Diary, 1661 N.S. Complete | Page 9

had
preached before. Here Commissioner came with his wife and daughters,
the eldest being his wife's daughter is a very comely black
woman.--[The old expression for a brunette.]--So to the Globe to dinner,
and then with Commissioner Pett to his lodgings there (which he hath
for the present while he is building the King's yacht, which will be a
pretty thing, and much beyond the Dutchman's), and from thence with
him and his wife and daughter-in-law by coach to Greenwich Church,
where a good sermon, a fine church, and a great company of handsome
women. After sermon to Deptford again; where, at the Commissioner's
and the Globe, we staid long. And so I to Mr. Davis's to bed again. But
no sooner in bed, but we had an alarm, and so we rose: and the
Comptroller comes into the Yard to us; and seamen of all the ships
present repair to us, and there we armed with every one a handspike,
with which they were as fierce as could be. At last we hear that it was
only five or six men that did ride through the guard in the town,
without stopping to the guard that was there; and, some say, shot at
them. But all being quiet there, we caused the seamen to go on board
again: And so we all to bed (after I had sat awhile with Mr. Davis in his
study, which is filled with good books and some very good song books)
I likewise to bed.
14th. The arms being come this morning from the Tower, we caused

them to be distributed. I spent much time walking with Lieutenant
Lambert, walking up and down the yards, who did give me much light
into things there, and so went along with me and dined with us. After
dinner Mrs. Pett, her husband being gone this morning with Sir W.
Batten to Chatham, lent us her coach, and carried us to Woolwich,
where we did also dispose of the arms there and settle the guards. So to
Mr. Pett's, the shipwright, and there supped, where he did treat us very
handsomely (and strange it is to see what neat houses all the officers of
the King's yards have), his wife a proper woman, and has been
handsome, and yet has a very pretty hand. Thence I with Mr. Ackworth
to his house, where he has a very pretty house, and a very proper lovely
woman to his wife, who both sat with me in my chamber, and they
being gone, I went to bed, which was also most neat and fine.
15th. Up and down the yard all the morning and seeing the seamen
exercise, which they do already very handsomely. Then to dinner at Mr.
Ackworth's, where there also dined with us one Captain Bethell, a
friend of the Comptroller's. A good dinner and very handsome. After
that and taking our leaves of the officers of the yard, we walked to the
waterside and in our way walked into the rope-yard, where I do look
into the tar- houses and other places, and took great notice of all the
several works belonging to the making of a cable. So after a cup of
burnt wine--[Burnt wine was somewhat similar to mulled wine, and a
favourite drink]--at the tavern there, we took barge and went to
Blackwall and viewed the dock and the new Wet dock, which is newly
made there, and a brave new merchantman which is to be launched
shortly, and they say to be called the Royal Oak. Hence we walked to
Dick-Shore, and thence to the Towre and so home. Where I found my
wife and Pall abroad, so I went to see Sir W. Pen, and there found Mr.
Coventry come to see him, and now had an opportunity to thank him,
and he did express much kindness to me. I sat a great while with Sir
Wm. after he was gone, and had much talk with him. I perceive none of
our officers care much for one another, but I do keep in with them all as
much as I can. Sir W. Pen is still very ill as when I went. Home, where
my wife not yet come home, so I went up to put my papers in order,
and then was much troubled my wife was not come, it being 10 o'clock
just now striking as I write this last line. This day I hear the Princess is
recovered again. The King hath been this afternoon at Deptford, to see

the yacht that Commissioner Pett is building, which will be very pretty;
as also that that his brother at Woolwich is in making. By and by comes
in my boy and tells me that his mistress do lie this night