Wednesday 23 October 1661
To Whitehall, and there, to drink our morning, Sir W. Pen and I to a friend’s lodging of his (Col. Pr. Swell), and at noon he and I dined together alone at the Legg in King Street, and so by coach to Chelsy to my Lord Privy Seal’s about business of Sir William’s, in which we had a fair admittance to talk with my Lord, and had his answer, and so back to the Opera, and there I saw again “Love and Honour,” and a very good play it is. And thence home, calling by the way to see Sir Robert Slingsby, who continues ill, and so home.
This day all our office is invited against Tuesday next, my Lord Mayor’s day, to dinner with him at Guildhall. This evening Mr. Holliard came and sat with us, and gave us both directions to observe.
12 Annotations
First Reading
Josh • Link
Might simply avoiding oaths not to drink, patronize the Opera, &c., relieve Sam of the bother of remorse?
Robert Gertz • Link
Hmmn...good ole "doc" Holliard back to see his best advertisement (see Sam Pepys and his wonderously gigantic stone, both still kickin' round at Seething Lane!). And "gave us both" directions to observe? Treating Beth's ulcers and reviewing Sam's history since the Great Cut? Or perhaps dispensing Mr. Holliard's Couples Guide to Successful Pregnancy?
JWB • Link
Holliard's visit
Hummmm, seems to lend credence to Dr Newman's conjecture noted a while back when Sam's "late bruise" first noted, and subtract from my maintaining that a bruise was a bruise.
Mary • Link
"Col. Pr. Swell"
L&M edition amends this to Collonell Treswell.
Glyn • Link
Is today Elizabeth's 21st birthday?
According to Jeannine Kerwin's biography of her elsewhere on this site, Elizabeth was born on 23 October 1640, and that date is recorded on her epitaph in St Olave's church
Katherine • Link
In that case, Glyn, happy birthday to Elizabeth. It doesn't sound like birthdays were celebrated back in the day, does it.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"Lord Mayor’s day"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lor…
Annie B • Link
Maybe not, but Sam has been mentioning his birthday in his diary at least!
Third Reading
Scube • Link
Very few posts today. Wonder what Sir Williams' business was and why Sam took part.
San Diego Sarah • Link
Scube, the other day Pepys mentioned that Penn had taken advantage of the Duke of York's absence to discuss with Charles II his land exchange in Ireland. (Penn was returning an Interregnum gift to the Royalist owner, and receiving a forfeited property from a Commonwealth owner.) Lord Robartes presumably had to stamp and approve the correct documents, and it sounds as if Pepys and Penn were clarifying what was required.
Why include Pepys in this?
Maybe because he's familiar with Privy Seal documents, and his Latin was better than Penn's?
Perhaps Penn felt his application would have more weight if he was seen to have an advisor of Pepys' caliber?
Pepys may have asked to be included because of his current law suit(s), and the correct transfer of title was a subject he wanted to learn more about.
Maybe it was fine day, and they took advantage of a networking opportunity since there was little work in the office today?
Just guesses, obviously.
Scube • Link
SDS, Thanks for that and all good guesses. Enjoy your posts.
San Diego Sarah • Link
Penn is following up in a timely manner on his Irish estates because, according to Francesco Giavarina, the Venetian Resident in England:
"Although the king has made many orders for the restoration in Ireland of the goods of many gentlemen who were dispossessed in the time of the rebellion, yet these have never been obeyed by those now enjoying the property by usurpation.
"The rightful owners have made lively representations to the king for a more prompt remedy to relieve their miserable condition, and he referred the matter to the Council.
"This body has spent some days the present week over it, but with no decision so far, to the intense disgust of these unfortunate individuals."
FROM 'Venice: October 1661', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 33, 1661-1664, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1932), British History Online
https://www.british-history.ac.uk…
Oct. 28 1661 N.S. -- Oct. 18 O.S.
73. Francesco Giavarina. Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.