Diary, Mar/Apr 1665/66 | Page 7

third-rate ship, which is
to be called the Defyance.
[William Castell wrote to the Navy Commissioners on February 17th,
1665-66, to inform them that the "Defiance" had gone to Longreach,
and again, on February 22nd, to say that Mr. Grey had no masts large
enough for the new ship. Sir William Batten on March 29th asked for
the consent of the Board to bring the "Defiance" into dock (" Calendar
of State Papers," Domestic, 1665-66, pp. 252, 262, 324).]
And here I had my end in saving the King some money and getting
myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships.
Thence I left them and walked to Redriffe, and there taking water was
overtaken by them in their boat, and so they would have me in with
them to Castle's house, where my Lady Batten and Madam Williams
were, and there dined and a deale of doings. I had a good dinner and
counterfeit mirthe and pleasure with them, but had but little, thinking
how I neglected my business. Anon, all home to Sir W. Batten's and
there Mrs. Knipp coming we did spend the evening together very merry.
She and I singing, and, God forgive me! I do still see that my nature is
not to be quite conquered, but will esteem pleasure above all things,
though yet in the middle of it, it has reluctances after my business,
which is neglected by my following my pleasure. However musique
and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is. They
being gone I to the office a while and so home to supper and to bed.

10th. Up, and to the office, and there busy sitting till noon. I find at
home Mrs. Pierce and Knipp come to dine with me. We were mighty
merry; and, after dinner, I carried them and my wife out by coach to the
New Exchange, and there I did give my valentine, Mrs. Pierce, a dozen
payre of gloves, and a payre of silke stockings, and Knipp for
company's sake, though my wife had, by my consent, laid out 20s. upon
her the other day, six payre of gloves. Thence to Hales's to have seen
our pictures, but could not get in, he being abroad, and so to the

Cakehouse hard by, and there sat in the coach with great pleasure, and
eat some fine cakes and so carried them to Pierces and away home. It is
a mighty fine witty boy, Mrs. Pierces little boy. Thence home and to
the office, where late writing letters and leaving a great deale to do on
Monday, I home to supper and to bed. The truth is, I do indulge myself
a little the more in pleasure, knowing that this is the proper age of my
life to do it; and out of my observation that most men that do thrive in
the world, do forget to take pleasure during the time that they are
getting their estate, but reserve that till they have got one, and then it is
too late for them to enjoy it with any pleasure.

11th (Lord's day). Up, and by water to White Hall, there met Mr.
Coventry coming out, going along with the Commissioners of the
Ordnance to the water side to take barge, they being to go down to the
Hope. I returned with them as far as the Tower in their barge speaking
with Sir W. Coventry and so home and to church, and at noon dined
and then to my chamber, where with great pleasure about one business
or other till late, and so to supper and to bed.

12th. Up betimes, and called on by abundance of people about business,
and then away by water to Westminster, and there to the Exchequer
about some business, and thence by coach calling at several places, to
the Old Exchange, and there did much business, and so homeward and
bought a silver salt for my ordinary table to use, and so home to dinner,
and after dinner comes my uncle and aunt Wight, the latter I have not
seen since the plague; a silly, froward, ugly woman she is. We made
mighty much of them, and she talks mightily of her fear of the
sicknesse, and so a deale of tittle tattle and I left them and to my office
where late, and so home to supper and to bed. This day I hear my Uncle
Talbot Pepys died the last week, and was buried. All the news now is,
that Sir Jeremy Smith is at Cales--[Cadiz]--with his fleete, and Mings
in the Elve.-- [Elbe]--The King is come this noon to towne from Audly
End, with the Duke of Yorke and a fine train of gentlemen.

13th. Up betimes,