Book: Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1661 N.S. Complete

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ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

A lady spit backward upon me by a mistake
A most tedious, unreasonable, and impertinent sermon
Comely black woman.--[The old expression for a brunette.]
Cruel custom of throwing at cocks on Shrove Tuesday
Day I first begun to go forth in my coat and sword
Discontented that my wife do not go neater now she has two maids
Fell to dancing, the first time that ever I did in my life
Have been so long absent that I am ashamed to go
I took occasion to be angry with him
Justice of God in punishing men for the sins of their ancestors
Lady Batten to give me a spoonful of honey for my cold
My great expense at the Coronacion
She hath got her teeth new done by La Roche
That I might not seem to be afeared
The monkey loose, which did anger me, and so I did strike her
Was kissing my wife, which I did not like
We are to go to law never to revenge, but only to repayre
Who we found ill still, but he do make very much of it
Wronged by my over great expectations





THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.

CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY

TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE FELLOW
AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE

(Unabridged)

WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES

EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY

HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
APRIL & MAY
1661

April 1st, 1661. This day my waiting at the Privy Seal comes in again. Up
early among my workmen. So to the once, and went home to dinner with Sir
W. Batten, and after that to the Goat tavern by Charing Cross to meet Dr.
Castle, where he and I drank a pint of wine and talked about Privy Seal
business. Then to the Privy Seal Office and there found Mr. Moore, but no
business yet. Then to Whitefryars, and there saw part of "Rule a wife and
have a wife," which I never saw before, but do not like it. So to my
father, and there finding a discontent between my father and mother about
the maid (which my father likes and my mother dislikes), I staid till 10
at night, persuading my mother to understand herself, and that in some
high words, which I was sorry for, but she is grown, poor woman, very
froward. So leaving them in the same discontent I went away home, it
being a brave moonshine, and to bed.

2d. Among my workmen early and then along with my wife and Pall to my
Father's by coach there to have them lie a while till my house be done. I
found my mother alone weeping upon my last night's quarrel and so left
her, and took my wife to Charing Cross and there left her to see her
mother who is not well. So I into St. James's Park, where I saw the Duke
of York playing at Pelemele,

[The game was originally played in the road now styled Pall Mall,
near St. James's Square, but at the Restoration when sports came in
fashion again the street was so much built over, that it became
necessary to find another ground. The Mall in St. James's Park was
then laid out for the purpose.]

the first time that ever I saw the sport. Then to my Lord's, where I
dined with my Lady, and after we had dined in comes my Lord and Ned
Pickering hungry, and there was not a bit of meat left in the house, the
servants having eat up all, at which my Lord was very angry, and at last
got something dressed. Then to the Privy Seal, and signed some things,
and so to White-fryars and saw "The Little Thiefe," which is a very merry
and pretty play, and the little boy do very well. Then to my Father's,
where I found my mother and my wife in a very good mood, and so left them
and went home. Then to the Dolphin to Sir W. Batten, and Pen, and other
company; among others Mr. Delabar; where strange how these men, who at
other times are all wise men, do now, in their drink, betwitt and
reproach one another with their former conditions, and their actions as
in public concernments, till I was ashamed to see it. But parted all
friends at 12 at night after drinking a great deal of wine. So home and
alone to bed.

3rd. Up among my workmen, my head akeing all day from last night's
debauch. To the office all the morning, and at noon dined with Sir W.
Batten and Pen, who would needs have me drink two drafts of sack to-day to
cure me of last night's disease, which I thought strange but I think find
it true.

[The proverb, "A hair of the dog that bit you," which probably had
originally a literal meaning, has long been used to inculcate the
advice of the two Sir Williams.]

Then home with my workmen all the afternoon, at night into the garden to
play on my flageolette, it being moonshine, where I staid a good while,
and so home and to bed. This day I hear that the Dutch have sent the King
a great present of money, which we think will stop the match with
Portugal; and judge this to be the reason that our so great haste in
sending the two ships to the East Indys is also stayed.

4th. To my workmen, then to my Lord's, and there dined with Mr. Shepley.
After dinner I went in to my Lord and there we had a great deal of
musique, and then came my cozen Tom Pepys and there did accept of the
security which we gave him for his L1000 that we borrow of him, and so the
money to be paid next week. Then to the Privy Seal, and so with Mr. Moore
to my father's, where some friends did sup there and we with them and late
went home, leaving my wife still there. So to bed.

5th: Up among my workmen and so to the office, and then to Sir W. Pen's
with the other Sir William and Sir John Lawson to dinner, and after that,
with them to Mr. Lucy's, a merchant, where much good company, and there
drank a great deal of wine, and in discourse fell to talk of the weight of
people, which did occasion some wagers, and where, among others, I won
half a piece to be spent. Then home, and at night to Sir W. Batten's, and
there very merry with a good barrell of oysters, and this is the present
life I lead. Home and to bed.

6th. Up among my workmen, then to Whitehall, and there at Privy Seal and
elsewhere did business, and among other things met with Mr. Townsend, who
told of his mistake the other day, to put both his legs through one of his
knees of his breeches, and went so all day. Then with Mr. Creed and Moore
to the Leg in the Palace to dinner which I gave them, and after dinner I
saw the girl of the house, being very pretty, go into a chamber, and I
went in after her and kissed her. Then by water, Creed and I, to
Salisbury Court and there saw "Love's Quarrell" acted the first time, but
I do not like the design or words. So calling at my father's, where they
and my wife well, and so home and to bed.

7th (Lord's day). All the morning at home making up my accounts (God
forgive me!) to give up to my Lord this afternoon. Then about 11 o'clock
out of doors towards Westminster and put in at Paul's, where I saw our
minister, Mr. Mills, preaching before my Lord Mayor. So to White Hall,
and there I met with Dr. Fuller of Twickenham, newly come from Ireland;
and took him to my Lord's, where he and I dined; and he did give my Lord
and me a good account of the condition of Ireland, and how it come to
pass, through the joyning of the Fanatiques and the Presbyterians, that
the latter and the former are in their declaration put together under the
names of Fanatiques. After dinner, my Lord and I and Mr. Shepley did look
over our accounts and settle matters of money between us; and my Lord did
tell me much of his mind about getting money and other things of his
family, &c. Then to my father's, where I found Mr. Hunt and his wife at
supper with my father and mother and my wife, where after supper I left
them and so home, and then I went to Sir W. Batten's and resolved of a
journey tomorrow to Chatham, and so home and to bed.

8th. Up early, my Lady Batten knocking at her door that comes into one of
my chambers. I did give directions to my people and workmen, and so about
8 o'clock we took barge at the Tower, Sir William Batten and his lady,
Mrs. Turner, Mr. Fowler and I. A very pleasant passage and so to
Gravesend, where we dined, and from thence a coach took them and me, and
Mr. Fowler with some others came from Rochester to meet us, on horseback.
At Rochester, where alight at Mr. Alcock's and there drank and had good
sport, with his bringing out so many sorts of cheese. Then to the
Hillhouse at Chatham, where I never was before, and I found a pretty
pleasant house and am pleased with the arms that hang up there. Here we
supped very merry, and late to bed; Sir William telling me that old
Edgeborrow, his predecessor, did die and walk in my chamber, did make me
some what afeard, but not so much as for mirth's sake I did seem. So to
bed in the treasurer's chamber.

9th. And lay and slept well till 3 in the morning, and then waking, and
by the light of the moon I saw my pillow (which overnight I flung from me)
stand upright, but not bethinking myself what it might be, I was a little
afeard, but sleep overcame all and so lay till high morning, at which time
I had a candle brought me and a good fire made, and in general it was a
great pleasure all the time I staid here to see how I am respected and
honoured by all people; and I find that I begin to know now how to receive
so much reverence, which at the beginning I could not tell how to do. Sir
William and I by coach to the dock and there viewed all the storehouses
and the old goods that are this day to be sold, which was great pleasure
to me, and so back again by coach home, where we had a good dinner, and
among other strangers that come, there was Mr. Hempson and his wife, a
pretty woman, and speaks Latin; Mr. Allen and two daughters of his, both
very tall and the youngest very handsome, so much as I could not forbear
to love her exceedingly, having, among other things, the best hand that
ever I saw. After dinner, we went to fit books and things (Tom Hater
being this morning come to us) for the sale, by an inch of candle, and
very good sport we and the ladies that stood by had, to see the people
bid. Among other things sold there was all the State's arms, which Sir W.
Batten bought; intending to set up some of the images in his garden, and
the rest to burn on the Coronacion night. The sale being done, the ladies
and I and Captain Pett and Mr. Castle took barge and down we went to see
the Sovereign, which we did, taking great pleasure therein, singing all
the way, and, among other pleasures, I put my Lady, Mrs. Turner, Mrs.
Hempson, and the two Mrs. Allens into the lanthorn and I went in and
kissed them, demanding it as a fee due to a principall officer, with all
which we were exceeding merry, and drunk some bottles of wine and neat's
tongue, &c. Then back again home and so supped, and after much mirth to
bed.

10th. In the morning to see the Dockhouses. First, Mr. Pett's, the
builder, and there was very kindly received, and among other things he did
offer my Lady Batten a parrot, the best I ever saw, that knew Mingo so
soon as it saw him, having been bred formerly in the house with them; but
for talking and singing I never heard the like. My Lady did accept of it:
Then to see Commissioner Pett's house, he and his family being absent, and
here I wondered how my Lady Batten walked up and down with envious looks
to see how neat and rich everything is (and indeed both the house and
garden is most handsome), saying that she would get it, for it belonged
formerly to the Surveyor of the Navy. Then on board the Prince, now in the
dock, and indeed it has one and no more rich cabins for carved work, but
no gold in her. After that back home, and there eat a little dinner.
Then to Rochester, and there saw the Cathedrall, which is now fitting for
use, and the organ then a-tuning. Then away thence, observing the great
doors of the church, which, they say, was covered with the skins of the
Danes,

[Traditions similar to that at Rochester, here alluded to, are to be
found in other places in England. Sir Harry Englefield, in a
communication made to the Society of Antiquaries, July 2nd, 1789,
called attention to the curious popular tale preserved in the
village of Hadstock, Essex, that the door of the church had been
covered with the skin of a Danish pirate, who had plundered the
church. At Worcester, likewise, it was asserted that the north
doors of the cathedral had been covered with the skin of a person
who had sacrilegiously robbed the high altar. The date of these
doors appears to be the latter part of the fourteenth century, the
north porch having been built about 1385. Dart, in his "History of
the Abbey Church of St. Peter's, Westminster," 1723 (vol. i., book
ii., p. 64), relates a like tradition then preserved in reference to
a door, one of three which closed off a chamber from the south
transept--namely, a certain building once known as the Chapel of
Henry VIII., and used as a "Revestry." This chamber, he states, "is
inclosed with three doors, the inner cancellated, the middle, which
is very thick, lined with skins like parchment, and driven full of
nails. These skins, they by tradition tell us, were some skins of
the Danes, tann'd and given here as a memorial of our delivery from
them." Portions of this supposed human skin were examined under the
microscope by the late Mr. John Quekett of the Hunterian Museum, who
ascertained, beyond question, that in each of the cases the skin was
human. From a communication by the late Mr. Albert Way, F.S.A., to
the late Lord Braybrooke.]

and also had much mirth at a tomb, on which was "Come sweet Jesu," and I
read "Come sweet Mall," &c., at which Captain Pett and I had good
laughter. So to the Salutacion tavern, where Mr. Alcock and many of the
town came and entertained us with wine and oysters and other things, and
hither come Sir John Minnes to us, who is come to-day to see "the Henery,"
in which he intends to ride as Vice-Admiral in the narrow seas all this
summer. Here much mirth, but I was a little troubled to stay too long,
because of going to Hempson's, which afterwards we did, and found it in
all things a most pretty house, and rarely furnished, only it had a most
ill access on all sides to it, which is a greatest fault that I think can
be in a house. Here we had, for my sake, two fiddles, the one a base
viall, on which he that played, played well some lyra lessons, but both
together made the worst musique that ever I heard. We had a fine
collacion, but I took little pleasure in that, for the illness of the
musique and for the intentness of my mind upon Mrs. Rebecca Allen. After
we had done eating, the ladies went to dance, and among the men we had, I
was forced to dance too; and did make an ugly shift. Mrs. R. Allen danced
very well, and seems the best humoured woman that ever I saw. About 9
o'clock Sir William and my Lady went home, and we continued dancing an
hour or two, and so broke up very pleasant and merry, and so walked home,
I leading Mrs. Rebecca, who seemed, I know not why, in that and other
things, to be desirous of my favours and would in all things show me
respects. Going home, she would needs have me sing, and I did pretty well
and was highly esteemed by them. So to Captain Allen's (where we were
last night, and heard him play on the harpsicon, and I find him to be a
perfect good musician), and there, having no mind to leave Mrs. Rebecca,
what with talk and singing (her father and I), Mrs. Turner and I staid
there till 2 o'clock in the morning and was most exceeding merry, and I
had the opportunity of kissing Mrs. Rebecca very often. Among other
things Captain Pett was saying that he thought that he had got his wife
with child since I came thither. Which I took hold of and was merrily
asking him what he would take to have it said for my honour that it was of
my getting? He merrily answered that he would if I would promise to be
godfather to it if it did come within the time just, and I said that I
would. So that I must remember to compute it when the time comes.

11th. At 2 o'clock, with very great mirth, we went to our lodging and to
bed, and lay till 7, and then called up by Sir W. Batten, so I arose and
we did some business, and then came Captn. Allen, and he and I withdrew
and sang a song or two, and among others took pleasure in "Goe and bee
hanged, that's good-bye." The young ladies come too, and so I did again
please myself with Mrs. Rebecca, and about 9 o'clock, after we had
breakfasted, we sett forth for London, and indeed I was a little troubled
to part with Mrs. Rebecca, for which God forgive me. Thus we went away
through Rochester, calling and taking leave of Mr. Alcock at the door,
Capt. Cuttance going with us. We baited at Dartford, and thence to
London, but of all the journeys that ever I made this was the merriest,
and I was in a strange mood for mirth.

Among other things, I got my Lady to let her maid, Mrs. Anne, to ride all
the way on horseback, and she rides exceeding well; and so I called her my
clerk, that she went to wait upon me. I met two little schoolboys going
with pitchers of ale to their schoolmaster to break up against Easter, and
I did drink of some of one of them and give him two pence. By and by we
come to two little girls keeping cows, and I saw one of them very pretty,
so I had a mind to make her ask my blessing, and telling her that I was
her godfather, she asked me innocently whether I was not Ned Wooding, and
I said that I was, so she kneeled down and very simply called, "Pray,
godfather, pray to God to bless me," which made us very merry, and I gave
her twopence. In several places, I asked women whether they would sell me
their children, but they denied me all, but said they would give me one to
keep for them, if I would. Mrs. Anne and I rode under the man that hangs
upon Shooter's Hill,

[Shooter's Hill, Kent, between the eighth and ninth milestones on
the Dover road. It was long a notorious haunt of highwaymen. The
custom was to leave the bodies of criminals hanging until the bones
fell to the ground.]

and a filthy sight it was to see how his flesh is shrunk to his bones. So
home and I found all well, and a deal of work done since I went. I sent
to see how my wife do, who is well, and my brother John come from
Cambridge. To Sir W. Batten's and there supped, and very merry with the
young ladles. So to bed very sleepy for last night's work, concluding
that it is the pleasantest journey in all respects that ever I had in my
life.

12th. Up among my workmen, and about 7 o'clock comes my wife to see me
and my brother John with her, who I am glad to see, but I sent them away
because of going to the office, and there dined with Sir W. Batten, all
fish dinner, it being Good Friday. Then home and looking over my workmen,
and then into the City and saw in what forwardness all things are for the
Coronacion, which will be very magnificent. Then back again home and to
my chamber, to set down in my diary all my late journey, which I do with
great pleasure; and while I am now writing comes one with a tickett to
invite me to Captain Robert Blake's buriall, for whose death I am very
sorry, and do much wonder at it, he being a little while since a very
likely man to live as any I knew. Since my going out of town, there is
one Alexander Rosse taken and sent to the Counter by Sir Thomas Allen, for
counterfeiting my hand to a ticket, and we this day at the office have
given order to Mr. Smith to prosecute him. To bed.

13th. To Whitehall by water from Towre-wharf, where we could not pass the
ordinary way, because they were mending of the great stone steps against
the Coronacion. With Sir W. Pen, then to my Lord's, and thence with Capt.
Cuttance and Capt. Clark to drink our morning draught together, and before
we could get back again my Lord was gone out. So to Whitehall again and,
met with my Lord above with the Duke; and after a little talk with him, I
went to the Banquethouse, and there saw the King heal, the first time that
ever I saw him do it; which he did with great gravity, and it seemed to me
to be an ugly office and a simple one. That done to my Lord's and dined
there, and so by water with parson Turner towards London, and upon my
telling of him of Mr. Moore to be a fit man to do his business with Bishop
Wren, about which he was going, he went back out of my boat into another
to Whitehall, and so I forwards home and there by and by took coach with
Sir W. Pen and Captain Terne and went to the buriall of Captain Robert
Blake, at Wapping, and there had each of us a ring, but it being dirty, we
would not go to church with them, but with our coach we returned home, and
there staid a little, and then he and I alone to the Dolphin (Sir W.
Batten being this day gone with his wife to Walthamstow to keep Easter),
and there had a supper by ourselves, we both being very hungry, and
staying there late drinking I became very sleepy, and so we went home and
I to bed.

14th (Easter. Lord's day). In the morning towards my father's, and by
the way heard Mr. Jacomb, at Ludgate, upon these words, "Christ loved you
and therefore let us love one another," and made a lazy sermon, like a
Presbyterian. Then to my father's and dined there, and Dr. Fairbrother
(lately come to town) with us. After dinner I went to the Temple and there
heard Dr. Griffith, a good sermon for the day; so with Mr. Moore (whom I
met there) to my Lord's, and there he shewed me a copy of my Lord
Chancellor's patent for Earl, and I read the preamble, which is very
short, modest, and good. Here my Lord saw us and spoke to me about
getting Mr. Moore to come and govern his house while he goes to sea, which
I promised him to do and did afterwards speak to Mr. Moore, and he is
willing. Then hearing that Mr. Barnwell was come, with some of my Lord's
little children, yesterday to town, to see the Coronacion, I went and
found them at the Goat, at Charing Cross, and there I went and drank with
them a good while, whom I found in very good health and very merry Then to
my father's, and after supper seemed willing to go home, and my wife
seeming to be so too I went away in a discontent, but she, poor wretch,
followed me as far in the rain and dark as Fleet Bridge to fetch me back
again, and so I did, and lay with her to-night, which I have not done
these eight or ten days before.

15th. From my father's, it being a very foul morning for the King and
Lords to go to Windsor, I went to the office and there met Mr. Coventry
and Sir Robt. Slingsby, but did no business, but only appoint to go to
Deptford together tomorrow. Mr. Coventry being gone, and I having at home
laid up L200 which I had brought this morning home from Alderman
Backwell's, I went home by coach with Sir R. Slingsby and dined with him,
and had a very good dinner. His lady' seems a good woman and very
desirous they were to hear this noon by the post how the election has gone
at Newcastle, wherein he is concerned, but the letters are not come yet.
To my uncle Wight's, and after a little stay with them he and I to Mr.
Rawlinson's, and there staid all the afternoon, it being very foul, and
had a little talk with him what good I might make of these ships that go
to Portugal by venturing some money by them, and he will give me an answer
to it shortly. So home and sent for the Barber, and after that to bed.

16th. So soon as word was brought me that Mr. Coventry was come with the
barge to the Towre, I went to him, and found him reading of the Psalms in
short hand (which he is now busy about), and had good sport about the long
marks that are made there for sentences in divinity, which he is never
like to make use of. Here he and I sat till the Comptroller came and then
we put off for Deptford, where we went on board the King's pleasure boat
that Commissioner Pett is making, and indeed it will be a most pretty
thing. From thence to Commr. Pett's lodging, and there had a good
breakfast, and in came the two Sir Wms. from Walthamstow, and so we sat
down and did a great deal of public business about the fitting of the
fleet that is now going out. That done we went to the Globe and there had
a good dinner, and by and by took barge again and so home. By the way they
would have me sing, which I did to Mr. Coventry, who went up to Sir
William Batten's, and there we staid and talked a good while, and then
broke up and I home, and then to my father's and there lay with my wife.

17th. By land and saw the arches, which are now almost done and are very
fine, and I saw the picture of the ships and other things this morning,
set up before the East Indy House, which are well done. So to the office,
and that being done I went to dinner with Sir W. Batten, and then home to
my workmen, and saw them go on with great content to me. Then comes Mr.
Allen of Chatham, and I took him to the Mitre and there did drink with
him, and did get of him the song that pleased me so well there the other
day, "Of Shitten come Shites the beginning of love." His daughters are to
come to town to-morrow, but I know not whether I shall see them or no.
That done I went to the Dolphin by appointment and there I met Sir Wms.
both and Mr. Castle, and did eat a barrel of oysters and two lobsters,
which I did give them, and were very merry. Here we had great talk of Mr.
Warren's being knighted by the King, and Sir W. B. seemed to be very much
incensed against him. So home.

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