Pepy's Diary. 13 Apr 1661. That done to my Lord's and dined there, and so by water with parson Turner towards London, and upon my telling of him of Mr. Moore to be a fit man to do his business with Bishop Wren (age 75), about which he was going, he went back out of my boat into another to Whitehall, and so I forwards home and there by and by took coach with Sir W. Pen (age 39) and Captain Terne and went to the buriall of Captain Robert Blake, at Wapping, and there had each of us a ring, but it being dirty, we would not go to church with them, but with our coach we returned home, and there staid a little, and then he and I alone to the Dolphin (Sir W. Batten (age 60) being this day gone with his wife to Walthamstow [Map] to keep Easter), and there had a supper by ourselves, we both being very hungry, and staying there late drinking I became very sleepy, and so we went home and I to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Apr 1661. From thence to ComMr. Pett's (age 50) lodging, and there had a good breakfast, and in came the two Sir Wms. from Walthamstow [Map], and so we sat down and did a great deal of public business about the fitting of the fleet that is now going out.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Apr 1661. Up with my workmen and then about 9 o'clock took horse with both the Sir Williams for Walthamstow [Map], and there we found my Lady and her daughters all; and a pleasant day it was, and all things else, but that my Lady was in a bad mood, which we were troubled at, and had she been noble she would not have been so with her servants, when we came thither, and this Sir W. Pen (age 39) took notice of, as well as I After dinner we all went to the Church stile, and there eat and drank, and I was as merry as I could counterfeit myself to be.

Pepy's Diary. 29 May 1661. King's Birthday. Rose early and having made myself fine, and put six spoons and a porringer of silver in my pocket to give away to-day, Sir W. Pen (age 40) and I took coach, and (the weather and ways being foul) went to Walthamstow [Map]; and being come there heard Mr. Radcliffe, my former school fellow at Paul's (who is yet a mere boy), preach upon "Nay, let him take all, since my Lord the King is returned", &c. He reads all, and his sermon very simple, but I looked for new matter.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jul 1661. And then home, and prepared to go to Walthamstow [Map] to-morrow. This night I was forced to borrow £40 of Sir W. Batten (age 60).

Pepy's Diary. 01 Aug 1661. This morning Sir Williams both, and my wife and I and Mrs. Margarett Pen (age 37) (this first time that I have seen her since she came from Ireland) went by coach to Walthamstow [Map], a-gossiping to Mrs. Browne, where I did give her six silver spoons¹ for her boy.

Note 1. But not the porringer of silver. See May 29th, 1661.-M. B.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Apr 1662. So home, and no sooner come but Sir W. Warren comes to me to bring me a paper of Field's (with whom we have lately had a great deal of trouble at the office), being a bitter petition to the King (age 31) against our office for not doing justice upon his complaint to us of embezzlement of the King's stores by one Turpin. I took Sir William to Sir W. Pen's (age 40) (who was newly come from Walthamstow [Map]), and there we read it and discoursed, but we do not much fear it, the King (age 31) referring it to the Duke of York (age 28).

Pepy's Diary. 25 Sep 1662. Up betimes and to my workmen, and then to the office, where we sat all the morning. So home to dinner alone and then to my workmen till night, and so to my office till bedtime, and so after supper to my lodgings and to bed. This evening I sat awhile at Sir W. Batten's (age 61) with Sir J. Minnes (age 63), &c., where he told us among many other things how in Portugal they scorn to make a seat for a house of office, but they do .... all in pots and so empty them in the river. I did also hear how the woman, formerly nurse to Mrs. Lemon (Sir W. Batten's (age 61) daughter), her child was torn to pieces by two doggs at Walthamstow [Map] this week, and is dead, which is very strange.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Mar 1663. Up betimes, and to my office, walked a little in the garden with Sir W. Batten (age 62), talking about the difference between his Lady and my wife yesterday, and I doubt my wife is to blame. About noon had news by Mr. Wood that Butler, our chief witness against Field, was sent by him to New England contrary to our desire, which made me mad almost; and so Sir J. Minnes (age 64), Sir W. Pen (age 41), and I dined together at Trinity House, Deptford [Map], and thither sent for him to us and told him our minds, which he seemed not to value much, but went away. I wrote and sent an express to Walthamstow [Map] to Sir W. Pen (age 41), who is gone thither this morning, to tell him of it. However, in the afternoon Wood sends us word that he has appointed another to go, who shall overtake the ship in the Downes. So I was late at the office, among other things writing to the Downes, to the Commander-in-Chief, and putting things into the surest course I could to help the business. So home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Jul 1663. Lord's Day. Lady Batten had sent twice to invite me to go with them to Walthamstow [Map] to-day, Mrs. Martha (age 26) being married already this morning to Mr. Castle (age 34), at this parish church. I could not rise soon enough to go with them, but got myself ready, and so to Games's, where I got a horse and rode thither very pleasantly, only coming to make water I found a stopping, which makes me fearful of my old pain. Being come thither, I was well received, and had two pair of gloves, as the rest, and walked up and down with my Lady in the garden, she mighty kind to me, and I have the way to please her. A good dinner and merry, but methinks none of the kindness nor bridall respect between the bridegroom and bride, that was between my wife and I, but as persons that marry purely for convenience.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Apr 1665. This morning I was saluted with newes that the fleetes, ours and the Dutch, were engaged, and that the guns were heard at Walthamstow [Map] to play all yesterday, and that Teddiman's legs were shot off in the Royall Katherine. But before night I hear the contrary, both by letters of my owne and messengers thence, that they were all well of our side and no enemy appears yet, and that the Royall Katherine is come to the fleete, and likely to prove as good a ship as any the King (age 34) hath, of which I am heartily glad, both for Christopher Pett's (age 44) sake and Teddiman that is in her.

Pepy's Diary. 14 May 1665. Thence to Walthamstow [Map], where (failing at the old place) Sir W. Batten (age 64) by and by come home, I walking up and down the house and garden with my Lady very pleasantly, then to supper very merry, and then back by coach by dark night. I all the afternoon in the coach reading the treasonous book of the Court of King James, printed a great while ago, and worth reading, though ill intended. As soon as I come home, upon a letter from the Duke of Albemarle (age 56), I took boat at about 12 at night, and down the River in a gally, my boy and I, down to the Hope and so up again, sleeping and waking, with great pleasure, my business to call upon every one of [continued tomorrow]

Pepy's Diary. 11 Sep 1665. Up and walked to the office, there to do some business till ten of the clock, and then by agreement my Lord, Sir J. Minnes (age 66), Sir W. Doyly (age 51), and I took boat and over to the ferry, where Sir W. Batten's (age 64) coach was ready for us, and to Walthamstow [Map] drove merrily, excellent merry discourse in the way, and most upon our last night's revells; there come we were very merry, and a good plain venison dinner.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Sep 1665. That being done I to Sir J. Minnes (age 66) where I find Sir W. Batten (age 64) and his Lady gone home to Walthamstow [Map] in great snuffe as to Sir J. Minnes (age 66), but yet with some necessity, hearing that a mayde-servant of theirs is taken ill. Here I staid and resolved of my going in my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) coach which he would have me to take, though himself cannot go with me as he intended, and so to my last night's lodging to bed very weary.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Nov 1666. So to the office, where much business all the morning, and the more by my brethren being all out of the way; Sir W. Pen (age 45) this night taken so ill cannot stir; Sir W. Batten (age 65) ill at Walthamstow [Map]; Sir J. Minnes (age 67) the like at Chatham, Kent [Map], and my Lord Bruncker (age 46) there also upon business. Horrible trouble with the backwardness of the merchants to let us have their ships, and seamen's running away, and not to be got or kept without money. It is worth turning to our letters this day to Sir W. Coventry (age 38) about these matters.

Pepy's Diary. 01 May 1667. And, Lord! to have them have this, and nothing else that is correspondent, is to me one of the most ridiculous sights that ever I did see, though her present dress was well enough; but to live in the condition they do at home, and be abroad in this coach, astonishes me. When we had spent half an hour in the Park, we went out again, weary of the dust, and despairing of seeing my Lady Newcastle (age 44); and so back the same way, and to St. James's, thinking to have met my Lady Newcastle (age 44) before she got home, but we staying by the way to drink, she got home a little before us: so we lost our labours, and then home; where we find the two young ladies come home, and their patches off, I suppose Sir W. Pen (age 46) do not allow of them in his sight, and going out of town to-night, though late, to Walthamstow [Map].

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 Sir W. Pen (age 46). I got her to go with him by coach to Islington to the old house, where his 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 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. 17 Jul 1667. So to Mr. Burges to as little. There to the Hall and talked with Mrs. Michell, who begins to tire me about doing something for her elder son, which I am willing to do, but know not what. Thence to White Hall again, and thence away, and took up my wife at Unthanke's, and left her at the 'Change [Map], and so I to Bennet's to take up a bill for the last silk I had for my vest and coat, which I owe them for, and so to the Excise Office, and there did a little business, and so to Temple Bar and staid at my bookseller's till my wife calls me, and so home, where I am saluted with the news of Hogg's bringing a rich Canary prize to Hull:¹ and Sir W. Batten (age 66) do offer me £1000 down for my particular share, beside Sir Richard Ford's (age 53) part, which do tempt me; but yet I would not take it, but will stand and fall with the company. He and two more, the Panther and Fanfan, did enter into consortship; and so they have all brought in each a prize, though ours worth as much as both theirs, and more. However, it will be well worth having, God be thanked for it! This news makes us all very glad. I at Sir W. Batten's (age 66) did hear the particulars of it; and there for joy he did give the company that were there a bottle or two of his own last year's wine, growing at Walthamstow [Map], than which the whole company said they never drank better foreign wine in their lives.

Note 1. Thomas Pointer to Samuel Pepys (Hull, July 15th): "Capt. Hogg has brought in a great prize laden with Canary wine; also Capt. Reeves of the 'Panther,' and the 'Fanfan,' whose commander is slain, have come in with their prizes" (Calendar of State Papers, 1667, p. 298).

Pepy's Diary. 06 Sep 1667. Up, and to Westminster to the Exchequer, and then into the Hall, and there bought "Guillim's Heraldry" for my wife, and so to the Swan [Map], and thither come Doll Lane, and je did toucher her, and drank, and so away, I took coach and home, where I find my wife gone to Walthamstow [Map] by invitation with Sir W. Batten (age 66), and so I followed, taking up Mrs. Turner (age 44), and she and I much discourse all the way touching the baseness of Sir W. Pen (age 46) and sluttishness of his family, and how the world do suspect that his son Lowther (age 26), who is sick of a sore mouth, has got the pox. So we come to Sir W. Batten's (age 66), where Sir W. Pen (age 46) and his Lady (age 43), and we and Mrs. Shipman, and here we walked and had an indifferent good dinner, the victuals very good and cleanly dressed and good linen, but no fine meat at all.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Sep 1667. To the office, and there despatched business till ten o'clock, and then with Sir W. Batten (age 66) and my wife and Mrs. Turner (age 44) by Hackney-coach to Walthamstow [Map], to Mr. Shipman's to dinner, where Sir W. Pen (age 46) and my Lady and Mrs. Lowther (the latter of which hath got a sore nose, given her, I believe, from her husband, which made me I could not look upon her with any pleasure), and here a very good and plentifull wholesome dinner, and, above all thing, such plenty of milk meats, she keeping a great dairy, and so good as I never met with. The afternoon proved very foul weather, the morning fair. We staid talking till evening, and then home, and there to my flageolet with my wife, and so to bed without any supper, my belly being full and dinner not digested. It vexed me to hear how Sir W. Pen (age 46), who come alone from London, being to send his coachman for his wife and daughter, and bidding his coachman in much anger to go for them (he being vexed, like a rogue, to do anything to please his wife), his coachman Tom was heard to say a pox, or God rot her, can she walk hither? These words do so mad me that I could find in my heart to give him or my Lady notice of them.

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 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. 12 Oct 1667. At home we find that Sir W. Batten's (deceased) burial was to-day carried from hence, with a hundred or two of coaches, to Walthamstow [Map], and there buried. Here I hear by Mr. Pierce the surgeon; and then by Mr. Lewes, and also by Mr. Hater, that the Parliament hath met on Thursday last, and adjourned to Monday next. The King (age 37) did make them a very kind speech, promising them to leave all to them to do, and call to account what and whom they pleased; and declared by my Lord Keeper (age 61) how many, thirty-six, actes he had done since he saw them; among others, disbanding the army, and putting all Papists out of employment, and displacing persons that had managed their business ill, that the Parliament is mightily pleased with the King's speech, and voted giving him thanks for what he said and hath done; and, among things, would by name thank him for displacing my Chancellor (age 58), for which a great many did speak in the House, but it was opposed by some, and particularly Harry Coventry (age 48), who got that it should be put to a Committee to consider what particulars to mention in their thanks to the King (age 37), saying that it was too soon to give thanks for the displacing of a man, before they knew or had examined what was the cause of his displacing.