Re: ‘ . . so we had plenty of meat and drink .. . and in the exact manner that I never saw in my life any where . . ’
‘exact, adj.1 < Latin . . I. Perfected, consummate, ‘finished’. 1. Of qualities, conditions, attainments, etc.: Consummate, finished, refined, perfect. Rarely in bad sense. Obs. . . a1659 F. Osborne QueriesEpist. (1673) S s iv b, The imployment of Children in their exactest Innocencie, being to make Houses and raise Pies of Dirt. 1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια Isagoge sig. B2v, The hearing is most exact in the hare . . '
‘beforehand adv. . . 3. In or into a condition of having more than enough to meet present demands or future contingencies; . . Obs. . . a1645 D. Featley in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus (1651) 484 He brought the College much before hand, which before..was very much impoverished. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 450. ⁋3 Having little or nothing before~hand, and living from Hand to Mouth. . . 1849 Dickens David Copperfield (1850) xi. 121 ‘And then,’ said Mr. Micawber,..‘I shall, please Heaven, begin to be beforehand with the world,..if—in short, if anything turns up.’ . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ‘ . . which he accounts the best virtuoso . .’
‘virtuoso, n. and adj. < Italian . . . . 2. a. A person who demonstrates special skill, knowledge, or accomplishment in a particular sphere; an expert or master. 1682 T. Hoy in tr. Ovid Two Ess. Pref. sig. A2v, The extraordinary Conduct and refined Conversation of our new Virtuosi in Love. . . 1757 London Chron. 8 Jan. 40/1 They had observed with how great Success our Virtuosi in Fruits and Vegetables had heightened the Flavor and improved the Taste of our native Productions. . . 2000 S. M. Pollan & M. Levine Die Broke Financial Prob. Solver (2001) i. 8 Forget about becoming a financial expert, a marketing virtuoso, or a management guru . . ‘ (OED)
‘pinch-gut, adj. and n. Naut. slang. That pinches the stomach; mean or scanty, esp. regarding food. Obs. . . 1682 Heraclitus Ridens 25 Apr. 2/2 'Twas..promised that the poor Prisoners should have amends..for that pinch-gut Year they had . .
B. n. A person who deprives another of sufficient food; (Naut. slang) a miserly purser. . . a1659 Lady Alimony ii. ii. sig. B4, A Mundungo's Monopolist, a paltry-penurious-pecking pinchgut . .
pinch-gut money n. Naut. slang Obs. an allowance given to sailors when their provisions are not sufficient. 1660 in 7th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1879) 141 John Price..complains that Richard Hutchinson has wronged him by paying £16, besides Pinchgutt mony, to a wrong person . . ‘
Re: ‘ . . it is out of my power to preserve myself from jealousy — and so sot impatient all the sermon.’
Not a typo:
‘sot, v., old French . . . . 2. intr. To play the sot. 1633 S. Marmion Antiquary (1875) ii. i. 217 You have been sotting on't all night with wine. 1711 E. Ward Vulgus Britannicus (ed. 3) iii. 99 Where day by day they us'd to sot, At All-fours, Cribidge, or at Put . . ‘
‘sot, n.1 and adj. 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.] . . ‘ (OED)
‘design, n.< Middle French. . . . 3. a. In weakened sense: a purpose, an aim, an intention. . . 1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. iv. viii. 112 They who ask reliefe, have one designe; and he who gives it, another. 1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 27 He..demands On what design the Boys had bound his hands . . ‘ …………………. Re: ‘ . . I found a feacho (as he calls it) of fine sugar . . ‘
It’s likely that the the block of sugar came in a chest, to keep vermin and thieves out and the sugar dry:
‘chest, n.1 < Old English . . < Greek κίστη box, chest. . . 6. Commerce. A large box or case in which certain commodities, as tea, sugar, etc., are packed for transport; hence used as a variable measure of quantity for such commodities; now almost confined to tea chests. 1708 J. Kersey Dict. Anglo-Britannicum Chest..also an uncertain Quantity of some Merchandizes, as of Sugar, from 10 to 15 Hundred Weight. . . 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word), A Chest of Sugar, v. g. contains from 10 to 15 hundred Weight . . ‘
(OED)
It’l take Our Hero & Family a good while to eat half a ton of sugar!
Here are the price indices for converting between 1660 and 2014:
Commodity: real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 labour value = average earnings = 2,100 income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 ………….. Income or Wealth historic standard of living = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000 …………… Project historic opportunity cost = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 labour cost = labour value = average earnings = 2,100 economic cost = share of GDP = 29,000
Taken from https://www.measuringworth.com/uk… which explains which index to use for different purposes. The important thing to grasp and remember is that using ‘real price’ by itself vastly understates the status and power that came with what seem to us quite modest sums of money in the pre-industrial society of 1660.
Re: ’ . . and discovers many of their knaverys; and tells me . . that my name is up for a good husband for the King . .’
‘knaverys < Germanic . . . . 1. b. As a count noun. An act that is characteristic of a knave; a dishonest or crafty deed; a scheme. . . 1607 T. Middleton Phoenix sig. Fv, They blinde him with beere, and make him so narrowe eyde, that he wincks naturallye at all their Knaueries. a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 904 Many a shrewd knavery passeth under the name of a venial sin . . ‘ …………….. ‘husband, n. < Scandinavian . . . . 5. a. A man charged with the good management of something; esp. the appointed manager of a household, establishment, or organization; a steward, a keeper. . . 1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 240 The King hath a proper Court..for all things touching his reuenues, called the Exchequer. The Judges whereof are called Barons, or housebands for the Kings Reuenue. 1695–6 Act 7 & 8 William III c. 13 §3 in Statutes of Realm (1963) VII. 78 It shall..be lawfull for the Royal African Company of England, to bring to His Majesties Tower of London..such Gold as shall bee Imported by them the Husband of the said Company first making Oath before the Warden Comptroller . . ‘
Here are the price indices for converting between 1660 and 2014:
Commodity: real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 labour value = average earnings = 2,100 income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 ………….. Income or Wealth historic standard of living = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000 …………… Project historic opportunity cost = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120 labour cost = labour value = average earnings = 2,100 economic cost = share of GDP = 29,000
Taken from https://www.measuringworth.com/uk… which explains which index to use for different purposes. The important thing to grasp and remember is that using ‘real price’ by itself vastly understates the status and power that came with what seem to us quite modest sums of money in the pre-industrial society of 1660.
Example: Ashwell’s final payoff = £2.50. This is accumulated income so:
Measured by historic standard of living = real price = 120 x £2.50 = £300
Measured by economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 x £2.50 = £13,000
Measured by economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000 x £2.50 = £73,000
I have rounded the last amount to 2 significant figures as these figures are only estimates.
Another way to understand this is to see that real earnings have multlplied 2100/120 = 17.5 times; and real GDP/head has multiplied 5200/120 = 43 times.
re: ‘ . . gadding abroad as she has been all this afternoon, I know not whither.’
‘gad, v.2 < Of obscure origin . . 1. a. intr. To go from one place to another, to wander; esp. to wander about with no serious object, stopping here and there, to rove idly. Also to gad about, abroad, out. . . 1605 W. Camden Remaines ii. 39 He was alwayes gadding vp and downe the world, and had little rest. 1710 A. Philips Pastorals i. 52 She gads where-e'er her roving Fancy leads . . ‘ (OED)
‘John Thomas n. . . (b) slang the penis. 1879–80 Pearl (1970) 76 As around her fair form I a firm hold took, And John Thomas I silently buried. . . 1957 L. Durrell Justine 249 She had neatly tied his dresstie to his John Thomas, a perfect bow.’
So not a bit of slang that Our Hero would’ve recognised!
‘seasonably, adv < Old French . . . . 1. In a fitting time; at the right moment; in due season. . . 1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 55 When I was almost senseless, my Surgeon came seasonably, and bound up the wound, and stopt the bleeding. 1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 246 This Sermon was very seasonably deliver'd . . ‘ ……... Re:’ . . By which I perceive the wench is cunning . . ‘
‘cunning, adj. < Old English . . . . 2. a. Possessing practical knowledge or skill; able, skilful, expert, dexterous, clever. (Formerly the prevailing sense; now only a literary archaism.) . . 1616 Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 276 And I thought he had beene valiant, and so cunning in Fence. 1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. xix, The tools of Cunninger workmen . .
. . 4. Possessing keen intelligence, wit, or insight; knowing, clever. . . 1710 A. Philips Pastorals ii. 55 Against ill Luck all cunning Foresight fails . . ‘ ……… (OED)
‘joy, v. < Middle English . . . . 5. b. To give or wish (a person) joy of something; to congratulate. Const. of (in). Obs. . . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 22 Aug. (1970) I. 228 In the House..I met with Mr. G. Mountague and joyed him in his entrance [as M.P.] for Dover. 1701 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother iv. i. 1578, I come to joy you of a Crown . . ‘
Re: ‘ . . to be as good as his word . . to a tittle . . ‘:
‘tittle, n. < Middle English titel . . . . 2.b. to a tittle, with minute exactness, to the smallest particular, to a T. 1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iii. iii. sig. E3v, Ile quote him to a tittle. 1700 S. Patrick Comm. Deut. xxviii. 53 This was fulfilled to a tittle by Vespasian and his son Titus . . ‘ (OED) ………..
‘rattle, v.1 < Dutch . . . . 4. trans. a. To scold or berate; to rail at. Now rare. . . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 9 Aug. (1974) VIII. 378, I did soundly rattle him for neglecting her so much as he hath done . . ‘ …. Re: ‘ . . they were very kind . . ‘
‘kind, adj. < Old English . . . . 6. Of persons, their actions, etc.: Affectionate, loving, fond; on intimate terms. †a kind girl: a mistress. Also euphemistically. Now rare exc. dial. . . 1594 H. Constable Diana (new ed.) viii. i. sig. F4, Women are kind by kind, but coy by fashion. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 110 The next Moon their Women flock to the Sacred Wells; where, they say, it is not difficult to persuade them to be kind. …. re: ‘ . . do what she list with him . . ’
‘list, v.1< Old English . . . . 2. With personal construction. b. Without dependent inf.: To wish, desire, like, choose . . . . 1611 Bible (King James) John iii. 8 The winde bloweth where it listeth . . ‘ …. (OED)
Re: ‘ . . in the plainest way and without ambages . . ’
‘ambage, n. < 14th cent. French . . . . 3. For delay: Circumlocutions, beating about the bush . . . . 1678 A. Behn Sir Patient Fancy v. i. 73 Without more Ambages Sir, I have consider'd your former desires, and have consented to marry him . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ‘ . . in the plainest way and without ambages . . ’
‘ambage, n. < 14th cent. French . . . . 3. For delay: Circumlocutions, beating about the bush . . . . 1678 A. Behn Sir Patient Fancy v. i. 73 Without more Ambages Sir, I have consider'd your former desires, and have consented to marry him . . ‘ (OED)
Re: ‘ . .. some fine books of the Italian buildings, with fine cuts . . ’
cut, n.2 < Old Germanic . . . . 22. a. A design cut or engraved upon wood, copper, or steel; the impression from this; an engraving, a plate . . 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 258 Set forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs by Cevallerius. 1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura iii. 23 The Invention of Copper-cuts, and their Impressions. 1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura iv. 84 With some other cuts in wood known by his mark..All those excellent . . 1695 London Gaz. No. 3131/3 The Cutts of the University..richly bound, and Printed in Folio at the Theatre . . ‘ ……….. Re: ‘ . . the latter part [Greatorex] slubbered over . .
'slubber, v. < Dutch . . . . 4. To run or skim over hurriedly and in a careless or slovenly manner . . In very common use in the 17th century. 1649 W. Blith Eng. Improver xiv. 80, I dare say, one Acre of Corne thus throughly husbanded, may be worth two Acres, nay three, slubbered over. 1670 R. Baxter Duty Heavenly Medit. 23 Which may be lost by hasty breaking off, and slubbering over so great a business . . ‘ ……….. (OED)
Comments
Second Reading
About Friday 4 September 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . so we had plenty of meat and drink .. . and in the exact manner that I never saw in my life any where . . ’
‘exact, adj.1 < Latin . .
I. Perfected, consummate, ‘finished’.
1. Of qualities, conditions, attainments, etc.: Consummate, finished, refined, perfect. Rarely in bad sense. Obs.
. . a1659 F. Osborne QueriesEpist. (1673) S s iv b, The imployment of Children in their exactest Innocencie, being to make Houses and raise Pies of Dirt.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια Isagoge sig. B2v, The hearing is most exact in the hare . . '
About Thursday 3 September 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . how little he is beforehand . .’
‘beforehand adv.
. . 3. In or into a condition of having more than enough to meet present demands or future contingencies; . . Obs.
. . a1645 D. Featley in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus (1651) 484 He brought the College much before hand, which before..was very much impoverished.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 450. ⁋3 Having little or nothing before~hand, and living from Hand to Mouth.
. . 1849 Dickens David Copperfield (1850) xi. 121 ‘And then,’ said Mr. Micawber,..‘I shall, please Heaven, begin to be beforehand with the world,..if—in short, if anything turns up.’ . . ‘
(OED)
About Thursday 3 September 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . which he accounts the best virtuoso . .’
‘virtuoso, n. and adj. < Italian . .
. . 2. a. A person who demonstrates special skill, knowledge, or accomplishment in a particular sphere; an expert or master.
1682 T. Hoy in tr. Ovid Two Ess. Pref. sig. A2v, The extraordinary Conduct and refined Conversation of our new Virtuosi in Love.
. . 1757 London Chron. 8 Jan. 40/1 They had observed with how great Success our Virtuosi in Fruits and Vegetables had heightened the Flavor and improved the Taste of our native Productions.
. . 2000 S. M. Pollan & M. Levine Die Broke Financial Prob. Solver (2001) i. 8 Forget about becoming a financial expert, a marketing virtuoso, or a management guru . . ‘
(OED)
About Monday 31 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘pinchgut’
‘pinch-gut, adj. and n. Naut. slang. That pinches the stomach; mean or scanty, esp. regarding food. Obs.
. . 1682 Heraclitus Ridens 25 Apr. 2/2 'Twas..promised that the poor Prisoners should have amends..for that pinch-gut Year they had . .
B. n. A person who deprives another of sufficient food; (Naut. slang) a miserly purser.
. . a1659 Lady Alimony ii. ii. sig. B4, A Mundungo's Monopolist, a paltry-penurious-pecking pinchgut . .
pinch-gut money n. Naut. slang Obs. an allowance given to sailors when their provisions are not sufficient.
1660 in 7th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1879) 141 John Price..complains that Richard Hutchinson has wronged him by paying £16, besides Pinchgutt mony, to a wrong person . . ‘
(OED)
About Sunday 30 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . it is out of my power to preserve myself from jealousy — and so sot impatient all the sermon.’
Not a typo:
‘sot, v., old French . .
. . 2. intr. To play the sot.
1633 S. Marmion Antiquary (1875) ii. i. 217 You have been sotting on't all night with wine.
1711 E. Ward Vulgus Britannicus (ed. 3) iii. 99 Where day by day they us'd to sot, At All-fours, Cribidge, or at Put . . ‘
‘sot, n.1 and adj.
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.] . . ‘
(OED)
About Friday 28 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
The Diary annotations on weather, climate, the Little Ice Age, etc. are at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
The 1660s were the coldest part of the Little Ice Age; see temperature chart at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lit…
About Weather
Chris Squire UK • Link
The Diary annotations on weather, climate, the Little Ice Age, etc. are at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
The 1660s were the coldest part of the Little Ice Age; see temperature chart at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lit…
About Thursday 27 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . all that I do is by design . . ’
‘design, n.< Middle French. .
. . 3. a. In weakened sense: a purpose, an aim, an intention.
. . 1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. iv. viii. 112 They who ask reliefe, have one designe; and he who gives it, another.
1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 27 He..demands On what design the Boys had bound his hands . . ‘
………………….
Re: ‘ . . I found a feacho (as he calls it) of fine sugar . . ‘
It’s likely that the the block of sugar came in a chest, to keep vermin and thieves out and the sugar dry:
‘chest, n.1 < Old English . . < Greek κίστη box, chest.
. . 6. Commerce. A large box or case in which certain commodities, as tea, sugar, etc., are packed for transport; hence used as a variable measure of quantity for such commodities; now almost confined to tea chests.
1708 J. Kersey Dict. Anglo-Britannicum Chest..also an uncertain Quantity of some Merchandizes, as of Sugar, from 10 to 15 Hundred Weight.
. . 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word), A Chest of Sugar, v. g. contains from 10 to 15 hundred Weight . . ‘
(OED)
It’l take Our Hero & Family a good while to eat half a ton of sugar!
About Values today
Chris Squire UK • Link
Here are the price indices for converting between 1660 and 2014:
Commodity:
real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
labour value = average earnings = 2,100
income value = per capita GDP = 5,200
…………..
Income or Wealth
historic standard of living = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200
economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000
……………
Project
historic opportunity cost = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
labour cost = labour value = average earnings = 2,100
economic cost = share of GDP = 29,000
Taken from https://www.measuringworth.com/uk… which explains which index to use for different purposes. The important thing to grasp and remember is that using ‘real price’ by itself vastly understates the status and power that came with what seem to us quite modest sums of money in the pre-industrial society of 1660.
Example: Pepys’ net worth = £650 at 31 December 1662
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Measured by historic standard of living = real price = 120 x £650 = £78,000
Measured by economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 x £650 = £3.4 mn.
Measured by economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000 x £650 = £19 mn.
I have rounded these amounts to 2 significant figures as they are only estimates.
About Wednesday 26 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . and discovers many of their knaverys; and tells me . . that my name is up for a good husband for the King . .’
‘knaverys < Germanic . .
. . 1. b. As a count noun. An act that is characteristic of a knave; a dishonest or crafty deed; a scheme.
. . 1607 T. Middleton Phoenix sig. Fv, They blinde him with beere, and make him so narrowe eyde, that he wincks naturallye at all their Knaueries.
a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 904 Many a shrewd knavery passeth under the name of a venial sin . . ‘
……………..
‘husband, n. < Scandinavian . .
. . 5. a. A man charged with the good management of something; esp. the appointed manager of a household, establishment, or organization; a steward, a keeper.
. . 1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 240 The King hath a proper Court..for all things touching his reuenues, called the Exchequer. The Judges whereof are called Barons, or housebands for the Kings Reuenue.
1695–6 Act 7 & 8 William III c. 13 §3 in Statutes of Realm (1963) VII. 78 It shall..be lawfull for the Royal African Company of England, to bring to His Majesties Tower of London..such Gold as shall bee Imported by them the Husband of the said Company first making Oath before the Warden Comptroller . . ‘
(OED)
About Tuesday 25 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Here are the price indices for converting between 1660 and 2014:
Commodity:
real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
labour value = average earnings = 2,100
income value = per capita GDP = 5,200
…………..
Income or Wealth
historic standard of living = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200
economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000
……………
Project
historic opportunity cost = real price = RPI/GDP deflator = 120
labour cost = labour value = average earnings = 2,100
economic cost = share of GDP = 29,000
Taken from https://www.measuringworth.com/uk… which explains which index to use for different purposes. The important thing to grasp and remember is that using ‘real price’ by itself vastly understates the status and power that came with what seem to us quite modest sums of money in the pre-industrial society of 1660.
Example: Ashwell’s final payoff = £2.50. This is accumulated income so:
Measured by historic standard of living = real price = 120 x £2.50 = £300
Measured by economic status value = income value = per capita GDP = 5,200 x £2.50 = £13,000
Measured by economic power value = share of GDP = 29,000 x £2.50 = £73,000
I have rounded the last amount to 2 significant figures as these figures are only estimates.
Another way to understand this is to see that real earnings have multlplied 2100/120 = 17.5 times; and real GDP/head has multiplied 5200/120 = 43 times.
About Sunday 23 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
re: ‘ . . gadding abroad as she has been all this afternoon, I know not whither.’
‘gad, v.2 < Of obscure origin . .
1. a. intr. To go from one place to another, to wander; esp. to wander about with no serious object, stopping here and there, to rove idly. Also to gad about, abroad, out.
. . 1605 W. Camden Remaines ii. 39 He was alwayes gadding vp and downe the world, and had little rest.
1710 A. Philips Pastorals i. 52 She gads where-e'er her roving Fancy leads . . ‘
(OED)
About Saturday 22 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘John Thomas n. . . (b) slang the penis.
1879–80 Pearl (1970) 76 As around her fair form I a firm hold took, And John Thomas I silently buried.
. . 1957 L. Durrell Justine 249 She had neatly tied his dresstie to his John Thomas, a perfect bow.’
So not a bit of slang that Our Hero would’ve recognised!
About Monday 17 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . if I can seasonably . . ’
‘seasonably, adv < Old French . .
. . 1. In a fitting time; at the right moment; in due season.
. . 1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 55 When I was almost senseless, my Surgeon came seasonably, and bound up the wound, and stopt the bleeding.
1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 246 This Sermon was very seasonably deliver'd . . ‘
……...
Re:’ . . By which I perceive the wench is cunning . . ‘
‘cunning, adj. < Old English . .
. . 2. a. Possessing practical knowledge or skill; able, skilful, expert, dexterous, clever. (Formerly the prevailing sense; now only a literary archaism.)
. . 1616 Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 276 And I thought he had beene valiant, and so cunning in Fence.
1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. xix, The tools of Cunninger workmen . .
. . 4. Possessing keen intelligence, wit, or insight; knowing, clever.
. . 1710 A. Philips Pastorals ii. 55 Against ill Luck all cunning Foresight fails . . ‘
………
(OED)
About Saturday 15 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: “ . . he joyed me in my condition . . ”
‘joy, v. < Middle English . .
. . 5. b. To give or wish (a person) joy of something; to congratulate. Const. of (in). Obs.
. . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 22 Aug. (1970) I. 228 In the House..I met with Mr. G. Mountague and joyed him in his entrance [as M.P.] for Dover.
1701 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother iv. i. 1578, I come to joy you of a Crown . . ‘
(OED)
About Thursday 13 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . to be as good as his word . . to a tittle . . ‘:
‘tittle, n. < Middle English titel . .
. . 2.b. to a tittle, with minute exactness, to the smallest particular, to a T.
1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iii. iii. sig. E3v, Ile quote him to a tittle.
1700 S. Patrick Comm. Deut. xxviii. 53 This was fulfilled to a tittle by Vespasian and his son Titus . . ‘
(OED)
………..
About Tuesday 11 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . I did soundly rattle him . . ‘
‘rattle, v.1 < Dutch . .
. . 4. trans. a. To scold or berate; to rail at. Now rare.
. . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 9 Aug. (1974) VIII. 378, I did soundly rattle him for neglecting her so much as he hath done . . ‘
….
Re: ‘ . . they were very kind . . ‘
‘kind, adj. < Old English . .
. . 6. Of persons, their actions, etc.: Affectionate, loving, fond; on intimate terms. †a kind girl: a mistress. Also euphemistically. Now rare exc. dial.
. . 1594 H. Constable Diana (new ed.) viii. i. sig. F4, Women are kind by kind, but coy by fashion.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 110 The next Moon their Women flock to the Sacred Wells; where, they say, it is not difficult to persuade them to be kind.
….
re: ‘ . . do what she list with him . . ’
‘list, v.1< Old English . .
. . 2. With personal construction.
b. Without dependent inf.: To wish, desire, like, choose . .
. . 1611 Bible (King James) John iii. 8 The winde bloweth where it listeth . . ‘
….
(OED)
The post re 'ambage' above relates to tomorrow.
About Wednesday 12 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . in the plainest way and without ambages . . ’
‘ambage, n. < 14th cent. French . .
. . 3. For delay: Circumlocutions, beating about the bush . .
. . 1678 A. Behn Sir Patient Fancy v. i. 73 Without more Ambages Sir, I have consider'd your former desires, and have consented to marry him . . ‘
(OED)
About Tuesday 11 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . . in the plainest way and without ambages . . ’
‘ambage, n. < 14th cent. French . .
. . 3. For delay: Circumlocutions, beating about the bush . .
. . 1678 A. Behn Sir Patient Fancy v. i. 73 Without more Ambages Sir, I have consider'd your former desires, and have consented to marry him . . ‘
(OED)
About Monday 10 August 1663
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ‘ . .. some fine books of the Italian buildings, with fine cuts . . ’
cut, n.2 < Old Germanic . .
. . 22. a. A design cut or engraved upon wood, copper, or steel; the impression from this; an engraving, a plate . .
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 258 Set forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs by Cevallerius.
1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura iii. 23 The Invention of Copper-cuts, and their Impressions.
1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura iv. 84 With some other cuts in wood known by his mark..All those excellent
. . 1695 London Gaz. No. 3131/3 The Cutts of the University..richly bound, and Printed in Folio at the Theatre . . ‘
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Re: ‘ . . the latter part [Greatorex] slubbered over . .
'slubber, v. < Dutch . .
. . 4. To run or skim over hurriedly and in a careless or slovenly manner . . In very common use in the 17th century.
1649 W. Blith Eng. Improver xiv. 80, I dare say, one Acre of Corne thus throughly husbanded, may be worth two Acres, nay three, slubbered over.
1670 R. Baxter Duty Heavenly Medit. 23 Which may be lost by hasty breaking off, and slubbering over so great a business . . ‘
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(OED)