Diary, Sep/Oct 1663 | Page 5

there among
the English. He being gone, I to my office, where late, putting things in
order, and so home to supper and to bed. Going through the City, my
Lord Mayor told me how the piller set up by Exeter House is only to
show where the pipes of water run to the City; and observed that this
City is as well watered as any city in the world, and that the bringing
the water to the City hath cost it first and last above L300,000; but by
the new building, and the building of St. James's by my Lord St.
Albans,
[It was at this time that the Earl of St. Albans planned St. James's
Square, which was first styled "The Piazza." The "Warrant for a grant

to Baptist May and Abraham Cowley on nomination of the Earl of St.
Albans of several parcels of ground in Pall Mall described, on rental of
L80, for building thereon a square of 13 or 14 great and good houses,"
was dated September 24th, 1664.]
which is now about (and which the City stomach I perceive highly, but
dare not oppose it), were it now to be done, it would not be done for a
million of money.

3rd. Up betimes, and for an hour at my viall before my people rise.
Then up and to the office a while, and then to Sir W. Batten, who is
going this day for pleasure down to the Downes. I eat a breakfast with
them, and at my Lady's desire with them by coach to Greenwich, where
I went aboard with them on the Charlotte yacht. The wind very fresh,
and I believe they will be all sicke enough, besides that she is mighty
troublesome on the water. Methinks she makes over much of her
husband's ward, young Mr. Griffin, as if she expected some service
from him when he comes to it, being a pretty young boy. I left them
under sayle, and I to Deptford, and, after a word or two with Sir J.
Minnes, walked to Redriffe and so home. In my way, it coming into my
head, overtaking of a beggar or two on the way that looked like Gypsys,
what the Gypsys 8 or 9 days ago had foretold, that somebody that day
se'nnight should be with me to borrow money, but I should lend none;
and looking, when I came to my office, upon my journall, that my
brother John had brought a letter that day from my brother Tom to
borrow L20 more of me, which had vexed me so that I had sent the
letter to my father into the country, to acquaint him of it, and how little
he is beforehand that he is still forced to borrow. But it pleased me
mightily to see how, contrary to my expectations, having so lately lent
him L20, and belief that he had money by him to spare, and that after
some days not thinking of it, I should look back and find what the
Gypsy had told me to be so true. After dinner at home to my office, and
there till late doing business, being very well pleased with Mr. Cutler's
coming to me about some business, and among other things tells me
that they value me as a man of business, which he accounts the best
virtuoso, and I know his thinking me so, and speaking where he comes,
may be of good use to me. Home to supper, and to bed.

4th. Up betimes, and an hour at my viall, and then abroad by water to
White Hall and Westminster Hall, and there bought the first
newes-books of L'Estrange's writing;
[Roger L'Estrange, a voluminous writer of pamphlets and periodical
papers, and translator of classics, &c. Born 1616. He was Licenser of
the Press to Charles II. and James II.; and M.P. for Winchester in James
II.'s parliament. L'Estrange was knighted in the reign of James II., and
died 1704. In 1663 L'Estrange set up a paper called "The Public
Intelligencer," which came out on August 31st, and continued to be
published twice a week till January 19th, 1665, when it was superseded
by the scheme of publishing the "London Gazette," the first number of
which appeared on February 4th following.]
he beginning this week; and makes, methinks, but a simple beginning.
Then to speak to Mrs. Lane, who seems desirous to have me come to
see her and to have her company as I had a little while ago, which
methinks if she were very modest, considering how I tumbled her and
tost her, she should not. Thence to Mrs. Harper, and sent for Creed, and
there Mrs. Harper sent for a maid for me to come to live with my wife.
I