Saturday 13 July 1667
Up pretty betimes, it being mighty hot weather, I lying this night, which I have not done, I believe, since a boy, I am sure not since I had the stone before, with only a rugg and a sheet upon me. To my chamber, and my wife up to do something, and by chance we fell out again, but I to the office, and there we did at the board much business, though the most was the dividing of 5000l. which the Lords Commissioners have with great difficulty found upon our letter to them this week that would have required 50,000l. among a great many occasions. After rising, my Lord Anglesey, this being the second time of his being with us, did take me aside and asked me where I lived, because he would be glad to have some discourse with me. This I liked well enough, and told him I would wait upon him, which I will do, and so all broke up, and I home to dinner, where Mr. Pierce dined with us, who tells us what troubles me, that my Lord Buckhurst hath got Nell away from the King’s house, lies with her, and gives her 100l. a year, so as she hath sent her parts to the house, and will act no more.1 And yesterday Sir Thomas Crew told me that Lacy lies a-dying of the pox, and yet hath his whore by him, whom he will have to look on, he says, though he can do no more; nor would receive any ghostly advice from a Bishop, an old acquaintance of his, that went to see him. He says there is a strangeness between the King and my Lady Castlemayne, as I was told yesterday.
After dinner my wife and I to the New Exchange, to pretty maid Mrs. Smith’s shop, where I left my wife, and I to Sir W. Coventry, and there had the opportunity of talk with him, who I perceive do not like our business of the change of the Treasurer’s hand, and he tells me that he is entered the lists with this new Treasurer before the King in taking away the business of the Victualling money from his hand, and the Regiment, and declaring that he hath no right to the 3d. per by his patent, for that it was always heretofore given by particular Privy Seal, and that the King and Council just upon his coming in had declared 2000l. a year sufficient. This makes him angry, but Sir W. Coventry I perceive cares not, but do every day hold up his head higher and higher, and this day I have received an order from the Commissioners of the Treasury to pay no more pensions for Tangier, which I am glad of, and he tells me they do make bold with all things of that kind. Thence I to White Hall, and in the street I spied Mrs. Borroughs, and took a means to meet and salute her and talk a little, and then parted, and I home by coach, taking up my wife at the Exchange, and there I am mightily pleased with this Mrs. Smith, being a very pleasant woman. So home, and resolved upon going to Epsum tomorrow, only for ayre, and got Mrs. Turner to go with us, and so home and to supper (after having been at the office) and to bed. It is an odd and sad thing to say, that though this be a peace worse than we had before, yet every body’s fear almost is, that the Dutch will not stand by their promise, now the King hath consented to all they would have. And yet no wise man that I meet with, when he comes to think of it, but wishes, with all his heart, a war; but that the King is not a man to be trusted with the management of it. It was pleasantly said by a man in this City, a stranger, to one that told him that the peace was concluded, “Well,” says he, “and have you a peace?” — “Yes,” says the other. — “Why, then,” says he, “hold your peace!” partly reproaching us with the disgracefulness of it, that it is not fit to be mentioned; and next, that we are not able to make the Dutch keep it, when they have a mind to break it.
Sir Thomas Crew yesterday, speaking of the King of France, how great a man he is, why, says he, all the world thought that when the last Pope died, there would have been such bandying between the Crowns of France and Spain, whereas, when he was asked what he would have his ministers at Rome do, why, says he, let them choose who they will; if the Pope will do what is fit, the Pope and I will be friends. If he will not, I will take a course with him: therefore, I will not trouble myself; and thereupon the election was despatched in a little time — I think in a day, and all ended.2
19 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
Arlington to Ormond
Written from: London
Date: 13 July 1667
Mr Coventry sailed from the Downs yesterday, "with an allowance from hence of all that he proposed; so that if the treaters at Breda keep their words we have a Peace,- such as it is; but, certainly, better than a war.
... If the Peace be made, his Majesty is inclined to prorogue the Parliament again, to its true time in October. ...
_____
Sir William Coventry to Ormond
Written from: [Harwich?]
Date: 13 July 1667
To the account given in his Grace's letter of July 6th concerning the measures taken for the defence of Kinsale, the writer can only add a wish that all the ships in that Harbour may keep their boats ready, & well manned, upon the approach of an Enemy, so as to cut off fireships. ...
The Commissioners of Ordnance promise to send due orders to Kinsale concerning the issue of stores ...
_____
Ossory to Ormond
Written from: [London]
Date: 13 July 1667
Has delivered the Duke's letter to the King when His Majesty was alone in his Closet. He read it with much attention. "His discourse", adds Lord Ossory, "was upon the Peace, which he thought the only remedy for these disorders". Lord Arlington ["My brother Arlington", in MS. He and Lord Ossory had married sisters], the writer is sure, keeps the Duke well informed upon all matters of moment.
The Chancellor [Clarendon] expressed much thankfulness for the Duke's letters and steady friendship. "He said his innocency should bear him out, and that he feared no evil for his own particular, unless it were involved in that of the Crown".
Lord Ossory adds, at great length, other particulars of his conversation with Clarendon; much of it on the writer's personal affairs, and on his intimate connection with Arlington.
http://www.rsl.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwm…
Terry Foreman • Link
"… If the Peace be made, his Majesty is inclined to prorogue the Parliament again, to its true time in October. …"
If Sir Henry Bennet (Baron Arlington, Secretary of State) speaks the King's mind, this will not please Parliament, which -- as Pepys reported yesterday -- is gearing up to conduct an audit as part of the investigation of the the causes of the Medway debacle and the failure of England to be defended.
(SPOILER: The Commissioners who are leading the investigation will eventually provide the core of the anti-monarchical Whig party in 1679-80.)
andy • Link
and by chance we fell out again
know the feeing Sam. Just don't understand them as a gender.
Robert Gertz • Link
"'cuse me...Though you were up betimes and off."
"Just getting my things in order. Bess, couldn't you do that later? I'm busy."
"Fine. I was just going to kiss you goodbye...You know my nose still hurts."
"I said I was sorry. Bess, you know how things are...I could be in the Tower tonight. Parliament will be demanding a full accounting..."
"That's no reason to treat me like you did. You always have an excuse. 'Things are bad at the office.' But you weren't so busy yesterday you couldn't go off somewhere at dinner."
"That was business, Bess..."
"Sure. Will we be graced with milord's presense at dinner today?"
"If I can't come I'll send Hewer with a note."
"I'm supposed to have a full meal prepared and then have to throw it away?"
"We'll eat it later if I can't come...Bess, I've got to finish and go."
"You said you'd take me to the New Exchange today...Now, what? You're saying we can't go?"
"Bess...The office is under inquiry. We could all be beheaded if things go wrong."
"You just don't care about me. You pull my nose when I just want to know where you're going...I try to see you get a nice dinner and you treat me like..."
"I've got to go, Bess...I'll be home at dinner and we'll go to the NE."
"Believe it when I see it." door slam. Pile of books and papers falls.
Terry Foreman • Link
RG, today the shopping peace-offering you predicted and a resolve for an outing to Epsom tomorrow. Good call!
Paul E • Link
"...who tells us what troubles me, that my Lord Buckhurst hath got Nell away from the King’s house, lies with her, and gives her 100l. a year, so as she hath sent her parts to the house, and will act no more."
Why should this trouble him? Is he a fan or does he just fear distracting turmoil at court?
Paul E • Link
Nevermind, I just looked at the previous diary entries about Nell. He's a big fan of her's. That's why he's taking the trip to Epsom, no doubt to visit the vicinity of the King's Head Inn.
Robert Gertz • Link
"Sam...You could afford 200L per annum...Easy." Little Sam on shoulder, left of course, pitchfork in hand.
Little Bess on right, glaring... "Sam, that doesn't even include the maintenance."
"Like you cost nothing..." little Sam fumes. "We deserve a Nelly, Sam. The ball and chain will never know."
"So give me acting lessons. You know I love you, in spite of yourself whereas she'll always be going for the bigger title and the bucks, Sam. And I'm prettier. Take another look at my portrait, you idiot." little Bess, smugly.
Damn...She is prettier...Little Sam, grumbling. Why couldn't he have married for money?
"Think of the prestige..." Little Sam tries. "You'll be the man who single-handedly closes England's mistress gap."
"Sam...Add it up. The 200L plus daily present, plus rent of a house...Plus expected big monthly and yearly present...Plus servants. Then the big boys start throwing gifts and cash at her. You can kiss that 6700L you groveled and busted for good-bye in two months."
Eh...Little Sam, defeated...
"Wanna see a future video of what I do to Robert Louis Stevenson in Heaven's Celebrity Deathmatch, bug-eyes?" Little Bess sneers.
Little Sam poofs out in dust cloud, muttering.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
" Mr. Pierce [constant source of court gossip] dined with us, who tells us what troubles me, that my Lord Buckhurst hath got Nell away from the King’s house, lies with her, and gives her 100l. a year, so as she hath sent her parts to the house, and will act no more."
He bought her [ = her contract? ] from the actor Charles Hart and for awhile she abandoned the Theatre Royal: John H. Wilson, Nell Gwynn, pp. 61-3.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Sir W. Coventry...tells me that he is entered the lists with this new Treasurer before the King in taking away the business of the Victualling money from his hand"
enter the lists, to involve oneself in a conflict or contest:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/…
L&M note Coventry's aim was to transfer the victualing business from the Navy Treasurer to the Exchequer.
Cf: http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Terry Foreman • Link
"this day I have received an order from the Commissioners of the Treasury to pay no more pensions for Tangier, which I am glad of"
On 9 July, note L&M, the Treasury had ordered a list to be drawn up of all pensions payable by departmental treasurers. Pepys, as Treasurer for Tangier, had had much trouble with the case of Peterborough http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo… , who had received a pension of £1,000 p.a. after only eight months' service as Governor.
Terry Foreman • Link
" Sir Thomas Crew yesterday, speaking of the King of France, how great a man he is, why, says he, all the world thought that when the last Pope died, there would have been such bandying between the Crowns of France and Spain, whereas, when he was asked what he would have his ministers at Rome do, why, says he, let them choose who they will; if the Pope will do what is fit, the Pope and I will be friends. If he will not, I will take a course with him: therefore, I will not trouble myself; and thereupon the election was despatched in a little time — I think in a day, and all ended."
L&M note on the final day (the 18th) of the conclave Giulio Rospigliosi had only 5 votes in the morning, and (after Louis XVI was thought to have weighed in) 61 (out of 64) in the evening. See L. Pastor, Hist. Popes (trans.), xxi, 314-18; C. Gérin, Louis XVI et le Sainte-Siege, ii. 179-205.
Terry Foreman • Link
"And yesterday Sir Thomas Crew told me that Lacy lies a-dying of the pox"
L&M: John Lacy was the leading comedian of the King's Company; far from dying, he lived on until 1681.
Terry Foreman • Link
Coventry's concern about "the Regiment"
L&M: The Admiral's regiment was later reconstituted as the Royal Marines. It had hitherto been paid by the Navt Treasurer; the arrangement was now under review: CTB, ii. 33.
Terry Foreman • Link
"that it was always heretofore given by particular Privy Seal, and that the King and Council just upon his coming in had declared 2000l. a year sufficient."
L&M: This was the figure fixed by Council order on 4 July 1660. Until August 1662 Carteret had received this amount in salary, and had foregone fees. The same amount was awarded to the Treasurer i 1675-4, afrer which it was raised to £3000' Cat., i. 8 & n.
Marquess • Link
As this Lacy didn't die until 1681 so Sam's information about him dying from the pox was wrong. Perhaps this is the reason why he rejected the 'ghostly' advice.
john • Link
"and by chance we fell out again,"
Well, andy, when the temperature is uncomfortably hot, anything can cause an argument.
"And yet no wise man that I meet with, when he comes to think of it, but wishes, with all his heart, a war"
No wise man?
James Louder • Link
"...Yesterday Sir Thomas Crew told me that Lacy lies a-dying of the pox, and yet hath his whore by him, whom he will have to look on, he says, though he can do no more."
By chance I let my cursor hover on the word pox (highlighted) and was astonished to see a note-box pop up with an elaborate description of smallpox. Surely, that is not what ailed Lacy. The Pox 'tout court' is syphilis, a distinction surely not lost on Pepys, in an age when the two diseases were both epidemic and dreaded. Lacy's alleged quip about his impotence makes no sense otherwise.
San Diego Sarah • Link
James Louder, I think you're right. Pepys seems to specify that it's the small-pox when he has to refer to that illness.
Why don't you send Phil Giffard an email and suggest the correction to him? You'll find out how to do that through the ABOVE tab above.