Two separate but connected actions annoy and offend Sam. Both concern propriety.
Firstly, Pen's evident exasperation at having to send the coach back for his wife. It's 'letting the side down' to allow his displeasure (i.e. Pen's) to be observed, not least to be observed by the coachman because that leads, in turn to...
.... the gross impertinence of the coachman uttering such blasphemous words about his employer's wife. Whatever a servant may think about this master or mistress, it is intolerable that he should utter such sentiments in the hearing of others.
We don't know what kind of chaldrons Sam is talking about here. The Newcastle chaldron was legally fixed at 52.5 cwt in 1678 (5880lbs) whereas the London chaldron was much smaller at 28cwt (3136lbs).
Elizabeth seems to be spending an awful lot of time at Unthankes and the New Exchange in recent weeks. Can she be waiting for a particular cargo of silks or chintzes to arrive in port?
This would indeed have been a gown, not a nightdress. The equivalent of the modern nightdress would have been a (night)shift, a much simpler garment. One might compare the nightgown to a housecoat or something similar. A bit more dressy than the modern dressing-gown.
The Exchange ('Change') that Elizabeth visits is not the Royal Exchange (which was, indeed destroyed in the fire) but the New Exchange in The Strand, which was not touched by the Great Fire.
The New Exchange is a 17th century shopping mall that specializes in luxury goods.
The OED has two suggestions: a large, often highly decorated vessel which held water - used for rinsing plates as necessary during the course of a meal. Alternatively, a vessel to hold a large quantity of liquor.
The former sounds the more likely in this instance.
It had become the fashion amongst ladies of the higher class to wear a vizard when 'out on the town' - at the theatre or, as here, at such mixed gatherings as Bartholomew Fair. Sam had bought Elizabeth a vizard about four years previously, having observed Lady Falconbridge to put one on in the theatre.
The wearing of a vizard was also, at various times, the mark of a prostitute and fell out of fashion at the end of the 17th century. Could this have been why young Hartlib made his approach to Elizabeth?
Yes, I'm sure that Pepys is complaining about the actors and their lack of professionalism. The odd instance of corpsing can amuse an audience, but once the actors really lose control of themselves then the audience has every right to feel offended. Why should the paying public take the performance seriously ("being all of them out" = not having learnt their parts properly) if the actors are not prepared to do so?
Indeed, the entire household and quite probably Sam would have included Will Hewer in his thoughts on the subject, even though he no longer actually lived in the house but was a trusted, long-term and close employee-cum-colleague.
Whilst all this high politicking is going on, let's not forget that there is a family situation unfolding - Clarendon is the father of Anne, wife to James, Duke of York.
is shown by the manner in which these loans are being raised. The letter sent to the Board by the Duke of York asked for a list of names of those stumping up and the sums that they had lent so that an account of their 'zeal for the King's service' might be known. Just a bit of pressure being applied.
As to the terms of the loan, that 10% interest contains two elements, as noted by L&M. To the 6% statutory rate is added a further 4% for all sums loaned before 1st November. Money coming in after 1st November would only command a premium of 2% over the statutory rate.
Mrs. Williams's closet was the small room where she kept (probably in a cabinet) the various treasures, curiosities, objets de vertu etc. that she had collected or been given at various points. These collections were often shown off to visitors.
Sam feared that if he acceded to an invitation to view Mrs. Williams's collections, courtesy would oblige him to offer to add to her inventory by making her a gift of some suitable knick-knack.
Elizabeth conducts a successful negotiation for the purchase of the cuffs and I expect that their acquisition is the reason for her trip to the New Exchange. "a way was found that she had them" means " a way was found that she should have them." It doesn't mean that she had already bought them before the argument took place.
Comments
First Reading
About Sunday 15 September 1667
Mary • Link
Sam's concern about Mrs. Markham.
Again, as with the record of two days ago (the business of Pen's coach and coachman) it is the proprieties that concern Sam.
About Friday 13 September 1667
Mary • Link
Did he mention it?
No, I don't think so - at least, not yet. The clue is in the "could" not "did".
About Friday 13 September 1667
Mary • Link
Tentative analysis.
Two separate but connected actions annoy and offend Sam. Both concern propriety.
Firstly, Pen's evident exasperation at having to send the coach back for his wife. It's 'letting the side down' to allow his displeasure (i.e. Pen's) to be observed, not least to be observed by the coachman because that leads, in turn to...
.... the gross impertinence of the coachman uttering such blasphemous words about his employer's wife. Whatever a servant may think about this master or mistress, it is intolerable that he should utter such sentiments in the hearing of others.
About Friday 13 September 1667
Mary • Link
Those chaldrons.
We don't know what kind of chaldrons Sam is talking about here. The Newcastle chaldron was legally fixed at 52.5 cwt in 1678 (5880lbs) whereas the London chaldron was much smaller at 28cwt (3136lbs).
About Tuesday 10 September 1667
Mary • Link
"set my wife down at the 'Change"
Elizabeth seems to be spending an awful lot of time at Unthankes and the New Exchange in recent weeks. Can she be waiting for a particular cargo of silks or chintzes to arrive in port?
About Saturday 7 September 1667
Mary • Link
Elizabeth's new nightgown.
This would indeed have been a gown, not a nightdress. The equivalent of the modern nightdress would have been a (night)shift, a much simpler garment. One might compare the nightgown to a housecoat or something similar. A bit more dressy than the modern dressing-gown.
About Saturday 7 September 1667
Mary • Link
The Exchange ('Change') that Elizabeth visits is not the Royal Exchange (which was, indeed destroyed in the fire) but the New Exchange in The Strand, which was not touched by the Great Fire.
The New Exchange is a 17th century shopping mall that specializes in luxury goods.
About Saturday 7 September 1667
Mary • Link
cistern.
The OED has two suggestions: a large, often highly decorated vessel which held water - used for rinsing plates as necessary during the course of a meal. Alternatively, a vessel to hold a large quantity of liquor.
The former sounds the more likely in this instance.
About Friday 6 September 1667
Mary • Link
the fashionable vizard.
It had become the fashion amongst ladies of the higher class to wear a vizard when 'out on the town' - at the theatre or, as here, at such mixed gatherings as Bartholomew Fair. Sam had bought Elizabeth a vizard about four years previously, having observed Lady Falconbridge to put one on in the theatre.
The wearing of a vizard was also, at various times, the mark of a prostitute and fell out of fashion at the end of the 17th century. Could this have been why young Hartlib made his approach to Elizabeth?
About Thursday 5 September 1667
Mary • Link
spoil it with their laughing.
Yes, I'm sure that Pepys is complaining about the actors and their lack of professionalism. The odd instance of corpsing can amuse an audience, but once the actors really lose control of themselves then the audience has every right to feel offended. Why should the paying public take the performance seriously ("being all of them out" = not having learnt their parts properly) if the actors are not prepared to do so?
About Monday 2 September 1667
Mary • Link
The Pepys Seething Lane family.
Indeed, the entire household and quite probably Sam would have included Will Hewer in his thoughts on the subject, even though he no longer actually lived in the house but was a trusted, long-term and close employee-cum-colleague.
About Saturday 31 August 1667
Mary • Link
The Seal is the Lord Chancellor's Great Seal of Office. The following link will tell you all about it and the other Great Seals.
http://yeomenoftheguard.com/great…
About Monday 26 August 1667
Mary • Link
Chancellor Clarendon.
Whilst all this high politicking is going on, let's not forget that there is a family situation unfolding - Clarendon is the father of Anne, wife to James, Duke of York.
About Barn Elms
Mary • Link
Barn Elms reservoirs are now the heart of the Barnes Wetlands, a valuable nature reserve.
About Saturday 24 August 1667
Mary • Link
neighbours.
Well, this is pretty non-committal; better than 'foes' but not a good as 'friends'. Just stating a fact.
About Saturday 24 August 1667
Mary • Link
Charles II's urgent need for money
is shown by the manner in which these loans are being raised. The letter sent to the Board by the Duke of York asked for a list of names of those stumping up and the sums that they had lent so that an account of their 'zeal for the King's service' might be known. Just a bit of pressure being applied.
As to the terms of the loan, that 10% interest contains two elements, as noted by L&M. To the 6% statutory rate is added a further 4% for all sums loaned before 1st November. Money coming in after 1st November would only command a premium of 2% over the statutory rate.
About Friday 23 August 1667
Mary • Link
twenty to one
I take it that Coventry thinks it's a racing certainty that there will be clashes over the ratification of the peace treaty.
About Thursday 22 August 1667
Mary • Link
Mrs. Williams's closet was the small room where she kept (probably in a cabinet) the various treasures, curiosities, objets de vertu etc. that she had collected or been given at various points. These collections were often shown off to visitors.
Sam feared that if he acceded to an invitation to view Mrs. Williams's collections, courtesy would oblige him to offer to add to her inventory by making her a gift of some suitable knick-knack.
About Wednesday 21 August 1667
Mary • Link
The cuffs.
Elizabeth conducts a successful negotiation for the purchase of the cuffs and I expect that their acquisition is the reason for her trip to the New Exchange. "a way was found that she had them" means " a way was found that she should have them." It doesn't mean that she had already bought them before the argument took place.
About Tuesday 20 August 1667
Mary • Link
"This troubled me much."
I bet it did. What prospect of this proposed 'loan' ever being repaid?