Book: Diary of Samuel Pepys, October/November/December 1660
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Samuel Pepys >> Diary of Samuel Pepys, October/November/December 1660
21st (Lord's day). To the Parish church in the morning, where a good
sermon by Mr. Mills. After dinner to my Lord's, and from thence to the
Abbey, where I met Spicer and D. Vines and others of the old crew. So
leaving my boy at the Abbey against I came back, we went to Prior's by the
Hall back door, but there being no drink to be had we went away, and so to
the Crown in the Palace Yard, I and George Vines by the way calling at
their house, where he carried me up to the top of his turret, where there
is Cooke's head set up for a traytor, and Harrison's set up on the other
side of Westminster Hall. Here I could see them plainly, as also a very
fair prospect about London. From the Crown to the Abbey to look for my
boy, but he was gone thence, and so he being a novice I was at a loss what
was become of him. I called at my Lord's (where I found Mr. Adams, Mr.
Sheply's friend) and at my father's, but found him not. So home, where I
found him, but he had found the way home well enough, of which I was glad.
So after supper, and reading of some chapters, I went to bed. This day or
two my wife has been troubled with her boils in the old place, which do
much trouble her. Today at noon (God forgive me) I strung my lute, which
I had not touched a great while before.
22nd. Office day; after that to dinner at home upon some ribs of roast
beef from the Cook's (which of late we have been forced to do because of
our house being always under the painters' and other people's hands, that
we could not dress it ourselves). After dinner to my Lord's, where I
found all preparing for my Lord's going to sea to fetch the Queen
tomorrow. At night my Lord came home, with whom I staid long, and talked
of many things. Among others I got leave to have his picture, that was
done by Lilly,
[Peter Lely, afterwards knighted. He lived in the Piazza, Covent
Garden. This portrait was bought by Lord Braybrooke at Mr. Pepys
Cockerell's sale in 1848, and is now at Audley End.]
copied, and talking of religion, I found him to be a perfect Sceptic, and
said that all things would not be well while there was so much preaching,
and that it would be better if nothing but Homilies were to be read in
Churches. This afternoon (he told me) there hath been a meeting before
the King and my Lord Chancellor, of some Episcopalian and Presbyterian
Divines; but what had passed he could not tell me. After I had done talk
with him, I went to bed with Mr. Sheply in his chamber, but could hardly
get any sleep all night, the bed being ill made and he a bad bedfellow.
23rd. We rose early in the morning to get things ready for My Lord, and
Mr. Sheply going to put up his pistols (which were charged with bullets)
into the holsters, one of them flew off, and it pleased God that, the
mouth of the gun being downwards, it did us no hurt, but I think I never
was in more danger in my life, which put me into a great fright. About
eight o'clock my Lord went; and going through the garden my Lord met with
Mr. William Montagu, who told him of an estate of land lately come into
the King's hands, that he had a mind my Lord should beg. To which end my
Lord writ a letter presently to my Lord Chancellor to do it for him, which
(after leave taken of my Lord at White Hall bridge) I did carry to Warwick
House to him; and had a fair promise of him, that he would do it this day
for my Lord. In my way thither I met the Lord Chancellor and all the
judges riding on horseback and going to Westminster Hall, it being the
first day of the term, which was the first time I ever saw any such
solemnity. Having done there I returned to Whitehall, where meeting with
my brother Ashwell and his cozen Sam. Ashwell and Mr. Mallard, I took them
to the Leg in King Street and gave them a dish of meat for dinner and paid
for it. From thence going to Whitehall I met with Catan Stirpin in
mourning, who told me that her mistress was lately dead of the small pox,
and that herself was now married to Monsieur Petit, as also what her
mistress had left her, which was very well. She also took me to her
lodging at an Ironmonger's in King Street, which was but very poor, and I
found by a letter that she shewed me of her husband's to the King, that he
is a right Frenchman, and full of their own projects, he having a design
to reform the universities, and to institute schools for the learning of
all languages, to speak them naturally and not by rule, which I know will
come to nothing. From thence to my Lord's, where I went forth by coach to
Mrs. Parker's with my Lady, and so to her house again. From thence I took
my Lord's picture, and carried it to Mr. de Cretz to be copied. So to
White Hall, where I met Mr. Spong, and went home with him and played, and
sang, and eat with him and his mother. After supper we looked over many
books, and instruments of his, especially his wooden jack in his chimney,
which goes with the smoke, which indeed is very pretty. I found him to be
as ingenious and good-natured a man as ever I met with in my life, and
cannot admire him enough, he being so plain and illiterate a man as he is.
From thence by coach home and to bed, which was welcome to me after a
night's absence.
24th. I lay and slept long to-day. Office day. I took occasion to be
angry with my wife before I rose about her putting up of half a crown of
mine in a paper box, which she had forgot where she had lain it. But we
were friends again as we are always. Then I rose to Jack Cole, who came
to see me. Then to the office, so home to dinner, where I found Captain
Murford, who did put L3 into my hands for a friendship I had done him, but
I would not take it, but bade him keep it till he has enough to buy my
wife a necklace. This afternoon people at work in my house to make a
light in my yard into my cellar. To White Hall, in my way met with Mr.
Moore, who went back with me. He tells me, among other things, that the
Duke of York is now sorry for his lying with my Lord Chancellor's
daughter, who is now brought to bed of a boy. From Whitehall to Mr. De
Cretz, who I found about my Lord's picture. From thence to Mr. Lilly's,
where, not finding Mr. Spong, I went to Mr. Greatorex, where I met him,
and so to an alehouse, where I bought of him a drawing-pen; and he did
show me the manner of the lamp-glasses, which carry the light a great way,
good to read in bed by, and I intend to have one of them. So to Mr.
Lilly's with Mr. Spong, where well received, there being a club to-night
among his friends. Among the rest Esquire Ashmole, who I found was a very
ingenious gentleman. With him we two sang afterward in Mr. Lilly's study.
That done, we all pared; and I home by coach, taking Mr. Booker' with me,
who did tell me a great many fooleries, which may be done by nativities,
and blaming Mr. Lilly for writing to please his friends and to keep in
with the times (as he did formerly to his own dishonour), and not
according to the rules of art, by which he could not well err, as he had
done. I set him down at Lime-street end, and so home, where I found a box
of Carpenter's tools sent by my cozen, Thomas Pepys, which I had bespoke
of him for to employ myself with sometimes. To bed.
25th. All day at home doing something in order to the fitting of my
house. In the evening to Westminster about business. So home and to bed.
This night the vault at the end of the cellar was emptied.
26th. Office. My father and Dr. Thomas Pepys dined at my house, the last
of whom I did almost fox with Margate ale. My father is mightily pleased
with my ordering of my house. I did give him money to pay several bills.
After that I to Westminster to White Hall, where I saw the Duke de
Soissons go from his audience with a very great deal of state: his own
coach all red velvet covered with gold lace, and drawn by six barbes, and
attended by twenty pages very rich in clothes. To Westminster Hall, and
bought, among, other books, one of the Life of our Queen, which I read at
home to my wife; but it was so sillily writ, that we did nothing but laugh
at it: among other things it is dedicated to that paragon of virtue and
beauty, the Duchess of Albemarle. Great talk as if the Duke of York do
now own the marriage between him and the Chancellor's daughter.
27th. In London and Westminster all this day paying of money and buying
of things for my house. In my going I went by chance by my new Lord
Mayor's house (Sir Richard Browne), by Goldsmith's Hall, which is now
fitting, and indeed is a very pretty house. In coming back I called at
Paul's Churchyard and bought Alsted's Encyclopaedia,' which cost me 38s.
Home and to bed, my wife being much troubled with her old pain.
28th (Lord's day). There came some pills and plaister this morning from
Dr. Williams for my wife. I to Westminster Abbey, where with much
difficulty, going round by the cloysters, I got in; this day being a great
day for the consecrating of five Bishopps, which was done after sermon;
but I could not get into Henry the Seventh's chappell. So I went to my
Lord's, where I dined with my Lady, and my young Lord, and Mr. Sidney, who
was sent for from Twickenham to see my Lord Mayor's show to-morrow. Mr.
Child did also dine with us. After dinner to White Hall chappell; my Lady
and my Lady Jemimah and I up to the King's closet (who is now gone to meet
the Queen). So meeting with one Mr. Hill, that did know my Lady, he did
take us into the King's closet, and there we did stay all service-time,
which I did think a great honour. We went home to my Lord's lodgings
afterwards, and there I parted with my Lady and went home, where I did
find my wife pretty well after her physic. So to bed.
29th. I up early, it being my Lord Mayor's day,
[When the calendar was reformed in England by the act 24 Geo. II.
c. 23, different provisions were made as regards those anniversaries
which affect directly the rights of property and those which do not.
Thus the old quarter days are still noted in our almanacs, and a
curious survival of this is brought home to payers of income tax.
The fiscal year still begins on old Lady-day, which now falls on
April 6th. All ecclesiastical fasts and feasts and other
commemorations which did not affect the rights of property were left
on their nominal days, such as the execution of Charles I. on
January 30th and the restoration of Charles II. on May 29th. The
change of Lord Mayor's day from the 29th of October to the 9th of
November was not made by the act for reforming the calendar (c.
23), but by another act of the same session (c. 48), entitled "An
Act for the Abbreviation of Michaelmas Term," by which it was
enacted, "that from and after the said feast of St. Michael, which
shall be in the year 1752, the said solemnity of presenting and
swearing the mayors of the city of London, after every annual
election into the said office, in the manner and form heretofore
used on the 29th day of October, shall be kept and observed on the
ninth day of November in every year, unless the same shall fall on
a Sunday, and in that case on the day following."]
(Sir Richd. Browne), and neglecting my office I went to the Wardrobe,
where I met my Lady Sandwich and all the children; and after drinking of
some strange and incomparable good clarett of Mr. Rumball's he and Mr.
Townsend did take us, and set the young Lords at one Mr. Nevill's, a
draper in Paul's churchyard; and my Lady and my Lady Pickering and I to
one Mr. Isaacson's, a linendraper at the Key in Cheapside; where there was
a company of fine ladies, and we were very civilly treated, and had a very
good place to see the pageants, which were many, and I believe good, for
such kind of things, but in themselves but poor and absurd. After the
ladies were placed I took Mr. Townsend and Isaacson to the next door, a
tavern, and did spend 5s. upon them. The show being done, we got as far
as Paul's with much ado, where I left my Lady in the coach, and went on
foot with my Lady Pickering to her lodging, which was a poor one in
Blackfryars, where she never invited me to go in at all, which methought
was very strange for her to do. So home, where I was told how my Lady
Davis is now come to our next lodgings, and has locked up the leads door
from me, which puts me into so great a disquiet that I went to bed, and
could not sleep till morning at it.
30th. Within all the morning and dined at home, my mind being so troubled
that I could not mind nor do anything till I spoke with the Comptroller to
whom the lodgings belong. In the afternoon, to ease my mind, I went to
the Cockpit all alone, and there saw a very fine play called "The Tamer
Tamed;" very well acted. That being done, I went to Mr. Crew's, where I
had left my boy, and so with him and Mr. Moore (who would go a little way
with me home, as he will always do) to the Hercules Pillars to drink,
where we did read over the King's declaration in matters of religion,
which is come out to-day, which is very well penned, I think to the
satisfaction of most people. So home, where I am told Mr. Davis's people
have broken open the bolt of my chamber door that goes upon the leads,
which I went up to see and did find it so, which did still trouble me more
and more. And so I sent for Griffith, and got him to search their house
to see what the meaning of it might be, but can learn nothing to-night.
But I am a little pleased that I have found this out. I hear nothing yet
of my Lord, whether he be gone for the Queen from the Downs or no; but I
believe he is, and that he is now upon coming back again.
31st Office day. Much troubled all this morning in my mind about the
business of my walk on the leads. I spoke of it to the Comptroller and
the rest of the principal officers, who are all unwilling to meddle in
anything that may anger my Lady Davis. And so I am fain to give over for
the time that she do continue therein. Dined at home, and after dinner to
Westminster Hall, where I met with Billing the quaker at Mrs. Michell's
shop, who is still of the former opinion he was of against the clergymen
of all sorts, and a cunning fellow I find him to be. Home, and there I
had news that Sir W. Pen is resolved to ride to Sir W. Batten's country
house to-morrow, and would have me go with him, so I sat up late, getting
together my things to ride in, and was fain to cut an old pair of boots to
make leathers for those I was to wear. This month I conclude with my mind
very heavy for the loss of the leads, as also for the greatness of my late
expenses, insomuch that I do not think that I have above L150 clear money
in the world, but I have, I believe, got a great deal of good household
stuff: I hear to-day that the Queen is landed at Dover, and will be here
on Friday next, November 2nd. My wife has been so ill of late of her old
pain that I have not known her this fortnight almost, which is a pain to
me.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
NOVEMBER
1660
November 1st. This morning Sir W. Pen and I were mounted early, and had
very merry discourse all the way, he being very good company. We came to
Sir W. Batten's, where he lives like a prince, and we were made very
welcome. Among other things he showed us my Lady's closet, where was
great store of rarities; as also a chair, which he calls King Harry's
chair, where he that sits down is catched with two irons, that come round
about him, which makes good sport. Here dined with us two or three more
country gentle men; among the rest Mr. Christmas, my old school-fellow,
with whom I had much talk. He did remember that I was a great Roundhead
when I was a boy, and I was much afraid that he would have remembered the
words that I said the day the King was beheaded (that, were I to preach
upon him, my text should be "The memory of the wicked shall rot"); but I
found afterwards that he did go away from school before that time.
[Pepys might well be anxious on this point, for in October of this
year Phieas Pett, assistant master shipwright at Chatham, was
dismissed from his post for having when a Child spoken
disrespectfully of the King. See ante, August 23rd.]
He did make us good sport in imitating Mr. Case, Ash, and Nye, the
ministers, which he did very well, but a deadly drinker he is, and grown
exceeding fat. From his house to an ale-house near the church, where we
sat and drank and were merry, and so we mounted for London again, Sir W.
Batten with us. We called at Bow and drank there, and took leave of Mr.
Johnson of Blackwall, who dined with us and rode with us thus far. So
home by moonlight, it being about 9 o'clock before we got home.
2nd. Office. Then dined at home, and by chance Mr. Holliard
[Thomas Holliard or Hollier was appointed in 1638 surgeon for scald
heads at St. Thomas's Hospital, and on January 25th, 1643-4, he was
chosen surgeon in place of Edward Molins. In 1670 his son of the
same names was allowed to take his place during his illness. Ward,
in his Diary, p. 235, mentions that the porter at St. Thomas's
Hospital told him, in 1661, of Mr. Holyard's having cut thirty for
the stone in one year, who all lived.]
called at dinner time and dined with me, with whom I had great discourse
concerning the cure of the King's evil, which he do deny altogether any
effect at all. In the afternoon I went forth and saw some silver bosses
put upon my new Bible, which cost me 6s. 6d. the making, and 7s. 6d. the
silver, which, with 9s. 6d. the book, comes in all to L1 3s. 6d. From
thence with Mr. Cooke that made them, and Mr. Stephens the silversmith to
the tavern, and did give them a pint of wine. So to White Hall, where
when I came I saw the boats going very thick to Lambeth, and all the
stairs to be full of people. I was told the Queen was a-coming;
["Nov. 2. The Queen-mother and the Princess Henrietta came into
London, the Queen having left this land nineteen years ago. Her
coming was very private, Lambeth-way, where the King, Queen, and the
Duke of York, and the rest, took water, crossed the Thames, and all
safely arrived at Whitehall.--"Rugge's Diurnal."]
so I got a sculler for sixpence to carry me thither and back again, but I
could not get to see the Queen; so come back, and to my Lord's, where he
was come; and I supt with him, he being very merry, telling merry stories
of the country mayors, how they entertained the King all the way as he
come along; and how the country gentlewomen did hold up their heads to be
kissed by the King, not taking his hand to kiss as they should do. I took
leave of my Lord and Lady, and so took coach at White Hall and carried Mr.
Childe as far as the Strand, and myself got as far as Ludgate by all the
bonfires, but with a great deal of trouble; and there the coachman desired
that I would release him, for he durst not go further for the fires. So
he would have had a shilling or 6d. for bringing of me so far; but I had
but 3d. about me and did give him it. In Paul's church-yard I called at
Kirton's, and there they had got a mass book for me, which I bought and
cost me twelve shillings; and, when I came home, sat up late and read in
it with great pleasure to my wife, to hear that she was long ago so well
acquainted with. So to bed. I observed this night very few bonfires in
the City, not above three in all London, for the Queen's coming; whereby I
guess that (as I believed before) her coming do please but very few.
3d. Saturday. At home all the morning. In the afternoon to White Hall,
where my Lord and Lady were gone to kiss the Queene's hand. To
Westminster Hall, where I met with Tom Doling, and we two took Mrs. Lane
to the alehouse, where I made her angry with commending of Tom Newton and
her new sweetheart to be both too good for her, so that we parted with
much anger, which made Tom and me good sport. So home to write letters by
the post, and so to bed.
4th (Lord's day). In the morn to our own church, where Mr. Mills did
begin to nibble at the Common Prayer, by saying "Glory be to the Father,
&c." after he had read the two psalms; but the people had been so little
used to it, that they could not tell what to answer. This declaration of
the King's do give the Presbyterians some satisfaction, and a pretence to
read the Common Prayer, which they would not do before because of their
former preaching against it. After dinner to Westminster, where I went to
my Lord's, and having spoke with him, I went to the Abbey, where the first
time that ever I heard the organs in a cathedral! Thence to my Lord's,
where I found Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, and with him and Mr. Sheply, in our
way calling at the Bell to see the seven Flanders mares that my Lord has
bought lately, where we drank several bottles of Hull ale. Much company I
found to come to her, and cannot wonder at it, for she is very pretty and
wanton. Hence to my father's, where I found my mother in greater and
greater pain of the stone. I staid long and drank with them, and so home
and to bed. My wife seemed very pretty to-day, it being the first time I
had given her leave to wear a black patch.
5th (Office day). Being disappointed of money, we failed of going to
Deptford to pay off the Henrietta to-day. Dined at home, and at home all
day, and at the office at night, to make up an account of what the debts
of nineteen of the twenty-five ships that should have been paid off, is
increased since the adjournment of the Parliament, they being to sit again
to-morrow. This 5th of November is observed exceeding well in the City;
and at night great bonfires and fireworks. At night Mr. Moore came and
sat with me, and there I took a book and he did instruct me in many law
notions, in which I took great pleasure. To bed.
6th. In the morning with Sir W. Batten and Pen by water to Westminster,
where at my Lord's I met with Mr. Creed. With him to see my Lord's
picture (now almost done), and thence to Westminster Hall, where we found
the Parliament met to-day, and thence meeting with Mr. Chetwind, I took
them to the Sun, and did give them a barrel of oysters, and had good
discourse; among other things Mr. Chetwind told me how he did fear that
this late business of the Duke of York's would prove fatal to my Lord
Chancellor. From thence Mr. Creed and I to Wilkinson's, and dined
together, and in great haste thence to our office, where we met all, for
the sale of two ships by an inch of candle
[The old-fashioned custom of sale by auction by inch of candle was
continued in sales by the Admiralty to a somewhat late date. See
September 3rd, 1662.]
(the first time that ever I saw any of this kind), where I observed how
they do invite one another, and at last how they all do cry,--[To cry was
to bid.]--and we have much to do to tell who did cry last. The ships were
the Indian, sold for L1,300, and the Half-moon, sold for L830. Home, and
fell a-reading of the tryalls of the late men that were hanged for the
King's death, and found good satisfaction in reading thereof. At night to
bed, and my wife and I did fall out about the dog's being put down into
the cellar, which I had a mind to have done because of his fouling the
house, and I would have my will, and so we went to bed and lay all night
in a quarrel. This night I was troubled all night with a dream that my
wife was dead, which made me that I slept ill all night.
7th (Office day). This day my father came to dine at my house, but being
sent for in the morning I could not stay, but went by water to my Lord,
where I dined with him, and he in a very merry humour (present Mr. Borfett
and Childe) at dinner: he, in discourse of the great opinion of the
virtue--gratitude (which he did account the greatest thing in the world to
him, and had, therefore, in his mind been often troubled in the late times
how to answer his gratitude to the King, who raised his father), did say
it was that did bring him to his obedience to the King; and did also bless
himself with his good fortune, in comparison to what it was when I was
with him in the Sound, when he durst not own his correspondence with the
King; which is a thing that I never did hear of to this day before; and I
do from this raise an opinion of him, to be one of the most secret men in
the world, which I was not so convinced of before. After dinner he bid
all go out of the room, and did tell me how the King had promised him
L4000 per annum for ever, and had already given him a bill under his hand
(which he showed me) for L4000 that Mr. Fox is to pay him. My Lord did
advise with me how to get this received, and to put out L3000 into safe
hands at use, and the other he will make use of for his present occasion.
This he did advise with me about with much secresy. After all this he
called for the fiddles and books, and we two and W. Howe, and Mr. Childe,
did sing and play some psalmes of Will. Lawes's, and some songs; and so I
went away. So I went to see my Lord's picture, which is almost done, and
do please me very well. Hence to Whitehall to find out Mr. Fox, which I
did, and did use me very civilly, but I did not see his lady, whom I had
so long known when she was a maid, Mrs. Whittle. From thence meeting my
father Bowyer, I took him to Mr. Harper's, and there drank with him.
Among other things in discourse he told me how my wife's brother had a
horse at grass with him, which I was troubled to hear, it being his
boldness upon my score. Home by coach, and read late in the last night's
book of Trials, and told my wife about her brother's horse at Mr.
Bowyer's, who is also much troubled for it, and do intend to go to-morrow
to inquire the truth. Notwithstanding this was the first day of the
King's proclamation against hackney coaches coming into the streets to
stand to be hired, yet I got one to carry me home.