Diary, January 1666/67 | Page 4

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS. JANUARY 1666-1667
January 1st. Lay long, being a bitter, cold, frosty day, the frost being
now grown old, and the Thames covered with ice. Up, and to the office,

where all the morning busy. At noon to the 'Change a little, where Mr.
James Houblon and I walked a good while speaking of our ill condition
in not being able to set out a fleet (we doubt) this year, and the certain
ill effect that must bring, which is lamentable. Home to dinner, where
the best powdered goose that ever I eat. Then to the office again, and to
Sir W. Batten's to examine the Commission going down to Portsmouth
to examine witnesses about our prizes, of which God give a good issue!
and then to the office again, where late, and so home, my eyes sore. To
supper and to bed.

2nd. Up, I, and walked to White Hall to attend the Duke of York, as
usual. My wife up, and with Mrs. Pen to walk in the fields to frost-bite
themselves. I find the Court full of great apprehensions of the French,
who have certainly shipped landsmen, great numbers, at Brest; and
most of our people here guess his design for Ireland. We have orders to
send all the ships we can possible to the Downes. God have mercy on
us! for we can send forth no ships without men, nor will men go
without money, every day bringing us news of new mutinies among the
seamen; so that our condition is like to be very miserable. Thence to
Westminster Hall, and there met all the Houblons, who do laugh at this
discourse of the French, and say they are verily of opinion it is nothing
but to send to their plantation in the West Indys, and that we at Court
do blow up a design of invading us, only to make the Parliament make
more haste in the money matters, and perhaps it may be so, but I do not
believe we have any such plot in our heads. After them, I, with several
people, among others Mr. George Montagu, whom I have not seen long,
he mighty kind. He tells me all is like to go ill, the King displeasing the
House of Commons by evading their Bill for examining Accounts, and
putting it into a Commission, though therein he hath left out Coventry
and I and named all the rest the Parliament named, and all country
Lords, not one Courtier: this do not please them. He tells me he finds
the enmity almost over for my Lord Sandwich, and that now all is upon
the Vice-Chamberlain, who bears up well and stands upon his
vindication, which he seems to like well, and the others do construe
well also. Thence up to the Painted Chamber, and there heard a
conference between the House of Lords and Commons about the Wine
Patent; which I was exceeding glad to be at, because of my hearing

exceeding good discourses, but especially from the Commons; among
others, Mr. Swinfen, and a young man, one Sir Thomas Meres: and do
outdo the Lords infinitely. So down to the Hall and to the Rose Taverne,
while Doll Lane come to me, and we did 'biber a good deal de vino, et
je did give elle twelve soldis para comprare elle some gans' for a new
anno's gift . . . . Thence to the Hall again, and with Sir W. Pen by coach
to the Temple, and there 'light and eat a bit at an ordinary by, and then
alone to the King's House, and there saw "The Custome of the
Country," the second time of its being acted, wherein Knipp does the
Widow well; but, of all the plays that ever I did see, the worst-having
neither plot, language, nor anything in the earth that is acceptable; only
Knipp sings a little song admirably. But fully the worst play that ever I
saw or I believe shall see. So away home, much displeased for the loss
of so much time, and disobliging my wife by being there without her.
So, by link, walked home, it being mighty cold but dry, yet bad
walking because very slippery with the frost and treading. Home and to
my chamber to set down my journal, and then to thinking upon
establishing my vows against the next year, and so to supper and to
bed.

3rd. Up, and to the office, where we sat all the morning. At noon by
invitation to dinner to Sir W. Pen's, where my Lord Bruncker, Sir W.
Batten, and his lady, myself, and wife, Sir J. Minnes, and Mr. Turner
and his wife. Indifferent merry, to which I contributed the most, but a
mean dinner, and