From the diary of Samuel Pepys (1663-1703)
Up, and John, a hackney coachman whom of late I have much used, as being formerly Sir W. Penn's coachman, coming to me by my direction to see whether I would use him today or no, I took him to our back gate to look upon the ground which is to be let there, where I have a mind to buy enough to build a coach-house and stable; for I have had it much in my thoughts lately that it is not too much for me now, in degree or cost, to keep a coach; but contrarily, that I am almost ashamed to be seen in a hackney; and therefor, if I can have the conveniency, I will secure the ground at least till peace comes, that I do receive encouragement to keep a coach or else that I may part with the ground again. The plae I like very well, being close by my own house, and so resolve to go about it. So after she and I [Mercer] sung /Scio Moro/, which is one of the best pieces of music to my thinking that ever I did hear in my life ... -- Pepys' Diary, 21 Apr. 1667