Diary, Jan/Feb 1663/64 | Page 4

them. D.W.]

THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A. F.R.S.
CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHORTHAND MANUSCRIPT IN
THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY MAGDALENE COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE BY THE REV. MYNORS BRIGHT M.A. LATE

FELLOW AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE
(Unabridged)
WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE'S NOTES
EDITED WITH ADDITIONS BY
HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
1663-1664

January 1st, 1663-64.
Went to bed between 4 and 5 in the morning with my mind in good
temper of satisfaction and slept till about 8, that many people came to
speak with me. Among others one came with the best New Year's gift
that ever I had, namely from Mr. Deering, with a bill of exchange
drawn upon himself for the payment of L50 to Mr. Luellin. It being for
my use with a letter of compliment. I am not resolved what or how to
do in this business, but I conclude it is an extraordinary good new
year's gift, though I do not take the whole, or if I do then give some of
it to Luellin. By and by comes Captain Allen and his son Jowles and
his wife, who continues pretty still. They would have had me set my
hand to a certificate for his loyalty, and I know not what his ability for
any employment. But I did not think it fit, but did give them a pleasing
denial, and after sitting with me an hour they went away. Several others
came to me about business, and then being to dine at my uncle Wight's
I went to the Coffee-house, sending my wife by Will, and there staid
talking an hour with Coll. Middleton, and others, and among other
things about a very rich widow, young and handsome, of one Sir
Nicholas Gold's, a merchant, lately fallen, and of great courtiers that
already look after her: her husband not dead a week yet. She is
reckoned worth L80,000. Thence to my uncle Wight's, where Dr. of
-----, among others, dined, and his wife, a seeming proud conceited
woman, I know not what to make of her, but the Dr's. discourse did
please me very well about the disease of the stone, above all things
extolling Turpentine, which he told me how it may be taken in pills
with great ease. There was brought to table a hot pie made of a swan I
sent them yesterday, given me by Mr. Howe, but we did not eat any of

it. But my wife and I rose from table, pretending business, and went to
the Duke's house, the first play I have been at these six months,
according to my last vowe, and here saw the so much cried-up play of
"Henry the Eighth;" which, though I went with resolution to like it, is
so simple a thing made up of a great many patches, that, besides the
shows and processions in it, there is nothing in the world good or well
done. Thence mightily dissatisfied back at night to my uncle Wight's,
and supped with them, but against my stomach out of the offence the
sight of my aunt's hands gives me, and ending supper with a mighty
laugh, the greatest I have had these many months, at my uncle's being
out in his grace after meat, we rose and broke up, and my wife and I
home and to bed, being sleepy since last night.

2nd. Up and to the office, and there sitting all the morning, and at noon
to the 'Change, in my going met with Luellin and told him how I had
received a letter and bill for L50 from Mr. Deering, and delivered it to
him, which he told me he would receive for me. To which I consented,
though professed not to desire it if he do not consider himself
sufficiently able by the service I have done, and that it is rather my
desire to have nothing till he be further sensible of my service. From
the 'Change I brought him home and dined with us, and after dinner I
took my wife out, for I do find that I am not able to conquer myself as
to going to plays till I come to some new vowe concerning it, and that I
am now come, that is to say, that I will not see above one in a month at
any of the publique theatres till the sum of 50s. be spent, and then none
before New Year's Day next, unless that I do become worth L1000
sooner than then, and then am free to come to some other terms, and so
leaving him in Lombard Street I took her to the King's house, and there
met Mr. Nicholson, my old colleague, and saw "The