they are both ill, but H. Bellasses to fear of life.
And this is a fine example; and H. Bellasses a Parliament-man
too, and both of them most extraordinary friends!
Among other discourse, my cozen Roger told us a thing
certain, that the Archbishop of Canterbury; that now
is, do keep a wench, and that he is as very a wencher
as can be; and tells us it is a thing publickly known
that Sir Charles Sidley had got away one of the Archbishop’s
wenches from him, and the Archbishop sent to him to
let him know that she was his kinswoman, and did wonder
that he would offer any dishonour to one related to
him. To which Sir Charles Sidley is said to answer,
“A pox take his Grace! pray tell his Grace that
I believe he finds himself too old, and is afraid
that I should outdo him among his girls, and spoil
his trade.” But he makes no more of doubt
to say that the Archbishop is a wencher, and known
to be so, which is one of the most astonishing things
that I have heard of, unless it be, what for certain
he says is true, that my Lady Castlemayne hath made
a Bishop lately, namely,—her uncle, Dr.
Glenham, who, I think they say, is Bishop of Carlisle;
a drunken, swearing rascal, and a scandal to the Church;
and do now pretend to be Bishop of Lincoln, in competition
with Dr. Raynbow, who is reckoned as worthy a man as
most in the Church for piety and learning: which
are things so scandalous to consider, that no man
can doubt but we must be undone that hears of them.
After dinner comes W. How and a son of Mr. Pagett’s
to see me, with whom I drank, but could not stay,
and so by coach with cozen Roger (who before his going
did acquaint me in private with an offer made of his
marrying of Mrs. Elizabeth Wiles, whom I know; a kinswoman
of Mr. Honiwood’s, an ugly old maid, but a good
housewife; and is said to have L2500 to her portion;
but if I can find that she hath but L2000, which he
prays me to examine, he says he will have her, she
being one he hath long known intimately, and a good
housewife, and discreet woman; though I am against
it in my heart, she being not handsome at all) and
it hath been the very bad fortune of the Pepyses that
ever I knew, never to marry an handsome woman, excepting
Ned Pepys and Creed, set the former down at the Temple
resolving to go to Cambridge to-morrow, and Creed
and I to White Hall to the Treasury chamber there
to attend, but in vain, only here, looking out of the
window into the garden, I saw the King (whom I have
not had any desire to see since the Dutch come upon
the coast first to Sheerness, for shame that I should
see him, or he me, methinks, after such a dishonour)
come upon the garden; with him two or three idle Lords;
and instantly after him, in another walk, my Lady
Castlemayne, led by Bab. May: at which I
was surprised, having but newly heard the stories
of the King and her being parted for ever. So
I took Mr. Povy, who was there, aside, and he told
me all, how imperious this woman is, and hectors the
King to whatever she will. It seems she is with