able by his experience to help out and advise him; and he
believes that that chiefly do invite Sir Harry to this manner of
treating him. "Now," says my Lord, "the only and the greatest
embarras that I have in the world is, how to behave myself to Sir
H. Bennet and my Lord Chancellor, in case that there do lie any
thing under the embers about my Lord Bristoll, which nobody can
tell; for then," says he, "I must appear for one or other, and I
will lose all I have in the world rather than desert my Lord
Chancellor: so that," says he, "I know not for my life what to
do in that case." For Sir H. Bennet's love is come to the
height, and his confidence, that he hath given my lord a
character, [A cypher.] and will oblige my Lord to correspond
with him. "This," says he, "is the whole condition of my estate
and interest; which I tell you, because I know not whether I
shall see you again or no." Then as to the voyage, he thinks it
will be of charge to him, and no profit; but that he must not now
look after nor think to encrease, but study to make good what he
hath, that what is due to him from the Wardrobe or elsewhere may
be paid, which otherwise would fail, and all a man hath be but
small content to him. So we seemed to take leave one of another;
my Lord of me, desiring me that I would write to him and give him
information upon all occasions in matters that concern him;
which, put together with what he preambled with yesterday, makes
me think that my Lord do truly esteem me still, and desires to
preserve my service to him; which I do bless God for. In the
middle of our discourse my Lady Crewe come in to bring my Lord
word that he hath another son, my Lady being brought to bed just
now, for which God be praised! and send my Lord to study the
laying up of something the more! Thence with Creed to St.
James's, and missing Mr. Coventry, to White Hall; where, staying
for him in one of the galleries, there comes out of the
chayre-roome Mrs. Stewart in a most lovely form, with her hair
all about her eares, having her picture taken there. There was
the King and twenty more I think, standing by all the while, and
a lovely creature she in the dress seemed to be.
18th. Sir G. Cateret and I did talk together in the Parke about
my Lord Chancellor's business of the timber; he telling me freely
that my Lord Chancellor was never so angry with him in all his
life, as he was for this business, and in a great passion; and
that when he saw me there, he knew what it was about. And plots
now with me how we may serve my Lord, which I am mightily glad
of; and I hope together we may do it. Thence I to my Lord
Chancellor, and discoursed his business with him. I perceive,
and he says plainly,that he will not have any man to have it in
his power to say that my Lord Chancellor did contrive the
wronging the King of his timber; but yet I perceive, he would be
glad to have service done him therein; and told me Sir G.
Carteret hath told him that he and I would look after his
business to see it done in the best manner for him.
20th. With Mr. Deane, discoursing upon the business of my Lord
Chancellor's timber, in Clarendon Park, and how to make a report
therein without offending him; which at last I drew up, and hope
it will please him. But I would to God neither I nor he ever had
any thing to have done with it! To White Hall, to the Committee
for Fishing; but nothing done, it being a great day to-day there
upon drawing at the Lottery of Sir Arthur Slingsby. [Evelyn says
this Lottery was a shameful imposition.] I got in and stood by
the two Queenes and the Duchesse of York, and just behind my Lady
Castlemaine, whom I do heartily admire; and good sport to see how
most that did give their ten pounds did go away with a pair of
globes only for their lot, and one gentlewoman, one Mrs. Fish,
with the only blanke. And one I staid to see draw a suit of
hangings valued at 430l. and they say are well worth the money,
or near it. One other suit there is better than that; but very
many lots of three and four-score pounds. I observed the King
and Queene did get but as poor lots as any else. But the wisest
man I met with was Mr. Cholmley, who insured as many as would,
from drawing of the one blank for 12d.; in which case there was
the whole number of persons to one, which I think was three or
four hundred. And so he insured about 200 for 200 shillings, so
that he could not have lost if one of them had drawn it for there
was enough to pay the 10l. but it happened another drew it, and
so he got all the money he took.
25th. Met with a printed copy of the King's commission for the
repairs of Paul's, which is very large, and large power for
collecting money, and recovering of all people that had bought or
sold formerly any thing belonging to the Church. No news, only
the plague is very hot still, and encreases among the Dutch.
26th. Great discourse of the fray yesterday in Moorefields, how
the butchers at first did beat the weavers, (between whom there
hath been ever an old competition for mastery,) but at last the
weavers rallied and beat them. At first the butchers knocked
down all for weavers that had green or blue aprons, till they
were fain to pull them off and put them in their breeches. At
last the butchers were fain to pull off their sleeves, that they
might not be known, and were roundly beaten out of the field, and
some deeply wounded and bruised; till at last the weavers went
out tryumphing, calling 100l. for a butcher.
28th. I am overjoyed in hopes that upon this month's account I
shall find myself worth 1000l. besides the rich present of two
silver and gilt flaggons, which Mr. Gauden did give me the other
day. My Lord Sandwich newly gone to sea, and he did before his
going, and by his letter since, show me all manner of respect and
confidence.
30th. To the 'Change, where great talk of a rich present brought
by an East India ship from some of the Princes of India, worth to
the King 70,000l. in two precious stones.
AUGUST 1, 1664. To the Coffee-house, and there all the house
full of the victory Generall Soushe (who is a Frenchman, a
soldier of fortune, commanding part of the German army) hath had
against the Turke; killing 4000 men, and taking most
extraordinary spoil.
2nd. To the King's play-house, and there saw "Bartholomew
Fayre;" which do still please me; and is, as it is acted, the
best comedy in the world, I believe. I chanced to sit by Tom
Killigrew, who tells me that he is setting up a nursery; that is,
is going to build a house in Moorefields, wherein he will have
common plays acted. But four operas it shall have in the year,
to act six weeks at a time: where we shall have the best scenes
and machines, the best musique, and everything as magnificent as
is in Christendome; and to that end hath sent for voices and
painters and other persons from Italy. Thence homeward called
upon my Lord Marlborough.
4th. To a play at the King's house, "The Rivall Ladys," [A
Tragedy by Dryden.] a very innocent and meet pretty witty play.
I was much pleased with it, and it being given me, [His companion
paid for him.] I look upon it as no breach of my oath. Here we
hear that Clun, one of their best actors, was, the last night,
going out of towne (after he had acted the Alchymist, wherein was
one of his best parts that he acts) to his country-house, set
upon and murdered; one of the rogues taken, an Irish fellow. It
seems most cruelly butchered and bound. The house will have a
great miss of him. Thence visited my Lady Sandwich, who tells me
my Lord FitzHarding is to be made a Marquis.
5th. About ten o'clock I dressed myself, and so mounted upon a
very pretty mare, sent me by Sir W. Warren, according to his
promise yesterday. And so through the City, not a little proud,
God knows, to be seen upon so pretty a beast, and to my cosen W.
Joyce's, who presently mounted too, and he and I out of towne
toward Highgate; in the way, at Kentish-towne, he showing me the
place and manner of Clun's being killed and laid in a ditch, and
yet was not killed by any wounds, having only one in his arm, but
bled to death through his struggling. He told me, also, the
manner of it, of his going home so late drinking with his
mistress, and manner of having it found out.
7th. I saw several poor creatures carried by, by constables, for
being at a conventicle. They go like lambs, without any
resistance. I would to God they would either conform, or be more
wise, and not be catched,'
9th. This day come the news that the Emperour hath beat, the
Turke: killed the Grand Vizier and several great Bassas, with an
army of 80,000 men killed and routed; with some considerable loss
of his own side, having lost three generals, and the French
forces all cut off almost. Which is thought as good a service to
the Emperour as beating the Turke almost.
10th. Abroad to find out one to engrave my tables upon my new
sliding rule with silver plates, it being so small that Browne
that made it cannot get one to do it. So I got Cocker, [Edward
Cocker, the well known writing-master and arithmetician. Ob.
circ. 1679.] the famous writing-master, to do it, and I set an
hour by him to see him design it all: and strange it is to see
him with his natural eyes to cut so small at his first designing
it, and read it all over, without any missing, when for my life I
could not, with my best skill, read one word, or letter of it;
but it is use. He says that the best light for his life to do a
very small thing by, (contrary to Chaucer's words to the Sun,
"that he should lend his light to them that small seals grave,")
it should be by an artificial light of a candle, set to
advantage, as he could do it. I find the fellow, by his
discourse, very ingenious: and among other things, a great
admirer and well read in the English poets, and undertakes to
judge of them all, and that not impertinently.
11th. Comes Cocker with my rule, which he hath engraved to
admiration, for goodness and smallness of work: it cost me 14s.
the doing. This day, for a wager before the King, my Lords of
Castlehaven and Arran, (a son of my Lord of Ormond's) they two
alone did run down and kill a stoute bucke in St. James's parke.
13th. To the new play, at the Duke's house, of "Henry the
Fifth;" a most noble play, writ by my Lord Orrery; wherein
Betterton, Harris, and Ianthe's parts most incomparably wrote and
done, and the whole play the most full of height and raptures of
wit and sense, that ever I heard; having but one incongruity,
that King Harry promises to plead for Tudor to their mistress,
Princesse Katherine of France, more than when it comes to it he
seems to do; and Tudor refused by her with some kind of
indignity, not with a difficulty and honour that it ought to have
been done in to him.
15th. With Sir J. Minnes, he talking of his cures abroad, while
he was with the King as a doctor. And among others, Sir J.
Benham he told me he had cured to a miracle. At Charing Cross,
and there saw the great Dutchman that is come over, under whose
arm I went with my hat on, and could not reach higher than his
eyebrowes with, the tip of my fingers. He is a comely and well-
made man, and his wife a very little but pretty comely Dutch
woman.
16th. Wakened about two o'clock this morning with a noise of
thunder, which lasted for an hour, with such continued
lightnings, not flashes, but flames, that all the sky and ayre
was light; and that for a great while, not a minute's space
between new flames all the time: such a thing as I never did
see, nor could have believed had even been in nature. And being
put into a great sweat with it, could not sleep till all was
over. And that accompanied with such a storm of rain as I never
heard in my life. I expected to find my house in the morning
overflowed; but I find not one drop of rain in my house, nor any
news of hurt done. Mr. Pierce tells me the King do still sup
every night with my Lady Castlemaine.
19th. The news of the Emperour's victory over the Turkes is by
some doubted, but by most confessed to be very small (though
great,) of what was talked, which was 80,000 men to be killed and
taken of the Turke's side.
20th. I walked to Cheapside to see the effect of a fire there
this morning, since four o'clock: which I find in the house of
Mr. Bois, that married Doctor Fuller's niece, who are both out of
town, leaving only a maid and man in town. It begun in their
house, and hath burned much and many houses backward, though none
forward; and that in the great uniform pile of buildings in the
middle of Cheapside. I am very sorry for them, for the Doctor's
sake. Thence to the 'Change, and so home to dinner. And thence
to Sir W. Batten's, whither Sir Richard Ford come, the Sheriffe,
who hath been at this fire all the while; and he tells me, upon
my question, that he and the Mayor [Sir John Robinson.] were
there, as it is their dutys to be, not only to keep the peace,
but they have power of commanding the pulling down of any house
or houses, to defend the City. By and by comes in the Common
Cryer of the City to speak with him; and when he was gone, says
he, "You may see by this man the constitution of the Magistracy
of this City; that this fellow's place, I dare give him (if he
will be true to me,) 1000l. for his profits every year, and
expect to get 500l. more to myself thereby. When," says he, "I
in myself am forced to spend many times as much."
26th. To see some pictures at one Hiseman's, [Huysman.] a
picture-drawer, a Dutchman, which is said to exceed Lilly, and
indeed there is both of the Queenes and Maids or honour
(particularly Mrs. Stewart's in a buff doublet like a soldier)
[Still to be seen at Kensington Palace.] as good pictures I
think as ever I saw. The Queene is drawn in one like a
shepherdess, in the other like St. Katharin, most like and most
admirably. I was mightily pleased with this sight indeed. Mr.
Pen, Sir William's son, is come back from France, and come to
visit my wife. A most modish person grown, she says a fine
gentleman.
27th. All the news this day is, that the Dutch are, with twenty-
two sail of ships of warr, crewsing up and down about Ostend: at
which we are alarmed. My Lord Sandwich is come back into the
Downes with only eight sail, which is or may be a prey to the
Dutch, if they knew our weakness and inability to set out any
more speedily.
31st. Prince Rupert I hear this day is to go to command this
fleet going to Guinny against the Dutch. I doubt few will be
pleased with his going, being accounted an unhappy man.
SEPTEMBER 5, 1664. With the Duke; where all our discourse of war
in the highest measure. Prince Rupert was with us; who is
fitting himself to go to sea in the Heneretta. And afterwards I
met him and Mr. Gray, and says he, "I can answer but for one
ship, and in that I will do my part; for it is not in that as in
the army, where a man can command every thing."
6th. This day Mr. Coventry did tell us how the Duke did receive
the Dutch Embassador the other day: by telling him that, whereas
they think us in jest, he believes that the Prince (Rupert) which
goes in this fleet to Guinny will soon tell them that we are in
earnest, and that he himself will do the like here, in the head
of the fleet here at home; and that he did not doubt to live to
see the Dutch as fearfull of provoking the English, under the
government of a King, as he remembers there to have been under
that of a Coquin.
11th. With Mr. Blagrave walking in the Abbey, he telling me the
whole government and discipline of White Hall Chapel, and the
caution now used against admitting any debauched persons.
12th. Up, and to my cosen Anthony Joyce's, and there took leave
of my aunt James, and both cosens, their wives, who are this day
going down to my father's by coach. I did give my aunt 20s., to
carry as a token to my mother, and 10s. to Poll. [His sister
Paulina.] With the Duke; and saw him with great pleasure play
with his little girle, like an ordinary private father of a
child.
19th. Dr. Pierce tells me (when I was wondering that Fraizer
should order things with the Prince in that confident manner,)
that Fraizer is so great with my Lady Castlemaine, and Stewart,
and all the ladies at Court, in helping to slip their calfes when
there is occasion, and with the great men in curing of them, that
he can do what he please with the King in spite of any man, and
upon the same score with the Prince; they all having more or less
occasion to make use of him.
22nd. Home to-bed; having got a strange cold in my head, by
flinging off my hat at dinner, and sitting with the wind in my
neck. [In Lord Clarendon's Essay on the decay of respect paid to
Age, he says, that in his younger days he never kept his hat on
before those older than himself, except at dinner.]
23rd. We were told to-day of a Dutch ship of 3 or 400 tons,
where all the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast
ashore at Gottenburgh.
29th. Fresh newes come of our beating the Dutch at Guinny quite
out of all their castles almost, which will make them quite mad
here at home sure. and Sir G. Carteret did tell me, that the
King do joy mightily at it; but asked him laughing, "But," says
he, "how shall I do to answer this to the Embassador when he
comes?" Nay they say that we have beat them out of the New
Netherlands too; so that we have been doing them mischief for a
great while in several parts of the world, without publick
knowledge or reason. Their fleete for Guinny is now, they say,
ready, and abroad, and will be going this week.
OCTOBER 1, 1664. We go now on with vigour in preparing against
the Dutch; who, they say, will now fall upon us without doubt
upon this high news come of our beating them so wholly in Guinny.
2nd. After church I walked to my Lady Sandwich's, through my
Lord Southampton's new buildings in the fields behind Gray's Inn,
and, indeed, they are a very great and a noble work.
3rd. With Sir J. Minnes, by coach, to St. James's; and there all
the news now of very hot preparations for the Dutch: and being
with the Duke, he told us he was resolved to take a tripp
himself, and that Sir W. Pen should go in the same ship with him.
Which honour, God forgive me! I could grudge him, for his
knavery and dissimulation, though I do not envy much the having
the same place myself. Talk also of great haste in the getting
out another fleet, and building some ships; and now it is likely
we have put one another's dalliance past a retreate.
4th. After dinner to a play, to see "The Generall;" which is so
dull and so ill-acted, that I think it is the worst I ever saw or
heard in all my days. I happened to sit near to Sir Charles
Sedley: who I find a very witty man, and he did at every line
take notice of the dullness of the poet and badness of the
action, that most pertinently; which I was mightily taken with.
5th. To the Musique-meeting at the Post-office, where I was once
before. And thither anon come all the Gresham College, and a
great deal of noble company: and the new instrument was brought
called the Arched Viall, where being tuned with lute-strings, and
played on with kees like an organ, a piece of parchment is always
kept moving; and the strings, which by the kees are pressed down
upon it, are grated in imitation of a bow, by the parchment; and
so it is intended to resemble several vyalls played on with one
bow, but so basely and so harshly, that it will never do. But
after three hours' stay it could not be fixed in tune: and so
they were fain to go to some other musique of instruments. This
morning, by three o'clock, the Prince [Rupert.] and King, and
Duke with him, went down the River, and the Prince under sail
the next tide after, and so is gone from the Hope. God give him
better success than he used to have!
10th. This day, by the blessing of God, my wife and I have been
married nine years: but my head being full of business, I did
not think of it to keep it in any extraordinary manner. But
bless God for our long lives and loves and health together, which
the same God long continue, I wish, from my very heart!
11th. Luellin tells me what an obscene loose play this "Parson's
Wedding" [A comedy, by Thomas Killigrew.] is, that is acted by
nothing but women at the King's house. My wife tells me the sad
news of my Lady Castlemaine's being now become so decayed, that
one would not know her; at least far from a beauty, which I am
sorry for. This day with great joy Captain Titus told us the
particulars of the French's expedition against Gigery upon the
Barbary Coast, in the Straights, with 6000 chosen men. They have
taken the Fort of Gigery, wherein were five men and three guns,
which makes the whole story of the King of France's policy and
power to be laughed at.
12th. For news, all say De Ruyter is gone to Guinny before us.
Sir J. Lawson is come to Portsmouth; and our fleet is hastening
all speed: I mean this new fleet. Prince Rupert with his is got
into the Downes.
13th. In my way to Brampton in this day's journey I met with Mr.
White, Cromwell's chaplin that was, and had a great deal of
discourse with him. Among others, he tells me that Richard is,
and hath long been, in France, and is now going into Italy. He
owns publickly that he do correspond, and return him all his
money. That Richard hath been in some straits in the beginning;
but relieved by his friends. That he goes by another name, but
do not disguise himself, nor deny himself to any man that
challenges him. He tells me, for certain, that offers had been
made to the old man, of marriage between the King and his
daughter, to have obliged him, but he would not. He thinks (with
me) that it never was in his power to bring in the King with the
consent of any of his officers about him; and that he scorned to
bring him in as Monk did, to secure himself and deliver every
body else. When I told him of what; I found writ in a French
book of one Monsieur Sorbiere, [Samuel Sorbiere, who, after
studying divinity and medicine at Paris, travelled in different
parts of Europe, and published his Voyage into England, described
by Voltaire as a dull, scurrilous satyr upon a nation of which
the author knew nothing.] that gives an account of his
observations here in England; among other things he says, that it
is reported that Cromwell did, in his life-time, transpose many
of the bodies of the Kings of England from one grave to another,
and that by that means it is not known certainly whether the head
that is now set up upon a post be that of Cromwell, or of one of
the Kings; Mr. White tells me that be believes he never had so
poor a low thought in him to trouble himself about it. He says
the hand of God is much to be seen; that all his children are in
good condition enough as to estate, and that their relations that
betrayed their family are all now either hanged or very
miserable.
15th. My father and I up and walked alone to Hinchingbroke; and
among the late chargeable works that my Lord hath done there, we
saw his water-works, which are very fine; and so is the house all
over, but I am sorry to think of the money at this time spent
therein.
16th (Lord's day). It raining, we set out betimes, and about
nine o'clock got to Hatfield in church-time; and I light and saw
my simple Lord Salsbury sit there in the gallery.
18th. At Somerset-House I saw the Queene's new rooms, which are
most stately and nobly furnished; and there I saw her and the
Duke of York and Duchesse. The Duke espied me, and come to me,
and talked with me a very great while.
24th. Into the galleries at White Hall to talk with my Lord
Sandwich; among other things, about the Prince's writing up to
tell us of the danger he and his fleet lie in at Portsmouth, of
receiving affronts from the Dutch; which, my Lord said, he would
never have done, had he lain there with one ship alone: nor is
there any great reason for it, because of the sands. However,
the fleet will be ordered to go and lay themselves up at the
Cowes. Much beneath the prowesse of the Prince, I think, and the
honour of the nation, at the first to be found to secure
themselves. My Lord is well pleased to think, that, if the Duke
and the Prince go, all the blame of any miscarriage will not
light on him: and that if any thing goes well, he hopes he shall
have the share of the glory, for the Prince is by no means well
esteemed of by any body. This day the great O'Neale died; I
believe, to the content of all the Protestant pretenders in
Ireland.
26th. At Woolwich; I there up to the King and Duke. Here I
staid above with them while the ship was launched, which was done
with great success, and the King did very much like the ship,
saying, she had the best bow that ever he saw. But Lord! the
sorry talk and discourse among the great courtiers round about
him, without any reverence in the world, but with so much
disorder. By and by the Queene comes and her Maids of Honour;
one whereof, Mrs. Boynton, [Daughter of Matthew, second son to
Sir Matthew Boynton, Bart., of Barnston, Yorkshire. She became
the first wife of Richard Talbot, afterwards Duke of Tyrconnel.]
and the Duchesse of Buckingham had been very sick coming by water
in the barge, (the water being very rough); but what silly sport
they made with them in very common terms, methought, was very
poor, and below what people think these great people say and do.
The launching being done, the King and company went down to take
barge; and I sent for Mr. Pett, [He had built the ship.] and put
the flaggon into the Duke's hand, and he, in the presence of the
King, did give it Mr. Pett, taking it upon his knee. The City
did last night very freely lend the King 100,000l. without any
security but the King's word, which was very noble.
29th. All the talk is that De Ruyter is come over-land home with
six or eight of his captaines to command here at home, and their
ships kept abroad in the Straights: which sounds as if they had
a mind to do something with us.
31st. This day I hear young Mr. Stanly, a brave young gentleman,
that went out with young Jermin, with Prince Rupert, is already
dead of the small-pox, at Portsmouth. All preparations against
the Dutch; and the Duke of York fitting himself with all speed to
go to the fleet which is hastening for him; being now resolved to
go in the Charles.
NOVEMBER 5, 1664. To the Duke's house to see "Macbeth," a pretty
good play, but admirably acted. Thence home; the coach being
forced to go round by London Wall home, because of the bonfires;
the day being mightily observed in the City.
8th. At noon, I and Sir J. Minnes and Lord Barkeley (who with
Sir J. Duncum, [M.P. for Bury St. Edmunds.] and Mr. Chichly, are
made Masters of the Ordnance), to the office of the Ordnance, to
discourse about wadding for guns. Thence to dinner, all of us to
the Lieutenant's of the Tower; where a good dinner, but disturbed
in the middle of it by the King's coming into the Tower: and so
we broke up, and to him, and went up and down the store-houses
and magazines; which are, with the addition of the new great
storehouse, a noble sight.
9th. To White Hall, and there the King being in his Cabinet
Council (I desiring to speak with Sir G. Carteret,) I was called
in, and demanded by the King himself many questions, to which I
did give him full answers. There were at this Council my Lord
Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Treasurer, the two
Secretarys, and Sir G. Carteret. Not a little contented at this
chance of being made known to these persons, and called often by
my name by the King. The Duke of York is this day gone away to
Portsmouth.
11th. A gentleman told us he saw the other day, (and did bring
the draught of it to Sir Francis Prigeon,) a monster born of an
hostler's wife at Salsbury, two women children perfectly made,
joyned at the lower part of their bellies, and every part perfect
as two bodies, and only one payre of legs coming forth on one
side from the middle where they were joined. It was alive 24
hours, and cried and did as all hopefull children do; but, being
showed too much to people, was killed. To the Council at White
Hall, where a great many lords: Annesly in the chair. But,
Lord! to see what work they will make us, and what trouble we
shall have to inform men in a business they are to begin to know,
when the greatest of our hurry is, is a thing to be lamented; and
I fear the consequence will be bad to us. Put on my new shaggy
purple gown with gold buttons and loop lace.
14th. Up, and with Sir W. Batten to White Hall, to the Lords of
the Admiralty, and there did our business betimes. Thence to Sir
Philip Warwick about Navy business: and my Lord Ashly; and
afterwards to my Lord Chancellor, who is very well pleased with
me, and my carrying of his business. And so to the 'Change,
where mighty busy; and so home to dinner, where Mr. Creed and
Moore: and after dinner I to my Lord Treasurer's, to Sir Philip
Warwick there, and then to White Hall, to the Duke of Albemarle,
about Tangier; and then homeward to the Coffee-house to hear
news. And it seems the Dutch, as I afterwards found by Mr.
Coventry's letters, have stopped a ship of masts of Sir W.
Warren's, coming for us in a Swede's ship, which they will not
release upon Sir G. Downing's claiming her: which appears as the
first act of hostility; and is looked upon as so by Mr. Coventry.
The Elias, coming from New England (Captain Hill, commander,) is
sunk; only the captain and a few men saved. She foundered in the
sea.
21st. This day for certain news is come that Teddiman hath
brought in eighteen or twenty Dutchmen, merchants, their
Bourdeaux fleet and two men of warr to Portsmouth. And I had
letters this afternoon, that three are brought into the Downes
and Dover: so that the warr is begun: God give a good end to
it!
22nd. To my Lord Treasurer's; where with Sir Philip Warwick,
studying all we could to make the last year swell as high as we
could. And it is much to see how he do study for the King, to do
it to get all the money from the Parliament he can: and I shall
be serviceable to him therein, to help him to heads upon which to
enlarge the report of the expence. He did observe to me how
obedient this Parliament was for a while, and the last Session
how they began to differ, and to carp at the King's officers; and
what they will do now, he says, is to make agreement for the
money, for there is no guess to be made of it. He told me he was
prepared to convince the Parliament that the Subsidys are a most
ridiculous tax (the four last not rising to 40,000l.) and
unequall. He talks of a tax of assessment of 70,000l. for five
years; the people to be secured that it shall continue no longer
than there is really a warr; and the charges thereof to be paid.
He told me, that one year of the late Dutch war, cost 1,623,000l.
Thence to my Lord Chancellor's and there staid long with Sir W.
Batten, and Sir J. Minnes, to speak with my lord about our Prize
Office business; but, being sick and full of visitants, we could
not speak with him, and so away home. Where Sir Richard Ford did
meet us with letters from Holland this day, that it is likely the
Dutch fleet will not come out this year; they have not victuals
to keep them out, and it is likely they will be frozen before
they can get back. Captain Cocke is made Steward for sick and
wounded seamen.
23rd. Sir G. Carteret was here this afternoon; and strange to
see how we plot to make the charge of this war to appear greater
than it is, because of getting money.
25th. At my office all the morning, to prepare an account of the
charge we have been put to extraordinary by the Dutch already;
and I have brought it to appear 852,700l.: but God knows this is
only a scare to the Parliament, to make them give the more money.
Thence to the Parliament House, and there did give it to Sir
Philip Warwick; the House being hot upon giving the King a supply
of money. Mr. Jenings tells me the mean manner that Sir Samuel
Morland lives near him, in a house he hath bought and laid out
money upon, in all to the value of 1200l.; but is believed to be
a beggar. At Sir W. Batten's I hear that the House have given
the King 2,500,000l. to be paid for this war, only for the Navy,
in three years' time: which is a joyful thing to all the King's
party I see, but was much opposed by Mr. Vaughan and others, that
it should be so much.
28th. Certain news of our peace made by Captain Allen with
Argier; and that the Dutch have sent part of their fleet round by
Scotland; and resolve to pay off the rest half-pay, promising the
rest in the spring, hereby keeping their men. But how true this,
I know not.
DECEMBER 3, 1664. The Duke of York is expected to-night with
great joy from Portsmouth, after his having been abroad at sea,
three or four days with the fleet; and the Dutch are all drawn
into their harbours. But it seems like a victory: and a matter
of some reputation to us it is, and blemish to them; but in no
degree like what it is esteemed at, the weather requiring them to
do so.
5th. Up, and to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes; and there, among
an infinite crowd of great persons, did kiss the Duke's hand; but
had no time to discourse.
6th. To the Old Exchange, and there hear that the Dutch are
fitting their ships out again, which puts us to new discourse,
and to alter our thoughts of the Dutch, as to their want of
courage or force.
15th. It seems, of all mankind there is no man so led by another
as the Duke is by Lord Muskerry [Eldest son of the Earl of
Cloncarty. He had served with distinction in Flanders, as
colonel of an infantry regiment, and was killed on board the Duke
of York's ship, in the sea fight, 1665.] and this FitzHarding.
Insomuch, as when, the King would have him to be Privy-Purse, the
Duke wept, and said, "But, Sir, I must have your promise, if you
will have my dear Charles from me, that if ever you have an
occasion for an army again, I may have him with me; believing him
to be the best commander of an army in the world." But Mr.
Cholmly thinks, as all other men I meet with do, that he is a
very ordinary fellow. It is strange how the Duke also do love
naturally, and affect the Irish above the English. He, of the
company he carried with him to sea, took above two thirds Irish
and French. He tells me the King do hate my Lord Chancellor; and
that they, that is the King and Lord FitzHarding, do laugh at him
for a dull fellow; and in all this business of the Dutch war do
nothing by his advice, hardly consulting him. Only he is a good
minister in other respects, and the King cannot be without him;
but, above all, being the Duke's father-in-law, he is kept in;
otherwise FitzHarding were able to fling down two of him. This,
all the wise and grave lords see, and cannot help it; but yield
to it. But he bemoans what the end of it may be, the King being
ruled by these men, as he hath been all along since his coming to
the rasing all the strong-holds in Scotland, and giving liberty
to the Irish in Ireland, whom Cromwell had settled all in one
corner; who are now able, and it is feared every day a massacre
beginning among them.
17th. Mighty talk there is of this Comet that is seen a'nights;
and the King and Queene did sit up last night to see it, and did,
it seems. And to-night I thought to have done so too; but it is
cloudy, and so no stars appear. But I will endeavour it. Mr.
Gray did tell me to-night, for certain, that the Dutch, as high
as they seem, do begin to buckle; and that one man in this
kingdom did tell the King that he is offered 40,000l. to make a
peace, and others have been offered money also. It seems the
taking of their Bourdeaux fleet thus, arose from a printed
Gazette of the Dutch's boasting of fighting, and having beaten
the English: in confidence whereof, (it coming to Bourdeaux,)
all the fleet comes out, and so falls into our hands.
19th. With Sir J. Minnes to White Hall, and there we waited on
the Duke. And among other things Mr. Coventry took occasion to
vindicate himself before the Duke and us, being ill there, about
the choosing of Taylor for Harwich. [Silas Taylor, Storekeeper
at Harwich.] Upon which the Duke did clear him, and did tell us
that he did expect, that, after he had named a man, none of us
shall then oppose or find fault with the man; but if we had any
thing to say, we ought to say it before he had chose him. Sir G.
Carteret thought himself concerned, and endeavoured to clear
himself: and by and by Sir W. Batten did speak, knowing himself
guilty, and did confess, that being pressed by the Council he did
say what he did, that he was accounted a fanatique; but did not
know that at that time he had been appointed by his Royal
Highness. To which the Duke: that it was impossible but he must
know that he had appointed him; and so it did appear that the
Duke did mean all this while Sir W. Batten.
21st. My Lord Sandwich this day writes me word that he hath seen
(at Portsmouth) the Comet, and says it is the most extraordinary
thing he ever saw.
22nd. Met with a copy of verses, mightily commended by some
gentlemen there, of my Lord Mordaunt's, [Vide Note, Nov. 26,
1666.] in excuse of his going to sea this late expedition, with
the Duke of York. But Lord! they are sorry things; only a Lord
made them. Thence to the 'Change; and there, among the
merchants, I hear fully the news of our being beaten to dirt at
Guinny, by De Ruyter with his fleet. The particulars, as much as
by Sir G. Carteret afterwards I heard, I have said in a letter to
my Lord Sandwich this day at Portsmouth; it being meet wholly to
the utter ruine of our Royall Company, and reproach and shame to
the whole nation, as well as justification to them in their doing
wrong to no man as to his private property, only taking whatever
is found to belong to the Company, and nothing else. To
Redriffe; and just in time within two minutes, and saw the new
vessel of Sir William Petty's launched, the King and Duke being
there. It swims and looks finely, and I believe will do well.
24th. At noon to the 'Change, to the Coffee-house; and there
heard Sir Richard Ford tell the whole story of our defeat at
Guinny. Wherein our men are guilty of the most horrid cowardice
and perfidiousness, as he says and tells it, that ever Englishmen
were. Captain Reynolds, that was the only commander of any of
the King's ships there, was shot at by De Ruyter, with a bloody
flag flying. He, instead of opposing (which, indeed, had been to
no purpose, but only to maintain honour) did poorly go on board
himself, to ask what De Ruyter would have; and so yield to
whatever Ruyter would desire. The King and Duke are highly vexed
at it, it seems, and the business deserves it. I saw the Comet,
which is now, whether worn away or no I know not, but appears not
with a tail, but only is larger and duller than any other star,
and is come to rise betimes, and to make a great arch, and is
gone quite to a new place in the heavens than it was before: but
I hope in a clearer night something more will be seen.
28th. To Sir W. Pen's to his Lady, [Margaret, daughter of John
Jasper, a merchant at Rotterdam.] who is a well-looked, fat,
short, old Dutch woman; but one that hath been heretofore pretty
handsome, and is I believe very discreet, and hath more wit than
her husband.
31st. Public matters are all in a hurry about a Dutch warr. Our
preparations great; our provocations against them great; and
after all our presumption, we are now afraid as much of them, as
we lately contemned them. Every thing else in the State quiet,
blessed be God! My Lord Sandwich at sea with the fleet at
Portsmouth; sending some about to cruise for taking of ships,
which we have done to a great number. This Christmas I judged it
fit to look over all my papers and books; and to tear all that I
found either boyish or not to be worth keeping, or fit to be
seen, if it should please God to take me away suddenly among
others, I found these two or three notes, which I thought fit to
keep.
AGE OF MY GRANDFATHER'S CHILDREN
Thomas, 1595.
Mary, March 16, 1597.
Edith, October 11, 1599.
John, (my Father,) January 14, 1601.
My father and mother marryed at Newington, in Surry, Oct, 15,
1626
THEYR CHILDREN'S AGES.
Mary, July 24, 1627. mort.
[The word "mort" must have been in some instances added long
after the entry was first made.]
Paulina, Sept. 18, 1628. mort.
Esther, March 27, 1630. mort.
John, January 16, 1631. mort.
Samuel, Feb. 23, 1632.
[To this name is affixed the following note:--Went to reside in
Magd. Coll. Camb, and did put on my gown first, March 5 1650-1.]
Thomas, June 18, 1634. mort.
Sarah, August 25, 1635. mort.
Jacob, May 1, 1637. mort.
Robert, Nov. 18, 1638. mort.
Paulina, Oct. 18, 1640.
John, Nov. 26, 1641. mort.
December 31, 1664.
CHARMES.
FOR STENCHING OF BLOOD.
Sanguis mane in te,
Sicut Christus fuit in se;
Sanguis mane in tua vena
Sicut Christus in sua poena;
Sanguis mane fixus,
Sicut Christus quando fuit crucifixus,
2. A THORNE.
Jesus, that was of a Virgin born,
Was pricked both with nail and thorn;
It neither wealed nor belled, rankled nor boned
In the name of Jesus no more shall this.
Or, thus:--
Christ was of a Virgin born;
And he was pricked with a thorn;
And it did neither bell, nor swell,
And I trust in Jesus this never will.
3. A CRAMP.
Cramp be thou faintless,
As our Lady was sinless,
When she bare Jesus.
4. A BURNING.
There came three Angells out of the East;
The one brought fire, the other brought frost--
Out fire; in frost.
In the name of the Father and Son, and Holy Ghost.
AMEN.
1664-5. (JANUARY 2.) To my Lord Brouncker's, by appointment, in
the Piazza, in Covent-Garden; where I occasioned much mirth with
a ballet [The Earl of Dorset's song, "To all ye ladies now at
land," &c.] I brought with me, made from the seamen at sea to
their ladies in town; saying Sir W. Pen, Sir G. Ascue, and Sir J.
Lawson made them. Here a most noble French dinner and banquet.
The street full of footballs, it being a great frost.
4th. To my Lord of Oxford's, but his Lordship was in bed at past
ten o'clock: and, Lord help us! so rude a dirty family I never
saw in my life.
9th. I saw the Royal Society bring their new book, wherein is
nobly writ their charter and laws, and comes to be signed by the
Duke as a Fellow; and all the Fellows' hands are to be entered
there, and lie as a monument; and the King hath put his with the
word Founder. Holmes was this day sent to the Tower, but I
perceive it is made matter of jest only; but if the Dutch should
be our masters, it may come to be of earnest to him, to be given
over to them for a sacrifice, as Sir W. Rawly was. To a Tangier
committee, where I was accosted and most highly complimented by
my Lord Bellasses, our new governor, beyond my expectation; and I
may make good use of it. Our patent is renewed, and he and my
Lord Barkeley, and Sir Thomas Ingram [Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster, and a Privy Counsellor. Ob. 1671.] put in as
commissioners.
11th. This evening, by a letter from Plymouth, I hear that two
of our ships, the Leopard and another, in the Straights, are lost
by running aground; and that three more had like to have been so,
but got off, whereof Captain Allen one: and that a Dutch fleet
are gone thither; and if they should meet with our lame ships,
God knows what would become of them. This I reckon most sad
news; God make us sensible of it!
12th. Spoke with a Frenchman who was taken, but released, by a
Dutch man-of-war of thirty-six guns, (with seven more of the
King's or greater ships), off the North Foreland, by Margett.
Which is a strange attempt, that they should come to our teeth;
but the wind being easterly, the wind that should bring our force
from Portsmouth, will carry them away home.
13th. Yesterday's news confirmed, though a little different; but
a couple of ships in the Straights we have lost, and the Dutch
have been in Margret Road. [QUERY Margate.]
14th. To the King's house, there to see Vulpone, [A Comedy by
Ben Jonson.] a most excellent play: the best I think I ever
saw, and well acted.
15th. With Sir W. Pen in his coach to my Lord Chancellor's,
where by and by Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Pen, Sir J. Lawson, Sir G.
Ascue, and myself were called in to the King, there being several
of the Privy Council, and my Lord Chancellor lying at length upon
a couch (of the goute I suppose); and there Sir W. Pen spoke
pretty well to dissuade the King from letting the Turkey ships go
out: saying (in short) the King having resolved to have 130
ships out by the spring, he must have above 20 of them
merchantmen. Towards which, he in the whole River could find but
12 or 14, and of them the five ships taken up by these merchants
were a part, and so could not be spared. That we should need
30,000 sailors to man these 130 ships, and of them in service we
have not above 16,000: so that we shall need 14,000 more. That
these ships will with their convoys carry about 2000 men, and
those the best men that could be got; it being the men used to
the Southward that are the best men of warr, though those bred in
the North among the colliers are good for labour. That it will
not be safe for the merchants, nor honourable for the King, to
expose these rich ships with his convoy of six ships to go, it
not being enough to secure them against the Dutch, who, without
doubt, will have a great fleet in the Straights. This, Sir
J.Lawson enlarged upon. Sir G. Ascue chiefly spoke that the warr
and trade could not be supported together. Mr. Coventry showed
how the medium of the men the King hath one year with another
employed in his Navy since his coming, hath not been above 3000
men, or at most 4000 men; and now having occasion of 30,000, the
remaining 26,000 must be found out of the trade of the nation.
He showed how the cloaths, sending by these merchants to Turkey,
are already bought and paid for to the workmen, and are as many
as they would send these twelve months or more; so the poor do
not suffer by their not going, but only the merchant, upon whose
hands they lie dead; and so the inconvenience is the less. And
yet for them he propounded, either the King should, if his
Treasurer would suffer it, buy them, and showed the loss would
not be so great to him: or, dispense with the Act of Navigation,
and let them be carried out by strangers; and ending that he
doubted not but when the merchants saw there was no remedy, they
would and could find ways of sending them abroad to their profit.
All ended with a conviction (unless future discourse with the
merchants should alter it,) that it was not fit for them to go
out, though the ships be loaded. So we withdrew, and the
merchants were called in. Staying without, my Lord FitzHarding
come thither, and fell to discourse of Prince Rupert's disease,
[Morbus, scil, Gallicus.] telling the horrible degree of its
breaking out on his head. He observed also from the Prince, that
courage is not what men take it to be, a contempt of death; for,
says he, how chagrined the Prince was the other day when he
thought he should die.
16th. To a Tangier committee, where my Lord Ashly, I observe, is
a most clear man in matters of accounts, and most ingeniously did
discourse and explain all matters.
19th, This day was buried; (but I could not be there) my cosen
Percivall Angler: and yesterday I received the news that Dr. Tom
Pepys is dead, at Impington.
21st. Mr. Povy carried me to Somerset House, and there showed me
the Queene-Mother's chamber and closet, most beautiful places for
furniture and pictures; and so down the great stone stairs to the
garden, and tried the brave echo upon the stairs; which continues
a voice so long as the singing three notes, concords, one after
another, they all three shall sound in consort together a good
while most pleasantly.
23rd. Up, and with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Pen to White Hall;
but there finding the Duke gone to his lodgings in St, James's
for alltogether, his Duchesse being ready to lie in, we to him,
and there did our usual business. and here I met the great news
confirmed by the Duke's own relation, by a letter from Captain
Allen. First, of our own loss of two ships, the Phoenix and
Nonsuch, in the Bay of Gibraltar: then of his and his seven
ships with him, in the Bay of Cales, or thereabouts, fighting
with the 34 Dutch Smyrna fleet; sinking the King Salamon, a ship
worth a 150,000l. or more, some say 200,000l. and another; and
taking of three merchant-ships. Two of our ships were disabled,
by the Dutch unfortunately falling against their will against
them; the Advice, Captain W. Poole, and Antelope, Captain Clerke.
The Dutch men of war did little service. Captain Allen, before
he would fire one gun, come within pistol-shot of the enemy. The
Spaniards, at Cales, did stand laughing at the Dutch, to see them
run away and flee to the shore, 34 or thereabouts, against eight
Englishmen at most. I do purpose to get the whole relation, if I
live, of Captain Allen himself. In our loss of the two ships in
the Bay of Gibraltar, the world do comment upon the misfortune of
Captain Moone of the Nonsuch, (who did lose, in the same manner,
the Satisfaction,) as a person that hath ill-luck attending him;
without-considering that the whole fleet was ashore. Captain
Allen led the way, and himself writes that all the masters of the
fleet, old and young, were mistaken, and did carry their ships
aground. But I think I heard the Duke say that Moone, being put
into Oxford, had in this conflict regained his credit, by sinking
one and taking another. Captain Seale of the Milford hath done
his part very well, in boarding the King Salamon, which held out
half an hour after she was boarded; and his men kept her an hour
after they did master her, and then she sunk, and drowned about
17 of her men.
24th. The Dutch have, by consent of all the Provinces, voted no
trade to be suffered for eighteen months, but that they apply
themselves wholly to the war. [This statement of a total
prohibition of all trade, and for so long a period as eighteen
months, by a government so essentially commercial as that of the
United Provinces seems extraordinary. The fact, as I am
informed, was, that when in the beginning of the year 1665 the
States General saw that the war with England was become
inevitable, they took several vigorous measures, and determined
to equip a formidable fleet, and with a view to obtain a
sufficient number of men to man it, prohibited all navigation,
especially in the great and small fisheries as they were then
called, and in the Whale fishery. This measure appears to have
resembled the embargoes so commonly resorted to in this country
on similar occasions, rather than a total prohibition of trade.]
27th. Mr. Slingsby, a very ingenious person about the Mint,
tells me that the money passing up and down in business is
700,000l. He also made me fully understand that the old law of
prohibiting bullion to be exported, is, and ever was a folly and
an injury, rather than good.
FEBRUARY 3, 1664-65. To visit my Lady Sandwich, and she
discoursed largely to me her opinion of a match, if it could be
thought fit by my Lord, for my Lady Jemimah, with Sir G.
Carteret's eldest son; but I doubt he hath yet no settled estate
in land. But I will inform myself, and give her my opinion.
Then Mrs. Pickering (after private discourse ended, we going into
the other room) did, at my Lady's command, tell me the manner of
a masquerade before the King and the Court the other day. Where
six women (my Lady Castlermaine and Duchesse of Monmouth being
two of them,) and six men, (the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Avon
and Monsieur Blanfort, [Lewis Duras, Marquis de Blanquefort,
naturalized 17th Charles II., and created Baron Duras 1672 and
K.G. by James II., whom he had attended in the sea-fight 1665, as
Captain of the guard.] being three of them) in vizards, but most
rich and antique dresses, did dance admirably and most
gloriously. God give us cause to continue the mirth!
4th. I to the Sun behind the 'Change, to dinner to my Lord
Belasses, He told us a very handsome passage of the King's
sending him his message about holding out the town of Newarke, of
which he was then governor for the King. This message he sent in
a slugg-bullet, being writ in cipher, and wrapped up in lead and
sealed. So the messenger come to my Lord and told him he had a
message from the King, but it was yet in his belly; so they did
give him some physick, and out it come. This was a month before
the King's flying to the Scots; and therein he told him that at
such a day, the 3rd or 6th of May, he should hear of his being
come to the Scots, being assured by the King of France that in
coming to them he should be used with all the liberty, honour,
and safety, that could be desired. And at the just day he did
come to the Scots. He told us another odd passage: how the King
having newly put out Prince Rupert of his generalship, upon some
miscarriage at Bristol, and Sir Richard Willis of his
governorship of Newarke, at the entreaty of the gentry of the
County, and put in my Lord Bellasses; the great officers of the
King's army mutinyed, and come in that manner with swords drawn,
into the market-place of the town where the King was; which the
King hearing says, "I must horse." And there himself personally,
when everybody expected they should have been opposed, the King
come, and cried to the head of the mutineers, which was Prince
Rupert, "Nephew I command you to be gone." So the Prince, in all
his fury and discontent, withdrew, and his company scattered.
6th. One of the coldest days, all say, they ever felt in
England.
9th. Sir William Petty tells me that Mr. Barlow [Mr. Pepys'
predecessor as Clerk of the acts, to whom he paid part of the
salary.] is dead; for which, God knows my heart, I could be as
sorry as is possible for one to be for a stranger, by whose death
he gets 100l. per annum.
12th. To Church to St. Lawrence to hear Dr. Wilkins, the great
scholar, for curiosity, I having never heard him: but was not
satisfied with him at all.
15th. At noon, with Creed to the Trinity-house, where a very
good dinner among the old jokers, and an extraordinary discourse
of the manner of the loss of the Royall Oake coming home from
Bantam, upon the rocks of Scilly. Thence with Creed to Gresham
College, where I had been by Mr. Povy the last week proposed to
be admitted a member; and was this day admitted, by signing a
book and being taken by the hand by the President, my Lord
Brouncker, and some words of admittance said to me. But it is a
most acceptable thing to hear their discourse, and see their
experiments; which were this day on fire, and how it goes out in
a place where the ayre is not free, and sooner out where the ayre
is exhausted, which they showed by an engine on purpose. After
this being done, they to the Crown Tavern, behind the 'Change,
and there my Lord and most of the company to a club supper; Sir
P. Neale, [Sir Paul Neile, of White Waltham, Berks, eldest son to
Neile, Archbishop of York.] Sir R. Murrey, [One of the Founders
of the Royal Society, made a Privy Counsellor for Scotland after
the Restoration.] Dr. Clerke, Dr. Whistler, [Daniel Whistler,
Fellow of Merton College, took the degree of M.D. at Leyden,
1645; and after practising in London, went as Physician to the
Embassy, with Bulstrode Whitlock, into Sweden. On his return he
became Fellow, and at length President, of the College of
Physicians. Ob. 1684.] Dr. Goddard, [Jonathan Goddard, M.D.,
F.R.S. He had been Physician to Cromwell.] and others, of the
most eminent worth. Above all, Mr. Boyle was at the meeting, and
above him Mr. Hooke, who is the most, and promises the least, of
any man in the world that ever I saw. Here excellent discourse
till ten at night, and then home.
17th. Povy tells me how my Lord Barkeley will say openly, that
he hath fought more set fields than any man in England hath done.
18th. At noon, to the Royall Oak taverne in Lombard Street;
where Sir William Petty and the owners of the double-bottomed
boat (the Experiment) did entertain my Lord Brouncker, Sir A.
Murrey, myself, and others, with marrow bones, and a chine of
beef of the victuals they have made for this ship; and excellent
company and good discourse: but, above all, I do value Sir
William Petty. Thence home; and took my Lord Sandwich's draught
of the harbour of Portsmouth down to Ratcliffe, to one Burston,
to make a plate for the King, and another for the Duke, and
another for himself; which will be very neat.
20th. Rode into the beginning of my Lord Chancellor's new house,
near St. James's; which common people have already called
Dunkirke-house, from their opinion of having a good bribe for the
selling of that towne. And very noble I believe it will be.
Near that is my Lord Barkeley beginning another one side, and Sir
J. Denham on the other.
21st. My Lady Sandwich tells me how my Lord Castlemaine is
coming over from France, and is believed will soon be made
friends with his Lady again. What mad freaks the Mayds of Honour
at Court have: that Mrs. Jenings, one of the Dutchesse's maids,
the other day dressed herself like an orange wench, and went up
and down and cried oranges; till falling down, or by some
accident her fine shoes were discerned, and she put to a great
deal of shame; that such as these tricks being ordinary, and
worse among them, thereby few will venture upon them for wives:
my Lady Castlemaine will in merriment say, that her daughter (not
above a year old or two) will be the first mayd in the Court that
will be married. [Frances, daughter of Richard Jennings, Esq.,
of Sandridge, near St. Alban's, and eldest sister of Sarah,
Duchess of Marlborough, married 1st, George Hamilton, afterwards
knighted, and in the French service; and 2ndly, Richard Talbot,
Created Duke of Tyrconnel. She died in Ireland, 1730. The
anecdote here related will be found in the "Memoires de
Grammont."] This day my Lord Sandwich writ me word from the
Downes, that he is like to be in town this week.
22nd. At noon to the 'Change, busy; where great talk of a Dutch
ship in the North put on shore, and taken by a troop of horse.
25th. At noon to the 'Change; where just before I come, the
Swede that had told the King and the Duke so boldly a great lie
of the Dutch flinging our men back to back into the sea at
Guinny, so particularly, and readily, and confidently, was whipt;
round the 'Change: he confessing it a lie, and that he did it in
hopes to get something.
27th. We to a Committee of the Council to discourse concerning
pressing of men; but Lord! how they meet; never sit down: one
comes, now another goes, then comes another; one complaining that
nothing is done, another swearing that he hath been there these
two hours and nobody come. At last my Lord Annesly [Created Earl
of Anglesea.] says, "I think we must be forced to get the King
to come to every committee; for I do not see that we do any thing
at any time but when he is here." And I believe he said the
truth: and very constant he is on council-days; which his
predecessors, it seems, very rarely were. To Sir Philip
Warwick's; and there he did contract with me a kind of friendship
and freedom of communication, wherein he assures me to make me
understand the whole business of the Treasurer of the Navy, that
I shall know as well as Sir G. Carteret what money he hath; and
will needs have me come to him sometimes, or he meet me, to
discourse of things tending to the serving the King: and I am
mighty proud and happy in becoming so known to such a man. And I
hope shall pursue it.
MARCH 1, 1664-65. To Gresham College, where Mr. Hooke read a
second very curious lecture about the late Comet; among other
things proving very probably that this is the very same Comet
that appeared before in the year 1618, and that in such a time
probably it will appear again, which is a very new opinion; but
all will be in print. Then to the meeting, where Sir G.
Carteret's two sons, his own, and Sir N. Slaning, [Sir Nicholas
Slaning K.B., married a daughter of Sir George Carteret.] were
admitted of the society: and this day I did pay my admission
money, 40s. to the society.
4th. William Howe come to see me, being come up with my Lord
from sea: he is grown a discreet, but very conceited fellow. He
tells me how little respectfully Sir W. Pen did carry it to my
Lord on board the Duke's ship at sea; and that Captain Minnes, a
favourite of Prince Rupert's, do show my Lord little respect; but
that every body else esteems my Lord as they ought. This day was
proclaimed at the 'Change the war with Holland.
5th. To my Lord Sandwich's and dined with my Lord; it being the
first time he hath dined at home since his coming from sea: and
a pretty odd demand it was of my Lord to my Lady before me: "How
do you, sweetheart? How have you done all this week?" himself
taking notice of it to me, that he had hardly seen her the week
before. At dinner he did use me with the greatest solemnity in
the world, in carving for me, and nobody else, and calling often
to my Lady to cut for me; and all the respect possible.
6th. With Sir J. Minnes to St. James's, and there did our
business with the Duke. Great preparations for his speedy return
to sea. I saw him try on his buff coat and hat-piece covered
with black velvet. It troubles me more to think of his venture,
than of any thing else in the whole warr.
8th. This morning is brought me to the office the sad news of
The London, in which Sir J. Lawson's men were all bringing her
from Chatham to the Hope, and thence he was to go to sea in her;
but a little on this side the buoy of the Nower, she suddenly
blew up. About 21 men and a woman that were in the round-house
and coach saved; the rest, being about 300, drowned: the ship
breaking all in pieces, with 80 pieces of brass ordnance. She
lies sunk, with her round-house above water. Sir J. Lawson hath
a great loss in this of so many good chosen men, and many
relations among them. I went to the 'Change, where the news
taken very much to heart.
10th. At noon to the 'Change, where very hot, people's proposal
of the City giving the King another ship for The London, that is
lately blown up. It would be very handsome, and if well managed,
might be done; but I fear if it be put into ill hands, or that
the courtiers do solicit it, it will never be done.
13th. This day my wife begun to wear light-coloured locks, quite
white almost, which, though it makes her look very pretty, yet
not being natural, vexes me, that I will not have her wear them.
This day I saw my Lord Castlemaine at St. James's, lately come
from France.
17th. The Duke did give us some commands, and so broke up, not
taking leave of him. But the best piece of newes is, that
instead of a great many troublesome Lords, the whole business is
to be left, with the Duke of Albemarle to act as Admirall in his
stead; which is a thing that do cheer my heart. For the other
would have vexed us with attendance, and never done the business.
19th. Mr. Povy and I in his coach to Hyde Parke, being the first
day of the tour there. Where many brave ladies; among others,
Castlemaine lay impudently upon her back in her coach asleep,
with her mouth open. There was also my Lady Kerneguy, [Daughter
of William Duke of Hamilton, wife of Lord Carnegy, who became
Earl of Southesk on his father's death. She is frequently
mentioned in the "Memoires de Grammont."] once my Lady Anne
Hambleton.
20th. Creed and I had Mr. Povy's coach sent for us, and we to
his house; where we did some business in order to the work of
this day. Povy and I to my Lord Sandwich, who tells me that the
Duke is not only a friend to the business, but to me, in terms of
the greatest love and respect. The Duke did direct Secretary
Bennet to declare his mind to the Tangier committee, that he
approves of me for treasurer; and with a character of me to be a
man whose industry and discretion he would trust soon as any
man's in England: and did, the like to my Lord Sandwich. So to
White Hall to the Committee of Tangier where there were present,
my Lord of Albemarle, my Lord Peterborough, Sandwich, Barkeley,
FitzHarding, Secretary Bennet, Sir Thomas Ingram, Sir John
Lawson, Povy and I. Where, after other business, Povy did
declare his business very handsomely; that he was sorry he had
been so unhappy in his accounts, as not to give their Lordships
the satisfaction he intended, and that he was sure his accounts
were right, and continues to submit them to examination, and is
ready to lay down in ready money the fault of his account; and
that for the future, that the work might be better done and with
more quiet to him, he desired, by approbation of the Duke, he
might resign his place to Mr. Pepys. Whereupon, Secretary Bennet
did deliver the Duke's command, which was received with great
content and allowance beyond expectation; the Secretary repeating
also the Duke's character of me. And I could discern my Lord
FitzHarding was well pleased with me, and signified full
satisfaction, and whispered something seriously of me to the
Secretary. And there I received their constitution under all
their hands presently; so that I am already confirmed their
treasurer, and put into a condition of striking of tallys; and
all without; one harsh word of dislike, but quite the contrary;
which is a good fortune beyond all imagination.
22nd. Sir William Petty did tell me that in good earnest he hath
in his will left some parts of his estate to him that could
invent such and such things. As among others, that could
discover truly the way of milk coming into the breasts of a
woman; and he that could invent proper characters to express to
another the mixture of relishes and tastes. And says, that to
him that invents gold, he gives nothing for the philosopher's
stone; for (says he) they that find out that, will be able to pay
themselves. But, says he, by this means it is better than to go
to a lecture; for here my executors, that must part with this,
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