Plain 'John' indeed. Though quite unlike Pepys in character, Evelyn was another diarist and dedicated public servant (viz. his work for wounded and destitute military and naval veterans) who failed to be recognised with a knighthood.
I echo Judith Boles' thanks. Your postscript offers its own delights, not least the image of poor Balty as Eeyore, finally hoping for nothing more than "the trodden-on bits" that Sam might be able to spare.
I wonder whether the current use of 'rub' in such instances as, "they manage to rub along together" is germane. It indicates a relationship which is by no means ideal but in which both parties manage to accommodate themselves to the deficiencies of the other. It seems a plausible development, but I haven't researched it.
"my mind not fully satisfied about the monies they mean."
A situation familiar to anyone who has tangled with 20th/21st century tax authorities in the UK, who seem to favour this kind of guessing-game. The 'customer' has to guess what the question might be before he tries to provide the relevant answer.
£30 does sound a lot for firing. However, this could represent a debt built up over a long period to someone (in this case Godfrey) who had notable commercial interests in the supply of firing within London. All households would have needed to buy some wood for firing and many would have relied entirely on that for fuel, rather than buying coal that had been transported from the north. Coal was a notoriously dirty fuel.
As for mongers, the only modern usage that comes to mind is 'scandalmonger.' Cheesemongers seem to have disappeared some years ago.
There seems little doubt that the lady was trying to pin paternity onto Sam, but he wasn't playing the game, beyond agreeing to become the child's godfather. A position of responsibility, but a deal less expensive than accepting parental responsibility.
Presumably the child was not born on such a date as to make Mr. Martin suspicious. At no point in the diary so far has Sam even hinted that he might have fathered a child (though he would plainly have wished to have a child of his own) and one has the impression that he had come to accept his own incapacity in this regard. It's possible that either Mrs. Martin genuinely couldn't tell whose child the little girl was, or she was just trying it on with Sam in the hope of financial support.
Could be taken either way. But Pepys has expressed delight in the past at his ability to achieve orgasm simply by imagining ("in conceit")a little casual dalliance.
This was, generally speaking and with some justification, thought to be unsafe to drink - especially in towns and cities, no doubt. The point about the milk served in the park was that it came, very fresh, from the herd of cows that was kept there precisely for that retail purpose. Thus it was deemed both safe (and probably delicious) and also fashionable to drink.
The other safe way to obtain fresh milk was to have a milch cow (or an ass) brought to the door of the house and thus get the liquid as clear of contamination by third parties as possible. In this form milk was deemed useful for infants and those with digestive disorders.
Yes, we all know that feeling and the longer the delay, the less enthusiastic we feel about getting down to the accounts. However, it would be interesting to know how Sam's finances stand these days; he's been spending pretty freely and although he hasn't noted any major individual purchases, the continual outflow of cash on smaller items (e.g.books, tableware, theatres, dinners, coaches etc.) can add up to a tidy sum. Let's hope he makes a thorough examination of his finances before he finally decides whether or not he will run to his own coach, coach-house, horse and coachman.
I take it that people, including the wits, have come round to Harris's dressing room with two objectives; to talk with him and to arrange occasions (assign meetings) on which they will meet him again. Pepys' objective ("Mine") was to make an arrangement to take Harris on a jaunt down river to look at the vessel "The Resolution".
Perhaps we shall see if anything comes of this in future entries.
Terry's reference to the mills that stood near the estuary of the River Ravensbourne brings the 17th century close to home for me. The Ravensbourne rises very close to my home in Kent and the narrow stream that runs through our garden is a minor tributary of it. Here it is home to freshwater shrimp, newts, frogs and water voles with king-cups, reed, iris, ferns and hellebores along the banks. The Deptford Reach end of the river is not quite so pretty.
L&M Companion notes that one Markham, a kinsman (possibly nephew William) of Penn's married Lady Penn's maid (or possibly companion) Nan Wright in 1666. If this is the Mrs. Markham in question, then perhaps Sam is not taking so much of a risk in stealing a quiet, after-dark kiss.
No mention is made of Lady Sandwich as a relation.
No coach travel, in the dark or otherwise, is involved in Mrs. Markham's lighting Sam home. The Penns also live in Navy Office quarters when not at their country seat in Walthamstow. Sam and Mrs. Markham (how young is she, I wonder?) are simply walking from one door to another in the yard.
Comments
First Reading
About A new Pepys walk: Greenwich
Mary • Link
Another vivid guide to parts of Pepys's London and Greenwich. Many thanks to both Phil and Glyn.
About Monday 22 March 1668/69
Mary • Link
"all must go to wrack"
is the L&M reading and most likely to be accurate.
About Monday 31 May 1669
Mary • Link
Plain 'John' indeed. Though quite unlike Pepys in character, Evelyn was another diarist and dedicated public servant (viz. his work for wounded and destitute military and naval veterans) who failed to be recognised with a knighthood.
About The Next Chapter of Samuel Pepys
Mary • Link
I echo Judith Boles' thanks. Your postscript offers its own delights, not least the image of poor Balty as Eeyore, finally hoping for nothing more than "the trodden-on bits" that Sam might be able to spare.
About Belated improvements
Mary • Link
Phil, what a terrific host you continue to be, right to the very end. Again, many thanks.
I didn't get the chance to ask you on Saturday whether you have enjoyed the diary as much as we have over the years - I certainly hope so.
About Thursday 27 October 1664
Mary • Link
more rubbing.
I wonder whether the current use of 'rub' in such instances as, "they manage to rub along together" is germane. It indicates a relationship which is by no means ideal but in which both parties manage to accommodate themselves to the deficiencies of the other. It seems a plausible development, but I haven't researched it.
About Friday 28 May 1669
Mary • Link
"my mind not fully satisfied about the monies they mean."
A situation familiar to anyone who has tangled with 20th/21st century tax authorities in the UK, who seem to favour this kind of guessing-game. The 'customer' has to guess what the question might be before he tries to provide the relevant answer.
About Wednesday 26 May 1669
Mary • Link
Firing.
£30 does sound a lot for firing. However, this could represent a debt built up over a long period to someone (in this case Godfrey) who had notable commercial interests in the supply of firing within London. All households would have needed to buy some wood for firing and many would have relied entirely on that for fuel, rather than buying coal that had been transported from the north. Coal was a notoriously dirty fuel.
As for mongers, the only modern usage that comes to mind is 'scandalmonger.' Cheesemongers seem to have disappeared some years ago.
About Tuesday 25 May 1669
Mary • Link
Good photos, David - but, sadly, I can't get Graham's pictures to appear.
About Wednesday 6 May 1668
Mary • Link
Let's hope the current weather is not too warm, otherwise that salmon pie might be a little high by the time that it gets to Brampton.
About Tuesday 5 May 1668
Mary • Link
Mrs. Martin's claim.
There seems little doubt that the lady was trying to pin paternity onto Sam, but he wasn't playing the game, beyond agreeing to become the child's godfather. A position of responsibility, but a deal less expensive than accepting parental responsibility.
Presumably the child was not born on such a date as to make Mr. Martin suspicious. At no point in the diary so far has Sam even hinted that he might have fathered a child (though he would plainly have wished to have a child of his own) and one has the impression that he had come to accept his own incapacity in this regard. It's possible that either Mrs. Martin genuinely couldn't tell whose child the little girl was, or she was just trying it on with Sam in the hope of financial support.
About Sunday 3 May 1668
Mary • Link
Literally?
Could be taken either way. But Pepys has expressed delight in the past at his ability to achieve orgasm simply by imagining ("in conceit")a little casual dalliance.
About Saturday 2 May 1668
Mary • Link
Milk.
This was, generally speaking and with some justification, thought to be unsafe to drink - especially in towns and cities, no doubt. The point about the milk served in the park was that it came, very fresh, from the herd of cows that was kept there precisely for that retail purpose. Thus it was deemed both safe (and probably delicious) and also fashionable to drink.
The other safe way to obtain fresh milk was to have a milch cow (or an ass) brought to the door of the house and thus get the liquid as clear of contamination by third parties as possible. In this form milk was deemed useful for infants and those with digestive disorders.
About Thursday 30 April 1668
Mary • Link
Nell Pain's lucky escape.
L&M reads: " I should have taken her to Tower Hill para talk together et tocar her."
About Thursday 30 April 1668
Mary • Link
"but I will soon do it."
Yes, we all know that feeling and the longer the delay, the less enthusiastic we feel about getting down to the accounts. However, it would be interesting to know how Sam's finances stand these days; he's been spending pretty freely and although he hasn't noted any major individual purchases, the continual outflow of cash on smaller items (e.g.books, tableware, theatres, dinners, coaches etc.) can add up to a tidy sum. Let's hope he makes a thorough examination of his finances before he finally decides whether or not he will run to his own coach, coach-house, horse and coachman.
About Wednesday 29 April 1668
Mary • Link
"to assign meetings......"
I take it that people, including the wits, have come round to Harris's dressing room with two objectives; to talk with him and to arrange occasions (assign meetings) on which they will meet him again. Pepys' objective ("Mine") was to make an arrangement to take Harris on a jaunt down river to look at the vessel "The Resolution".
Perhaps we shall see if anything comes of this in future entries.
About Tuesday 28 April 1668
Mary • Link
Ravensbourne Mills.
Terry's reference to the mills that stood near the estuary of the River Ravensbourne brings the 17th century close to home for me. The Ravensbourne rises very close to my home in Kent and the narrow stream that runs through our garden is a minor tributary of it. Here it is home to freshwater shrimp, newts, frogs and water voles with king-cups, reed, iris, ferns and hellebores along the banks. The Deptford Reach end of the river is not quite so pretty.
About Monday 27 April 1668
Mary • Link
L&M Companion notes that one Markham, a kinsman (possibly nephew William) of Penn's married Lady Penn's maid (or possibly companion) Nan Wright in 1666. If this is the Mrs. Markham in question, then perhaps Sam is not taking so much of a risk in stealing a quiet, after-dark kiss.
No mention is made of Lady Sandwich as a relation.
About Monday 27 April 1668
Mary • Link
home to Sir W. Penn's
No coach travel, in the dark or otherwise, is involved in Mrs. Markham's lighting Sam home. The Penns also live in Navy Office quarters when not at their country seat in Walthamstow. Sam and Mrs. Markham (how young is she, I wonder?) are simply walking from one door to another in the yard.
About Sunday 26 April 1668
Mary • Link
Indeed, especially if you add Rushforth and Bindtheboy to the company.