Saturday 8 May 1669
Up, and to the Office, and there comes Lead to me, and at last my vizards are done, and glasses got to put in and out, as I will; and I think I have brought it to the utmost, both for easiness of using and benefit, that I can; and so I paid him 15s. for what he hath done now last, in the finishing them, and they, I hope, will do me a great deal of ease.
At the Office all the morning, and this day, the first time, did alter my side of the table, after above eight years sitting on that next the fire. But now I am not able to bear the light of the windows in my eyes, I do begin there, and I did sit with much more content than I had done on the other side for a great while, and in winter the fire will not trouble my back.
At noon home to dinner, and after dinner all the afternoon within, with Mr. Hater, Gibson, and W. Hewer, reading over and drawing up new things in the Instructions of Commanders, which will be good, and I hope to get them confirmed by the Duke of York, though I perceive nothing will effectually perfect them but to look over the whole body of the Instructions, of all the Officers of a ship, and make them all perfect together. This being done, comes my bookseller, and brings me home bound my collection of papers, about my Addresse to the Duke of York in August, which makes me glad, it being that which shall do me more right many years hence than, perhaps, all I ever did in my life: and therefore I do, both for my own and the King’s sake, value it much.
By and by also comes Browne, the mathematical instrument maker, and brings me home my instrument for perspective, made according to the description of Dr. Wren’s, in the late Transactions; and he hath made it, I think, very well, and that, that I believe will do the thing, and therein gives me great content; but have I fear all the content that must be received by my eyes is almost lost.
So to the office, and there late at business, and then home to supper and to bed.
5 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
May 8 - King Charles II signs The Third Charter of the Royal Society (1669)
Download the Charter: English [ http://royalsociety.org/uploadedF… ]
Latin [ http://royalsociety.org/uploadedF… ]
In 1669 a third Charter was given, granting to the Society lands in Chelsea in which were situated Chelsea College. The site was intended to provide a permanent home for the Society, but no funds were forthcoming for the necessary building, and the college remained vacant. In 1681, under Wren's presidency, the lands were sold back to the King as a site for his Royal Hospital. In addition, while confirming the powers given by the second Charter, the third makes some slight changes. http://royalsociety.org/about-us/…
Terry Foreman • Link
"the whole body of the Instructions, of all the Officers of a ship, and make them all perfect together."
L&M note the new instructions were issued the following August. Pepys had been particularly anxious to reduce the power of commanders in certain respects. Recall Tuesday's entry: "I did in plain terms acquaint the Duke of York what we thought and had observed in the late Court-martiall, which the Duke did give ear to; and though he thinks not fit to revoke what is already done in this case by a Court-martiall, yet it shall bring forth some good laws in the behaviour of Captains to their under Officers for the time to come." http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
andy • Link
this day, the first time, did alter my side of the table, after above eight years sitting on that next the fire. But now I am not able to bear the light of the windows in my eyes, I do begin there, and I did sit with much more content than I had done on the other side for a great while, and in winter the fire will not trouble my back.
early office ergonomics. Now we know more about ambient light, posture and close vision of (eg) handwriting and long vision, resting the eyes etc.
And indeed, office status - who gets to sit (not too) near the fire.
Terry Foreman • Link
"my collection of papers, about my Addresse to the Duke of York in August,"
In the Pepysian Library is a MS. (No. 2242), entitled, "Papers conteyning my addresse to his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke, Lord High Admirall of England, &c., by letter dated the 20th of August, 1668, humbly tendering him my advice touching the present State of the Office of the Navy, with his Royall Highness's proceedings upon the same, and their result."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"By and by also comes Browne, the mathematical instrument maker, and brings me home my instrument for perspective, made according to the description of Dr. Wren’s, in the late Transactions"
"the description of Dr. Wren’s, in the late Transactions":
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…