Nicolas
Annotations and comments
Nicolas has posted 56 annotations/comments since 30 March 2020.
The most recent first…
Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
Nicolas has posted 56 annotations/comments since 30 March 2020.
The most recent first…
Comments
Third Reading
About Tuesday 14 January 1661/62
Nicolas • Link
I’m reminded of Paul McCartney’s song “My Brave Face” on his “Flowers in the Dirt” 1989 LP.
About Restoring Pepys's presses
Nicolas • Link
Such beautiful books, thank you. They must’ve cost Pepys a fortune.
About Wednesday 1 January 1661/62
Nicolas • Link
Unfortunately the London Review of Books is behind a pay wall.
About Sunday 22 December 1661
Nicolas • Link
“…because of the old business which he attempted on my wife.”
Bradford from twenty years ago:
“So not even L&M, with their thorough knowledge, can tell us whether this matter had to do with sex or money---though if you can think of another topic which might get Pepys in a swivet (religion seems unlikely here), speak up.”
I think it must’ve been sexual in nature due to the phrase he used, to wit, “attempted on my wife”, which I take to mean “attempted on her person”. There’s nothing more likely than that to give a husband fits. Maybe this was before Sam knew her? From all accounts she was a beauteous woman.
About Monday 25 November 1661
Nicolas • Link
“ The Irish who emigrated to America and elsewhere brought their religion, music, dance and folklore with them. It is quite possible that Bob Dylan heard this song and may have taken some of the lyrics to set to his own tune.”
About “The Parting Glass” from Wikipedia:
“The Parting Glass" is a Scottish traditional song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It has also long been sung in Ireland, where it remains popular; this has strongly influenced how it is often sung today.
“The Parting Glass" was re-introduced to mid-20th century audiences by the recordings and performances of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
The song "Restless Farewell", written by Bob Dylan and featured on The Times They Are a-Changin' from 1964, uses the melody of the nineteenth century versions of "The Parting Glass" with Dylan's original lyrics. Dylan had learned the tune from the singing of the Clancys and Makem.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The…
About Wednesday 13 March 1660/61
Nicolas • Link
I believe this is the same Captain John Smith who was saved from death by Pocahontas in 1607. She was the daughter of Chief Powhatan. But the story may he apocryphal as Captain Smith only wrote about this incident in 1616.
About Monday 27 February 1659/60
Nicolas • Link
John Evelyn died on today’s date, 27 February, in 1706.
About Wednesday 1 February 1659/60
Nicolas • Link
There is a character Hamfest Gamgee or “The Gaffer” in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
https://tolkiengateway.net/w/inde…
Second Reading
About Monday 30 March 1668
Nicolas • Link
Thanks SDS for the miniatures link. They’re really beautiful!
About Thursday 3 May 1660
Nicolas • Link
“Praised be forever the Lord of Heaven, who only doeth wondrous things, because his mercy endureth forever.”
Evelyn is quoting Psalms 72:18 and Psalms 136 (every verse) of the Authorised Version (KJV).
About Wednesday 26 May 1669
Nicolas • Link
In America a hawkish politician is frequently referred to as a warmonger. And when I was in Scotland some years ago I saw a shop with a sign out front: “Drinkmonger”, which is a liquor store.
About Wednesday 26 May 1669
Nicolas • Link
There are whoremongers too. See Ephesians 5:5, Authorised Version (KJV).
About Saturday 22 May 1669
Nicolas • Link
One of my favorite diary entries is that of 1 Jan 1667/1668 where Pepys visits a gambling house to observe, not to play, and describes at length the odd behavior of the players. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Monday 3 May 1669
Nicolas • Link
"resolve first, and consider it and the fitness of it afterward."
It reminds me of “Marry in haste, repent at leisure”.
About Tuesday 13 April 1669
Nicolas • Link
It seems Pepys was in love with two women. Of course he couldn’t have both. But he was soon to be a widower. One must wonder whether, after a period of mourning, he did not chase after Deb again, possibly to make her his wife? And if not, why not?
Was her social ranking too low, or perhaps she was already attached by then? Or Deb, knowing what sort of man he was, wouldn’t’ve had him in any case.
About Wednesday 3 March 1668/69
Nicolas • Link
Pepys claims to have had “a very good night’s rest” but how could he have if he didn’t get to bed till 2am and then felt sleepy during the play?
About Wednesday 3 March 1668/69
Nicolas • Link
“she-cousin”: I think the masculine is assumed so you’d never see “he-cousin”. The modifier “she” here indicates the exception. In modern usage I’ve seen “she-wolf” and “she-bear” but never in reference to a person. In Roman mythology Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf.
About Tuesday 23 February 1668/69
Nicolas • Link
Stephane, I’m enjoying your witty and learned commentary. I believe you’ve taken on the mantle of Robt. Gertz.
About Monday 25 January 1668/69
Nicolas • Link
John Shakespeare (c. 1531 – 7 September 1601), an English businessman in Stratford-upon-Avon, and the father of William Shakespeare, was a glover.
About Wednesday 21 October 1668
Nicolas • Link
“but he was not within, but I come too late, they being gone before”
“But the man not within”
Pepys is forever going to see someone who is out, so the trip is wasted. So inefficient! No-one could make an appointment? This must’ve been a common practice in the days before telecommunications and just accepted as the cost of doing business.