<h2>
APRIL 1660
</h2>
<p>
April 1st (Lords day). Mr. Ibbott preached very well. After dinner my
Lord did give me a private list of all the ships that were to be set out
this summer, wherein I do discern that he bath made it his care to put by
as much of the Anabaptists as he can. By reason of my Lord and my being
busy to send away the packet by Mr. Cooke of the Nazeby, it was four
oclock before we could begin sermon again. This day Captain Guy come on
board from Dunkirk, who tells me that the King will come in, and that the
soldiers at Dunkirk do drink the Kings health in the streets. At night
the Captain, Sir R. Stayner, Mr. Sheply, and I did sup together in the
Captains cabin. I made a commission for Captain Wilgness, of the Bear,
to-night, which got me 30s. So after writing a while I went to bed.
</p>
<p>
2d. Up very early, and to get all my things and my boys packed up. Great
concourse of commanders here this morning to take leave of my Lord upon
his going into the Nazeby, so that the table was full, so there dined
below many commanders, and Mr. Creed, who was much troubled to hear that
he could not go along with my Lord, for he had already got all his things
thither, thinking to stay there, but W. Howe was very high against it, and
he indeed did put him out, though everybody was glad of it. After dinner I
went in one of the boats with my boy before my Lord, and made shift before
night to get my cabin in pretty good order. It is but little, but very
convenient, having one window to the sea and another to the deck, and a
good bed. This morning comes Mr. Ed. Pickering, like a coxcomb as he
always was. He tells me that the King will come in, but that Monk did
resolve to have the doing of it himself, or else to hinder it.
</p>
<p>
3d. Late to bed. About three in the morning there was great knocking at my
cabin, which with much difficulty (so they say) waked me, and I rose, but
it was only for a packet, so went to my bed again, and in the morning gave
it my Lord. This morning Capt. Isham comes on board to see my Lord and
drunk his wine before he went into the Downs, there likewise come many
merchants to get convoy to the Baltique, which a course was taken for.
They dined with my Lord, and one of them by name Alderman Wood talked much
to my Lord of the hopes that we have now to be settled, (under the King he
meant); but my Lord took no notice of it. After dinner which was late my
Lord went on shore, and after him I and Capt. Sparling went in his boat,
but the water being almost at low water we could not stay for fear of not
getting into our boat again. So back again. This day come the Lieutenant
of the Swiftsure, who was sent by my Lord to Hastings, one of the Cinque
Ports, to have got Mr. Edward Montagu to have been one of their burgesses,
but could not, for they were all promised before. After he had done his
message, I took him and Mr. Pierce, the surgeon (who this day came on
board, and not before), to my cabin, where we drank a bottle of wine. At
night, busy a-writing, and so to bed. My heart exceeding heavy for not
hearing of my dear wife, and indeed I do not remember that ever my heart
was so apprehensive of her absence as at this very time.
</p>
<p>
4th. This morning I dispatch many letters of my own private business to
London. There come Colonel Thomson with the wooden leg, and General Pen,
</p>
[This is the first mention in the Diary of Admiral (afterwards Sir
William) Penn, with whom Pepys was subsequently so particularly
intimate. At this time admirals were sometimes styled generals.
William Penn was born at Bristol in 1621, of the ancient family of
the Penns of Penn Lodge, Wilts. He was Captain at the age of
twenty-one; Rear-Admiral of Ireland at twenty-three; Vice-Admiral of
England and General in the first Dutch war, at thirty-two. He was
subsequently M.P. for Weymouth, Governor of Kingsale, and Vice-
Admiral of Munster. He was a highly successful commander, and in
1654 he obtained possession of Jamaica. He was appointed a
Commissioner of the Navy in 1660, in which year he was knighted.
After the Dutch fight in 1665, where he distinguished himself as
second in command under the Duke of York, he took leave of the sea,
but continued to act as a Commissioner for the Navy till 1669, when
he retired to Wanstead, on account of his bodily infirmities, and
dying there, September 16th, 1670, aged forty-nine, was buried in
the church of St. Mary Redcliffe, in Bristol, where a monument to
his memory was erected.]
<p>
and dined with my Lord and Mr. Blackburne, who told me that it was certain
now that the King must of necessity come in, and that one of the Council
told him there is something doing in order to a treaty already among them.
And it was strange to hear how Mr. Blackburne did already begin to commend
him for a sober man, and how quiet he would be under his government, &c.
I dined all alone to prevent company, which was exceeding great to-day, in
my cabin. After these two were gone Sir W. Wheeler and Sir John Petters
came on board and staid about two or three hours, and so went away. The
Commissioners came to-day, only to consult about a further reducement of
the Fleet, and to pay them as fast as they can. I did give Davis, their
servant, L5 10s. to give to Mr. Moore from me, in part of the L7 that I
borrowed of him, and he is to discount the rest out of the 36s. that he do
owe me. At night, my Lord resolved to send the Captain of our ship to
Waymouth and promote his being chosen there, which he did put himself into
a readiness to do the next morning.
</p>
<p>
5th. Infinity of business all the morning of orders to make, that I was
very much perplexed that Mr. Burr had failed me of coming back last night,
and we ready to set sail, which we did about noon, and came in the evening
to Lee roads and anchored. At night Mr. Sheply overtook us who had been at
Grays Market this morning. I spent all the afternoon upon the deck, it
being very pleasant weather. This afternoon Sir Rich. Stayner and Mr.
Creed, after we were come to anchor, did come on board, and Creed brought
me L30, which my Lord had ordered him to pay me upon account, and Captain
Clerke brought me a noted caudle. At night very sleepy to bed.
</p>
<p>
6th. This morning came my brother-in-law Balty to see me, and to desire to
be here with me as Reformado,—[a broken or disbanded officer.]
which did much trouble me. But after dinner (my Lord using him very
civilly, at table) I spoke to my Lord, and he presented me a letter to
Captain Stokes for him that he should be there. All the day with him
walking and talking, we under sail as far as the Spitts. In the afternoon,
W. Howe and I to our viallins, the first time since we came on board. This
afternoon I made even with my Lord to this day, and did give him all the
money remaining in my hands. In the evening, it being fine moonshine, I
staid late walking upon the quarter-deck with Mr. Cuttance, learning of
some sea terms; and so down to supper and to bed, having an hour before
put Balty into Burrs cabin, he being out of the ship.
</p>
<p>
7th. This day, about nine oclock in the morning, the wind grew high, and
we being among the sands lay at anchor; I began to be dizzy and squeamish.
Before dinner my Lord sent for me down to eat some oysters, the best my
Lord said that ever he ate in his life, though I have ate as good at
Bardsey. After dinner, and all the afternoon I walked upon the deck to
keep myself from being sick, and at last about five oclock, went to bed
and got a caudle made me, and sleep upon it very well. This day Mr. Sheply
went to Sheppy.
</p>
<p>
8th (Lords day). Very calm again, and I pretty well, but my head aked all
day. About noon set sail; in our way I see many vessels and masts, which
are now the greatest guides for ships. We had a brave wind all the
afternoon, and overtook two good merchantmen that overtook us yesterday,
going to the East Indies. The lieutenant and I lay out of his window with
his glass, looking at the women that were on board them, being pretty
handsome. This evening Major Willoughby, who had been here three or four
days on board with Mr. Pickering, went on board a catch [ketch] for
Dunkirk. We continued sailing when I went to bed, being somewhat ill
again, and Will Howe, the surgeon, parson, and Balty supped in the
Lieutenants cabin and afterwards sat disputing, the parson for and I
against extemporary prayers, very hot.
</p>
<p>
9th. We having sailed all night, were come in sight of the Nore and South
Forelands in the morning, and so sailed all day. In the afternoon we had a
very fresh gale, which I brooked better than I thought I should be able to
do. This afternoon I first saw France and Calais, with which I was much
pleased, though it was at a distance. About five oclock we came to the
Goodwin, so to the Castles about Deal; where our Fleet lay, among whom we
anchored. Great was the shout of guns from the castles and ships, and our
answers, that I never heard yet so great rattling of guns. Nor could we
see one another on board for the smoke that was among us, nor one ship
from another. Soon as we came to anchor, the captains came from on board
their ships all to us on board. This afternoon I wrote letters for my Lord
to the Council, &c., which Mr. Dickering was to carry, who took his
leave this night of my Lord, and Balty after I had wrote two or three
letters by him to my wife and Mr. Bowyer, and had drank a bottle of wine
with him in my cabin which J. Goods and W. Howe brought on purpose, he
took leave of me too to go away to-morrow morning with Mr. Dickering. I
lent Balty 15s. which he was to pay to my wife. It was one in the morning
before we parted. This evening Mr. Sheply came on board, having escaped a
very great danger upon a sand coming from Chatham.
</p>
<p>
10th. This morning many or most of the commanders in the Fleet came on
board and dined here, so that some of them and I dined together in the
Round-house, where we were very merry. Hither came the Vice-Admiral to us,
and sat and talked and seemed a very good-natured man. At night as I was
all alone in my cabin, in a melancholy fit playing on my viallin, my Lord
and Sir R. Stayner came into the coach
</p>
[A sort of chamber or apartment in a large ship of war, just before
the great cabin. The floor of it is formed by the aftmost part of
the quarter deck, and the roof of it by the poop: it is generally
the habitation of the flag-captain.—Smyths Sailors Word-Book.]
<p>
and supped there, and called me out to supper with them. After that up to
the Lieutenants cabin, where he and I and Sir Richard sat till 11 oclock
talking, and so to bed. This day my Lord Goring returned from France, and
landed at Dover.
</p>
<p>
11th. A Gentleman came this morning from my Lord of Manchester to my Lord
for a pass for Mr. Boyle, which was made him. I ate a good breakfast by
my Lords orders with him in the great cabin below. The wind all this day
was very high, so that a gentleman that was at dinner with my Lord that
came along with Sir John Bloys (who seemed a fine man) was forced to rise
from table. This afternoon came a great packet of letters from London
directed to me, among the rest two from my wife, the first that I have
since coming away from London. All the news from London is that things go
on further towards a King. That the Skinners Company the other day at
their entertaining of General Monk had took down the Parliament Arms in
their Hall, and set up the Kings. In the evening my Lord and I had a
great deal of discourse about the several Captains of the Fleet and his
interest among them, and had his mind clear to bring in the King. He
confessed to me that he was not sure of his own Captain [Cuttance] to be
true to him, and that he did not like Captain Stokes. At night W. Howe and
I at our viallins in my cabin, where Mr. Ibbott and the lieutenant were
late. I staid the lieutenant late, shewing him my manner of keeping a
journal. After that to bed. It comes now into my mind to observe that I am
sensible that I have been a little too free to make mirth with the
minister of our ship, he being a very sober and an upright man.
</p>
<p>
12th. This day, the weather being very bad, we had no strangers on board.
In the afternoon came the Vice-Admiral on board, with whom my Lord
consulted, and I sent a packet to London at night with several letters to
my friends, as to my wife about my getting of money for her when she
should need it, to Mr. Bowyer that he tell me when the Messieurs of the
offices be paid, to Mr. Moore about the business of my office, and making
even with him as to matter of money. At night after I had despatched my
letters, to bed.
</p>
<p>
13th. This day very foul all day for rain and wind. In the afternoon set
my own things in my cabin and chests in better order than hitherto, and
set my papers in order. At night sent another packet to London by the
post, and after that was done I went up to the lieutenants cabin and
there we broached a vessel of ale that we had sent for among us from Deal
to-day. There was the minister and doctor with us. After that till one
oclock in the morning writing letters to Mr. Downing about my business of
continuing my office to myself, only Mr. Moore to execute it for me. I had
also a very serious and effectual letter from my Lord to him to that
purpose. After that done then to bed, and it being very rainy, and the
rain coming upon my bed, I went and lay with John Goods in the great cabin
below, the wind being so high that we were faro to lower some of the
masts. I to bed, and what with the goodness of the bed and the rocking of
the ship I slept till almost ten oclock, and then—
</p>
<p>
14th. Rose and drank a good morning draught there with Mr. Sheply, which
occasioned my thinking upon the happy life that I live now, had I nothing
to care for but myself. The sea was this morning very high, and looking
out of the window I saw our boat come with Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, in it
in great danger, who endeavouring to come on board us, had like to have
been drowned had it not been for a rope. This day I was informed that my
Lord Lambert is got out of the Towers and that there is L100 proffered to
whoever shall bring him forth to the Council of State.
</p>
[The manner of the escape of John Lambert, out of the Tower, on the
11th inst., as related by Rugge:—That about eight of the clock at
night he escaped by a rope tied fast to his window, by which he slid
down, and in each hand he had a handkerchief; and six men were ready
to receive him, who had a barge to hasten him away. She who made
the bed, being privy to his escape, that night, to blind the warder
when he came to lock the chamber-door, went to bed, and possessed
Colonel Lamberts place, and put on his night-cap. So, when the
said warder came to lock the door, according to his usual manner, he
found the curtains drawn, and conceiving it to be Colonel John
Lambert, he said, Good night, my Lord. To which a seeming voice
replied, and prevented all further jealousies. The next morning, on
coming to unlock the door, and espying her face, he cried out, In
the name of God, Joan, what makes you here? Where is my Lord
Lambert? She said, He is gone; but I cannot tell whither.
Whereupon he caused her to rise, and carried her before the officer
in the Tower, and [she] was committed to custody. Some said that a
lady knit for him a garter of silk, by which he was conveyed down,
and that she received L100 for her pains.—B]
<p>
My Lord is chosen at Waymouth this morning; my Lord had his freedom
brought him by Captain Tiddiman of the port of Dover, by which he is
capable of being elected for them. This day I heard that the Army had in
general declared to stand by what the next Parliament shall do. At night
supped with my Lord.
</p>
<p>
15th (Lords day). Up early and was trimmed by the barber in the great
cabin below. After that to put my clothes on and then to sermon, and then
to dinner, where my Lord told us that the University of Cambridge had a
mind to choose him for their burgess, which he pleased himself with, to
think that they do look upon him as a thriving man, and said so openly at
table. At dinner-time Mr. Cook came back from London with a packet which
caused my Lord to be full of thoughts all day, and at night he bid me
privately to get two commissions ready, one for Capt. Robert Blake to be
captain of the Worcester, in the room of Capt. Dekings, an anabaptist, and
one that had witnessed a great deal of discontent with the present
proceedings. The other for Capt. Coppin to come out of that into the
Newbury in the room of Blake, whereby I perceive that General Monk do
resolve to make a thorough change, to make way for the King. From London I
hear that since Lambert got out of the Tower, the Fanatiques had held up
their heads high, but I hope all that will come to nothing. Late a writing
of letters to London to get ready for Mr. Cook. Then to bed.
</p>
<p>
16th. And about 4 oclock in the morning Mr. Cook waked me where I lay in
the great cabin below, and I did give him his packet and directions for
London. So to sleep again. All the morning giving out orders and tickets
to the Commanders of the Fleet to discharge all supernumeraries that they
had above the number that the Council had set in their last establishment.
After dinner busy all the afternoon writing, and so till night, then to
bed.
</p>
<p>
17th. All the morning getting ready commissions for the Vice-Admiral and
the Rear-Admiral, wherein my Lord was very careful to express the utmost
of his own power, commanding them to obey what orders they should receive
from the Parliament, &c., or both or either of the Generals.
</p>
[Sir Edward Montagu afterwards recommended the Duke of York as High
Admiral, to give regular and lawful commissions to the Commanders of
the Fleet, instead of those which they had received from Sir Edward
himself, or from the Rump Parliament.—Kennetts Register, p. 163.]
<p>
The Vice-Admiral dined with us, and in the afternoon my Lord called me to
give him the commission for him, which I did, and he gave it him himself.
A very pleasant afternoon, and I upon the deck all the day, it was so
clear that my Lords glass shewed us Calais very plain, and the cliffs
were as plain to be seen as Kent, and my Lord at first made me believe
that it was Kent. At night, after supper, my Lord called for the
Rear-Admirals commission, which I brought him, and I sitting in my study
heard my Lord discourse with him concerning D. Kings and Newberrys being
put out of commission. And by the way I did observe that my Lord did speak
more openly his mind to me afterwards at night than I can find that he did
to the Rear-Admiral, though his great confidant. For I was with him an
hour together, when he told me clearly his thoughts that the King would
carry it, and that he did think himself very happy that he was now at sea,
as well for his own sake, as that he thought he might do his country some
service in keeping things quiet. To bed, and shifting myself from top to
toe, there being J. Goods and W. Howe sat late by my bedside talking. So
to sleep, every day bringing me a fresh sense of the pleasure of my
present life.
</p>
<p>
18th. This morning very early came Mr. Edward Montagu on board, but what
was the business of his coming again or before without any servant and
making no stay at all I cannot guess. This day Sir R. Stayner, Mr. Sheply,
and as many of my Lords people as could be spared went to Dover to get
things ready against to-morrow for the election there. I all the afternoon
dictating in my cabin (my own head being troubled with multiplicity of
business) to Burr, who wrote for me above a dozen letters, by which I have
made my mind more light and clear than I have had it yet since I came on
board. At night sent a packet to London, and Mr. Cook returned hence
bringing me this news, that the Sectaries do talk high what they will do,
but I believe all to no purpose, but the Cavaliers are something unwise to
talk so high on the other side as they do. That the Lords do meet every
day at my Lord of Manchesters, and resolve to sit the first day of the
Parliament. That it is evident now that the General and the Council do
resolve to make way for the Kings coming. And it is now clear that either
the Fanatiques must now be undone, or the gentry and citizens throughout
England, and clergy must fall, in spite of their militia and army, which
is not at all possible I think. At night I supped with W. Howe and Mr.
Luellin (being the first time that I had been so long with him) in the
great cabin below. After that to bed, and W. Howe sat by my bedside, and
he and I sang a psalm or two and so I to sleep.
</p>
<p>
19th. A great deal of business all this day, and Burr being gone to shore
without my leave did vex me much. At dinner news was brought us that my
Lord was chosen at Dover. This afternoon came one Mr. Mansell on board as
a Reformado, to whom my Lord did shew exceeding great respect, but upon
what account I do not yet know. This day it has rained much, so that when
I came to go to bed I found it wet through, so I was fain to wrap myself
up in a dry sheet, and so lay all night.
</p>
<p>
20th. All the morning I was busy to get my window altered, and to have my
table set as I would have it, which after it was done I was infinitely
pleased with it, and also to see what a command I have to have every one
ready to come and go at my command. This evening came Mr. Boyle on board,
for whom I writ an order for a ship to transport him to Flushing. He
supped with my Lord, my Lord using him as a person of honour. This evening
too came Mr. John Pickering on board us. This evening my head ached
exceedingly, which I impute to my sitting backwards in my cabin, otherwise
than I am used to do. To-night Mr. Sheply told me that he heard for
certain at Dover that Mr. Edw. Montagu did go beyond sea when he was here
first the other day, and I am apt to believe that he went to speak with
the King. This day one told me how that at the election at Cambridge for
knights of the shire, Wendby and Thornton by declaring to stand for the
Parliament and a King and the settlement of the Church, did carry it
against all expectation against Sir Dudley North and Sir Thomas Willis! I
supped to-night with Mr. Sheply below at the half-deck table, and after
that I saw Mr. Pickering whom my Lord brought down to his cabin, and so to
bed.
</p>
<p>
21st. This day dined Sir John Boys
</p>
[Of Bonnington and Sandwich, Gentleman of the Privy-Chamber to
Charles I. He defended Donnington Castle, Berkshire, for the King
against Jeremiah Horton, 1644, and received an augmentation to his
arms in consequence.]
<p>
and some other gentlemen formerly great Cavaliers, and among the rest one
Mr. Norwood, for whom my Lord give a convoy to carry him to the Brill,—[Brielle,
or Den Briel, a seaport town in the province of South Holland.]—but
he is certainly going to the King. For my Lord commanded me that I should
not enter his name in my book. My Lord do show them and that sort of
people great civility. All their discourse and others are of the Kings
coming, and we begin to speak of it very freely. And heard how in many
churches in London, and upon many signs there, and upon merchants ships
in the river, they had set up the Kings arms. In the afternoon the
Captain would by all means have me up to his cabin, and there treated me
huge nobly, giving me a barrel of pickled oysters, and opened another for
me, and a bottle of wine, which was a very great favour. At night late
singing with W. Howe, and under the barbers hands in the coach. This
night there came one with a letter from Mr. Edw. Montagu to my Lord, with
command to deliver it to his own hands. I do believe that he do carry some
close business on for the King.
</p>
[Pepyss guess at E. Montagus business is confirmed by Clarendons
account of his employment of him to negotiate with Lord Sandwich on
behalf of the King. (History of the Rebellion, book xvi.)—Notes
and Queries, vol. x. p. 3—M. B.]
<p>
This day I had a large letter from Mr. Moore, giving me an account of the
present dispute at London that is like to be at the beginning of the
Parliament, about the House of Lords, who do resolve to sit with the
Commons, as not thinking themselves dissolved yet. Which, whether it be
granted or no, or whether they will sit or no, it will bring a great many
inconveniences. His letter I keep, it being a very well writ one.
</p>
<p>
22d (Easter Sunday). Several Londoners, strangers, friends of the
Captains, dined here, who, among other things told us, how the Kings Arms
are every day set up in houses and churches, particularly in Allhallows
Church in Thames-street, John Simpsons church, which being privately done
was, a great eye-sore to his people when they came to church and saw it.
Also they told us for certain, that the Kings statue is making by the
Mercers Company (who are bound to do it) to set up in the Exchange. After
sermon in the afternoon I fell to writing letters against to-morrow to
send to London. After supper to bed.
</p>
<p>
23rd. All the morning very busy getting my packet ready for London, only
for an hour or two had the Captain and Mr. Sheply in my cabin at the
barrel of pickled oysters that the Captain did give me on Saturday last.
After dinner I sent Mr. Dunn to London with the packet. This afternoon I
had 40s. given me by Captain Cowes of the Paradox. In the evening the
first time that we had any sport among the seamen, and indeed there was
extraordinary good sport after my Lord had done playing at ninepins. After
that W. Howe and I went to play two trebles in the great cabin below,
which my Lord hearing, after supper he called for our instruments, and
played a set of Locks, two trebles, and a base, and that being done, he
fell to singing of a song made upon the Rump, with which he played himself
well, to the tune of The Blacksmith. After all that done, then to bed.
</p>
[The Blacksmith was the same tune as Green Sleeves. The
earliest known copy of The Praise of the Blacksmith is in An
Antidote against Melancholy, 1661. See Roxburghe Ballads, ed.
W. Chappell, 1872, vol. ii. p. 126. (Ballad Society:)]
<p>
24th. This morning I had Mr. Luellin and Mr. Sheply to the remainder of my
oysters that were left yesterday. After that very busy all the morning.
While I was at dinner with my Lord, the Coxon of the Vice-Admiral came for
me to the Vice-Admiral to dinner. So I told my Lord and he gave me leave
to go. I rose therefore from table and went, where there was very many
commanders, and very pleasant we were on board the London, which hath a
state-room much bigger than the Nazeby, but not so rich. After that, with
the Captain on board our own ship, where we were saluted with the news of
Lamberts being taken, which news was brought to London on Sunday last. He
was taken in Northamptonshire by Colonel Ingoldsby, at the head of a
party, by which means their whole design is broke, and things now very
open and safe. And every man begins to be merry and full of hopes. In the
afternoon my Lord gave a great large character to write out, so I spent
all the day about it, and after supper my Lord and we had some more very
good musique and singing of Turne Amaryllis, as it is printed in the
song book, with which my Lord was very much pleased. After that to bed.
</p>
<p>
25th. All the morning about my Lords character. Dined to-day with Captain
Clerke on board the Speaker (a very brave ship) where was the
Vice-Admiral, Rear-Admiral, and many other commanders. After dinner home,
not a little contented to see how I am treated, and with what respect made
a fellow to the best commanders in the Fleet. All the afternoon finishing
of the character, which I did and gave it my Lord, it being very
handsomely done and a very good one in itself, but that not truly
Alphabetical. Supped with Mr. Sheply, W. Howe, &c. in Mr. Pierce, the
Pursers cabin, where very merry, and so to bed. Captain Isham came hither
to-day.
</p>
<p>
26th. This day came Mr. Donne back from London, who brought letters with
him that signify the meeting of the Parliament yesterday. And in the
afternoon by other letters I hear, that about twelve of the Lords met and
had chosen my Lord of Manchester Speaker of the House of Lords (the young
Lords that never sat yet, do forbear to sit for the present); and Sir
Harbottle Grimstone, Speaker for the House of Commons. The House of Lords
sent to have a conference with the House of Commons, which, after a little
debate, was granted. Dr. Reynolds preached before the Commons before they
sat. My Lord told me how Sir H. Yelverton (formerly my school-fellow) was
chosen in the first place for Northamptonshire and Mr. Crew in the second.
And told me how he did believe that the Cavaliers have now the upper hand
clear of the Presbyterians. All the afternoon I was writing of letters,
among the rest one to W. Simons, Peter Luellin and Tom Doling, which
because it is somewhat merry I keep a copy of. After that done Mr. Sheply,
W. Howe and I down with J. Goods into my Lords storeroom of wine and
other drink, where it was very pleasant to observe the massy timbers that
the ship is made of. We in the room were wholly under water and yet a deck
below that. After that to supper, where Tom Guy supped with us, and we had
very good laughing, and after that some musique, where Mr. Pickering
beginning to play a bass part upon the viall did it so like a fool that I
was ashamed of him. After that to bed.
</p>
<p>
27th. This morning Burr was absent again from on board, which I was
troubled at, and spoke to Mr. Pierce, Purser, to speak to him of it, and
it is my mind. This morning Pim [the tailor] spent in my cabin, putting a
great many ribbons to a suit. After dinner in the afternoon came on board
Sir Thomas Hatton and Sir R. Maleverer going for Flushing; but all the
world know that they go where the rest of the many gentlemen go that every
day flock to the King at Breda.
</p>
[The King arrived at Breda on the 14th April. Sir W. Lower writes
(Voiage and Residence of Charles II. in Holland, p. 5): Many
considerations obliged him to depart the territories under the
obedience of the King of Spain in this conjuncture of affairs.]
<p>
They supped here, and my Lord treated them as he do the rest that go
thither, with a great deal of civility. While we were at supper a packet
came, wherein much news from several friends. The chief is that, that I
had from Mr. Moore, viz. that he fears the Cavaliers in the House will be
so high, that the others will be forced to leave the House and fall in
with General Monk, and so offer things to the King so high on the
Presbyterian account that he may refuse, and so they will endeavour some
more mischief; but when I told my Lord it, he shook his head and told me,
that the Presbyterians are deceived, for the General is certainly for the
Kings interest, and so they will not be able to prevail that way with
him. After supper the two knights went on board the Grantham, that is to
convey them to Flushing. I am informed that the Exchequer is now so low,
that there is not L20 there, to give the messenger that brought the news
of Lamberts being taken; which story is very strange that he should lose
his reputation of being a man of courage now at one blow, for that he was
not able to fight one stroke, but desired of Colonel Ingoldsby several
times for Gods sake to let him escape. Late reading my letters, my mind
being much troubled to think that, after all our hopes, we should have any
cause to fear any more disappointments therein. To bed. This day I made
even with Mr. Creed, by sending him my bill and he me my money by Burr
whom I sent for it.
</p>
<p>
28th. This morning sending a packet by Mr. Dunne to London. In the
afternoon I played at ninepins with Mr. Pickering, I and Mr. Pett against
him and Ted Osgood, and won a crown apiece of him. He had not money enough
to pay me. After supper my Lord exceeding merry, and he and I and W. Howe
to sing, and so to bed.
</p>
<p>
29th (Sunday). This day I put on first my fine cloth suit made of a cloak
that had like to have been [dirted] a year ago, the very day that I put it
on. After sermon in the morning Mr. Cook came from London with a packet,
bringing news how all the young lords that were not in arms against the
Parliament do now sit. That a letter is come from the King to the House,
which is locked up by the Council till next Tuesday that it may be read
in the open House when they meet again, they having adjourned till then to
keep a fast tomorrow. And so the contents is not yet known. L13,000 of the
L20,000 given to General Monk is paid out of the Exchequer, he giving L12
among the teller clerks of Exchequer. My Lord called me into the great
cabin below, where I opened my letters and he told me that the
Presbyterians are quite mastered by the Cavaliers, and that he fears Mr.
Crew did go a little too far the other day in keeping out the young lords
from sitting. That he do expect that the King should be brought over
suddenly, without staying to make any terms at all, saying that the
Presbyterians did intend to have brought him in with such conditions as if
he had been in chains. But he shook his shoulders when he told me how Monk
had betrayed him, for it was he that did put them upon standing to put out
the lords and other members that came not within the qualifications, which
he [Montagu] did not like, but however he [Monk] had done his business,
though it be with some kind of baseness. After dinner I walked a great
while upon the deck with the chyrurgeon and purser, and other officers of
the ship, and they all pray for the Kings coming, which I pray God send.
</p>
<p>
30th. All the morning getting instructions ready for the Squadron of ships
that are going to-day to the Streights, among others Captain Teddiman,
Curtis, and Captain Robert Blake to be commander of the whole Squadron.
After dinner to ninepins, W. Howe and I against Mr. Creed and the Captain.
We lost 5s. apiece to them. After that W. Howe, Mr. Sheply and I got my
Lords leave to go to see Captain Sparling. So we took boat and first went
on shore, it being very pleasant in the fields; but a very pitiful town
Deal is. We went to Fullers (the famous place for ale), but they have
none but what was in the vat. After that to Pooles, a tavern in the town,
where we drank, and so to boat again, and went to the Assistance, where we
were treated very civilly by the Captain, and he did give us such music
upon the harp by a fellow that he keeps on board that I never expect to
hear the like again, yet he is a drunken simple fellow to look on as any I
ever saw. After that on board the Nazeby, where we found my Lord at
supper, so I sat down and very pleasant my Lord was with Mr. Creed and
Sheply, who he puzzled about finding out the meaning of the three notes
which my Lord had cut over the chrystal of his watch. After supper some
musique. Then Mr. Sheply, W. Howe and I up to the Lieutenants cabin,
where we drank, and I and W. Howe were very merry, and among other frolics
he pulls out the spigot of the little vessel of ale that was there in the
cabin and drew some into his mounteere, and after he had drank, I
endeavouring to dash it in his face, he got my velvet studying cap and
drew some into mine too, that we made ourselves a great deal of mirth, but
spoiled my clothes with the ale that we dashed up and down. After that to
bed very late with drink enough in my head.
</p>
<p>