[It appears, from an old Ms. account-book of the collections in the church of St. Olave, Hart Street, beginning in 1642, still extant, that the money gathered on the 30th June, 1661, “for several inhabitants of the parish of St. Dunstan in the West towards their losse by fire,” amounted to “xxs. viiid.”  Pepys might complain of the trade in briefs, as similar contributions had been levied fourteen weeks successively, previous to the one in question at St. Olave’s church.  Briefs were abolished in 1828.—­B.]

A good sermon, and then home to dinner, my wife and I all alone.  After dinner Sir Williams both and I by water to Whitehall, where having walked up and down, at last we met with the Duke of York, according to an order sent us yesterday from him, to give him an account where the fault lay in the not sending out of the ships, which we find to be only the wind hath been against them, and so they could not get out of the river.  Hence I to Graye’s Inn Walk, all alone, and with great pleasure seeing the fine ladies walk there.  Myself humming to myself (which now-a-days is my constant practice since I begun to learn to sing) the trillo, and found by use that it do come upon me.  Home very weary and to bed, finding my wife not sick, but yet out of order, that I fear she will come to be sick.  This day the Portuguese Embassador came to White Hall to take leave of the King; he being now going to end all with the Queen, and to send her over.  The weather now very fair and pleasant, but very hot.  My father gone to Brampton to see my uncle Robert, not knowing whether to find him dead or alive.  Myself lately under a great expense of money upon myself in clothes and other things, but I hope to make it up this summer by my having to do in getting things ready to send with the next fleet to the Queen.

Myself in good health, but mighty apt to take cold, so that this hot weather I am fain to wear a cloth before my belly.

Diaryof Samuel Pepys.

July

1661

July 1st.  This morning I went up and down into the city, to buy several things, as I have lately done, for my house.  Among other things, a fair chest of drawers for my own chamber, and an Indian gown for myself.  The first cost me 33s., the other 34s.  Home and dined there, and Theodore Goodgroome, my singing master, with me, and then to our singing.  After that to the office, and then home.

2nd.  To Westminster Hall and there walked up and down, it being Term time.  Spoke with several, among others my cozen Roger Pepys, who was going up to the Parliament House, and inquired whether I had heard from my father since he went to Brampton, which I had done yesterday, who writes that my uncle is by fits stupid, and like a man that is drunk, and sometimes speechless.  Home, and after my singing master had done, took coach and went to Sir William Davenant’s Opera; this being the fourth day