01 Apr 1668. Up, and to dress myself, and call as I use Deb. to brush and dress me..., and I to my office, where busy till noon, and then out to bespeak some things against my wife's going into the country to-morrow, and so home to dinner, my wife and I alone, she being mighty busy getting her things ready for her journey, I all the afternoon with her looking after things on the same account, and then in the afternoon out and all alone to the King's house, and there sat in an upper box, to hide myself, and saw "The Black Prince", a very good play; but only the fancy, most of it, the same as in the rest of my Lord Orrery's (age 46) plays; but the dance very stately; but it was pretty to see how coming after dinner and with no company with me to talk to, and at a play that I had seen, and went to now not for curiosity but only idleness, I did fall asleep the former part of the play, but afterward did mind it and like it very well.

01 Apr 1668. Thence called at my bookseller's, and took Mr. Boyle's (age 46) Book of Formes, newly reprinted, and sent my brother my old one.

01 Apr 1668. So home, and there to my chamber till anon comes Mr. Turner and his wife and daughter, and Pelting, to sup with us and talk of my wife's journey to-morrow, her daughter going with my wife; and after supper to talk with her husband about the Office, and his place, which, by Sir J. Minnes's (age 69) age and inability, is very uncomfortable to him, as well as without profit, or certainty what he shall do, when Sir J. Minnes (age 69) dies, which is a sad condition for a man that hath lived so long in the Office as Mr. Turner hath done. But he aymes, and I advise him to it, to look for Mr. Ackworth's place, in case he should be removed. His wife afterwards did take me into my closet, and give me a cellar¹ of waters of her own distilling for my father, to be carried down with my wife and her daughter to-morrow, which was very handsome. So broke up and to bed.

Note 1. A box to hold bottles. "Run for the cellar of strong waters quickly" -Ben Jonson, Magnetic Lady, act iii., sc. r.

02 Apr 1668. Thence with Lord Brouncker (age 48) to the Royall Society, where they were just done; but there I was forced to subscribe to the building of a College, and did give £40; and several others did subscribe, some greater and some less sums; but several I saw hang off: and I doubt it will spoil the Society, for it breeds faction and ill-will, and becomes burdensome to some that cannot, or would not, do it. Here, to my great content, I did try the use of the Otacousticon, [Ear trumpet.] which was only a great glass bottle broke at the bottom, putting the neck to my eare, and there I did plainly hear the dashing of the oares of the boats in the Thames to Arundell gallery window, which, without it, I could not in the least do, and may, I believe, be improved to a great height, which I am mighty glad of.

02 Apr 1668. Thence with Lord Brouncker (age 48) and several of them to the King's Head Taverne by Chancery Lane, and there did drink and eat and talk, and, above the rest, I did hear of Mr. Hooke (age 32) and my Lord an account of the reason of concords and discords in musique, which they say is from the equality of vibrations; but I am not satisfied in it, but will at my leisure think of it more, and see how far that do go to explain it. So late at night home with Mr. Colwell, and parted, and I to the office, and then to Sir W. Pen (age 46) to confer with him, and Sir R. Ford (age 54) and Young, about our St. John Baptist prize, and so home, without more supper to bed, my family being now little by the departure of my wife and two maids.

03 Apr 1668. Up, and Captain Perryman come to me to tell me how Tatnell told him that this day one How is to charge me before the Commissioners of Prizes to the value of £8000 in prizes, which I was troubled to hear, so fearful I am, though I know that there is not a penny to be laid to my charge that I dare not own, or that I have not owned under my hand, but upon recollection it signifies nothing to me, and so I value it not, being sure that I can have nothing in the world to my hurt known from the business.

03 Apr 1668. So to the office, where all the morning to despatch business, and so home to dinner with my clerks, whose company is of great pleasure to me for their good discourse in any thing of the navy I have a mind to talk of.

03 Apr 1668. After dinner by water from the Tower to White Hall, there to attend the Duke of York (age 34) as usual, and particularly in a fresh complaint the Commissioners of the Treasury do make to him, and by and by to the Council this day of our having prepared certificates on the Exchequer to the further sum of near £50,000, and soon as we had done with the Duke of York (age 34) we did attend the Council; and were there called in, and did hear Mr. Sollicitor (age 46) [General] make his Report to the Council in the business; which he did in a most excellent manner of words, but most cruelly severe against us, and so were some of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, as men guilty of a practice with the tradesmen, to the King's prejudice. I was unwilling to enter into a contest with them; but took advantage of two or three words last spoke, and brought it to a short issue in good words, that if we had the King's order to hold our hands, we would, which did end the matter: and they all resolved we should have it, and so it ended: and so we away; I vexed that I did not speak more in a cause so fit to be spoke in, and wherein we had so much advantage; but perhaps I might have provoked the Sollicitor (age 46) and the Commissioners of the Treasury, and therefore, since, I am not sorry that I forbore.

03 Apr 1668. Thence my Lord Brouncker (age 48) and I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw the latter part of "The Master and the Man", and thence by coach to Duck Lane [Map], to look out for Marsanne, in French, a man that has wrote well of musique, but it is not to be had, but I have given order for its being sent for over, and I did here buy Des Cartes his little treatise of musique, and so home, and there to read a little, and eat a little, though I find that my having so little taste do make me so far neglect eating that, unless company invite, I do not love to spend time upon eating, and so bring emptiness and the Cholique.

03 Apr 1668. So to bed. This day I hear that Prince Rupert (age 48) and Holmes do go to sea: and by this there is a seeming friendship and peace among our great seamen; but the devil a bit is there any love among them, or can be.

04 Apr 1668. Up betimes, and by coach towards White Hall, and took Aldgate Street in my way, and there called upon one Hayward, that makes virginalls, and did there like of a little espinette, and will have him finish it for me; for I had a mind to a small harpsichon, but this takes up less room, and will do my business as to finding out of chords, and I am very well pleased that I have found it.

04 Apr 1668. Thence to White Hall, and after long waiting did get a small running Committee of Tangier, where I staid but little, and little done but the correcting two or three egregious faults in the Charter for Tangier after it had so long lain before the Council and been passed there and drawn up by the Atturney Generall, so slightly are all things in this age done.

04 Apr 1668. By and by the King (age 37) comes out, and he did easily agree to what we moved, and would have the Commissioners of the Navy to meet us with him to-morrow morning: and then to talk of other things; about the Quakers not swearing, and how they do swear in the business of a late election of a Knight of the Shire of Hartfordshire in behalf of one they have a mind to have; and how my Lord of Pembroke (age 47) says he hath heard him (the Quaker) at the tennis-court swear to himself when he loses: and told us what pretty notions my Lord Pembroke (age 47) hath of the first chapter of Genesis, how Adam's sin was not the sucking (which he did before) but the swallowing of the apple, by which the contrary elements begun to work in him, and to stir up these passions, and a great deal of such fooleries, which the King (age 37) made mighty mockery at.

04 Apr 1668. Thence my Lord Brouncker (age 48) and I into the Park in his coach, and there took a great deal of ayre, saving that it was mighty dusty, and so a little unpleasant.

04 Apr 1668. Thence to Common Garden with my Lord, and there I took a Hackney and home, and after having done a few letters at the office, I home to a little supper and so to bed, my eyes being every day more and more weak and apt to be tired.

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.

06 Apr 1668. Thence (where the place was now by the last night's rain very pleasant, and no dust) to White Hall, and set Creed down, and I home and to my chamber, and there about my musique notions again, wherein I take delight and find great satisfaction in them, and so, after a little supper, to bed. This day, in the afternoon, stepping with the Duke of York (age 34) into St. James's Park, it rained: and I was forced to lend the Duke of York (age 34) my cloak, which he wore through the Park.

07 Apr 1668. Up, and at the office all the morning, where great hurry to be made in the fitting forth of this present little fleet, but so many rubs by reason of want of money, and people's not believing us in cases where we had money unless (which in several cases, as in hiring of vessels, cannot be) they be paid beforehand, that every thing goes backward instead of forward.

07 Apr 1668. At noon comes Mr. Clerke, my solicitor, and the Auditor's men with my account drawn up in the Exchequer way with their queries, which are neither many nor great, or hard to answer upon it, and so dined with me, and then I by coach to the King's playhouse, and there saw "The English Monsiuer";' sitting for privacy sake in an upper box: the play hath much mirth in it as to that particular humour. After the play done, I down to Knipp, and did stay her undressing herself; and there saw the several players, men and women go by; and pretty to see how strange they are all, one to another, after the play is done. Here I saw a wonderful pretty maid of her own, that come to undress her, and one so pretty that she says she intends not to keep her, for fear of her being undone in her service, by coming to the playhouse.

07 Apr 1668. Here I hear Sir W. Davenant is just now dead; and so who will succeed him in the mastership of the house is not yet known. The eldest Davenport is, it seems, gone from this house to be kept by somebody; which I am glad of, she being a very bad actor. I took her then up into a coach and away to the Park, which is now very fine after some rain, but the company was going away most, and so I took her to the Lodge, and there treated her and had a deal of good talk, and now and then did baiser la, and that was all, and that as much or more than I had much mind to because of her paint. She tells me mighty news, that my Baroness Castlemayne (age 27) is mightily in love with Hart (age 42) of their house: and he is much with her in private, and she goes to him, and do give him many presents; and that the thing is most certain, and Becke Marshall only privy to it, and the means of bringing them together, which is a very odd thing; and by this means she is even with the King's love to Mrs. Davis (age 20). This done, I carried her and set her down at Mrs. Manuel's, but stayed not there myself, nor went in; but straight home, and there to my letters, and so home to bed.

08 Apr 1668. Up, and at my office all the morning, doing business, and then at noon home to dinner all alone. Then to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes (age 69) in his coach to attend the Duke of York (age 34) upon our usual business, which was this day but little, and thence with Lord Brouncker (age 48) to the Duke of York's playhouse, where we saw "The Unfortunate Lovers", no extraordinary play, methinks, and thence I to Drumbleby's, and there did talk a great deal about pipes; and did buy a recorder, which I do intend to learn to play on, the sound of it being, of all sounds in the world, most pleasing to me.

08 Apr 1668. Thence home, and to visit Mrs. Turner (age 45), where among other talk, Mr. Foly and her husband being there, she did tell me of young Captain Holmes's (age 46) marrying of Pegg Lowther last Saturday by stealth, which I was sorry for, he being an idle rascal, and proud, and worth little, I doubt; and she a mighty pretty, well-disposed lady, and good fortune. Her mother and friends take on mightily; but the sport is, Sir Robert Holmes do seem to be mad too with his brother, and will disinherit him, saying that he hath ruined himself, marrying below himself, and to his disadvantage; whereas, I said, in this company, that I had married a sister (age 27) lately, with little above half that portion, that he should have kissed her breech before he should have had her, which, if R. Holmes should hear, would make a great quarrel; but it is true I am heartily sorry for the poor girl that is undone by it.

08 Apr 1668. So home to my chamber, to be fingering of my Recorder, and getting of the scale of musique without book, which I at last see is necessary for a man that would understand musique, as it is now taught to understand, though it be a ridiculous and troublesome way, and I know I shall be able hereafter to show the world a simpler way; but, like the old hypotheses in philosophy, it must be learned, though a man knows a better. Then to supper, and to bed. This morning Mr. Christopher Pett's widow and daughter come to me, to desire my help to the King (age 37) and Duke of York (age 34), and I did promise, and do pity her.

09 Apr 1668. Up, and to the office, where all the morning sitting, then at noon home to dinner with my people, and so to the office again writing of my letters, and then abroad to my bookseller's, and up and down to the Duke of York's playhouse, there to see, which I did, Sir W. Davenant's corpse carried out towards Westminster, there to be buried. Here were many coaches and six horses, and many hacknies, that made it look, methought, as if it were the buriall of a poor poet. He seemed to have many children, by five or six in the first mourning-coach, all boys. And there I left them coming forth, and I to the New Exchange, there to meet Mrs. Burroughs, and did take her in a carosse and carry elle towards the Park, kissing her..., but did not go into any house, but come back and set her down at White Hall, and did give her wrapt in paper for my Valentine's gift for the last year before this, which I never did yet give her anything for, twelve half-crowns, and so back home and there to my office, where come a packet from the Downes from my brother Balty (age 28), who, with Harman (age 43), is arrived there, of which this day come the first news. And now the Parliament will be satisfied, I suppose, about the business they have so long desired between Brouncker (age 48) and Harman (age 43) about not prosecuting the first victory. Balty (age 28) is very well, and I hope hath performed his work well, that I may get him into future employment. I wrote to him this night, and so home, and there to the perfecting my getting the scale of musique without book, which I have done to perfection backward and forward, and so to supper and to bed.

10 Apr 1668. Friday All the morning at Office. At noon with W. Pen (age 46) to Duke of York (age 34), and attended Council.

10 Apr 1668. So to piper and Duck Lane [Map], and there kissed bookseller's wife, and bought Legend.

10 Apr 1668. So home, coach. Sailor. Mrs. Hannam dead. News of Peace. Conning my gamut¹. 12th. Sunday. Dined at Brouncker's, and saw the new book. Peace. Cutting away sails.

Note 1. The entries from April 10th to April 19th are transcribed from three leaves (six pages) of rough notes, which are inserted in the MS. The rough notes were made to serve for a sort of account book, but the amounts paid are often not registered in the fair copy when he came to transcribe his notes into the Diary.

13 Apr 1668. Monday. Spent at Michel's 6d.; in the Folly, 1s.¹ oysters, 1s.; coach to W. Coventry (age 40) about Mrs. Pett, 1s.; thence to Commissioners of Treasury, and so to Westminster Hall [Map] by water, 6d. With G. Montagu and Roger Pepys (age 50), and spoke with Birch (age 52) and Vaughan, all in trouble about the prize business.

Note 1. The Folly was a floating house of entertainment on the Thames, which at this time was a fashionable resort.

13 Apr 1668. So to Lord Crew's (calling for a low pipe by the way), where Creed and G. M. and G. C. come, 1s. So with Creed to a play. Little laugh, 4s.

13 Apr 1668. Thence towards the Park by coach, 2s. 6d. Come home, met with order of Commissioners of Accounts, which put together with the rest vexed me, and so home to supper and to bed.

14 Apr 1668. Tuesday. Up betimes by water to the Temple. In the way read the Narrative about prizes; and so to Lord Crew's (age 70) bedside, and then to Westminster, where I hear Pen is, and sent for by messenger last night.

14 Apr 1668. Thence to Commissioners of Accounts and there examined, and so back to Westminster Hall [Map], where all the talk of committing all to the Tower, and Creed and I to the Quaker's, dined together.

14 Apr 1668. Thence to the House, where rose about four o'clock; and, with much ado, Pen got to Thursday to bring in his answer; so my Lord escapes to-day.

14 Apr 1668. Thence with Godage (age 33) and G. Montagu (age 45) to G. Carteret's (age 58), and there sat their dinner-time: and hear myself, by many Parliament-men, mightily commended.

14 Apr 1668. Thence to a play, "Love's Cruelty", and so to my Lord Crew's (age 70), who glad of this day's time got, and so home, and there office, and then home to supper and to bed, my eyes being the better upon leaving drinking at night. Water, 1s. Porter, 6d. Water, 6d. Dinner, 3s. 6d. Play part, 2s. Oranges, 1s.

14 Apr 1668. Home coach, 1s. 6d.

15 Apr 1668. After playing a little upon my new little flageolet, that is so soft that pleases me mightily, betimes to my office, where most of the morning. Then by coach, 1s., and meeting Lord Brouncker (age 48), 'light at the Exchange [Map], and thence by water to White Hall, 1s., and there to the Chapel, expecting wind musick and to the Harp-and-Ball, and drank all alone, 2d. Back, and to the fiddling concert, and heard a practice mighty good of Grebus, and thence to Westminster Hall [Map], where all cry out that the House will be severe with Pen; but do hope well concerning the buyers, that we shall have no difficulty, which God grant! Here met Creed, and, about noon, he and I, and Sir P. Neale (age 55) to the Quaker's, and there dined with a silly Executor of Bishop Juxon's, and cozen Roger Pepys (age 50). Business of money goes on slowly in the House.

15 Apr 1668. Thence to White Hall by water, and there with the Duke of York (age 34) a little, but stayed not, but saw him and his lady at his little pretty chapel, where I never was before: but silly devotion, God knows! Thence I left Creed, and to the King's playhouse, into a corner of the 18d. box, and there saw "The Maid's Tradegy", a good play. Coach, 1s.: play and oranges, 2s. 6d. Creed come, dropping presently here, but he did not see me, and come to the same place, nor would I be seen by him.

15 Apr 1668. Thence to my Lord Crew's (age 70), and there he come also after, and there with Sir T. Crew bemoaning my Lord's folly in leaving his old interest, by which he hath now lost all. An ill discourse in the morning of my Lord's being killed, but this evening GoDolphin tells us here that my Lord is well.

15 Apr 1668. Thence with Creed to the Cock ale-house, and there spent 6d., and so by coach home, 2s. 6d., and so to bed.

16 Apr 1668. Thursday. Greeting's book, is. Begun this day to learn the Recorder.

16 Apr 1668. To the office, where all the morning. Dined with my clerks: and merry at Sir W. Pen's (age 46) crying yesterday, as they say, to the King (age 37), that he was his martyr.

16 Apr 1668. So to White Hall by coach to Commissioners of [the] Treasury about certificates, but they met not, 2s. To Westminster by water. To Westminster Hall [Map], where I hear W. Pen (age 46) is ordered to be impeached, 6d. There spoke with many, and particularly with G. Montagu: and went with him and Creed to his house, where he told how W. Pen (age 46) hath been severe to Lord Sandwich (age 42); but the Coventrys both labouring to save him, by laying it on Lord Sandwich (age 42), which our friends cry out upon, and I am silent, but do believe they did it as the only way to save him. It could not be carried to commit him. It is thought the House do coole: W. Coventry's (age 40) being for him, provoked Sir R. Howard (age 42) and his party; Court, all for W. Pen (age 46).

16 Apr 1668. Thence to White Hall, but no meeting of the Commissioners, and there met Mr. Hunt, and thence to Mrs. Martin's, and, there did what I would, she troubled for want of employ for her husband, spent on her 1s.

16 Apr 1668. Thence to the Hall to walk awhile and ribbon, spent is. So [to] Lord Crew's (age 70), and there with G. Carteret (age 58) and my Lord to talk, and they look upon our matters much the better, and by this and that time is got, 1s.

16 Apr 1668. So to the Temple [Map] late, and by water, by moonshine, home, 1s. Cooks, 6d. Wrote my letters to my Lady Sandwich (age 43), and so home, where displeased to have my maid bring her brother, a countryman, to lye there, and so to bed.

17 Apr 1668. Friday. Called up by Balty's (age 28) coming, who gives me a good account of his voyage, and pleases me well, and I hope hath got something. This morning paid the Royall Society £1 6s., and so to the office all the morning.

17 Apr 1668. At noon home to dinner with my people, and there much pretty discourse of Balty's (age 28). So by coach to White Hall: the coachman on Ludgate Hill [Map] 'lighted, and beat a fellow with a sword, 2s. 6d. Did little business with the Duke of York (age 34). Hear that the House is upon the business of Harman (age 43), who, they say, takes all on himself.

17 Apr 1668. Thence, with Brouncker (age 48), to the King's house, and saw "The Surprizall", where base singing, only Knepp,' who come, after her song in the clouds, to me in the pit, and there, oranges, 2s. After the play, she, and I, and Rolt, by coach, 6s. 6d., to Kensington, and there to the Grotto, and had admirable pleasure with their singing, and fine ladies listening to us: with infinite pleasure, I enjoyed myself: so to the tavern there, and did spend 16s. 6d., and the gardener 2s. Mighty merry, and sang all the way to the town, a most pleasant evening, moonshine, and set them at her house in Covent Garden [Map], and I home and to bed.

18 Apr 1668. Saturday. Up, and my bookseller brought home books, bound-the binding comes to 17s. Advanced to my maid Bridget £1. Sir W. Pen (age 46) at the Office, seemingly merry. Do hear this morning that Harman (age 43) is committed by the Parliament last night, the day he come up, which is hard; but he took all upon himself first, and then when a witness come in to say otherwise, he would have retracted; and the House took it so ill, they would commit him.

18 Apr 1668. Thence home to dinner with my clerks, and so to White Hall by water, 1s., and there a short Committee for Tangier, and so I to the King's playhouse, 1s., and to the play of the "Duke of Lerma", 2s. 6d., and oranges, 1s.

18 Apr 1668. Thence by coach to Westminster, 1s., and the House just up, having been about money business, 1s.

18 Apr 1668. So home by coach, 3s., calling in Duck Lane [Map], and did get Des Cartes' Musique in English,' and so home and wrote my letters, and then to my chamber to save my eyes, and to bed.

19 Apr 1668. Sunday. Lay long. Roger Pepys (age 50) and his son come, and to Church with me, where W. Pen (age 46) was, and did endeavour to shew himself to the Church.

20 Apr 1668. Up betimes and to the getting ready my answer to the Committee of Accounts to several questions, which makes me trouble, though I know of no blame due to me from any, let them enquire what they can out¹. I to White Hall, and there hear how Henry Brouncker (age 41) is fled, which, I think, will undo him: but what good it will do Harman (age 43) I know not, he hath so befooled himself; but it will be good sport to my Chancellor (age 59) to hear how his great enemy is fain to take the same course that he is. There met Robinson, who tells me that he fears his master, W. Coventry, will this week have his business brought upon the stage again, about selling of places, which I shall be sorry for, though the less, since I hear his standing for Pen the other day, to the prejudice, though not to the wrong, of my Lord Sandwich (age 42); and yet I do think what he did, he did out of a principle of honesty.

Note 1. The first part of the entry for April 20th is among the rough notes, and stands as follows: "Monday 20. Up and busy about answer to Committee of Accounts this morning about several questions which vexed me though in none I have reason to be troubled. But the business of The Flying Greyhound begins to find me some care, though in that I am wholly void of blame". This may be compared with the text.

20 Apr 1668. Thence to Committee of Accounts, and delivered my paper, and had little discourse, and was unwilling to stay long with them to enter into much, but away and glad to be from them, though very civil to me, but cunning and close I see they are.

20 Apr 1668. So to Westminster Hall [Map], and there find the Parliament upon the Irish business, where going into the Speaker's chamber I did hear how plainly one lawyer of counsel for the complainants did inveigh by name against all the late Commissioners there.

20 Apr 1668. Thence with Creed, thinking, but failed, of dining with Lord Crew, and so he and I to Hercules Pillars, and there dined, and thence home by coach, and so with Jack Fenn to the Chamberlain of London to look after the state of some Navy assignments that are in his hands, and thence away, and meeting Sir William Hooker, the Alderman (age 56), he did cry out mighty high against Sir W. Pen (age 46) for his getting such an estate, and giving £15,000 with his daughter, which is more, by half, than ever he did give; but this the world believes, and so let them.

20 Apr 1668. Thence took coach and I all alone to Hyde Park (passing through Duck Lane [Map] among the booksellers, only to get a sight of the pretty little woman I did salute the other night, and did in passing), and so all the evening in the Park, being a little unwilling to be seen there, and at night home, and thereto W. Pen's (age 46) and sat and talked there with his wife and children a good while, he being busy in his closet, I believe preparing his defence in Parliament, and so home to bed.

21 Apr 1668. Up, and at the office all the morning, at noon dined at home, and thence took Mrs. Turner (age 45) out and carried her to the King's house, and saw "The Indian Emperour"; and after that done, took Knepp out, and to Kensington; and there walked in the garden, and then supped, and mighty merry, there being also in the house Sir Philip Howard (age 37), and some company, and had a dear reckoning, but merry, and away, it being quite night, home, and dark, about 9 o'clock or more, and in my coming had the opportunity the first time in my life to be bold with Knepp.., and so left her at home, and so Mrs. Turner (age 45) and I home to my letters and to bed. Here hear how Sir W. Pen's (age 46) impeachment was read, and agreed to, in the House this day, and ordered to be engrossed; and he suspended the House¹ Harman (age 43) set at liberty; and Brouncker (age 41) put out of the House, and a writ for a new election, and an impeachment ordered to be brought in against him, he being fled!²

Note 1. From sitting as a member pending the impeachment.-B.

Note 2. Sir Charles Berkeley, jun (age 68). was chosen in his room. In the sea-fight off Southwold Bay on June 3rd, 1665, the English triumphed over the Dutch, but the very considerable victory was not followed up. During the night, while the Duke of York (age 34) slept, Henry Brouncker (age 41), his groom of the bedchamber, ordered the lieutenant to shorten sail, by which means the progress of the whole fleet was retarded, the Duke of York's (age 34) being the leading ship. The duke affirmed that he first heard of Brouncker's (age 41) unjustifiable action in July, and yet he kept the culprit in his service for nearly two years after the offence had come to his knowledge. After Brouncker (age 41) had been dismissed from the duke's service, the House of Commons ejected him. The whole matter is one of the unsolved difficulties of history. See Lister's "Life of Clarendon", ii., 334 335.

22 Apr 1668. Up, and all the morning at my office busy. At noon, it being washing day, I toward White Hall, and stopped and dined all alone at Hercules Pillars, where I was mighty pleased to overhear a woman talk to her counsel how she had troubled her neighbours with law, and did it very roguishly and wittily.

22 Apr 1668. Thence to White Hall, and there we attended the Duke of York (age 34) as usual; and I did present Mrs. Pett, the widow, and her petition to the Duke of York (age 34), for some relief from the King (age 37). Here was to-day a proposition made to the Duke of York (age 34) by Captain Von Hemskirke for £20,000, to discover an art how to make a ship go two foot for one what any ship do now, which the King (age 37) inclines to try, it costing him nothing to try; and it is referred to us to contract with the man.

22 Apr 1668. Thence to attend the Council about the business of certificates to the Exchequer, where the Commissioners of the Treasury of different minds, some would, and my Lord Ashly (age 46) would not have any more made out, and carried it there should not. After done here, and the Council up, I by water from the Privy-stairs to Westminster Hall [Map]; and, taking water, the King (age 37) and the Duke of York (age 34) were in the new buildings; and the Duke of York (age 34) called to me whither I was going? and I answered aloud, "To wait on our maisters at Westminster"; at which he and all the company laughed; but I was sorry and troubled for it afterwards, for fear any Parliament-man should have been there; and will be a caution to me for the time to come. Met with Roger Pepys (age 50), who tells me they have been on the business of money, but not ended yet, but will take up more time.

22 Apr 1668. So to the fishmonger's, and bought a couple of lobsters, and over to the sparagus garden, thinking to have met Mr. Pierce, and his wife and Knepp; but met their servant coming to bring me to Chatelin's, the French house, in Covent Garden [Map], and there with musick and good company, Manuel and his wife, and one Swaddle, a clerk of Lord Arlington's (age 50), who dances, and speaks French well, but got drunk, and was then troublesome, and here mighty merry till ten at night, and then I away, and got a coach, and so home, where I find Balty (age 28) and his wife come to town, and did sup with them, and so they to bed. This night the Duke of Monmouth (age 19) and a great many blades were at Chatelin's, and I left them there, with a Hackney-coach attending him.

23 Apr 1668. Up, and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon comes Knepp and Mrs. Pierce, and her daughter, and one Mrs. Foster, and dined with me, and mighty merry, and after dinner carried them to the Tower [Map], and shewed them all to be seen there, and, among other things, the Crown and Scepters and rich plate, which I myself never saw before, and indeed is noble, and I mightily pleased with it.

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.

24 Apr 1668. Up betimes, and by water to White Hall, to the Duke of York (age 34), and there hear that this day Hollis (age 25) and Temple (age 34) purpose to bring in the petition against Sir W. Coventry (age 40), which I am sorry for, but hope he will get out of it. Here I presented Mrs. Pett and her condition to Mr. Wren (age 39) for his favour, which he promised us.

24 Apr 1668. Thence to Lord Brouncker (age 48) and sat and talked with him, who thinks the Parliament will, by their violence and delay in money matters, force the King (age 37) to run any hazard, and dissolve them.

24 Apr 1668. Thence to Ducke Lane [Map], and there did overlook a great many of Monsieur Fouquet's library, that a bookseller hath bought, and I did buy one Spanish [work], "Los Illustres Varones".¹ Here did I endeavour to see my pretty woman that I did baiser in las tenebras a little while depuis. And did find her sofa in the book[shop], but had not la confidence para alter a elle. So lost my pains. But will another time, and so home and to my office, and then to dinner.

Note 1. Nicholas Fouquet, "Surintendant des Finances" in France, had built at Vaux a house which surpassed in magnificence any palace belonging to Louis XIV., prior to the erection of Versailles, and caused much envy to all the Court, especially to Colbert. Fouquet died at Pignerol in 1680, after nineteen years' incarceration; and whilst Pepys was buying his books in London, Colbert had become prime minister in France, and Colbert's brother ambassador in England. The 'viper' had caught the 'squirrel'! B.

24 Apr 1668. After dinner down to the Old Swan [Map], and by the way called at Michell's, and there did see Betty, and that was all, for either she is shy or foolish, and su mardi hath no mind para laiser me see su moher. To White Hall by water, and there did our business with the Duke of York (age 34), which was very little, only here I do hear the Duke of York (age 34) tell how Sir W. Pen's (age 47) impeachment was brought into the House of Lords to-day; and spoke with great kindness of him: and that the Lords would not commit him till they could find precedent for it, and did incline to favour him.

24 Apr 1668. Thence to the King's playhouse, and there saw a piece of "Beggar's Bush", which I have not seen some years, and thence home, and there to Sir W. Pen's (age 47) and supped and sat talking there late, having no where else to go, and my eyes too bad to read right, and so home to bed.

25 Apr 1668. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes (age 69) to my Lord Brouncker (age 48), and with him all of us to my Lord Ashly (age 46) to satisfy him about the reason of what we do or have done in the business of the tradesmen's certificates, which he seems satisfied with, but is not, but I believe we have done what we can justify, and he hath done what he cannot in stopping us to grant them, and I believe it will come into Parliament and make trouble.

25 Apr 1668. So home and there at the office all the morning.

25 Apr 1668. At noon home to dinner, and thence after dinner to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "Sir Martin Marr-all", which, the more I see, the more I like, and thence to Westminster Hall [Map], and there met with Roger Pepys (age 50); and he tells me that nothing hath lately passed about my Lord Sandwich (age 42), but only Sir Robert Carr (age 31) did speak hardly of him. But it is hoped that nothing will be done more, this meeting of Parliament, which the King (age 37) did, by a message yesterday, declare again, should rise the 4th of May, and then only adjourne for three months: and this message being only adjournment, did please them mightily, for they are desirous of their power mightily.

25 Apr 1668. Thence homeward by the Coffee House in Covent Garden [Map], thinking to have met Harris (age 34) here but could not, and so home, and there, after my letters, I home to have my hair cut by my sister Michell and her husband (age 28), and so to bed. This day I did first put off my waste-coate, the weather being very hot, but yet lay in it at night, and shall, for a little time.

26 Apr 1668. Lord's Day. Lay long, and then up and to Church, and so home, where there come and dined with me Harris (age 34), Rolt (age 39), and Bannister, and one Bland, that sings well also, and very merry at dinner, and, after dinner, to sing all the afternoon. But when all was done, I did begin to think that the pleasure of these people was not worth so often charge and cost to me, as it hath occasioned me. They being gone I and Balty (age 28) walked as far as Charing Cross [Map], and there got a coach and to Hales's (age 68) the painter, thinking to have found Harris (age 34) sitting there for his picture, which is drawing for me. But he, and all this day's company, and Hales (age 68), were got to the Crown tavern, at next door, and thither I to them and stayed a minute, leaving Captain Grant (age 48) telling pretty stories of people that have killed themselves, or been accessory to it, in revenge to other people, and to mischief other people, and thence with Hales (age 68) to his house, and there did see his beginning of Harris's (age 34) picture, which I think will be pretty like, and he promises a very good picture.

26 Apr 1668. Thence with Balty (age 28) away and got a coach and to Hide Park, and there up and down and did drink some milk at the Lodge, and so home and to bed.

27 Apr 1668. Up, and Captain Deane (age 34) come to see me, and he and I toward Westminster together, and I set him down at White Hall, while I to Westminster Hall [Map], and up to the Lords' House, and there saw Sir W. Pen (age 47) go into the House of Lords, where his impeachment was read to him, and he used mighty civilly, the Duke of York (age 34) being there; and two days hence, at his desire, he is to bring in his answer, and a day then to be appointed for his being heard with Counsel.

27 Apr 1668. Thence down into the Hall, and with Creed and Godolphin (age 33) walked; and do hear that to-morrow is appointed, upon a motion on Friday last, to discourse the business of my Lord Sandwich (age 42), moved by Sir R. Howard (age 42), that he should be sent for, home; and I fear it will be ordered. Certain news come, I hear, this day, that the Spanish Plenipotentiary in Flanders will not agree to the peace and terms we and the Dutch have made for him and the King of France (age 29); and by this means the face of things may be altered, and we forced to join with the French against Spain, which will be an odd thing.

27 Apr 1668. At noon with Creed to my Lord Crew's (age 70), and there dined; and here was a very fine-skinned lady dined, the daughter (age 18) of my Lord Roberts (age 62), and also a fine lady, Mr. John Parkhurst (age 25) his wife, that was but a boy the other day. And after dinner there comes in my Lady Roberts (age 38) herself, and with her Mr. Roberts's daughter, that was Mrs. Boddevill (age 31), the great beauty, and a fine lady indeed, the first time I saw her. My Lord Crew (age 70), and Sir Thomas, and I, and Creed, all the afternoon debating of my Lord Sandwich's (age 42) business, against to-morrow, and thence I to the King's playhouse, and there saw most of "The Cardinall", a good play, and thence to several places to pay my debts, and then home, and there took a coach and to Mile End [Map] to take a little ayre, and thence home to Sir W. Pen's (age 47), where I supped, and sat all the evening; and being lighted homeward by Mrs. Markham, I blew out the candle and kissed her, and so home to bed.

28 Apr 1668. Up betimes, and to Sir W. Coventry's (age 40) by water, but lost my labour, so through the Park to White Hall, and thence to my Lord Crew's (age 70) to advise again with him about my Lord Sandwich (age 42), and so to the office, where till noon, and then I by coach to Westminster Hall [Map], and there do understand that the business of religion, and the Act against Conventicles, have so taken them up all this morning, and do still, that my Lord Sandwich's (age 42) business is not like to come on to-day, which I am heartily glad of. This law against Conventicles is very severe; but Creed, whom I met here, do tell me that, it being moved that Papists' meetings might be included, the House was divided upon it, and it was carried in the negative; which will give great disgust to the people, I doubt.

28 Apr 1668. Thence with Creed to Hercules Pillars by the Temple [Map] again, and there dined he and I all alone, and thence to the King's house, and there did see "Love in a Maze", wherein very good mirth of Lacy (age 53), the clown, and Wintersell, the country-knight, his master.

28 Apr 1668. Thence to the New Exchange to pay a debt of my wife's there, and so home, and there to the office and walk in the garden in the dark to ease my eyes, and so home to supper and to bed.

29 Apr 1668. Up, and to my office, where all the morning busy.

29 Apr 1668. At noon dined at home, and my clerks with me, and thence I to White Hall, and there do hear how Sir W. Pen (age 47) hath delivered in his answer; and the Lords have sent it down to the Commons, but they have not yet read it, nor taken notice of it, so as, I believe, they will by design defer it till they rise, that so he, by lying under an impeachment, may be prevented in his going to sea, which will vex him, and trouble the Duke of York (age 34). Did little business with the Duke of York (age 34), and then Lord Brouncker (age 48) and I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "Love in a Tubb"; and, after the play done, I stepped up to Harris's (age 34) dressing-room, where I never was, and there I observe much company come to him, and the Witts, to talk, after the play is done, and to assign meetings. Mine was to talk about going down to see "The Resolution", and so away, and thence to Westminster Hall [Map], and there met with Mr. G. Montagu (age 45), and walked and talked; who tells me that the best fence against the Parliament's present fury is delay, and recommended it to me, in my friends' business and my own, if I have any; and is that, that Sir W. Coventry (age 40) do take, and will secure himself; that the King (age 37) will deliver up all to the Parliament; and being petitioned the other day by Mr. Brouncker (age 48) to protect him, with teares in his eyes, the King (age 37) did say he could not, and bid him shift for himself, at least till the House is up.

29 Apr 1668. Thence I away to White Hall, and there took coach home with a stranger I let into the coach, to club with me for it, he going into London, I set him down at the lower end of Cheapside, and I home, and to Sir W. Pen's (age 47), and there sat, and by and by, it being now about nine o'clock at night, I heard Mercer's voice, and my boy Tom's singing in the garden, which pleased me mightily, I longing to see the girl, having not seen her since my wife went; and so into the garden to her and sang, and then home to supper, and mightily pleased with her company, in talking and singing, and so parted, and to bed.

30 Apr 1668. Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon Sir J. Minnes (age 69) and I to the Dolphin Tavern, there to meet our neighbours, all of the Parish, this being Procession-day, to dine. And did; and much very good discourse; they being, most of them, very able merchants as any in the City: Sir Andrew Rickard (age 64), Mr. Vandeputt, Sir John Fredericke (age 66), Harrington, and others. They talked with Mr. Mills about the meaning of this day, and the good uses of it; and how heretofore, and yet in several places, they do whip a boy at each place they stop at in their procession.

30 Apr 1668. Thence I to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "The Tempest", which still pleases me mightily, and thence to the New Exchange, and then home, and in the way stopped to talk with Mr. Brisband, who gives me an account of the rough usage Sir G. Carteret (age 58) and his Counsel had the other day, before the Commissioners of Accounts, and what I do believe we shall all of us have, in a greater degree than any he hath had yet with them, before their three years are out, which are not yet begun, nor God knows when they will, this being like to be no session of Parliament, when they now rise.