the diary of samuel pepys-第121节
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19th。 Nothing but distraction and confusion in the affairs of the Navy； which makes me wish with all my heart； that I were well and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton； where I might live peaceably； and study； and pray for the good of the King and my country。
20th。 Commissioner Middleton ＇Thomas Middleton； made a Commissioner of the Navy； 1664。＇ says； that the fleet was in such a condition； as to discipline； as if the Devil had commanded it； so much wickedness of all sorts。 Enquiring how it came to pass that so many ships had miscarried this year； he tells me that he enquired； and the pilots do say； that they dare not do nor go but as the Captains will have them； and if they offer to do otherwise； the Captains swear they will run them through。 He says that he heard Captain Digby （my Lord of Bristoll's son； a young fellow that never was but one year； if that； in the fleet；） say that he did hope he should not see a tarpawlin ＇Tarpawlin； a sailor。＇ have the command of a ship within this twelve months。 He observed while he was on board the Admirall； when the fleet was at Portsmouth； that there was a faction there。 Holmes commanded all on the Prince's side； and Sir Jeremy Smith on the Duke's； and every body that come did apply themselves to one side or other； and when the Duke of Albemarle was gone away to come hither； then Sir Jeremy Smith did hang his head； and walked in the General's ship but like a private commander。 He says he was on board the Prince； when the news come of the burning of London； and all the Prince said was； that now Shipton's prophecy was out； and he heard a young commander presently swear； that a citizen's wife that would not take under half a piece before； would be contented with half…a…crowne： and made mighty sport of it。 My Lord Chancellor the other day did ask Sir G。 Carteret how it come to pass that his friend Pepys do so much magnify the bad condition of the fleet。 Sir G。 Carteret tells me that he answered him； that I was but the mouth of the rest； and spoke what they have dictated to me； which did； as he says； presently take off his displeasure。 They talk that the Queene hath a great mind to alter her fashion； and to have the feet seen； which she loves mightily。
21st。 Sir H。 Cholmly tells me how Mr。 Williamson stood in a little place to have come into the House of Commons； and they would not choose him； they said； 〃No courtier。〃 And which is worse； Bab May went down in great state to Winchelsea with the Duke of York's letters； not doubting to be chosen； and there the people chose a private gentleman in spite of him； and cried out they would have no Court pimp to be their burgesse； which are things that bode very ill。
24th。 Holmes did last Sunday deliver in his articles to the King and Cabinet against Smith； and Smith hath given in his answer； and lays his not accompanying the fleet to his pilot； who would not undertake to carry the ship further； which the pilot acknowledges。 The thing is not accommodated； but only taken up； and both sides commanded to be quiet； but no peace like to be。 The Duke of Albemarle is Smith's friend； and hath publickly sworn that he would never go to sea again； unless Holmes's commission were taken from him。 I find by Hayes ＇Prince Rupert's secretary。＇ that they did expect great glory in coming home in so good condition as they did with the fleet； and therefore I the less wonder that the Prince was distasted with my discourse the other day about the sad state of the fleet。 But it pleases me to hear that he did expect great thanks； and lays the fault of the want； of it upon the fire； which deadened every thing； and the glory of his services。
25th。 To Mrs。 Pierce's； where she was making herself mighty fine to go to a great ball to…night at Court； being the Queene's birth…day； so the ladies for this one day wear laces； but are to put them off again to…morrow； To Mrs。 Williams's； where we met Knipp。 I was glad to see the jade。 Made her sing； and she told us they begin at both houses to act on Monday next。 But I fear after all this sorrow； their gains will be but little。 Mrs。 Williams says； the Duke's house will now be much the better of the two； because of their women； which I was glad to hear。
27th。 The two Houses begin to be troublesome： the Lords to have quarrels one with another。 My Lord Duke of Buckingham having said to the Lord Chancellor （who is against the passing of the Bill for prohibiting the bringing over of Irish cattle；） that whoever was against the Bill； was there led to it by an Irish interest； or an Irish understanding； which is as much as to say be is a fool； this bred heat from my Lord Chancellor； and something he said did offend my Lord of Ossory （my Lord Duke of Ormond's son；） and they two had hard words； upon which the latter sends a challenge to the former； of which the former complains to the House； and so the business is to be heard on Monday next。 Then as to the Commons； some ugly knives； like poignards； to stab people with； about two or three hundred of them were brought in yesterday to the House； found in one of the houses rubbish that was burned； and said to be the house of a Catholique。 This and several letters out of the country； saying how high the Catholiques are every where and bold in the owning their religion； hath made the Commons mad； and they presently voted that the King be desired to put all Catholiques out of employment； and other high things； while the business of money hangs in the hedge。
28th。 Captain Guy to dine with me； and he and I much talk together。 He cries out of the discipline of the fleet； and confesses really that； the true English valour we talk of； is almost spent and worn out； few of the commanders doing what they should do； and he much fears we shall therefore be beaten the next year。 He assures me we were beaten home the last June fight； and that the whole fleet was ashamed to hear of our bonfires。 He commends Smith and cries out of Holmes for an idle； proud； conceited； though stout fellow。 He tells me we are to owe the loss of so many ships on the sands； not to any fault of the pilots； but to the weather； but in this I have good authority to fear there was something more。 He says the Dutch do fight in very good order； and we in none at all。 He says that in the July fight； both the Prince and Holmes had their belly…fulls； and were fain to go aside； though； if the wind had continued； we had utterly beaten them。 He do confess the whole to be governed by a company of fools； and fears our ruine。 The Revenge having her forecastle blown up with powder to the killing of some men in the River； and the Dyamond's being overset in the careening at Sheernese； are further marks of the method all the King's work is now done in。 The Foresight also and another come to disasters in the same place this week in the cleaning； which is strange。
29th。 Up； and to the office to do business； and thither comes to me Sir Thomas Teddiman； and he and I walked a good while in the garden together； discoursing of the disorder and discipline of the fleet； wherein he told me how bad every thing is； but was very wary in speaking any to the dishonour of the Prince or Duke of Albemarle； but do magnify my Lord Sandwich much before them both； from ability to serve the King； and do heartily wish for him here。 For he fears that we shall be undone the next year； but that he will； however； see an end of it。 To Westminster； and I find the new Lord Mayor Bolton a…swearing at the Exchequer； with some of the Aldermen and Livery； but Lord！ to see how meanely they now look； who upon this day used to be all little lords； is a sad sight and worthy consideration。 And every body did reflect with pity upon the poor City； to which they are now coming to choose and swear their Lord Mayor； compared with what it heretofore was。 To my goldsmith to bid him look out for some gold for me； and he tells me that ginnys； which I bought 2000 of not long ago； and cost me 18 1/2d。 change； will now cost me 22d。； and but very few to be had at any price。 However； some more I will have； for they are very convenient； and of easy disposal。 To White Hall； and into the new playhouse there； the first time I ever was there； and the first play I have seen since before the great plague。 By and by Mr。 Pierce comes； bringing my wife and his； and Knipp。 By and by the King and Queen； Duke and Duchesse； and all the great ladies of the Court； which； indeed； was a fine sight。 But the play； being 〃Love in a Tub；〃 ＇A comedy； by Sir George Etheridge。＇ a silly play； and though done by the Duke's people； yet having neither Beterton nor his wife； ＇Vide Note to Feb。 1； 1663…4。＇ and the whole thing done ill； and being ill also； I had no manner of pleasure in the play。 Besides； the House； though very fine； yet bad for the voice； for hearing。 The sight of the ladies； indeed； was exceeding noble； and above all； my Lady Castlemaine。 The play done by ten o'clock。
NOVEMBER 2； 1666。 On board the Ruby French prize； the only ship of war we have taken from any of our enemies this year。 It seems a very good ship； but with galleries quite round the sterne to walk in as a balcone； which will be taken down。
4th。 My taylor's man brings my v
