Pepys’ Diary.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 6

Pepys’ Diary.

(1660.) May 18th. Observing that in every house of entertainment there hangs in every room a poor-man’s box, and desiring to know the reason thereof, it was told me that it is their custom to confirm all bargains by putting something into the poor people’s i? ,X ’ that that binds as fast as any thing. Back by water, where a pretty sober Dutch lass sat reading all the way, and I could not fasten any discourse upon her. May 22nd. News brought that the two Dukes are coming on board, which by and by they did, in a Dutch boat, the Duke of * ork in yellow trimmings, the Duke of Gloucester in grey and red. My Lord went in a boat to meet them, the Captain, myself and others, standing at the entering port. So soon as they were entered we shot the guns off round the fleet. They seem to be both very fine gentlemen. After that done, upon the quarter-deck table, under the awning the Duke of York and my Lord, Mr Coventry and I, spent an hour at allotting to every ship their service in their return to England; which having done, they went to dinner, where the table was very full: the two Dukes at the upper end, my Lord Opdam next on one side, and my Lord on the other. Two guns given to every man while he was drinking tfce King’s health, and so likewise to the Duke’s health. I took down Monsieur d’Esquier to the great cabin below, and dined with him in state alone with only one or two friends of his. All dinner the harper belonging to Captain Sparling played to the Dukes. After dinner, the Dukes and my Lord to see the Vice and Rear-Admirals, and I in a boat after them. After that done, they made to the shore in the Dutch boat that brought them, and I got into the boat with them; but the shore was so full of people to expect their coming, as that it was as black (which otherwise is white sand), as everyone could stand by another. When we came near the shore, my Lord left them and came into his own boat, and General Pen and I with him; my Lord being very well pleased with this day’s work. U ® ®EEHi®S MHIHI H 313 El Hi EEI HI ®®S ®BB