Diary, 25 December 1662
Up pretty early, leaving my wife
not well in bed. And with my boy walked, it being a most brave cold and dry
frosty morning, and had a pleasant walk to Whitehall… By and by down to the Chapell
again, where Bishop Morley* preached upon the Song of the Angels – “Glory to
God on high, on earth peace, and good will towards men.” Methought he made but
a poor sermon, but long and reprehending the mistaken jollity of the Court for
the true joy that shall and ought to be on these days… He did much press us to
joy in these publick days of joy, and to hospitality. But one that stood by
whispered in my ear that the Bishop do not spend one groat to the poor himself.
The sermon done a good anthem followed by vialls, and the King** came down to
receive the sacrament… I walked home again with great pleasure, and there dined
by my wife’s bed-side with great content, having a mess of brave plum-porridge
and a roasted pullet for dinner, and I sent for a mince-pie abroad, my wife not
being well to make any herself yet. After dinner sat talking a good while with
her, her [pain] being become less, and then to see Sir W Penn*** a little, and
so to my office, practising arithmetique alone with great content, till 11 at
night; and so to supper and to bed.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas.
*Bishop of Winchester, then in 1663 also Dean of the Chapel
Royal
**Charles II***Admiral William Penn, a close friend of Pepys. Father of the founder of Pennsylvania
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