Diary of Samuel Pepys

Friday 25 July 1662 At the office all the morning, reading Mr. Holland’s discourse of the Navy, lent me by Mr. Turner … This morning Sir W. Batten came in to the office and desired to speak with me; he began by telling me that he observed a strangeness between him and me of…

Wednesday 23 July 1662 This morning angry a little in the morning, and my house being so much out of order makes me a little pettish. I went to the office, and there dispatched business by myself, and so again in the afternoon; being a little vexed that my brother Tom, by his…

Monday 21 July 1662 Up early, and though I found myself out of order and cold, and the weather cold and likely to rain, yet upon my promise and desire to do what I intended, I did take boat and down to Greenwich, to Captain Cocke’s, who hath a most pleasant seat, and neat. Here…

Sunday 20 July 1662 (Lord’s day). My wife and I lay talking long in bed, and at last she is come to be willing to stay two months in the country, for it is her unwillingness to stay till the house is quite done that makes me at a loss how to have her go or stay. But that which…

Friday 18 July 1662 Up very early, and got a-top of my house, seeing the design of my work, and like it very well, and it comes into my head to have my dining-room wainscoated, which will be very pretty.* By-and-by by water to Deptford, to put several things in order, being…

Thursday 17 July 1662 To my office, and by and by to our sitting; where much business. Mr. Coventry took his leave, being to go with the Duke over for the Queen-Mother.… Home and found much business to be upon my hands, and was late at the office writing letters by candle…

Wednesday 16 July 1662 In the morning I found all my ceilings, spoiled with rain last night, so that I fear they must be all new whited when the work is done. Made me ready and to my office … By and by we went to Mr. Creed’s lodging, and there got a dish or two of sweetmeats,…

Tuesday 15 July 1662 Up by 4 o’clock, and after doing some business as to settling my papers at home, I went to my office, and there busy till sitting time. So at the office all the morning … I to dinner at home, where my brother Tom and Mr. Cooke came and dined with me, but I…

Monday 14 July 1662 Up by 4 o’clock and to my arithmetique, and so to my office till 8, then to Thames Street along with old Mr. Green, among the tarr-men, and did instruct myself in the nature and prices of tarr, but could not get Stockholm for the use of the office under 10l.…

Sunday 13 July 1662 (Lord’s day). Having by some mischance hurt my cods, I had my old pain all yesterday and this morning, and so kept my bed all this morning. So up and after dinner and some of my people to church, I set about taking down my books and papers and making my…

Saturday 12 July 1662 Up by five o’clock, and put things in my house in order to be laid up, against my workmen come on Monday to take down the top of my house, which trouble I must go through now, but it troubles me much to think of it. So to my office, where till noon we sat,…

Friday 11 July 1662 Up by four o’clock, and hard at my multiplicacion-table, which I am now almost master of, and so made me ready and to my office, where by and by comes Mr. Pett, and then a messenger from Mr. Coventry, who stays in his boat at the Tower for us. So we to him,…

Thursday 10 July 1662 Up by four o’clock, and before I went to the office I practised my arithmetique, and then, when my wife was up, did call her and Sarah, and did make up a difference between them, for she is so good a servant as I am loth to part with her. So to the office…

Wednesday 9 July 1662 Up by four o’clock, and at my multiplicacion-table hard, which is all the trouble I meet withal in my arithmetique. So made me ready and to the office, where all the morning busy … Dined at home, and so to the office again, my wife with me, and while I…

Sunday 7 July 1661 (Lord’s day). In the morning my father and I walked in the garden and read the will; where, though he gives me nothing at present till my father’s death, or at least very little, yet I am glad to see that he hath done so well for us, all, and well to the rest…

6 July 1661 Waked this morning with news, brought me by a messenger on purpose, that my uncle Robert is dead, and died yesterday; so I rose sorry in some respect, glad in my expectations in another respect.* So I made myself ready, went and told my uncle Wight, my Lady, and some…

Saturday 5 July 1662 To my office all the morning, to get things ready against our sitting, and by and by we sat and did business all the morning, and at noon had Sir W. Pen … and his son William, to my house to dinner, where was also Mr. Creed and my cozen Harry Alcocke. I…

4 July 1661 At home all the morning; in the afternoon I went to the Theatre, and there I saw “Claracilla” (the first time I ever saw it), well acted. But strange to see this house, that used to be so thronged, now empty since the Opera begun; and so will continue for a while, I…

3 July 1661 To Westminster to Mr. Edward Montagu about business of my Lord’s, and so to the Wardrobe, and there dined with my Lady, who is in some mourning for her brother, Mr. Saml. Crew, who died yesterday of the spotted fever.* So home through Duck Lane to inquire for some…

2 July 1661 To Westminster Hall and there walked up and down, it being Term time. Home, and after my singing master had done, took coach and went to Sir William Davenant’s Opera;* this being the fourth day that it hath begun, and the first that I have seen it. To-day was acted…