"... do not think it [the diamond ring] very suitable for one of our quality ..." This remark puzzles me, particularly the word "our." I have the distinct sense that Sam regards himself and Elizabeth as having moved into a higher social realm than Uncle and Aunt Wight, even though not by birth. And surely the ring is no less suitable for people of their station than the new coach, even if SP is equating Aunt Wight's quality with his own.
I wonder if all that decoration was painted on, or if it was done in elaborate woodcarvings, which would have been considerably more expensive (and more likely to attract envy and derision, I would think).
AnnieC, I believe the coach maker has agreed to take 53L for the job, plus whatever additional sum Sam decides to give him for a good job when the work is completed. A bonus, in other words.
Terry, the answer to your question reveals one's political preferences, at least in the American situation. In rough general terms, and with lots of exceptions, when a choice is to be made, Republicans will favor contracting out, while Democrats will favor direct management. I'd be interested to hear if there is a similar conservative/liberal divide in other countries.
JWB, thanks for the link to Penn's letter. Fascinating reading. A couple of reactions: - Unlike Pepys, Penn seems to use the word "doubt" in a sense much like the current one: "I shall not doubt of giving your royal highness full satisfaction." - One of Penn's excuses for his tardiness in delivering the victuallers' and pursers' accounts is the amount of clerical work it required, examination of hundreds of vouchers. I don't understand why he didn't have clerks to handle this part of the work, like SP did.
Methinks Lord B. is getting feistier in his editing. No ellipsis yesterday for the reference to Jane's breasts, and a risque (for him) note today. Maybe by the time he got this far along in the diary, he figured, "Oh, the hell with it, nobody's still reading it by now anyway."
"if I can but get time to have a copy taken of them, for my future use" Makes me want to send a Xerox machine back through time for Sam to use. Marvelous times we're living in.
"how unfit I am for trouble" This surprises me. Sam reports arguments with colleagues and others all the time, and doesn't seem to lose any sleep over them. Wonder why this spat with Clifford affected him so strongly.
It can't have been a meal after sundown, since he mentions it in the context of "home to supper," which is that late meal. However, I think you may be right about the cold meal meeting the letter of the fasting requirement, if not the spirit.
Thanks, E. Scribo, for that useful comment. I guess Sam figures his next house might have a fireplace and hearth close enough in dimensions to the current one that he can reasonably expect to reinstall the chimney-piece there. He did say the money was not "flung away."
I find it a little surprising that Sam is willing to put a lot of money into installing something as big and permanent as a chimney-piece into the quarters that are provided him because of his position, when he has been hearing talk that his whole office may be facing upheaval. If he loses his job, he loses his house too, and presumably the chimney-piece with it.
I'll second that motion. May is a great time to be in London, and there's a lovely little park with a bust of Samuel in it right across Seething Lane from St. Olave's. Good place to gather.
"I did lay open the whole failings of the Office" A dangerous game, sure to create enemies among his fellow commissioners when they find out about it. It probably stood him in good stead when James became king, but their closeness was a disaster for Sam after 1688.
Samuel Butler as a dinner guest. Wow. Just, wow. Something I might have expected John Evelyn to report, but Sam’s circle is expanding to the truly illustrious now.
Comments
First Reading
About Friday 4 December 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"... do not think it [the diamond ring] very suitable for one of our quality ..."
This remark puzzles me, particularly the word "our." I have the distinct sense that Sam regards himself and Elizabeth as having moved into a higher social realm than Uncle and Aunt Wight, even though not by birth. And surely the ring is no less suitable for people of their station than the new coach, even if SP is equating Aunt Wight's quality with his own.
About Friday 4 December 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"by the help of a tube"
This gave me pause, then I realized it was for his eye.
About Sunday 29 November 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
I wonder if all that decoration was painted on, or if it was done in elaborate woodcarvings, which would have been considerably more expensive (and more likely to attract envy and derision, I would think).
About Saturday 24 October 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
AnnieC, I believe the coach maker has agreed to take 53L for the job, plus whatever additional sum Sam decides to give him for a good job when the work is completed. A bonus, in other words.
About Friday 23 October 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"there was no man in England that had heads to lose, durst do what they do, every day, with the King"
Can someone clarify this for me? Thanks in advance.
About Friday 25 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
Terry, the answer to your question reveals one's political preferences, at least in the American situation. In rough general terms, and with lots of exceptions, when a choice is to be made, Republicans will favor contracting out, while Democrats will favor direct management. I'd be interested to hear if there is a similar conservative/liberal divide in other countries.
About At home with Mr and Mrs Pepys
Paul Chapin • Link
Terrific. Thanks so much.
About Thursday 17 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
JWB, thanks for the link to Penn's letter. Fascinating reading. A couple of reactions:
- Unlike Pepys, Penn seems to use the word "doubt" in a sense much like the current one: "I shall not doubt of giving your royal highness full satisfaction."
- One of Penn's excuses for his tardiness in delivering the victuallers' and pursers' accounts is the amount of clerical work it required, examination of hundreds of vouchers. I don't understand why he didn't have clerks to handle this part of the work, like SP did.
About Thursday 17 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
Methinks Lord B. is getting feistier in his editing. No ellipsis yesterday for the reference to Jane's breasts, and a risque (for him) note today. Maybe by the time he got this far along in the diary, he figured, "Oh, the hell with it, nobody's still reading it by now anyway."
About Sunday 13 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
I intended to add, for all the similarities we note between then and now, there's also a lot that's very different.
About Sunday 13 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"if I can but get time to have a copy taken of them, for my future use"
Makes me want to send a Xerox machine back through time for Sam to use. Marvelous times we're living in.
About Wednesday 9 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"how unfit I am for trouble"
This surprises me. Sam reports arguments with colleagues and others all the time, and doesn't seem to lose any sleep over them. Wonder why this spat with Clifford affected him so strongly.
About Wednesday 2 September 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
It can't have been a meal after sundown, since he mentions it in the context of "home to supper," which is that late meal. However, I think you may be right about the cold meal meeting the letter of the fasting requirement, if not the spirit.
About Saturday 29 August 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
The timid clerk of a few years ago didn't have 5,000L of his own stashed away. Makes a difference.
About Friday 14 August 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
Thanks, E. Scribo, for that useful comment. I guess Sam figures his next house might have a fireplace and hearth close enough in dimensions to the current one that he can reasonably expect to reinstall the chimney-piece there. He did say the money was not "flung away."
About Friday 14 August 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
I find it a little surprising that Sam is willing to put a lot of money into installing something as big and permanent as a chimney-piece into the quarters that are provided him because of his position, when he has been hearing talk that his whole office may be facing upheaval. If he loses his job, he loses his house too, and presumably the chimney-piece with it.
About Sunday 2 August 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
I'll second that motion. May is a great time to be in London, and there's a lovely little park with a bust of Samuel in it right across Seething Lane from St. Olave's. Good place to gather.
About Friday 24 July 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
"I did lay open the whole failings of the Office"
A dangerous game, sure to create enemies among his fellow commissioners when they find out about it. It probably stood him in good stead when James became king, but their closeness was a disaster for Sam after 1688.
About Sunday 19 July 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
Samuel Butler as a dinner guest. Wow. Just, wow. Something I might have expected John Evelyn to report, but Sam’s circle is expanding to the truly illustrious now.
About Sunday 19 July 1668
Paul Chapin • Link
Terry, I thought this Cooper was the artist who makes miniatures, as the link says. Was he also a lutenist, or was that a different Cooper?