Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May
Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May is in Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 01
01 May 1662. Sir G. Carteret (age 52), Sir W. Pen (age 41), and myself, with our clerks, set out this morning from Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] very early, and got by noon to Petersfield, Hampshire; several officers of the Yard accompanying us so far. Here we dined and were merry. At dinner comes my Lord Carlingford (age 59) from London, going to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map]: tells us that the Duchess of York (age 25) is brought to bed of a girl, [Mary, afterwards Queen of England.] at which I find nobody pleased; and that Prince Rupert (age 42) and the Duke of Buckingham (age 34) are sworn of the Privy Councell. He himself made a dish with eggs of the butter of the sparagus, which is very fine meat, which I will practise hereafter.
01 May 1662. To horse again after dinner, and got to Gilford [Map], where after supper I to bed, having this day been offended by Sir W. Pen's (age 41) foolish talk, and I offending him with my answers. Among others he in discourse complaining of want of confidence, did ask me to lend him a grain or two, which I told him I thought he was better stored with than myself, before Sir George (age 52). So that I see I must keep a greater distance than I have done, and I hope I may do it because of the interest which I am making with Sir George.
01 May 1662. To bed all alone, and my Will in the truckle bed1.
Note 1. According to the original Statutes of Corpus Christi Coll. Oxon, a Scholar slept in a truckle bed below each Fellow. Called also "a trindle bed". Compare Hall's description of an obsequious tutor. "He lieth in a truckle bed While his young master lieth o'er his head". Satires, ii. 6, 5. The bed was drawn in the daytime under the high bed of the tutor. See Wordsworth's "University Life in the Eighteenth Century".-M. B.
02 May 1662. After I had washed myself, it having been the hottest day that has been this year, I took them all by coach to Mrs. Hunt's, and I to Dr. Clerke's lady, and gave her her letter and token. She is a very fine woman, and what with her person and the number of fine ladies that were with her, I was much out of countenance, and could hardly carry myself like a man among them; but however, I staid till my courage was up again, and talked to them, and viewed her house, which is most pleasant, and so drank and good-night.
02 May 1662. And so to my Lord's lodgings, where by chance I spied my Lady's coach, and found her and my Lady Wright there, and so I spoke to them, and they being gone went to Mr. Hunt's for my wife, and so home and to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 03
03 May 1662. Sir W. Pen (age 41) and I by coach to St. James's, and there to the Duke's Chamber, who had been a-hunting this morning and is come back again.
03 May 1662. Thence to Westminster, where I met Mr. Moore, and hear that Mr. Watkins' is suddenly dead since my going.
03 May 1662. To dinner to my Lady Sandwich (age 37), and Sir Thomas Crew's (age 38) children coming thither, I took them and all my Ladys to the Tower [Map] and showed them the lions1 and all that was to be shown, and so took them to my house, and there made much of them, and so saw them back to my Lady's. Sir Thomas Crew's children being as pretty and the best behaved that ever I saw of their age.
Note 1. The Tower Menagerie was not abolished until the reign of William IV.
03 May 1662. Thence, at the goldsmith's, took my picture in little, [Miniature by Savill (age 53)] which is now done, home with me, and pleases me exceedingly and my wife. So to supper and to bed, it being exceeding hot.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 04
04 May 1662. Lord's Day. Lay long talking with my wife, then Mr. Holliard (age 53) came to me and let me blood, about sixteen ounces, I being exceedingly full of blood and very good. I begun to be sick; but lying upon my back I was presently well again, and did give him 5s. for his pains, and so we parted, and I, to my chamber to write down my journall from the beginning of my late journey to this house. Dined well, and after dinner, my arm tied up with a black ribbon, I walked with my wife to my brother Tom's (age 28); our boy waiting on us with his sword, which this day he begins to wear, to outdo Sir W. Pen's (age 41) boy, who this day, and Six W. Batten's too, begin to wear new livery; but I do take mine to be the neatest of them all. I led my wife to Mrs. Turner's (age 39) pew, and the church being full, it being to hear a Doctor who is to preach a probacon sermon, I went out to the Temple [Map] and there walked, and so when church was done went to Mrs. Turner's, and after a stay there, my wife and I walked to Grays Inn, to observe fashions of the ladies, because of my wife's making some clothes.
04 May 1662. Thence homewards, and called in at Antony Joyce's, where we found his wife brought home sick from church, and was in a convulsion fit. So home and to Sir W. Pen's (age 41) and there supped, and so to prayers at home and to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 05
05 May 1662. My arme not being well, I staid within all the morning, and dined alone at home, my wife being gone out to buy some things for herself, and a gown for me to dress myself in. And so all the afternoon looking over my papers, and at night walked upon the leads, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 06
06 May 1662. This morning I got my seat set up on the leads, which pleases me well. So to the office, and thence to the Change [Map], but could not meet with my uncle Wight. So home to dinner and then out again to several places to pay money and to understand my debts, and so home and walked with my wife on the leads, and so to supper and to bed. I find it a hard matter to settle to business after so much leisure and pleasure.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 07
07 May 1662. Walked to Westminster; where I understand the news that Mr. Montagu (age 27) is this last night come to the King (age 31) with news, that he left the Queen (age 23) and fleet in the Bay of Biscay, coming this wayward; and that he believes she is now at the Isle of Scilly [Map].
07 May 1662. So at noon to my Lord Crew's and there dined, and after dinner Sir Thos. Crew and I talked together, and among other instances of the simple light discourse that sometimes is in the Parliament House, he told me how in the late business of Chymny money, when all occupiers were to pay, it was questioned whether women were under that name to pay, and somebody rose and said that they were not occupiers, but occupied.
07 May 1662. Thence to Paul's Church Yard [Map]; where seeing my Lady's Sandwich and Carteret, and my wife (who this day made a visit the first time to my Baroness Carteret (age 60)), come by coach, and going to Hide Park, I was resolved to follow them; and so went to Mrs. Turner's (age 39): and thence found her out at the Theatre [Map], where I saw the last act of the "Knight of the Burning Pestle", which pleased me not at all.
07 May 1662. And so after the play done, she and The. Turner (age 10) and Mrs. Lucin and I, in her coach to the Park; and there found them out, and spoke to them; and observed many fine ladies, and staid till all were gone almost. And so to Mrs. Turner's (age 39), and there supped, and so walked home, and by and by comes my wife home, brought by my Baroness Carteret (age 60) to the gate, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 08
08 May 1662. At the office all the morning doing business alone, and then to the Wardrobe, where my Lady going out with the children to dinner I staid not, but returned home, and was overtaken in St. Paul's Churchyard by Sir G. Carteret (age 52) in his coach, and so he carried me to the Exchange [Map], where I staid awhile. He told me that the Queen (age 23) and the fleet were in Mount's Bay on Monday last, and that the Queen endures her sickness pretty well. He also told me how Sir John Lawson (age 47) hath done some execution upon the Turks in the Straight, of which I am glad, and told the news the first on the Exchange [Map], and was much followed by merchants to tell it.
08 May 1662. So home and to dinner, and by and by to the office, and after the rest gone (my Lady Albemarle (age 43) being this day at dinner at Sir W. Batten's (age 61)) Sir G. Carteret (age 52) comes, and he and I walked in the garden, and, among other discourse, tells me that it is Mr. Coventry (age 34) that is to come to us as a Commissioner of the Navy; at which he is much vexed, and cries out upon Sir W. Pen (age 41), and threatens him highly.
08 May 1662. And looking upon his lodgings, which are now enlarging, he in passion cried, "Guarda mi spada; for, by God, I may chance to keep him in Ireland, when he is there:" for Sir W. Pen (age 41) is going thither with my Lord Lieutenant (age 51). But it is my design to keep much in with Sir George (age 52); and I think I have begun very well towards it. So to the office, and was there late doing business, and so with my head full of business I to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 09
09 May 1662. Up and to my office, and so to dinner at home, and then to several places to pay my debts, and then to Westminster to Dr. Castle, who discoursed with me about Privy Seal business, which I do not much mind, it being little worth, but by Watkins's [clerk of the Privy Seal] late sudden death we are like to lose money.
09 May 1662. Thence to Mr. De Cretz, and there saw some good pieces that he hath copyed of the King's pieces, some of Raphael and Michael Angelo; and I have borrowed an Elizabeth of his copying to hang up in my house, and sent it home by Will.
09 May 1662. Thence with Mr. Salisbury, who I met there, into Covent Garden [Map] to an alehouse, to see a picture that hangs there, which is offered for 20s., and I offered fourteen-but it is worth much more money-but did not buy it, I having no mind to break my oath.
09 May 1662. Thence to see an Italian puppet play [Possibly Punch and Judy] that is within the rayles there, which is very pretty, the best that ever I saw, and great resort of gallants.
09 May 1662. This day I paid Godfrey's debt of 40 and odd pounds. The Duke of York (age 28) went last night to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map]; so that I believe the Queen (age 23) is near.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 10
10 May 1662. By myself at the office all the morning drawing up instructions for Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] yard in those things wherein we at our late being there did think fit to reform, and got them signed this morning to send away to-night, the Duke being now there.
10 May 1662. At noon to the Wardrobe; there dined. My Lady told me how my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) do speak of going to lie in at Hampton Court [Map]; which she and all our ladies are much troubled at, because of the King's being forced to show her countenance in the sight of the Queen (age 23) when she comes.
10 May 1662. Back to the office and there all afternoon, and in the evening comes Sir G. Carteret (age 52), and he and I did hire a ship for Tangier [Map], and other things together; and I find that he do single me out to join with me apart from the rest, which I am much glad of. So home, and after being trimmed, to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 11
11 May 1662. Lord's Day. To our church in the morning, where, our Minister being out of town, a dull, flat Presbiter preached. Dined at home, and my wife's brother with us, we having a good dish of stewed beef of Jane's own dressing, which was well done, and a piece of sturgeon of a barrel sent me by Captain Cocke (age 45). In the afternoon to White Hall; and there walked an hour or two in the Park, where I saw the King (age 31) now out of mourning, in a suit laced with gold and silver, which it was said was out of fashion.
11 May 1662. Thence to the Wardrobe; and there consulted with the ladies about our going to Hampton Court [Map] to-morrow, and thence home, and after settled business there my wife and I to the Wardrobe, and there we lay all night in Captain Ferrers' chambers, but the bed so soft that I could not sleep that hot night.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 12
12 May 1662. Mr. Townsend called us up by four o'clock; and by five the three ladies, my wife and I, and Mr. Townsend, his son and daughter, were got to the barge and set out. We walked from Mortlake, Richmond to Richmond, Surrey [Map], and so to boat again. And from Teddington to Hampton Court [Map] Mr. Townsend and I walked again. And then met the ladies, and were showed the whole house by Mr. Marriott; which is indeed nobly furnished, particularly the Queen's (age 23) bed, given her by the States of Holland; a looking-glass sent by the Queen-Mother (age 52) from France, hanging in the Queen's chamber, and many brave pictures.
12 May 1662. So to Mr. Marriott's, and there we rested ourselves and drank. And so to barge again, and there we had good victuals and wine, and were very merry; and got home about eight at night very well. So my wife and I took leave of my Ladies, and home by a hackney-coach, the easiest that ever I met with, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 14
14 May 1662. All the morning at Westminster and elsewhere about business, and dined at the Wardrobe; and after dinner, sat talking an hour or two alone with my Lady. She is afeard that my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21) will keep still with the King (age 31), and I am afeard she will not, for I love her well.
14 May 1662. Thence to my brother's, and finding him in a lie about the lining of my new morning gown, saying that it was the same with the outside, I was very angry with him and parted so. So home after an hour stay at Paul's Churchyard [Map], and there came Mr. Morelock of Chatham, Kent [Map], and brought me a stately cake, and I perceive he has done the same to the rest, of which I was glad; so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 15
15 May 1662. To Westminster; and at the Privy Seal I saw Mr. Coventry's (age 34) seal for his being Commissioner with us, at which I know not yet whether to be glad or otherwise. So doing several things by the way, I walked home, and after dinner to the office all the afternoon. At night, all the bells of the town rung, and bonfires made for the joy of the Queen's (age 23) arrival, who came and landed at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] last night. But I do not see much thorough joy, but only an indifferent one, in the hearts of people, who are much discontented at the pride and luxury of the Court, and running in debt.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 16
16 May 1662. Up early, Mr. Hater and I to the office, and there I made an end of my book of contracts which I have been making an abstract of. Dined at home, and spent most of the day at the office. At night to supper and bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 17
17 May 1662. Upon a letter this morning from Mr. Moore, I went to my cozen Turner's chamber, and there put him drawing a replication to Tom Trice's answer speedily.
17 May 1662. So to Whitehall and there met Mr. Moore, and I walked long in Westminster Hall [Map], and thence with him to the Wardrobe to dinner, where dined Mrs. Sanderson, the mother of the maids, and after dinner my Lady and she and I on foot to Pater Noster Row [Map] to buy a petticoat against the Queen's (age 23) coming for my Lady, of plain satin, and other things; and being come back again, we there met Mr. Nathaniel Crew (age 29)1 at the Wardrobe with a young gentleman, a friend and fellow student of his, and of a good family, Mr. Knightly, and known to the Crews, of whom my Lady privately told me she hath some thoughts of a match for my Lady Jemimah. I like the person very well, and he hath £2000 per annum.
Note 1. Nathaniel Crew, born 1633, fifth son of John, first Lord Crew; he himself became third Lord Crew in 1697. Sub-Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, 1659. Took orders in 1664, and was Rector of Lincoln College in 1668; Dean of Chichester, 1669; Bishop of Oxford, 1671; Bishop of Durham, 1674; sworn of the Privy Council in 1676. He was very subservient to James II, and at the Revolution was excepted from the general pardon of May, 1690, but he was allowed to keep possession of the bishopric of Durham.
17 May 1662. Thence to the office, and there we sat, and thence after writing letters to all my friends with my Lord at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], I walked to my brother Tom's (age 28) to see a velvet cloak, which I buy of Mr. Moore. It will cost me £8 10s.; he bought it for £6 10s., but it is worth my money. So home and find all things made clean against to-morrow, which pleases me well. So to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 18
18 May 1662. Whitsunday. By water to White Hall, and thereto chappell in my pew belonging to me as Clerk of the Privy Seal; and there I heard a most excellent sermon of Dr. Hacket, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, upon these words: "He that drinketh this water shall never thirst". We had an excellent anthem, sung by Captain Cooke (age 46) and another, and brave musique. And then the King (age 31) came down and offered, and took the sacrament upon his knees; a sight very well worth seeing.
18 May 1662. Hence with Sir G. Carteret (age 52) to his lodging to dinner with his Lady and one Mr. Brevin, a French Divine, we were very merry, and good discourse, and I had much talk with my Lady.
18 May 1662. After dinner, and so to chappell again; and there had another good anthem of Captain Cooke's (age 46).
18 May 1662. Thence to the Councell-chamber; where the King (age 31) and Councell sat till almost eleven o'clock at night, and I forced to walk up and down the gallerys till that time of night. They were reading all the bills over that are to pass to-morrow at the House, before the King's going out of town and proroguing the House. At last the Councell risen, and Sir G. Carteret (age 52) telling me what the Councell hath ordered about the ships designed to carry horse from Ireland to Portugall, which is now altered.
18 May 1662. I got a coach and so home, sending the boat away without me. At home I found my wife discontented at my being abroad, but I pleased her. She was in her new suit of black sarcenet and yellow petticoat very pretty. So to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 19
19 May 1662. Long in bed, sometimes scolding with my wife, and then pleased again, and at last up, and put on my riding cloth suit, and a camelott coat new, which pleases me well enough. To the Temple [Map] about my replication, and so to my brother Tom's (age 28), and there hear that my father will be in town this week.
19 May 1662. So home, the shops being but some shut and some open. I hear that the House of Commons do think much that they should be forced to huddle over business this morning against the afternoon, for the King (age 31) to pass their Acts, that he may go out of town1. But he, I hear since, was forced to stay till almost nine o'clock at night before he could have done, and then he prorogued them; and so to Gilford [Map], and lay there.
Note 1. To ears accustomed to the official words of speeches from the throne at the present day, the familiar tone of the following extracts from Charles's speech to the Commons, on the 1st of March; will be amusing: "I will conclude with putting you in mind of the season of the year, and the convenience of your being in the country, in many respects, for the good and welfare of it; for you will find much tares have been sowed there in your absence. The arrival of my wife, who I expect some time this month, and the necessity of my own being out of town to meet her, and to stay some time before she comes hither, makes it very necessary that the Parliament be adjourned before Easter, to meet again in the winter.... The mention of my wife's arrival puts me in mind to desire you to put that compliment upon her, that her entrance into the town may be with more decency than the ways will now suffer it to be; and, to that purpose, I pray you would quickly pass such laws as are before you, in order to the amending those ways, and that she may not find Whitehall surrounded with water". Such a bill passed the Commons on the 24th June. From Charles's Speech, March 1st, 1662. B.
19 May 1662. Home, and Mr. Hunt dined with me, and were merry.
19 May 1662. After dinner Sir W. Pen (age 41) and his daughter, and I and my wife by coach to the Theatre [Map], and there in a box saw "The Little Thiefe" well done.
19 May 1662. Thence to Moorefields [Map], and walked and eat some cheesecake and gammon of bacon, but when I was come home I was sick, forced to vomit it up again. So my wife walking and singing upon the leads till very late, it being pleasant and moonshine, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 20
20 May 1662. Sir W. Pen (age 41) and I did a little business at the office, and so home again. Then comes Dean Fuller (age 54) after we had dined, but I got something for him, and very merry we were for an hour or two, and I am most pleased with his company and goodness. At last parted, and my wife and I by coach to the Opera, and there saw the 2nd part of "The Siege of Rhodes", but it is not so well done as when Roxalana (age 20) was there, who, it is said, is now owned by my Lord of Oxford (age 35)1.
Note 1. For note on Mrs. Davenport, who was deceived by a pretended marriage with the Earl of Oxford, see ante. Lord Oxford's first wife died in 1659. He married, in 1672, his second wife, Diana Kirke, of whom nothing more need be said than that she bore an inappropriate Christian name.
20 May 1662. Thence to Tower-wharf [Map], and there took boat, and we all walked to Halfeway House, and there eat and drank, and were pleasant, and so finally home again in the evening, end so good night, this being a very pleasant life that we now lead, and have long done; the Lord be blessed, and make us thankful. But, though I am much against too much spending, yet I do think it best to enjoy some degree of pleasure now that we have health, money, and opportunity, rather than to leave pleasures to old age or poverty, when we cannot have them so properly.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 21
21 May 1662. My wife and I by water to Westminster, and after she had seen her father (of whom lately I have heard nothing at all what he does or her mother), she comes to me to my Lord's lodgings, where she and I staid walking in White Hall garden. And in the Privy-garden saw the finest smocks and linnen petticoats of my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21), laced with rich lace at the bottom, that ever I saw; and did me good to look upon them.
21 May 1662. So to Wilkinson's, she and I and Sarah to dinner, where I had a good quarter of lamb and a salat. Here Sarah told me how the King (age 31) dined at my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 21), and supped, every day and night the last week; and that the night that the bonfires were made for joy of the Queen's (age 23) arrivall, the King was there; but there was no fire at her door, though at all the rest of the doors almost in the street; which was much observed: and that the King and she did send for a pair of scales and weighed one another; and she, being with child, was said to be heaviest. But she is now a most disconsolate creature, and comes not out of doors, since the King's going.
21 May 1662. But we went to the Theatre [Map] to "French Dancing Master", and there with much pleasure gazed upon her (Baroness Castlemaine (age 21)); but it troubles us to see her look dejectedly and slighted by people already. The play pleased us very well; but Lacy's part, the Dancing Master, the best in the world.
21 May 1662. Thence to my brother Tom's (age 28), in expectation to have met my father to-night come out of the country, but he is not yet come, but here we found my uncle Fenner and his old wife, whom I had not seen since the wedding dinner, nor care to see her. They being gone, my wife and I went and saw Mrs. Turner (age 39), whom we found not well, and her two boys Charles and Will come out of the country, grown very plain boys after three years being under their father's care in Yorkshire.
21 May 1662. Thence to Tom's (age 28) again, and there supped well, my she cozen Scott being there and my father being not come, we walked home and to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 22
22 May 1662. This morning comes an order from the Secretary of State, Nicholas (age 69), for me to let one Mr. Lee, a Councellor, to view what papers I have relating to passages of the late times, wherein Sir H. Vane's (age 49) hand is employed, in order to the drawing up his charge; which I did, and at noon he, with Sir W. Pen (age 41) and his daughter, dined with me, and he to his work again, and we by coach to the Theatre [Map] and saw "Love in a Maze". The play hath little in it but Lacy's part of a country fellow, which he did to admiration.
22 May 1662. So home, and supped with Sir W. Pen (age 41), where Sir W. Batten (age 61) and Captn. Cocke came to us, to whom I have lately been a great stranger. This night we had each of us a letter from Teddiman from the Streights, of a peace made upon good terms, by Sir J. Lawson (age 47), with the Argier men, which is most excellent news? He hath also sent each of us some anchovies, olives, and muscatt; but I know not yet what that is, and am ashamed to ask. After supper home, and to bed, resolving to make up this week in seeing plays and pleasure, and so fall to business next week again for a great while.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 23
23 May 1662. At the office good part of the morning, and then about noon with my wife on foot to the Wardrobe. My wife went up to the dining room to my Lady Paulina (age 13), and I staid below talking with Mr. Moore in the parley, reading of the King's and Chancellor's late speeches at the proroguing of the Houses of Parliament. And while I was reading, news was brought me that my Lord Sandwich (age 36) is come and gone up to my Lady, which put me into great suspense of joy, so I went up waiting my Lord's coming out of my Lady's chamber, which by and by he did, and looks very well, and my soul is glad to see him. He very merry, and hath left the King (age 31) and Queen (age 23) at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], and is come up to stay here till next Wednesday, and then to meet the King and Queen at Hampton Court [Map].
23 May 1662. So to dinner, Mr. Browne, Clerk of the House of Lords, and his wife and brother there also; and my Lord mighty merry; among other things, saying that the Queen (age 23) is a very agreeable lady, and paints still.
23 May 1662. After dinner I showed him my letter from Teddiman about the news from Algier, which pleases him exceedingly; and he writ one to the Duke of York (age 28) about it, and sent it express. There coming much company after dinner to my Lord, my wife and I slunk away to the Opera, where we saw "Witt in a Constable", the first time that it is acted; but so silly a play I never saw I think in my life.
23 May 1662. After it was done, my wife and I to the puppet play in Covent Garden [Map], which I saw the other day, and indeed it is very pleasant. Here among the fidlers I first saw a dulcimere1 played on with sticks knocking of the strings, and is very pretty.
Note 1. The dulcimer (or psaltery) consisted of a flat box, acting as a resonating chamber, over which strings of wire were stretched: These were struck by little hammers.
23 May 1662. So by water home, and supped with Sir William Pen (age 41) very merry, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 24
24 May 1662. To the Wardrobe, and there again spoke with my Lord, and saw W. Howe, who is grown a very pretty and is a sober fellow.
24 May 1662. Thence abroad with Mr. Creed, of whom I informed myself of all I had a mind to know. Among other things, the great difficulty my Lord hath been in all this summer for lack of good and full orders from the King (age 31); and I doubt our Lords of the Councell do not mind things as the late powers did, but their pleasures or profit more.
24 May 1662. That the Juego de Toros is a simple sport, yet the greatest in Spain. That the Queen (age 23) hath given no rewards to any of the captains or officers, but only to my Lord Sandwich (age 36); and that was a bag of gold, which was no honourable present, of about £1400 sterling. How recluse the Queen hath ever been, and all the voyage never come upon the deck, nor put her head out of her cabin; but did love my Lord's musique, and would send for it down to the state-room, and she sit in her cabin within hearing of it. That my Lord was forced to have some clashing with the Council of Portugall about payment of the portion, before he could get it; which was, besides Tangier [Map] and a free trade in the Indys, two millions of crowns, half now, and the other half in twelve months. But they have brought but little money; but the rest in sugars and other commoditys, and bills of exchange.
24 May 1662. That the King of Portugall (age 18) is a very fool almost, and his mother (age 48) do all, and he is a very poor Prince.
24 May 1662. And so I to the office, and that being done, Sir W. Pen (age 41) and I to Deptford, Kent [Map] by water to Captain Rooth's to see him, he being very sick, and by land home, calling at Halfway house, where we eat and drank. So home and to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 25
25 May 1662. Lord's Day. To trimming myself, which I have this week done every morning, with a pumice stone, [Shaving with pumice stone.] which I learnt of Mr. Marsh, when I was last at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map]; and I find it very easy, speedy, and cleanly, and shall continue the practice of it. To church, and heard a good sermon of Mr. Woodcocke's at our church; only in his latter prayer for a woman in childbed, he prayed that God would deliver her from the hereditary curse of child-bearing, which seemed a pretty strange expression.
25 May 1662. Dined at home, and Mr. Creed with me. This day I had the first dish of pease I have had this year. After discourse he and I abroad, and walked up and down, and looked into many churches, among others Mr. Baxter's at Blackfryers.
25 May 1662. Then to the Wardrobe, where I found my Lord takes physic, so I did not see him, but with Captn. Ferrers in Mr. George Montagu's (age 39) coach to Charing Cross; and there at the Triumph tavern he showed me some Portugall ladys, which are come to town before the Queen (age 23). They are not handsome, and their farthingales a strange dress1. Many ladies and persons of quality come to see them. I find nothing in them that is pleasing; and I see they have learnt to kiss and look freely up and down already, and I do believe will soon forget the recluse practice of their own country. They complain much for lack of good water to drink.
Note 1. Farthingales had gone out of fashion in England during the reign of Charles I, and therefore their use by the Portuguese ladies astonished the English. Evelyn also remarks in his Diary on this ugly custom May 30th, 1662.
25 May 1662. So to the Wardrobe back on foot and supped with my Lady, and so home, and after a walk upon the leads with my wife, to prayers and bed. The King's guards and some City companies do walk up and down the town these five or six days; which makes me think, and they do say, there are some plots in laying. God keep us.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 26
26 May 1662. Up by four o'clock in the morning, and fell to the preparing of some accounts for my Lord of Sandwich.
26 May 1662. By and by, by appointment comes Mr. Moore, and, by what appears to us at present, we found that my Lord is above £7,000 in debt, and that he hath money coming into him that will clear all, and so we think him clear, but very little money in his purse.
26 May 1662. So to my Lord's, and after he was ready, we spent an hour with him, giving him an account thereof; and he having some £6,000 in his hands, remaining of the King's, he is resolved to make use of that, and get off of it as well as he can, which I like well of, for else I fear he will scarce get beforehand again a great while.
26 May 1662. Thence home, and to the Trinity House, Deptford [Map]; where the Brethren (who have been at Deptford, Kent [Map] choosing a new Maister; which is Sir J. Minnes (age 63), notwithstanding Sir W. Batten (age 61) did contend highly for it: at which I am not a little pleased, because of his proud lady) about three o'clock came hither, and so to dinner. I seated myself close by Mr. Prin (age 62), who, in discourse with me, fell upon what records he hath of the lust and wicked lives of the nuns heretofore in England, and showed me out of his pocket one wherein thirty nuns for their lust were ejected of their house, being not fit to live there, and by the Pope's command to be put, however, into other nunnerys. I could not stay to end dinner with them, but rose, and privately went out, and by water to my brother's, and thence to take my wife to the Redd Bull, where we saw "Doctor Faustus", but so wretchedly and poorly done, that we were sick of it, and the worse because by a former resolution it is to be the last play we are to see till Michaelmas.
26 May 1662. Thence homewards by coach, through Moorefields [Map], where we stood awhile, and saw the wrestling. At home, got my lute upon the leads, and there played, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 27
27 May 1662. To my Lord this morning, and thence to my brother's, where I found my father, poor man, come, which I was glad to see. I staid with him till noon, and then he went to my cozen Scott's to dinner, who had invited him. He tells me his alterations of the house and garden at Brampton, which please me well. I could not go with him, and so we parted at Ludgate, and I home to dinner, and to the office all the afternoon, and musique in my chamber alone at night, and so to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 28
28 May 1662. Up early to put things in order in my chamber, and then to my Lord's, with whom I spoke about several things, and so up and down in several places about business with Mr. Creed, among others to Mr. Wotton's the shoemaker, and there drank our morning draft, and then home about noon, and by and by comes my father by appointment to dine with me, which we did very merrily, I desiring to make him as merry as I can, while the poor man is in town.
28 May 1662. After dinner comes my uncle Wight and sat awhile and talked with us, and thence we three to the Mum House at Leadenhall, and there sat awhile. Then I left them, and to the Wardrobe, where I found my Lord gone to Hampton Court [Map]. Here I staid all the afternoon till late with Creed and Captain Ferrers, thinking whether we should go to-morrow together to Hampton Court [Map], but Ferrers his wife coming in by and by to the house with the young ladies (with whom she had been abroad), she was unwilling to go, whereupon I was willing to put off our going, and so home, but still my mind was hankering after our going to-morrow. So to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 29
29 May 1662. At home all the morning. At noon to the Wardrobe, and dined with my Lady, and after dinner staid long talking with her; then homeward, and in Lumbard Street was called out of a window by Alderman Backwell (age 44), where I went, and saluted his Alderman Edward Backwell and lady, a very pretty woman. Here was Mr. Creed, and it seems they have been under some disorder in fear of a fire at the next door, and had been removing their goods, but the fire was over before I came.
29 May 1662. Thence home, and with my wife and the two maids, and the boy, took boat and to Foxhall1, where I had not been a great while. To the Old Spring Garden, and there walked long, and the wenches gathered pinks. Here we staid, and seeing that we could not have anything to eat, but very dear, and with long stay, we went forth again without any notice taken of us, and so we might have done if we had had anything.
Note 1. Foxhall, Faukeshall, or Vauxhall, a manor in Surrey, properly Fulke's Hall, and so called from Fulke de Breaute, the notorious mercenary follower of King John. The manor house was afterwards known as Copped or Copt Hall. Sir Samuel Morland (age 37) obtained a lease of the place, and King Charles made him Master of Mechanics, and here "he (Morland), anno 1667, built a fine room", says Aubrey, "the inside all of looking-glass and fountains, very pleasant to behold". The gardens were formed about 1661, and originally called the "New Spring Gardens", to distinguish them from the "Old Spring Gardens" at Charing Cross, but according to the present description by Pepys there was both an Old and a New Spring Garden at Vauxhall. Balthazar Monconys, who visited England early in the reign of Charles II, describes the 'Jardins Printemps' at Lambeth as having lawns and gravel walks, dividing squares of twenty or thirty yards enclosed with hedges of gooseberry trees, within which were planted roses.
29 May 1662. Thence to the New one, where I never was before, which much exceeds the other; and here we also walked, and the boy crept through the hedge and gathered abundance of roses, and, after a long walk, passed out of doors as we did in the other place, and here we had cakes and powdered beef [salt beef] and ale, and so home again by water with much pleasure.
29 May 1662. This day, being the King's birth-day, was very solemnly observed; and the more, for that the Queen (age 23) this day comes to Hampton Court [Map]. In the evening, bonfires were made, but nothing to the great number that was heretofore at the burning of the Rump. So to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 30
30 May 1662. This morning I made up my accounts, and find myself 'de claro' worth about £530, and no more, so little have I increased it since my last reckoning; but I confess I have laid out much money in clothes. Upon a suddaine motion I took my wife, and Sarah and Will by water, with some victuals with us, as low as Gravesend, Kent [Map], intending to have gone into the Hope to The Royal James, to have seen the ship and Mr. Shepley, but meeting Mr. Shepley in a hoy, bringing up my Lord's things, she and I went on board, and sailed up with them as far as half-way tree, very glad to see Mr. Shepley. Here we saw a little Turk and a negroe, which are intended for pages to the two young ladies. Many birds and other pretty noveltys there was, but I was afeard of being louzy, and so took boat again, and got to London before them, all the way, coming and going, reading in the "Wallflower" with great pleasure.
30 May 1662. So home, and thence to the Wardrobe, where Mr. Shepley was come with the things. Here I staid talking with my Lady, who is preparing to go to-morrow to Hampton Court [Map].
30 May 1662. So home, and at ten o'clock at night Mr. Shepley came to sup with me. So we had a dish of mackerell and pease, and so he bid us good night, going to lie on board the hoy, and I to bed.
Stewart Books, Samuel Pepys' Diary 1662 May 31
31 May 1662. Lay long in bed, and so up to make up my Journall for these two or three days past. Then came Anthony Joyce, who duns me for money for the tallow which he served in lately by my desire, which vexes me, but I must get it him the next by my promise.
31 May 1662. By and by to White Hall, hearing that Sir G. Carteret (age 52) was come to town, but I could not find him, and so back to Tom's, and thence I took my father to my house, and there he dined with me, discoursing of our businesses with uncle Thomas and T. Trice.
31 May 1662. After dinner he departed and I to the office where we met, and that being done I walked to my Brother's and the Wardrobe and other places about business, and so home, and had Sarah to comb my head clean, which I found so foul with powdering and other troubles, that I am resolved to try how I can keep my head dry without powder; and I did also in a suddaine fit cut off all my beard, which I had been a great while bringing up, only that I may with my pumice-stone do my whole face, as I now do my chin, and to save time, which I find a very easy way and gentile. So she also washed my feet in a bath of herbs, and so to bed.
31 May 1662. This month ends with very fair weather for a great while together. My health pretty well, but only wind do now and then torment me... extremely.
31 May 1662. The Queen (age 23) is brought a few days since to Hampton Court [Map]; and all people say of her to be a very fine and handsome lady, and very discreet; and that the King (age 32) is pleased enough with her which, I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine's (age 21) nose out of joynt. The Court is wholly now at Hampton.
31 May 1662. A peace with Argier is lately made; which is also good news. My father is lately come to town to see us, and though it has cost and will cost more money, yet I am pleased with the alteraeons on my house at Brampton.
31 May 1662. My Lord Sandwich (age 36) is lately come with the Queen (age 23) from sea, very well and in good repute.
31 May 1662. Upon an audit of my estate I find myself worth about £530 'de claro'. The Act for Uniformity is lately printed1, which, it is thought, will make mad work among the Presbyterian ministers. People of all sides are very much discontented; some thinking themselves used, contrary to promise, too hardly; and the other, that they are not rewarded so much as they expected by the King (age 32). God keep us all. I have by a late oath obliged myself from wine and plays, of which I find good effect.
Note 1. "An Act for the Uniformity of public prayers and administration of sacraments and other rites and ceremonies, and for establishing the form of making, ordaining, and consecrating bishops, priests, and deacons in the Church of England"..