Search london history from Roman times to modern day
May 1st. Up betimes. Called up by my tailor, and there first put on a summer suit this year; but it was not my fine one of flowered tabby vest, and coloured camelott tunique, because it was too fine with the gold lace at the hands, that I was afeard to be seen in it; but put on the stuff suit I made the last year, which is now repaired; and so did go to the Office in it, and sat all the morning, the day looking as if it would be fowle. At noon home to dinner, and there find my wife extraordinary fine, with her flowered tabby gown that she made two years ago, now laced exceeding pretty; and, indeed, was fine all over; and mighty earnest to go, though the day was very lowering; and she would have me put on my fine suit, which I did. And so anon we went alone through the town with our new liveries of serge, and the horses’ manes and tails tied with red ribbons, and the standards there gilt with varnish, and all clean, and green refines, that people did mightily look upon us; and, the truth is, I did not see any coach more pretty, though more gay, than ours, all the day. But we set out, out of humour—I because Betty, whom I expected, was not come to go with us; and my wife that I would sit on the same seat with her, which she likes not, being so fine: and she then expected to meet Sheres, which we did in the Pell Mell, and, against my will, I was forced to take him into the coach, but was sullen all day almost, and little complaisant: the day also being unpleasing, though the Park full of coaches, but dusty and windy, and cold, and now and then a little dribbling rain; and, what made it worst, there were so many hackney-coaches as spoiled the sight of the gentlemen’s; and so we had little pleasure. But here was W. Batelier and his sister in a borrowed coach by themselves, and I took them and we to the lodge; and at the door did give them a syllabub, and other things, cost me 12s., and pretty merry. And so back to the coaches, and there till the evening, and then home, leaving Mr. Sheres at St. James’s Gate, where he took leave of us for altogether, he; being this night to set out for Portsmouth post, in his way to Tangier, which troubled my wife mightily, who is mighty, though not, I think, too fond of him. But she was out of humour all the evening, and I vexed at her for it, and she did not rest almost all the night, so as in the night I was forced; to take her and hug her to put her to rest. So home, and after a little supper, to bed.
2nd (Lord’s day). Up, and by water to White Hall, and there visit my Lord Sandwich, who, after about two months’ absence at Hinchingbroke, come to town last night. I saw him, and very kind; and I am glad he is so, I having not wrote to him all the time, my eyes indeed not letting me. Here with Sir Charles Herbert [Harbord], and my Lord Hinchingbroke, and Sidney, we looked upon the picture of Tangier, designed: by Charles Herbert [Harbord], and drawn by Dancre, which my Lord Sandwich admires, as being the truest picture that ever he’s saw in his life: and it is indeed very pretty, and I will be at the cost of having one of them. Thence with them to White Hall, and there walked out the sermon, with one or other; and then saw the Duke of York after sermon, and he talked to me a little; and so away back by water home, and after dinner got my wife to read, and then by coach, she and I, to the Park, and there spent the evening with much pleasure, it proving clear after a little shower, and we mighty fine as yesterday, and people mightily pleased with our coach, as I perceived; but I had not on my fine suit, being really afeard to wear it, it being so fine with the gold lace, though not gay. So home and to supper, and my wife to read, and Tom, my Nepotisme, and then to bed.
3rd. Up, and by coach to my Lord Brouncker’s, where Sir G. Carteret did meet Sir J. Minnes and me, to discourse upon Mr. Deering’s business, who was directed, in the time of the war, to provide provisions at Hamburgh, by Sir G. Carteret’s direction; and now G. Carteret is afeard to own it, it being done without written order. But by our meeting we do all begin to recollect enough to preserve Mr. Deering, I think, which, poor silly man! I shall be glad of, it being too much he should suffer for endeavouring to serve us. Thence to St. James’s, where the Duke of York was playing in the Pell Mell; and so he called me to him most part of the time that he played, which was an hour, and talked alone to me; and, among other things, tells me how the King will not yet be got to name anybody in the room of Pen, but puts it off for three or four days; from whence he do collect that they are brewing something for the Navy, but what he knows not; but I perceive is vexed that things should go so, and he hath reason; for he told me that it is likely they will do in this as in other things—resolve first, and consider it and the fitness of it afterward. Thence to White Hall, and met with Creed, and I took him to the Harp and Balls, and there drank a cup of ale, he and I alone, and discoursed of matters; and I perceive by him that he makes no doubt but that all will turn to the old religion, for these people cannot hold things in their hands, nor prevent its coming to that; and by his discourse fits himself for it, and would have my Lord Sandwich do so, too, and me. After a little talk with him, and particularly about the ruinous condition of Tangier, which I have a great mind to lay before the Duke of York, before it be too late, but dare not, because of his great kindness to Lord Middleton, we parted, and I homeward; but called at Povy’s, and there he stopped me to dinner, there being Mr. Williamson, the Lieutenant of the Tower, Mr. Childe, and several others. And after dinner, Povy and I together to talk of Tangier; and he would have me move the Duke of York in it, for it concerns him particularly, more than any, as being the head of us; and I do think to do it. Thence home, and at the office busy all the afternoon, and so to supper and to bed.
4th. Up, and to the office, and then my wife being gone to see her mother at Deptford, I before the office sat went to the Excise Office, and thence being alone stepped into Duck Lane, and thence tried to have sent a porter to Deb.‘s, but durst not trust him, and therefore having bought a book to satisfy the bookseller for my stay there, a 12d. book, Andronicus of Tom Fuller, I took coach, and at the end of Jewen Street next Red Cross Street I sent the coachman to her lodging, and understand she is gone for Greenwich to one Marys’s, a tanner’s, at which I, was glad, hoping to have opportunity to find her out; and so, in great fear of being seen, I to the office, and there all the morning, dined at home, and presently after dinner comes home my wife, who I believe is jealous of my spending the day, and I had very good fortune in being at home, for if Deb. had been to have been found it is forty to one but I had been abroad, God forgive me. So the afternoon at the office, and at night walked with my wife in the garden, and my Lord Brouncker with us, who is newly come to W. Pen’s lodgings; and by and by comes Mr. Hooke; and my Lord, and he, and I into my Lord’s lodgings, and there discoursed of many fine things in philosophy, to my great content, and so home to supper and to bed.
5th. Up, and thought to have gone with Lord Brouncker to Mr. Hooke this morning betimes; but my Lord is taken ill of the gout, and says his new lodgings have infected him, he never having had any symptoms of it till now. So walked to Gresham College, to tell Hooke that my Lord could not come; and so left word, he being abroad, and I to St. James’s, and thence, with the Duke of York, to White Hall, where the Board waited on him all the morning: and so at noon with Sir Thomas Allen, and Sir Edward Scott, and Lord Carlingford, to the Spanish Embassador’s, where I dined the first time. The Olio not so good as Sheres’s. There was at the table himself and a Spanish Countess, a good, comely, and witty lady-three Fathers and us. Discourse good and pleasant. And here was an Oxford scholar in a Doctor of Law’s gowne, sent from the College where the Embassador lay, when the Court was there, to salute him before his return to Spain: This man, though a gentle sort of scholar, yet sat like a fool for want of French or Spanish, but [knew] only Latin, which he spoke like an Englishman to one of the Fathers. And by and by he and I to talk, and the company very merry at my defending Cambridge against Oxford: and I made much use of my French and Spanish here, to my great content. But the dinner not extraordinary at all, either for quantity or quality. Thence home, where my wife ill of those upon the maid’s bed, and troubled at my being abroad. So I to the office, and there till night, and then to her, and she read to me the Epistle of Cassandra, which is very good indeed; and the better to her, because recommended by Sheres. So to supper, and to bed.
6th. Up, and by coach to Sir W. Coventry’s, but he gone out. I by water back to the Office, and there all the morning; then to dinner, and then to the Office again, and anon with my wife by coach to take the ayre, it being a noble day, as far as the Greene Man, mightily pleased with our journey, and our condition of doing it in our own coach, and so home, and to walk in the garden, and so to supper and to bed, my eyes being bad with writing my journal, part of it, to-night.
7th. Up, and by coach to W. Coventry’s; and there to talk with him a great deal with great content; and so to the Duke of York, having a great mind to speak to him about Tangier; but, when I come to it, his interest for my Lord Middleton is such that I dare not. So to the Treasury chamber, and then walked home round by the Excise Office, having by private vows last night in prayer to God Almighty cleared my mind for the present of the thoughts of going to Deb. at Greenwich, which I did long after. I passed by Guildhall, which is almost finished, and saw a poor labourer carried by, I think, dead with a fall, as many there are, I hear. So home to dinner, and then to the office a little, and so to see my Lord Brouncker, who is a little ill of the gout; and there Madam Williams told me that she heard that my wife was going into France this year, which I did not deny, if I can get time, and I pray God I may. But I wondering how she come to know it, she tells me a woman that my wife spoke to for a maid, did tell her so, and that a lady that desires to go thither would be glad to go in her company. Thence with my wife abroad, with our coach, most pleasant weather; and to Hackney, and into the marshes, where I never was before, and thence round about to Old Ford and Bow; and coming through the latter home, there being some young gentlewomen at a door, and I seeming not to know who they were, my wife’s jealousy told me presently that I knew well enough it was that damned place where Deb. dwelt, which made me swear very angrily that it was false, as it was, and I carried [her] back again to see the place, and it proved not so, so I continued out of humour a good while at it, she being willing to be friends, so I was by and by, saying no more of it. So home, and there met with a letter from Captain Silas Taylor, and, with it, his written copy of a play that he hath wrote, and intends to have acted.—It is called “The Serenade, or Disappointment,” which I will read, not believing he can make any good of that kind. He did once offer to show Harris it, but Harris told him that he would judge by one Act whether it were good or no, which is indeed a foolish saying, and we see them out themselves in the choice of a play after they have read the whole, it being sometimes found not fit to act above three times; nay, and some that have been refused at one house is found a good one at the other. This made Taylor say he would not shew it him, but is angry, and hath carried it to the other house, and he thinks it will be acted there, though he tells me they are not yet agreed upon it. But I will find time to get it read to me, and I did get my wife to begin a little to-night in the garden, but not so much as I could make any judgment of it. So home to supper and to bed.
8th. Up, and to the Office, and there comes Lead to me, and at last my vizards are done, and glasses got to put in and out, as I will; and I think I have brought it to the utmost, both for easiness of using and benefit, that I can; and so I paid him 15s. for what he hath done now last, in the finishing them, and they, I hope, will do me a great deal of ease. At the Office all the morning, and this day, the first time, did alter my side of the table, after above eight years sitting on that next the fire. But now I am not able to bear the light of the windows in my eyes, I do begin there, and I did sit with much more content than I had done on the other side for a great while, and in winter the fire will not trouble my back. At noon home to dinner, and after dinner all the afternoon within, with Mr. Hater, Gibson, and W. Hewer, reading over and drawing up new things in the Instructions of Commanders, which will be good, and I hope to get them confirmed by the Duke of York, though I perceive nothing will effectually perfect them but to look over the whole body of the Instructions, of all the Officers of a ship, and make them all perfect together. This being done, comes my bookseller, and brings me home bound my collection of papers, about my Addresse to the Duke of York in August, which makes me glad, it being that which shall do me more right many years hence than, perhaps, all I ever did in my life: and therefore I do, both for my own and the King’s sake, value it much. By and by also comes Browne, the mathematical instrument maker, and brings me home my instrument for perspective, made according to the description of Dr. Wren’s, in the late Transactions; and he hath made it, I think, very well, and that, that I believe will do the thing, and therein gives me great content; but have I fear all the content that must be received by my eyes is almost lost. So to the office, and there late at business, and then home to supper and to bed.
9th (Lord’s day). Up; and, after dressing in my best suit with gold trimming, I to the Office, and there with Gibson and Tom finishing against to-morrow my notes upon Commanders’ Instructions; and, when church-time, to church with my wife, leaving them at work. Dr. Mills preached a dull sermon, and so we home to dinner; and thence by coach to St. Andrew’s, Holborne, thinking to have heard Dr. Stillingfleete preach, but we could not get a place, and so to St. Margaret’s, Westminster, and there heard a sermon, and did get a place, the first we have heard there these many years, and here at a distance I saw Betty Michell, but she is become much a plainer woman than she was a girl. Thence towards the Park, but too soon to go in, so went on to Knightsbridge, and there eat and drank at “The World’s End,” where we had good things, and then back to the Park, and there till night, being fine weather, and much company, and so home, and after supper to bed. This day I first left off both my waistcoats by day, and my waistcoat by night, it being very hot weather, so hot as to make me break out, here and there, in my hands, which vexes me to see, but is good for me.
10th. Troubled, about three in the morning, with my wife’s calling her maid up, and rising herself, to go with her coach abroad, to gather May-dew, which she did, and I troubled for it, for fear of any hurt, going abroad so betimes, happening to her; but I to sleep again, and she come home about six, and to bed again all well, and I up and with Mr. Gibson by coach to St. James’s, and thence to White Hall, where the Duke of York met the Office, and there discoursed of several things, particularly the Instructions of Commanders of ships. But here happened by chance a discourse of the Council of Trade, against which the Duke of York is mightily displeased, and particularly Mr. Child, against whom he speaking hardly, Captain Cox did second the Duke of York, by saying that he was talked of for an unfayre dealer with masters of ships, about freight: to which Sir T. Littleton very hotly and foolishly replied presently, that he never heard any honest man speak ill of Child; to which the Duke of York did make a smart reply, and was angry; so as I was sorry to hear it come so far, and that I, by seeming to assent to Cox, might be observed too much by Littleton, though I said nothing aloud, for this must breed great heart-burnings. After this meeting done, the Duke of York took the Treasurers into his closet to chide them, as Mr. Wren tells me; for that my Lord Keeper did last night at the Council say, when nobody was ready to say any thing against the constitution of the Navy, that he did believe the Treasurers of the Navy had something to say, which was very foul on their part, to be parties against us. They being gone, Mr. Wren [and I] took boat, thinking to dine with my Lord of Canterbury; but, when we come to Lambeth, the gate was shut, which is strictly done at twelve o’clock, and nobody comes in afterwards: so we lost our labour, and therefore back to White Hall, and thence walked my boy Jacke with me, to my Lord Crew, whom I have not seen since he was sick, which is eight months ago, I think and there dined with him: he is mightily broke. A stranger a country gentleman, was with him: and he pleased with my discourse accidentally about the decay of gentlemen’s families in the country, telling us that the old rule was, that a family might remain fifty miles from London one hundred years, one hundred miles from London two hundred years, and so farther, or nearer London more or less years. He also told us that he hath heard his father say, that in his time it was so rare for a country gentleman to come to London, that, when he did come, he used to make his will before he set out. Thence: to St. James’s, and there met the Duke of York, who told me, with great content, that he did now think he should master our adversaries, for that the King did tell him that he was; satisfied in the constitution of the Navy, but that it was well to give these people leave to object against it, which they having not done, he did give order to give warrant to the Duke of York to direct Sir Jeremy Smith to be a Commissioner of the Navy in the room of Pen; which, though he be an impertinent fellow, yet I am glad of it, it showing that the other side is not so strong as it was: and so, in plain terms, the Duke of York did tell me, that they were every day losing ground; and particularly that he would take care to keep out Child: at all which I am glad, though yet I dare not think myself secure, as the King may yet be wrought upon by these people to bring changes in our Office, and remove us, ere it be long. Thence I to White Hall, an there took boat to Westminster, and to Mrs. Martin’s, who is not come to town from her husband at Portsmouth. So drank only at Cragg’s with Doll, and so to the Swan, and there baiser a new maid that is there, and so to White Hall again, to a Committee of Tangier, where I see all things going to rack in the business of the Corporation, and consequently in the place, by Middleton’s going. Thence walked a little with Creed, who tells me he hears how fine my horses and coach are, and advises me to avoid being noted for it, which I was vexed to hear taken notice of, it being what I feared and Povy told me of my gold-lace sleeves in the Park yesterday, which vexed me also, so as to resolve never to appear in Court with them, but presently to have them taken off, as it is fit I should, and so to my wife at Unthanke’s, and coach, and so called at my tailor’s to that purpose, and so home, and after a little walk in the garden, home to supper and to bed.
11th. My wife again up by four o’clock, to go to gather May-dew; and so back home by seven, to bed, and by and by I up and to the office, where all the morning, and dined at noon at home with my people, and so all the afternoon. In the evening my wife and I all alone, with the boy, by water, up as high as Putney almost, with the tide, and back again, neither staying going nor coming; but talking, and singing, and reading a foolish copy of verses upon my Lord Mayor’s entertaining of all the bachelors, designed in praise to my Lord Mayor, and so home and to the office a little, and then home to bed, my eyes being bad. Some trouble at Court for fear of the Queen’s miscarrying; she being, as they all conclude, far gone with child.
12th. Up, and to Westminster Hall, where the term is, and this the first day of my being there, and here by chance met Roger Pepys, come to town the last night: I was glad to see him. After some talk with him and others, and among others Sir Charles Harbord and Sidney Montagu, the latter of whom is to set out to-morrow towards Flanders and Italy, I invited them to dine with me to-morrow, and so to Mrs. Martin’s lodging, who come to town last night, and there je did hazer her, she having been a month, I think, at Portsmouth with her husband, newly come home from the Streights. But, Lord! how silly the woman talks of her great entertainment there, and how all the gentry come to visit her, and that she believes her husband is worth L6 or L700, which nevertheless I am glad of, but I doubt they will spend it a fast. Thence home, and after dinner my wife and I to the Duke of York’s playhouse, and there, in the side balcony, over against the musick, did hear, but not see, a new play, the first day acted, “The Roman Virgin,” an old play, and but ordinary, I thought; but the trouble of my eyes with the light of the candles did almost kill me. Thence to my Lord Sandwich’s, and there had a promise from Sidney to come and dine with me to-morrow; and so my wife and I home in our coach, and there find my brother John, as I looked for, come to town from Ellington, where, among other things, he tell me the first news that my [sister Jackson] is with child, and fat gone, which I know not whether it did more trouble or please me, having no great care for my friends to have children; though I love other people’s. So, glad to see him, we to supper, and so to bed.
13th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning, it being a rainy foul day. But at noon comes my Lord Hinchingbroke, and Sidney, and Sir Charles Harbord, and Roger Pepys, and dined with me; and had a good dinner, and very merry with; us all the afternoon, it being a farewell to Sidney; and so in the evening they away, and I to my business at the Office and so to supper, and talk with my brother, and so to bed.
14th. Up, and to St. James’s to the Duke of York, and thence to White Hall, where we met about office business, and then at noon with Mr. Wren to Lambeth, to dinner with the Archbishop of Canterbury; the first time I was ever there and I have long longed for it; where a noble house, and well furnished with good pictures and furniture, and noble attendance in good order, and great deal of company, though an ordinary day; and exceeding great cheer, no where better, or so much, that ever I think I saw, for an ordinary table: and the Bishop mighty kind to me, particularly desiring my company another time, when less company there. Most of the company gone, and I going, I heard by a gentleman of a sermon that was to be there; and so I staid to hear it, thinking it serious, till by and by the gentleman told me it was a mockery, by one Cornet Bolton, a very gentleman-like man, that behind a chair did pray and preach like a Presbyter Scot that ever I heard in my life, with all the possible imitation in grimaces and voice. And his text about the hanging up their harps upon the willows: and a serious good sermon too, exclaiming against Bishops, and crying up of my good Lord Eglinton, a till it made us all burst; but I did wonder to have the Bishop at this time to make himself sport with things of this kind, but I perceive it was shewn him as a rarity; and he took care to have the room-door shut, but there were about twenty gentlemen there, and myself, infinitely pleased with the novelty. So over to White Hall, to a little Committee of Tangier; and thence walking in the Gallery, I met Sir Thomas Osborne, who, to my great content, did of his own accord fall into discourse with me, with so much professions of value and respect, placing the whole virtue of the Office of the Navy upon me, and that for the Comptroller’s place, no man in England was fit for it but me, when Sir J. Minnes, as he says it is necessary, is removed: but then he knows not what to do for a man in my place; and in discourse, though I have no mind to the other, I did bring in Tom Hater to be the fittest man in the world for it, which he took good notice of. But in the whole I was mightily pleased, reckoning myself now fifty per cent. securer in my place than I did before think myself to be. Thence to Unthanke’s, and there find my wife, but not dressed, which vexed me, because going to the Park, it being a most pleasant day after yesterday’s rain, which lays all the dust, and most people going out thither, which vexed me. So home, sullen; but then my wife and I by water, with my brother, as high as Fulham, talking and singing, and playing the rogue with the Western barge-men, about the women of Woolwich, which mads them, an so back home to supper and to bed.
15th. Up, and at the Office all the morning. Dined at home and Creed with me home, and I did discourse about evening some reckonings with him in the afternoon; but I could not, for my eyes, do it, which troubled me, and vexed him that would not; but yet we were friends, I advancing him more without it, and so to walk all the afternoon together in the garden; and I perceive still he do expect a change in of matters, especially as to religion, and fits himself for it by professing himself for it in his discourse. He gone, I to my business at my Office, and so at night home to supper, and to bed.
16th (Lord’s day). My wife and I at church, our pew filled with Mrs. Backewell, and six more that she brought with her, which vexed me at her confidence. Dined at home and W. Batelier with us, and I all the afternoon drawing up a foul draught of my petition to the Duke of York, about my eyes, for leave to spend three or four months out of the Office, drawing it so as to give occasion to a voyage abroad which I did, to my pretty good liking; and then with my wife to Hyde Park, where a good deal of company, and good weather, and so home to supper and to bed.
17th. Up, and to several places doing business, and the home to dinner, and then my wife and I and brother John by coach to the King’s playhouse, and saw “The Spanish Curate” revived, which is a pretty good play, but my eyes troubled with seeing it, mightily. Thence carried them and Mr. Gibson, who met me at my Lord Brouncker’s with a fair copy of my petition, which I thought to shew the Duke of York this night, but could not, and therefore carried them to the Park, where they had never been, and so home to supper and to bed. Great the news now of the French taking St. Domingo, in Spaniola, from the Spaniards, which troubles us, that they should have it, and have the honour of taking it, when we could not.
18th. Up, and to St. James’s and other places, and then to the office, where all the morning. At noon home and dined in my wife’s chamber, she being much troubled with the tooth-ake, and I staid till a surgeon of hers come, one Leeson, who hath formerly drawn her mouth, and he advised her to draw it: so I to the Office, and by and by word is come that she hath drawn it, which pleased me, it being well done. So I home, to comfort her, and so back to the office till night, busy, and so home to supper and to bed.
19th. With my coach to St. James’s; and there finding the Duke of York gone to muster his men, in Hyde Park, I alone with my boy thither, and there saw more, walking out of my coach as other gentlemen did, of a soldier’s trade, than ever I did in my life: the men being mighty fine, and their Commanders, particularly the Duke of Monmouth; but me-thought their trade but very easy as to the mustering of their men, and the men but indifferently ready to perform what was commanded, in the handling of their arms. Here the news was first talked of Harry Killigrew’s being wounded in nine places last night, by footmen, in the highway, going from the Park in a hackney-coach towards Hammersmith, to his house at Turnham Greene: they being supposed to be my Lady Shrewsbury’s men, she being by, in her coach with six horses; upon an old grudge of his saying openly that he had lain with her. Thence by and by to White Hall, and there I waited upon the King and Queen all dinner-time, in the Queen’s lodgings, she being in her white pinner and apron, like a woman with child; and she seemed handsomer plain so, than dressed. And by and by, dinner done, I out, and to walk in the Gallery, for the Duke of York’s coming out; and there, meeting Mr. May, he took me down about four o’clock to Mr. Chevins’s lodgings, and all alone did get me a dish of cold chickens, and good wine; and I dined like a prince, being before very hungry and empty. By and by the Duke of York comes, and readily took me to his closet, and received my petition, and discoursed about my eyes, and pitied me, and with much kindness did give me his consent to be absent, and approved of my proposition to go into Holland to observe things there, of the Navy; but would first ask the King’s leave, which he anon did, and did tell me that the King would be a good master to me, these were his words, about my eyes, and do like of my going into Holland, but do advise that nobody should know of my going thither, but pretend that I did go into the country somewhere, which I liked well. Glad of this, I home, and thence took out my wife, and to Mr. Holliard’s about a swelling in her cheek, but he not at home, and so round by Islington and eat and drink, and so home, and after supper to bed. In discourse this afternoon, the Duke of York did tell me that he was the most amazed at one thing just now, that ever he was in his life, which was, that the Duke of Buckingham did just now come into the Queen’s bed-chamber, where the King was, and much mixed company, and among others, Tom Killigrew, the father of Harry, who was last night wounded so as to be in danger of death, and his man is quite dead; and [Buckingham] there in discourse did say that he had spoke with some one that was by (which all the world must know that it must be his whore, my Lady Shrewsbury), who says that they did not mean to hurt, but beat him, and that he did run first at them with his sword; so that he do hereby clearly discover that he knows who did it, and is of conspiracy with them, being of known conspiracy with her, which the Duke of York did seem to be pleased with, and said it might, perhaps, cost him his life in the House of Lords; and I find was mightily pleased with it, saying it was the most impudent thing, as well as the most foolish, that ever he knew man do in all his life.
20th. Up and to the Office, where all the morning. At noon, the whole Office—Brouncker, J. Minnes, T. Middleton, Samuel Pepys, and Captain Cox to dine with the Parish, at the Three Tuns, this day being Ascension-day, where exceeding good discourse among the merchants, and thence back home, and after a little talk with my wife, to my office did a great deal of business, and so with my eyes might weary, and my head full of care how to get my accounts and business settled against my journey, home to supper, and bed. Yesterday, at my coming home, I found that my wife had, on a sudden, put away Matt upon some falling out, and I doubt my wife did call her ill names by my wife’s own discourse; but I did not meddle to say anything upon it, but let her go, being not sorry, because now we may get one that speaks French, to go abroad with us.
21st. I waited with the Office upon the Duke of York in the morning. Dined at home, where Lewis Phillips the friend of his, dined with me. In the afternoon at the Office. In the evening visited by Roger Pepys and Philip Packer and so home.
22nd. Dined at home, the rest of the whole day at office.
23rd (Lord’s day). Called up by Roger Pepys and his son who to church with me, and then home to dinner. In the afternoon carried them to Westminster, and myself to James’s, where, not finding the Duke of York, back home, and with my wife spent the evening taking the ayre about Hackney, with great pleasure, and places we had never seen before.
24th. To White Hall, and there all the morning, and they home, and giving order for some business and setting my brother to making a catalogue of my books, I back again to W. Hewer to White Hall, where I attended the Duke of York and was by him led to [the King], who expressed great sense of my misfortune in my eyes, and concernment for their recovery; and accordingly signified, not only his assent to desire therein, but commanded me to give them rest summer, according to my late petition to the Duke of York. W. Hewer and I dined alone at the Swan; and thence having thus waited on the King, spent till four o’clock in St. James’s Park, when I met my wife at Unthanke’s, and so home.
25th. Dined at home; and the rest of the day, morning and afternoon, at the Office.
26th. To White Hall, where all the morning. Dined with Mr. Chevins, with Alderman Backewell, and Spragg. The Court full of the news from Captain Hubbert, of “The Milford,” touching his being affronted in the Streights, shot at, and having eight men killed him by a French man-of-war, calling him “English dog,” and commanding him to strike, which he refused, and, as knowing himself much too weak for him, made away from him. The Queen, as being supposed with child, fell ill, so as to call for Madam Nun, Mr. Chevins’s sister, and one of her women, from dinner from us; this being the last day of their doubtfulness touching her being with child; and they were therein well confirmed by her Majesty’s being well again before night. One Sir Edmund Bury Godfry, a woodmonger and justice of Peace in Westminster, having two days since arrested Sir Alexander Frazier for about L30 in firing, the bailiffs were apprehended, committed to the porter’s lodge, and there, by the King’s command, the last night severely whipped; from which the justice himself very hardly escaped, to such an unusual degree was the King moved therein. But he lies now in the lodge, justifying his act, as grounded upon the opinion of several of the judges, and, among others, my Lord Chief-Justice; which makes the King very angry with the Chief-Justice, as they say; and the justice do lie and justify his act, and says he will suffer in the cause for the people, and do refuse to receive almost any nutriment. The effects of it may be bad to the Court. Expected a meeting of Tangier this afternoon, but failed. So home, met by my wife at Unthanke’s.
27th. At the office all the morning, dined at home, Mr. Hollier with me. Presented this day by Mr. Browne with a book of drawing by him, lately printed, which cost me 20s. to him. In the afternoon to the Temple, to meet with Auditor Aldworth about my interest account, but failed meeting him. To visit my cozen Creed, and found her ill at home, being with child, and looks poorly. Thence to her husband, at Gresham College, upon some occasions of Tangier; and so home, with Sir John Bankes with me, to Mark Lane.
28th. To St. James’s, where the King’s being with the Duke of York prevented a meeting of the Tangier Commission. But, Lord! what a deal of sorry discourse did I hear between the King and several Lords about him here! but very mean methought. So with Creed to the Excise Office, and back to White Hall, where, in the Park, Sir G. Carteret did give me an account of his discourse lately, with the Commissioners of Accounts, who except against many things, but none that I find considerable; among others, that of the Officers of the Navy selling of the King’s goods, and particularly my providing him with calico flags, which having been by order, and but once, when necessity, and the King’s apparent profit, justified it, as conformable to my particular duty, it will prove to my advantage that it be enquired into. Nevertheless, having this morning received from them a demand of an account of all monies within their cognizance, received and issued by me, I was willing, upon this hint, to give myself rest, by knowing whether their meaning therein might reach only to my Treasurership for Tangier, or the monies employed on this occasion. I went, therefore, to them this afternoon, to understand what monies they meant, where they answered me, by saying, “The eleven months’ tax, customs, and prizemoney,” without mentioning, any more than I demanding, the service they respected therein; and so, without further discourse, we parted, upon very good terms of respect, and with few words, but my mind not fully satisfied about the monies they mean. At noon Mr. Gibson and I dined at the Swan, and thence doing this at Brook house, and thence caking at the Excise Office for an account of payment of my tallies for Tangier, I home, and thence with my wife and brother spent the evening on the water, carrying our supper with us, as high as Chelsea; so home, making sport with the Westerne bargees, and my wife and I singing, to my great content.
29th. The King’s birth-day. To White Hall, where all very gay; and particularly the Prince of Tuscany very fine, and is the first day of his appearing out of mourning, since he come. I heard the Bishop of Peterborough’ preach but dully; but a good anthem of Pelham’s. Home to dinner, and then with my wife to Hyde Park, where all the evening; great store of company, and great preparations by the Prince of Tuscany to celebrate the night with fire-works, for the King’s birth-day. And so home.
30th (Whitsunday). By water to White Hall, and thence to Sir W. Coventry, where all the morning by his bed-side, he being indisposed. Our discourse was upon the notes I have lately prepared for Commanders’ Instructions; but concluded that nothing will render them effectual, without an amendment in the choice of them, that they be seamen, and not gentleman above the command of the Admiral, by the greatness of their relations at Court. Thence to White Hall, and dined alone with Mr. Chevins his sister: whither by and by come in Mr. Progers and Sir Thomas Allen, and by and by fine Mrs. Wells, who is a great beauty; and there I had my full gaze upon her, to my great content, she being a woman of pretty conversation. Thence to the Duke of York, who, with the officers of the Navy, made a good entrance on my draught of my new Instructions to Commanders, as well expressing general [views] of a reformation among them, as liking of my humble offers towards it. Thence being called by my wife, Mr. Gibson and I, we to the Park, whence the rain suddenly home.
31st. Up very betimes, and so continued all the morning with W. Hewer, upon examining and stating my accounts, in order to the fitting myself to go abroad beyond sea, which the ill condition of my eyes, and my neglect for a year or two, hath kept me behindhand in, and so as to render it very difficult now, and troublesome to my mind to do it; but I this day made a satisfactory entrance therein. Dined at home, and in the afternoon by water to White Hall, calling by the way at Michell’s, where I have not been many a day till just the other day, and now I met her mother there and knew her husband to be out of town. And here je did baiser elle, but had not opportunity para hazer some with her as I would have offered if je had had it. And thence had another meeting with the Duke of York, at White Hall, on yesterday’s work, and made a good advance: and so, being called by my wife, we to the Park, Mary Batelier, and a Dutch gentleman, a friend of hers, being with us. Thence to “The World’s End,” a drinking-house by the Park; and there merry, and so home late.
And thus ends all that I doubt I shall ever be able to do with my own eyes in the keeping of my journal, I being not able to do it any longer, having done now so long as to undo my eyes almost every time that I take a pen in my hand; and, therefore, whatever comes of it, I must forbear: and, therefore, resolve, from this time forward, to have it kept by my people in long-hand, and must therefore be contented to set down no more than is fit for them and all the world to know; or, if there be any thing, which cannot be much, now my amours to Deb. are past, and my eyes hindering me in almost all other pleasures, I must endeavour to keep a margin in my book open, to add, here and there, a note in short-hand with my own hand.
And so I betake myself to that course, which is almost as much as to see myself go into my grave: for which, and all the discomforts that will accompany my being blind, the good God prepare me!
May 31, 1669.
[This moved, by the editor, to the end
where it seems to fit more comfortably.]
First issue of this edition June, 1896. Reprinted 1897.
In the present volume the Diary is completed, and we here take leave of a writer who has done so much to interest and enlighten successive generations of English readers, and who is now for the first time presented to the world as he really drew his own portrait day by day.
No one who has followed the daily notes of Samuel Pepys from January, 1660, to May, 1669, but must feel sincere regret at their abrupt conclusion, more particularly as the writer lays down his pen while in an unhappy temper.
It is evident from the tone of his later utterances that Pepys thought that he was going blind, a belief which was happily falsified. The holiday tour in which Charles II. and James, Duke of York, took so much interest appears to have had its desired effect in restoring the Diarist to health.
The rest of his eventful life must be sought in the history of the English Navy which he helped to form, and in his numerous letters, which on some future occasion the present editor hopes to annotate. The details to be obtained from these sources form, however, but a sorry substitute for the words written in the solitude of his office by Pepys for his own eye alone, and we cannot but feel how great is the world’s loss in that he never resumed the writing of his journal. All must agree with Coleridge when he wrote on the margin of a copy of the Diary: “Truly may it be said that this was a greater and more grievous loss to the mind’s eye of posterity than to the bodily organs of Pepys himself. It makes me restless and discontented to think what a Diary equal in minuteness and truth of portraiture to the preceding from 1669 to 1688 or 1690 would have been for the true causes, process and character of the Revolution.”
Most works of this nature are apt to tire when they are extended over a certain length of time, but Pepys’s pages are always fresh, and most readers wish for more. For himself the editor can say that each time he has read over the various proofs he has read with renewed interest, so that it is with no ordinary feelings of regret that he comes to the end of his task, and he believes that every reader will feel the same regret that he has no more to read.
In reviewing the Diary it is impossible not to notice the growth of historical interest as it proceeds. In the earlier period we find Pepys surrounded by men not otherwise known, but as the years pass, and his position becomes more assured, we find him in daily communication with the chief men of his day, and evidently every one who came in contact with him appreciated his remarkable ability. The survival of the Diary must ever remain a marvel. It could never have been intended for the reading of others, but doubtless the more elaborate portraits of persons in the later pages were intended for use when Pepys came to write his projected history of the Navy.
The only man who is uniformly spoken well of in the Diary is Sir William Coventry, and many of the characters introduced come in for severe castigation. It is therefore the more necessary to remember that many of the judgments on men were set down hastily, and would probably have been modified had occasion offered. At all events, we know that, however much he may have censured them, Pepys always helped on those who were dependent upon him.
H. R. W.
ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS, DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, 1969 N.S. Broken sort of people, that have not much to lose But so fearful I am of discontenting my wife By her wedding-ring, I suppose he hath married her at last Dine with them, at my cozen Roger’s mistress’s Drawing up a foul draught of my petition to the Duke of York Dutchmen come out of the mouth and tail of a Hamburgh sow Fain to keep a woman on purpose at 20s. a week Find it a base copy of a good originall, that vexed me Found in my head and body about twenty lice, little and great Have not much to lose, and therefore will venture all His satisfaction is nothing worth, it being easily got I have itched mightily these 6 or 7 days I know I have made myself an immortal enemy by it Lady Castlemayne is now in a higher command over the King Last day of their doubtfulness touching her being with child Mighty fond in the stories she tells of her son Will Nor was there any pretty woman that I did see, but my wife Observing my eyes to be mightily employed in the playhouse Proud, carping, insolent, and ironically-prophane stile Quite according to the fashion—nothing to drink or eat She finds that I am lousy Unquiet which her ripping up of old faults will give me Up, and with W. Hewer, my guard, to White Hall Weeping to myself for grief, which she discerning, come to bed With egg to keep off the glaring of the light
ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS, UNABRIDGED DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, COMPLETE:
20s. in money, and what wine she needed, for the burying him
A mad merry slut she is
A real and not a complimentary acknowledgment
A good handsome wench I kissed, the first that I have seen
A fair salute on horseback, in Rochester streets, of the lady
A most conceited fellow and not over much in him
A conceited man, but of no Logique in his head at all
A vineyard, the first that ever I did see
A pretty man, I would be content to break a commandment with him
A little while since a very likely man to live as any I knew
A lady spit backward upon me by a mistake
A gainful trade, but yet make me great trouble
A great baboon, but so much like a man in most things
A play not very good, though commended much
A very fine dinner
A cat will be a cat still
A book the Bishops will not let be printed again
A woman sober, and no high-flyer, as he calls it
A most tedious, unreasonable, and impertinent sermon
About two o’clock, too late and too soon to go home to bed
About several businesses, hoping to get money by them
About my new closet, for my mind is full of nothing but that
About the nature of sounds
Academy was dissolved by order of the Pope
Accounts I never did see, or hope again to see in my days
Act against Nonconformists and Papists
Act of Council passed, to put out all Papists in office
Advantage a man of the law hath over all other people
Afeard of being louzy
Afeard that my Lady Castlemaine will keep still with the King
Afraid now to bring in any accounts for journeys
After taking leave of my wife, which we could hardly do kindly
After awhile I caressed her and parted seeming friends
After many protestings by degrees I did arrive at what I would
After dinner my wife comes up to me and all friends again
After oysters, at first course, a hash of rabbits, a lamb
After some pleasant talk, my wife, Ashwell, and I to bed
After a harsh word or two my wife and I good friends
Again that she spoke but somewhat of what she had in her heart
Agreed at L3 a year (she would not serve under)
All ended in love
All the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore
All made much worse in their report among people than they are
All the fleas came to him and not to me
All divided that were bred so long at school together
All may see how slippery places all courtiers stand in
All things to be managed with faction
All the innocent pleasure in the world
All the towne almost going out of towne (Plague panic)
Ambassador—that he is an honest man sent to lie abroad
Amending of bad blood by borrowing from a better body
Among all the beauties there, my wife was thought the greatest
Among many lazy people that the diligent man becomes necessary
An exceeding pretty lass, and right for the sport
An offer of L500 for a Baronet’s dignity
And for his beef, says he, “Look how fat it is”
And the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it
And if ever I fall on it again, I deserve to be undone
And will not kiss a woman since his wife’s death
And a deal of do of which I am weary
And they did lay pigeons to his feet
And there, did what I would with her
And so to sleep till the morning, but was bit cruelly
And so to bed and there entertained her with great content
And all to dinner and sat down to the King saving myself
And feeling for a chamber-pott, there was none
And with the great men in curing of their claps
And so to bed, my father lying with me in Ashwell’s bed
And in all this not so much as one
And so by coach, though hard to get it, being rainy, home
Angling with a minikin, a gut-string varnished over
Angry, and so continued till bed, and did not sleep friends
Anthem anything but instrumentall musique with the voice
Apprehend about one hundred Quakers
Apprehension of the King of France’s invading us
Aptness I have to be troubled at any thing that crosses me
Archbishop is a wencher, and known to be so
As much his friend as his interest will let him
As very a gossip speaking of her neighbours as any body
As all other women, cry, and yet talk of other things
As he called it, the King’s seventeenth whore abroad
As all things else did not come up to my expectations
Ashamed at myself for this losse of time
Asleep, while the wench sat mending my breeches by my bedside
At work, till I was almost blind, which makes my heart sad
At least 12 or 14,000 people in the street (to see the hanging)
At a loss whether it will be better for me to have him die
At last we pretty good friends
Badge of slavery upon the whole people (taxes)
Bagwell’s wife waited at the door, and went with me to my office
Baited at Islington, and so late home about 11 at night
Baker’s house in Pudding Lane, where the late great fire begun
Barkley swearing that he and others had lain with her often
Baseness and looseness of the Court
Bath at the top of his house
Beare-garden
Bearing more sayle will go faster than any other ships (multihull)
Beating of a poor little dog to death, letting it lie
Because I would not be over sure of any thing
Before I sent my boy out with them, I beat him for a lie
Began discourse of my not getting of children
Beginnings of discontents take so much root between us
Begun to write idle and from the purpose
Begun to smell, and so I caused it to be set forth (corpse)
Being able to do little business (but the less the better)
Being the first Wednesday of the month
Being there, and seeming to do something, while we do not
Being cleansed of lice this day by my wife
Being examined at Allgate, whether we were husbands and wives
Being five years behindhand for their wages (court musicians)
Being sure never to see the like again in this world
Being the people that, at last, will be found the wisest
Being very poor and mean as to the bearing with trouble
Being taken with a Psalmbook or Testament
Believe that England and France were once the same continent
Below what people think these great people say and do
Best fence against the Parliament’s present fury is delay
Best poem that ever was wrote (Siege of Rhodes)
Better the musique, the more sicke it makes him
Better now than never
Better we think than most other couples do
Bewailing the vanity and disorders of the age
Bill against importing Irish cattle
Bill against importing Cattle from Ireland
Bite at the stone, and not at the hand that flings it
Bleeding behind by leeches will cure him
Bold to deliver what he thinks on every occasion
Book itself, and both it and them not worth a turd
Bookseller’s, and there looked for Montaigne’s Essays
Bottle of strong water; whereof now and then a sip did me good
Bought for the love of the binding three books
Bought Montaigne’s Essays, in English
Bowling-ally (where lords and ladies are now at bowles)
Boy up to-night for his sister to teach him to put me to bed
Bring me a periwig, but it was full of nits
Bringing over one discontented man, you raise up three
Bristol milk (the sherry) in the vaults
Broken sort of people, that have not much to lose
Burned it, that it might not be among my books to my shame
Business of abusing the Puritans begins to grow stale
But fit she should live where he hath a mind
But pretty! how I took another pretty woman for her
But she loves not that I should speak of Mrs. Pierce
But a woful rude rabble there was, and such noises
But how many years I cannot tell; but my wife says ten
But what they did, I did not enquire
But so fearful I am of discontenting my wife
But do it with mighty vanity and talking
But the wench went, and I believe had her turn served
But I think I am not bound to discover myself
But we were friends again as we are always
But this the world believes, and so let them
But if she will ruin herself, I cannot help it
But my wife vexed, which vexed me
But get no ground there yet
Buy some roll-tobacco to smell to and chaw
Buying up of goods in case there should be war
Buying his place of my Lord Barkely
By his many words and no understanding, confound himself
By chewing of tobacco is become very fat and sallow
By and by met at her chamber, and there did what I would
By her wedding-ring, I suppose he hath married her at last
Called at a little ale-house, and had an eele pye
Calling me dog and rogue, and that I had a rotten heart
Came to bed to me, but all would not make me friends
Cannot but be with the workmen to see things done to my mind
Cannot get suitably, without breach of his honour
Cannot bring myself to mind my business
Cannot be clean to go so many bodies together in the same water
Care not for his commands, and especially on Sundays
Carry them to a box, which did cost me 20s., besides oranges
Cast stones with his horne crooke
Castlemayne is sicke again, people think, slipping her filly
Catched cold yesterday by putting off my stockings
Catholiques are everywhere and bold
Caustic attack on Sir Robert Howard
Cavaliers have now the upper hand clear of the Presbyterians
Certainly Annapolis must be defended,—where is Annapolis?
Charles Barkeley’s greatness is only his being pimp to the King
Chatted with her, her husband out of the way
Checking her last night in the coach in her long stories
Chief Court of judicature (House of Lords)
Chocolate was introduced into England about the year 1652
Church, where a most insipid young coxcomb preached
City to be burned, and the Papists to cut our throats
City pay him great respect, and he the like to the meanest
Clap of the pox which he got about twelve years ago
Clean myself with warm water; my wife will have me
Coach to W. Coventry about Mrs. Pett, 1s.
Comb my head clean, which I found so foul with powdering
Come to see them in bed together, on their wedding-night
Come to us out of bed in his furred mittens and furred cap
Comely black woman.—[The old expression for a brunette.]
Coming to lay out a great deal of money in clothes for my wife
Command of an army is not beholden to any body to make him King
Commons, where there is nothing done but by passion, and faction
Compliment from my aunt, which I take kindly as it is unusual
Conceited, but that’s no matter to me
Confidence, and vanity, and disparages everything
Confusion of years in the case of the months of January (etc.)
Consider that this is all the pleasure I live for in the world
Consult my pillow upon that and every great thing of my life
Contempt of the ceremoniousnesse of the King of Spayne
Content as to be at our own home, after being abroad awhile
Contracted for her as if he had been buying a horse
Convenience of periwiggs is so great
Copper to the value of L5,000
Cost me L5, which troubles me, but yet do please me also
Costs me 12d. a kiss after the first
Could not saw above 4 inches of the stone in a day
Counterfeit mirthe and pleasure with them, but had but little
Court is in a way to ruin all for their pleasures
Court attendance infinite tedious
Court full of great apprehensions of the French
Craft and cunning concerning the buying and choosing of horses
Credit of this office hath received by this rogue’s occasion
Cruel custom of throwing at cocks on Shrove Tuesday
Cure of the King’s evil, which he do deny altogether
Dare not oppose it alone for making an enemy and do no good
Dash the brains of it out before the King’s face
Day I first begun to go forth in my coat and sword
Declared, if he come, she would not live with me
Declared he will never have another public mistress again
Delight to see these poor fools decoyed into our condition
Deliver her from the hereditary curse of child-bearing
Desired me that I would baste his coate
Desk fastened to one of the armes of his chayre
Diana did not come according to our agreement
Did dig another, and put our wine in it; and I my Parmazan cheese
Did extremely beat him, and though it did trouble me to do it
Did so watch to see my wife put on drawers, which (she did)
Did take me up very prettily in one or two things that I said
Did much insist upon the sin of adultery
Did go to Shoe Lane to see a cocke-fighting at a new pit there
Did find none of them within, which I was glad of
Did tumble them all the afternoon as I pleased
Did trouble me very much to be at charge to no purpose
Did see the knaveries and tricks of jockeys
Did not like that Clergy should meddle with matters of state
Did put evil thoughts in me, but proceeded no further
Did bear with it, and very pleasant all the while
Did drink of the College beer, which is very good
Difference there will be between my father and mother about it
Dine with them, at my cozen Roger’s mistress’s
Dined with my wife on pease porridge and nothing else
Dined upon six of my pigeons, which my wife has resolved to kill
Dined at home alone, a good calves head boiled and dumplings
Dinner was great, and most neatly dressed
Dinner, an ill and little mean one, with foul cloth and dishes
Discontented at the pride and luxury of the Court
Discontented that my wife do not go neater now she has two maids
Discourse of Mr. Evelyn touching all manner of learning
Discoursed much against a man’s lying with his wife in Lent
Discoursing upon the sad condition of the times
Disease making us more cruel to one another than if we are doggs
Disorder in the pit by its raining in, from the cupola
Disquiet all night, telling of the clock till it was daylight
Do press for new oaths to be put upon men
Do outdo the Lords infinitely (debates in the Commons)
Do look upon me as a remembrancer of his former vanity
Do bury still of the plague seven or eight in a day
Doe from Cobham, when the season comes, bucks season being past
Dog attending us, which made us all merry again
Dog, that would turn a sheep any way which
Dominion of the Sea
Doubtfull of himself, and easily be removed from his own opinion
Doubtfull whether her daughter will like of it or no
Down to the Whey house and drank some and eat some curds
Dr. Calamy is this day sent to Newgate for preaching
Drawing up a foul draught of my petition to the Duke of York
Drink at a bottle beer house in the Strand
Drink a dish of coffee
Drinking of the King’s health upon their knees in the streets
Driven down again with a stinke by Sir W. Pen’s shying of a pot
Duke of York and Mrs. Palmer did talk to one another very wanton
Duodecimal arithmetique
Durst not ask any body how it was with us
Durst not take notice of her, her husband being there
Dutch fleets being in so many places
Dutchmen come out of the mouth and tail of a Hamburgh sow
Dying this last week of the plague 112, from 43 the week before
Eat some of the best cheese-cakes that ever I eat in my life
Eat of the best cold meats that ever I eat on in all my life
Eat a mouthful of pye at home to stay my stomach
Eat some butter and radishes
Else he is a blockhead, and not fitt for that imployment
Employed by the fencers to play prizes at
Endangering the nation, when he knew himself such a coward
Endeavouring to strike tallys for money for Tangier
Enjoy some degree of pleasure now that we have health, money
Enough existed to build a ship (Pieces of the true Cross)
Enquiring into the selling of places do trouble a great many
Enviously, said, I could not come honestly by them
Erasmus “de scribendis epistolis”
Espinette is the French term for a small harpsichord
Evelyn, who cries out against it, and calls it bitchering
Even to the having bad words with my wife, and blows too
Ever have done his maister better service than to hang for him?
Every man looking after himself, and his owne lust and luxury
Every small thing is enough now-a-days to bring a difference
Every body leads, and nobody follows
Every body is at a great losse and nobody can tell
Every body’s looks, and discourse in the street is of death
Exceeding kind to me, more than usual, which makes me afeard
Exclaiming against men’s wearing their hats on in the church
Excommunications, which they send upon the least occasions
Expectation of profit will have its force
Expected musique, the missing of which spoiled my dinner
Expressly taking care that nobody might see this business done
Faced white coat, made of one of my wife’s pettycoates
Fain to keep a woman on purpose at 20s. a week
Familiarity with her other servants is it that spoils them all
Family governed so nobly and neatly as do me good to see it
Family being all in mourning, doing him the greatest honour
Fanatiques do say that the end of the world is at hand
Fashion, the King says; he will never change
Fashionable and black spots
Father, who to supper and betimes to bed at his country hours
Fear all his kindness is but only his lust to her
Fear that the goods and estate would be seized (after suicide)
Fear what would become of me if any real affliction should come
Fear it may do him no good, but me hurt
Fear of making her think me to be in a better condition
Fear I shall not be able to wipe my hands of him again
Fear she should prove honest and refuse and then tell my wife
Feared I might meet with some people that might know me
Feared she hath from some [one] or other of a present
Fearful that I might not go far enough with my hat off
Fearing that Sarah would continue ill, wife and I removed
Fears some will stand for the tolerating of Papists
Fell to sleep as if angry
Fell a-crying for joy, being all maudlin and kissing one another
Fell to dancing, the first time that ever I did in my life
Fetch masts from New England
Feverish, and hath sent for Mr. Pierce to let him blood
Few in any age that do mind anything that is abstruse
Find that now and then a little difference do no hurte
Find it a base copy of a good originall, that vexed me
Find myself to over-value things when a child
Finding my wife not sick, but yet out of order
Finding my wife’s clothes lie carelessly laid up
Fire grow; and, as it grew darker, appeared more and more
First time that ever I heard the organs in a cathedral
First their apes, that they may be afterwards their slaves
First thing of that nature I did ever give her (L10 ring)
First time I had given her leave to wear a black patch
Five pieces of gold for to do him a small piece of service
Fixed that the year should commence in January instead of March
Fool’s play with which all publick things are done
Foolery to take too much notice of such things
For my quiet would not enquire into it
For, for her part, she should not be buried in the commons
For a land-tax and against a general excise
For I will not be inward with him that is open to another
For I will be hanged before I seek to him, unless I see I need
Force a man to swear against himself
Forced to change gold, 8s. 7d.; servants and poor, 1s. 6d.
Foretelling the draught of water of a ship before she be launche
Forgetting many things, which her master beat her for
Formerly say that the King was a bastard and his mother a whore
Found my brother John at eight o’clock in bed, which vexed me
Found him a fool, as he ever was, or worse
Found him not so ill as I thought that he had been ill
Found in my head and body about twenty lice, little and great
Found to be with child, do never stir out of their beds
Found guilty, and likely will be hanged (for stealing spoons)
France, which is accounted the best place for bread
French have taken two and sunk one of our merchant-men
Frequent trouble in things we deserve best in
Frogs and many insects do often fall from the sky, ready formed
From some fault in the meat to complain of my maid’s sluttery
Gadding abroad to look after beauties
Galileo’s air thermometer, made before 1597
Gamester’s life, which I see is very miserable, and poor
Gave him his morning draft
Generally with corruption, but most indeed with neglect
Gentlewomen did hold up their heads to be kissed by the King
Get his lady to trust herself with him into the tavern
Give the King of France Nova Scotia, which he do not like
Give her a Lobster and do so touse her and feel her all over
Give the other notice of the future state, if there was any
Glad to be at friendship with me, though we hate one another
Gladder to have just now received it (than a promise)
God knows that I do not find honesty enough in my own mind
God forgive me! what thoughts and wishes I had
God help him, he wants bread.
God forgive me! what a mind I had to her
God! what an age is this, and what a world is this
Goes down the wind in honour as well as every thing else
Goes with his guards with him publiquely, and his trumpets
Going with her woman to a hot-house to bathe herself
Gold holds up its price still
Goldsmiths in supplying the King with money at dear rates
Good God! how these ignorant people did cry her up for it!
Good sport of the bull’s tossing of the dogs
Good wine, and anchovies, and pickled oysters (for breakfast)
Good purpose of fitting ourselves for another war (A Peace)
Good discourse and counsel from him, which I hope I shall take
Good writers are not admired by the present
Got her upon my knee (the coach being full) and played with her
Great plot which was lately discovered in Ireland
Great thaw it is not for a man to walk the streets
Great newes of the Swedes declaring for us against the Dutch
Great deale of tittle tattle discourse to little purpose
Great many silly stories they tell of their sport
Great fire they saw in the City
Greater number of Counsellors is, the more confused the issue
Greatest businesses are done so superficially
Greedy to see the will, but did not ask to see it till to-morrow
Had no more manners than to invite me and to let me pay
Had his hand cut off, and was hanged presently!
Had no mind to meddle with her
Had a good supper of an oxe’s cheek
Had what pleasure almost I would with her
Had the umbles of it for dinner
Half a pint of Rhenish wine at the Still-yard, mixed with beer
Hand i’ the cap
Hanged with a silken halter
Hanging jack to roast birds on
Hard matter to settle to business after so much leisure
Hate in others, and more in myself, to be careless of keys
Hates to have any body mention what he had done the day before
Hath not a liberty of begging till he hath served three years
Hath sent me masters that do observe that I take pains
Hath a good heart to bear, or a cunning one to conceal his evil
Hath given her the pox, but I hope it is not so
Have her come not as a sister in any respect, but as a servant
Have not known her this fortnight almost, which is a pain to me
Have not any awe over them from the King’s displeasure (Commons)
Have me get to be a Parliament-man the next Parliament
Have not much to lose, and therefore will venture all
Have been so long absent that I am ashamed to go
Having some experience, but greater conceit of it than is fit
He that will not stoop for a pin, will never be worth a pound
He told me that he had so good spies
He did very well, but a deadly drinker he is
He made the great speech of his life, and spoke for three hours
He made but a poor sermon, but long
He knew nothing about the navy
He is such innocent company
He has been inconvenienced by being too free in discourse
He having made good promises, though I fear his performance
He hoped he should live to see her “ugly and willing”
He is too wise to be made a friend of
He was fain to lie in the priest’s hole a good while
He and I lay in one press bed, there being two more
He was charged with making himself popular
He that must do the business, or at least that can hinder it
He is, I perceive, wholly sceptical, as well as I
He is a man of no worth in the world but compliment
He will do no good, he being a man of an unsettled head
He is not a man fit to be told what one hears
Hear that the plague is come into the City
Hear something of the effects of our last meeting (pregnancy?)
Heard noises over their head upon the leads
Heeling her on one side to make her draw little water
Helping to slip their calfes when there is occasion
Her months upon her is gone to bed
Her impudent tricks and ways of getting money
Here I first saw oranges grow
Hired her to procure this poor soul for him
His enemies have done him as much good as he could wish
His readiness to speak spoilt all
His wife and three children died, all, I think, in a day
His disease was the pox and that he must be fluxed (Rupert)
His satisfaction is nothing worth, it being easily got
His company ever wearys me
History of this day’s growth, we cannot tell the truth
Holes for me to see from my closet into the great office
Hopes to have had a bout with her before she had gone
Horrid malicious bloody flame
House of Lords is the last appeal that a man can make
Houses marked with a red cross upon the doors
How the Presbyterians would be angry if they durst
How highly the Presbyters do talk in the coffeehouses still
How little merit do prevail in the world, but only favour
How little heed is had to the prisoners and sicke and wounded
How do the children?
How sad a sight it is to see the streets empty of people
How Povy overdoes every thing in commending it
How unhppily a man may fall into a necessity of bribing people
How natural it is for us to slight people out of power
How little to be presumed of in our greatest undertakings
Hugged, it being cold now in the mornings....
Hunt up and down with its mouth if you touch the cheek
I went in and kissed them, demanding it as a fee due
I had the opportunity of kissing Mrs. Rebecca very often
I took occasion to be angry with him
I could not forbear to love her exceedingly
I do not value her, or mind her as I ought
I did what I would, and might have done anything else
I never did observe so much of myself in my life
I broke wind and so came to some ease
I would fain have stolen a pretty dog that followed me
I have itched mightily these 6 or 7 days
I know not whether to be glad or sorry
I was as merry as I could counterfeit myself to be
I could have answered, but forbore
I have a good mind to have the maidenhead of this girl
I know not how in the world to abstain from reading
I fear that it must be as it can, and not as I would
I to bed even by daylight
I had six noble dishes for them, dressed by a man-cook
I away with great content, my mind being troubled before
I am not a man able to go through trouble, as other men
I find her painted, which makes me loathe her (cosmetics)
I did get her hand to me under my cloak
I perceive no passion in a woman can be lasting long
I having now seen a play every day this week
I was very angry, and resolve to beat him to-morrow
I know not yet what that is, and am ashamed to ask
I had agreed with Jane Welsh, but she came not, which vexed me
I do not like his being angry and in debt both together to me
I will not by any over submission make myself cheap
I slept soundly all the sermon
I slept most of the sermon
I do not find other people so willing to do business as myself
I know I have made myself an immortal enemy by it
I and she never were so heartily angry in our lives as to-day
I calling her beggar, and she me pricklouse, which vexed me
I love the treason I hate the traitor
I would not enquire into anything, but let her talk
I kissed the bride in bed, and so the curtaines drawne
I went to the cook’s and got a good joint of meat
I have promised, but know not when I shall perform
I know not how their fortunes may agree
I met a dead corps of the plague, in the narrow ally
I am a foole to be troubled at it, since I cannot helpe it
I was exceeding free in dallying with her, and she not unfree
I was a great Roundhead when I was a boy
I was angry with her, which I was troubled for
I pray God to make me able to pay for it.
I took a broom and basted her till she cried extremely
I was demanded L100, for the fee of the office at 6d. a pound
I never designed to be a witness against any man
I fear is not so good as she should be
If the word Inquisition be but mentioned
If the exportations exceed importations
If it should come in print my name maybe at it
Ill from my late cutting my hair so close to my head
Ill all this day by reason of the last night’s debauch
Ill sign when we are once to come to study how to excuse
Ill humour to be so against that which all the world cries up
Ill-bred woman, would take exceptions at anything any body said
In my nature am mighty unready to answer no to anything
In men’s clothes, and had the best legs that ever I saw
In some churches there was hardly ten people in the whole church
In our graves (as Shakespeere resembles it) we could dream
In discourse he seems to be wise and say little
In perpetual trouble and vexation that need it least
In comes Mr. North very sea-sick from shore
In a hackney and full of people, was ashamed to be seen
In my dining-room she was doing something upon the pott
In opposition to France, had made us throw off their fashion
Inconvenience that do attend the increase of a man’s fortune
Inoffensive vanity of a man who loved to see himself in the glass
Instructed by Shakespeare himself
Insurrection of the Catholiques there
Inventing a better theory of musique
Ireland in a very distracted condition
Irish in Ireland, whom Cromwell had settled all in one corner
It must be the old ones that must do any good
It not being handsome for our servants to sit so equal with us
It is a strange thing how fancy works
It may be, be able to pay for it, or have health
Jane going into the boat did fall down and show her arse
Jealous, though God knows I have no great reason
Jealousy of him and an ugly wench that lived there lately
John Pickering on board, like an ass, with his feathers
John has got a wife, and for that he intends to part with him
Joyne the lion’s skin to the fox’s tail
Just set down to dinner, and I dined with them, as I intended
Justice of God in punishing men for the sins of their ancestors
Justice of proceeding not to condemn a man unheard
Keep at interest, which is a good, quiett, and easy profit
King is at the command of any woman like a slave
King shall not be able to whip a cat
King was gone to play at Tennis
King hath lost his power, by submitting himself to this way
King do resolve to declare the Duke of Monmouth legitimate
King himself minding nothing but his ease
King is not at present in purse to do
King is mighty kind to these his bastard children
King the necessity of having, at least, a show of religion
King be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment
King still do doat upon his women, even beyond all shame
King is offended with the Duke of Richmond’s marrying
King of France did think other princes fit for nothing
King governed by his lust, and women, and rogues about him
King, Duke and Duchess, and Madame Palmer, were
King dined at my Lady Castlemaine’s, and supped, every day
King, “it is then but Mr. Pepys making of another speech to them”
King do tire all his people that are about him with early rising
King’s service is undone, and those that trust him perish
King’s Proclamation against drinking, swearing, and debauchery
Kingdom will fall back again to a commonwealth
Kiss my Parliament, instead of “Kiss my [rump]”
Kissed them myself very often with a great deal of mirth
Know yourself to be secure, in being necessary to the office
L’escholle des filles, a lewd book
L100 worth of plate for my Lord to give Secretary Nicholas
L10,000 to the Prince, and half-a-crowne to my Lord of Sandwich
Lady Castlemaine’s interest at Court increases
Lady Castlemayne is compounding with the King for a pension
Lady Duchesse the veryest slut and drudge
Lady Castlemaine hath all the King’s Christmas presents
Lady Castlemaine do speak of going to lie in at Hampton Court
Lady Batten to give me a spoonful of honey for my cold
Lady Castlemaine is still as great with the King
Lady Castlemayne’s nose out of joynt
Lady Batten how she was such a man’s whore
Lady Castlemayne is now in a higher command over the King
Lady Castlemayne do rule all at this time as much as ever
Laissez nous affaire—Colbert
Last day of their doubtfulness touching her being with child
Last act of friendship in telling me of my faults also
Last of a great many Presbyterian ministers
Lately too much given to seeing of plays, and expense
Laughing and jeering at every thing that looks strange
Law and severity were used against drunkennesse
Law against it signifies nothing in the world
Lay long caressing my wife and talking
Lay very long with my wife in bed talking with great pleasure
Lay long in bed talking and pleasing myself with my wife
Lay chiding, and then pleased with my wife in bed
Lay with her to-night, which I have not done these eight(days)
Learned the multiplication table for the first time in 1661
Learnt a pretty trick to try whether a woman be a maid or no
Lechery will never leave him
Left him with some Commanders at the table taking tobacco
Less he finds of difference between them and other men
Let me blood, about sixteen ounces, I being exceedingly full
Let her brew as she has baked
Lewdness and beggary of the Court
Liability of a husband to pay for goods supplied his wife
Liberty of speech in the House
Like a passionate fool, I did call her whore
Listening to no reasoning for it, be it good or bad
Little content most people have in the peace
Little pleasure now in a play, the company being but little
Little children employed, every one to do something
Little worth of this world, to buy it with so much pain
Little company there, which made it very unpleasing
Live of L100 a year with more plenty, and wine and wenches
Long cloaks being now quite out
Long petticoat dragging under their men’s coats
Look askew upon my wife, because my wife do not buckle to them
Looks to lie down about two months hence
Lord! to see the absurd nature of Englishmen
Lord! in the dullest insipid manner that ever lover did
Lust and wicked lives of the nuns heretofore in England
Luxury and looseness of the times
Lying a great while talking and sporting in bed with my wife
Made a lazy sermon, like a Presbyterian
Made to drink, that they might know him not to be a Roundhead
Made him admire my drawing a thing presently in shorthand
Magnifying the graces of the nobility and prelates
Make a man wonder at the good fortune of such a fool
Making their own advantages to the disturbance of the peace
Man cannot live without playing the knave and dissimulation
Mankind pleasing themselves in the easy delights of the world
Many thousands in a little time go out of England
Many women now-a-days of mean sort in the streets, but no men
Mass, and some of their musique, which is not so contemptible
Matters in Ireland are full of discontent
Mazer or drinking-bowl turned out of some kind of wood
Mean, methinks, and is as if they had married like dog and bitch
Meazles, we fear, or, at least, of a scarlett feavour
Methought very ill, or else I am grown worse to please
Mightily pleased with myself for the business that I have done
Mightily vexed at my being abroad with these women
Mighty fond in the stories she tells of her son Will
Milke, which I drank to take away, my heartburne
Mind to have her bring it home
Mirrors which makes the room seem both bigger and lighter
Money I have not, nor can get
Money, which sweetens all things
Montaigne is conscious that we are looking over his shoulder
Most flat dead sermon, both for matter and manner of delivery
Most homely widow, but young, and pretty rich, and good natured
Most of my time in looking upon Mrs. Butler
Mottoes inscribed on rings was of Roman origin
Mr. Evelyn’s translating and sending me as a present
Mr. William Pen a Quaker again
Mrs. Lane was gone forth, and so I missed of my intent
Mrs. Stewart’s sending the King his jewels again
Much troubled with thoughts how to get money
Much difficulty to get pews, I offering the sexton money
Much discourse, but little to be learned
Musique in the morning to call up our new-married people
Muske Millon
Must yet pay to the Poll Bill for this pension (unreceived)
Must be forced to confess it to my wife, which troubles me
My wife after her bathing lying alone in another bed
My luck to meet with a sort of drolling workmen on all occasions
My wife made great means to be friends, coming to my bedside
My leg fell in a hole broke on the bridge
My wife, coming up suddenly, did find me embracing the girl
My maid Susan ill, or would be thought so
My wife having a mind to see the play “Bartholomew-Fayre”
My wife hath something in her gizzard, that only waits
My heart beginning to falsify in this business
My old folly and childishnesse hangs upon me still
My new silk suit, the first that ever I wore in my life
My Lord, who took physic to-day and was in his chamber
My wife and I had some high words
My wife was very unwilling to let me go forth
My wife will keep to one another and let the world go hang
My people do observe my minding my pleasure more than usual
My wife this night troubled at my leaving her alone so much
My wife was making of her tarts and larding of her pullets
My head was not well with the wine that I drank to-day
My great expense at the Coronacion
My wife and I fell out
My wife’s neglect of things, and impertinent humour
My wife and her maid Ashwell had between them spilled the pot
My first attempt being to learn the multiplication-table
My intention to learn to trill
My wife was angry with me for not coming home, and for gadding
My Jane’s cutting off a carpenter’s long mustacho
My wife has got too great head to be brought down soon
Nan at Moreclacke, very much pleased and merry with her
Necessary, and yet the peace is so bad in its terms
Never laughed so in all my life. I laughed till my head ached
Never, while he lives, truckle under any body or any faction
Never to trust too much to any man in the world
Never fought with worse officers in his life
Never was known to keep two mistresses in his life (Charles II.)
Never could man say worse himself nor have worse said
Never saw so many sit four hours together to hear any man
Never to keep a country-house, but to keep a coach
New medall, where, in little, there is Mrs. Steward’s face
New Netherlands to English rule, under the title of New York
Night the Dutch burned our ships the King did sup with Castlemayne
No more matter being made of the death of one than another
No Parliament can, as he says, be kept long good
No manner of means used to quench the fire
No pleasure—only the variety of it
No money to do it with, nor anybody to trust us without it
No man is wise at all times
No man was ever known to lose the first time
No man knowing what to do, whether to sell or buy
No sense nor grammar, yet in as good words that ever I saw
No good by taking notice of it, for the present she forbears
Nobody knows which side will be uppermost
Nobody being willing to trust us for anything
Nonconformists do now preach openly in houses
None will sell us any thing without our personal security given
Nor would become obliged too much to any
Nor will yield that the Papists have any ground given them
Nor was there any pretty woman that I did see, but my wife
Nor offer anything, but just what is drawn out of a man
Not well, and so had no pleasure at all with my poor wife
Not eat a bit of good meat till he has got money to pay the men
Not the greatest wits, but the steady man
Not when we can, but when we list
Not to be censured if their necessities drive them to bad
Not more than I expected, nor so much by a great deal as I ought
Not thinking them safe men to receive such a gratuity
Not had the confidence to take his lady once by the hand
Not permit her begin to do so, lest worse should follow
Not liking that it should lie long undone, for fear of death
Not being well pleased with her over free and loose company
Nothing in the world done with true integrity
Nothing in it approaching that single page in St. Simon
Nothing of the memory of a man, an houre after he is dead!
Nothing is to be got without offending God and the King
Nothing of any truth and sincerity, but mere envy and design
Now against her going into the country (lay together)
Now above six months since (smoke from the cellars)
Now very big, and within a fortnight of lying down
Observing my eyes to be mightily employed in the playhouse
Offer to give me a piece to receive of me 20
Offer me L500 if I would desist from the Clerk of the Acts place
Offered to shew my wife further satisfaction if she desired
Offered to stop the fire near his house for such a reward
Officers are four years behind-hand unpaid
Oliver Cromwell as his ensign
Once a week or so I know a gentleman must go....
One whom a great belly becomes as well as ever I saw any
Only wind do now and then torment me... extremely
Only because she sees it is the fashion (She likes it)
Opening his mind to him as of one that may hereafter be his foe
Ordered him L2000, and he paid me my quantum out of it
Ordered in the yarde six or eight bargemen to be whipped
Origin in the use of a plane against the grain of the wood
Out of my purse I dare not for fear of a precedent
Out also to and fro, to see and be seen
Out of an itch to look upon the sluts there
Outdo for neatness and plenty anything done by any of them
Pain of the stone, and makes bloody water with great pain
Pain to ride in a coach with them, for fear of being seen
Painful to keep money, as well as to get it
Parliament being vehement against the Nonconformists
Parliament hath voted 2s. per annum for every chimney in England
Parliament do agree to throw down Popery
Parson is a cunning fellow he is as any of his coat
Peace with France, which, as a Presbyterian, he do not like
Pen was then turned Quaker
Periwigg he lately made me cleansed of its nits
Persuade me that she should prove with child since last night
Peruques of hair, as the fashion now is for ladies to wear
Pest coaches and put her into it to carry her to a pest house
Petition against hackney coaches
Pictures of some Maids of Honor: good, but not like
Pit, where the bears are baited
Plague claimed 68,596 victims (in 1665)
Plague is much in Amsterdam, and we in fears of it here
Plague, forty last night, the bell always going
Play good, but spoiled with the ryme, which breaks the sense
Play on the harpsicon, till she tired everybody
Playing the fool with the lass of the house
Pleased to look upon their pretty daughter
Pleases them mightily, and me not at all
Pleasures are not sweet to me now in the very enjoying of them
Plot in it, and that the French had done it
Poll Bill
Poor seamen that lie starving in the streets
Posies for Rings, Handkerchers and Gloves
Pray God give me a heart to fear a fall, and to prepare for it!
Presbyterian style and the Independent are the best
Presbyterians against the House of Lords
Presse seamen, without which we cannot really raise men
Pressing in it as if none of us had like care with him
Pretends to a resolution of being hereafter very clean
Pretty sayings, which are generally like paradoxes
Pretty to see the young pretty ladies dressed like men
Pride himself too much in it
Pride of some persons and vice of most was but a sad story
Pride and debauchery of the present clergy
Prince’s being trepanned, which was in doing just as we passed
Protestants as to the Church of Rome are wholly fanatiques
Proud, carping, insolent, and ironically-prophane stile
Proud that she shall come to trill
Providing against a foule day to get as much money into my hands
Put up with too much care, that I have forgot where they are
Put to a great loss how I should get money to make up my cash
Quakers being charmed by a string about their wrists
Quakers do still continue, and rather grow than lessen
Quakers and others that will not have any bell ring for them
Quite according to the fashion—nothing to drink or eat
Rabbit not half roasted, which made me angry with my wife
Railed bitterly ever and anon against John Calvin
Raising of our roofs higher to enlarge our houses
Rather hear a cat mew, than the best musique in the world
Reading to my wife and brother something in Chaucer
Reading over my dear “Faber fortunae,” of my Lord Bacon’s
Reading my Latin grammar, which I perceive I have great need
Receive the applications of people, and hath presents
Reckon nothing money but when it is in the bank
Reduced the Dutch settlement of New Netherlands to English rule
Rejoiced over head and ears in this good newes
Removing goods from one burned house to another
Reparation for what we had embezzled
Requisite I be prepared against the man’s friendship
Resolve to have the doing of it himself, or else to hinder it
Resolve never to give her trouble of that kind more
Resolve to live well and die a beggar
Resolved to go through it, and it is too late to help it now
Resolving not to be bribed to dispatch business
Ridiculous nonsensical book set out by Will. Pen, for the Quaker
Rotten teeth and false, set in with wire
Rough notes were made to serve for a sort of account book
Run over their beads with one hand, and point and play and talk
Ryme, which breaks the sense
Sad sight it was: the whole City almost on fire
Sad for want of my wife, whom I love with all my heart
Said to die with the cleanest hands that ever any Lord Treasurer
Said that there hath been a design to poison the King
Sang till about twelve at night, with mighty pleasure
Sat an hour or two talking and discoursing....
Sat before Mrs. Palmer, the King’s mistress, and filled my eyes
Saw “Mackbeth,” to our great content
Saw two battles of cocks, wherein is no great sport
Saw “The German Princess” acted, by the woman herself
Saw his people go up and down louseing themselves
Saying me to be the fittest man in England
Saying, that for money he might be got to our side
Says, of all places, if there be hell, it is here
Says of wood, that it is an excrescence of the earth
Sceptic in all things of religion
Scholler, that would needs put in his discourse (every occasion)
Scholler, but, it may be, thinks himself to be too much so
Scotch song of “Barbary Allen”
Searchers with their rods in their hands
See a dead man lie floating upon the waters
See her look dejectedly and slighted by people already
See whether my wife did wear drawers to-day as she used to do
See how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody
See how time and example may alter a man
Seeing that he cared so little if he was out
Seemed much glad of that it was no more
Seems she hath had long melancholy upon her
Send up and down for a nurse to take the girle home
Sent my wife to get a place to see Turner hanged
Sent me last night, as a bribe, a barrel of sturgeon
Sermon without affectation or study
Sermon ended, and the church broke up, and my amours ended also
Sermon upon Original Sin, neither understood by himself
Sermon; but, it being a Presbyterian one, it was so long
Servant of the King’s pleasures too, as well as business
Shakespeare’s plays
Shame such a rogue should give me and all of us this trouble
She is conceited that she do well already
She used the word devil, which vexed me
She was so ill as to be shaved and pidgeons put to her feet
She begins not at all to take pleasure in me or study to please
She is a very good companion as long as she is well
She also washed my feet in a bath of herbs, and so to bed
She would not let him come to bed to her out of jealousy
She had six children by the King
She has this silly vanity that she must play
She had the cunning to cry a great while, and talk and blubber
She had got and used some puppy-dog water
She hath got her teeth new done by La Roche
She loves to be taken dressing herself, as I always find her
She so cruel a hypocrite that she can cry when she pleases
She finds that I am lousy
Sheriffs did endeavour to get one jewell
Short of what I expected, as for the most part it do fall out
Should alway take somebody with me, or her herself
Show many the strangest emotions to shift off his drink
Shows how unfit I am for trouble
Shy of any warr hereafter, or to prepare better for it
Sick of it and of him for it
Sicke men that are recovered, they lying before our office doors
Silence; it being seldom any wrong to a man to say nothing
Singing with many voices is not singing
Sir, your faithful and humble servant
Sir W. Pen was so fuddled that we could not try him to play
Sir W. Pen did it like a base raskall, and so I shall remember
Sit up till 2 o’clock that she may call the wench up to wash
Slabbering my band sent home for another
Slabbering themselves, and mirth fit for clownes
Slight answer, at which I did give him two boxes on the ears
Smoke jack consists of a wind-wheel fixed in the chimney
So home to supper, and to bed, it being my wedding night
So home, and mighty friends with my wife again
So neat and kind one to another
So great a trouble is fear
So to bed, to be up betimes by the helpe of a larum watch
So much is it against my nature to owe anything to any body
So home, and after supper did wash my feet, and so to bed
So home to prayers and to bed
So home to supper and bed with my father
So back again home to supper and to bed with great pleasure
So I took occasion to go up and to bed in a pet
So to bed in some little discontent, but no words from me
So home and to supper with beans and bacon and to bed
So we went to bed and lay all night in a quarrel
So much wine, that I was even almost foxed
So good a nature that he cannot deny any thing
So time do alter, and do doubtless the like in myself
So the children and I rose and dined by ourselves
So home and to bed, where my wife had not lain a great while
So out, and lost our way, which made me vexed
So every thing stands still for money
Softly up to see whether any of the beds were out of order or no
Some merry talk with a plain bold maid of the house
Some ends of my own in what advice I do give her
Sorry in some respect, glad in my expectations in another respec
Sorry for doing it now, because of obliging me to do the like
Sorry to hear that Sir W. Pen’s maid Betty was gone away
Sorry thing to be a poor King
Spares not to blame another to defend himself
Sparrowgrass
Speaks rarely, which pleases me mightily
Spends his time here most, playing at bowles
Sport to me to see him so earnest on so little occasion
Sporting in my fancy with the Queen
Staid two hours with her kissing her, but nothing more
Statute against selling of offices
Staying out late, and painting in the absence of her husband
Still in discontent with my wife, to bed, and rose so this morn
Strange slavery that I stand in to beauty
Strange thing how I am already courted by the people
Strange things he has been found guilty of, not fit to name
Strange the folly of men to lay and lose so much money
Strange how civil and tractable he was to me
Street ordered to be continued, forty feet broad, from Paul’s
Subject to be put into a disarray upon very small occasions
Such open flattery is beastly
Suffered her humour to spend, till we begun to be very quiet
Supper and to bed without one word one to another
Suspect the badness of the peace we shall make
Swear they will not go to be killed and have no pay
Take pins out of her pocket to prick me if I should touch her
Talk very highly of liberty of conscience
Talked with Mrs. Lane about persuading her to Hawly
Taught my wife some part of subtraction
Tax the same man in three or four several capacities
Tear all that I found either boyish or not to be worth keeping
Tell me that I speak in my dreams
That I might not seem to be afeared
That I may have nothing by me but what is worth keeping
That I might say I saw no money in the paper
That he is not able to live almost with her
That I may look as a man minding business
That hair by hair had his horse’s tail pulled off indeed
The gentlemen captains will undo us
The very rum man must have L200
The gates of the City shut, it being so late
The manner of the gaming
The factious part of the Parliament
The Lords taxed themselves for the poor—an earl, s.
The unlawfull use of lawfull things
The coachman that carried [us] cannot know me again
The boy is well, and offers to be searched
The devil being too cunning to discourage a gamester
The monkey loose, which did anger me, and so I did strike her
The most ingenious men may sometimes be mistaken
The Alchymist,”—[Comedy by Ben Jonson
The barber came to trim me and wash me
The present Irish pronunciation of English
The house was full of citizens, and so the less pleasant
The goldsmith, he being one of the jury to-morrow
The plague is got to Amsterdam, brought by a ship from Argier
The pleasure of my not committing these things to my memory
The world do not grow old at all
The ceremonies did not please me, they do so overdo them
The rest did give more, and did believe that I did so too
Their ladies in the box, being grown mighty kind of a sudden
Their saws have no teeth, but it is the sand only
Their condition was a little below my present state
Then to church to a tedious sermon
Then home, and merry with my wife
Thence by coach, with a mad coachman, that drove like mad
Thence to Mrs. Martin’s, and did what I would with her
There is no passing but by coach in the streets, and hardly that
There did see Mrs. Lane.....
There eat and drank, and had my pleasure of her twice
There did ‘tout ce que je voudrais avec’ her
There did what ‘je voudrais avec’ her....
There setting a poor man to keep my place
There is no man almost in the City cares a turd for him
There being no curse in the world so great as this
There I did lay the beginnings of a future ‘amour con elle’
There being ten hanged, drawn, and quartered
There did what I would with her
Therefore ought not to expect more justice from her
These young Lords are not fit to do any service abroad
These Lords are hard to be trusted
They are all mad; and thus the kingdom is governed!
They were so false spelt that I was ashamed of them
They say now a common mistress to the King
They were not occupiers, but occupied (women)
They want where to set their feet, to begin to do any thing
Things wear out of themselves and come fair again
Things being dear and little attendance to be had we went away
Think never to see this woman—at least, to have her here more
Think that we are beaten in every respect
Thinks she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it
This day churched, her month of childbed being out
This absence makes us a little strange instead of more fond
This week made a vow to myself to drink no wine this week
This day I began to put on buckles to my shoes
This afternoon I showed my Lord my accounts, which he passed
This unhappinesse of ours do give them heart
This is the use we make of our fathers
This kind of prophane, mad entertainment they give themselves
Those absent from prayers were to pay a forfeit
Those bred in the North among the colliers are good for labour
Though it be but little, yet I do get ground every month
Though I know it will set the Office and me by the ears for ever
Though neither of us care 2d. one for another
Though he knows, if he be not a fool, that I love him not
Through want of money and good conduct
Through the Fleete Ally to see a couple of pretty [strumpets]
Through my wife’s illness had a bad night of it, and she a worse
Thus it was my chance to see the King beheaded at White Hall
Tied our men back to back, and thrown them all into the sea
Till 12 at night, and then home to supper and to bed
Time spending, and no money to set anything in hand
To Mr. Holliard’s in the morning, thinking to be let blood
To bed with discontent she yielded to me and began to be fond
To bed, after washing my legs and feet with warm water
To my joy, I met not with any that have sped better than myself
To my Lord Sandwich, thinking to have dined there
To be enjoyed while we are young and capable of these joys
To be so much in love of plays
To see Major-general Harrison hanged, drawn; and quartered
To the Swan and drank our morning draft
To see the bride put to bed
Told us he had not been in a bed in the whole seven years
Too late for them to enjoy it with any pleasure
Too much ill newes true, to afflict ourselves with uncertain
Too much of it will make her know her force too much
Took him home the money, and, though much to my grief
Took occasion to fall out with my wife very highly
Took physique, and it did work very well
Tooke my wife well dressed into the Hall to see and be seen
Tooth-ake made him no company, and spoilt ours
Tory—The term was not used politically until about 1679
Towzing her and doing what I would, but the last thing of all...
Travels over the high hills in Asia above the clouds
Tried the effect of my silence and not provoking her
Trouble, and more money, to every Watch, to them to drink
Troubled to see my father so much decay of a suddain
Troubled to think what trouble a rogue may without cause give
Troubled me, to see the confidence of the vice of the age
Trumpets were brought under the scaffold that he not be heard
Turn out every man that will be drunk, they must turn out all
Two shops in three, if not more, generally shut up
Uncertainty of all history
Uncertainty of beauty
Unless my too-much addiction to pleasure undo me
Unquiet which her ripping up of old faults will give me
Up, leaving my wife in bed, being sick of her months
Up, and with W. Hewer, my guard, to White Hall
Up, my mind very light from my last night’s accounts
Up early and took my physique; it wrought all the morning well
Up, finding our beds good, but lousy; which made us merry
Up and took physique, but such as to go abroad with
Upon a very small occasion had a difference again broke out
Upon the leads gazing upon Diana
Upon a small temptation I could be false to her
Used to make coal fires, and wash my foul clothes
Venison-pasty that we have for supper to-night to the cook’s
Very high and very foule words from her to me
Very angry we were, but quickly friends again
Very great tax; but yet I do think it is so perplexed
Vexed at my wife’s neglect in leaving of her scarf
Vexed me, but I made no matter of it, but vexed to myself
Vices of the Court, and how the pox is so common there
Voyage to Newcastle for coles
Waked this morning between four and five by my blackbird
Wanton as ever she was, with much I made myself merry and away
Was kissing my wife, which I did not like
We having no luck in maids now-a-days
We cannot tell what to do for want of her (the maid)
We find the two young ladies come home, and their patches off
We do nothing in this office like people able to carry on a warr
We do naturally all love the Spanish, and hate the French
We are to go to law never to revenge, but only to repayre
We had a good surloyne of rost beefe
Weary of it; but it will please the citizens
Weary of the following of my pleasure
Weather being very wet and hot to keep meat in.
Wedding for which the posy ring was required
Weeping to myself for grief, which she discerning, come to bed
Weigh him after he had done playing
Well enough pleased this morning with their night’s lodging
Went against me to have my wife and servants look upon them
Went to bed with my head not well by my too much drinking to-day
What way a man could devise to lose so much in so little time
What I said would not hold water
What I had writ foule in short hand
What itching desire I did endeavour to see Bagwell’s wife
What wine you drinke, lett it bee at meales
What people will do tomorrow
What they all, through profit or fear, did promise
What silly discourse we had by the way as to love-matters
What a sorry dispatch these great persons give to business
What is there more to be had of a woman than the possessing her
Whatever I do give to anybody else, I shall give her
When she least shews it hath her wit at work
When he was seriously ill he declared himself a Roman Catholic
When the candle is going out, how they bawl and dispute
Where money is free, there is great plenty
Where a pedlar was in bed, and made him rise
Where I find the worst very good
Where a piece of the Cross is
Where a trade hath once been and do decay, it never recovers
Where I expect most I find least satisfaction
Wherein every party has laboured to cheat another
Wherewith to give every body something for their pains
Whether she suspected anything or no I know not
Whether he would have me go to law or arbitracon with him
Which may teach me how I make others wait
Which he left him in the lurch
Which I did give him some hope of, though I never intend it
Whip this child till the blood come, if it were my child!
Whip a boy at each place they stop at in their procession
Who continues so ill as not to be troubled with business
Who is the most, and promises the least, of any man
Who we found ill still, but he do make very much of it
Who must except against every thing and remedy nothing
Who seems so inquisitive when my house will be made an end of
Who is over head and eares in getting her house up
Whom, in mirth to us, he calls Antichrist
Whom I find in bed, and pretended a little not well
Whose red nose makes me ashamed to be seen with him
Whose voice I am not to be reconciled
Wife that brings me nothing almost (besides a comely person)
Wife and the dancing-master alone above, not dancing but talking
Will upon occasion serve for a fine withdrawing room
Will put Madam Castlemaine’s nose out of joynt
Willing to receive a bribe if it were offered me
Wine, new and old, with labells pasted upon each bottle
Wise man’s not being wise at all times
Wise men do prepare to remove abroad what they have
With much ado in an hour getting a coach home
With hangings not fit to be seen with mine
With egg to keep off the glaring of the light
With my whip did whip him till I was not able to stir
With a shower of hail as big as walnuts
Without importunity or the contrary
Woman that they have a fancy to, to make her husband a cuckold
Woman with a rod in her hand keeping time to the musique
Wonders that she cannot be as good within as she is fair without
Work that is not made the work of any one man
World sees now the use of them for shelter of men (fore-castles)
Would make a dogg laugh
Would either conform, or be more wise, and not be catched!
Would not make my coming troublesome to any
Wretch, n., often used as an expression of endearment
Wronged by my over great expectations
Ye pulling down of houses, in ye way of ye fire
Yet let him remember the days of darkness
Yet it was her fault not to see that I did take them
Young man play the foole upon the doctrine of purgatory
Young fellow, with his hat cocked like a fool behind
Trying to avoid privacy and cookie settings overwriting content