Diary, Apr/May 1664 | Page 6

and there
found my wife, who was gone with her mayd Besse to have a walk. But,
Lord! how my jealous mind did make me suspect that she might have
some appointment to meet somebody. But I found the poor souls
coming away thence, so I took them back, and eat and drank, and then
home, and after at the office a while, I home to supper and to bed. It
was a sad sight, me thought, to-day to see my Lord Peters coming out
of the House fall out with his lady (from whom he is parted) about this
business; saying that she disgraced him. But she hath been a handsome
woman, and is, it seems, not only a lewd woman, but very
high-spirited.

5th. Up very betimes, and walked to my cozen Anthony Joyce's, and
thence with him to his brother Will, in Tuttle Street, where I find him
pretty cheery over [what] he was yesterday (like a coxcomb), his wife
being come to him, and having had his boy with him last night. Here I
staid an hour or two and wrote over a fresh petition, that which was
drawn by their solicitor not pleasing me, and thence to the Painted
chamber, and by and by away by coach to my Lord Peterborough's, and
there delivered the petition into his hand, which he promised most
readily to deliver to the House today. Thence back, and there spoke to
several Lords, and so did his solicitor (one that W. Joyce hath promised
L5 to if he be released). Lord Peterborough presented a petition to the

House from W. Joyce: and a great dispute, we hear, there was in the
House for and against it. At last it was carried that he should be bayled
till the House meets again after Easter, he giving bond for his
appearance. This was not so good as we hoped, but as good as we could
well expect. Anon comes the King and passed the Bill for repealing the
Triennial Act, and another about Writs of Errour. I crowded in and
heard the King's speech to them; but he speaks the worst that ever I
heard man in my life worse than if he read it all, and he had it in
writing in his hand. Thence, after the House was up, and I inquired
what the order of the House was, I to W. Joyce,' with his brother, and
told them all. Here was Kate come, and is a comely fat woman. I would
not stay dinner, thinking to go home to dinner, and did go by water as
far as the bridge, but thinking that they would take it kindly my being
there, to be bayled for him if there was need, I returned, but finding
them gone out to look after it, only Will and his wife and sister left and
some friends that came to visit him, I to Westminster Hall, and by and
by by agreement to Mrs. Lane's lodging, whither I sent for a lobster,
and with Mr. Swayne and his wife eat it, and argued before them
mightily for Hawly, but all would not do, although I made her angry by
calling her old, and making her know what herself is. Her body was out
of temper for any dalliance, and so after staying there 3 or 4 hours, but
yet taking care to have my oath safe of not staying a quarter of an hour
together with her, I went to W. Joyce, where I find the order come, and
bayle (his father and brother) given; and he paying his fees, which
come to above L2, besides L5 he is to give one man, and his charges of
eating and drinking here, and 10s. a-day as many days as he stands
under bayle: which, I hope, will teach him hereafter to hold his tongue
better than he used to do. Thence with Anth. Joyce's wife alone home
talking of Will's folly, and having set her down, home myself, where I
find my wife dressed as if she had been abroad, but I think she was not,
but she answering me some way that I did not like I pulled her by the
nose, indeed to offend her, though afterwards to appease her I denied it,
but only it was done in haste. The poor wretch took it mighty ill, and I
believe besides wringing her nose she did feel pain, and so cried a great
while, but by and by I made her friends, and so after supper to my
office a while, and then home to bed. This day great numbers of
merchants came to a Grand Committee of the House to bring in their

claims against the Dutch. I pray God guide the issue