Pepy's Diary. 11 Jan 1666. Up and to the office. By and by to the Custome House to the Farmers, there with a letter of Sir G. Carteret's (age 56) for £3000, which they ordered to be paid me. So away back again to the office, and at noon to dinner all of us by invitation to [his future father-in-law] Sir W. Pen's (age 44), and much other company. Among others, Lieutenant of the Tower (age 51), and Broome, his poet, and Dr. Whistler, and his (Sir W. Pen's (age 44)) son-in-law Lowder (age 25), servant [lover] to Mrs. Margaret Pen, and Sir Edward Spragg (age 46), a merry man, that sang a pleasant song pleasantly. Rose from table before half dined, and with Mr. Mountney of the Custome House to the East India House, and there delivered to him tallys for £3000 and received a note for the money on Sir R. Viner (age 35).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pepy's Diary. 28 Jun 1667. Thence with him to the Treasury Chamber, and then to the Exchequer to inform ourselves a little about our warrant for £30,000 for Tangier, which vexes us that it is so far off in time of payment. Having walked two or three turns with him in the Hall we parted, and I home by coach, and did business at the office till noon, and then by water to White Hall to dinner to Sir G. Carteret (age 57), but he not at home, but I dined with my Lady and good company, and good dinner. My Lady and the family in very good humour upon this business of his parting with his place of Treasurer of the Navy, which I perceive they do own, and we did talk of it with satisfaction. They do here tell me that the Duke of Buckingham (age 39) hath surrendered himself to Secretary Morrice (age 64), and is going to the Tower [Map]. Mr. Fenn, at the table, says that he hath been taken by the watch two or three times of late, at unseasonable hours, but so disguised that they could not know him: and when I come home, by and by, Mr. Lowther (age 26) tells me that the Duke of Buckingham (age 39) do dine publickly this day at Wadlow's, at the Sun Tavern; and is mighty merry, and sent word to the Lieutenant of the Tower (age 52), that he would come to him as soon as he had dined. Now, how sad a thing it is, when we come to make sport of proclaiming men traitors, and banishing them, and putting them out of their offices, and Privy Council, and of sending to and going to the Tower: God have mercy on us!

Pepy's Diary. 28 Jun 1667. I to the office (whither come Mr. Carcasse to me to sue for my favour to him), and [his father-in-law] Sir W. Pen's (age 46), where I find Mr. Lowther (age 26) come to town after the journey, and after a small visit to him, I to the office to do much business, and then in the evening to Sir W. Batten's (age 66), to see how he did; and he is better than he was. He told me how [his mother] Mrs. Lowther had her train held up yesterday by her page, at his house in the country; which is so ridiculous a piece of pride as I am ashamed of.

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

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

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

Pepy's Diary. 08 Oct 1667. And then to the garden, and there eat many grapes, and took some with us and so away thence, exceeding well satisfied, though not to that degree that, by my old esteem of the house, I ought and did expect to have done, the situation of it not pleasing me. Here we parted with Lowther (age 26) and his friends, and away to Cambridge, it being foul, rainy weather, and there did take up at the Rose [Map], for the sake of Mrs. Dorothy Drawwater, the vintner's daughter, which is mentioned in the play of Sir Martin Marrall. Here we had a good chamber, and bespoke a good supper; and then I took my wife, and W. Hewer (age 25), and Willet, it holding up a little, and shewed them Trinity College [Map] and St. John's Library [Map], and went to King's College Chapel [Map], to see the outside of it only; and so to our inne, and with much pleasure did this, they walking in their pretty morning gowns, very handsome, and I proud to find myself in condition to do this; and so home to our lodging, and there by and by, to supper, with much good sport, talking with the Drawers concerning matters of the town, and persons whom I remember, and so, after supper, to cards; and then to bed, lying, I in one bed, and my wife and girl in another, in the same room, and very merry talking together, and mightily pleased both of us with the girl. Saunders, the only violin in my time, is, I hear, dead of the plague in the late plague there.

Pepy's Diary. 07 Feb 1668. Having done here, my Lord Brouncker (age 48), and [his father-in-law] W. Pen (age 46), and I, and with us Sir Arnold Breames, to the King's playhouse, and there saw a piece of "Love in a Maze", a dull, silly play, I think; and after the play, home with W. Pen (age 46) and his son Lowther (age 27), whom we met there, and then home and sat most of the evening with my wife and Mr. Pelting, talking, my head being full of business of one kind or other, and most such as do not please me, and so to supper and to bed.