eyes, which are daily worse and worse, that I dare not write or read almost any thing.  The Parliament going in a few days to rise; myself so long without accounting now, for seven or eight months, I think, or more, that I know not what condition almost I am in, as to getting or spending for all that time, which troubles me, but I will soon do it.  The kingdom in an ill state through poverty; a fleete going out, and no money to maintain it, or set it out; seamen yet unpaid, and mutinous when pressed to go out again; our Office able to do little, nobody trusting us, nor we desiring any to trust us, and yet have not money for any thing, but only what particularly belongs to this fleete going out, and that but lamely too.  The Parliament several months upon an Act for L300,000, but cannot or will not agree upon it, but do keep it back, in spite of the King’s desires to hasten it, till they can obtain what they have a mind, in revenge upon some men for the late ill managements; and he is forced to submit to what they please, knowing that, without it, he shall have no money, and they as well, that, if they give the money, the King will suffer them to do little more; and then the business of religion do disquiet every body, the Parliament being vehement against the Nonconformists, while the King seems to be willing to countenance them.  So we are all poor, and in pieces—­God help us! while the peace is like to go on between Spain and France; and then the French may be apprehended able to attack us.  So God help us!

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks: 

     Best fence against the Parliament’s present fury is delay
     But this the world believes, and so let them
     Coach to W. Coventry about Mrs. Pett, 1s. 
     Ever have done his maister better service than to hang for him? 
     Making their own advantages to the disturbance of the peace
     Parliament being vehement against the Nonconformists
     Rough notes were made to serve for a sort of account book
     Saw two battles of cocks, wherein is no great sport
     Whip a boy at each place they stop at in their procession
     Work that is not made the work of any one man

THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS M.A.  F.R.S.

CLERK OF THE ACTS AND SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY

Transcribed from the shorthand manuscript in the Pepysian library
Magdalene college Cambridge by the Rev.  MYNORS Bright M.A.  Late fellow
and President of the college

(Unabridged)

WITH LORD BRAYBROOKE’S NOTES

Editedwith additions by

Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A.

Diary of Samuel Pepys. 
May
1668