HENRY B. WHEATLEY F.S.A.

DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
MAY
1669

May 1st. Up betimes. Called up by my tailor, and there first put on a
summer suit this year; but it was not my fine one of flowered tabby vest,
and coloured camelott tunique, because it was too fine with the gold lace
at the hands, that I was afeard to be seen in it; but put on the stuff
suit I made the last year, which is now repaired; and so did go to the
Office in it, and sat all the morning, the day looking as if it would be
fowle. At noon home to dinner, and there find my wife extraordinary fine,
with her flowered tabby gown that she made two years ago, now laced
exceeding pretty; and, indeed, was fine all over; and mighty earnest to
go, though the day was very lowering; and she would have me put on my fine
suit, which I did. And so anon we went alone through the town with our
new liveries of serge, and the horses' manes and tails tied with red
ribbons, and the standards there gilt with varnish, and all clean, and
green refines, that people did mightily look upon us; and, the truth is, I
did not see any coach more pretty, though more gay, than ours, all the
day. But we set out, out of humour--I because Betty, whom I expected, was
not come to go with us; and my wife that I would sit on the same seat with
her, which she likes not, being so fine: and she then expected to meet
Sheres, which we did in the Pell Mell, and, against my will, I was forced
to take him into the coach, but was sullen all day almost, and little
complaisant: the day also being unpleasing, though the Park full of
coaches, but dusty and windy, and cold, and now and then a little
dribbling rain; and, what made it worst, there were so many