Samuel Pepys

Home, where my wife having (after all her merry discourse of being with child) her months upon her is gone to bed.

Lay long, sleeping, it raining and blowing very hard. Then up and to the office, my mouth still being scabby and a patch on it.

I have looked too much after Tangier, but I have good reason to love myself for serving it, one of the best flowers in my garden.

Up pretty well again, but my mouth very scabby, my cold being going away, so that I was forced to wear a great black patch.

Comes Harman and his wife, whom I sent for to meet the Joyces, who came not. It seems Will has got a fall off his horse and broke his face.

Up, and my throat being yet very sore, and, my head out of order, we went not to church.

We were told to-day of a Dutch ship of 3 or 400 tons, where all the men were dead of the plague, and the ship cast ashore at Gottenburgh.

Phillips told me that Monsieur Du Puy, that is so great a man at the Duke of Yorke’s, is a knave and by quality but a tailor.

It was to no end to oppose, but all bore it, and after laughed at him for it.

Sir J. Minnes took occasion, in the most childish manner, to reproach us all, but most himself, that he was not valued as Comptroller.

My cold and pain in my head increasing, and the palate of my mouth falling, I was in great pain all night.

To bed; having got a strange cold in my head, by flinging off my hat at dinner, and sitting with the wind in my neck.

I found my wife not well, and she tells me she thinks she is with child, but I neither believe nor desire it. But God’s will be done!

By discourse this day I have great hopes from Mr. Coventry that the Dutch and we shall not fall out.

I was afresh delighted with Mr. Povy’s house and pictures of perspective, being strange things to think how they do delude one’s eye.

To Houseman’s the picture drawer, and have his promise to take pains in what picture I shall set him about, and I think to have my wife’s.

At my office doing much business, and I find with great delight that I am come to my good temper of business again. God continue me in it.

Abroad to the Fishing Committee at Fishmongers’ Hall, and there sat and did some business considerable.

It is no matter, I shall be the freer from the inconvenience that might follow, besides offending God Almighty and neglecting my business.

I to Westminster to Jervas’s, and spoke with Jane; who I find cold and not so desirous of a meeting as before.