Diary, Mar/Apr 1664/65 | 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. MARCH & APRIL 1664-1665
March 1st. Up, and this day being the day than: by a promise, a great
while ago, made to my wife, I was to give her L20 to lay out in clothes
against Easter, she did, notwithstanding last night's falling out, come to
peace with me and I with her, but did boggle mightily at the parting
with my money, but at last did give it her, and then she abroad to buy
her things, and I to my office, where busy all the morning. At noon I to
dinner at Trinity House, and thence to Gresham College, where Mr.
Hooke read a second very curious lecture about the late Comett; among

other things proving very probably that this is the very same Comett
that appeared before in the year 1618, and that in such a time probably
it will appear again, which is a very new opinion; but all will be in print.
Then to the meeting, where Sir G. Carteret's two sons, his owne, and
Sir N. Slaning, were admitted of the society: and this day I did pay my
admission money, 40s. to the society. Here was very fine discourses
and experiments, but I do lacke philosophy enough to understand them,
and so cannot remember them. Among others, a very particular account
of the making of the several sorts of bread in France, which is
accounted the best place for bread in the world. So home, where very
busy getting an answer to some question of Sir Philip Warwicke
touching the expense of the navy, and that being done I by coach at 8 at
night with my wife and Mercer to Sir Philip's and discoursed with him
(leaving them in the coach), and then back with them home and to
supper and to bed.

2nd. Begun this day to rise betimes before six o'clock, and, going down
to call my people, found Besse and the girle with their clothes on, lying
within their bedding upon the ground close by the fireside, and a candle
burning all night, pretending they would rise to scoure. This vexed me,
but Besse is going and so she will not trouble me long. Up, and by
water to Burston about my Lord's plate, and then home to the office, so
there all the morning sitting. At noon dined with Sir W. Batten (my
wife being gone again to-day to buy things, having bought nothing
yesterday for lack of Mrs. Pierces company), and thence to the office
again, where very busy till 12 at night, and vexed at my wife's staying
out so late, she not being at home at 9 o'clock, but at last she is come
home, but the reason of her stay I know not yet. So shut up my books,
and home to supper and to bed.

3rd. Up, and abroad about several things, among others to see Mr. Peter
Honiwood, who was at my house the other day, and I find it was for
nothing but to pay me my brother John's Quarterage. Thence to see Mrs.
Turner, who takes it mighty ill I did not come to dine with the Reader,
her husband, which, she says, was the greatest feast that ever was yet

kept by a Reader, and I believe it was well. But I am glad I did not go,
which confirms her in an opinion that I am growne proud. Thence to
the 'Change, and to several places, and so home to dinner and to my
office, where till 12 at night writing over a discourse of mine to Mr.
Coventry touching the Fishermen of the Thames upon a reference of
the business by him to me concerning their being protected from presse.
Then home to supper and to bed.

4th. Up very betimes, and walked, it being bitter cold, to Ratcliffe, to
the plate-maker's and back again. To the office, where we sat all the
morning, I, with being empty and full of ayre and wind, had some pain
to-day. Dined alone at home, my wife being gone abroad to buy some
more things. All the afternoon at the office. William Howe come to see
me, being come up with my Lord from sea: he is grown a discreet, but
very conceited fellow. He tells me how little respectfully Sir W. Pen
did carry it to my Lord onboard the Duke's ship at sea; and