Book: Diary of Samuel Pepys, January 1659/1660
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Samuel Pepys >> Diary of Samuel Pepys, January 1659/1660
7th. At my office as I was receiving money of the probate of wills, in
came Mrs. Turner, Theoph., Madame Morrice, and Joyce, and after I had done
I took them home to my house and Mr. Hawly came after, and I got a dish of
steaks and a rabbit for them, while they were playing a game or two at
cards. In the middle of our dinner a messenger from Mr. Downing came to
fetch me to him, so leaving Mr. Hawly there, I went and was forced to stay
till night in expectation of the French Embassador, who at last came, and
I had a great deal of good discourse with one of his gentlemen concerning
the reason of the difference between the zeal of the French and the
Spaniard. After he was gone I went home, and found my friends still at
cards, and after that I went along with them to Dr. Whores (sending my
wife to Mrs. Jem's to a sack-posset), where I heard some symphony and
songs of his own making, performed by Mr. May, Harding, and Mallard.
Afterwards I put my friends into a coach, and went to Mrs. Jem's, where I
wrote a letter to my Lord by the post, and had my part of the posset which
was saved for me, and so we went home, and put in at my Lord's lodgings,
where we staid late, eating of part of his turkey-pie, and reading of
Quarles' Emblems. So home and to bed.
8th (Sunday). In the morning I went to Mr. Gunning's, where a good
sermon, wherein he showed the life of Christ, and told us good authority
for us to believe that Christ did follow his father's trade, and was a
carpenter till thirty years of age. From thence to my father's to dinner,
where I found my wife, who was forced to dine there, we not having one
coal of fire in the house, and it being very hard frosty weather. In the
afternoon my father, he going to a man's to demand some money due to my
Aunt Bells my wife and I went to Mr. Mossum's, where a strange doctor made
a very good sermon. From thence sending my wife to my father's, I went to
Mrs. Turner's, and staid a little while, and then to my father's, where I
found Mr. Sheply, and after supper went home together. Here I heard of
the death of Mr. Palmer, and that he was to be buried at Westminster
tomorrow.
9th. For these two or three days I have been much troubled with thoughts
how to get money to pay them that I have borrowed money of, by reason of
my money being in my uncle's hands. I rose early this morning, and looked
over and corrected my brother John's speech, which he is to make the next
apposition,--[Declamations at St. Paul's School, in which there were
opponents and respondents.]--and after that I went towards my office, and
in my way met with W. Simons, Muddiman, and Jack Price, and went with them
to Harper's and in many sorts of talk I staid till two of the clock in the
afternoon. I found Muddiman a good scholar, an arch rogue; and owns that
though he writes new books for the Parliament, yet he did declare that he
did it only to get money; and did talk very basely of many of them. Among
other things, W. Simons told me how his uncle Scobel was on Saturday last
called to the bar, for entering in the journal of the House, for the year
1653, these words: "This day his Excellence the Lord General Cromwell
dissolved this House;" which words the Parliament voted a forgery, and
demanded of him how they came to be entered. He answered that they were
his own handwriting, and that he did it by virtue of his office, and the
practice of his predecessor; and that the intent of the practice was
to--let posterity know how such and such a Parliament was dissolved,
whether by the command of the King, or by their own neglect, as the last
House of Lords was; and that to this end, he had said and writ that it was
dissolved by his Excellence the Lord G[eneral]; and that for the word
dissolved, he never at the time did hear of any other term; and desired
pardon if he would not dare to make a word himself when it was six years
after, before they came themselves to call it an interruption; but they
were so little satisfied with this answer, that they did chuse a committee
to report to the House, whether this crime of Mr. Scobell's did come
within the act of indemnity or no. Thence I went with Muddiman to the
Coffee-House, and gave 18d. to be entered of the Club. Thence into the
Hall, where I heard for certain that Monk was coming to London, and that
Bradshaw's 2 lodgings were preparing for him. Thence to Mrs. Jem's, and
found her in bed, and she was afraid that it would prove the small-pox.
Thence back to Westminster Hall, where I heard how Sir H. Vane--[Sir Harry
Vane the younger, an inflexible republican. He was executed in 1662, on a
charge of conspiring the death of Charles I.]--was this day voted out of
the House, and to sit no more there; and that he would retire himself to
his house at Raby, as also all the rest of the nine officers that had
their commissions formerly taken away from them, were commanded to their
farthest houses from London during the pleasure of the Parliament. Here I
met with the Quarter Master of my Lord's troop, and his clerk Mr. Jenings,
and took them home, and gave them a bottle of wine, and the remainder of
my collar of brawn; and so good night. After that came in Mr. Hawly, who
told me that I was mist this day at my office, and that to-morrow I must
pay all the money that I have, at which I was put to a great loss how I
should get money to make up my cash, and so went to bed in great trouble.
10th. Went out early, and in my way met with Greatorex,--[Ralph
Greatorex, the well-known mathematical instrument maker of his day. He is
frequently mentioned by Pepys.]--and at an alehouse he showed me the first
sphere of wire that ever he made, and indeed it was very pleasant; thence
to Mr. Crew's, and borrowed L10, and so to my office, and was able to pay
my money. Thence into the Hall, and meeting the Quarter Master, Jenings,
and Captain Rider, we four went to a cook's to dinner. Thence Jenings and
I into London (it being through heat of the sun a great thaw and dirty) to
show our bills of return, and coming back drank a pint of wine at the Star
in Cheapside. So to Westminster, overtaking Captain Okeshott in his silk
cloak, whose sword got hold of many people in walking. Thence to the
Coffee-house, where were a great confluence of gentlemen; viz. Mr.
Harrington, Poultny, chairman, Gold, Dr, Petty; &c., where admirable
discourse till at night. Thence with Doling to Mother Lams, who told me
how this day Scott
[Thomas Scott, M.P., was made Secretary of State to the Commonwealth
on the 17th of this same January. He signed the death warrant of
Charles I., for which he was executed at Charing Cross, October
16th, 1660. He gloried in his offence, and desired to have written
on his tombstone, "Thomas Scott who adjudged to death the late
king."]
was made Intelligencer, and that the rest of the members that were
objected against last night, their business was to be heard this day
se'nnight. Thence I went home and wrote a letter, and went to Harper's,
and staid there till Tom carried it to the postboy at Whitehall. So home
to bed.
11th. Being at Will's with Captain Barker, who hath paid me L300 this
morning at my office, in comes my father, and with him I walked, and leave
him at W. Joyce's, and went myself to Mr. Crew's, but came too late to
dine, and therefore after a game at shittle-cocks--[The game of battledore
and shuttlecock was formerly much played even in tennis courts, and was a
very violent game.]--with Mr. Walgrave and Mr. Edward, I returned to my
father, and taking him from W. Joyce's, who was not abroad himself, we
inquired of a porter, and by his direction went to an alehouse, where
after a cup or two we parted. I went towards London, and in my way went
in to see Crowly, who was now grown a very great loon and very tame.
Thence to Mr. Steven's with a pair of silver snuffers, and bought a pair
of shears to cut silver, and so homeward again. From home I went to see
Mrs. Jem, who was in bed, and now granted to have the small-pox. Back
again, and went to the Coffee-house, but tarried not, and so home.
12th. I drink my morning at Harper's with Mr. Sheply and a seaman, and so
to my office, where Captain Holland came to see me, and appointed a
meeting in the afternoon. Then wrote letters to Hinchinbroke and sealed
them at Will's, and after that went home, and thence to the Half Moon,
where I found the Captain and Mr. Billingsly and Newman, a barber, where
we were very merry, and had the young man that plays so well on the Welsh
harp. Billingsly paid for all. Thence home, and finding my letters this
day not gone by the carrier I new sealed them, but my brother Tom coming
we fell into discourse about my intention to feast the Joyces. I sent for
a bit of meat for him from the cook's, and forgot to send my letters this
night. So I went to bed, and in discourse broke to my wife what my
thoughts were concerning my design of getting money by, &c.
13th. Coming in the morning to my office, I met with Mr. Fage and took
him to the Swan? He told me how high Haselrigge, and Morly, the last
night began at my Lord Mayor's to exclaim against the City of London,
saying that they had forfeited their charter. And how the Chamberlain of
the City did take them down, letting them know how much they were formerly
beholding to the City, &c. He also told me that Monk's letter that came
to them by the sword-bearer was a cunning piece, and that which they did
not much trust to; but they were resolved to make no more applications to
the Parliament, nor to pay any money, unless the secluded members be
brought in, or a free Parliament chosen. Thence to my office, where
nothing to do. So to Will's with Mr. Pinkney, who invited me to their
feast at his Hall the next Monday. Thence I went home and took my wife
and dined at Mr. Wades, and after that we went and visited Catan. From
thence home again, and my wife was very unwilling to let me go forth, but
with some discontent would go out if I did, and I going forth towards
Whitehall, I saw she followed me, and so I staid and took her round
through Whitehall, and so carried her home angry. Thence I went to Mrs.
Jem, and found her up and merry, and that it did not prove the small-pox,
but only the swine-pox; so I played a game or two at cards with her. And
so to Mr. Vines, where he and I and Mr. Hudson played half-a-dozen things,
there being there Dick's wife and her sister. After that I went home and
found my wife gone abroad to Mr. Hunt's, and came in a little after
me.--So to bed.
14th. Nothing to do at our office. Thence into the Hall, and just as I
was going to dinner from Westminster Hall with Mr. Moore (with whom I had
been in the lobby to hear news, and had spoke with Sir Anthony Ashley
Cooper about my Lord's lodgings) to his house, I met with Captain Holland,
who told me that he hath brought his wife to my house, so I posted home
and got a dish of meat for them. They staid with me all the afternoon,
and went hence in the evening. Then I went with my wife, and left her at
market, and went myself to the Coffee-house, and heard exceeding good
argument against Mr. Harrington's assertion, that overbalance of propriety
[i.e., property] was the foundation of government. Home, and wrote to
Hinchinbroke, and sent that and my other letter that missed of going on
Thursday last. So to bed.
15th. Having been exceedingly disturbed in the night with the barking of
a dog of one of our neighbours that I could not sleep for an hour or two,
I slept late, and then in the morning took physic, and so staid within all
day. At noon my brother John came to me, and I corrected as well as I
could his Greek speech to say the Apposition, though I believe he himself
was as well able to do it as myself. After that we went to read in the
great Officiale about the blessing of bells in the Church of Rome. After
that my wife and I in pleasant discourse till night, then I went to
supper, and after that to make an end of this week's notes in this book,
and so to bed. It being a cold day and a great snow my physic did not
work so well as it should have done.
16th. In the morning I went up to Mr. Crew's, and at his bedside he gave
me direction to go to-morrow with Mr. Edward to Twickenham, and likewise
did talk to me concerning things of state; and expressed his mind how just
it was that the secluded members should come to sit again. I went from
thence, and in my way went into an alehouse and drank my morning draft
with Matthew Andrews and two or three more of his friends, coachmen. And
of one of them I did hire a coach to carry us to-morrow to Twickenham.
From thence to my office, where nothing to do; but Mr. Downing he came and
found me all alone; and did mention to me his going back into Holland, and
did ask me whether I would go or no, but gave me little encouragement, but
bid me consider of it; and asked me whether I did not think that Mr. Hawly
could perform the work of my office alone or no. I confess I was at a
great loss, all the day after, to bethink myself how to carry this
business. At noon, Harry Ethall came to me and went along with Mr.
Maylard by coach as far as Salsbury Court, and there we set him down, and
we went to the Clerks, where we came a little too late, but in a closet we
had a very good dinner by Mr. Pinkny's courtesy, and after dinner we had
pretty good singing, and one, Hazard, sung alone after the old fashion,
which was very much cried up, but I did not like it. Thence we went to
the Green Dragon, on Lambeth Hill, both the Mr. Pinkney's, Smith,
Harrison, Morrice, that sang the bass, Sheply and I, and there we sang of
all sorts of things, and I ventured with good success upon things at first
sight, and after that I played on my flageolet, and staid there till nine
o'clock, very merry and drawn on with one song after another till it came
to be so late. After that Sheply, Harrison and myself, we went towards
Westminster on foot, and at the Golden Lion, near Charing Cross, we went
in and drank a pint of wine, and so parted, and thence home, where I found
my wife and maid a-washing. I staid up till the bell-man came by with his
bell just under my window as I was writing of this very line, and cried,
"Past one of the clock, and a cold, frosty, windy morning." I then went
to bed, and left my wife and the maid a-washing still.
17th. Early I went to Mr. Crew's, and having given Mr. Edward money to
give the servants, I took him into the coach that waited for us and
carried him to my house, where the coach waited for me while I and the
child went to Westminster Hall, and bought him some pictures. In the Hall
I met Mr. Woodfine, and took him to Will's and drank with him. Thence the
child and I to the coach, where my wife was ready, and so we went towards
Twickenham. In our way, at Kensington we understood how that my Lord
Chesterfield had killed another gentleman about half an hour before, and
was fled.
[Philip Stanhope, second Earl of Chesterfield, ob. 1713, act. suae
80. We learn, from the memoir prefixed to his "Printed
Correspondence," that he fought three duels, disarming and wounding
his first and second antagonists, and killing the third. The name
of the unfortunate gentleman who fell on this occasion was Woolly.
Lord Chesterfield, absconding, went to Breda, where he obtained the
royal pardon from Charles II. He acted a busy part in the eventful
times in which he lived, and was remarkable for his steady adherence
to the Stuarts. Lord Chesterfield's letter to Charles II., and the
King's answer granting the royal pardon, occur in the Correspondence
published by General Sir John Murray, in 1829.
"Jan. 17th, 1659. The Earl of Chesterfield and Dr. Woolly's son of
Hammersmith, had a quarrel about a mare of eighteen pounds price;
the quarrel would not be reconciled, insomuch that a challenge
passed between them. They fought a duel on the backside of Mr.
Colby's house at Kensington, where the Earl and he had several
passes. The Earl wounded him in two places, and would fain have
then ended, but the stubbornness and pride of heart of Mr. Woolly
would not give over, and the next pass [he] was killed on the spot.
The Earl fled to Chelsea, and there took water and escaped. The
jury found it chance-medley."--Rugge's "Diurnal," Addit MSS.,
British Museum.--B.]
We went forward and came about one of the clock to Mr. Fuller's, but he
was out of town, so we had a dinner there, and I gave the child 40s. to
give to the two ushers. After that we parted and went homewards, it being
market day at Brainford [Brentford]. I set my wife down and went with the
coach to Mr. Crew's, thinking to have spoke with Mr. Moore and Mrs. Jem,
he having told me the reason of his melancholy was some unkindness from
her after so great expressions of love, and how he had spoke to her
friends and had their consent, and that he would desire me to take an
occasion of speaking with her, but by no means not to heighten her
discontent or distaste whatever it be, but to make it up if I can. But he
being out of doors, I went away and went to see Mrs. Jem, who was now very
well again, and after a game or two at cards, I left her. So I went to
the Coffee Club, and heard very good discourse; it was in answer to Mr.
Harrington's answer, who said that the state of the Roman government was
not a settled government, and so it was no wonder that the balance of
propriety [i.e., property] was in one hand, and the command in another, it
being therefore always in a posture of war; but it was carried by ballot,
that it was a steady government, though it is true by the voices it had
been carried before that it was an unsteady government; so to-morrow it is
to be proved by the opponents that the balance lay in one hand, and the
government in another. Thence I went to Westminster, and met Shaw and
Washington, who told me how this day Sydenham
[Colonel William Sydenham had been an active officer during the
Civil Wars, on the Parliament side; M.P. for Dorsetshire, Governor
of Melcombe, and one of the Committee of Safety. He was the elder
brother of the celebrated physician of that name.--B.]
was voted out of the House for sitting any more this Parliament, and that
Salloway was voted out likewise and sent to the Tower, during the pleasure
of the House. Home and wrote by the Post, and carried to Whitehall, and
coming back turned in at Harper-'s, where Jack Price was, and I drank with
him and he told me, among other, things, how much the Protector
[Richard Cromwell, third son of Oliver Cromwell, born October 4th,
1626, admitted a member of Lincoln's Inn, May 27th, 1647, fell into
debt and devoted himself to hunting and field sports. His
succession to his father as Protector was universally accepted at
first, but the army soon began to murmur because he was not a
general. Between the dissensions of various parties he fell, and
the country was left in a state of anarchy: He went abroad early in
the summer of 1660, and lived abroad for some years, returning to
England in 1680. After his fall he bore the name of John Clarke.
Died at Cheshunt, July 12th, 1712.]
is altered, though he would seem to bear out his trouble very well, yet he
is scarce able to talk sense with a man; and how he will say that "Who
should a man trust, if he may not trust to a brother and an uncle;" and
"how much those men have to answer before God Almighty, for their playing
the knave with him as they did." He told me also, that there was;
L100,000 offered, and would have been taken for his restitution, had not
the Parliament come in as they did again; and that he do believe that the
Protector will live to give a testimony of his valour and revenge yet
before he dies, and that the Protector will say so himself sometimes.
Thence I went home, it being late and my wife in bed.
18th. To my office and from thence to Will's, and there Mr. Sheply
brought me letters from the carrier and so I went home. After that to
Wilkinson's, where we had a dinner for Mr. Talbot, Adams, Pinkny and his
son, but his son did not come. Here we were very merry, and while I was
here Mr. Fuller came thither and staid a little, while.
After that we all went to my Lord's, whither came afterwards Mr. Harrison,
and by chance seeing Mr. Butler--[Mr. Butler is usually styled by Pepys
Mons. l'Impertinent.]--coming by I called him in and so we sat drinking a
bottle of wine till night. At which time Mistress Ann--[Probably Mrs.
(afterwards Lady) Anne Montagu, daughter of Sir Edward Montagu, and sister
to Mrs. Jem.]--came with the key of my Lord's study for some things, and
so we all broke up and after I had gone to my house and interpreted my
Lord's letter by his character--[The making of ciphers was a popular
amusement about this time. Pepys made several for Montagu, Downing, and
others.]--I came to her again and went with her to her lodging and from
thence to Mr. Crew's, where I advised with him what to do about my Lord's
lodgings and what answer to give to Sir Ant. Cooper and so I came home and
to bed. All the world is at a loss to think what Monk will do: the City
saying that he will be for them, and the Parliament saying he will be for
them.
19th. This morning I was sent for to Mr. Downing, and at his bed side he
told me, that he had a kindness for me, and that he thought that he had
done me one; and that was, that he had got me to be one of the Clerks of
the Council; at which I was a little stumbled, and could not tell what to
do, whether to thank him or no; but by and by I did; but not very
heartily, for I feared that his doing of it was but only to ease himself
of the salary which he gives me. After that Mr. Sheply staying below all
this time for me we went thence and met Mr. Pierce,
[Pepys had two friends named Pierce, one the surgeon and the other
the purser; he usually (but not always) distinguishes them. The one
here alluded to was probably the surgeon, and husband of pretty Mrs.
Pierce. After the Restoration James Pearse or Pierce became Surgeon
to the Duke of York, and he was also Surgeon-General of the Fleet.]
so at the Harp and Ball drank our morning draft and so to Whitehall where
I met with Sir Ant. Cooper and did give him some answer from my Lord and
he did give us leave to keep the lodgings still. And so we did determine
thereupon that Mr. Sheply might now go into the country and would do so
to-morrow. Back I went by Mr. Downing's order and staid there till twelve
o'clock in expectation of one to come to read some writings, but he came
not, so I staid all alone reading the answer of the Dutch Ambassador to
our State, in answer to the reasons of my Lord's coming home, which he
gave for his coming, and did labour herein to contradict my Lord's
arguments for his coming home. Thence to my office and so with Mr. Sheply
and Moore, to dine upon a turkey with Mrs. Jem, and after that Mr. Moore
and I went to the French Ordinary, where Mr. Downing this day feasted Sir
Arth. Haselrigge, and a great many more of the Parliament, and did stay to
put him in mind of me. Here he gave me a note to go and invite some other
members to dinner tomorrow. So I went to White Hall, and did stay at
Marsh's, with Simons, Luellin, and all the rest of the Clerks of the
Council, who I hear are all turned out, only the two Leighs, and they do
all tell me that my name was mentioned the last night, but that nothing
was done in it. Hence I went and did leave some of my notes at the
lodgings of the members and so home. To bed.
20th. In the morning I went to Mr. Downing's bedside and gave him an
account what I had done as to his guests, land I went thence to my Lord
Widdrington who I met in the street, going to seal the patents for the
judges to-day, and so could not come to dinner. I called upon Mr.
Calthrop about the money due to my Lord. Here I met with Mr. Woodfine and
drank with him at the Sun in Chancery Lane and so to Westminster Hall,
where at the lobby I spoke with the rest of my guests and so to my office.
At noon went by water with Mr. Maylard and Hales to the Swan in Fish
Street at our Goal Feast, where we were very merry at our Jole of Ling,
and from thence after a great and good dinner Mr. Falconberge would go
drink a cup of ale at a place where I had like to have shot at a scholar
that lay over the house of office. Thence calling on Mr. Stephens and
Wootton (with whom I drank) about business of my Lord's I went to the
Coffee Club where there was nothing done but choosing of a Committee for
orders. Thence to Westminster Hall where Mrs. Lane and the rest of the
maids had their white scarfs, all having been at the burial of a young
bookseller in the Hall.
[These stationers and booksellers, whose shops disfigured
Westminster Hall down to a late period, were a privileged class.
In the statutes for appointing licensers and regulating the press,
there is a clause exempting them from the pains and penalties of
these obnoxious laws.]