away some men down to Chatham. So we three to White Hall, and met Sir W.
Coventry, who presses all that is possible for fire-ships. So we three to
the office presently; and thither comes Sir Fretcheville Hollis, who is to
command them all in some exploits he is to do with them on the enemy in
the River. So we all down to Deptford, and pitched upon ships and set men
at work: but, Lord! to see how backwardly things move at this pinch,
notwithstanding that, by the enemy's being now come up as high as almost
the Hope, Sir J. Minnes, who has gone down to pay some ships there, hath
sent up the money; and so we are possessed of money to do what we will
with. Yet partly ourselves, being used to be idle and in despair, and
partly people that have been used to be deceived by us as to money, won't
believe us; and we know not, though we have it, how almost to promise it;
and our wants such, and men out of the way, that it is an admirable thing
to consider how much the King suffers, and how necessary it is in a State
to keep the King's service always in a good posture and credit. Here I
eat a bit, and then in the afternoon took boat and down to Greenwich,
where I find the stairs full of people, there being a great riding

[It was an ancient custom in Berkshire, when a man had beaten his
wife, for the neighbours to parade in front of his house, for the
purpose of serenading him with kettles, and horns and hand-bells,
and every species of "rough music," by which name the ceremony was
designated. Perhaps the riding mentioned by Pepys was a punishment
somewhat similar. Malcolm ("Manners of London") quotes from the
"Protestant Mercury," that a porter's lady, who resided near Strand
Lane, beat her husband with so much violence and perseverance, that
the poor man was compelled to leap out of the window to escape her
fury. Exasperated at this virago, the neighbours made a "riding,"
i.e. a pedestrian procession, headed by a drum, and accompanied by a
chemise, displayed for a banner. The manual musician sounded the