Diary, December 1664 | Page 5

(after prayers) to bed. This day I
hear the Duke of Yorke is come to towne, though expected last night,
as I observed, but by what hindrance stopped I can't tell.

5th. Up, and to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes; and there, among an

infinite crowd of great persons, did kiss the Duke's hand; but had no
time to discourse. Thence up and down the gallery, and got my Lord of
Albemarle's hand to my bill for Povy, but afterwards was asked some
scurvy questions by Povy about my demands, which troubled [me], but
will do no great hurt I think. Thence vexed home, and there by
appointment comes my cozen Roger Pepys and Mrs. Turner, and dined
with me, and very merry we were. They staid all the afternoon till night,
and then after I had discoursed an hour with Sir W. Warren plainly
declaring my resolution to desert him if he goes on to join with Castle,
who and his family I, for great provocation, love not, which he takes
with some trouble, but will concur in everything with me, he says. Now
I am loth, I confess, to lose him, he having been the best friend I have
had ever in this office. So he being gone, we all, it being night, in
Madam Turner's coach to her house, there to see, as she tells us, how
fat Mrs. The. is grown, and so I find her, but not as I expected, but
mightily pleased I am to hear the mother commend her daughter Betty
that she is like to be a great beauty, and she sets much by her. Thence I
to White Hall, and there saw Mr. Coventry come to towne, and, with all
my heart, am glad to see him, but could have no talke with him, he
being but just come. Thence back and took up my wife, and home,
where a while, and then home to supper and to bed.

5th. Up, and in Sir W. Batten's coach to White Hall, but the Duke being
gone forth, I to Westminster Hall, and there spent much time till
towards noon to and fro with people. So by and by Mrs. Lane comes
and plucks me by the cloak to speak to me, and I was fain to go to her
shop, and pretending to buy some bands made her go home, and by and
by followed her, and there did what I would with her, and so after many
discourses and her intreating me to do something for her husband,
which I promised to do, and buying a little band of her, which I intend
to keep to, I took leave, there coming a couple of footboys to her with a
coach to fetch her abroad I know not to whom. She is great with child,
and she says I must be godfather, but I do not intend it. Thence by
coach to the Old Exchange, and there hear that the Dutch are fitting
their ships out again, which puts us to new discourse, and to alter our
thoughts of the Dutch, as to their want of courage or force. Thence by
appointment to the White Horse Taverne in Lumbard Streete, and there

dined with my Lord Rutherford, Povy, Mr. Gauden, Creed, and others,
and very merry, and after dinner among other things Povy and I
withdrew, and I plainly told him that I was concerned in profit, but very
justly, in this business of the Bill that I have been these two or three
days about, and he consents to it, and it shall be paid. He tells me how
he believes, and in part knows, Creed to be worth L10,000; nay, that
now and then he [Povy] hath three or L4,000 in his hands, for which he
gives the interest that the King gives, which is ten per cent., and that
Creed do come and demand it every three months the interest to be paid
him, which Povy looks upon as a cunning and mean tricke of him; but
for all that, he will do and is very rich. Thence to the office, where we
sat and where Mr. Coventry came the first time after his return from sea,
which I was glad of. So after office to my office, and then home to
supper, and to my office again, and then late home to bed.

7th. Lay long, then up, and among others Bagwell's wife coming to
speak with me put new thoughts of folly into me which I am troubled at.
Thence after doing business at my office, I by coach to my Lady
Sandwich's, and there dined with her, and found all well and merry.
Thence to White Hall, and we waited on the Duke, who