01 Aug 1665. Slept, and lay long; then up and my Lord [Crew] and Sir G. Carteret (age 55) being gone abroad, I first to see the bridegroom (age 24) and bride, and found them both up, and he gone to dress himself. Both red in the face, and well enough pleased this morning with their night's lodging.

01 Aug 1665. Thence down and Mr. Brisband and I to billiards: anon come my Lord and Sir G. Carteret (age 55) in, who have been looking abroad and visiting some farms that Sir G. Carteret (age 55) hath thereabouts, and, among other things, report the greatest stories of the bigness of the calfes they find there, ready to sell to the butchers, as big, they say, as little Cowes, and that they do give them a piece of chalke to licke, which they hold makes them white in the flesh within. Very merry at dinner, and so to talk and laugh after dinner, and up and down, some to [one] place, some to another, full of content on all sides.

01 Aug 1665. Anon about five o'clock, Sir G. Carteret (age 55) and his lady (age 63) and I took coach with the greatest joy and kindnesse that could be from the two familys or that ever I saw with so much appearance, and, I believe, reality in all my life.

01 Aug 1665. Drove hard home, and it was night ere we got to Deptford, Kent [Map], where, with much kindnesse from them to me, I left them, and home to the office, where I find all well, and being weary and sleepy, it being very late, I to bed.

03 Aug 1665. Coming to Dagenhams, I there met our company coming out of the house, having staid as long as they could for me; so I let them go a little before, and went and took leave of my Lady Sandwich (age 40), good woman, who seems very sensible of my service in this late business, and having her directions in some things, among others, to get Sir G. Carteret (age 55) and my Lord to settle the portion, and what Sir G. Carteret (age 55) is to settle, into land, soon as may be, she not liking that it should lie long undone, for fear of death on either side.

03 Aug 1665. So took leave of her, and then down to the buttery, and eat a piece of cold venison pie, and drank and took some bread and cheese in my hand; and so mounted after them, Mr. Marr very kindly staying to lead me the way.

03 Aug 1665. By and by met my Lord Crew (age 67) returning, after having accompanied them a little way, and so after them, Mr. Marr telling me by the way how a mayde servant of Mr. John Wright's (who lives thereabouts) falling sick of the plague, she was removed to an out-house, and a nurse appointed to look to her; who, being once absent, the mayde got out of the house at the window, and run away. The nurse coming and knocking, and having no answer, believed she was dead, and went and told Mr. Wright so; who and his lady were in great strait what to do to get her buried. At last resolved to go to Burntwood [Map] hard by, being in the parish, and there get people to do it. But they would not; so he went home full of trouble, and in the way met the wench walking over the common, which frighted him worse than before; and was forced to send people to take her, which he did; and they got one of the pest coaches and put her into it to carry her to a pest house. And passing in a narrow lane, Sir Anthony Browne, with his brother and some friends in the coach, met this coach with the curtains drawn close. The brother being a young man, and believing there might be some lady in it that would not be seen, and the way being narrow, he thrust his head out of his own into her coach, and to look, and there saw somebody look very ill, and in a sick dress, and stunk mightily; which the coachman also cried out upon. And presently they come up to some people that stood looking after it, and told our gallants that it was a mayde of Mr. Wright's carried away sick of the plague; which put the young gentleman into a fright had almost cost him his life, but is now well again. I, overtaking our young people, 'light, and into the coach to them, where mighty merry all the way; and anon come to the Blockehouse, over against Gravesend, Kent [Map], where we staid a great while, in a little drinking-house.

03 Aug 1665. Sent back our coaches to Dagenhams. I, by and by, by boat to Gravesend, Kent [Map], where no newes of Sir G. Carteret (age 55) come yet; so back again, and fetched them all over, but the two saddle-horses that were to go with us, which could not be brought over in the horseboat, the wind and tide being against us, without towing; so we had some difference with some watermen, who would not tow them over under 20s., whereupon I swore to send one of them to sea and will do it. Anon some others come to me and did it for 10s.

03 Aug 1665. By and by comes Sir G. Carteret (age 55), and so we set out for Chatham, Kent [Map]: in my way overtaking some company, wherein was a lady, very pretty, riding singly, her husband in company with her. We fell into talke, and I read a copy of verses which her husband showed me, and he discommended, but the lady commended: and I read them, so as to make the husband turn to commend them.

03 Aug 1665. By and by he and I fell into acquaintance, having known me formerly at the Exchequer. His name is Nokes, over against Bow Church [Map]. He was servant to Alderman Dashwood. We promised to meet, if ever we come both to London again; and, at parting, I had a fair salute on horseback, in Rochester, Kent [Map] streets, of the lady, and so parted.

03 Aug 1665. Come to Chatham, Kent [Map] mighty merry, and anon to supper, it being near 9 o'clock ere we come thither. My Baroness Carteret (age 63) come thither in a coach, by herself, before us. Great mind they have to buy a little 'hacquenee' that I rode on from Greenwich, Kent [Map], for a woman's horse. Mighty merry, and after supper, all being withdrawn, Sir G. Carteret (age 55) did take an opportunity to speak with much value and kindness to me, which is of great joy to me. So anon to bed. Mr. Brisband and I together to my content.

04 Aug 1665. Up at five o'clock, and by six walked out alone, with my Lady Slanning, to the Docke Yard, where walked up and down, and so to Mr. Pett's (age 54), who led us into his garden, and there the lady, the best humoured woman in the world, and a devout woman (I having spied her on her knees half an houre this morning in her chamber), clambered up to the top of the banquetting-house to gather nuts, and mighty merry, and so walked back again through the new rope house, which is very usefull; and so to the Hill-house to breakfast and mighty merry.

04 Aug 1665. Then they took coach, and Sir G. Carteret (age 55) kissed me himself heartily, and my Lady several times, with great kindnesse, and then the young ladies, and so with much joy, bade "God be with you!" and an end I think it will be to my mirthe for a great while, it having been the passage of my whole life the most pleasing for the time, considering the quality and nature of the business, and my noble usage in the doing of it, and very many fine journys, entertainments and great company. I returned into the house for a while to do business there with Commissioner Pett (age 54), and there with the officers of the Chest, where I saw more of Sir W. Batten's (age 64) business than ever I did before, for whereas he did own once under his hand to them that he was accountable for £2200, of which he had yet paid but £1600, he writes them a letter lately that he hath but about £50 left that is due to the Chest, but I will do something in it and that speedily.

04 Aug 1665. That being done I took horse, and Mr. Barrow with me bore me company to Gravesend, Kent [Map], discoursing of his business, wherein I vexed him, and he me, I seeing his frowardness, but yet that he is in my conscience a very honest man, and some good things he told me, which I shall remember to the King's advantage.

04 Aug 1665. There I took boat alone, and, the tide being against me, landed at Blackwall [Map] and walked to Wapping, Captain Bowd whom I met with talking with me all the way, who is a sober man.

04 Aug 1665. So home, and found all things well, and letters from Dover that my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 17) is arrived at Dover, and would be at Scott's hall this night, where the whole company will meet. I wish myself with them.

04 Aug 1665. After writing a few letters I took boat and down to Woolwich, Kent [Map] very late, and there found my wife and her woman upon the key hearing a fellow in a barge, that lay by, fiddle. So I to them and in, very merry, and to bed, I sleepy and weary.

05 Aug 1665. In the morning up, and my wife showed me several things of her doing, especially one fine woman's Persian head mighty finely done, beyond what I could expect of her; and so away by water, having ordered in the yarde six or eight bargemen to be whipped, who had last night stolen some of the King's cordage from out of the yarde. I to Deptford, Kent [Map], and there by agreement met with my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and there we kept our office, he and I, and did what there was to do, and at noon parted to meet at the office next week. Sir W. Warren and I thence did walk through the rain to Half-Way House, and there I eat a piece of boiled beef and he and I talked over several businesses, among others our design upon the mast docke, which I hope to compass and get 2 or £300 by.

05 Aug 1665. Thence to Redriffe [Map], where we parted, and I home, where busy all the afternoon. Stepped to Colvill's to set right a business of money, where he told me that for certain De Ruyter (age 58) is come home, with all his fleete, which is very ill newes, considering the charge we have been at in keeping a fleete to the northward so long, besides the great expectation of snapping him, wherein my Lord Sandwich (age 40) will I doubt suffer some dishonour. I am told also of a great ryott upon Thursday last in Cheapside [Map]; Colonell Danvers, a delinquent, having been taken, and in his way to the Tower was rescued from the captain of the guard, and carried away; only one of the rescuers being taken. I am told also that the Duke of Buckingham (age 37) is dead, but I know not of a certainty.

05 Aug 1665. So home and very late at letters, and then home to supper and to bed.

06 Aug 1665. Lord's Day. Dressed and had my head combed by my little girle, to whom I confess 'que je sum demasiado kind, nuper ponendo mes mains in su des choses de son breast, mais il faut que je' leave it lest it bring me to 'alcun major inconvenience'.¹

Note 1. TT. had my head combed by my little girle to whom I confess that I am too friendly, recently often putting my hands in the two things of her breast; but I had to stop it lest it bring me to some major inconvenience.

06 Aug 1665. So to my business in my chamber, look over and settling more of my papers than I could the two last days I have spent about them.

06 Aug 1665. In the evening, it raining hard, down to Woolwich, Kent [Map], where after some little talk to bed.

07 Aug 1665. Up, and with great pleasure looking over my wife's pictures, and then to see my Lady Pen (age 41), whom I have not seen since her coming hither, and after being a little merry with her, she went forth and I staid there talking with Mrs. Pegg and looking over her pictures, and commended them; but, Lord! so far short of my wife's, as no comparison.

07 Aug 1665. Thence to my wife, and there spent, talking, till noon, when by appointment Mr. Andrews come out of the country to speake with me about their Tangier business, and so having done with him and dined, I home by water, where by appointment I met Dr. Twysden (age 58), Mr. Povy (age 51), Mr. Lawson, and Stockdale about settling their business of money; but such confusion I never met with, nor could anything be agreed on, but parted like a company of fools, I vexed to lose so much time and pains to no purpose.

07 Aug 1665. They gone, comes Rayner, the boatmaker, about some business, and brings a piece of plate with him, which I refused to take of him, thinking indeed that the poor man hath no reason nor encouragement from our dealings with him to give any of us any presents.

07 Aug 1665. He gone, there comes Luellin, about Mr. Deering's business of planke, to have the contract perfected, and offers me twenty pieces in gold, as Deering had done some time since himself, but I both then and now refused it, resolving not to be bribed to dispatch business, but will have it done however out of hand forthwith. So he gone, I to supper and to bed.

08 Aug 1665. Up and to the office, where all the morning we sat.

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

08 Aug 1665. So to my office a little, and then to the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) about some business. The streets mighty empty all the way, now even in London, which is a sad sight. And to Westminster Hall [Map], where talking, hearing very sad stories from Mrs. Mumford; among others, of Mrs. Michell's son's family. And poor Will, that used to sell us ale at the Hall-door, his wife and three children died, all, I think, in a day.

08 Aug 1665. So home through the City again, wishing I may have taken no ill in going; but I will go, I think, no more thither. Late at the office, and then home to supper, having taken a pullet home with me, and then to bed.

08 Aug 1665. The news of De Ruyter's (age 58) coming home is certain; and told to the great disadvantage of our fleete, and the praise of De Ruyter (age 58); but it cannot be helped, nor do I know what to say to it.

09 Aug 1665. Up betimes to my office, where Tom Hater to the writing of letters with me, which have for a good while been in arreare, and we close at it all day till night, only made a little step out for half an houre in the morning to the Exchequer about striking of tallys, but no good done therein, people being most out of towne.

09 Aug 1665. At noon T. Hater dined with me, and so at it all the afternoon. At night home and supped, and after reading a little in Cowley's (age 47) poems, my head being disturbed with overmuch business to-day, I to bed.

10 Aug 1665. Up betimes, and called upon early by my she-cozen Porter, the turner's wife, to tell me that her husband was carried to the Tower [Map], for buying of some of the King's powder, and would have my helpe, but I could give her none, not daring any more to appear in the business, having too much trouble lately therein.

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

10 Aug 1665. Thence to the office and, after writing letters, home, to draw-over anew my will, which I had bound myself by oath to dispatch by to-morrow night; the town growing so unhealthy, that a man cannot depend upon living two days to an end. So having done something of it, I to bed.

11 Aug 1665. Up, and all day long finishing and writing over my will twice, for my father and my wife, only in the morning a pleasant rencontre happened in having a young married woman brought me by her father, old Delkes, that carries pins always in his mouth, to get her husband off that he should not go to sea, 'une contre pouvait avoir done any cose cum else, but I did nothing, si ni baisser her¹'. After they were gone my mind run upon having them called back again, and I sent a messenger to Blackwall [Map], but he failed. So I lost my expectation.

Note 1. I would have been able to have done the thing with her but I did nothing except kiss her.

11 Aug 1665. I to the Exchequer, about striking new tallys, and I find the Exchequer, by proclamation, removing to Nonesuch [Map]¹. Back again and at my papers, and putting up my books into chests, and settling my house and all things in the best and speediest order I can, lest it should please God to take me away, or force me to leave my house. Late up at it, and weary and full of wind, finding perfectly that so long as I keepe myself in company at meals and do there eat lustily (which I cannot do alone, having no love to eating, but my mind runs upon my business), I am as well as can be, but when I come to be alone, I do not eat in time, nor enough, nor with any good heart, and I immediately begin to be full of wind, which brings my pain, till I come to fill my belly a-days again, then am presently well.

Note 1. Nonsuch Palace, near Epsom, where the Exchequer money was kept during the time of the plague.

12 Aug 1665. The office now not sitting, but only hereafter on Thursdays at the office, I within all the morning about my papers and setting things still in order, and also much time in settling matters with Dr. Twysden (age 58).

12 Aug 1665. At noon am sent for by Sir G. Carteret (age 55), to meet him and my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 17) at Deptford, Kent [Map], but my Lord did not come thither, he having crossed the river at Gravesend, Kent [Map] to Dagenhams, whither I dare not follow him, they being afeard of me; but Sir G. Carteret (age 55) says, he is a most sweet youth in every circumstance. Sir G. Carteret (age 55) being in haste of going to the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) and the Archbishop (age 67), he was pettish, and so I could not fasten any discourse, but take another time.

12 Aug 1665. So he gone, I down to Greenwich, Kent [Map] and sent away the Bezan, thinking to go with my wife to-night to come back again to-morrow night to the Soveraigne at the buoy off the Nore.

12 Aug 1665. Coming back to Deptford, Kent [Map], old Bagwell walked a little way with me, and would have me in to his daughter's, and there he being gone 'dehors, ego had my volunte de su hiza¹'.

Note 1. I had my way with his daughter.

12 Aug 1665. Eat and drank and away home, and after a little at the office to my chamber to put more things still in order, and late to bed.

12 Aug 1665. And my Lord Mayor commands people to be within at nine at night all, as they say, that the sick may have liberty to go abroad for ayre. There is one also dead out of one of our ships at Deptford, Kent [Map], which troubles us mightily; the Providence fire-ship, which was just fitted to go to sea. But they tell me to-day no more sick on board. And this day W. Bodham tells me that one is dead at Woolwich, Kent [Map], not far from the Rope-yard [Map]. I am told, too, that a wife of one of the groomes at Court is dead at Salsbury; so that the King (age 35) and Queene (age 55) are speedily to be all gone to Milton. God preserve us!

13 Aug 1665. Lord's Day. Up betimes and to my chamber, it being a very wet day all day, and glad am I that we did not go by water to see "The Soveraigne"¹ to-day, as I intended, clearing all matters in packing up my papers and books, and giving instructions in writing to my executors, thereby perfecting the whole business of my will, to my very great joy; so that I shall be in much better state of soul, I hope, if it should please the Lord to call me away this sickly time.

Note 1. "The Sovereign of the Seas" was built at Woolwich, Kent [Map] in 1637 of timber which had been stripped of its bark while growing in the spring, and not felled till the second autumn afterwards; and it is observed by Dr. Plot ("Phil. Trans". for 1691), in his discourse on the most seasonable time for felling timber, written by the advice of Pepys, that after forty-seven years, "all the ancient timber then remaining in her, it was no easy matter to drive a nail into it" ("Quarterly Review", vol. viii., p. 35). B.

13 Aug 1665. At night to read, being weary with this day's great work, and then after supper to bed, to rise betimes to-morrow, and to bed with a mind as free as to the business of the world as if I were not worth £100 in the whole world, every thing being evened under my hand in my books and papers, and upon the whole I find myself worth, besides Brampton estate, the sum of £2164, for which the Lord be praised!

14 Aug 1665. Up, and my mind being at mighty ease from the dispatch of my business so much yesterday, I down to Deptford, Kent [Map] to Sir G. Carteret (age 55), where with him a great while, and a great deale of private talke concerning my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) and his matters, and chiefly of the latter, I giving him great deale of advice about the necessity of his having caution concerning Fenn, and the many ways there are of his being abused by any man in his place, and why he should not bring his son in to look after his business, and more, to be a Commissioner of the Navy, which he listened to and liked, and told me how much the King (age 35) was his good Master, and was sure not to deny him that or any thing else greater than that, and I find him a very cunning man, whatever at other times he seems to be, and among other things he told me he was not for the fanfaroone¹ to make a show with a great title, as he might have had long since, but the main thing to get an estate; and another thing, speaking of minding of business, "By God", says he, "I will and have already almost brought it to that pass, that the King (age 35) shall not be able to whip a cat, but I must be at the tayle of it". Meaning so necessary he is, and the King (age 35) and my Lord Treasurer (age 58) and all do confess it; which, while I mind my business, is my own case in this office of the Navy, and I hope shall be more, if God give me life and health.

Note 1. Fanfaron, French, from fanfare, a sounding of trumpets; hence, a swaggerer, or empty boaster.

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

14 Aug 1665. This night I did present my wife with the dyamond ring, awhile since given me by Mr. Dicke Vines's brother, for helping him to be a purser, valued at about £10, the first thing of that nature I did ever give her. Great fears we have that the plague will be a great Bill this weeke.

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

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

16 Aug 1665. Up, and after doing some necessary business about my accounts at home, to the office, and there with Mr. Hater wrote letters, and I did deliver to him my last will, one part of it to deliver to my wife when I am dead.

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

16 Aug 1665. Very contrary newes to-day upon the 'Change [Map], some that our fleete hath taken some of the Dutch East India ships, others that we did attaque it at Bergen and were repulsed, others that our fleete is in great danger after this attaque by meeting with the great body now gone out of Holland, almost 100 sayle of men of warr. Every body is at a great losse and nobody can tell.

16 Aug 1665. Thence among the goldsmiths to get some money, and so home, settling some new money matters, and to my great joy have got home £500 more of the money due to me, and got some more money to help Andrews first advanced.

16 Aug 1665. This day I had the ill news from Dagenhams, that my poor lord of Hinchingbroke [Map] his indisposition is turned to the small-pox. Poor gentleman! that he should be come from France so soon to fall sick, and of that disease too, when he should be gone to see a fine lady (age 14), his mistresse. I am most heartily sorry for it. So late setting papers to rights, and so home to bed.

17 Aug 1665. Up and to the office, where we sat all the morning, and at noon dined together upon some victuals I had prepared at Sir W. Batten's (age 64) upon the King's charge, and after dinner, I having dispatched some business and set things in order at home, we down to the water and by boat to Greenwich, Kent [Map] to the Bezan yacht, where Sir W. Batten (age 64), Sir J. Minnes (age 66), my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and myself, with some servants (among others Mr. Carcasse, my Lord's clerk, a very civil gentleman), embarked in the yacht and down we went most pleasantly, and noble discourse I had with my Lord Bruneker (age 45), who is a most excellent person. Short of Gravesend, Kent [Map] it grew calme, and so we come to an anchor, and to supper mighty merry, and after it, being moonshine, we out of the cabbin to laugh and talk, and then, as we grew sleepy, went in and upon velvet cushions of the King's that belong to the yacht fell to sleep, which we all did pretty well till 3 or 4 of the clock, having risen in the night to look for a new comet which is said to have lately shone, but we could see no such thing.

18 Aug 1665. Up about 5 o'clock and dressed ourselves, and to sayle again down to the Soveraigne at the buoy of the Nore, a noble ship, now rigged and fitted and manned; we did not stay long, but to enquire after her readinesse and thence to Sheernesse [Map], where we walked up and down, laying out the ground to be taken in for a yard to lay provisions for cleaning and repairing of ships, and a most proper place it is for the purpose.

18 Aug 1665. Thence with great pleasure up the Meadeway, our yacht contending with Commissioner Pett's (age 55), wherein he met us from Chatham, Kent [Map], and he had the best of it. Here I come by, but had not tide enough to stop at Quinbrough [Map], a with mighty pleasure spent the day in doing all and seeing these places, which I had never done before.

18 Aug 1665. So to the Hill house at Chatham, Kent [Map] and there dined, and after dinner spent some time discoursing of business. Among others arguing with the Commissioner about his proposing the laying out so much money upon Sheerenesse, unless it be to the slighting of Chatham, Kent [Map] yarde, for it is much a better place than Chatham, Kent [Map], which however the King (age 35) is not at present in purse to do, though it were to be wished he were.

18 Aug 1665. At 10 at night, having supped, I took boat alone, and slept well all the way to the Tower docke about three o'clock in the morning. So knocked up my people, and to bed.

19 Aug 1665. Our fleete is come home to our great grief with not above five weeks' dry, and six days' wet provisions: however, must out again; and the Duke (age 31) hath ordered the Soveraigne, and all other ships ready, to go out to the fleete to strengthen them. This news troubles us all, but cannot be helped. Having read all this news, and received commands of the Duke with great content, he giving me the words which to my great joy he hath several times said to me, that his greatest reliance is upon me. And my Lord Craven (age 57) also did come out to talk with me, and told me that I am in mighty esteem with the Duke, for which I bless God.

19 Aug 1665. Home, and having given my fellow-officers an account hereof, to Chatham, Kent [Map], and wrote other letters, I by water to Charing-Cross, to the post-house, and there the people tell me they are shut up; and so I went to the new post-house, and there got a guide and horses to Hounslow, where I was mightily taken with a little girle, the daughter of the master of the house (Betty Gysby), which, if she lives, will make a great beauty. Here I met with a fine fellow who, while I staid for my horses, did enquire newes, but I could not make him remember Bergen in Norway, in 6 or 7 times telling, so ignorant he was.

19 Aug 1665. So to Stanes, and there by this time it was dark night, and got a guide who lost his way in the forest, till by help of the moone (which recompenses me for all the pains I ever took about studying of her motions,) I led my guide into the way back again; and so we made a man rise that kept a gate, and so he carried us to Cranborne. Where in the dark I perceive an old house new building with a great deal of rubbish, and was fain to go up a ladder to Sir G. Carteret's (age 55) chamber. And there in his bed I sat down, and told him all my bad newes, which troubled him mightily; but yet we were very merry, and made the best of it; and being myself weary did take leave, and after having spoken with Mr. Fenn in bed, I to bed in my Lady's chamber that she uses to lie in, and where the Duchesse of York, that now is, was born.

19 Aug 1665. So to sleep; being very well, but weary, and the better by having carried with me a bottle of strong water; whereof now and then a sip did me good.

20 Aug 1665. Thence with a lanthorn, in great fear of meeting of dead corpses, carried to be buried; but, blessed be God, met none, but did see now and then a linke (which is the mark of them) at a distance. So got safe home about 10 o'clock, my people not all abed, and after supper I weary to bed.

21 Aug 1665. Called up, by message from Lord Bruncker (age 45) and the rest of my fellows, that they will meet me at the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) this morning; so I up, and weary, however, got thither before them, and spoke with my Lord, and with him and other gentlemen to walk in the Parke, where, I perceive, he spends much of his time, having no whither else to go; and here I hear him speake of some Presbyter people that he caused to be apprehended yesterday, at a private meeting in Covent Garden [Map], which he would have released upon paying £5 per man to the poor, but it was answered, they would not pay anything; so he ordered them to another prison from the guard.

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

21 Aug 1665. Thence, after dinner, I by water to Sir W. Warren's and with him two hours, talking of things to his and my profit, and particularly good advice from him what use to make of Sir G. Carteret's (age 55) kindnesse to me and my interest in him, with exceeding good cautions for me not using it too much nor obliging him to fear by prying into his secrets, which it were easy for me to do.

21 Aug 1665. Thence to my Lord Bruncker (age 45), at Greenwich, Kent [Map], and Sir J. Minnes (age 66) by appointment, to looke after the lodgings appointed for us there for our office, which do by no means please me, they being in the heart of all the labourers and workmen there, which makes it as unsafe as to be, I think, at London. Mr. Hugh May (age 43), who is a most ingenuous man, did show us the lodgings, and his acquaintance I am desirous of.

21 Aug 1665. Thence walked, it being now dark, to Sir J. Minnes's (age 66), and there staid at the door talking with him an hour while messengers went to get a boat for me, to carry me to Woolwich, Kent [Map], but all to no purpose; so I was forced to walk it in the darke, at ten o'clock at night, with Sir J. Minnes's (age 66) George with me, being mightily troubled for fear of the doggs at Coome farme, and more for fear of rogues by the way, and yet more because of the plague which is there, which is very strange, it being a single house, all alone from the towne, but it seems they use to admit beggars, for their owne safety, to lie in their barns, and they brought it to them; but I bless God I got about eleven of the clock well to my wife, and giving 4s. in recompence to George, I to my wife, and having first viewed her last piece of drawing since I saw her, which is seven or eight days, which pleases me beyond any thing in the world, to bed with great content but weary.

22 Aug 1665. So to the King's house, and there met my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Sir J. Minnes (age 66), and to our lodgings again that are appointed for us, which do please me better to day than last night, and are set a doing.

22 Aug 1665. Thence I to Deptford, Kent [Map], where by appointment I find Mr. Andrews come, and to the Globe, where we dined together and did much business as to our Plymouth gentlemen; and after a good dinner and good discourse, he being a very good man, I think verily, we parted and I to the King's yard, walked up and down, and by and by out at the back gate, and there saw the Bagwell's wife's mother and daughter, and went to them, and went in to the daughter's house with the mother, and 'faciebam le cose que ego tenebam a mind to con elle', and drinking and talking, by and by away, and so walked to Redriffe [Map], troubled to go through the little lane, where the plague is, but did and took water and home, where all well; but Mr. Andrews not coming to even accounts, as I expected, with relation to something of my own profit, I was vexed that I could not settle to business, but home to my viall, though in the evening he did come to my satisfaction. So after supper (he being gone first) I to settle my journall and to bed.

Note 1. I did whatever I had a mind to with her.

23 Aug 1665. Up, and whereas I had appointed Mr. Hater and Will to come betimes to the office to meet me about business there, I was called upon as soon as ready by Mr. Andrews to my great content, and he and I to our Tangier accounts, where I settled, to my great joy, all my accounts with him, and, which is more, cleared for my service to the contractors since the last sum I received of them, £222 13s. profit to myself, and received the money actually in the afternoon.

23 Aug 1665. After he was gone comes by a pretence of mine yesterday old Delks the waterman, with his daughter Robins, and several times to and again, he leaving her with me, about the getting of his son Robins off, who was pressed yesterday again.... All the afternoon at my office mighty busy writing letters, and received a very kind and good one from my Lord Sandwich (age 40) of his arrival with the fleete at Solebay [Map], and the joy he has at my last newes he met with, of the marriage of my Lady Jemimah; and he tells me more, the good newes that all our ships, which were in such danger that nobody would insure upon them, from the Eastland¹, were all safe arrived, which I am sure is a great piece of good luck, being in much more danger than those of Hambrough which were lost, and their value much greater at this time to us.

Note 1. Eastland was a name given to the eastern countries of Europe. The Eastland Company, or Company of Merchants trading to the East Country, was incorporated in Queen (age 26) Elizabeth's reign (anno 21), and the charter was confirmed 13 Car. II They were also called "The Merchants of Elbing"..

23 Aug 1665. At night home, much contented with this day's work, and being at home alone looking over my papers, comes a neighbour of ours hard by to speak with me about business of the office, one Mr. Fuller, a great merchant, but not my acquaintance, but he come drunk, and would have had me gone and drunk with him at home, or have let him send for wine hither, but I would do neither, nor offered him any, but after some sorry discourse parted, and I up to [my] chamber and to bed.

24 Aug 1665. Up betimes to my office, where my clerks with me, and very busy all the morning writing letters.

24 Aug 1665. At noon down to Sir J. Minnes (age 66) and Lord Bruncker to Greenwich, Kent [Map] to sign some of the Treasurer's books, and there dined very well; and thence to look upon our rooms again at the King's house, which are not yet ready for us.

24 Aug 1665. So home and late writing letters, and so, weary with business, home to supper and to bed.

26 Aug 1665. Up betimes, and prepared to my great satisfaction an account for the board of my office disbursements, which I had suffered to run on to almost £120. That done I down by water to Greenwich, Kent [Map], where we met the first day my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Sir J. Minnes (age 66), and I, and I think we shall do well there, and begin very auspiciously to me by having my account abovesaid passed, and put into a way of having it presently paid. When we rose I find Mr. Andrews and Mr. Yeabsly, who is just come from Plymouth, Devon [Map], at the door, and we walked together toward my Lord Bruncker's (age 45), talking about their business, Yeabsly being come up on purpose to discourse with me about it, and finished all in a quarter of an hour, and is gone again. I perceive they have some inclination to be going on with their victualling-business for a while longer before they resign it to Mr. Gauden, and I am well contented, for it brings me very good profit with certainty, yet with much care and some pains.

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

26 Aug 1665. Thence I by water home, in my way seeing a man taken up dead, out of the hold of a small catch that lay at Deptford, Kent [Map]. I doubt it might be the plague, which, with the thought of Dr. Burnett, did something disturb me, so that I did not what I intended and should have done at the office, as to business, but home sooner than ordinary, and after supper, to read melancholy alone, and then to bed.

27 Aug 1665. Lord's Day. Very well in the morning, and up and to my chamber all the morning to put my things and papers yet more in order, and so to dinner.

27 Aug 1665. Thence all the afternoon at my office till late making up my papers and letters there into a good condition of order, and so home to supper, and after reading a good while in the King's works¹, which is a noble book, to bed.

Note 1. Charles I's Works, now in the Pepysian Library.

28 Aug 1665. Up, and being ready I out to Mr. Colvill, the goldsmith's, having not for some days been in the streets; but now how few people I see, and those looking like people that had taken leave of the world. I there, and made even all accounts in the world between him and I, in a very good condition, and I would have done the like with Sir Robert Viner (age 34), but he is out of towne, the sicknesse being every where thereabouts. I to the Exchange [Map], and I think there was not fifty people upon it, and but few more like to be as they told me, Sir G. Smith (age 50) and others. Thus I think to take adieu to-day of the London streets, unless it be to go again to Viner's (age 34).

28 Aug 1665. Home to dinner, and there W. Hewer (age 23) brings me £119 he hath received for my office disbursements, so that I think I have £1800 and more in the house, and, blessed be God! no money out but what I can very well command and that but very little, which is much the best posture I ever was in in my life, both as to the quantity and the certainty I have of the money I am worth; having most of it in my own hand. But then this is a trouble to me what to do with it, being myself this day going to be wholly at Woolwich, Kent [Map]; but for the present I am resolved to venture it in an iron chest, at least for a while.

28 Aug 1665. In the afternoon I sent down my boy to Woolwich, Kent [Map] with some things before me, in order to my lying there for good and all, and so I followed him. Just now comes newes that the fleete is gone, or going this day, out again, for which God be praised! and my Lord Sandwich (age 40) hath done himself great right in it, in getting so soon out again. I pray God, he may meet the enemy. Towards the evening, just as I was fitting myself, comes W. Hewer (age 23) and shows me a letter which Mercer had wrote to her mother about a great difference between my wife and her yesterday, and that my wife will have her go away presently. This, together with my natural jealousy that some bad thing or other may be in the way, did trouble me exceedingly, so as I was in a doubt whether to go thither or no, but having fitted myself and my things I did go, and by night got thither, where I met my wife walking to the waterside with her paynter, Mr. Browne, and her mayds. There I met Commissioner Pett (age 55), and my Lord Bruncker (age 45), and the lady at his house had been thereto-day, to see her. Commissioner Pett (age 55) staid a very little while, and so I to supper with my wife and Mr. Shelden, and so to bed with great pleasure.

29 Aug 1665. In the morning waking, among other discourse my wife begun to tell me the difference between her and Mercer, and that it was only from restraining her to gad abroad to some Frenchmen that were in the town, which I do not wholly yet in part believe, and for my quiet would not enquire into it. So rose and dressed myself, and away by land walking a good way, then remembered that I had promised Commissioner Pett (age 55) to go with him in his coach, and therefore I went back again to him, and so by his coach to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and called at Sir Theophilus Biddulph's, a sober, discreet man, to discourse of the preventing of the plague in Greenwich, Kent [Map], and Woolwich, Kent [Map], and Deptford, Kent [Map], where in every place it begins to grow very great. We appointed another meeting, and so walked together to Greenwich, Kent [Map] and there parted, and Pett and I to the office, where all the morning, and after office done I to Sir J. Minnes (age 66) and dined with him, and thence to Deptford, Kent [Map] thinking to have seen Bagwell, but did not, and so straight to Redriffe [Map], and home, and late at my business to dispatch away letters, and then home to bed, which I did not intend, but to have staid for altogether at Woolwich, Kent [Map], but I made a shift for a bed for Tom, whose bed is gone to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and so to bed.

30 Aug 1665. Thence, as I intended, to Sir R. Viner's (age 34), and there found not Mr. Lewes ready for me, so I went forth and walked towards Moorefields [Map] to see (God forbid my presumption!) whether I could see any dead corps going to the grave; but, as God would have it, did not. But, Lord! how every body's looks, and discourse in the street is of death, and nothing else, and few people going up and down, that the towne is like a place distressed and forsaken. After one turne there back to Viner's (age 34), and there found my business ready for me, and evened all reckonings with them to this day to my great content.

30 Aug 1665. So home, and all day till very late at night setting my Tangier and private accounts in order, which I did in both, and in the latter to my great joy do find myself yet in the much best condition that ever I was in, finding myself worth £2180 and odd, besides plate and goods, which I value at £250 more, which is a very great blessing to me. The Lord make me thankfull! and of this at this day above £1800 in cash in my house, which speaks but little out of my hands in desperate condition, but this is very troublesome to have in my house at this time. So late to bed, well pleased with my accounts, but weary of being so long at them.

31 Aug 1665. I down by appointment to Greenwich, Kent [Map], to our office, where I did some business, and there dined with our company and Sir W. Boreman, and Sir The. Biddulph, at Mr. Boreman's, where a good venison pasty, and after a good merry dinner I to my office, and there late writing letters, and then to Woolwich, Kent [Map] by water, where pleasant with my wife and people, and after supper to bed.

31 Aug 1665. Thus this month ends with great sadness upon the publick, through the greatness of the plague every where through the Kingdom almost. Every day sadder and sadder news of its encrease. In the City died this week 7,496 and of them 6,102 of the plague. But it is feared that the true number of the dead, this week is near 10,000; partly from the poor that cannot be taken notice of, through the greatness of the number, and partly from the Quakers and others that will not have any bell ring for them.

31 Aug 1665. Our fleete gone out to find the Dutch, we having about 100 sail in our fleete, and in them the Soveraigne one; so that it is a better fleete than the former with the Duke (age 31) was. All our fear is that the Dutch should be got in before them; which would be a very great sorrow to the publick, and to me particularly, for my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) sake. A great deal of money being spent, and the Kingdom not in a condition to spare, nor a parliament without much difficulty to meet to give more. And to that; to have it said, what hath been done by our late fleetes? As to myself I am very well, only in fear of the plague, and as much of an ague by being forced to go early and late to Woolwich, Kent [Map], and my family to lie there continually. My late gettings have been very great to my great content, and am likely to have yet a few more profitable jobbs in a little while; for which Tangier, and Sir W. Warren I am wholly obliged to.