Pepy's Diary. 28 Jul 1661. Lord's Day. This morning as my wife and I were going to church, comes Mrs. Ramsay to see us, so we sent her to church, and we went too, and came back to dinner, and she dined with us and was wellcome. To church again in the afternoon, and then come home with us [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 40), and drank with us, and then went away, and my wife after him to see his daughter (age 10) that is lately come out of Ireland.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Nov 1664. Lord's Day. Up, and with my wife to church, where Pegg Pen (age 13) very fine in her new coloured silk suit laced with silver lace.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Dec 1664. Lord's Day. To church, where, God forgive me! I spent most of my time in looking [on] my new Morena [a brunette] at the other side of the church, an acquaintance of Pegg Pen's (age 13).

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 [her father] 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. 12 Apr 1666. Up and to the office, where all the morning. At noon dined at home and so to my office again, and taking a turne in the garden my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) comes to me and takes me into her house, where I find her daughter (age 15) and a pretty lady of her acquaintance, one Mrs. Lowder, sister, I suppose, of her servant Lowder's, with whom I, notwithstanding all my resolution to follow business close this afternoon, did stay talking and playing the foole almost all the afternoon, and there saw two or three foolish sorry pictures of her doing, but very ridiculous compared to what my wife do. She grows mighty homely and looks old.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Jun 1666. At noon to the 'Change [Map] about business, and so home to dinner, and after dinner to the setting my Journall to rights, and so to the office again, where all the afternoon full of business, and there till night, that my eyes were sore, that I could not write no longer. Then into the garden, then my wife and Mercer and my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and her daughter (age 15) with us, and here we sung in the darke very finely half an houre, and so home to supper and to bed. This afternoon, after a long drowth, we had a good shower of rain, but it will not signify much if no more come.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Jul 1666. Sunday. Up betimes, and to the office receiving letters, two or three one after another from Sir W. Coventry (age 38), and sent as many to him, being full of variety of business and hurry, but among the chiefest is the getting of these pressed men out of the City down the river to the fleete. While I was hard at it comes [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45) to towne, which I little expected, having invited my [her mother] Lady (age 42) and her daughter Pegg (age 15) to dine with me to-day; which at noon they did, and Sir W. Pen (age 45) with them: and pretty merry we were. And though I do not love him, yet I find it necessary to keep in with him; his good service at Shearnesse [Map] in getting out the fleete being much taken notice of, and reported to the King (age 36) and Duke (age 32) [of York], even from the Prince (age 46) and Duke of Albemarle (age 57) themselves, and made the most of to me and them by Sir W. Coventry (age 38): therefore I think it discretion, great and necessary discretion, to keep in with him.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Jul 1666. Thence home and to the Tower to see the men from Bridewell [Map] shipped. Being rid of him I home to dinner, and thence to the Excise office by appointment to meet my Lord Bellasses (age 52) and the Commissioners, which we did and soon dispatched, and so I home, and there was called by Pegg Pen (age 15) to her house, where her [her father] father (age 45) and [her mother] mother (age 42), and Mrs. Norton, the second Roxalana (age 24), a fine woman, indifferent handsome, good body and hand, and good mine, and pretends to sing, but do it not excellently. However I took pleasure there, and my wife was sent for, and Creed come in to us, and so there we spent the most of the afternoon.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jul 1666. Thence with him home; and there by appointment I find Dr. Fuller (age 58), now Bishop of Limericke, in Ireland; whom I knew in his low condition at Twittenham. I had also by his desire [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45), and with him his [her mother] lady (age 42) and daughter (age 15), and had a good dinner, and find the Bishop the same good man as ever; and in a word, kind to us, and, methinks, one of the comeliest and most becoming prelates in all respects that ever I saw in my life. During dinner comes an acquaintance of his, Sir Thomas Littleton (age 45); whom I knew not while he was in my house, but liked his discourse; and afterwards, by Sir W. Pen (age 45), do come to know that he is one of the greatest speakers in the House of Commons, and the usual second to the great Vaughan (age 62). So was sorry I did observe him no more, and gain more of his acquaintance.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Aug 1666. And then about nine o'clock to Mrs. Mercer's gate, where the fire and boys expected us, and her son had provided abundance of serpents and rockets; and there mighty merry (my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and Pegg (age 15) going thither with us, and Nan Wright), till about twelve at night, flinging our fireworks, and burning one another and the people over the way. And at last our businesses being most spent, we into Mrs. Mercer's, and there mighty merry, smutting one another with candle grease and soot, till most of us were like devils. And that being done, then we broke up, and to my house; and there I made them drink, and upstairs we went, and then fell into dancing (W. Batelier dancing well), and dressing, him and I and one Mr. Banister (age 36) (who with his wife come over also with us) like women; and Mercer put on a suit of Tom's, like a boy, and mighty mirth we had, and Mercer danced a jigg; and Nan Wright and my wife and Pegg Pen (age 15) put on perriwigs. Thus we spent till three or four in the morning, mighty merry; and then parted, and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Aug 1666. In the evening comes W. Batelier and his sister, and my wife, and fair Mrs. Turner (age 43) into the garden, and there we walked, and then with my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and Pegg (age 15) in a-doors, and eat and were merry, and so pretty late broke up, and to bed. The guns of the Tower [Map] going off, and there being bonefires also in the street for this late good successe.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Aug 1666. I to the office, where all the afternoon and very busy and doing much business; but here I had a most eminent experience of the evil of being behindhand in business. I was the most backward to begin any thing, and would fain have framed to myself an occasion of going abroad, and should, I doubt, have done it, but some business coming in, one after another, kept me there, and I fell to the ridding away of a great deale of business, and when my hand was in it was so pleasing a sight to [see] my papers disposed of, and letters answered, which troubled my book and table, that I could have continued there with delight all night long, and did till called away by my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and Pegg (age 15) and my wife to their house to eat with them; and there I went, and exceeding merry, there being Nan Wright, now Mrs. Markham, and sits at table with my Lady. So mighty merry, home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Sep 1666. Thence took my wife home to dinner, and then to the office, where Mr. Hater all the day putting in order and entering in a book all the measures that this account of the Navy hath been made up by, and late at night to Mrs. Turner's (age 43), where she had got my wife and [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and Pegg (age 15), and supped, and after, supper and the rest of the company by design gone, Mrs. Turner (age 43) and her husband did lay their case to me about their lodgings, Sir J. Minnes (age 67) being now gone wholly to his owne, and now, they being empty, they doubt Sir T. Harvy or Lord Bruncker may look after the lodgings. I did give them the best advice, poor people, that I could, and would do them any kindnesse, though it is strange that now they should have ne'er a friend of Sir W. Batten (age 65) or [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45) to trust to but me, that they have disobliged.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Oct 1666. Lord's Day. Up, and with my wife to church, and her new woman Barker with her the first time. The girle will, I think, do very well. Here a lazy sermon, and so home to dinner, and took in my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42) and Peg (age 15) (Sir William being below with the fleete), and mighty merry we were, and then after dinner presently (it being a mighty cool day) I by coach to White Hall, and there attended the Cabinet, and was called in before the King (age 36) and them to give an account of our want of money for Tangier, which troubles me that it should be my place so often and so soon after one another to come to speak there of their wants-the thing of the world that they love least to hear of, and that which is no welcome thing to be the solicitor for-and to see how like an image the King (age 36) sat and could not speak one word when I had delivered myself was very strange; only my Chancellor (age 57) did ask me, whether I thought it was in nature at this time to help us to anything. So I was referred to another meeting of the Lords Commissioners for Tangier and my Lord Treasurer (age 59), and so went away, and by coach home, where I spent the evening in reading Stillingfleet's (age 31) defence of the Archbishopp, the part about Purgatory, a point I had never considered before, what was said for it or against it, and though I do believe we are in the right, yet I do not see any great matter in this book.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Nov 1666. Home to dinner, and we carried in Pegg Pen (age 15), and there also come to us little Michell and his wife, and dined very pleasantly.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Nov 1666. Thence home and there comes my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 42), Pegg (age 15), and Mrs. Turner (age 43), and played at cards and supped with us, and were pretty merry, and Pegg (age 15) with me in my closet a good while, and did suffer me 'a la baiser mouche et toucher ses cosas' [Note. to kiss her mouth and touch the things] upon her breast, wherein I had great pleasure, and so spent the evening and then broke up, and I to bed, my mind mightily pleased with the day's entertainment.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Nov 1666. Up, and with [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45) to White Hall (setting his [her mother] lady (age 42) and daughter (age 15) down by the way at a mercer's in the Strand, where they are going to lay out some money), where, though it blows hard and rains hard, yet the Duke of York (age 33) is gone a-hunting. We therefore lost our labour, and so back again, and by hackney coach to secure places to get things ready against dinner, and then home, and did the like there, and to my great satisfaction: and at noon comes my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18), Sir Thomas Crew (age 42), Mr. John Crew (age 38), Mr. Carteret (age 25), and Brisband. I had six noble dishes for them, dressed by a man-cook, and commended, as indeed they deserved, for exceeding well done. We eat with great pleasure, and I enjoyed myself in it with reflections upon the pleasures which I at best can expect, yet not to exceed this; eating in silver plates, and all things mighty rich and handsome about me. A great deal of fine discourse, sitting almost till dark at dinner, and then broke up with great pleasure, especially to myself; and they away, only Mr. Carteret and I to Gresham College, where they meet now weekly again, and here they had good discourse how this late experiment of the dog, which is in perfect good health, may be improved for good uses to men, and other pretty things, and then broke up.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Jan 1667. Up, I, and walked to White Hall to attend the Duke of York (age 33), as usual. My wife up, and with Mrs. Pen (age 16) to walk in the fields to frost-bite themselves. I find the Court full of great apprehensions of the French, who have certainly shipped landsmen, great numbers, at Brest; and most of our people here guess his design for Ireland. We have orders to send all the ships we can possible to the Downes. God have mercy on us! for we can send forth no ships without men, nor will men go without money, every day bringing us news of new mutinies among the seamen; so that our condition is like to be very miserable.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Jan 1667. Up, and seeing things put in order for a dinner at my house to-day, I to the office awhile, and about noon home, and there saw all things in good order. Anon comes our company; my Lord Bruncker (age 47), [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45), his [her mother] lady (age 43), and Pegg (age 16), and her servant, [her future husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26), my Lady Batten (Sir W. Batten (age 66) being forced to dine at Sir R. Ford's (age 53), being invited), Mr. Turner and his wife. Here I had good room for ten, and no more would my table have held well, had Sir J. Minnes (age 67), who was fallen lame, and his sister, and niece, and Sir W. Batten (age 66) come, which was a great content to me to be without them. I did make them all gaze to see themselves served so nobly in plate, and a neat dinner, indeed, though but of seven dishes. Mighty merry I was and made them all, and they mightily pleased. My Lord Bruncker (age 47) went away after dinner to the ticket-office, the rest staid, only my Lady Batten home, her ague-fit coming on her at table. The rest merry, and to cards, and then to sing and talk, and at night to sup, and then to cards; and, last of all, to have a flaggon of ale and apples, drunk out of a wood cupp¹, as a Christmas draught, made all merry; and they full of admiration at my plate, particularly my flaggons (which, indeed, are noble), and so late home, all with great mirth and satisfaction to them, as I thought, and to myself to see all I have and do so much outdo for neatness and plenty anything done by any of them.

Note 1. A mazer or drinking-bowl turned out of some kind of wood, by preference of maple, and especially the spotted or speckled variety called "bird's-eye maple" (see W. H. St. John Hope's paper, "On the English Mediaeval Drinking-bowls called Mazers", "Archaeologia", vol. 50, pp. 129,93).

Pepy's Diary. 04 Jan 1667. They gone, I to bed, much pleased, and do observe [her future husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26) to be a pretty gentleman, and, I think, too good for Peg (age 16); and, by the way, Peg Pen (age 16) seems mightily to be kind to me, and I believe by her father's advice, who is also himself so; but I believe not a little troubled to see my plenty, and was much troubled to hear the song I sung, "The New Droll"-it touching him home. So to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Jan 1667. Lord's Day. Up, and to church, where young [her future husband] Lowther (age 26) come to church with [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45) and his [her mother] Lady (age 43) and daughter (age 16), and my wife tells me that either they are married or the match is quite perfected, which I am apt to believe, because all the peoples' eyes in the church were much fixed upon them.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Jan 1667. At noon home to dinner, and presently to the office to despatch my business, and also we sat all the afternoon to examine the loss of The Bredagh, which was done by as plain negligence as ever ship was. We being rose, I entering my letters and getting the office swept and a good fire made and abundance of candles lighted, I home, where most of my company come of this end of the town-Mercer and her sister, Mr. Batelier and Pembleton (my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 43), and Pegg (age 16), and [her future husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26), but did not stay long, and I believe it was by [her father] Sir W. Pen's (age 45) order; for they had a great mind to have staid), and also Captain Rolt.

Pepy's Diary. 15 Feb 1667. Up and with Sir W. Batten (age 66) and Sir J. Minnes (age 67) by coach to White Hall, where we attended upon the Duke of York (age 33) to complain of the disorders the other day among the seamen at the Pay at the Ticket Office, and that it arises from lack of money, and that we desire, unless better provided for with money, to have nothing more to do with the payment of tickets, it being not our duty; and the Duke of York (age 33) and Sir W. Coventry (age 39) did agree to it, so that I hope we shall be rid of that trouble. This done, I moved for allowance for a house for Mr. Turner, and got it granted. Then away to Westminster Hall [Map], and there to the Exchequer about my tallies, and so back to White Hall, and so with Lord Bellasses (age 52) to the Excise Office, where met by Sir H. Cholmly (age 34) to consider about our business of money there, and that done, home and to dinner, where I hear Pegg Pen (age 16) is married this day privately; no friends, but two or three relations on his side and hers. Borrowed many things of my kitchen for dressing their dinner.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1667. Up, with Sir W. Batten (age 66) and [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45) by coach to White Hall, by the way observing Sir W. Pen's (age 45) carrying a favour to Sir W. Coventry (age 39), for his daughter's (age 16) wedding, and saying that there was others for us, when we will fetch them, which vexed me, and I am resolved not to wear it when he orders me one. His wedding hath been so poorly kept, that I am ashamed of it; for a fellow that makes such a flutter as he do.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Feb 1667. At dinner all of us, that is to say, Lord Bruncker (age 47), Sir J. Minnes (age 67), Sir W. Batten (age 66), Sir T. Harvy (age 41), and myself, to [her father] Sir W. Pen's (age 45) house, where some other company. It is instead of a wedding dinner for his daughter (age 16), whom I saw in palterly clothes, nothing new but a bracelet that her servant had given her, and ugly she is, as heart can wish. A sorry dinner, not any thing handsome or clean, but some silver plates they borrowed of me. My wife was here too. So a great deal of talk, and I seemingly merry, but took no pleasure at all. We had favours given us all, and we put them in our hats, I against my will, but that my Lord and the rest did, I being displeased that he did carry Sir W. Coventry's (age 39) himself several days ago, and the people up and down the town long since, and we must have them but to-day.

Pepy's Diary. 24 Feb 1667. Having done here, Sir W. Batten (age 66) and I home by coach, and though the sermon at our church was begun, yet he would 'light to go home and eat a slice of roast beef off the spit, and did, and then he and I to church in the middle of the sermon. My [her mother] Lady Pen (age 43) there saluted me with great content to tell me that her daughter (age 16) and [her husband] husband (age 26) are still in bed, as if the silly woman thought it a great matter of honour, and did, going out of the church, ask me whether we did not make a great show at Court today, with all our favours in our hats.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Mar 1667. Towards the evening comes Mr. Spong to see me, whose discourse about several things I proposed to him was very good, better than I have had with any body a good while. He gone, I to my business again, and anon comes my [her mother] Lady Pen (age 43) and her [her husband] son-in law (age 26) and daughter (age 16), and there we talked all the evening away, and then to supper; and after supper comes [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45), and there we talked together, and then broke up, and so to bed. He tells me that our Mr. Turner has seen the proclamation against the Duke of Buckingham (age 39), and that therefore it is true what we heard last night. Yesterday and to-day I have been troubled with a hoarseness through cold that I could not almost speak.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Mar 1667. Thence Sir W. Batten (age 66), [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 45), and I, back again; I mightily pleased with what I had said and done, and the success thereof. But, it being a fine clear day, I did, 'en gayete de coeur', propose going to Bow for ayre sake, and dine there, which they embraced, and so Sir W. Batten (age 66) and I (setting Sir W. Pen (age 45) down at Mark Lane [Map] end) straight to Bow, to the Queen's Head, and there bespoke our dinner, carrying meat with us from London; and anon comes Sir W. Pen (age 45) with my wife and Lady Batten, and then [her husband] Mr. Lowder (age 26) with his mother and wife (age 16). While Sir W. Batten (age 66) and I were alone, we had much friendly discourse, though I will never trust him far; but we do propose getting "The Flying Greyhound", our privateer, to us and Sir W. Pen (age 45) at the end of the year when we call her home, by begging her of the King (age 36), and I do not think we shall be denied her. They being come, we to oysters and so to talk, very pleasant I was all day, and anon to dinner, and I made very good company. Here till the evening, so as it was dark almost before we got home (back again in the same method, I think, we went), and spent the night talking at Sir W. Batten's (age 66), only a little at my office, to look over the Victualler's contract, and draw up some arguments for him to plead for his charges in transportation of goods beyond the ports which the letter of one article in his contract do lay upon him. This done I home to supper and to bed. Troubled a little at my fear that my Lord Bruncker (age 47) should tell Sir W. Coventry (age 39) of our neglecting the office this afternoon (which was intended) to look after our pleasures, but nothing will fall upon me alone about this.

Pepy's Diary. 25 Mar 1667. So home, and to the office, and by and by to dinner, a poor dinner, my wife and I, at [her father] Sir W. Pen's (age 45), and then he and I before to Exeter House [Map], where I do not stay, but to the King's playhouse; and by and by comes [her husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26) and his wife (age 16) and mine, and into a box, forsooth, neither of them being dressed, which I was almost ashamed of. Sir W. Pen (age 45) and I in the pit, and here saw "The Mayden Queene" again; which indeed the more I see the more I like, and is an excellent play, and so done by Nell (age 17), her merry part, as cannot be better done in nature, I think.

Pepy's Diary. 01 Apr 1667. So home and to the office, where late, and then home to supper and bed. This evening Mrs. Turner (age 44) come to my office, and did walk an hour with me in the garden, telling me stories how Sir Edward Spragge (age 47) hath lately made love to our neighbour, a widow, Mrs. Hollworthy, who is a woman of estate, and wit and spirit, and do contemn him the most, and sent him away with the greatest scorn in the world; she tells me also odd stories how the parish talks of [her father] Sir W. Pen's (age 45) family, how poorly they clothe their daughter (age 16) so soon after marriage, and do say that [her husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26) was married once before, and some such thing there hath been, whatever the bottom of it is. But to think of the clatter they make with his coach, and his owne fine cloathes, and yet how meanly they live within doors, and nastily, and borrowing everything of neighbours is a most shitten thing.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Apr 1667. This afternoon come Mrs. Lowther (age 16) to me to the office, and there je did toker ses mammailles and did baiser them and su bocca [Note. I did touch her breasts and did kiss them and her mouth], which she took fort willingly....

Pepy's Diary. 01 May 1667. Thence [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 46) and I in his coach, Tiburne way, into the Park, where a horrid dust, and number of coaches, without pleasure or order. That which we, and almost all went for, was to see my Lady Newcastle (age 44); which we could not, she being followed and crowded upon by coaches all the way she went, that nobody could come near her; only I could see she was in a large black coach, adorned with silver instead of gold, and so white curtains, and every thing black and white, and herself in her cap, but other parts I could not make [out]. But that which I did see, and wonder at with reason, was to find Pegg Pen (age 16) in a new coach, with only her [her husband] husband's (age 26) pretty [her sister-in-law] sister (age 18) with her, both patched and very fine, and in much the finest coach in the park, and I think that ever I did see one or other, for neatness and richness in gold, and everything that is noble. My Baroness Castlemayne (age 26), the King (age 36), my Lord St. Albans (age 62), nor Mr. Jermyn, have so neat a coach, that ever I saw.

Pepy's Diary. 15 May 1667. This day going to White Hall, Sir W. Batten (age 66) did tell me strange stories of [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 46), how he is already ashamed of the fine coach which his [her husband] son-in-law (age 26) and daughter (age 16) have made, and indeed it is one of the most ridiculous things for people of their low, mean fashion to make such a coach that ever I saw. He tells me how his people come as they do to mine every day to borrow one thing or other, and that his [her mother] Lady (age 43) hath been forced to sell some coals (in the late dear time) only to enable her to pay money that she hath borrowed of Griffin to defray her family expense, which is a strange story for a rogue that spends so much money on clothes and other occasions himself as he do, but that which is most strange, he tells me that Sir W. Pen (age 46) do not give £6000, as is usually [supposed], with his daughter to him, and that Mr. Lowder (age 26) is come to use the tubb, that is to bathe and sweat himself, and that his lady (age 16) is come to use the tubb too, which he takes to be that he hath, and hath given her the pox, but I hope it is not so, but, says Sir W. Batten (age 66), this is a fair joynture, that he hath made her, meaning by that the costs the having of a bath.

Pepy's Diary. 23 May 1667. This day I hear also that last night the Duke of Kendall (deceased), second son of the Duke of York (age 33), did die; and that the other, Duke of Cambridge (age 3), continues very ill still. This afternoon I had opportunity para jouer with Mrs. Pen (age 16), tokendo her mammailles and baisando elle, being sola in the casa of her pater, and she fort willing.

Pepy's Diary. 24 May 1667. Up, and to the office, where, by and by, by appointment, we met upon Sir W. Warren's accounts, wherein I do appear in every thing as much as I can his enemy, though not so far but upon good conditions from him I may return to be his friend, but I do think it necessary to do what I do at present. We broke off at noon without doing much, and then home, where my wife not well, but yet engaged by invitation to go with [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 46). I got her to go with him by coach to Islington to the old house, where his [her mother] lady (age 43) and Madam Lowther (age 16), with her exceeding fine coach and mean horses, and her mother-in-law, did meet us, and two of [her husband] Mr. Lowther's (age 26) brothers, and here dined upon nothing but pigeon-pyes, which was such a thing for him to invite all the company to, that I was ashamed of it. But after dinner was all our sport, when there come in a juggler, who, indeed, did shew us so good tricks as I have never seen in my life, I think, of legerdemaine, and such as my wife hath since seriously said that she would not believe but that he did them by the help of the devil. Here, after a bad dinner, and but ordinary company, saving that I discern good parts in one of the sons, who, methought, did take me up very prettily in one or two things that I said, and I was so sensible of it as to be a caution to me hereafter how I do venture to speak more than is necessary in any company, though, as I did now, I do think them incapable to censure me. We broke up, they back to Walthamstow [Map], and only my wife and I and Sir W. Pen (age 46) to the King's playhouse, and there saw "The Mayden Queene" which, though I have often seen, yet pleases me infinitely, it being impossible, I think, ever to have the Queen's (age 28) part, which is very good and passionate, and Florimel's part, which is the most comicall that ever was made for woman, ever done better than they two are by young Marshall and Nelly (age 17).

Pepy's Diary. 28 May 1667. So by water, set Creed down at White Hall, and I to the Old Swan [Map], and so home. My father gone to bed, and wife abroad at Woolwich, Kent [Map], I to [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 46), where he and his [her mother] Lady (age 43) and Pegg (age 16) and pretty [her sister-in-law] Mrs. Lowther (age 18) her sister-in-law at supper, where I sat and talked, and Sir W. Pen (age 46), half drunk, did talk like a fool and vex his wife, that I was half pleased and half vexed to see so much folly and rudeness from him, and so late home to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jun 1667. Dined at home, W. Hewer (age 25) with me, and then to the office, and to my [her mother] Lady Pen's (age 43), and did find occasion for Peg (age 16) to go home with me to my chamber, but there being an idle gentleman with them, he went with us, and I lost my hope.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Jun 1667. To the office, and there all the morning. Peg Pen (age 16) come to see me, and I was glad of it, and did resolve to have tried her this afternoon, but that there was company with elle at my home, whither I got her.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jun 1667. Lord's Day. Up to my chamber, and there all the morning reading in my Lord Coke's Pleas of the Crowne, very fine noble reading. After church time comes my wife and [her father] Sir W. Pen (age 46) his [her mother] lady (age 43) and daughter (age 16); and Mrs. Markham and Captain Harrison (who come to dine with them), by invitation end dined with me, they as good as inviting themselves. I confess I hate their company and tricks, and so had no great pleasure in [it], but a good dinner lost.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Aug 1667. So by coach to White Hall, and there staid a little, thinking to see Sir G. Carteret (age 57), but missed him, and so by coach took up my wife, and so home, and as far as Bow, where we staid and drank, and there, passing by [her husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26) and his lady (age 16), they stopped and we talked a little with them, they being in their gilt coach, and so parted; and presently come to us Mr. Andrews (age 35), whom I had not seen a good while, who, as other merchants do, do all give over any hopes of things doing well, and so he spends his time here most, playing at bowles. After dining together at the coach-side, we with great pleasure home, and so to the office, where I despatched my business, and home to supper, and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Oct 1667. Up betimes, and did do several things towards the settling all matters both of house and office in order for my journey this day, and did leave my chief care, and the key of my closet, with Mr. Hater, with directions what papers to secure, in case of fire or other accident; and so, about nine o'clock, I, and my wife, and Willet, set out in a coach I have hired, with four horses; and W. Hewer (age 25) and Murford rode by us on horseback; and so my wife and she in their morning gowns, very handsome and pretty, and to my great liking. We set out, and so out at Allgate [Map], and so to the Green Man, and so on to Enfield [Map], in our way seeing [her husband] Mr. Lowther (age 26) and his lady (age 16) in a coach, going to Walthamstow [Map]; and he told us that he would overtake us at night, he being to go that way.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Feb 1668. After dinner we into our dining-room, and there to singing all the afternoon. (By the way, I must remember that Pegg Pen (age 17) was brought to bed yesterday of a girl; and, among other things, if I have not already set it down, that hardly ever was remembered such a season for the smallpox as these last two months have been, people being seen all up and down the streets, newly come out after the smallpox.) But though they sang fine things, yet I must confess that I did take no pleasure in it, or very little, because I understood not the words, and with the rests that the words are set, there is no sense nor understanding in them though they be English, which makes me weary of singing in that manner, it being but a worse sort of instrumental musick. We sang until almost night, and drank mighty good store of wine, and then they parted, and I to my chamber, where I did read through "L'escholle des filles", a lewd book, but what do no wrong once to read for information sake.... [Note. Missing text: (but it did hazer my prick para stand all the while, and una vez to decharger);] And after I had done it I burned it, that it might not be among my books to my shame, and so at night to supper and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 21 Feb 1668. Thence with Lord Brouncker (age 48) and T. Harvey as far as the New Exchange, and there at a draper's shop drawing up a short note of what they are to desire of the House for our having a hearing before they determine any thing against us, which paper is for them to show to what friends they meet against to-morrow, I away home to the office, and there busy pretty late, and here comes my wife to me, who hath been at Pegg Pen's (age 17) christening, which, she says, hath made a flutter and noise; but was as mean as could be, and but little company, just like all the rest that that family do.