Samuel Pepys

The diaries of Samuel Pepys in real time, 1660-69. Currently posting 1663. Run by Phil Gyford (npub1jut…ajnk)

Website: https://www.pepysdiary.com
Daily emails: https://buttondown.email/pepysdiary
Support this project: https://ko-fi.com/pepysdiary

Public Key

npub1ftgzzdw509spq8xcvyw2fcgwr3wj8srdt2k8slmja5v7xsnw4p4slu7m5f

NIP-05 Address

samuelpepys_at_mastodon.social@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsy45ppxh28jcqsrnvxz89yuy8pchfrcpk44trc0aew6x0rgfh2s6cprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntmsxvvw

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1ftgzzdw509spq8xcvyw2fcgwr3wj8srdt2k8slmja5v7xsnw4p4slu7m5f

Show more details

Last Notes

2026-04-04 13:29:18 UTC

- reply

We had a fricasee of rabbits and chickens, a leg of mutton boiled, three carps in a dish, a great dish of a side of lamb, a dish of roasted pigeons, a dish of four lobsters, three tarts, a lamprey pie (a most rare pie), a dish of anchovies, good wine of several sorts.

2026-04-04 11:34:18 UTC

- reply

This being my feast, in lieu of what I should have had a few days ago for my cutting of the stone, for which the Lord make me truly thankful.

2026-04-04 11:32:18 UTC

I home to dinner. Whither by and by comes Roger Pepys, Mrs. Turner her daughter, Joyce Norton, and a young lady, a daughter of Coll. Cockes, my uncle Wight, his wife and Mrs. Anne Wight.

2026-03-30 20:40:31 UTC

To bed, finding myself just in the same condition I was lately by the extreme cold weather, my pores stopt and so my body all inflamed and itching.

2026-03-23 23:34:43 UTC

Home, where I found Will. Howe come home today with my wife, and staid with us all night, staying late up singing songs, and then he and I to bed together in Ashwell’s bed and she with my wife. This the first time that I ever lay in the room.

2026-03-17 18:50:57 UTC

Sir W. Batten and I to my Lord Mayor’s, where we found my Lord with Colonel Strangways and Sir Richard Floyd, Parliament-men, in the cellar drinking, where we sat with them, and then up.

2026-03-04 19:31:05 UTC

To my office, there collecting an alphabet for my Navy Manuscript, which, after a short dinner, I returned to and by night perfected to my great content.

2026-03-01 22:20:39 UTC

We all to bed, without prayers, it being washing day tomorrow.

2026-02-09 08:13:05 UTC

- reply

It being some disorder given the blood, but by what I know not, unless it be by my late quantitys of Dantzic-girkins that I have eaten.

2026-02-09 08:10:05 UTC

- reply

Could not rise and go to the Duke, as I should have done with the rest, but keep my bed and by the Apothecary’s advice, Mr. Battersby, I am to sweat soundly, and that will carry all this matter away which nature would of itself eject.

2026-02-09 06:30:05 UTC

- reply

I had a very bad night of it, in great pain in my stomach, and in great fever.

2026-02-08 16:30:53 UTC

- reply

I found that all my body is inflamed, and my face in a sad redness and swelling and pimpled, so that I was not only sick but ashamed of myself to see myself so changed in my countenance, so that after we had thus talked we parted and I walked home with much ado.

2026-02-08 15:31:53 UTC

- reply

The next morning all the Ladies of Honour appeared early at Court for their vindication, so that nobody could tell whose this mischance should be. But it seems Mrs. Wells fell sick that afternoon, and hath disappeared ever since, so that it is concluded that it was her.

2026-02-08 15:28:53 UTC

Captn. Ferrers telling me, among other Court passages, how about a month ago, at a ball at Court, a child was dropped by one of the ladies in dancing, but nobody knew who, it being taken up by somebody in their handkercher.

2026-01-31 19:20:26 UTC

Wxamining my wife’s letter intended to my Lady, and another to Mademoiselle; they were so false spelt that I was ashamed of them, and took occasion to fall out with my wife, and so she wrote none, at which I was sorry because it was in answer to a letter of Madam about business.

2026-01-30 16:20:13 UTC

To my office, and all alone making up my month’s accounts, which to my great trouble I find that I am got no further than 640l. But I have had great expenses this month. I pray God the next may be a little better, as I hope it will.

2026-01-13 14:55:13 UTC

- reply

I had for them, after oysters, at first course, a hash of rabbits, a lamb, and a rare chine of beef. Next a great dish of roasted fowl, cost me about 30s., and a tart, and then fruit and cheese. My dinner was noble and enough.

2026-01-13 12:15:13 UTC

I home, whither by and by comes Dr. Clerke and his lady, his sister, and a she-cozen, and Mr. Pierce and his wife, which was all my guests.

2026-01-06 18:19:24 UTC

- reply

Though, I confess, she did give them to me to look after, yet it was her fault not to see that I did take them out of the coach. I believe it might be as good as 25s. loss or thereabouts.

2026-01-06 18:17:24 UTC

My wife and I home, and found all well, only myself somewhat vexed at my wife’s neglect in leaving of her scarf, waistcoat, and night-dressings in the coach today that brought us from Westminster.

2025-12-26 18:04:05 UTC

Home, and found my wife busy among her pies, but angry for some saucy words that her mayde Jane has given her, which I will not allow of, and therefore will give her warning to be gone.

2025-12-26 08:02:05 UTC

Up, my wife to the making of Christmas pies all day, being now pretty well again, and I abroad to several places about some businesses, among others bought a bake-pan in Newgate Market, and sent it home, it cost me 16s.

2025-12-19 21:48:53 UTC

And so home and to bed, a little displeased with my wife, who, poor wretch, is troubled with her lonely life, which I know not how without great charge to help as yet, but I will study how to do it.

2025-12-02 07:07:25 UTC

Before I went to the office my wife and I had another falling out about Sarah, against whom she has a deadly hate, I know not for what, nor can I see but she is a very good servant.

2025-11-22 08:10:20 UTC

- reply

But I do see her set so against the wench, whom I take to be a most extraordinary good servant, that I was forced for the wench’s sake to bid her get her another place, which shall cost some trouble to my wife, however, before I suffer to be.

2025-11-22 08:02:20 UTC

From some difference between my wife and Sarah, her maid, my wife and I fell out cruelly, to my great discontent.

2025-11-21 21:58:35 UTC

To supper and to bed: this night having first put up a spitting sheet, which I find very convenient.

2025-11-13 22:40:26 UTC

- reply

After doing what I had to do I went home to supper, and there was very sullen to my wife, and so went to bed and to sleep (though with much ado, my mind being troubled) without speaking one word to her.

2025-11-13 20:29:27 UTC

- reply

But I must think of some way, either to find her some body to keep her company, or to set her to work, and by employment to take up her thoughts and time.

2025-11-13 20:09:26 UTC

- reply

This afternoon my wife in her discontent sent me a letter, which I am in a quandary what to do, whether to read it or not, but I purpose not, but to burn it before her face, that I may put a stop to more of this nature.

2025-11-13 07:13:27 UTC

Up and began our discontent again and sorely angered my wife, who indeed do live very lonely, but I do perceive that it is want of work that do make her and all other people think of ways of spending their time worse.

2025-10-31 21:10:13 UTC

- reply

I thank God I do save money, though it be but a little, but I hope to find out some job or other that I may get a sum by to set me up.

2025-10-31 21:07:13 UTC

- reply

My head troubled with much business, but especially my fear of Sir J. Minnes claiming my bed-chamber of me, but I hope now that it is almost over, for I perceive he is fitting his house to go into it the next week.

2025-10-31 21:00:13 UTC

Thus ends this month, I and my family in good health, but weary heartily of dirt, but now in hopes within two or three weeks to be out of it.

2025-10-26 13:38:37 UTC

Home and dined, and Mr. Sympson, my joyner that do my diningroom, and my brother Tom with me to a delicate fat pig.

2025-10-24 12:29:00 UTC

So home and dined there with my wife upon a most excellent dish of tripes of my own directing, covered with mustard, as I have heretofore seen them done at my Lord Crew’s, of which I made a very great meal, and sent for a glass of wine for myself.

2025-10-17 10:18:10 UTC

- reply

Mone in Court hath more the King’s ear now than Sir Charles Barkeley, and Sir H. Bennet, and my Lady Castlemaine, whose interest is now as great as ever and that Mrs. Haslerigge, the great beauty, is got with child, and lays it to the King or the Duke of York.

2025-10-17 10:10:10 UTC

- reply

Here I am told how things go at Court; that the young men get uppermost, and the old serious lords are out of favour; that Sir H. Bennet, being brought into Sir Edward Nicholas’s place, Sir Charles Barkeley is made Privy Purse; a most vicious person.

2025-10-17 09:44:10 UTC

With Mr. Creed to Westminster Hall, and by and by thither comes Captn. Ferrers, upon my sending for him, and we three to Creed’s chamber, and there sat a good while and drank chocolate.

2025-09-29 16:24:29 UTC

To the King’s Theatre, where we saw “Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life. I saw, I confess, some good dancing and some handsome women, which was all my pleasure.

2025-09-24 13:52:22 UTC

To Mr. Wotton, the shoemaker’s, and there bought a pair of boots, cost me 30s., and he told me how Bird hath lately broke his leg, while he was fencing in “Aglaura,” upon the stage, and that the new theatre of all will be ready against term.

2025-09-12 18:27:14 UTC

I hear that Captain Ferrers, who is with my Lord in the country, was at Brampton to see him; and that a day or two ago, being provoked to strike one of my Lord’s footmen, the footman drew his sword, and hath almost cut the fingers of one of his hands off; which I am sorry for.

2025-09-07 13:53:42 UTC

To my Lord’s where nobody at home but a woman that let me in, and Sarah above, whither I went up to her and played and talked with her and, God forgive me, did feel her; which I am much ashamed of, but I did no more, though I had so much a mind to it that I spent in my breeches.

2025-09-05 13:03:50 UTC

So to my lodgings and there rubbed myself clean, and so to Mr. Bland’s, the merchant, by invitation, I alone of all our company of this office; where I found all the officers of the Customs, very grave fine gentlemen, and I am very glad to know them.

2025-09-03 21:20:26 UTC

By water to White Hall to my Lord’s lodgings, where he being to go to Hinchingbroke tomorrow morning, I staid and fiddled with Will. Howe some new tunes very pleasant, and then my Lord came in and had much kind talk with him, and then to bed with Mr. Moore there alone.

2025-09-02 05:10:12 UTC

Up betimes and got myself ready alone, and so to my office, my mind much troubled for my key that I lost yesterday, and so to my workmen and put them in order.

2025-08-17 02:58:09 UTC

Up very early, this being the last Sunday that the Presbyterians are to preach, unless they read the new Common Prayer and renounce the Covenant, and so I had a mind to hear Dr. Bates’s farewell sermon.

2025-08-02 22:50:42 UTC

- reply

So after a glass of wine, we to our barge, that was ready for me, to the Hill-house, where we soon went to bed, before we slept I telling upon discourse Captain Cocke the manner of my being cut of the stone, which pleased him much.

2025-08-02 21:37:42 UTC

- reply

But at the Swan, finding Mr. Hemson and Lieutenant Carteret of the Foresight come to meet me, I borrowed Mr. Hemson’s horse, and he took another, and so we rode to Rochester in the dark, and there at the Crown Mr. Gregory, Barrow, and others staid to meet me.

2025-08-02 20:11:42 UTC

We to boat, and had a pleasant passage down to Gravesend, but it was nine o’clock before we got thither, so that we were in great doubt what to do, whether to stay there or no; and the rather because I was afeard to ride, because of my pain in my cods.

2025-08-01 18:12:44 UTC

- reply

I had also a mind to my own wench, but I dare not for fear she should prove honest and refuse and then tell my wife.

2025-08-01 18:09:44 UTC

To my chamber, where, God forgive me, I was sorry to hear that Sir W. Pen’s maid Betty was gone away yesterday, for I was in hopes to have had a bout with her before she had gone, she being very pretty.

2025-07-13 17:18:41 UTC

I told Mr. Turner my whole mind, and how it was in my power to do him a discourtesy about his place of petty purveyance, and at last did make him see (I think) that it was his concernment to be friendly to me and what belongs to me.

2025-07-02 08:40:02 UTC

- reply

Into the Store-house, and viewed the provisions there and then his books, but Mr. Davis himself was not there, he having a kinswoman in the house dead, for which, when by and by I saw him, he do trouble himself most ridiculously, as if there was never another woman in the world.

2025-07-02 06:02:02 UTC

- reply

He in our passage taking notice how much difference there is between the old Captains for obedience and order, and the King’s new Captains, which I am very glad to hear him confess.

2025-07-02 05:25:02 UTC

By appointment, comes Commissioner Pett; and then a messenger from Mr. Coventry, who sits in his boat expecting us, and so we down to him at the Tower, and there took water all, and to Deptford.

2025-06-30 05:10:56 UTC

- reply

She being gone, I fell upon boring holes for me to see from my closet into the great office, without going forth, wherein I please myself much.

2025-06-30 04:03:56 UTC

Up betimes, and to my office, where I found Griffen’s girl making it clean, but, God forgive me! what a mind I had to her, but did not meddle with her.

2025-06-27 20:31:21 UTC

Mr. Holliard had been with my wife to-day, and cured her of her pain in her ear by taking out a most prodigious quantity of hard wax that had hardened itself in the bottom of the ear, of which I am very glad.

2025-06-26 12:31:00 UTC

Took Commissioner Pett home to dinner with me, where my stomach was turned when my sturgeon came to table, upon which I saw very many little worms creeping, which I suppose was through the staleness of the pickle.

2025-06-18 20:42:34 UTC

So home, and after some merry discourse in the kitchen with my wife and maids as I now-a-days often do, I being well pleased with both my maids, to bed.

2025-06-14 11:08:15 UTC

- reply

He had a blister, or issue, upon his neck, which he desired them not hurt: he changed not his colour or speech to the last, but died justifying himself and the cause he had stood for; and spoke very confidently of his being presently at the right hand of Christ.

2025-06-14 10:45:15 UTC

- reply

Then he prayed, and so fitted himself, and received the blow; but the scaffold was so crowded that we could not see it done.

2025-06-14 10:28:15 UTC

- reply

He made a long speech, many times interrupted by the Sheriff and others there; and they would have taken his paper out of his hand, but he would not let it go. The trumpets were brought under the scaffold that he might not be heard.

2025-06-14 10:07:15 UTC

Having a room got ready for us, we all went out to the Tower-hill; and there, over against the scaffold, made on purpose this day, saw Sir Henry Vane brought. A very great press of people.

2025-05-31 21:18:49 UTC

- reply

The Queen is brought a few days since to Hampton Court; and all people say of her to be a very fine and handsome lady, and very discreet; and that the King is pleased enough with her which, I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine’s nose out of joynt.

2025-05-31 20:58:49 UTC

This month ends with very fair weather for a great while together. My health pretty well, but only wind do now and then torment me about the fundament extremely.

2025-05-31 19:07:49 UTC

Had Sarah to comb my head clean, which I found so foul with powdering and other troubles, that I am resolved to try how I can keep my head dry without powder.

2025-05-29 19:03:11 UTC

- reply

After a long walk, passed out of doors as we did in the other place, and here we had cakes and powdered beef and ale, and so home again by water with much pleasure.

2025-05-29 18:22:11 UTC

- reply

Thence to the New one, where I never was before, which much exceeds the other; and here we also walked, and the boy crept through the hedge and gathered abundance of roses.

2025-05-29 16:57:11 UTC

- reply

To the Old Spring Garden, and there walked long, and the wenches gathered pinks. Here we staid, and seeing that we could not have anything to eat, but very dear, and with long stay, we went forth without any notice taken of us, and so we might have done if we had had anything.

2025-05-29 15:48:11 UTC

Thence home, and with my wife and the two maids, and the boy, took boat and to Foxhall, where I had not been a great while.

2025-05-26 14:44:22 UTC

Mr. Prin, in discourse with me, fell upon what records he hath of the lust and wicked lives of the nuns heretofore in England, and showed me out of his pocket one wherein thirty nuns for their lust were ejected of their house, being not fit to live there.

2025-05-25 05:10:09 UTC

To trimming myself with a pumice stone, which I learnt of Mr. Marsh, when I was at Portsmouth; and I find it very easy, speedy, and cleanly, and shall continue the practice of it.

2025-05-09 20:14:12 UTC

By water home, and so walk upon the leads, and in the dark there played upon my flageolette, it being a fine still evening, and so to supper and to bed.

2025-05-04 08:20:02 UTC

Lay long talking with my wife, then Mr. Holliard came to me and let me blood, about sixteen ounces, I being exceedingly full of blood and very good.

2025-04-26 15:20:27 UTC

- reply

After dinner to horse again, being in nothing troubled but the badness of my hat, which I borrowed to save my beaver.

2025-04-26 14:50:28 UTC

- reply

The towne is one most gallant street, and is walled round with stone, &c., and Bevis’s picture upon one of the gates; many old walls of religious houses, and the key, well worth seeing.

2025-04-26 13:40:28 UTC

- reply

They brought us also some caveare, which I attempted to order, but all to no purpose, for they had neither given it salt enough, nor are the seedes of the roe broke, but are all in berryes.

2025-04-26 13:10:27 UTC

- reply

At Southampton we went to the Mayor’s and there dined, and had sturgeon of their own catching the last week, which do not happen in twenty years, and it was well ordered.

2025-04-26 10:00:27 UTC

- reply

In our way, besides my Lord Southampton’s parks and lands, which in one view we could see 6,000l. per annum, we observed a little church-yard, where the graves are accustomed to be all sowed with sage.

2025-04-26 08:10:27 UTC

Sir George and I, and his clerk Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Holt our guide, over to Gosport; and so rode to Southampton.

2025-04-24 07:20:46 UTC

- reply

We lay very well and merrily; in the morning, concluding him to be of the eldest blood and house of the Clerkes, because that all the fleas came to him and not to me.

2025-04-23 21:40:34 UTC

- reply

The Doctor and I lay together at Wiard’s, the chyrurgeon’s, in Portsmouth, his wife a very pretty woman.

2025-04-23 17:10:34 UTC

- reply

Upon our coming we sent away an express to Sir W. Batten to stop his coming, which I did project to make good my oath, that my wife should come if any of our wives came, which my Lady Batten did intend to do with her husband.

2025-04-23 12:30:34 UTC

Up early, and to Petersfield, and there dined well; and thence got a countryman to guide us by Havant, to avoid going through the Forest; but he carried us much out of the way.

2025-04-22 14:40:05 UTC

He, among good Storys, telling us a story of the monkey that got hold of the young lady’s cunt as she went to stool to shit, and run from under her coats and got upon the table, which was ready laid for supper after dancing was done.

2025-04-19 18:40:34 UTC

I did get a bever, an old one, but a very good one, of Sir W. Batten, for which I must give him something; but I am very well pleased with it.

2025-03-26 14:39:33 UTC

- reply

I had a pretty dinner for them, viz., a brace of stewed carps, six roasted chickens, and a jowl of salmon, hot, for the first course; a tanzy and two neats’ tongues, and cheese the second.

2025-03-26 12:04:33 UTC

At noon come my good guests, Madame Turner, The., and Cozen Norton, and a gentleman, one Mr. Lewin of the King’s LifeGuard; by the same token he told us of one of his fellows killed this morning in a duel.

2025-03-01 17:45:31 UTC

To the Opera, and there saw “Romeo and Juliet,” the first time it was ever acted; but it is a play of itself the worst that ever I heard in my life, and the worst acted that ever I saw these people do.

2025-02-26 16:20:48 UTC

I met with a face I knew and challenged him, thinking it had been one of the Theatre musicians, and did enquire for a song of him, but finding it a mistake, and that it was a gentleman that comes sometimes to the office, I was much ashamed.

2025-02-24 11:28:36 UTC

Long with Mr. Berkenshaw in the morning at my musique practice; finishing my song of “Gaze not on Swans,” in two parts, which pleases me well, and I did give him 5l. for this month that he hath taught me, which is a great deal of money and troubled me to part with it.

2025-02-17 13:42:30 UTC

- reply

And here I drank wine upon necessity, being ill for want of it, and I find reason to fear that by my too sudden leaving off wine, I do contract many evils upon myself.

2025-02-17 13:21:30 UTC

- reply

And thence, after being on shipboard, to Woolwich, and there eat something. The Sir Williams being unwilling to eat flesh, Captain Cocke and I had a breast of veal roasted.

2025-02-17 13:00:30 UTC

Both Sir Williams, myself, and Captain Cocke and Captain Tinker of the Convertine, which we are going to look upon (being intended to go with these ships fitting for the East Indys), down to Deptford.

2025-02-05 22:42:09 UTC

Home and supped with Sir W. Pen and played at cards with him, and so home and to bed, putting some cataplasm to my testicle which begins to swell again.

2025-01-26 22:30:47 UTC

Thanks be to God, since my leaving drinking of wine, I do find myself much better and do mind my business better, and do spend less money, and less time lost in idle company.

2025-01-25 17:10:23 UTC

- reply

And so to dinner, where good cheer and discourse, but I eat a little too much beef, which made me sick, and so after dinner we went to the office, and there in a garden I went in the dark and vomited, whereby I did much ease my stomach.

2025-01-25 13:35:22 UTC

- reply

Thence with him to the Trinity-house to dinner; and after the Trinity-house men had done their business, the master, Sir William Rider, came to bid us welcome.