Re: ‘ . . use any forecast to serve the King . . ‘
‘forecast, n. . . 1. a. The action, habit, or faculty of forecasting; foresight of consequences and provision against them, forethought, prudence. Now rare. a1542 T. Wyatt Psalm vi. Prol. 17 in Coll. Poems (1969) The wisdome and fore-cast (Wych wo to Remes when that thes Kynges doth lakk). 1644 F. Quarles Barnabas & Boanerges 97 Give me a wise fore-cast, that the subtilty of the Devill may not entrap me . . ‘
Re: ‘ . . what a pitiful rout of people there was of them . . ‘
‘rout, n.1 < Anglo-Norman . . 1. a. A group of people gathered or assembled together; a company, a troop; a gathering, a crowd. Obs. . . 1627 T. Kellie Pallas Armata 25 When battles commeth to push of picke..your pickemen must..goe joyntlie on together in a rout without moveing their armes.’
Re: ‘ . . we with the tilt kept ourselves dry . . ’
‘tilt, n.1 < Doublet of Middle English tild, teld n., perhaps influenced by tent. 1. A covering of coarse cloth, in early quots. of hair-cloth; an awning; a booth, tent, or tabernacle.
2. spec. An awning over a boat. 1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. I, A boate with a tilt ouer it. 1716 J. Gay Trivia i. 11 The rowing Crew To tempt a Fare, cloath all their Tilts in Blue . .
Re: ‘ . . who like a couple of sots receive all I say but to little purpose . . ‘
The meaning here is probably:
‘sot, n.1 and adj. < Old French . . A. n.1 †1. A foolish or stupid person; a fool, blockhead, dolt. Obs. .. . 1641 Milton Animadversions 55 The one is ever..a sot, an ideot for any use that mankind can make of him. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 492. ⁋1 The Men are such unthinking Sots, that they do not prefer her who restrains all her Passions and Affections [etc.] . . ‘
rather than:
‘2. One who dulls or stupefies himself with drinking; one who commonly or habitually drinks to excess; a soaker. . . 1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 3 He that..drinketh not all his Wine before the Salt is taken away, and only for Digestion: Such a one is a Drunkard, a Sot, &c. . . ‘
Re: ’ . . what a company of sad idle people they are ’
‘sad, adj. . . < Germanic. . . 6. Used as a general expression of censure, depreciation, or regret. Originally: exceptionally bad, deplorable, shameful. Later (also): unfortunate, regrettable, sorry, miserable . . 1664 S. Pepys Diary 22 May (1971) V. 155 Thence, after staying and seeing the throng of people to attend the King to chapel; but Lord, what a company of sad idle people they are . . ‘
Re: ‘ . . very hot we are getting out some ships.’
‘hot, adj. and n.1 < Germanic . . II. Extended uses. 8. Excited (originally with reference to the attendant increase in bodily heat). a. Of a person, action, etc.: characterized by intensity of feeling; fervent, passionate; zealous, eager, keen . . . . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 12 July (1974) VIII. 332 The Duke of York..is hot for it ‘. . .’ ……………………………... Re: ‘ . . she looks very thin, poor woman, being mightily broke . . ‘
‘broke . . 5. Crushed or exhausted by labour, etc.; with strength or power gone; enfeebled. . . 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 118 Such a number of broken persons..by reason of their strong labour and weake foode. 1757 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 7 July (1967) III. 131 Sir Charles Williams, who I hear is much broken both in his spirits and Constitution . . ‘
DNB has: ‘ . . To the moderate-minded Povey, the Restoration was both pleasing and profitable. In 1661 he was granted the receiver-generalship for the rents and revenues in Africa and America, the office ‘being framed by him and he much versed in plantation affairs’ . . and appointed to the council of trade (1660) and the secretaryship of the committee for foreign plantations (1661).
In 1660 he became treasurer of the duke of York's household, and in 1662 treasurer of Tangier and surveyor-general of its victualling department. In 1662 also he was made a master of requests extraordinary, with the promise of the next ordinary vacancy. Such prodigious pluralism took its toll, however. Povey was clearly overextended . . ‘
Penn is fit enough to serve successfully in the coming war and to survive it but his health is poor and he will die several years later.
DNB remarks: ‘ . . Pepys fell out with him over contracts and appointments, and above all because he saw him as enemy to his own patron Sandwich. Penn was ever thereafter ‘as false a fellow as ever was born’ and Pepys took every opportunity to denigrate Penn's social address, service career, and administrative probity and competence . . ‘
Re: ’ .. . the veriest slattern that ever I knew in my life.’
‘slattern, n. and adj. < the dialect verb slatter to spill or splash awkwardly, to slop, to waste, etc., of obscure origin.
1. a. A woman or girl untidy and slovenly in person, habits, or surroundings; a slut. (See also quot. 1639.) 1639 J. Smyth in Glouc. Gloss. (1890) 199 A slaterne, i.e. a rude ill bred woman. . . 1669 Dryden Royal Martyr Epil., Here Nelly lies, who, though she liv'd a Slattern, Yet dy'd a Princess, acting in St. Cathar'n. . . 1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women (1767) I. ii. 76 Butterflies one day, and slatterns the next . . ‘ (OED)
'Wight’s age is unknown, but he was probably in his early 50s (possibly late 40s) in early 1660 -- information originally posted in 25 January 1660 entry -- sources: Tomalin's book and L&M Companion volume' http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo… ............ SP's purchasing power: see my post in the Prices section at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo… Multiplier for economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200. The smallest coin then was a farthing = 0.25d = 0.10p. = £0.001 equivalent to £5 income now - the price of a pint in posher parts of London today!
These comparisons are better than nothing but but must be interpreted with caution and not taken literally. The main thing is that a ratio above 1000 is the one to use for SP's finances.
‘yacht, n. < early modern Dutch . . A light fast-sailing ship, in early use esp. for the conveyance of royal or other important persons; later, a vessel, usually light and comparatively small, propelled by motive power other than oars, and used for pleasure excursions, cruising, etc., and now esp. one built and rigged for racing. . . a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1661 (1955) III. 296, I sailed this morning with his Majestie one of his Yaachts (or Pleasure boates) Vessells newly known amongst us, til the Duth E. India Comp. presented that curious piece to the King. . . 1710 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum II Yatches, are Vessels with one Deck carrying from 4 to 12 Guns, with from 20 to 40 Men; and are of Burden from 30 to 160 Tun . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ’ . . it may be to my wrong that I change spoons of my uncle Robert’s into new . .’
‘wrong, n.2 < Late Old English . . . . 5. 5. With possessive pron. or genitive: . . b. Injury, hurt, harm, or prejudice received or sustained by a person or persons. Also in phr. to or †in one's (own) wrong. . . 1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion ii. 28 That shee, to her owne wrong, and euery others griefe, Would needs be telling things exceeding all beliefe. . . a1740 Spotswood in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 204 Be cautious how you dispose of the profits of your parish; least you pay it in your own wrong . . ‘
Re: ‘ . . to my office, where Sympson my joyner came . . ‘
‘joiner, n. < Middle English . . 2. a. A craftsman whose occupation it is to construct things by joining pieces of wood; a worker in wood who does lighter and more ornamental work than that of a carpenter, as the construction of the furniture and fittings of a house, ship, etc. . . 1649 T. Fuller Just Mans Funeral 23 Let..the most exquisite Joyner make the coffin. 1710 Tatler No. 252. ⁋4 What Method is to be taken to make Joiners and other Artificers get out of a House they have once entered . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ’ . . slabbering my band sent home for another . . ‘
‘slabber, v. < Low German . . Now chiefly dial. 1. trans. To wet or befoul with saliva; to beslaver or beslobber. . .1650 A. Weldon Court & Char. King James i. 102 The K[ing] hung about his neck, slabboring his cheeks. 1668 S. Pepys Diary 26 Mar. (1976) IX. 134 Eating of sack-posset and slabbering themselves . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ‘ . . I thought it not convenient, and so took them into my own hand.’
‘convenient, adj. < Latin . . . . 4. Suitable, appropriate. . . b. Suitable to the conditions or circumstances; befitting the case; appropriate, proper, due. Obs. . . 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 59 Put them into a convenient quantity of the best butter. 1670 Duke of Richmond Let. 11 Feb. in A. Marvell Wks. (1875) II. 299, I thought convenient to advise you, that I intend to prosecute this businesse . . ‘
'seem, v.2 < Middle English < Old Norse . . . . 4. With infinitive: To appear to be or to do something. . . b. with other verbs. . . a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. i. 4 Of Gouernment, the properties to vnfold, Would seeme in me t'affect speech & discourse. 1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 98 The Parian Marble, there, shall seem to move, In breathing Statues . . ' (OED)
Re: ‘ . . how to get him a mandamus for a fellowship . . ’
‘mandamus, n. < Anglo-Norman . . Originally: a writ, mandate, etc., issued by a monarch, directing the performance of a particular act . . Later: a court order or writ directing an inferior court, a corporation, official, etc., to perform a public or statutory duty, esp. so as to remedy a legal defect (in full, order (also writ) of mandamus). . . 1664 J. Worthington Life Mede in J. Mede Wks. p. lxvi, The College had privy notice of a Stranger who had got a Mandamus for a Fellowship, either Fallen or Falling.
General attrib., designating a person appointed by a mandamus. Now rare. 1687 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 421 The new mandamus fellowes [of Magdalen] . . ‘ …………………………………………. Re: ‘ . . He seems a simple fellow . . ’
‘simple, adj. and n. < Old French simple . . In early examples it is often difficult to decide in which of several possible senses the word is to be taken.’
I think this is the one here:
‘I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward. . . 1669 Relat. Raleigh's Troubles in Harl. Misc. IV. 60 The Lord Cobham, a simple passionate man, but of very noble birth and great possessions . . ‘
Re: ’ . . my Lord pays use now for above 9000l., . . ’
‘use, n. < Anglo-Norman . . . . 5. †b. Premium on money lent to another; interest. Freq. (and in earliest use) fig. Cf. use-money n. Obs. . . 1637 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 104 He threatens to make him pay use for his barn. . . 1668 J. Child Brief Observ. Trade 24 With them..there is not any Use for Money tollerated, above the rate of six in the hundred . . ‘ (OED)
‘fox v. < fox, n.< Common Germanic . . . . 2. a. trans. To intoxicate, befuddle. Also (? nonce-use), to redden (one's nose) with drinking. . . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 26 Oct. (1970) I. 274 The last of whom I did almost fox with Marget ale . . ‘
OED has a list of ‘King’s . . ‘ phrases from ‘King’s Advocate’ to ‘king’s yellow’ (= arsenic trisulphide): ’King’s profit’ is not in it but ‘King’s purse’ is:
‘king's purse n. now hist. the royal treasury; the funds or revenue of a king. . . 1651 Life & Reigne King Charls 28 What by sales procured by her solicitations, as much more was yearly drayned out of the Kings purse . . ‘
I suggest that it was an SP coinage which he was trying out in the diary before trying it on his peers: evidently they didn’t adopt it, perhaps they couldn’t grasp his meaning; after the Glorious Revolution (just 24 years in the future) it would only be used by Tories and Jacobites while the Whigs preferred a neutral phrase with republican overtones such as the ‘Public Purse’, which goes with that that mysterious entity still invoked today - the Public Interest.
Comments
Second Reading
About Monday 23 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . use any forecast to serve the King . . ‘
‘forecast, n. . .
1. a. The action, habit, or faculty of forecasting; foresight of consequences and provision against them, forethought, prudence. Now rare.
a1542 T. Wyatt Psalm vi. Prol. 17 in Coll. Poems (1969) The wisdome and fore-cast (Wych wo to Remes when that thes Kynges doth lakk).
1644 F. Quarles Barnabas & Boanerges 97 Give me a wise fore-cast, that the subtilty of the Devill may not entrap me . . ‘
About Thursday 26 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . what a pitiful rout of people there was of them . . ‘
‘rout, n.1 < Anglo-Norman . .
1. a. A group of people gathered or assembled together; a company, a troop; a gathering, a crowd. Obs.
. . 1627 T. Kellie Pallas Armata 25 When battles commeth to push of picke..your pickemen must..goe joyntlie on together in a rout without moveing their armes.’
(OED)
About Monday 23 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . we with the tilt kept ourselves dry . . ’
‘tilt, n.1 < Doublet of Middle English tild, teld n., perhaps influenced by tent.
1. A covering of coarse cloth, in early quots. of hair-cloth; an awning; a booth, tent, or tabernacle.
2. spec. An awning over a boat.
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. I, A boate with a tilt ouer it.
1716 J. Gay Trivia i. 11 The rowing Crew To tempt a Fare, cloath all their Tilts in Blue . .
(OED)
About Monday 23 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . who like a couple of sots receive all I say but to little purpose . . ‘
The meaning here is probably:
‘sot, n.1 and adj. < Old French . .
A. n.1
†1. A foolish or stupid person; a fool, blockhead, dolt. Obs.
.. . 1641 Milton Animadversions 55 The one is ever..a sot, an ideot for any use that mankind can make of him.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 492. ⁋1 The Men are such unthinking Sots, that they do not prefer her who restrains all her Passions and Affections [etc.] . . ‘
rather than:
‘2. One who dulls or stupefies himself with drinking; one who commonly or habitually drinks to excess; a soaker.
. . 1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 3 He that..drinketh not all his Wine before the Salt is taken away, and only for Digestion: Such a one is a Drunkard, a Sot, &c. . . ‘
About Sunday 22 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . what a company of sad idle people they are ’
‘sad, adj. . . < Germanic.
. . 6. Used as a general expression of censure, depreciation, or regret. Originally: exceptionally bad, deplorable, shameful. Later (also): unfortunate, regrettable, sorry, miserable . .
1664 S. Pepys Diary 22 May (1971) V. 155 Thence, after staying and seeing the throng of people to attend the King to chapel; but Lord, what a company of sad idle people they are . . ‘
(OED)
About Saturday 21 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . very hot we are getting out some ships.’
‘hot, adj. and n.1 < Germanic . . II. Extended uses.
8. Excited (originally with reference to the attendant increase in bodily heat).
a. Of a person, action, etc.: characterized by intensity of feeling; fervent, passionate; zealous, eager, keen . .
. . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 12 July (1974) VIII. 332 The Duke of York..is hot for it ‘. . .’
……………………………...
Re: ‘ . . she looks very thin, poor woman, being mightily broke . . ‘
‘broke . . 5. Crushed or exhausted by labour, etc.; with strength or power gone; enfeebled.
. . 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 118 Such a number of broken persons..by reason of their strong labour and weake foode.
1757 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 7 July (1967) III. 131 Sir Charles Williams, who I hear is much broken both in his spirits and Constitution . . ‘
(OED)
About Saturday 21 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
DNB has: ‘ . . To the moderate-minded Povey, the Restoration was both pleasing and profitable. In 1661 he was granted the receiver-generalship for the rents and revenues in Africa and America, the office ‘being framed by him and he much versed in plantation affairs’ . . and appointed to the council of trade (1660) and the secretaryship of the committee for foreign plantations (1661).
In 1660 he became treasurer of the duke of York's household, and in 1662 treasurer of Tangier and surveyor-general of its victualling department. In 1662 also he was made a master of requests extraordinary, with the promise of the next ordinary vacancy. Such prodigious pluralism took its toll, however. Povey was clearly overextended . . ‘
To be continued . .
About Wednesday 18 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Penn is fit enough to serve successfully in the coming war and to survive it but his health is poor and he will die several years later.
DNB remarks: ‘ . . Pepys fell out with him over contracts and appointments, and above all because he saw him as enemy to his own patron Sandwich. Penn was ever thereafter ‘as false a fellow as ever was born’ and Pepys took every opportunity to denigrate Penn's social address, service career, and administrative probity and competence . . ‘
About Monday 16 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ .. . the veriest slattern that ever I knew in my life.’
‘slattern, n. and adj. < the dialect verb slatter to spill or splash awkwardly, to slop, to waste, etc., of obscure origin.
1. a. A woman or girl untidy and slovenly in person, habits, or surroundings; a slut. (See also quot. 1639.)
1639 J. Smyth in Glouc. Gloss. (1890) 199 A slaterne, i.e. a rude ill bred woman.
. . 1669 Dryden Royal Martyr Epil., Here Nelly lies, who, though she liv'd a Slattern, Yet dy'd a Princess, acting in St. Cathar'n.
. . 1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women (1767) I. ii. 76 Butterflies one day, and slatterns the next . . ‘ (OED)
About Wednesday 11 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
'Wight’s age is unknown, but he was probably in his early 50s (possibly late 40s) in early 1660 -- information originally posted in 25 January 1660 entry -- sources: Tomalin's book and L&M Companion volume'
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
............
SP's purchasing power: see my post in the Prices section at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
Multiplier for economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200. The smallest coin then was a farthing = 0.25d = 0.10p. = £0.001 equivalent to £5 income now - the price of a pint in posher parts of London today!
Source: https://www.measuringworth.com/uk…
These comparisons are better than nothing but but must be interpreted with caution and not taken literally. The main thing is that a ratio above 1000 is the one to use for SP's finances.
About Saturday 7 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: yachts JM above:
‘yacht, n. < early modern Dutch . .
A light fast-sailing ship, in early use esp. for the conveyance of royal or other important persons; later, a vessel, usually light and comparatively small, propelled by motive power other than oars, and used for pleasure excursions, cruising, etc., and now esp. one built and rigged for racing.
. . a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1661 (1955) III. 296, I sailed this morning with his Majestie one of his Yaachts (or Pleasure boates) Vessells newly known amongst us, til the Duth E. India Comp. presented that curious piece to the King.
. . 1710 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum II Yatches, are Vessels with one Deck carrying from 4 to 12 Guns, with from 20 to 40 Men; and are of Burden from 30 to 160 Tun . . ‘ (OED)
About Thursday 5 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . it may be to my wrong that I change spoons of my uncle Robert’s into new . .’
‘wrong, n.2 < Late Old English . .
. . 5. 5. With possessive pron. or genitive:
. . b. Injury, hurt, harm, or prejudice received or sustained by a person or persons. Also in phr. to or †in one's (own) wrong.
. . 1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion ii. 28 That shee, to her owne wrong, and euery others griefe, Would needs be telling things exceeding all beliefe.
. . a1740 Spotswood in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 204 Be cautious how you dispose of the profits of your parish; least you pay it in your own wrong . . ‘
About Friday 6 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . to my office, where Sympson my joyner came . . ‘
‘joiner, n. < Middle English
. . 2. a. A craftsman whose occupation it is to construct things by joining pieces of wood; a worker in wood who does lighter and more ornamental work than that of a carpenter, as the construction of the furniture and fittings of a house, ship, etc.
. . 1649 T. Fuller Just Mans Funeral 23 Let..the most exquisite Joyner make the coffin.
1710 Tatler No. 252. ⁋4 What Method is to be taken to make Joiners and other Artificers get out of a House they have once entered . . ‘ (OED)
About Tuesday 3 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . slabbering my band sent home for another . . ‘
‘slabber, v. < Low German . . Now chiefly dial.
1. trans. To wet or befoul with saliva; to beslaver or beslobber.
. .1650 A. Weldon Court & Char. King James i. 102 The K[ing] hung about his neck, slabboring his cheeks.
1668 S. Pepys Diary 26 Mar. (1976) IX. 134 Eating of sack-posset and slabbering themselves . . ‘ (OED)
About Monday 2 May 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . I thought it not convenient, and so took them into my own hand.’
‘convenient, adj. < Latin . .
. . 4. Suitable, appropriate.
. . b. Suitable to the conditions or circumstances; befitting the case; appropriate, proper, due. Obs.
. . 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 59 Put them into a convenient quantity of the best butter.
1670 Duke of Richmond Let. 11 Feb. in A. Marvell Wks. (1875) II. 299, I thought convenient to advise you, that I intend to prosecute this businesse . . ‘
(OED)
About Saturday 30 April 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ' . . We all seem to desire it . . '
'seem, v.2 < Middle English < Old Norse . .
. . 4. With infinitive: To appear to be or to do something.
. . b. with other verbs.
. . a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. i. 4 Of Gouernment, the properties to vnfold, Would seeme in me t'affect speech & discourse.
1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 98 The Parian Marble, there, shall seem to move, In breathing Statues . . ' (OED)
About Wednesday 27 April 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . how to get him a mandamus for a fellowship . . ’
‘mandamus, n. < Anglo-Norman . . Originally: a writ, mandate, etc., issued by a monarch, directing the performance of a particular act . . Later: a court order or writ directing an inferior court, a corporation, official, etc., to perform a public or statutory duty, esp. so as to remedy a legal defect (in full, order (also writ) of mandamus).
. . 1664 J. Worthington Life Mede in J. Mede Wks. p. lxvi, The College had privy notice of a Stranger who had got a Mandamus for a Fellowship, either Fallen or Falling.
General attrib., designating a person appointed by a mandamus. Now rare.
1687 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 421 The new mandamus fellowes [of Magdalen] . . ‘
………………………………………….
Re: ‘ . . He seems a simple fellow . . ’
‘simple, adj. and n. < Old French simple . . In early examples it is often difficult to decide in which of several possible senses the word is to be taken.’
I think this is the one here:
‘I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward.
. . 1669 Relat. Raleigh's Troubles in Harl. Misc. IV. 60 The Lord Cobham, a simple passionate man, but of very noble birth and great possessions . . ‘
(OED)
About Monday 25 April 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . my Lord pays use now for above 9000l., . . ’
‘use, n. < Anglo-Norman . .
. . 5. †b. Premium on money lent to another; interest. Freq. (and in earliest use) fig. Cf. use-money n. Obs.
. . 1637 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 104 He threatens to make him pay use for his barn.
. . 1668 J. Child Brief Observ. Trade 24 With them..there is not any Use for Money tollerated, above the rate of six in the hundred . . ‘
(OED)
About Wednesday 20 April 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . my uncle coming . . almost foxed. . .’
‘fox v. < fox, n.< Common Germanic . .
. . 2. a. trans. To intoxicate, befuddle. Also (? nonce-use), to redden (one's nose) with drinking.
. . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 26 Oct. (1970) I. 274 The last of whom I did almost fox with Marget ale . . ‘
About Thursday 14 April 1664
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has a list of ‘King’s . . ‘ phrases from ‘King’s Advocate’ to ‘king’s yellow’ (= arsenic trisulphide): ’King’s profit’ is not in it but ‘King’s purse’ is:
‘king's purse n. now hist. the royal treasury; the funds or revenue of a king.
. . 1651 Life & Reigne King Charls 28 What by sales procured by her solicitations, as much more was yearly drayned out of the Kings purse . . ‘
I suggest that it was an SP coinage which he was trying out in the diary before trying it on his peers: evidently they didn’t adopt it, perhaps they couldn’t grasp his meaning; after the Glorious Revolution (just 24 years in the future) it would only be used by Tories and Jacobites while the Whigs preferred a neutral phrase with republican overtones such as the ‘Public Purse’, which goes with that that mysterious entity still invoked today - the Public Interest.