[In a speech of Lord Lucas in the House of Lords, the 22nd February, 1670-1 (which speech was burnt by the common hangman), he thus adverted to that coin:  “It is evident that there is scarcity of money; for all the parliament’s money called breeches (a fit stamp for the coin of the Rump) is wholly vanished—­the king’s proclamation and the Dutch have swept it all away, and of his now majesty’s coin there appears but very little; so that in effect we have none left for common use, but a little old lean coined money of the late three former princes.  And what supply is preparing for it, my lords?  I hear of none, unless it be of copper farthings, and this is the metal that is to vindicate, according to the inscription on it, the dominion of the four seas.”—­Quoted in Penn’s “Memorials of Sir Wm. Penn,” ii. 264.]

to pass in common payments, but they say it is to pass in publique payments to the King three months still.

Diaryof Samuel Pepys. 
December
1661

December 1st (Lord’s day).  In the morning at church and heard Mr. Mills.  At home dined and with me by appointment Mr. Sanchy, who should have brought his mistress, Mrs. Mary Archer, of Cambridge, but she could not come, but we had a good dinner for him.  And so in the afternoon my wife went to church, and he and I stayed at home and drank and talked, and he stayed with me till night and supped with me, when I expected to have seen Jack Cole and Lem.  Wagstaffe, but they did not come.  We this day cut a brave collar of brawn from Winchcombe which proves very good, and also opened the glass of girkins which Captain Cocke did give my wife the other day, which are rare things.  So at night to bed.  There hath lately been great clapping up of some old statesmen, such as Ireton, Moyer, and others, and they say, upon a great plot, but I believe no such thing; but it is but justice that they should be served as they served the poor Cavaliers; and I believe it will oftentimes be so as long as I live, whether there be cause or no.  This evening my brother Tom was with me, and I did talk again to him about Mr. Townsend’s daughter, and I do intend to put the business in hand.  I pray God give a good end to it.

2nd.  To Savill the painter’s, but he not being well I could do nothing there, and so I returned home, and in my way met Mr. Moore and took him with me home; where we staid and talked all the morning, and he dined with me, and after dinner went away to the Privy Seal, this being our first day this month.  By and by called on by Mr. Sanchy and his mistress, and with them by coach to the Opera, to see “The Mad Lover,” but not much pleased with the play.  That done home all to my house, where they staid and supped and were merry, and at last late bid good night and so we to bed.