Pepy's Diary. 17 Feb 1662. The Sir Williams being unwilling to eat flesh¹, Captain Cocke (age 45) and I had a breast of veal roasted. And here I drank wine upon necessity, being ill for want of it, and I find reason to fear that by my too sudden leaving off wine, I do contract many evils upon myself.

Note 1. In Lent, of which the observance, intermitted for nineteen years, was now reviving. We have seen that Pepys, as yet, had not cast off all show of Puritanism. "In this month the Fishmongers' Company petitioned the King (age 31) that Lent might be kept, because they had provided abundance of fish for this season, and their prayer was granted".-Rugge. B.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Feb 1662. This morning, both Sir Williams, myself, and Captain Cocke (age 45) and Captain Tinker of the Convertine, which we are going to look upon (being intended to go with these ships fitting for the East Indys), down to Deptford; and thence, after being on shipboard, to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and there eat something.

Pepy's Diary. 11 May 1662. Lord's Day. To our church in the morning, where, our Minister being out of town, a dull, flat Presbiter preached. Dined at home, and my wife's brother with us, we having a good dish of stewed beef of Jane's own dressing, which was well done, and a piece of sturgeon of a barrel sent me by Captain Cocke (age 45). In the afternoon to White Hall; and there walked an hour or two in the Park, where I saw the King (age 31) now out of mourning, in a suit laced with gold and silver, which it was said was out of fashion.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Jun 1662. So to dress myself, and to my office to prepare things against we meet this morning. We sat long to-day, and had a great private business before us about contracting with Sir W. Rider, Mr. Cutler, and Captain Cocke (age 45), for 500 ton of hemp, which we went through, and I am to draw up the conditions.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Jul 1662. Up early, and though I found myself out of order and cold, and the weather cold and likely to rain, yet upon my promise and desire to do what I intended, I did take boat and down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], to Captain Cocke's (age 45), who hath a most pleasant seat, and neat. Here I drank wine, and eat some fruit off the trees; and he showed a great rarity, which was two or three of a great number of silver dishes and plates, which he bought of an embassador that did lack money, in the edge or rim of which was placed silver and gold medalls, very ancient, and I believe wrought, by which, if they be, they are the greatest rarity that ever I saw in my life, and I will show Mr. Crumlum them.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Aug 1662. After dinner we to boat, and had a pleasant passage down to Gravesend, Kent [Map], but it was nine o'clock before we got thither, so that we were in great doubt what to do, whether to stay there or no; and the rather because I was afeard to ride, because of my pain...; but at the Swan [Map], finding Mr. Hemson and Lieutenant Carteret (age 21) of the Foresight come to meet me, I borrowed Mr. Hemson's horse, and he took another, and so we rode to Rochester, Kent [Map] in the dark, and there at the Crown Mr. Gregory, Barrow, and others staid to meet me. So after a glass of wine, we to our barge, that was ready for me, to the Hill-house, where we soon went to bed, before we slept I telling upon discourse Captain Cocke (age 45) the manner of my being cut of the stone, which pleased him much. So to sleep.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Aug 1662. Up early, and got me ready in my riding clothes, and so to the office, and there wrote letters to my father and wife against night, and then to the business of my office, which being done, I took boat with Will, and down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], where Captain Cocke (age 45) not being at home I was vexed, and went to walk in the Park till he come thither to me: and Will's forgetting to bring my boots in the boat did also vex me, for I was forced to send the boat back again for them. I to Captain Cocke's (age 45) along with him to dinner, where I find his lady still pretty, but not so good a humour as I thought she was. We had a plain, good dinner, and I see they do live very frugally. I eat among other fruit much mulberrys, a thing I have not eat of these many years, since I used to be at Ashted, at my cozen Pepys's.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Aug 1662. At night walked home to the Hill-house, Mr. Barrow with me, talking of the faults of the yard, walking in the fields an hour or two, and so home to supper, and so Captain Cocke (age 45) and I to bed. This day among other stories he told me how despicable a thing it is to be a hangman in Poland, although it be a place of credit. And that, in his time, there was some repairs to be made of the gallows there, which was very fine of stone; but nobody could be got to mend it till the Burgomaster, or Mayor of the town, with all the companies of those trades which were necessary to be used about those repairs, did go in their habits with flags, in solemn procession to the place, and there the Burgomaster did give the first blow with the hammer upon the wooden work; and the rest of the Masters of the Companys upon the works belonging to their trades; that so workmen might not be ashamed to be employed upon doing of the gallows' works.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Aug 1662. Lord's Day. Up early, and with Captain Cocke (age 45) to the dock-yard, a fine walk, and fine weather. Where we walked till Commissioner Pett (age 51) come to us, and took us to his house, and showed us his garden and fine things, and did give us a fine breakfast of bread and butter, and sweetmeats and other things with great choice, and strong drinks, with which I could not avoyde making my head ake, though I drank but little. Thither came Captain Allen of the Foresight, and the officers of the yard to see me.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Aug 1662. So to all the storehouses and viewed the stores of all sorts and the hemp, where we found Captain Cocke's (age 45) (which he came down to see along with me) very bad, and some others, and with much content (God forgive me) I did hear by the Clerk of the Ropeyard [Map] how it was by Sir W. Batten's (age 61) private letter that one parcel of Alderman Barker's' was received.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Aug 1662. So took barge at the dock and to Rochester, Kent [Map], and there Captain Cocke (age 45) and I and our two men took coach about 8 at night and to Gravesend, Kent [Map], where it was very dark before we got thither to the Swan [Map]; and there, meeting with Doncaster, an old waterman of mine above bridge, we eat a short supper, being very merry with the drolling, drunken coachman that brought us, and so took water. It being very dark, and the wind rising, and our waterman unacquainted with this part of the river, so that we presently cast upon the Essex shore, but got off again, and so, as well as we could, went on, but I in such fear that I could not sleep till we came to Erith, Kent, and there it begun to be calm, and the stars to shine, and so I began to take heart again, and the rest too, and so made shift to slumber a little. Above Woolwich, Kent [Map] we lost our way, and went back to Blackwall [Map], and up and down, being guided by nothing but the barking of a dog, which we had observed in passing by Blackwall [Map], and so, [Continued tomorrow]

Pepy's Diary. 05 Aug 1662. Got right again with much ado, after two or three circles and so on, and at Greenwich, Kent [Map] set in Captain Cocke (age 45), and I set forward, hailing to all the King's ships at Deptford, but could not wake any man: so that we could have done what we would with their ships. At last waked one man; but it was a merchant ship, the Royall Catharine: so to the Towerdock and home, where the girl sat up for me. It was about three o'clock, and putting Mr. Boddam out of my bed, went to bed, and lay till nine o'clock, and so to the office, where we sat all the morning, and I did give some accounts of my service.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1663. Up, leaving my wife sick as last night in bed. I to my office all the morning, casting up with Captain Cocke (age 46) their accounts of 500 tons of hemp brought from Riga, and bought by him and partners upon account, wherein are many things worth my knowledge.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Feb 1663. Thence home again by water presently, and with a bad dinner, being not looked for, to the office, and there we sat, and then Captn. Cocke (age 46) and I upon his hemp accounts till 9 at night, and then, I not very well, home to supper and to bed. My late distemper of heat and itching being come upon me again, so that I must think of sweating again as I did before.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Feb 1663. Up and to my office, where with Captain Cocke (age 46) making an end of his last night's accounts till noon, and so home to dinner, my wife being come in from laying out about £4 in provision of several things against Lent.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Mar 1663. Up betimes and to my office all the morning with Captain Cocke (age 46) ending their account of their Riga contract for hemp.

Pepy's Diary. 16 May 1663. Then Captain Cocke (age 46) coming to me to speak about my seeming discourtesy to him in the business of his hemp, I went to the office with him, and there discoursed it largely and I think to his satisfaction. Then to my business, writing letters and other things till late at night, and so home to supper and bed. My mind in some better ease resolving to prevent matters for the time to come as much as I can, it being to no purpose to trouble myself for what is past, being occasioned too by my own folly.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jun 1663. So I by and by to the office, and there had a great fray with Sir W. Batten (age 62) and Sir J. Minnes (age 64), who, like an old dotard, is led by the nose by him. It was in Captain Cocke's (age 46) business of hemp, wherein the King (age 33) is absolutely abused; but I was for peace sake contented to be quiet and to sign to his bill, but in my manner so as to justify myself, and so all was well; but to see what a knave Sir W. Batten (age 62) is makes my heart ake. So late at my office, and then home to supper and to bed, my man Will not being well.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Jun 1663. Up before 4 o'clock, and so to my lute an hour or more, and then by water, drinking my morning draft alone at an alehouse in Thames Street, to the Temple [Map], and thence after a little discourse with my cozen Roger (age 46) about some business, away by water to St. James's, and there an hour's private discourse with Mr. Coventry (age 35), where he told me one thing to my great joy, that in the business of Captain Cocke's (age 46) hemp, disputed before him the other day, Mr. Coventry (age 35) absent, the Duke (age 29) did himself tell him since, that Mr. Pepys and he did stand up and carry it against the rest that were there, Sir G. Carteret (age 53) and Sir W. Batten (age 62), which do please me much to see that the Duke do take notice of me.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Jul 1663. Up and to my office, and then walked to Woolwich, Kent [Map], reading Bacon's "Faber fortunae¹", which the oftener I read the more I admire. There found Captain Cocke (age 46), and up and down to many places to look after matters, and so walked back again with him to his house, and there dined very finely. With much ado obtained an excuse from drinking of wine, and did only taste a drop of Sack which he had for his lady, who is, he fears, a little consumptive, and her beauty begins to want its colour. It was Malago Sack, which, he says, is certainly 30 years old, and I tasted a drop of it, and it was excellent wine, like a spirit rather than wine.

Note 1. Pepys may here refer either to Essay XLI (of Fortune) or to a chapter' in the "Advancement of Learning". The sentence, "Faber quisque fortunae propria", said to be by Appius Claudian, is quoted more than once in the "De Augmentis Scientiarum", lib. viii., cap. 2.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jul 1663. So to the yard, and there mustered the yard, and found many faults, and discharged several fellows that were absent from their business. I staid also at Mr. Ackworth's desire at dinner with him and his wife, and there was a simple fellow, a gentleman I believe of the Court, their kinsmen, that threatened me I could have little discourse or begin, acquaintance with Ackworth's wife, and so after dinner away, with all haste home, and there found Sir J. Minnes (age 64) and Sir W. Batten (age 62) at the office, and by Sir W. Batten's (age 62) testimony and Sir G. Carteret's (age 53) concurrence was forced to consent to a business of Captain Cocke's (age 46) timber, as bad as anything we have lately disputed about, and all through Mr. Coventry's (age 35) not being with us.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Aug 1663. So to other places by the way about small businesses, and so home, and after looking over all my workmen, I went by water and land to Deptford, and there found by appointment Sir W. Batten (age 62), but he was got to Mr. Waith's to dinner, where I dined with him, a good dinner and good discourse, and his wife, I believe, a good woman. We fell in discourse of Captain Cocke (age 46), and how his lady has lost all her fine linen almost, but besides that they say she gives out she had £3000 worth of linen, which we all laugh at, and Sir W. Batten (age 62) (who I perceive is not so fond of the Captain as he used to be, and less of her, from her slight receiving of him and his lady it seems once) told me how he should say that he see he must spend £700 per ann. get it how he could, which was a high speech, and by all men's discover, his estate not good enough to spend so much.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Aug 1663. Up very early and removed the things out of my chamber into the dining room, it being to be new floored this day. So the workmen being come and falling to work there, I to the office, and thence down to Lymehouse [Map] to Phin. Pett's about masts, and so back to the office, where we sat; and being rose, and Mr. Coventry (age 35) being gone, taking his leave, for that he is to go to the Bath, Somerset [Map] with the Duke (age 29) to-morrow, I to the 'Change [Map] and there spoke with several persons, and lastly with Sir W. Warren, and with him to a Coffee House, and there sat two hours talking of office business and Mr. Wood's knavery, which I verily believe, and lastly he tells me that he hears that Captain Cocke (age 46) is like to become a principal officer, either a Controller or a Surveyor, at which I am not sorry so either of the other may be gone, and I think it probable enough that it may be so.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Nov 1663. By and by comes Chapman, the periwigg-maker, and upon my liking it, without more ado I went up, and there he cut off my haire, which went a little to my heart at present to part with it; but, it being over, and my periwigg on, I paid him £3 for it; and away went he with my owne haire to make up another of, and I by and by, after I had caused all my mayds to look upon it; and they conclude it do become me; though Jane was mightily troubled for my parting of my own haire, and so was Besse, I went abroad to the Coffeehouse, and coming back went to Sir W. Pen (age 42) and there sat with him and Captain Cocke (age 46) till late at night, Cocke talking of some of the Roman history very well, he having a good memory. Sir W. Pen (age 42) observed mightily, and discoursed much upon my cutting off my haire, as he do of every thing that concerns me, but it is over, and so I perceive after a day or two it will be no great matter.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Nov 1663. This morning Captain Cocke (age 46) did give me a good account of the Guinny trade. The Queene (age 53) is in a great way to recovery.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Nov 1663. Lay long in bed, then up, called by Captain Cocke (age 46) about business of a contract of his for some Tarre, and so to the office, and then to Sir W. Pen (age 42) and there talked, and he being gone came Sir W. Warren and discoursed about our business with Field, and at noon by agreement to the Miter [Map] to dinner upon T. Trice's 40s., to be spent upon our late agreement. Here was a very poor dinner and great company. All our lawyers on both sides, and several friends of his and some of mine brought by him, viz., Mr. Moore, uncle Wight, Dr. Williams, and my cozen Angier, that lives here in town, who the Captain John Shales after dinner carried me aside and showed me a letter from his poor brother at Cambridge to me of the same contents with that yesterday to me desiring help from me. Here I was among a sorry company without any content or pleasure, and at the last the reckoning coming to above 40s. by 15s., he would have me pay the 10s. and he would pay the 5s., which was so poor that I was ashamed of it, and did it only to save contending with him. There, after agreeing a day for him and I to meet and seal our agreement, I parted and home, and at the office by agreement came Mr. Shales, and there he and I discourse till late the business of his helping me in the discovery of some arrears of provisions and stores due to the stores at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], out of which I may chance to get some money, and save the King (age 33) some too, and therefore I shall endeavour to do the fellow some right in other things here to his advantage between Mr. Gauden and him. He gone my wife and I to her arithmetique, in which she pleases me well, and so to the office, there set down my Journall, and so home to supper and to bed. A little troubled to see how my family is out of order by Will's being there, and also to hear that Jane do not please my wife as I expected and would have wished.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Feb 1664. At noon by coach to the 'Change [Map] with Mr. Coventry (age 36), thence to the Coffee-house with Captain Cocke (age 47), who discoursed well of the good effects in some kind of a Dutch warr and conquest (which I did not consider before, but the contrary) that is, that the trade of the world is too little for us two, therefore one must down: 2ndly, that though our merchants will not be the better husbands by all this, yet our wool will bear a better price by vaunting of our cloths, and by that our tenants will be better able to pay rents, and our lands will be more worth, and all our owne manufactures, which now the Dutch outvie us in; that he thinks the Dutch are not in so good a condition as heretofore because of want of men always, and now from the warrs against the Turke more than ever.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Feb 1664. After dinner I took my wife again by coach (leaving Creed by the way going to Gresham College, of which he is now become one of the virtuosos) and to White Hall, where I delivered a paper about Tangier to my Lord Duke of Albemarle (age 55) in the council chamber, and so to Mrs. Hunt's to call my wife, and so by coach straight home, and at my office till 3 o'clock in the morning, having spent much time this evening in discourse with Mr. Cutler, who tells me how the Dutch deal with us abroad and do not value us any where, and how he and Sir W. Rider have found reason to lay aside Captain Cocke (age 47) in their company, he having played some indiscreet and unfair tricks with them, and has lost himself every where by his imposing upon all the world with the conceit he has of his own wit, and so has, he tells me, Sir R. Ford (age 50) also, both of whom are very witty men.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Mar 1664. Thence to the 'Change [Map] a great while, and had good discourse with Captain Cocke (age 47) at the Coffee-house about a Dutch warr, and it seems the King's design is by getting underhand the merchants to bring in their complaints to the Parliament, to make them in honour begin a warr, which he cannot in honour declare first, for fear they should not second him with money.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Sep 1664. So to Sir G. Carteret's (age 54) to dinner, and he and I and Captain Cocke (age 47) all alone, and good discourse, and thence to a Committee of Tangier at White Hall, and so home, where I found my wife not well, and she tells me she thinks she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it. But God's will be done!

Pepy's Diary. 22 Nov 1664. Thence to my Chancellor's (age 55), and there staid long with Sir W. Batten (age 63) and Sir J. Minnes (age 65), to speak with my Lord about our Prize Office business; but, being sicke and full of visitants, we could not speak with him, and so away home. Where Sir Richard Ford (age 50) did meet us with letters from Holland this day, that it is likely the Dutch fleete will not come out this year; they have not victuals to keep them out, and it is likely they will be frozen before they can get back. Captain Cocke (age 47) is made Steward for sick and wounded seamen.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Dec 1664. Thence homeward, and the coach broke with us in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and so walked to Fleete Streete, and there took coach and home, and to my office, whither by and by comes Captain Cocke (age 47), and then Sir W. Batten (age 63), and we all to Sir J. Minnes (age 65), and I did give them a barrel of oysters I had given to me, and so there sat and talked, where good discourse of the late troubles, they knowing things, all of them, very well; and Cocke (age 47), from the King's (age 34) own mouth, being then entrusted himself much, do know particularly that the King's credulity to Cromwell's promises, private to him, against the advice of his friends and the certain discovery of the practices and discourses of Cromwell in council (by Major Huntington)¹ did take away his life and nothing else. Then to some loose atheisticall discourse of Cocke's (age 47), when he was almost drunk, and then about 11 o'clock broke up, and I to my office, to fit up an account for Povy (age 50), wherein I hope to get something. At it till almost two o'clock, then to supper and to bed.

Note 1. According to Clarendon the officer here alluded to was a major in Cromwell's own regiment of horse, and employed by him to treat with Charles I whilst at Hampton Court [Map]; but being convinced of the insincerity of the proceeding, communicated his suspicions to that monarch, and immediately gave up his commission. We hear no more of Huntington till the Restoration, when his name occurs with those of many other officers, who tendered their services to the King (age 34). His reasons for laying down his commission are printed in Thurloe's "State Papers" and Maseres's "Tracts". B.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Jan 1665. After supper I to Sir W. Batten's (age 64), where I found him, Sir W. Pen (age 43), Sir J. Robinson (age 50), Sir R. Ford (age 51) and Captain Cocke (age 48) and Mr. Pen, junior. Here a great deal of sorry disordered talk about the Trinity House, Deptford [Map] men, their being exempted from land service. But, Lord! to see how void of method and sense their discourse was, and in what heat, insomuch as Sir R. Ford (age 51) (who we judged, some of us, to be a little foxed) fell into very high terms with Sir W. Batten (age 64), and then with Captain Cocke (age 48). So that I see that no man is wise at all times.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Apr 1665. At noon eat a bit and stepped to Sir Ph. Warwicke (age 55), by coach to my Lord Treasurer's (age 58), and after some private conference and examining of my papers with him I did return into the City and to Sir G. Carteret (age 55), whom I found with the Commissioners of Prizes dining at Captain Cocke's (age 48), in Broad Streete, very merry. Among other tricks, there did come a blind fiddler to the doore, and Sir G. Carteret (age 55) did go to the doore and lead the blind fiddler by the hand in.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Aug 1665. At noon I home to dinner alone, and after dinner Bagwell's wife waited at the door, and went with me to my office.... So parted, and I to Sir W. Batten's (age 64), and there sat the most of the afternoon talking and drinking too much with my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Sir G. Smith (age 50), G. Cocke (age 48) and others very merry. I drunk a little mixed, but yet more than I should do.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Aug 1665. We sat late, and then by invitation my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Sir J. Minnes (age 66), Sir W. Batten (age 64) and I to Sir G. Smith's (age 50) to dinner, where very good company and good cheer. Captain Cocke (age 48) was there and Jacke Fenn, but to our great wonder Alderman Bence, and tells us that not a word of all this is true, and others said so too, but by his owne story his wife hath been ill, and he fain to leave his house and comes not to her, which continuing a trouble to me all the time I was there.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Aug 1665. Thence by agreement to Sir J. Minnes's (age 66) lodgings, where I found my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and so by water to the ferry, and there took Sir W. Batten's (age 64) coach that was sent for us, and to Sir W. Batten's (age 64), where very merry, good cheer, and up and down the garden with great content to me, and, after dinner, beat Captain Cocke (age 48) at billiards, won about 8s. of him and my Lord Bruncker (age 45). So in the evening after, much pleasure back again and I by water to Woolwich, Kent [Map], where supped with my wife, and then to bed betimes, because of rising to-morrow at four of the clock in order to the going out with Sir G. Carteret (age 55) toward Cranborne to my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 17) in his way to Court.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Aug 1665. Thence he and I to Sir J. Minnes's (age 66) by invitation, where Sir W. Batten (age 64) and my Lady, and my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and all of us dined upon a venison pasty and other good meat, but nothing well dressed. But my pleasure lay in getting some bills signed by Sir G. Carteret (age 55), and promise of present payment from Mr. Fenn, which do rejoice my heart, it being one of the heaviest things I had upon me, that so much of the little I have should lie (viz. near £1000) in the King's hands. Here very merry and (Sir G. Carteret (age 55) being gone presently after dinner) to Captain Cocke's (age 48), and there merry, and so broke up and I by water to the Duke of Albemarle (age 56), with whom I spoke a great deale in private, they being designed to send a fleete of ships privately to the Streights. No news yet from our fleete, which is much wondered at, but the Duke says for certain guns have been heard to the northward very much. It was dark before I could get home, and so land at Church-yard stairs, where, to my great trouble, I met a dead corps of the plague, in the narrow ally just bringing down a little pair of stairs. But I thank God I was not much disturbed at it. However, I shall beware of being late abroad again.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Aug 1665. Up by 4 o'clock and walked to Greenwich, Kent [Map], where called at Captain Cocke's (age 48) and to his chamber, he being in bed, where something put my last night's dream into my head, which I think is the best that ever was dreamt, which was that I had my Baroness Castlemayne (age 24) in my armes and was admitted to use all the dalliance I desired with her, and then dreamt that this could not be awake, but that it was only a dream; but that since it was a dream, and that I took so much real pleasure in it, what a happy thing it would be if when we are in our graves (as Shakespeere resembles it) we could dream, and dream but such dreams as this, that then we should not need to be so fearful of death, as we are this plague time. Here I hear that news is brought Sir G. Carteret (age 55) that my Lord Hinchingbrooke is not well, and so cannot meet us at Cranborne to-night. So I to Sir G. Carteret's (age 55); and there was sorry with him for our disappointment. So we have put off our meeting there till Saturday next. Here I staid talking with Sir G. Carteret (age 55), he being mighty free with me in his business, and among other things hath ordered Rider and Mr. Cutler to put into my hands copper to the value of £5,000 (which Sir G. Carteret's (age 55) share it seems come to in it), which is to raise part of the money he is to layout for a purchase for my Lady Jemimah.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Aug 1665. Thence to the Exchange [Map], where I have not been a great while. But, Lord! how sad a sight it is to see the streets empty of people, and very few upon the 'Change [Map]. Jealous of every door that one sees shut up, lest it should be the plague; and about us two shops in three, if not more, generally shut up. From the 'Change [Map] to Sir G. Smith's (age 50) with Mr. Fenn, to whom I am nowadays very complaisant, he being under payment of my bills to me, and some other sums at my desire, which he readily do. Mighty merry with Captain Cocke (age 48) and Fenn at Sir G. Smith's (age 50), and a brave dinner, but I think Cocke is the greatest epicure that is, eats and drinks with the greatest pleasure and liberty that ever man did.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Aug 1665. By and by comes my fellow-officers, and the Duke (age 31) walked in, and to counsel with us; and that being done we departed, and Sir W. Batten (age 64) and I to the office, where, after I had done a little business, I to his house to dinner, whither comes Captain Cocke (age 48), for whose epicurisme a dish of partriges was sent for, and still gives me reason to think is the greatest epicure in the world.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Aug 1665. We parted at my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) doore, where I went in, having never been there before, and there he made a noble entertainment for Sir J. Minnes (age 66), myself, and Captain Cocke (age 48), none else saving some painted lady that dined there, I know not who she is. But very merry we were, and after dinner into the garden, and to see his and her chamber, where some good pictures, and a very handsome young woman for my lady's woman.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Sep 1665. Up, and to visit my Lady Pen (age 41) and her daughter at the Ropeyarde [Map] where I did breakfast with them and sat chatting a good while. Then to my lodging at Mr. Shelden's, where I met Captain Cocke (age 48) and eat a little bit of dinner, and with him to Greenwich, Kent [Map] by water, having good discourse with him by the way.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Sep 1665. Thence with my Lord Bruncker (age 45) to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where we mighty merry and supped, and very late I by water to Woolwich, Kent [Map], in great apprehensions of an ague. Here was my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) lady of pleasure, who, I perceive, goes every where with him; and he, I find, is obliged to carry her, and make all the courtship to her that can be.

Note 1. TT. Assumed to be Abigail Clere aka Williams Actor who William Brouncker 2nd Viscount Brounckner (age 45) lived with for many years.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Sep 1665. After dinner left them and I by water to Greenwich, Kent [Map], where much ado to be suffered to come into the towne because of the sicknesse, for fear I should come from London, till I told them who I was. So up to the church, where at the door I find Captain Cocke (age 48) in my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) coach, and he come out and walked with me in the church-yarde till the church was done, talking of the ill government of our Kingdom, nobody setting to heart the business of the Kingdom, but every body minding their particular profit or pleasures, the King (age 35) himself minding nothing but his ease, and so we let things go to wracke. This arose upon considering what we shall do for money when the fleete comes in, and more if the fleete should not meet with the Dutch, which will put a disgrace upon the King's actions, so as the Parliament and Kingdom will have the less mind to give more money, besides so bad an account of the last money, we fear, will be given, not half of it being spent, as it ought to be, upon the Navy. Besides, it is said that at this day our Lord Treasurer (age 58) cannot tell what the profit of Chimney money is, what it comes to per annum, nor looks whether that or any other part of the revenue be duly gathered as it ought; the very money that should pay the City the £200,000 they lent the King (age 35), being all gathered and in the hands of the Receiver and hath been long and yet not brought up to pay the City, whereas we are coming to borrow 4 or £500,000 more of the City, which will never be lent as is to be feared.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Sep 1665. To dinner, having but a mean one, yet sufficient for him, and he well enough pleased, besides that I do not desire to vye entertainments with him or any else. Here was Captain Cocke (age 48) also, and Mr. Wayth. We staid together talking upon one business or other all the afternoon.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Sep 1665. At noon, by invitation, to my Lord Bruncker's (age 45), all of us, to dinner, where a good venison pasty, and mighty merry. Here was Sir W. Doyly (age 51), lately come from Ipswich about the sicke and wounded, and Mr. Evelyn (age 44) and Captain Cocke (age 48). My wife also was sent for by my Lord Bruncker (age 45), by Cocke (age 48), and was here.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Sep 1665. But that that put us into this great melancholy, was newes brought to-day, which Captain Cocke (age 48) reports as a certain truth, that all the Dutch fleete, men-of-war and merchant East India ships, are got every one in from Bergen the 3d of this month, Sunday last; which will make us all ridiculous. The fleete come home with shame to require a great deale of money, which is not to be had, to discharge many men that must get the plague then or continue at greater charge on shipboard, nothing done by them to encourage the Parliament to give money, nor the Kingdom able to spare any money, if they would, at this time of the plague, so that, as things look at present, the whole state must come to ruine.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Sep 1665. After dinner, my Lord (age 45) and his mistress would see her home again, it being a most cursed rainy afternoon, having had none a great while before, and I, forced to go to the office on foot through all the rain, was almost wet to my skin, and spoiled my silke breeches almost. Rained all the afternoon and evening, so as my letters being done, I was forced to get a bed at Captain Cocke's (age 48), where I find Sir W. Doyly (age 51), and he, and Evelyn (age 44) at supper; and I with them full of discourse of the neglect of our masters, the great officers of State, about all business, and especially that of money: having now some thousands prisoners, kept to no purpose at a great charge, and no money provided almost for the doing of it. We fell to talk largely of the want of some persons understanding to look after businesses, but all goes to rack. "For", says Captain Cocke (age 48), "my Lord Treasurer (age 58), he minds his ease, and lets things go how they will: if he can have his £8000 per annum, and a game at l'ombre, [Spanish card game] he is well. My Chancellor (age 56) he minds getting of money and nothing else; and my Lord Ashly (age 44) will rob the Devil and the Alter, but he will get money if it be to be got".

Pepy's Diary. 13 Sep 1665. By and by comes my wife and Mercer, and had been with Captain Cocke (age 48) all day, he coming and taking her out to go see his boy at school at Brumly [Bromley], and brought her home again with great respect. Here pretty merry, only I had no stomach, having dined late, to eat.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Sep 1665. Up, and walked to Greenwich, Kent [Map], taking pleasure to walk with my minute watch in my hand, by which I am come now to see the distances of my way from Woolwich, Kent [Map] to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and do find myself to come within two minutes constantly to the same place at the end of each quarter of an houre. Here we rendezvoused at Captain Cocke's (age 48), and there eat oysters, and so my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Sir J. Minnes (age 66), and I took boat, and in my Lord's coach to Sir W. Hickes's, whither by and by my Lady Batten and Sir William comes. It is a good seat, with a fair grove of trees by it, and the remains of a good garden; but so let to run to ruine, both house and every thing in and about it, so ill furnished and miserably looked after, I never did see in all my life. Not so much as a latch to his dining-room door; which saved him nothing, for the wind blowing into the room for want thereof, flung down a great bow pott that stood upon the side-table, and that fell upon some Venice glasses, and did him a crown's worth of hurt. He did give us the meanest dinner (of beef, shoulder and umbles of venison¹ which he takes away from the keeper of the Forest, and a few pigeons, and all in the meanest manner) that ever I did see, to the basest degree.

Note 1. Dr. Johnson was puzzled by the following passage in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", act v., sc. 3: "Divide me like a bribe-buck, each a haunch. I will keep the sides to myself; my shoulders for the fellow of this walk". If he could have read the account of Sir William Hickes's dinner, he would at once have understood the allusion to the keeper's perquisites of the shoulders of all deer killed in his walk. B.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Sep 1665. I by water to Deptford, Kent [Map], thinking to have seen my valentine, but I could not, and so come back again, and to the office, where a little business, and thence with Captain Cocke (age 48), and there drank a cup of good drink, which I am fain to allow myself during this plague time, by advice of all, and not contrary to my oathe, my physician being dead, and chyrurgeon out of the way, whose advice I am obliged to take, and so by water home and eat my supper, and to bed, being in much pain to think what I shall do this winter time; for go every day to Woolwich, Kent [Map] I cannot, without endangering my life; and staying from my wife at Greenwich, Kent [Map] is not handsome.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Sep 1665. At night to Captain Cocke's (age 48), meaning to lie there, it being late, and he not being at home, I walked to him to my Lord Bruncker's (age 45), and there staid a while, they being at tables; and so by and by parted, and walked to his house; and, after a mess of good broth, to bed, in great pleasure, his company being most excellent.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Sep 1665. Thence with Captain Cocke (age 48), in his coach, home to dinner, whither comes by invitation my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and his mistresse and very good company we were, but in dinner time comes Sir J. Minnes (age 66) from the fleete, like a simple weak man, having nothing to say of what he hath done there, but tells of what value he imagines the prizes to be, and that my Lord Sandwich (age 40) is well, and mightily concerned to hear that I was well. But this did put me upon a desire of going thither; and, moving of it to my Lord, we presently agreed upon it to go this very tide, we two and Captain Cocke (age 48). So every body prepared to fit himself for his journey, and I walked to Woolwich, Kent [Map] to trim and shift myself, and by the time I was ready they come down in the Bezan yacht, and so I aboard and my boy Tom, and there very merrily we sailed to below Gravesend, Kent [Map], and there come to anchor for all night, and supped and talked, and with much pleasure at last settled ourselves to sleep having very good lodging upon cushions in the cabbin.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Sep 1665. Lord's Day. Up, and before I went out of my chamber did draw a musique scale, in order to my having it at any time ready in my hand to turn to for exercise, for I have a great mind in this Vacation to perfect myself in my scale, in order to my practising of composition, and so that being done I down stairs, and there find Captain Cocke (age 48) under the barber's hands, the barber that did heretofore trim Commissioner Pett (age 55), and with whom I have been. He offered to come this day after dinner with his violin to play me a set of Lyra-ayres upon it, which I was glad of, hoping to be merry thereby. Being ready we to church, where a company of fine people to church, and a fine Church, and very good sermon, Mr. Plume' being a very excellent scholler and preacher. Coming out of the church I met Mrs. Pierce, whom I was ashamed to see, having not been with her since my coming to town, but promised to visit her.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Sep 1665. After dinner Cocke (age 48) did pray me to helpe him to £500 of W. How, who is deputy Treasurer, wherein my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and I am to be concerned and I did aske it my Lord, and he did consent to have us furnished with £500, and I did get it paid to Sir Roger Cuttance and Mr. Pierce in part for above £1000 worth of goods, Mace, Nutmegs, Cynamon, and Cloves, and he tells us we may hope to get £1500 by it, which God send! Great spoil, I hear, there hath been of the two East India ships, and that yet they will come in to the King (age 35) very rich: so that I hope this journey will be worth £100 to me¹.

Note 1. There is a shorthand journal of proceedings relating to Pepys's purchase of some East India prize goods among the Rawlinson MSS. in the Bodleian Library.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Sep 1665. However I staid and there supped, all of us being in great disorder from this, and more from Cocke's (age 48) boy's being ill, where my Lady Batten and Sir W. Batten (age 64) did come to town with an intent to lodge, and I was forced to go seek a lodging which my W. Hewer (age 23) did get me, viz., his own chamber in the towne, whither I went and found it a very fine room, and there lay most excellently.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Sep 1665. About 4 or 5 of the clock we come to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and, having first set down my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Cocke (age 48) and I went to his house, it being light, and there to our great trouble, we being sleepy and cold, we met with the ill newes that his boy Jacke was gone to bed sicke, which put Captain Cocke (age 48) and me also into much trouble, the boy, as they told us, complaining of his head most, which is a bad sign it seems. So they presently betook themselves to consult whither and how to remove him. However I thought it not fit for me to discover too much fear to go away, nor had I any place to go to.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Sep 1665. So to bed I went and slept till 10 of the clock and then comes Captain Cocke (age 48) to wake me and tell me that his boy was well again. With great joy I heard the newes and he told it, so I up and to the office where we did a little, and but a little business.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Sep 1665. I find here a design in my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Captain Cocke (age 48) to have had my Lord Bruncker (age 45) chosen as one of us to have been sent aboard one of the East Indiamen, and Captain Cocke (age 48) as a merchant to be joined with him, and Sir J. Minnes (age 66) for the other, and Sir G. Smith (age 50) to be joined with him. But I did order it so that my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Sir J. Minnes (age 66) were ordered, but I did stop the merchants to be added, which would have been a most pernicious thing to the King (age 35) I am sure. In this I did, I think, a very good office, though I cannot acquit myself from some envy of mine in the business to have the profitable business done by another hand while I lay wholly imployed in the trouble of the office.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Sep 1665. Called up by Captain Cocke (age 48) (who was last night put into great trouble upon his boy's being rather worse than better, upon which he removed him out of his house to his stable), who told me that to my comfort his boy was now as well as ever he was in his life.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Sep 1665. After dinner, about 4 of the clock we broke up, and I took coach and home (in fear for the money I had with me, but that this friend of Spicer's, one of the Duke's guard did ride along the best part of the way with us). I got to my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) before night, and there I sat and supped with him and his mistresse, and Cocke (age 48) whose boy is yet ill.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Sep 1665. Thence, after losing a crowne betting at Tables [Cribbage], we walked home, Cocke (age 48) seeing me at my new lodging, where I went to bed. All my worke this day in the coach going and coming was to refresh myself in my musique scale, which I would fain have perfecter than ever I had yet.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Sep 1665. Though at last afterwards I found that he was not in this faulty, but hereby I have got a clear evidence of my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) opinion of him. My Lord Bruncker (age 45) presently ordered his coach to be ready and we to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and my Lord Sandwich (age 40) not being come, we took a boat and about a mile off met him in his Catch, and boarded him, and come up with him; and, after making a little halt at my house, which I ordered, to have my wife see him, we all together by coach to Mr. Boreman's, where Sir J. Minnes (age 66) did receive him very handsomely, and there he is to lie; and Sir J. Minnes (age 66) did give him on the sudden, a very handsome supper and brave discourse, my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and Captain Cocke (age 48), and Captain Herbert being there, with myself. Here my Lord did witness great respect to me, and very kind expressions, and by other occasions, from one thing to another did take notice how I was overjoyed at first to see the King's letter to his Lordship, and told them how I did kiss it, and that, whatever he was, I did always love the King (age 35). This my Lord Bruncker (age 45) did take such notice [of] as that he could not forbear kissing me before my Lord, professing his finding occasion every day more and more to love me, and Captain Cocke (age 48) has since of himself taken notice of that speech of my Lord then concerning me, and may be of good use to me.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Sep 1665. Thence down to Greenwich, Kent [Map] to the office, and there wrote several letters, and so to my Lord Sandwich (age 40), and mighty merry and he mighty kind to me in the face of all, saying much in my favour, and after supper I took leave and with Captain Cocke (age 48) set out in the yacht about ten o'clock at night, and after some discourse, and drinking a little, my mind full of what we are going about and jealous of Cocke's (age 48) outdoing me.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Sep 1665. So to sleep upon beds brought by Cocke (age 48) on board mighty handsome, and never slept better than upon this bed upon the floor in the Cabbin.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Sep 1665. Thence took leave, leaving my Lord Sandwich (age 40) to go visit the Bishop of Canterbury (age 67), and I and Sir W. Batten (age 64) down to the Tower [Map], where he went further by water, and I home, and among other things took out all my gold to carry along with me to-night with Captain Cocke (age 48) downe to the fleete, being £180 and more, hoping to lay out that and a great deal more to good advantage.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Sep 1665. Up, and to my Lord Sandwich (age 40), who did advise alone with me how far he might trust Captain Cocke (age 48) in the business of the prize-goods, my Lord telling me that he hath taken into his hands 2 or £3000 value of them: it being a good way, he says, to get money, and afterwards to get the King's allowance thereof, it being easier, he observes, to keepe money when got of the King (age 35) than to get it when it is too late. I advised him not to trust Cocke (age 48) too far, and did therefore offer him ready money for a £1000 or two, which he listens to and do agree to, which is great joy to me, hoping thereby to get something!

Pepy's Diary. 24 Sep 1665. By and by to dinner about 3 o'clock and then I in the cabbin to writing down my journall for these last seven days to my great content, it having pleased God that in this sad time of the plague every thing else has conspired to my happiness and pleasure more for these last three months than in all my life before in so little time. God long preserve it and make me thankful) for it! After finishing my Journal), then to discourse and to read, and then to supper and to bed, my mind not being at full ease, having not fully satisfied myself how Captain Cocke (age 48) will deal with me as to the share of the profits.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Sep 1665. But it would never have been allowed by my conscience to have wronged the poor wretches, who told us how dangerously they had got some, and dearly paid for the rest of these goods. This being done we with great content herein on board again and there Captain Cocke (age 48) and I to discourse of our business, but he will not yet be open to me, nor am I to him till I hear what he will say and do with Sir Roger Cuttance. However, this discourse did do me good, and got me a copy of the agreement made the other day on board for the parcel of Mr. Pierce and Sir Roger Cuttance, but this great parcel is of my Lord Sandwich's (age 40).

Pepy's Diary. 27 Sep 1665. Back again the same way and had most excellent discourse of Mr. Evelyn (age 44) touching all manner of learning; wherein I find him a very fine gentleman, and particularly of paynting, in which he tells me the beautifull Mrs. Middleton is rare, and his own wife do brave things. He brought me to the office, whither comes unexpectedly Captain Cocke (age 48), who hath brought one parcel of our goods by waggons, and at first resolved to have lodged them at our office; but then the thoughts of its being the King's house altered our resolution, and so put them at his friend's, Mr. Glanvill's (age 47), and there they are safe. Would the rest of them were so too! In discourse, we come to mention my profit, and he offers me £500 clear, and I demand £600 for my certain profit.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Sep 1665. I thence to Captain Cocke's (age 48), [and] (he not yet come from town) to Mr. Evelyn's (age 44), where much company; and thence in his coach with him to the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) by Lambeth, who was in a mighty pleasant humour; there the Duke (age 31) tells us that the Dutch do stay abroad, and our fleet must go out again, or to be ready to do so.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Sep 1665. That being done I walked to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and there to the office pretty late expecting Captain Cocke's (age 48) coming, which he did, and so with me to my new lodging (and there I chose rather to lie because of my interest in the goods that we have brought there to lie), but the people were abed, so we knocked them up, and so I to bed, and in the night was mightily troubled with a looseness (I suppose from some fresh damp linen that I put on this night), and feeling for a chamber-pott, there was none, I having called the mayde up out of her bed, she had forgot I suppose to put one there; so I was forced in this strange house to rise and shit in the chimney twice; and so to bed and was very well again, and

Pepy's Diary. 29 Sep 1665. But at last I did, and so left my tallies there against another day, and so walked to Yowell [Map], and there did spend a peece upon them, having a whole house full, and much mirth by a sister of the mistresse of the house, an old mayde lately married to a lieutenant of a company that quarters there, and much pleasant discourse we had and, dinner being done, we to horse again and come to Greenwich, Kent [Map] before night, and so to my lodging, and there being a little weary sat down and fell to order some of my pocket papers, and then comes Captain Cocke (age 48), and after a great deal of discourse with him seriously upon the disorders of our state through lack of men to mind the public business and to understand it, we broke up, sitting up talking very late. We spoke a little of my late business propounded of taking profit for my money laid out for these goods, but he finds I rise in my demand, he offering me still £500 certain. So we did give it over, and I to bed. I hear for certain this night upon the road that Sir Martin Noell (age 65) is this day dead of the plague in London, where he hath lain sick of it these eight days.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Sep 1665. Thence to the office, and there wrote a letter or two and dispatched a little business, and then to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where I find Mr. Temple, the fat blade, Sir Robert. Viner's (age 34) chief man. And we three and two companions of his in the evening by agreement took ship in the Bezan and the tide carried us no further than Woolwich, Kent [Map] about 8 at night, and so I on shore to my wife, and there to my great trouble find my wife out of order, and she took me downstairs and there alone did tell me her falling out with both her mayds and particularly Mary, and how Mary had to her teeth told her she would tell me of something that should stop her mouth and words of that sense. Which I suspect may be about Brown, but my wife prays me to call it to examination, and this, I being of myself jealous, do make me mightily out of temper, and seeing it not fit to enter into the dispute did passionately go away, thinking to go on board again. But when I come to the stairs I considered the Bezan would not go till the next ebb, and it was best to lie in a good bed and, it may be, get myself into a better humour by being with my wife. So I back again and to bed and having otherwise so many reasons to rejoice and hopes of good profit, besides considering the ill that trouble of mind and melancholly may in this sickly time bring a family into, and that if the difference were never so great, it is not a time to put away servants, I was resolved to salve up the business rather than stir in it, and so become pleasant with my wife and to bed, minding nothing of this difference.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Oct 1665. So after supper Captain Cocke (age 48) and I and Temple on board the Bezan, and there to cards for a while and then to read again in "Rhodes" and so to sleep. But, Lord! the mirth which it caused me to be waked in the night by their snoaring round about me; I did laugh till I was ready to burst, and waked one of the two companions of Temple, who could not a good while tell where he was that he heard one laugh so, till he recollected himself, and I told him what it was at, and so to sleep again, they still snoaring.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Oct 1665. Anon called down to my Lord, and there with him till supper talking and discourse; among other things, to my great joy, he did assure me that he had wrote to the King (age 35) and Duke (age 31) about these prize-goods, and told me that they did approve of what he had done, and that he would owne what he had done, and would have me to tell all the world so, and did, under his hand, give Cocke (age 48) and me his certificate of our bargains, and giving us full power of disposal of what we have so bought. This do ease my mind of all my fear, and makes my heart lighter by £100 than it was before. He did discourse to us of the Dutch fleete being abroad, eighty-five of them still, and are now at the Texell, he believes, in expectation of our Eastland ships coming home with masts and hempe, and our loaden Hambrough ships going to Hambrough. He discoursed against them that would have us yield to no conditions but conquest over the Dutch, and seems to believe that the Dutch will call for the protection of the King of France (age 27) and come under his power, which were to be wished they might be brought to do under ours by fair means, and to that end would have all Dutch men and familys, that would come hither and settled, to be declared denizens; and my Lord did whisper to me alone that things here must break in pieces, nobody minding any thing, but every man his owne business of profit or pleasure, and the King (age 35) some little designs of his owne, and that certainly the Kingdom could not stand in this condition long, which I fear and believe is very true.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Oct 1665. Lord's Day. Called up about 4 of the clock and so dressed myself and so on board the Bezan, and there finding all my company asleep I would not wake them, but it beginning to be break of day I did stay upon the decke walking, and then into the Maister's cabbin and there laid and slept a little, and so at last was waked by Captain Cocke's (age 48) calling of me, and so I turned out, and then to chat and talk and laugh, and mighty merry. We spent most of the morning talking and reading of "The Siege of Rhodes", which is certainly (the more I read it the more I think so) the best poem that ever was wrote. We breakfasted betimes and come to the fleete about two of the clock in the afternoon, having a fine day and a fine winde. My Lord received us mighty kindly, and after discourse with us in general left us to our business, and he to his officers, having called a council of wary, we in the meantime settling of papers with Mr. Pierce and everybody else, and by and by with Captain Cuttance.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Oct 1665. We walked, he and I and Cocke (age 48), to the Hill-house, where we find Sir W. Pen (age 44) in bed and there much talke and much dissembling of kindnesse from him, but he is a false rogue, and I shall not trust him, but my being there did procure his consent to have his silk carried away before the money received, which he would not have done for Cocke (age 48) I am sure.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Oct 1665. Lord's Day. Up and, after being trimmed, to the office, whither I upon a letter from the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) to me, to order as many ships forth out of the river as I can presently, to joyne to meet the Dutch; having ordered all the Captains of the ships in the river to come to me, I did some business with them, and so to Captain Cocke's (age 48) to dinner, he being in the country. But here his brother Solomon was, and, for guests, myself, Sir G. Smith (age 50), and a very fine lady, one Mrs. Penington, and two more gentlemen. But, both [before] and after dinner, most witty discourse with this lady, who is a very fine witty lady, one of the best I ever heard speake, and indifferent handsome.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Oct 1665. So to the office, there to write my letters, and Cocke (age 48) comes to tell me that Fisher is come to him, and that he doubts not to cajole Fisher and his companion and make them friends with drink and a bribe. This night comes Sir Christopher Mings (age 39) to towne, and I went to see him, and by and by he being then out of the town comes to see me. He is newly come from Court, and carries direction for the making a show of getting out the fleete again to go fight the Dutch, but that it will end in a fleete of 20 good sayling frigates to go to the Northward or Southward, and that will be all. I enquired, but he would not be to know that he had heard any thing at Oxford about the business of the prize goods, which I did suspect, but he being gone, anon comes Cocke (age 48) and tells me that he hath been with him a great while, and that he finds him sullen and speaking very high what disrespect he had received of my Lord, saying that he hath walked 3 or 4 hours together at that Earle's cabbin door for audience and could not be received, which, if true, I am sorry for. He tells me that Sir G. Ascue (age 49) says, that he did from the beginning declare against these [prize] goods, and would not receive his dividend; and that he and Sir W. Pen (age 44) are at odds about it, and that he fears Mings (age 39) hath been doing ill offices to my Lord. I did to-night give my Lord an account of all this, and so home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Oct 1665. So that being done, I left the goods to be watched by men on their part and ours, and so to the office by noon, whither by and by comes Captain Cocke (age 48), whom I had with great care sent for by expresse the last night, and so I with him to his house and there eat a bit, and so by coach to Lambeth, Surrey [Map], and I took occasion first to go to the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) to acquaint him with some thing of what had been done this morning in behalf of a friend absent, which did give a good entrance and prevented their possessing the Duke with anything of evil of me by their report, and by and by in comes. Captain Cocke (age 48) and tells his whole story.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Oct 1665. By and by comes Captain Cocke's (age 48) Jacob to tell me that he is come from Chatham, Kent [Map] this morning, and that there are four waggons of goods at hand coming to towne, which troubles me. I directed him to bring them to his master's house. But before I could send him away to bring them thither, newes is brought me that they are seized on in the towne by this Captain Fisher and they will carry them to another place. So I to them and found our four waggons in the streete stopped by the church by this Fisher and company and 100 or 200 people in the streetes gazing. I did give them good words, and made modest desires of carrying the goods to Captain Cocke's (age 48), but they would have them to a house of their hiring, where in a barne the goods were laid. I had transires to show for all, and the tale was right, and there I spent all the morning seeing this done. At which Fisher was vexed that I would not let it be done by any body else for the merchant, and that I must needs be concerned therein, which I did not think fit to owne.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Oct 1665. So there will be another demurre. It growing late, and I having something to do at home, took my leave alone, leaving Cocke (age 48) there for all night, and so against tide and in the darke and very cold weather to Woolwich, Kent [Map], where we had appointed to keepe the night merrily; and so, by Captain Cocke's (age 48) coach, had brought a very pretty child, a daughter of one Mrs. Tooker's, next door to my lodging, and so she, and a daughter and kinsman of Mrs. Pett's made up a fine company at my lodgings at Woolwich, Kent [Map], where my wife and Mercer, and Mrs. Barbara danced, and mighty merry we were, but especially at Mercer's dancing a jigg, which she does the best I ever did see, having the most natural way of it, and keeps time the most perfectly I ever did see.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Oct 1665. By and by comes Cocke (age 48) to tell me that Fisher and his fellow were last night mightily satisfied and promised all friendship, but this morning he finds them to have new tricks and shall be troubled with them. So he being to go down to Erith, Kent with them this afternoon about giving security, I advised him to let them go by land, and so he and I (having eat something at his house) by water to Erith, Kent, but they got thither before us, and there we met Mr. Seymour (age 32), one of the Commissioners for Prizes, and a Parliament-man, and he was mighty high, and had now seized our goods on their behalf; and he mighty imperiously would have all forfeited, and I know not what. I thought I was in the right in a thing I said and spoke somewhat earnestly, so we took up one another very smartly, for which I was sorry afterwards, shewing thereby myself too much concerned, but nothing passed that I valued at all. But I could not but think [it odd] that a Parliament-man, in a serious discourse before such persons as we and my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and Sir John Minnes (age 66), should quote Hudibras, as being the book I doubt he hath read most. They I doubt will stand hard for high security, and Cocke (age 48) would have had me bound with him for his appearing, but I did stagger at it, besides Seymour (age 32) do stop the doing it at all till he has been with the Duke of Albemarle (age 56).

Pepy's Diary. 11 Oct 1665. This night is kept in lieu of yesterday, for my wedding day of ten years; for which God be praised! being now in an extreme good condition of health and estate and honour, and a way of getting more money, though at this houre under some discomposure, rather than damage, about some prize goods that I have bought off the fleete, in partnership with Captain Cocke (age 48); and for the discourse about the world concerning my Lord Sandwich (age 40), that he hath done a thing so bad; and indeed it must needs have been a very rash act; and the rather because of a Parliament now newly met to give money, and will have some account of what hath already been spent, besides the precedent for a General to take what prizes he pleases, and the giving a pretence to take away much more than he intended, and all will lie upon him; and not giving to all the Commanders, as well as the Flaggs, he displeases all them, and offends even some of them, thinking others to be better served than themselves; and lastly, puts himself out of a power of begging anything again a great while of the King (age 35).

Pepy's Diary. 12 Oct 1665. Having learned as much as I could, which was, that the King (age 35) and Duke (age 31) were very severe in this point, whatever order they before had given my Lord in approbation of what he had done, and that all will come out and the King (age 35) see, by the entries at the Custome House, what all do amount to that had been taken, and so I took leave, and by water, very cold, and to Woolwich, Kent [Map] where it was now noon, and so I staid dinner and talking part of the afternoon, and then by coach, Captain Cocke's (age 48), to Greenwich, Kent [Map], taking the young lady home, and so to Cocke (age 48), and he tells me that he hath cajolled with Seymour (age 32), who will be our friend; but that, above all, Seymour (age 32) tells him, that my Lord Duke did shew him to-day an order from Court, for having all respect paid to the Earle of Sandwich, and what goods had been delivered by his order, which do overjoy us, and that to-morrow our goods shall be weighed, and he doubts not possession to-morrow or next day.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Oct 1665. This day the Duke tells me that there is no news heard of the Dutch, what they do or where they are, but believes that they are all gone home, for none of our spyes can give us any tideings of them. Cocke (age 48) is fain to keep these people, Fisher and his fellow, company night and day to keep them friends almost and great troubles withal.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Oct 1665. But, Lord! to hear the silly talke between these three great people! Yet I have no reason to find fault, the Duke (age 56) and Lord Craven (age 57) being my very great friends. Here did the business I come about, and so back home by water, and there Cocke (age 48) comes to me and tells me that he is come to an understanding with Fisher, and that he must give him £100, and that he shall have his goods in possession to-morrow, they being all weighed to-day, which pleases me very well.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1665. Very late writing letters at the office, and much satisfied to hear from Captain Cocke (age 48) that he had got possession of some of his goods to his own house, and expected to have all to-night. The towne, I hear, is full of talke that there are great differences in the fleete among the great Commanders, and that Mings (age 39) at Oxford did impeach my Lord of something, I think about these goods, but this is but talke.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Oct 1665. Thence after dinner receiving many commands from the Duke (age 56), I to our office on the Hill, and there did a little business and to Colvill's again, and so took water at the Tower [Map], and there met with Captain Cocke (age 48), and he down with me to Greenwich, Kent [Map], I having received letters from my Lord Sandwich (age 40) to-day, speaking very high about the prize goods, that he would have us to fear nobody, but be very confident in what we have done, and not to confess any fault or doubt of what he hath done; for the King (age 35) hath allowed it, and do now confirm it, and sent orders, as he says, for nothing to be disturbed that his Lordshipp hath ordered therein as to the division of the goods to the fleete; which do comfort us, but my Lord writes to me that both he and I may hence learn by what we see in this business. But that which pleases me best is that Cocke (age 48) tells me that he now understands that Fisher was set on in this business by the design of some of the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) people, Warcupp and others, who lent him money to set him out in it, and he has spent high. Who now curse him for a rogue to take £100 when he might have had as well £1,500, and they are mightily fallen out about it. Which in due time shall be discovered, but that now that troubles me afresh is, after I am got to the office at Greenwich, Kent [Map] that some new troubles are come, and Captain Cocke's (age 48) house is beset before and behind with guards, and more, I do fear they may come to my office here to search for Cocke's (age 48) goods and find some small things of my clerk's. So I assisted them in helping to remove their small trade, but by and by I am told that it is only the Custome House men who came to seize the things that did lie at Mr. Glanville's (age 47), for which they did never yet see our Transire, nor did know of them till to-day. So that my fear is now over, for a transire is ready for them. Cocke (age 48) did get a great many of his goods to London to-day.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Oct 1665. Up, and had my last night's letters brought back to me, which troubles me, because of my accounts, lest they should be asked for before they come, which I abhorr, being more ready to give than they can be to demand them: so I sent away an expresse to Oxford with them, and another to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], with a copy of my letter to Mr. Coventry (age 37) about my victualling business, for fear he should be gone from Oxford, as he intended, thither. So busy all the morning and at noon to Cocke (age 48), and dined there. He and I alone, vexed that we are not rid of all our trouble about our goods, but it is almost over, and in the afternoon to my lodging, and there spent the whole afternoon and evening with Mr. Hater, discoursing of the business of the office, where he tells me that among others Thomas Willson do now and then seem to hint that I do take too much business upon me, more than I can do, and that therefore some do lie undone. This I confess to my trouble is true, but it arises from my being forced to take so much on me, more than is my proper task to undertake. But for this at last I did advise to him to take another clerk if he thinks fit, I will take care to have him paid. I discoursed also much with him about persons fit to be put into the victualling business, and such as I could spare something out of their salaries for them, but without trouble I cannot, I see, well do it, because Thomas Willson must have the refusal of the best place which is London of £200 per annum, which I did intend for Tooker, and to get £50 out of it as a help to Mr. Hater. How[ever], I will try to do something of this kind for them. Having done discourse with him late, I to enter my Tangier accounts fair, and so to supper and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Oct 1665. Thence back again, it being evening before I could get home, and there Cocke (age 48) not being within, I and Mr. Salomon to Mr. Glanville's (age 47), and there we found Cocke (age 48) and sat and supped, and was mighty merry with only Madam Penington, who is a fine, witty lady. Here we spent the evening late with great mirth, and so home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Oct 1665. Lord's Day. Up, and after ready and going to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where I find we are a little further safe in some part of our goods, I to Church, in my way was meeting with some letters, which made me resolve to go after church to my Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) so, after sermon, I took Cocke's (age 48) chariott, and to Lambeth, Surrey [Map]; but, in going and getting over the water, and through White Hall, I spent so much time, the Duke had almost dined. However, fresh meat was brought for me to his table, and there I dined, and full of discourse and very kind. Here they are again talking of the prizes, and my Lord Duke did speake very broad that my Lord Sandwich (age 40) and Pen (age 44) should do what they would, and answer for themselves. For his part, he would lay all before the King (age 35). Here he tells me the Dutch Embassador at Oxford is clapped up, but since I hear it is not true.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Oct 1665. I left him in discourse with Sir W. Batten (age 64) and others, and myself to the office till about 10 at night and so, letters being done, I to him again to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where he supped, and lies, and never saw him more merry, and here is Charles Herbert (age 25), who the King (age 35) hath lately knighted¹. My Lord, to my great content, did tell me before them, that never anything was read to the King (age 35) and Council, all the chief Ministers of State being there, as my letter about the Victualling was, and no more said upon it than a most thorough consent to every word was said, and directed, that it be pursued and practised. After much mirth, and my Lord having travelled all night last night, he to bed, and we all parted, I home.

Note 1. This person (age 25), erroneously called by Pepys Sir C. Herbert, will be best defined by subjoining the inscription on his monument in Westminster Abbey: "Sir Charles Harbord (age 25), Knight, third son of Sir Charles Harbord (age 69), Knight, Surveyor-General, and First Lieutenant of the Royall James, under the most noble and illustrious Captaine, Edward, Earle of Sandwich, Vice-Admirall of England, which, after a terrible fight, maintained to admiration against a squadron of the Holland fleet, above six hours, neere the Suffolk coast, having put off two fireships; at last, being utterly disabled, and few of her men remaining unhurt, was, by a third, unfortunately set on fire. But he (though he swome well) neglected to save himselfe, as some did, and out of perfect love to that worthy Lord, whom, for many yeares, he had constantly accompanyed, in all his honourable employments, and in all the engagements of the former warre, dyed with him, at the age of xxxii., much bewailed by his father, whom he never offended; and much beloved by all for his knowne piety, vertue, loyalty, fortitude, and fidelity". B.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Oct 1665. Lay long, having a cold. Then to my Lord and sent him going to Oxford, and I to my office, whither comes Sir William Batten (age 64) now newly from Oxford. I can gather nothing from him about my Lord Sandwich (age 40) about the business of the prizes, he being close, but he shewed me a bill which hath been read in the House making all breaking of bulke for the time to come felony, but it is a foolish Act, and will do no great matter, only is calculated to my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) case. He shewed me also a good letter printed from the Bishopp of Munster to the States of Holland shewing the state of their case. Here we did some business and so broke up and I to Cocke (age 48), where Mr. Evelyn (age 44) was, to dinner, and there merry, yet vexed again at publique matters, and to see how little heed is had to the prisoners and sicke and wounded.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Oct 1665. Up, and after some pleasant discourse with my wife, I out, leaving her and Mrs. Ferrers there, and I to Captain Cocke's (age 48), there to do some business, and then away with Cocke (age 48) in his coach through Kent Streete, a miserable, wretched, poor place, people sitting sicke and muffled up with plasters at every 4 or 5 doors.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Oct 1665. After having done here, I back by water and to London, and there met with Captain Cocke's (age 48) coach again, and I went in it to Greenwich, Kent [Map] and thence sent my wife in it to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and I to the office, and thence home late with Captain Taylor, and he and I settled all accounts between us, and I do find that I do get above £129 of him for my services for him within these six months. At it till almost one in the morning, and after supper he away and I to bed, mightily satisfied in all this, and in a resolution I have taken to-night with Mr. Hater to propose the port of London for the victualling business for Thomas Willson, by which it will be better done and I at more ease, in case he should grumble¹. So to bed.

Note 1. The Duke of York's (age 32) letter appointing Thomas Wilson Surveyor of the Victualling of His Majesty's Navy in the Port of London, and referring to Pepys as Surveyor-General of the Victualling Affairs, is printed in "Memoirs of the English Affairs, chiefly Naval, 1660- 73", by James, Duke of York (age 32), 1729, p. 131.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Oct 1665. After dinner we fell to discourse about the Dutch, Cocke (age 48) undertaking to prove that they were able to wage warr with us three years together, which, though it may be true, yet, not being satisfied with his arguments, my Lord and I did oppose the strength of his arguments, which brought us to a great heate, he being a conceited man, but of no Logique in his head at all, which made my Lord and I mirth.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Oct 1665. Lord's Day. Up, and being ready set out with Captain Cocke (age 48) in his coach toward Erith, Kent, Deane (age 31) riding along with us, where we dined and were very merry.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Oct 1665. Up, and to the office, Captain Ferrers going back betimes to my Lord. I to the office, where Sir W. Batten (age 64) met me, and did tell me that Captain Cocke's (age 48) black was dead of the plague, which I had heard of before, but took no notice.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Oct 1665. By and by Captain Cocke (age 48) come to the office, and Sir W. Batten (age 64) and I did send to him that he would either forbear the office, or forbear going to his owne office. However, meeting yesterday the Searchers with their rods in their hands coming from Captain Cocke's (age 48) house, I did overhear them say that the fellow did not die of the plague, but he had I know been ill a good while, and I am told that his boy Jack is also ill.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Nov 1665. But by and by Sir W. Batten (age 64) and I took coach, and home to Boreman, and so going home by the backside I saw Captain Cocke (age 48) 'lighting out of his coach (having been at Erith, Kent also with her but not on board) and so he would come along with me to my lodging, and there sat and supped and talked with us, but we were angry a little a while about our message to him the other day about bidding him keepe from the office or his owne office, because of his black dying. I owned it and the reason of it, and would have been glad he had been out of the house, but I could not bid him go, and so supped, and after much other talke of the sad condition and state of the King's matters we broke up, and my friend and I to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Nov 1665. Here comes in, in the middle of our discourse Captain Cocke (age 48), as drunk as a dogg, but could stand, and talk and laugh. He did so joy himself in a brave woman that he had been with all the afternoon, and who should it be but my Lady Robinson (age 53), but very troublesome he is with his noise and talke, and laughing, though very pleasant. With him in his coach to Mr. Glanville's (age 47), where he sat with Mrs. Penington and myself a good while talking of this fine woman again and then went away.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Nov 1665. Then they broke up, and Sir G. Carteret (age 55) come out, and thence through the garden to the water side and by water I with him in his boat down with Captain Cocke (age 48) to his house at Greenwich, Kent [Map], and while supper was getting ready Sir G. Carteret (age 55) and I did walk an houre in the garden before the house, talking of my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) business; what enemies he hath, and how they have endeavoured to bespatter him: and particularly about his leaving of 30 ships of the enemy, when Pen (age 44) would have gone, and my Lord called him back again: which is most false.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Nov 1665. Up, and to my office, where busy all the morning and then to dinner to Captain Cocke's (age 48) with Mr. Evelyn (age 45), where very merry, only vexed after dinner to stay too long for our coach.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Nov 1665. Up, and to Sir G. Carteret (age 55), and with him, he being very passionate to be gone, without staying a minute for breakfast, to the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) and I with him by water and with Fen: but, among other things, Lord! to see how he wondered to see the river so empty of boats, nobody working at the Custome-house keys; and how fearful he is, and vexed that his man, holding a wine-glasse in his hand for him to drinke out of, did cover his hands, it being a cold, windy, rainy morning, under the waterman's coate, though he brought the waterman from six or seven miles up the river, too. Nay, he carried this glasse with him for his man to let him drink out of at the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56), where he intended to dine, though this he did to prevent sluttery, for, for the same reason he carried a napkin with him to Captain Cocke's (age 48), making him believe that he should eat with foule linnen. Here he with the Duke (age 32) walked a good while in the Parke, and I with Fen, but cannot gather that he intends to stay with us, nor thinks any thing at all of ever paying one farthing of money more to us here, let what will come of it.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Nov 1665. Thence back by water to Captain Cocke's (age 48), and there he and I spent a great deale of the evening as we had done of the day reading and discoursing over part of Mr. Stillingfleet's (age 30) "Origines Sacrae", wherein many things are very good and some frivolous.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Nov 1665. Lord's Day. Up, and invited by Captain Cocke (age 48) to dinner. So after being ready I went to him, and there he and I and Mr. Yard (one of the Guinny company) dined together and very merry.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Nov 1665. Up, and to my office, where busy all the morning, and at noon to Captain Cocke's (age 48) to dinner as we had appointed in order to settle our business of accounts. But here came in an Alderman, a merchant, a very merry man, and we dined, and, he being gone, after dinner Cocke (age 48) and I walked into the garden, and there after a little discourse he did undertake under his hand to secure me in £500 profit, for my share of the profit of what we have bought of the prize goods. We agreed upon the terms, which were easier on my side than I expected, and so with extraordinary inward joy we parted till the evening.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Nov 1665. After dinner who comes in but my Lady Batten, and a troop of a dozen women almost, and expected, as I found afterward, to be made mighty much of, but nobody minded them; but the best jest was, that when they saw themselves not regarded, they would go away, and it was horrible foule weather; and my Lady Batten walking through the dirty lane with new spicke and span white shoes, she dropped one of her galoshes in the dirt, where it stuck, and she forced to go home without one, at which she was horribly vexed, and I led her; and after vexing her a little more in mirth, I parted, and to Glanville's (age 47), where I knew Sir John Robinson (age 50), Sir G. Smith (age 50), and Captain Cocke (age 48) were gone, and there, with the company of Mrs. Penington, whose father, I hear, was one of the Court of justice, and died prisoner, of the stone, in the Tower [Map], I made them, against their resolutions, to stay from houre to houre till it was almost midnight, and a furious, darke and rainy, and windy, stormy night, and, which was best, I, with drinking small beer, made them all drunk drinking wine, at which Sir John Robinson (age 50) made great sport.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Nov 1665. That being done, I got my Lord to be alone, and so I fell to acquaint him with W. Howe's business, which he had before heard a little of from Captain Cocke (age 48), but made no great matter of it, but now he do, and resolves nothing less than to lay him by the heels, and seize on all he hath, saying that for this yeare or two he hath observed him so proud and conceited he could not endure him. But though I was not at all displeased with it, yet I prayed him to forbear doing anything therein till he heard from me again about it, and I had made more enquiry into the truth of it, which he agreed to. Then we fell to publique discourse, wherein was principally this: he cleared it to me beyond all doubt that Coventry (age 37) is his enemy, and has been long so. So that I am over that, and my Lord told it me upon my proposal of a friendship between them, which he says is impossible, and methinks that my Lord's displeasure about the report in print of the first fight was not of his making, but I perceive my Lord cannot forget it, nor the other think he can. I shewed him how advisable it were upon almost any terms for him to get quite off the sea employment. He answers me again that he agrees to it, but thinks the King (age 35) will not let him go off. He tells me he lacks now my Lord Orrery (age 44) to solicit it for him, who is very great with the King (age 35).

Pepy's Diary. 19 Nov 1665. Lord's Day. Up, and after being trimmed, alone by water to Erith, Kent, all the way with my song book singing of Mr. Lawes's long recitative song in the beginning of his book. Being come there, on board my Lord Bruncker (age 45), I find Captain Cocke (age 48) and other company, the lady not well, and mighty merry we were; Sir Edmund Pooly (age 46) being very merry, and a right English gentleman, and one of the discontented Cavaliers, that think their loyalty is not considered.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Nov 1665. Thence, Cocke (age 48) having sent for his coach, we to Mrs. Penington, and there sat and talked and eat our oysters with great pleasure, and so home to my lodging late and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Nov 1665. After dinner Captain Cocke (age 48) and I about some business, and then with my other barrel of oysters home to Greenwich, Kent [Map], sent them by water to Mrs. Penington, while he and I landed, and visited Mr. Evelyn (age 45), where most excellent discourse with him; among other things he showed me a ledger of a Treasurer of the Navy, his great grandfather, just 100 years old; which I seemed mighty fond of, and he did present me with it, which I take as a great rarity; and he hopes to find me more, older than it. He also shewed us several letters of the old Lord of Leicester's, in Queen Elizabeth's time, under the very hand-writing of Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary, Queen of Scotts; and others, very venerable names.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Nov 1665. But here, they tell me, one of the houses behind them is infected, and I was fain to stand there a great while, to have their back-door opened, but they could not, having locked them fast, against any passing through, so was forced to pass by them again, close to their sicke beds, which they were removing out of the house, which troubled me; so I made them uninvite their guests, and to resolve of coming all away to me to-morrow, and I walked with a lanthorne, weary as I was, to Greenwich, Kent [Map]; but it was a fine walke, it being a hard frost, and so to Captain Cocke's (age 48), but he I found had sent for me to come to him to Mrs. Penington's, and there I went, and we were very merry, and supped, and Cocke (age 48) being sleepy he went away betimes. I stayed alone talking and playing with her till past midnight, she suffering me whatever 'ego voulais avec ses mamilles [to do whatever I wanted with her breasts].... Much pleased with her company we parted, and I home to bed at past one, all people being in bed thinking I would have staid out of town all night.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Nov 1665. So to Viner's (age 34), and there heard of Cocke (age 48), and found him at the Pope's Head, drinking with Temple. I to them, where the Goldsmiths do decry the new Act, for money to be all brought into the Exchequer, and paid out thence, saying they will not advance one farthing upon it; and indeed it is their interest to say and do so.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Nov 1665. After dinner a great deal alone with Sir G. Carteret (age 55), who tells me that my Lord hath received still worse and worse usage from some base people about the Court. But the King (age 35) is very kind, and the Duke do not appear the contrary; and my Chancellor (age 56) swore to him "by--I will not forsake my Lord of Sandwich (age 40)". Our next discourse is upon this Act for money, about which Sir G. Carteret (age 55) comes to see what money can be got upon it. But none can be got, which pleases him the thoughts of, for, if the Exchequer should succeede in this, his office would faile. But I am apt to think at this time of hurry and plague and want of trade, no money will be got upon a new way which few understand. We walked, Cocke (age 48) and I, through the Parke with him, and so we being to meet the Vice-Chamberlayne to-morrow at Nonsuch [Map], to treat with Sir Robert Long (age 65) about the same business, I into London, it being dark night, by a hackney coach; the first I have durst to go in many a day, and with great pain now for fear. But it being unsafe to go by water in the dark and frosty cold, and unable being weary with my morning walke to go on foot, this was my only way. Few people yet in the streets, nor shops open, here and there twenty in a place almost; though not above five or sixe o'clock at night.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Nov 1665. Thence Cocke (age 48) and I to Sir G. Smith's (age 50), it being now night, and there up to his chamber and sat talking, and I barbing [shaving] against to-morrow; and anon, at nine at night, comes to us Sir G. Smith (age 50) and the Lieutenant of the Tower (age 50), and there they sat talking and drinking till past midnight, and mighty merry we were, the Lieutenant of the Tower (age 50) being in a mighty vein of singing, and he hath a very good eare and strong voice, but no manner of skill. Sir G. Smith (age 50) shewed me his lady's closett, which was very fine; and, after being very merry, here I lay in a noble chamber, and mighty highly treated, the first time I have lain in London a long time.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Nov 1665. After this discourse we parted, and all of us broke up and we parted. Captain Cocke (age 48) and I through Wandsworth, Surrey. Drank at Sir Allen Broderick's (age 42), a great friend and comrade of Cocke's (age 48), whom he values above the world for a witty companion, and I believe he is so.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Nov 1665. So to Fox-Hall and there took boat, and down to the Old Swan [Map], and thence to Lombard Street [Map], it being darke night, and thence to the Tower. Took boat and down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], Cocke (age 48) and I, he home and I to the office, where did a little business, and then to my lodgings, where my wife is come, and I am well pleased with it, only much trouble in those lodgings we have, the mistresse of the house being so deadly dear in everything we have; so that we do resolve to remove home soon as we know how the plague goes this weeke, which we hope will be a good decrease. So to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Nov 1665. Up before day, and Cocke (age 48) and I took a hackney coach appointed with four horses to take us up, and so carried us over London Bridge [Map]. But there, thinking of some business, I did 'light at the foot of the bridge, and by helpe of a candle at a stall, where some payers were at work, I wrote a letter to Mr. Hater, and never knew so great an instance of the usefulness of carrying pen and ink and wax about one: so we, the way being very bad, to Nonsuch [Map], and thence to Sir Robert Longs (age 65) house; a fine place, and dinner time ere we got thither; but we had breakfasted a little at Mr. Gawden's, he being out of towne though, and there borrowed Dr. Taylor's (age 52) sermons, and is a most excellent booke and worth my buying, where had a very good dinner, and curiously dressed, and here a couple of ladies, kinswomen of his, not handsome though, but rich, that knew me by report of The. Turner (age 13), and mighty merry we were.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Nov 1665. Up, my wife and I talking how to dispose of our goods, and resolved upon sending our two mayds Alce (who has been a day or two at Woolwich, Kent [Map] with my wife, thinking to have had a feast there) and Susan home. So my wife after dinner did take them to London with some goods, and I in the afternoon after doing other business did go also by agreement to meet Captain Cocke (age 48) and from him to Sir Roger Cuttance, about the money due from Cocke (age 48) to him for the late prize goods, wherein Sir Roger is troubled that he hath not payment as agreed, and the other, that he must pay without being secured in the quiett possession of them, but some accommodation to both, I think, will be found. But Cocke (age 48) do tell me that several have begged so much of the King (age 35) to be discovered out of stolen prize goods and so I am afeard we shall hereafter have trouble, therefore I will get myself free of them as soon as I can and my money paid.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Dec 1665. She went home, and I to my lodgings. At night by agreement I fetched her again with Cocke's (age 48) coach, and he come and we sat and talked together, thinking to have had Mrs. Coleman and my songsters, her husband and Laneare, but they failed me.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Dec 1665. It being Lord's day, up and dressed and to church, thinking to have sat with Sir James Bunce to hear his daughter and her husband sing, that are so much commended, but was prevented by being invited into Coll. Cleggatt's pew. However, there I sat, near Mr. Laneare, with whom I spoke, and in sight, by chance, and very near my fat brown beauty of our Parish, the rich merchant's lady, a very noble woman, and Madame Pierce. A good sermon of Mr. Plume's (age 35), and so to Captain Cocke's (age 48), and there dined with him, and Colonell Wyndham, a worthy gentleman, whose wife was nurse to the present King, and one that while she lived governed him and every thing else, as Cocke (age 48) says, as a minister of state; the old King putting mighty weight and trust upon her. They talked much of matters of State and persons, and particularly how my Lord Barkeley (age 63) hath all along been a fortunate, though a passionate and but weak man as to policy; but as a kinsman brought in and promoted by my Lord of St. Alban's (age 60), and one that is the greatest vapourer in the world, this Colonell Wyndham says; and one to whom only, with Jacke Asheburnel (age 62) and Colonel Legg, the King's removal to the Isle of Wight from Hampton Court [Map] was communicated; and (though betrayed by their knavery, or at best by their ignorance, insomuch that they have all solemnly charged one another with their failures therein, and have been at daggers-drawing publickly about it), yet now none greater friends in the world.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1665. So to the 'Change [Map]. Up and down again in the evening about business and to meet Captain Cocke (age 48), who waited for Mrs. Pierce (with whom he is mightily stricken), to receive and hide for her her rich goods she saved the other day from seizure.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Dec 1665. Lord's Day. Lay long talking, Hill (age 35) and I, with great pleasure, and then up, and being ready walked to Cocke's (age 48) for some newes, but heard none, only they would have us stay their dinner, and sent for my wife, who come, and very merry we were, there being Sir Edmund Pooly (age 46) and Mr. Evelyn (age 45). Before we had dined comes Mr. Andrews (age 33), whom we had sent for to Bow, and so after dinner home, and there we sang some things, but not with much pleasure, Mr. Andrews (age 33) being in so great haste to go home, his wife looking every hour to be brought to bed. He gone Mr. Hill (age 35) and I continued our musique, one thing after another, late till supper, and so to bed with great pleasure.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Dec 1665. Then late met Cocke (age 48) and Temple at the Pope's Head, and there had good discourse with Temple [Map], who tells me that of the £80,000 advanced already by the East India Company, they have had £5000 out of their hands. He discoursed largely of the quantity of money coyned, and what may be thought the real sum of money in the Kingdom. He told me, too, as an instance of the thrift used in the King's business, that the tools and the interest of the money-using to the King (age 35) for the money he borrowed while the new invention of the mill money was perfected, cost him £35,000, and in mirthe tells me that the new fashion money is good for nothing but to help the Prince (age 45) if he can secretly get copper plates shut up in silver it shall never be discovered, at least not in his age.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Dec 1665. Up, and to the office, where my Lord Bruncker (age 45) met, and among other things did finish a contract with Cocke (age 48) for hemp, by which I hope to get my money due from him paid presently.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Dec 1665. He being gone, comes Sir W. Warren, who advised with me about several things about getting money, and £100 I shall presently have of him. We advised about a business of insurance, wherein something may be saved to him and got to me, and to that end he and I did take a coach at night and to the Cocke (age 48)pitt, there to get the Duke of Albemarle's (age 57) advice for our insuring some of our Sounde goods coming home under Harman's (age 40) convoy, but he proved shy of doing it without knowledge of the Duke of Yorke (age 32), so we back again and calling at my house to see my wife, who is well; though my great trouble is that our poor little parish is the greatest number this weeke in all the city within the walls, having six, from one the last weeke; and so by water to Greenwich, Kent [Map] leaving Sir W. Warren at home, and I straight to my Lord Bruncker (age 45), it being late, and concluded upon insuring something and to send to that purpose to Sir W. Warren to come to us to-morrow morning. So I home and, my mind in great rest, to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Dec 1665. Thence away to the Pope's Head Taverne, and there met first with Captain Cocke (age 48), and dispatched my business with him to my content, he being ready to sign his bill of imprest of £2,000, and gives it me in part of his payment to me, which glads my heart.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Dec 1665. Up, and to the office a while with my Lord Bruncker (age 45), where we directed Sir W. Warren in the business of the insurance as I desired, and ended some other businesses of his, and so at noon I to London, but the 'Change [Map] was done before I got thither, so I to the Pope's Head Taverne, and there find Mr. Gawden and Captain Beckford and Nick Osborne going to dinner, and I dined with them and very exceeding merry we were as I had [not] been a great while, and dinner being done I to the East India House and there had an assignment on Mr. Temple for the £2,000 of Cocke's (age 48), which joyed my heart; so, having seen my wife in the way, I home by water and to write my letters and then home to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. After dinner I to the Exchange [Map] to see whether my pretty seamstress be come again or no, and I find she is, so I to her, saluted her over her counter in the open Exchange [Map] above, and mightily joyed to see her, poor pretty woman! I must confess I think her a great beauty. After laying out a little money there for two pair of thread stockings, cost 8s., I to Lombard Street [Map] to see some business to-night there at the goldsmith's, among others paying in £1258 to Viner (age 34) for my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) use upon Cocke's (age 48) account.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. Thence I took Sir Ellis Layton to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Lady Williams dine, and we all mighty merry; but Sir Ellis Layton one of the best companions at a meale in the world.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Dec 1665. At the office all the morning. At noon all of us dined at Captain Cocke's (age 48) at a good chine of beef, and other good meat; but, being all frost-bitten, was most of it unroast; but very merry, and a good dish of fowle we dressed ourselves. Mr. Evelyn (age 45) there, in very good humour.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Dec 1665. Thence to the office a while, and so to Captain Cocke's (age 48) and there talked, and home to look over my papers, and so to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Dec 1665. So to Captain Cocke's (age 48), and there sat and talked, especially with his Counsellor, about his prize goods, that hath done him good turne, being of the company with Captain Fisher, his name Godderson; here I supped and so home to bed, with great content that the plague is decreased to 152, the whole being but 330.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Dec 1665. Up and to the office, and thence with a great deal of business in my head, dined alone with Cocke (age 48).

Pepy's Diary. 30 Dec 1665. Up and to the office, at noon home to dinner, and all the afternoon to my accounts again, and there find myself, to my great joy, a great deal worth above £4000, for which the Lord be praised! and is principally occasioned by my getting £500 of Cocke (age 48), for my profit in his bargains of prize goods, and from Mr. Gawden's making me a present of £500 more, when I paid him 8000 for Tangier.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Jan 1666. After dinner to cards, and then comes notice that my wife is come unexpectedly to me to towne. So I to her. It is only to see what I do, and why I come not home; and she is in the right that I would have a little more of Mrs. Knipp's company before I go away. My wife to fetch away my things from Woolwich, Kent [Map], and I back to cards and after cards to choose King and Queene, and a good cake there was, but no marks found; but I privately found the clove, the mark of the knave, and privately put it into Captain Cocke's (age 49) piece, which made some mirthe, because of his lately being knowne by his buying of clove and mace of the East India prizes.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Jan 1666. Lord's Day. Up, and being trimmed I was invited by Captain Cocke (age 49), so I left my wife, having a mind to some discourse with him, and dined with him. He tells me of new difficulties about his goods which troubles me and I fear they will be great. He tells me too what I hear everywhere how the towne talks of my Lord Craven (age 57) being to come into Sir G. Carteret's (age 56) place; but sure it cannot be true. But I do fear those two families, his and my Lord Sandwich's (age 40), are quite broken. And I must now stand upon my own legs.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Jan 1666. After dinner Cocke (age 49) and I together by coach to the Exchange [Map], in our way talking of our matters, and do conclude that every thing must breake in pieces, while no better counsels govern matters than there seem to do, and that it will become him and I and all men to get their reckonings even, as soon as they can, and expect all to breake. Besides, if the plague continues among us another yeare, the Lord knows what will become of us. I set him down at the 'Change [Map], and I home to my office, where late writing letters and doing business, and thence home to supper and to bed. My head full of cares, but pleased with my wife's minding her worke so well, and busying herself about her house, and I trust in God if I can but clear myself of my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) bond, wherein I am bound with him for £1000 to T. Pepys, I shall do pretty well, come what will come.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jan 1666. After dinner to the office. Anon comes to me thither my Lord Bruncker (age 46), Mrs. Williams, and Knipp. I brought down my wife in her night-gowne, she not being indeed very well, to the office to them and there by and by they parted all and my wife and I anon and Mercer, by coach, to Pierces; where mighty merry, and sing and dance with great pleasure; and I danced, who never did in company in my life, and Captain Cocke (age 49) come for a little while and danced, but went away, but we staid and had a pretty supper, and spent till two in the morning, but got home well by coach, though as dark as pitch, and so to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jan 1666. To the office, where, among other things, vexed with Major Norwood's (age 52) coming, who takes it ill my not paying a bill of Exchange [Map] of his, but I have good reason for it, and so the less troubled, but yet troubled, so as at noon being carried by my Lord Bruncker (age 46) to Captain Cocke's (age 49) to dinner, where Mrs. Williams was, and Mrs. Knipp, I was not heartily merry, though a glasse of wine did a little cheer me.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Feb 1666. Up and to the office, where all the morning till late, and Mr. Coventry (age 38) with us, the first time since before the plague, then hearing my wife was gone abroad to buy things and see her mother and father, whom she hath not seen since before the plague, and no dinner provided for me ready, I walked to Captain Cocke's (age 49), knowing my Lord Bruncker (age 46) dined there, and there very merry, and a good dinner.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1666. Thence to Captain Cocke's (age 49), where Mr. Williamson (age 32), Wren (age 37), Boldell and Madam Williams, and by and by Lord Bruncker (age 46), he having been with the King (age 35) and Duke (age 32) upon the water to-day, to see Greenwich, Kent [Map] house, and the yacht Castle is building of, and much good discourse.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Mar 1666. All the morning at the office, at noon to the Old James, being sent for, and there dined with Sir William Rider, Mr. Cutler, and others, to make an end with two Scots Maisters about the freight of two ships of my Lord Rutherford's. After a small dinner and a little discourse I away to the Crowne behind the Exchange [Map] to Sir W. Pen (age 44), Captain Cocke (age 49) and Fen, about getting a bill of Cocke's (age 49) paid to Pen, in part for the East India goods he sold us. Here Sir W. Pen (age 44) did give me the reason in my eare of his importunity for money, for that he is now to marry his daughter (age 15). God send her better fortune than her father deserves I should wish him for a false rogue.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Mar 1666. In the evening being at Sir W. Batten's (age 65), stepped in (for I have not used to go thither a good while), I find my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Mrs. Williams, and they would of their own accord, though I had never obliged them (nor my wife neither) with one visit for many of theirs, go see my house and my wife; which I showed them and made them welcome with wine and China oranges (now a great rarity since the war, none to be had). There being also Captain Cocke (age 49) and Mrs. Turner (age 43), who had never been in my house since I come to the office before, and Mrs. Carcasse, wife of Mr. Carcasses. My house happened to be mighty clean, and did me great honour, and they mightily pleased with it.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Mar 1666. Thence by coach to the Temple [Map], and it being a holyday, a fast-day, there 'light, and took water, being invited, and down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], to Captain Cocke's (age 49), where dined, he and Lord Bruncker (age 46), and Matt. Wren (age 37), Boltele, and Major Cooper, who is also a very pretty companion; but they all drink hard, and, after dinner, to gaming at cards.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Mar 1666. Thence with Sir. W. Batten (age 65) and Lord Bruncker (age 46) to the White Horse in Lombard Street [Map] to dine with Captain Cocke (age 49), upon particular business of canvas to buy for the King (age 35), and here by chance I saw the mistresse of the house I have heard much of, and a very pretty woman she is indeed and her husband the simplest looked fellow and old that ever I saw.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Mar 1666. At noon to the 'Change [Map], and did several businesses, and thence to the Crowne behind the 'Change [Map] and dined with my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Captain Cocke (age 49) and Fenn, and Madam Williams, who without question must be my Lord's wife, and else she could not follow him wherever he goes and kisse and use him publiquely as she do.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Apr 1666. Thence to the Crowne tavern behind the Exchange [Map] to meet with Cocke (age 49) and Fenn and did so, and dined with them, and after dinner had the intent of our meeting, which was some private discourse with Fenn, telling him what I hear and think of his business, which he takes very kindly and says he will look about him. It was about his giving of ill language and answers to people that come to him about money and some other particulars. This morning Mrs. Barbary and little Mrs. Tooker went away homeward.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Apr 1666. Thence, after doing our business with the Duke of Yorke (age 32), with Captain Cocke (age 49) home to the 'Change [Map] in his coach. He promises me presently a dozen of silver salts, and proposes a business for which he hath promised Mrs. Williams for my Lord Bruncker (age 46) a set of plate shall cost him £500 and me the like, which will be a good business indeed.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Apr 1666. At noon would have avoided, but could not, dining with my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and his mistresse with Captain Cocke (age 49) at the Sun Taverne [Map] in Fish Streete, where a good dinner, but the woman do tire me, and indeed how simply my Lord Bruncker (age 46), who is otherwise a wise man, do proceed at the table in serving of Cocke (age 49), without any means of understanding in his proposal, or defence when proposed, would make a man think him a foole.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Apr 1666. Up, and before office time to Lombard Street [Map], and there at Viner's (age 35) was shewn the silver plates, made for Captain Cocke (age 49) to present my Lord Bruncker (age 46); and I chose a dozen of the same weight to be bespoke for myself, which he told me yesterday he would give me on the same occasion.

Pepy's Diary. 02 May 1666. Thence with Captain Cocke (age 49), whom I met there, to London, to my office, to consult about serving him in getting him some money, he being already tired of his slavery to my Lord Bruncker (age 46), and the charge it costs him, and gets no manner of courtesy from him for it. He gone I home to dinner, find the girle yet better, so no fear of being forced to send her out of doors as we intended.

Pepy's Diary. 11 May 1666. So to the 'Change [Map], to speake with Captain Cocke (age 49), among other things about getting of the silver plates of him, which he promises to do; but in discourse he tells me that I should beware of my fellow-officers; and by name told me that my Lord Bruncker (age 46) should say in his hearing, before Sir W. Batten (age 65), of me, that he could undo the man, if he would; wherein I think he is a foole; but, however, it is requisite I be prepared against the man's friendship.

Pepy's Diary. 25 May 1666. Up betimes and to my chamber to do business, where the greatest part of the morning. Then out to the 'Change [Map] to speake with Captain [Cocke (age 49)], who tells me my silver plates are ready for me, and shall be sent me speedily; and proposes another proposition of serving us with a thousand tons of hempe, and tells me it shall bring me 6500, if the bargain go forward, which is a good word.

Pepy's Diary. 25 May 1666. Thence away home to the office and out again to Captain Cocke (age 49) (Mr. Moore for company walking with me and discoursing and admiring of the learning of Dr. Spencer), and there he and I discoursed a little more of our matters, and so home, and (Knipp being gone) took out my wife and Mercer to take the ayre a little, and so as far as Hackney and back again, and then to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 29 May 1666. So there I spent most of the afternoon with them, and indeed she is a pretty black woman, her name Mrs. Horsely. But, Lord! to see how my nature could not refrain from the temptation; but I must invite them to Foxhall, to Spring Gardens, though I had freshly received minutes of a great deale of extraordinary business. However I could not helpe it, but sent them before with Creed, and I did some of my business; and so after them, and find them there, in an arbour, and had met with Mrs. Pierce, and some company with her. So here I spent 20s. upon them, and were pretty merry. Among other things, had a fellow that imitated all manner of birds, and doggs, and hogs, with his voice, which was mighty pleasant. Staid here till night: then set Mrs. Pierce in at the New Exchange; and ourselves took coach, and so set Mrs. Horsely home, and then home ourselves, but with great trouble in the streets by bonefires, it being the King's birth-day and day of Restauration; but, Lord! to see the difference how many there were on the other side, and so few ours, the City side of the Temple [Map], would make one wonder the difference between the temper of one sort of people and the other: and the difference among all between what they do now, and what it was the night when Monk (age 57) come into the City. Such a night as that I never think to see again, nor think it can be. After I come home I was till one in the morning with Captain Cocke (age 49) drawing up a contract with him intended to be offered to the Duke (age 32) to-morrow, which, if it proceeds, he promises me £500.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Jun 1666. After wayting upon the Duke (age 32), Sir W. Pen (age 45) (who was commanded to go to-night by water down to Harwich [Map], to dispatch away all the ships he can) and I home, drinking two bottles of Cocke (age 49) ale in the streete in his new fine coach, where no sooner come, but newes is brought me of a couple of men come to speak with me from the fleete; so I down, and who should it be but Mr. Daniel, all muffled up, and his face as black as the chimney, and covered with dirt, pitch, and tarr, and powder, and muffled with dirty clouts, and his right eye stopped with okum. He is come last night at five o'clock from the fleete, with a comrade of his that hath endangered another eye. They were set on shore at Harwich [Map] this morning, and at two o'clock, in a catch with about twenty more wounded men from the Royall Charles. They being able to ride, took post about three this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve. I went presently into the coach with them, and carried them to Somerset-House-stairs, and there took water (all the world gazing upon us, and concluding it to be newes from the fleete, and every body's face appeared expecting of newes) to the Privy-stairs, and left them at Mr. Coventry's (age 38) lodging (he, though, not being there); and so I into the Parke to the King (age 36), and told him my Lord Generall was well the last night at five o'clock, and the Prince (age 46) come with his fleete and joyned with his about seven. The King (age 36) was mightily pleased with this newes, and so took me by the hand and talked a little of it. Giving him the best account I could; and then he bid me to fetch the two seamen to him, he walking into the house. So I went and fetched the seamen into the Vane room to him, and there he heard the whole account.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Jun 1666. Up betimes, and vexed with my people for having a key taken out of the chamber doors and nobody knew where it was, as also with my boy for not being ready as soon as I, though I called him, whereupon I boxed him soundly, and then to my business at the office and on the Victualling Office, and thence by water to St. James's, whither he [the Duke of York (age 32)] is now gone, it being a monthly fast-day for the plague. There we all met, and did our business as usual with the Duke (age 32), and among other things had Captain Cocke's (age 49) proposal of East country goods read, brought by my Lord Bruncker (age 46), which I make use of as a Monkey do the cat's foot. Sir W. Coventry (age 38) did much oppose it, and it's likely it will not do; so away goes my hopes of £500.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Jun 1666. Here I met with Captain Cocke (age 49), and he tells me that the first thing the Prince (age 46) said to the King (age 36) upon his coming, was complaining of the Commissioners of the Navy; that they could have been abroad in three or four days but for us; that we do not take care of them which I am troubled at, and do fear may in violence break out upon this office some time or other; for we shall not be able to carry on the business.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Jun 1666. Up, and to my office awhile, and then down the river a little way to see vessels ready for the carrying down of 400 land soldiers to the fleete. Then back to the office for my papers, and so to St. James's, where we did our usual attendance on the Duke (age 32). Having done with him, we all of us down to Sir W. Coventry's (age 38) chamber (where I saw his father my Lord Coventry's picture hung up, done by Stone, who then brought it home. It is a good picture, drawn in his judge's robes, and the great seale by him. And while it was hanging up, "This", says Sir W. Coventry (age 38), merrily, "is the use we make of our fathers",) to discourse about the proposition of serving us with hempe, delivered in by my Lord Brouncker (age 46) as from an unknown person, though I know it to be Captain Cocke's (age 49). My Lord and Sir William Coventry had some earnest words about it, the one promoting it for his private ends, being, as Cocke (age 49) tells me himself, to have £500 if the bargain goes on, and I am to have as much, and the other opposing it for the unseasonableness of it, not knowing at all whose the proposition is, which seems the more ingenious of the two. I sat by and said nothing, being no great friend to the proposition, though Cocke (age 49) intends me a convenience by it. But what I observed most from the discourse was this of Sir W. Coventry (age 38), that he do look upon ourselves in a desperate condition. The issue of all standing upon this one point, that by the next fight, if we beat, the Dutch will certainly be content to take eggs for their money (that was his expression); or if we be beaten, we must be contented to make peace, and glad if we can have it without paying too dear for it. And withall we do rely wholly upon the Parliament's giving us more money the next sitting, or else we are undone.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Jul 1666. Up betimes to the office, to write fair a laborious letter I wrote as from the Board to the Duke of Yorke (age 32), laying out our want of money again; and particularly the business of Captain Cocke's (age 49) tenders of hemp, which my Lord Bruncker (age 46) brought in under an unknown hand without name. Wherein his Lordship will have no great successe, I doubt.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Jul 1666. At noon dined at home and then to the office again, and there walking in the garden with Captain Cocke (age 49) till 5 o'clock. No newes yet of the fleete. His great bargaine of Hempe with us by his unknown proposition is disliked by the King (age 36), and so is quite off; of which he is glad, by this means being rid of his obligation to my Lord Bruncker (age 46), which he was tired with, and especially his mistresse, Mrs. Williams, and so will fall into another way about it, wherein he will advise only with myself, which do not displease me, and will be better for him and the King (age 36) too. Much common talke of publique business, the want of money, the uneasinesse that Parliament will find in raising any, and the ill condition we shall be in if they do not, and his confidence that the Swede is true to us, but poor, but would be glad to do us all manner of service in the world.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jul 1666. Good friends in the morning and up to the office, where sitting all the morning, and while at table we were mightily joyed with newes brought by Sir J. Minnes (age 67) and Sir W. Batten (age 65) of the death of De Ruyter (age 59), but when Sir W. Coventry (age 38) come, he told us there was no such thing, which quite dashed me again, though, God forgive me! I was a little sorry in my heart before lest it might give occasion of too much glory to the Duke of Albemarle (age 57). Great bandying this day between Sir W. Coventry (age 38) and my Lord Bruncker (age 46) about Captain Cocke (age 49), which I am well pleased with, while I keepe from any open relyance on either side, but rather on Sir W. Coventry's (age 38).

Pepy's Diary. 14 Aug 1666. So to the chappell, and heard a piece of the Dean of Westminster's (age 41) sermon, and a special good anthemne before the King (age 36), after a sermon, and then home by coach with Captain Cocke (age 49), who is in pain about his hempe, of which he says he hath bought great quantities, and would gladly be upon good terms with us for it, wherein I promise to assist him. So we 'light at the 'Change [Map], where, after a small turn or two, taking no pleasure now-a-days to be there, because of answering questions that would be asked there which I cannot answer; so home and dined, and after dinner, with my wife and Mercer to the Beare-garden¹, where I have not been, I think, of many years, and saw some good sport of the bull's tossing of the dogs: one into the very boxes. But it is a very rude and nasty pleasure. We had a great many hectors in the same box with us (and one very fine went into the pit, and played his dog for a wager, which was a strange sport for a gentleman), where they drank wine, and drank Mercer's health first, which I pledged with my hat off; and who should be in the house but Mr. Pierce the surgeon, who saw us and spoke to us.

Note 1. The Bear Garden was situated on Bankside, close to the precinct of the Clinke Liberty, and very near to the old palace of the bishops of Winchester. Stow, to his "Survey", says: "There be two Bear Gardens, the old and new Places". The name still exists in a street or lane at the foot of Southwark, Surrey [Map] Bridge, and in Bear Garden Wharf.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Aug 1666. Thence carried Knipp home, calling at the Cocke (age 49) alehouse at the doore and drank, and so home, and there find Reeves, and so up to look upon the stars, and do like my glasse very well, and did even with him for it and a little perspective and the Lanthorne that shows tricks, altogether costing me £9 5s. 0d. So to bed, he lying at our house.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Sep 1666. In the evening there comes to me Captain Cocke (age 49), and walked a good while in the garden. He says he hath computed that the rents of houses lost by this fire in the City comes to £600,000 per annum; that this will make the Parliament, more quiet than otherwise they would have been, and give the King (age 36) a more ready supply; that the supply must be by excise, as it is in Holland; that the Parliament will see it necessary to carry on the warr; that the late storm hindered our beating the Dutch fleete, who were gone out only to satisfy the people, having no business to do but to avoid us; that the French, as late in the yeare as it is, are coming; that the Dutch are really in bad condition, but that this unhappinesse of ours do give them heart; that there was a late difference between my Lord Arlington (age 48) and Sir W. Coventry (age 38) about neglect in the last to send away an express of the other's in time; that it come before the King (age 36), and the Duke of Yorke (age 32) concerned himself in it; but this fire hath stopped it.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Oct 1666. When come home I to Sir W. Pen's (age 45), to his boy, for my book, and there find he hath it not, but delivered it to the doorekeeper of the Committee for me. This, added to my former disquiet, made me stark mad, considering all the nakedness of the office lay open in papers within those covers. I could not tell in the world what to do, but was mad on all sides, and that which made me worse Captain Cocke (age 49) was there, and he did so swear and curse at the boy that told me. So Cocke (age 49), Griffin, and the boy with me, they to find the housekeeper of the Parliament, Hughes, while I to Sir W. Coventry (age 38), but could hear nothing of it there. But coming to our rendezvous at the Swan Taverne, in King Streete, I find they have found the housekeeper, and the book simply locked up in the Court. So I staid and drank, and rewarded the doore-keeper, and away home, my heart lighter by all this, but to bed very sad notwithstanding, in fear of what will happen to-morrow upon their coming.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Oct 1666. So I away with joyful heart home, calling on Cocke (age 49) and telling him the same. So I away home to the office to clear my Journall for five days, and so home to supper and to bed, my father who had staid out late and troubled me thereat being come home well and gone to bed, which pleases me also. This day, coming home, Mr. Kirton's kinsman, my bookseller, come in my way; and so I am told by him that Mr. Kirton is utterly undone, and made 2 or £3000 worse than nothing, from being worth 7 or £8,000. That the goods laid in the Churchyarde fired through the windows those in St. Fayth's [Map] church; and those coming to the Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]houses' doors fired them, and burned all the books and the pillars of the church, so as the roof falling down, broke quite down, which it did not do in the other places of the church, which is alike pillared (which I knew not before); but being not burned, they stand still. He do believe there is above; £50,000 of books burned; all the great booksellers almost undone: not only these, but their Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]houses at their Hall, and under Christchurch, and elsewhere being all burned. A great want thereof there will be of books, specially Latin books and foreign books; and, among others, the Polyglottes and new Bible, which he believes will be presently worth £40 a-piece.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Oct 1666. So I away from him, and met with the Vice-Chamberlain (age 56), and I told him when I had this evening in coming hither met with Captain Cocke (age 49), and he told me of a wild motion made in the House of Lords by the Duke of Buckingham (age 38) for all men that had cheated the King (age 36) to be declared traitors and felons, and that my Lord Sandwich (age 41) was named. This put me into a great pain, so the Vice-Chamberlain (age 56), who had heard nothing of it, having been all day in the City, away with me to White Hall; and there come to me and told me that, upon Lord Ashly's (age 45) asking their direction whether, being a peere, he should bring in his accounts to the Commons, which they did give way to, the Duke of Buckingham (age 38) did move that, for the time to come, what I have written above might be declared by some fuller law than heretofore. Lord Ashly (age 45) answered, that it was not the fault of the present laws, but want of proof; and so said the Chancellor (age 57). He answered, that a better law, he thought, might be made so the House laughing, did refer it to him to bring in a Bill to that purpose, and this was all.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Oct 1666. So he gone I by water to Westminster Hall [Map] and thence to St. James's, and there found Sir W. Coventry (age 38) waiting for me, and I did give him a good account to his mind of the business he expected about extraordinaries and then fell to other talke, among others, our sad condition contracted by want of a Comptroller¹ and it was his words, that he believes, besides all the shame and trouble he hath brought on the office, the King (age 36) had better have given £100,000 than ever have had him there. He did discourse about some of these discontented Parliament-men, and says that Birch (age 51) is a false rogue, but that Garraway (age 49) is a man that hath not been well used by the Court, though very stout to death, and hath suffered all that is possible for the King (age 36) from the beginning. But discontented as he is, yet he never knew a Session of Parliament but he hath done some good deed for the King (age 36) before it rose. I told him the passage Cocke (age 49) told me of his having begged a brace of bucks of the Lord Arlington for him, and when it come to him, he sent it back again. Sir W. Coventry (age 38) told me, it is much to be pitied that the King (age 36) should lose the service of a man so able and faithfull; and that he ought to be brought over, but that it is always observed, that by bringing over one discontented man, you raise up three in his room; which is a State lesson I never knew before. But when others discover your fear, and that discontent procures favour, they will be discontented too, and impose on you.

Note 1. As Sir John Minnes (age 67) performed the duties inefficiently, it was considered necessary to take the office from him: See January 21st.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Oct 1666. So to the Swan [Map], and 'baise la fille' [Note. kissed the girl], and drank, and then home by coach, and took father, wife, brother, and W. Hewer (age 24) to Islington [Map], where I find mine host dead. Here eat and drank, and merry; and so home, and to the office a while, and then to Sir W. Batten (age 65) to talk a while, and with Captain Cocke (age 49) into the office to hear his newes, who is mighty conversant with Garraway (age 49) and those people, who tells me what they object as to the maladministration of things as to money. But that they mean well, and will do well; but their reckonings are very good, and show great faults, as I will insert here. They say the King (age 36) hath had towards this war expressly thus much

Pepy's Diary. 07 Nov 1666. Up, and with Sir W. Batten (age 65) to White Hall, where we attended as usual the Duke of York (age 33) and there was by the folly of Sir W. Batten (age 65) prevented in obtaining a bargain for Captain Cocke (age 49), which would, I think have [been] at this time (during our great want of hempe), both profitable to the King (age 36) and of good convenience to me; but I matter it not, it being done only by the folly, not any design, of Sir W. Batten's (age 65).

Pepy's Diary. 08 Nov 1666. So to White Hall to Sir W. Coventry (age 38), and there would fain have carried Captain Cocke's (age 49) business for his bargain of hemp, but am defeated and disappointed, and know hardly how to carry myself in it between my interest and desire not to offend Sir W. Coventry (age 38). Sir W. Coventry (age 38) did this night tell me how the business is about Sir J. Minnes (age 67); that he is to be a Commissioner, and my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Sir W. Pen (age 45) are to be Controller joyntly, which I am very glad of, and better than if they were either of them alone; and do hope truly that the King's business will be better done thereby, and infinitely better than now it is.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Nov 1666. Up and to the office, where Sir W. Coventry (age 38) come to tell us that the Parliament did fall foul of our accounts again yesterday; and we must arme to have them examined, which I am sorry for: it will bring great trouble to me, and shame upon the office. My head full this morning how to carry on Captain Cocke's (age 49) bargain of hemp, which I think I shall by my dexterity do, and to the King's advantage as well as my own.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Nov 1666. At noon with my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Sir Thomas Harvy (age 41), to Cocke's (age 49) house, and there Mrs. Williams and other company, and an excellent dinner. Mr. Temple's wife, after dinner, fell to play on the harpsicon, till she tired everybody, that I left the house without taking leave, and no creature left standing by her to hear her.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Nov 1666. Back home in my Lord Bruncker's (age 46) coach, and there W. Hewer (age 24) and I to write it over fair; dined at noon, and Mercer with us, and mighty merry, and then to finish my letter; and it being three o'clock ere we had done, when I come to Sir W. Batten (age 65); he was in a huffe, which I made light of, but he signed the letter, though he would not go, and liked the letter well. Sir W. Pen (age 45), it seems, he would not stay for it: so, making slight of Sir W. Pen's (age 45) putting so much weight upon his hand to Sir W. Batten (age 65), I down to the Tower Wharfe [Map], and there got a sculler, and to White Hall, and there met Lord Bruncker (age 46), and he signed it, and so I delivered it to Mr. Cheving (age 64)¹, and he to Sir W. Coventry (age 38), in the cabinet, the King (age 36) and councill being sitting, where I leave it to its fortune, and I by water home again, and to my chamber, to even my Journall; and then comes Captain Cocke (age 49) to me, and he and I a great deal of melancholy discourse of the times, giving all over for gone, though now the Parliament will soon finish the Bill for money. But we fear, if we had it, as matters are now managed, we shall never make the best of it, but consume it all to no purpose or a bad one. He being gone, I again to my Journall and finished it, and so to supper and to bed.

Note 1. William Chiffinch (age 64), pimp to Charles II and receiver of the secret pensions paid by the French Court. He succeeded his brother, Thomas Chiffinch (who died in April, 1666), as Keeper of the King's Private Closet (see note, vol. v., p. 265). He is introduced by Scott into his "Peveril of the Peak"..

Pepy's Diary. 19 Nov 1666. By and by away, and calling my wife went home, and then a little at Sir W. Batten's (age 65) to hear news, but nothing, and then home to supper, whither Captain Cocke (age 49), half foxed, come and sat with us, and so away, and then we to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Nov 1666. Home, and there to eat presently, and then to the office a little, and to Sir W. Batten (age 65), where Sir J. Minnes (age 67) and Captain Cocke (age 49) was; but no newes from the North at all to-day; and the newes-book makes the business nothing, but that they are all dispersed. I pray God it may prove so.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Dec 1666. Up, and at my office all the morning, and several people with me, Sir W. Warren, who I do every day more and more admire for a miracle of cunning and forecast in his business, and then Captain Cocke (age 49), with whom I walked in the garden, and he tells me how angry the Court is at the late Proviso brought in by the House. How still my Chancellor (age 57) is, not daring to do or say any thing to displease the Parliament; that the Parliament is in a very ill humour, and grows every day more and more so; and that the unskilfulness of the Court, and their difference among one another, is the occasion of all not agreeing in what they would have, and so they give leisure and occasion to the other part to run away with what the Court would not have. Then comes Mr. Gawden, and he and I in my chamber discoursing about his business, and to pay him some Tangier orders which he delayed to receive till I had money instead of tallies, but do promise me consideration for my victualling business for this year, and also as Treasurer for Tangier, which I am glad of, but would have been gladder to have just now received it.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Dec 1666. From the 'Change [Map] to Captain Cocke's (age 49), and there, by agreement, dined, and there was Charles Porter (age 35), Temple, Fenn, Debasty, whose bad English and pleasant discourses was exceeding good entertainment, Matt. Wren (age 37), Major Cooper, and myself, mighty merry and pretty discourse.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Dec 1666. Up, and to the office, where we sat. At noon to the 'Change [Map] and there met Captain Cocke (age 49), and had a second time his direction to bespeak £100 of plate, which I did at Sir R. Viner's (age 35), being twelve plates more, and something else I have to choose.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Dec 1666. Up and to the office, where my Lord Bruncker (age 46) newly come to town, from his being at Chatham, Kent [Map] and Harwich [Map] to spy enormities: and at noon I with him and his lady Williams, to Captain Cocke's (age 49), where a good dinner, and very merry.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Dec 1666. Thence away to Sir R. Viner's (age 35), and there chose some plate besides twelve plates which I purpose to have with Captain Cocke's (age 49) gift of £100, and so home and there busy late, and then home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1666. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and here among other things come Captain Cocke (age 49), and I did get him to sign me a note for the £100 to pay for the plate he do present me with, which I am very glad of.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Dec 1666. Thence to Sir Robert Viner's (age 35), and there paid for the plate I have bought to the value of £94, with the £100 Captain Cocke (age 49) did give me to that purpose, and received the rest in money. I this evening did buy me a pair of green spectacles, to see whether they will help my eyes or no.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Jan 1667. She gone, we to bed all. This night, at supper, comes from Sir W. Coventry (age 39) the Order of Councill for my Lord Bruncker (age 47) to do all the Comptroller's part relating to the Treasurer's accounts, and Sir W. Pen (age 45), all relating to the Victualler's, and Sir J. Minnes (age 67) to do the rest. This, I hope, will do much better for the King (age 36) than now, and, I think, will give neither of them ground to over-top me, as I feared they would; which pleases me mightily. This evening, Mr. Wren and Captain Cocke (age 50) called upon me at the office, and there told me how the House was in better temper to-day, and hath passed the Bill for the remainder of the money, but not to be passed finally till they have done some other things which they will have passed with it; wherein they are very open, what their meaning is, which was but doubted before, for they do in all respects doubt the King's pleasing them.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jan 1667. In the evening stept out to Sir Robert Viner's (age 36) to get the money ready upon my notes to D. Gawden, and there hear that Mr. Temple is very ill. I met on the 'Change [Map] with Captain Cocke (age 50), who tells me that he hears new certainty of the business of Madrid, how our Embassador and the French met, and says that two or three of my Lord's men, and twenty one of the French men are killed, but nothing at Court of it. He fears the next year's service through the badness of our counsels at White Hall, but that if they were wise, and the King (age 36) would mind his business, he might do what he would yet. The Parliament is not yet up, being finishing some bills.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Feb 1667. Thence with Cocke (age 50) and my wife, set him at home, and then we home.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Feb 1667. So away, here being Captain Cocke (age 50), who is stole away, leaving them at it, in his coach, and to Mrs. Pierce's, where I took up my wife, and there I find Mrs. Pierce's little girl is my Valentine, she having drawn me; which I was not sorry for, it easing me of something more that I must have given to others. But here I do first observe the fashion of drawing of mottos as well as names; so that Pierce, who drew my wife, did draw also a motto, and this girl drew another for me. What mine was I have forgot; but my wife's was, "Most virtuous and most fair"; which, as it may be used, or an anagram made upon each name, might be very pretty.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Feb 1667. At home, by appointment, comes Captain Cocke (age 50) to me, to talk of State matters, and about the peace; who told me that the whole business is managed between Kevet, Burgomaster of Amsterdam, and my Lord Arlington (age 49), who hath, by the interest of his wife there, some interest. We have proposed the Hague, but know not yet whether the Dutch will like it; or; if they do, whether the French will. We think we shall have the help of the information of their affairs and state, and the helps of the Prince of Orange (age 16) his faction; but above all, that De Witt, who hath all this while said he cannot get peace, his mouth will now be stopped, so that he will be forced to offer fit terms for fear of the people; and, lastly, if France or Spayne do not please us, we are in a way presently to clap up a peace with the Dutch, and secure them. But we are also in treaty with France, as he says: but it must be to the excluding our alliance with the King (age 36) of Spayne or House of Austria; which we do not know presently what will be determined in. He tells me the Vice-Chamberlaine is so great with the King (age 36), that, let the Duke of York (age 33), and Sir W. Coventry (age 39), and this office, do or say what they will, while the King (age 36) lives, Sir G. Carteret (age 57) will do what he will; and advises me to be often with him, and eat and drink with him.; and tells me that he doubts he is jealous of me, and was mighty mad to-day at our discourse to him before the Duke of York (age 33). But I did give him my reasons that the office is concerned to declare that, without money, the King's work cannot go on.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Feb 1667. By and by comes Sir S. Fox (age 39), and he and I walked and talked together on many things, but chiefly want of money, and the straits the King (age 36) brings himself and affairs into for want of it. Captain Cocke (age 50) did tell me what I must not forget: that the answer of the Dutch, refusing The Hague for a place of treaty, and proposing the Boysse, Bredah, Bergen-op-Zoome, or Mastricht, was seemingly stopped by the Swede's Embassador (though he did show it to the King (age 36), but the King (age 36) would take no notice of it, nor does not) from being delivered to the King (age 36); and he hath wrote to desire them to consider better of it: so that, though we know their refusal of the place, yet they know not that we know it, nor is the King (age 36) obliged to show his sense of the affront. That the Dutch are in very great straits, so as to be said to be not able to set out their fleete this year.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Feb 1667. At my Lord Treasurer's (age 59) 'light and parted with them, they going into Council, and I walked with Captain Cocke (age 50), who takes mighty notice of the differences growing in our office between Lord Bruncker (age 47) and Sir W. Batten (age 66), and among others also, and I fear it may do us hurt, but I will keep out of them.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Mar 1667. But, Lord! to see how kind Sir W. Batten (age 66) and his Lady are to me upon this business of my standing by Sir W. Batten (age 66) against Carcasse, and I am glad of it. Captain Cocke (age 50), who was here to-night, did tell us that he is certain that yesterday a proclamation was voted at the Council, touching the proclaiming of my Lord Duke of Buckingham (age 39) a traytor, and that it will be out on Monday.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Mar 1667. By and by comes the King (age 36) and Duke of York (age 33), and presently the officers of the Ordnance were called; my Lord Berkeley (age 65), Sir John Duncomb (age 44), and Mr. Chichly (age 52); then we, my Lord Bruncker (age 47), Sir W. Batten (age 66), Sir W. Pen (age 45), and myself; where we find only the King (age 36) and Duke of York (age 33), and my Lord Treasurer (age 60), and Sir G. Carteret (age 57); where I only did speak, laying down the state of our wants, which the King (age 36) and Duke of York (age 33) seemed very well pleased with, and we did get what we asked, £500,000, assigned upon the eleven months' tax: but that is not so much ready money, or what will raise £40,000 per week, which we desired, and the business will want. Yet are we fain to come away answered, when, God knows, it will undo the King's business to have matters of this moment put off in this manner. The King (age 36) did prevent my offering anything by and by as Treasurer for Tangier, telling me that he had ordered us £30,000 on the same tax; but that is not what we would have to bring our payments to come within a year. So we gone out, in went others; viz., one after another, Sir Stephen Fox (age 39) for the army, Captain Cocke (age 50) for sick and wounded, Mr. Ashburnham (age 63) for the household.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Mar 1667. So home and to the office, where did business, and so home to my chamber, and then to supper and to bed. Landing at the Tower [Map] to-night I met on Tower Hill [Map] with Captain Cocke (age 50) and spent half an hour walking in the dusk of the evening with him, talking of the sorrowful condition we are in, that we must be ruined if the Parliament do not come and chastize us, that we are resolved to make a peace whatever it cost, that the King (age 36) is disobliging the Parliament in this interval all that may be, yet his money is gone and he must have more, and they likely not to give it, without a great deal of do. God knows what the issue of it will be. But the considering that the Duke of York (age 33), instead of being at sea as Admirall, is now going from port to port, as he is at this day at Harwich [Map], and was the other day with the King (age 36) at Sheernesse [Map], and hath ordered at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] how fortifications shall be made to oppose the enemy, in case of invasion, [which] is to us a sad consideration, and as shameful to the nation, especially after so many proud vaunts as we have made against the Dutch, and all from the folly of the Duke of Albemarle (age 58), who made nothing of beating them, and Sir John Lawson he always declared that we never did fail to beat them with lesser numbers than theirs, which did so prevail with the King (age 36) as to throw us into this war.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Apr 1667. So to Captain Cocke's (age 50) to meet Fenn, to talk about this money for Balty (age 27), and there Cocke (age 50) tells me that he is confident there will be a peace, whatever terms be asked us, and he confides that it will take because the French and Dutch will be jealous one of another which shall give the best terms, lest the other should make the peace with us alone, to the ruin of the third, which is our best defence, this jealousy, for ought I at present see.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Apr 1667. Thence home, and find the boy out of the house and office, and by and by comes in and hath been to Mercer's. I did pay his coat for him. Then to my chamber, my wife comes home with linen she hath been buying of. I then to dinner, and then down the river to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and the watermen would go no further. So I turned them off, giving them nothing, and walked to Woolwich, Kent [Map]; there did some business, and met with Captain Cocke (age 50) and back with him. He tells me our peace is agreed on; we are not to assist the Spanyard against the French for this year, and no restitution, and we are likely to lose Poleroone¹. I know not whether this be true or no, but I am for peace on any terms. He tells me how the King (age 36) was vexed the other day for having no paper laid him at the Council-table, as was usual; and Sir Richard Browne (age 62) did tell his Majesty he would call the person whose work it was to provide it: who being come, did tell his Majesty that he was but a poor man, and was out £400 or £500 for it, which was as much as he is worth; and that he cannot provide it any longer without money, having not received a penny since the King's coming in. So the King (age 36) spoke to my Lord Chamberlain (age 65); and many such mementos the King (age 36) do now-a-days meet withall, enough to make an ingenuous man mad. I to Deptford, Kent [Map], and there scolded with a master for his ship's not being gone, and so home to the office and did business till my eyes are sore again, and so home to sing, and then to bed, my eyes failing me mightily:

Note 1. Among the State Papers is a document dated July 8th, 1667, in which we read: "At Breda, the business is so far advanced that the English have relinquished their pretensions to the ships Henry Bonaventure and Good Hope. The matter sticks only at Poleron; the States have resolved not to part with it, though the English should have a right to it" ("Calendar", 1667, p. 278).

Pepy's Diary. 06 May 1667. Thence by coach home with Captain Cocke (age 50), in our way talking of my Lord Bruncker (age 47) and his Lady, who are mighty angry with us all of the office, about Carcasse's business, but especially with me, and in great confidence he bids me have a care of him, for he hath said that he would wound me with the person where my greatest interest is. I suppose he means Sir W. Coventry (age 39), and therefore I will beware of him, and am glad, though vexed to hear it.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Jun 1667. At night comes Captain Cocke (age 50) to see me, and he and I an hour in the garden together. He tells me there have been great endeavours of bringing in the Presbyterian interest, but that it will not do. He named to me several of the insipid lords that are to command the armies that are to be raised. He says the King (age 37) and Court are all troubled, and the gates of the Court were shut up upon the first coming of the Dutch to us, but they do mind the business no more than ever: that the bankers, he fears, are broke as to ready-money, though Viner (age 36) had £100,000 by him when our trouble begun: that he and the Duke of Albemarle (age 58) have received into their own hands, of Viner (age 36), the former £10,000, and the latter £12,000, in tallies or assignments, to secure what was in his hands of theirs; and many other great men of our. masters have done the like; which is no good sign, when they begin to fear the main. He and every body cries out of the office of the Ordnance, for their neglects, both at Gravesend, Kent [Map] and Upnor [Map], and everywhere else.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Jun 1667. The King (age 37) did tell him himself, which is so, I was told, here in the City, that the City, hath lent him £10,000, to be laid out towards securing of the River of Thames; which, methinks, is a very poor thing, that we should be induced to borrow by such mean sums. He tells me that it is most manifest that one great thing making it impossible for us to have set out a fleete this year, if we could have done it for money or stores, was the liberty given the beginning of the year for the setting out of merchant-men, which did take up, as is said, above ten, if not fifteen thousand seamen: and this the other day Captain Cocke (age 50) tells me appears in the council-books, that is the number of seamen required to man the merchant ships that had passes to go abroad.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jun 1667. By and by, all by water in three boats to Greenwich, Kent [Map], there to Cocke's (age 50), where we supped well, and then late, Wren, Fenn, and I home by water, set me in at the Tower, and they to White Hall, and so I home, and after a little talk with my wife to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jun 1667. After dinner they all to church, and I by water alone to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and there called on Mr. Bodham: and he and I to see the batterys newly raised; which, indeed, are good works to command the River below the ships that are sunk, but not above them. Here I met with Captain Cocke (age 50) and Matt. Wren (age 38), Fenn, and Charles Porter (age 35), and Temple and his wife. Here I fell in with these, and to Bodham's with them, and there we sat and laughed and drank in his arbour, Wren (age 38) making much and kissing all the day of Temple's wife.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jun 1667. It is a sad sight to see so many good ships there sunk in the River, while we would be thought to be masters of the sea. Cocke (age 50) says the bankers cannot, till peace returns, ever hope to have credit again; so that they can pay no more money, but people must be contented to take publick security such as they can give them; and if so, and they do live to receive the money thereupon, the bankers will be happy men. Fenn read me an order of council passed the 17th instant, directing all the Treasurers of any part of the King's revenue to make no payments but such as shall be approved by the present Lords Commissioners; which will, I think, spoil the credit of all his Majesty's service, when people cannot depend upon payment any where. But the King's declaration in behalf of the bankers, to make good their assignments for money, is very good, and will, I hope, secure me. Cocke (age 50) says, that he hears it is come to it now, that the King (age 37) will try what he can soon do for a peace; and if he cannot, that then he will cast all upon the Parliament to do as they see fit: and in doing so, perhaps, he may save us all.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Jun 1667. He [Povy (age 53)] tells me that the other day, upon this ill newes of the Dutch being upon us, White Hall was shut up, and the Council called and sat close; and, by the way, he do assure me, from the mouth of some Privy-councillors, that at this day the Privy-council in general do know no more what the state of the Kingdom as to peace and war is, than he or I; nor knows who manages it, nor upon whom it depends; and there my Chancellor (age 58) did make a speech to them, saying that they knew well that he was no friend to the war from the beginning, and therefore had concerned himself little in, nor could say much to it; and a great deal of that kind, to discharge himself of the fault of the war. Upon which my Lord Anglesey (age 52) rose up and told his Majesty that he thought their coming now together was not to enquire who was, or was not, the cause of the war, but to enquire what was, or could be, done in the business of making a peace, and in whose hands that was, and where it was stopped or forwarded; and went on very highly to have all made open to them: and, by the way, I remember that Captain Cocke (age 50) did the other day tell me that this Lord Anglesey (age 52) hath said, within few days, that he would willingly give £10,000 of his estate that he was well secured of the rest, such apprehensions he hath of the sequel of things, as giving all over for lost.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Aug 1667. Returning to the office, did ask whether we might visit Commissioner Pett (age 57), to which, I confess, I have no great mind; and it was answered that he was close prisoner, and we could not; but the Lieutenant of the Tower would send for him to his lodgings, if we would: so we put it off to another time. Returned to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon to Captain Cocke's (age 50) to dinner; where Lord Bruncker (age 47) and his Lady, Matt. Wren (age 38), and Bulteale, and Sir Allen Apsly (age 51); the last of whom did make good sport, he being already fallen under the retrenchments of the new Committee, as he is Master Falconer¹ which makes him mad, and swears that we are doing that the Parliament would have done-that is, that we are now endeavouring to destroy one another. But it was well observed by some at the table, that they do not think this retrenching of the King's charge will be so acceptable to the Parliament, they having given the King (age 37) a revenue of so many £100,000's a-year more than his predecessors had, that he might live in pomp, like a king.

Note 1. The post of Master Falconer was afterwards granted to Charles's son by Nell Gwyn (age 17), and it is still held by the Duke of St. Albans, as an hereditary office. B.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Sep 1667. And by and by away by coach and met with Sir H. Cholmly (age 35), and with him to the Temple [Map], and there in Playford's (age 44) shop did give him some of my Exchequer orders and took his receipts, and so parted and home, and there to my business hard at the office, and then home, my wife being at Mrs. Turner's (age 44), who and her husband come home with her, and here staid and talked and staid late, and then went away and we to bed. But that which vexed me much this evening is that Captain Cocke (age 50) and Sir W. Batten (age 66) did come to me, and sat, and drank a bottle of wine, and told me how Sir W. Pen (age 46) hath got an order for the "Flying Greyhound" for himself, which is so false a thing, and the part of a knave, as nothing almost can be more. This vexed me; but I resolve to bring it before the Duke, and try a pull for it.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Sep 1667. Up betimes and to Captain Cocke (age 50), in his coach which he sent for me, and he not being ready I walked in the Exchange [Map], which is now made pretty, by having windows and doors before all their shops, to keep out the cold.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Oct 1667. Thence Sir W. Pen (age 46) and I back into London; and there saw the King (age 37), with his kettle-drums and trumpets, going to the Exchange [Map], to lay the first stone of the first pillar of the new building of the Exchange [Map]; which, the gates being shut, I could not get in to see: but, with Sir W. Pen (age 46), to Captain Cocke's (age 50) to drink a dram of brandy, and so he to the Treasury office about Sir G. Carteret's (age 57) accounts, and I took coach and back again toward Westminster; but in my way stopped at the Exchange [Map], and got in, the King (age 37) being newly gone; and there find the bottom of the first pillar laid. And here was a shed set up, and hung with tapestry, and a canopy of state, and some good victuals and wine, for the King (age 37), who, it seems, did it; and so a great many people, as Tom Killigrew (age 55), and others of the Court there, and there I did eat a mouthful and drink a little, and do find Mr. Gawden in his gowne as Sheriffe, and understand that the King (age 37) hath this morning knighted him upon the place, which I am mightily pleased with; and I think the other Sheriffe, who is Davis, the little fellow, my schoolfellow,-the bookseller, who was one of Audley's' Executors, and now become Sheriffe; which is a strange turn, methinks.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Nov 1667. Thence with him and Lord Bruncker (age 47) to Captain Cocke's (age 50) (he out of doors), and there drank their morning draught, and thence Sir G. Carteret (age 57) and I toward the Temple [Map] in coach together; and there he did tell me how the King (age 37) do all he can in the world to overthrow my Chancellor (age 58), and that notice is taken of every man about the King (age 37) that is not seen to promote the ruine of the Chancellor (age 58); and that this being another great day in his business, he dares not but be there. He tells me that as soon as Secretary Morrice (age 65) brought the Great Seale from my Chancellor (age 58), Bab. May (age 39) fell upon his knees, and catched the King (age 37) about the legs, and joyed him, and said that this was the first time that ever he could call him King of England, being freed from this great man: which was a most ridiculous saying. And he told me that, when first my Lord Gerard (age 49), a great while ago, come to the King (age 37), and told him that the Chancellor (age 58) did say openly that the King (age 37) was a lazy person and not fit to govern, which is now made one of the things in the people's mouths against the Chancellor (age 58), "Why", says the King (age 37), "that is no news, for he hath told me so twenty times, and but the other day he told me so"; and made matter of mirth at it: but yet this light discourse is likely to prove bad to him. I 'light at the Temple [Map], and went to my tailor's and mercer's about a cloake, to choose the stuff, and so to my bookseller's and bought some books, and so home to dinner, and Simpson my joyner with me, and after dinner, my wife, and I, and Willett, to the King's play-house, and there saw "The Indian Emperour", a good play, but not so good as people cry it up, I think, though above all things Nell's ill speaking of a great part made me mad.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Nov 1667. So we broke off, and I home to dinner, and then to the office, and having spent the afternoon on letters, I took coach in the evening, and to White Hall, where there is to be a performance of musique of Pelham's (age 20) before the King (age 37). The company not come; but I did go into the musique-room, where Captain Cocke (age 50) and many others; and here I did hear the best and the smallest organ go that ever I saw in my life, and such a one as, by the grace of God, I will have the next year, if I continue in this condition, whatever it cost me. I never was so pleased in my life.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Dec 1667. So to supper and to bed. Captain Cocke (age 50) did this night tell me also, among other discourses, that he did believe that there are jealousies in some of the House at this day against the Commissioners of the Treasury, that by their good husbandry they will bring the King (age 37) to be out of debt and to save money, and so will not be in need of the Parliament, and then do what he please, which is a very good piece of news that there is such a thing to be hoped, which they would be afeard of.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Dec 1667. Then home and to the office, where Captain Cocke (age 50) come to me; and, among other discourse, tells me that he is told that an impeachment against Sir W. Coventry (age 39) will be brought in very soon. He tells me, that even those that are against my Chancellor (age 58) and the Court, in the House, do not trust nor agree one with another. He tells me that my Chancellor (age 58) went away about ten at night, on Saturday last; and took boat at Westminster, and thence by a vessel to Callis [Map], where he believes he now is: and that the Duke of York (age 34) and Mr. Wren knew of it, and that himself did know of it on Sunday morning: that on Sunday his coach, and people about it, went to Twittenham, and the world thought that he had been there: that nothing but this unhappy paper hath undone him and that he doubts that this paper hath lost him everywhere that his withdrawing do reconcile things so far as, he thinks the heat of their fury will be over, and that all will be made well between the two [royal] brothers: that Holland do endeavour to persuade the King of France (age 29) to break peace with us: that the Dutch will, without doubt, have sixty sail of ships out the next year; so knows not what will become of us, but hopes the Parliament will find money for us to have a fleete. He gone, I home, and there my wife made an end to me of Sir R. Cotton's discourse of warr, which is indeed a very fine book.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Dec 1667. Thence to the Old Exchange [Map] together, he telling me that he believes there will be no such turning out of great men as is talked of, but that it is only to fright people, but I do fear there may be such a thing doing. He do mightily inveigh against the folly of the King (age 37) to bring his matters to wrack thus, and that we must all be undone without help. I met with Cooling at the Temple-gate, after I had been at both my booksellers and there laid out several pounds in books now against the new year. From the 'Change [Map] (where I met with Captain Cocke (age 50), who would have borrowed money of me, but I had the grace to deny him, he would have had 3 or £400) I with Cocke (age 50) and Mr. Temple (whose wife was just now brought to bed of a boy, but he seems not to be at all taken with it, which is a strange consideration how others do rejoice to have a child born), to Sir G. Carteret's (age 57), in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and there did dine together, there being there, among other company, Mr. Attorney Montagu (age 49), and his fine lady, a fine woman.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Jan 1668. Thence home to the office, and so with my Lord Brouncker (age 48) and his mistress, Williams, to Captain Cocke's (age 51) to dinner, where was Temple [Map] and Mr. Porter, and a very good dinner, and merry.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Feb 1668. So home with my wife and Deb., and there at the office met to my trouble with a warrant from the Commissioners of Accounts for my attending them and Cocke (age 51) two days hence, which I apprehend by Captain Cocke's (age 51) being to go also, to be about the prizes. But, however, there is nothing of crime can be laid to my charge, and the worst that can be is to refund my £500 profit, and who can help it. So I resolve not to be troubled at it, though I fear I cannot bear it so, my spirit being very poor and mean as to the bearing with trouble that I do find of myself.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1668. Up, and to the office, where sat all day, and at noon home, and there find cozen Roger (age 50) and Jackson (age 28) by appointment come to dine with me, and Creed, and very merry, only Jackson (age 28) hath few words, and I like him never the worse for it. The great talk is of Carr's (age 31) coming off in all his trials, to the disgrace of my Lord Gerard (age 50), to that degree, and the ripping up of so many notorious rogueries and cheats of my Lord's, that my Lord, it is thought, will be ruined; and, above all things, do skew the madness of the House of Commons, who rejected the petition of this poor man by a combination of a few in the House; and, much more, the base proceedings (just the epitome of all our publick managements in this age), of the House of Lords, that ordered him to stand in the pillory for those very things, without hearing and examining what he hath now, by the seeking of my Lord Gerard (age 50) himself, cleared himself of, in open Court, to the gaining himself the pity of all the world, and shame for ever to my Lord Gerard (age 50). We had a great deal of good discourse at table, and after dinner we four men took coach, and they set me down at the Old Exchange [Map], and they home, having discoursed nothing today with cozen or Jackson (age 28) about our business. I to Captain Cocke's (age 51), and there discoursed over our business of prizes, and I think I shall go near to state the matter so as to secure myself without wrong to him, doing nor saying anything but the very truth.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Feb 1668. Thence with Cocke (age 51) home to his house and there left him, and I home, and there got my wife to read a book I bought to-day, and come out to-day licensed by Joseph Williamson (age 34) for Lord Arlington (age 50), shewing the state of England's affairs relating to France at this time, and the whole body of the book very good and solid, after a very foolish introduction as ever I read, and do give a very good account of the advantage of our league with Holland at this time. So, vexed in my mind with the variety of cares I have upon me, and so to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Feb 1668. Thence I to the Temple [Map] to Charles Porter's (age 36) lodgings, where Captain Cocke (age 51) met me, and after long waiting, on Pemberton (age 43)¹, an able lawyer, about the business of our prizes, and left the matter with him to think of against to-morrow, this being a matter that do much trouble my mind, though there be no fault in it that I need fear the owning that I know of.

Note 1. Francis Pemberton (age 43), afterwards knighted, and made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in 1679. His career was a most singular one, he having been twice removed from the Bench, and twice imprisoned by the House of Commons. He twice returned to the bar, and after his second return he practised with great success as a serjeant for the next fourteen years till his death, June 10th, 1697. Evelyn says, "He was held to be the most learned of the judges and an honest man" ("Diary", October 4th, 1683).

Pepy's Diary. 11 Feb 1668. Thence to the Temple [Map], to Porter's chamber, where Cocke (age 51) met me, and after a stay there some time, they two and I to Pemberton's (age 43) chamber, and there did read over the Act of calling people to account, and did discourse all our business of the prizes; and, upon the whole, he do make it plainly appear, that there is no avoiding to give these Commissioners satisfaction in everything they will ask; and that there is fear lest they may find reason to make us refund for all the extraordinary profit made by those bargains; and do make me resolve rather to declare plainly, and, once for all, the truth of the whole, and what my profit hath been, than be forced at last to do it, and in the meantime live in gain, as I must always do: and with this resolution on my part I departed, with some more satisfaction of mind, though with less hopes of profit than I expected. It was pretty here to see the heaps of money upon this lawyer's table; and more to see how he had not since last night spent any time upon our business, but begun with telling us that we were not at all concerned in that Act; which was a total mistake, by his not having read over the Act at all.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Feb 1668. Thence to Porter's chamber, where Captain Cocke (age 51) had fetched my wife out of the coach, and there we staid and talked and drank, he being a very generous, good-humoured man, and so away by coach, setting Cocke (age 51) at his house, and we with his coach home, and there I to the office, and there till past one in the morning, and so home to supper and to bed, my mind at pretty good ease, though full of care and fear of loss. This morning my wife in bed told me the story of our Tom and Jane:-how the rogue did first demand her consent to love and marry him, and then, with pretence of displeasing me, did slight her; but both he and she have confessed the matter to her, and she hath charged him to go on with his love to her, and be true to her, and so I think the business will go on, which, for my love to her, because she is in love with him, I am pleased with; but otherwise I think she will have no good bargain of it, at least if I should not do well in my place. But if I do stand, I do intend to give her £50 in money, and do them all the good I can in my way.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Feb 1668. So home to supper and to bed. This day Captain Cocke (age 51) was with the Commissioners of Accounts to ask more time for his bringing in his answer about the prize goods, and they would not give him 14 days as he asks, but would give only two days, which was very hard, I think, and did trouble me for fear of their severity, though I have prepared my matter so as to defy it.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Feb 1668. Thence to the Temple [Map], where at Porter's chamber I met Captain Cocke (age 51), but lost our labour, our Counsellor not being within, Pemberton (age 43), and therefore home and late at my office, and so home to supper and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Feb 1668. Up betimes, and with Captain Cocke (age 51) my coach to the Temple [Map] to his Counsel again about the prize goods in order to the drawing up of his answer to them, where little done but a confirmation that our best interest is for him to tell the whole truth, and so parted, and I home to the office, where all the morning, and at noon home to dinner, and after dinner all the afternoon and evening till midnight almost, and till I had tired my own backe, and my wife's, and Deb.'s, in titleing of my books for the present year, and in setting them in order, which is now done to my very good satisfaction, though not altogether so completely as I think they were the last year, when my mind was more at leisure to mind it. So about midnight to bed, where my wife taking some physic overnight it wrought with her, and those coming upon her with great gripes, she was in mighty pain all night long, yet, God forgive me! I did find that I was most desirous to take my rest than to ease her, but there was nothing I could do to do her any good with.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Feb 1668. Up, and walked to Captain Cocke's (age 51), where Sir G. Carteret (age 58) promised to meet me and did come to discourse about the prize-business of my Lord Sandwich's (age 42), which I perceive is likely to be of great ill consequence to my Lord, the House being mighty vehement in it. We could say little but advise that his friends should labour to get it put off, till he comes. We did here talk many things over, in lamentation of the present posture of affairs, and the ill condition of all people that have had anything to do under the King (age 37), wishing ourselves a great way off: Here they tell me how Sir Thomas Allen (age 35) hath taken the Englishmen out of "La Roche", and taken from him an Ostend prize which La Roche (age 47) had fetched out of our harbours; and at this day La Roche (age 47) keeps upon our coasts; and had the boldness to land some men and go a mile up into the country, and there took some goods belonging to this prize out of a house there; which our King resents, and, they say, hath wrote to the King of France (age 29) about; and everybody do think a war will follow; and then in what a case we shall be for want of money, nobody knows.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Mar 1668. After dinner, away with them back to Westminster, where, about four o'clock, the House rises, and hath done nothing more in the business than to put off the debate to this day month. In the mean time the King (age 37) hath put out his proclamations this day, as the House desired, for the putting in execution the Act against Nonconformists and Papists, but yet it is conceived that for all this some liberty must be given, and people will have it. Here I met with my cozen Roger Pepys (age 50), who is come to town, and hath been told of my performance before the House the other day, and is mighty proud of it, and Captain Cocke (age 51) met me here to-day, and told me that the Speaker says he never heard such a defence made; in all his life, in the House; and that the Sollicitor-Generall do commend me even to envy. I carried cozen Roger (age 50) as far as the Strand, where, spying out of the coach Colonel Charles George Cocke (age 51), formerly a very great man, and my father's customer, whom I have carried clothes to, but now walks like a poor sorry sneake, he stopped, and I 'light to him. This man knew me, which I would have willingly avoided, so much pride I had, he being a man of mighty height and authority in his time, but now signifies nothing.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Mar 1668. After a little talk, I away to White Hall and Westminster, where I find the Parliament still bogling about the raising of this money: and every body's mouth full now; and Mr. Wren (age 39) himself tells me that the Duke of York (age 34) declares to go to sea himself this year; and I perceive it is only on this occasion of distaste of the Parliament against W. Pen's (age 46) going, and to prevent the D. Gawden's: but I think it is mighty hot counsel for the Duke of York (age 34) at this time to go out of the way; but, Lord! what a pass are all our matters come to! At noon by appointment to Cursitor's Alley, in Chancery Lane, to meet Captain Cocke (age 51) and some other creditors of the Navy, and their Counsel, Pemberton (age 43), North, Offly, and Charles Porter (age 36); and there dined, and talked of the business of the assignments on the Exchequer of the £1,250,000 on behalf of our creditors; and there I do perceive that the Counsel had heard of my performance in the Parliamenthouse lately, and did value me and what I said accordingly. At dinner we had a great deal of good discourse about Parliament: their number being uncertain, and always at the will of the King (age 37) to encrease, as he saw reason to erect a new borough. But all concluded that the bane of the Parliament hath been the leaving off the old custom of the places allowing wages to those that served them in Parliament, by which they chose men that understood their business and would attend it, and they could expect an account from, which now they cannot; and so the Parliament is become a company of men unable to give account for the interest of the place they serve for.

Pepy's Diary. 06 Apr 1668. Thence I to White Hall to attend the Council, and when the Council rose we find my order mightily enlarged by the Sollicitor Generall (age 46), who was called thither, making it more safe for him and the Council, but their order is the same in the command of it that I drew, and will I think defend us well. So thence, meeting Creed, he and I to the new Cocke (age 51)-pitt by the King's gate, and there saw the manner of it, and the mixed rabble of people that come thither; and saw two battles of cocks, wherein is no great sport, but only to consider how these creatures, without any provocation, do fight and kill one another, and aim only at one another's heads, and by their good will not leave till one of them be killed; and thence to the Park in a Hackney coach, so would not go into the tour, but round about the Park, and to the House, and there at the door eat and drank; whither come my Lady Kerneagy (age 29), of whom Creed tells me more particulars; how her Lord, finding her and the Duke of York (age 34) at the King's first coming in too kind, did get it out of her that he did dishonour him, and so bid her continue... [Note. Missing text ... to let him, and himself went to the foulest whore he could find, that he might get the pox; and did, and did give his wife it on purpose, that she (and he persuaded and threatened her that she should) might give it the Duke of York; which she did, and he did give it to the Duchesse; and since, all her children are thus sickly and infirm ], which is the most pernicious and full piece of revenge that ever I heard of; and he at this day owns it with great glory, and looks upon the Duke of York (age 34) and the world with great content in the ampleness of his revenge.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Apr 1668. Thence by water to the Temple [Map], and thereto the Cocke (age 51) alehouse, and drank, and eat a lobster, and sang, and mighty merry. So, almost night, I carried Mrs. Pierce home, and then Knepp and I to the Temple [Map] again, and took boat, it being darkish, and to Fox Hall, it being now night, and a bonfire burning at Lambeth for the King's coronation-day. And there she and I drank;.... [Note. Missing text "and yo did tocar her corps all over and besar sans fin her, but did not offer algo mas; and so back, and led her home, it being now ten at night...."] and so back, and led her home, it being now ten at night; and so got a link; and, walking towards home, just at my entrance into the ruines at St. Dunstan's, I was met by two rogues with clubs, who come towards us. So I went back, and walked home quite round by the wall, and got well home, and to bed weary, but pleased at my day's pleasure, but yet displeased at my expence, and time I lose.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Aug 1668. So to several places about business, and among others to Drumbleby's about the mouths for my paper tubes, and so to the 'Change [Map] and home. Met Captain Cocke (age 51), who tells me that he hears for certain the Duke of York (age 34) will lose the authority of an Admiral, and be governed by a Committee: and all our Office changed; only they are in dispute whether I shall continue or no, which puts new thoughts in me, but I know not whether to be glad or sorry.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Aug 1668. Up, and by water to White Hall and St. James's, and to see Sir W. Coventry (age 40), and discourse about business of our Office, telling him my trouble there, to see how things are ordered. I told him also what Cocke (age 51) told me the other day, but he says there is not much in it, though he do know that this hath been in the eye of some persons to compass for the turning all things in the navy, and that it looks so like a popular thing as that he thinks something may be done in it, but whether so general or no, as I tell it him, he knows not.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Aug 1668. To the office all the afternoon again, and then home to supper and to bed, my mind being pretty well at ease, my great letter being now finished to my full content; and I thank God I have opportunity of doing it, though I know it will set the Office and me by the ears for ever. This morning Captain Cocke (age 51) comes, and tells me that he is now assured that it is true, what he told me the other day, that our whole Office will be turned out, only me, which, whether he says true or no, I know not, nor am much concerned, though I should be better contented to have it thus than otherwise. This afternoon, after I was weary in my business of the office, I went forth to the 'Change [Map], thinking to have spoke with Captain Cocke (age 51), but he was not within. So I home, and took London-bridge in my way; walking down Fish Street [Map] and Gracious Street [Map], to see how very fine a descent they have now made down the hill, that it is become very easy and pleasant, and going through Leaden-Hall [Map], it being market-day, I did see a woman catched, that had stolen a shoulder of mutton off of a butcher's stall, and carrying it wrapt up in a cloth, in a basket. The jade was surprised, and did not deny it, and the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it, only taking the meat.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Aug 1668. After dinner to the Office, Mr. Gibson and I, to examine my letter to the Duke of York (age 34), which, to my great joy, I did very well by my paper tube, without pain to my eyes. And I do mightily like what I have therein done; and did, according to the Duke of York's (age 34) order, make haste to St. James's, and about four o'clock got thither: and there the Duke of York (age 34) was ready, to expect me, and did hear it all over with extraordinary content; and did give me many and hearty thanks, and in words the most expressive tell me his sense of my good endeavours, and that he would have a care of me on all occasions; and did, with much inwardness, [i.e., intimacy.] tell me what was doing, suitable almost to what Captain Cocke (age 51) tells me, of designs to make alterations in the Navy; and is most open to me in them, and with utmost confidence desires my further advice on all occasions: and he resolves to have my letter transcribed, and sent forthwith to the Office. So, with as much satisfaction as I could possibly, or did hope for, and obligation on the Duke of York's (age 34) side professed to me, I away into the Park, and there met Mr. Pierce and his wife, and sister and brother, and a little boy, and with them to Mulberry Garden [Map], and spent I 18s. on them, and there left them, she being again with child, and by it, the least pretty that ever I saw her. And so I away, and got a coach, and home, and there with my wife and W. Hewer (age 26), talking all the evening, my mind running on the business of the Office, to see what more I can do to the rendering myself acceptable and useful to all and to the King (age 38). We to supper, and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Aug 1668. Lord's Day. Up betimes, my head busy in my great letter, and I did first hang up my new map of Paris in my green room, and changed others in other places. Then to Captain Cocke's (age 51), thinking to have talked more of what he told me yesterday, but he was not within. So back to church, and heard a good sermon of Mr. Gifford's at our church, upon "Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". A very excellent and persuasive, good and moral sermon. Shewed, like a wise man, that righteousness is a surer moral way of being rich, than sin and villainy.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Aug 1668. At noon to dinner to Captain Cocke's (age 51), where I met with Mr. Wren; my going being to tell him what I have done, which he likes, and to confer with Cocke (age 51) about our Office; who tells me that he is confident the design of removing our Officers do hold, but that he is sure that I am safe enough. Which pleases me, though I do not much shew it to him, but as a thing indifferent. So away home, and there met at Sir Richard Ford's (age 54) with the Duke of York's (age 34) Commissioners about our Prizes, with whom we shall have some trouble before we make an end with them, and hence, staying a little with them, I with my wife, and W. Batelier, and Deb.; carried them to Bartholomew Fayre, where we saw the dancing of the ropes and nothing else, it being late, and so back home to supper and to bed, after having done at my office.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Sep 1668. Up, and by water to White Hall, and there to Sir W. Coventry's (age 40) house, where I staid in his dining-room two hours thinking to speak with him, but I find Garraway (age 51) and he are private, which I am glad of, Captain Cocke (age 51) bringing them this day together. Cocke (age 51) come out and talked to me, but it was too late for me to stay longer, and therefore to the Treasury chamber, where the rest met, and W. Coventry (age 40) come presently after. And we spent the morning in finishing the Victualler's contract, and so I by water home, and there dined with me Batelier and his wife, and Mercer, and my people, at a good venison-pasty; and after dinner I and W. Howe, who come to see me, by water to the Temple [Map], and met our four women, my wife, M. Batelier, Mercer, and Deb., at the Duke's play-house, and there saw "The Maid in the Mill", revived-a pretty, harmless old play.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Jan 1669. Up, and at the office all the morning, and at noon, my Lord Brouncker (age 49), Mr. Wren (age 40), Joseph Williamson (age 35), and Captain Cocke (age 52), dined with me; and, being newly sat down, comes in, by invitation of Williamson's (age 35), the Lieutenant of the Tower, and he brings in with him young Mr. Whore, whose father, of the Tower, I know.-And here I had a neat dinner, and all in so good manner and fashion, and with so good company, and everything to my mind, as I never had more in my life-the company being to my heart's content, and they all well pleased. So continued, looking over my books and closet till the evening, and so I to the Office and did a good deal of business, and so home to supper and to bed with my mind mightily pleased with this day's management, as one of the days of my life of fullest content.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Mar 1669. At noon they shut up; and W. Hewer (age 27) and I did walk to the Cocke (age 52), at the end of Suffolke Streete, where I never was, a great ordinary, mightily cried up, and there bespoke a pullett; which while dressing, he and I walked into St. James's Park, and thence back, and dined very handsome, with a good soup, and a pullet, for 4s. 6d. The whole.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Mar 1669. Thence with W. Hewer (age 27) at noon to Unthanke's, where my wife stays for me and so to the Cocke (age 52), where there was no room, and thence to King Street, to several cook's shops, where nothing to be had; and at last to the corner shop, going down Ivy Lane, by my Lord of Salisbury's, and there got a good dinner, my wife, and W. Newer, and I: and after dinner she, with her coach, home; and he and I to look over my papers for the East India Company, against the afternoon: which done, I with them to White Hall, and there to the Treasury-Chamber, where the East India Company and three Councillors pleaded against me alone, for three or four hours, till seven at night, before the Lords; and the Lords did give me the conquest on behalf of the King (age 38), but could not come to any conclusion, the Company being stiff: and so I think we shall go to law with them. This done, and my eyes mighty bad with this day's work, I to Mr. Wren's, and then up to the Duke of York (age 35), and there with Mr. Wren (age 40) did propound to him my going to Chatham, Kent [Map] to-morrow with Commissioner Middleton, and so this week to make the pay there, and examine the business of "The Defyance" being lost, and other businesses, which I did the rather, that I might be out of the way at the wedding, and be at a little liberty myself for a day, or two, to find a little pleasure, and give my eyes a little ease. The Duke of York (age 35) mightily satisfied with it; and so away home, where my wife troubled at my being so late abroad, poor woman! though never more busy, but I satisfied her; and so begun to put things in order for my journey to-morrow, and so, after supper, to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 29 Mar 1669. Thence home; and after dinner by water with Tom down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], he reading to me all the way, coming and going, my collections out of the Duke of York's (age 35) old manuscript of the Navy, which I have bound up, and do please me mightily. At Greenwich, Kent [Map] I come to Captain Cocke's (age 52), where the house full of company, at the burial of James Temple who, it seems, hath been dead these five days here I had a very good ring, which I did give my wife as soon as I come home. I spent my time there walking in the garden, talking with James Pierce, who tells me that he is certain that the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) had been with his wenches all the time that he was absent, which was all the last week, nobody knowing where he was. The great talk is of the King's being hot of late against Conventicles, and to see whether the Duke of Buckingham's (age 41) being returned will turn the King (age 38), which will make him very popular: and some think it is his plot to make the King (age 38) thus, to shew his power in the making him change his mind. But Pierce did tell me that the King (age 38) did certainly say, that he that took one stone from the Church, did take two from his Crown.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Apr 1669. Up, and by water to White Hall, and there with the Office attended the Duke of York (age 35), and staid in White Hall till about noon, and so with W. Hewer (age 27) to the Cocke (age 52), and there he and I dined alone with great content, he reading to me, for my memory's sake, my late collections of the history of the Navy, that I might represent the same by and by to the Duke of York (age 35); and so, after dinner, he and I to White Hall, and there to the Duke of York's (age 35) lodgings, whither he, by and by, by his appointment come: and alone with him an hour in his closet, telling him mine and W. Coventry's (age 41) advice touching the present posture of the Navy, as the Duke of Buckingham (age 41) and the rest do now labour to make changes therein; and that it were best for him to suffer the King (age 38) to be satisfied with the bringing in of a man or two which they desire. I did also give the Duke of York (age 35) a short account of the history of the Navy, as to our Office, wherewith he was very well satisfied: but I do find that he is pretty stiff against their bringing in of men against his mind, as the Treasures were, and particularly against Child's' coming in, because he is a merchant. After much discourse with him, we parted; and [he to] the Council, while I staid waiting for his telling me when I should be ready to give him a written account of the administration of the Navy. This caused me to wait the whole afternoon, till night. In the mean time, stepping to the Duchess of York's (age 32) side to speak with Lady Peterborough (age 47); I did see the young Duchess (age 6)¹, a little child in hanging sleeves; dance most finely, so as almost to ravish me, her ears were so good: taught by a Frenchman that did heretofore teach the King (age 38), and all the King's children, and the Queen-Mother (age 59) herself, who do still dance well.

Note 1. The Princess Mary (age 6), afterwards Queen of England.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Apr 1669. Up, and by coach to my cozen Turner's, and invited them to dine at the Cocke (age 52) to-day, with my wife and me; and so to the Lords of the Treasury, where all the morning, and settled matters to their liking about the assignments on the Customes, between the Navy Office and Victualler, and to that end spent most of the morning there with Prince, and thence took him to the Cocke (age 52), and there left him and my clerk Gibson together evening their reckonings, while I to the New Exchange to talk with Betty, my little sempstress; and so to Mrs. Turner's (age 46), to call them to dinner, but my wife not come, I back again, and was overtaken by a porter, with a message from my wife that she was ill, and could not come to us: so I back again to Mrs. Turner's (age 46), and find them gone; and so back again to the Cocke (age 52), and there find Mr. Turner, Betty, and Talbot Pepys, and they dined with myself Sir Prince and Gibson, and mighty merry, this house being famous for good meat, and particularly pease-porridge and after dinner broke up, and they away; and I to the Council-Chamber, and there heard the great complaint of the City, tried against the gentlemen of the Temple [Map], for the late riot, as they would have it, when my Lord Mayor was there. But, upon hearing the whole business, the City was certainly to blame to charge them in this manner as with a riot: but the King (age 38) and Council did forbear to determine any thing it, till the other business of the title and privilege be decided which is now under dispute at law between them, whether Temple [Map] be within the liberty of the City or no. But I, sorry to see the City so ill advised as to complain in a thing where their proofs were so weak.

Pepy's Diary. 12 Apr 1669. Thence I took him to St. James's, but there was no musique, but so walked to White Hall, and, by and by to my wife at Unthanke's, and with her was Jane, and so to the Cocke (age 52), where they, and I, and Sheres, and Tom dined, my wife having a great desire to eat of their soup made of pease, and dined very well, and thence by water to the Bear-Garden, and there happened to sit by Sir Fretcheville Hollis (age 26), who is still full of his vain-glorious and prophane talk. Here we saw a prize fought between a soldier and country fellow, one Warrell, who promised the least in his looks, and performed the most of valour in his boldness and evenness of mind, and smiles in all he did, that ever I saw and we were all both deceived and infinitely taken with him. He did soundly beat the soldier, and cut him over the head.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Apr 1669. Thence at noon, the Council rising, I to Unthanke's, and there by agreement met my wife, and with her to the Cocke (age 52), and did give her a dinner, but yet both of us but in an ill humour, whatever was the matter with her, but thence to the King's playhouse, and saw "The Generous Portugalls", a play that pleases me better and better every time we see it; and, I thank God! it did not trouble my eyes so much as I was afeard it would. Here, by accident, we met Mr. Sheres, and yet I could not but be troubled, because my wife do so delight to talk of him, and to see him. Nevertheless, we took him with us to our mercer's, and to the Exchange [Map], and he helped me to choose a summer-suit of coloured camelott, coat and breeches, and a flowered tabby vest very rich; and so home, where he took his leave, and down to Greenwich, Kent [Map], where he hath some friends; and I to see Colonel Middleton, who hath been ill for a day or two, or three; and so home to supper, and to bed.