If you don't have access to the unexpurgated edition of the diary, you will usually find that (as in Terry Foreman's first annotation in this particular set) one of the annotators who does have a complete text will provide the missing material and also offer a translation of Sam's pseudo-cryptic remarks.
Indeed, but also mindful of his own safety. Sam has had occasion in the past to travel down-river to various vessels and will no doubt have similar occasion in the future. There, but for the grace of God.......etc.
We discussed the meaning of 'homely' before and I believe we came to the consensus view that it meant 'plain' rather than downright unattractive or ugly.
It simply showed some respect towards a woman, whether young or old, married or single, to address her or refer to her as 'Mistress.'
Pepys is himself cited by OED as the earliest user of "Miss" as the titular prefix for an unmarried girl in 1666/7. Prior to that date, a 'miss' was understood to be a kept woman (mistress in the modern sense) or concubine.
I should imagine that Pepys spoke like the Londoner that he, essentially, was. Shakespeare came from the West Midlands (Warwickshire) so his rhymes/puns are by no means an infallible guide to the speech of the 'Golden Triangle' (London-Oxford-Cambridge) of the 17th century.
His choice of wife, one presumes. She may be living mighty fine and happy, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she's a social, professional or financial asset to her husband.
These do seem to have been known in 17th century Europe, but are said to have been used by royalty and the aristocracy only. Also Europe is specified, rather than England or Britain.
Pepys has certainly never mentioned either leaving cards or having them printed. Perhaps whichever servant, clerk or other underling observed our man's arrival was expected to inform his employer in due course that he had been looked-for by Mr. Pepys of the Navy Office.
Or a working visitors' book, perhaps? Though if that were the case we might expect to find mention of such an article, either at the time or as an antique curiosity.
I imagine that the hone is exactly what it says that it is: a kind of whetstone, used for putting a good edge onto knives, scissors, razors etc. The size and shape of the hone bought would depend upon the kind of work that it was needed for.
Perhaps the kitchen knives at Seething Lane were blunt.
Being positioned at Charing Cross, this shop was handily placed for ladies living either in London or in Westminster. There were significantly moneyed families in both.
In this domestic case, I should have thought that this meant that Sam and Elizabeth were simply saying,"Not so!" or something similar, with 'give the lie' being loosely used to indicate lack of factual (or perceived) truth.
The cause of Batten's huff seems to be that, although Penn has emphasized the importance of his own signature on such a letter (laid great weight on his hand), he has also indicated that he is too important to wait (stay for) said letter to be brought to Batten's place.
Pepys seems to gain more immediate satisfaction in recording his smoothing over of Batten's ill-temper and getting his business finished than might be had in criticizing Penn yet again. Batten has already done the peevish bit - here comes Sam the facilitator.
Comments
First Reading
About Tuesday 18 December 1666
Mary • Link
those dot-dot-dots
If you don't have access to the unexpurgated edition of the diary, you will usually find that (as in Terry Foreman's first annotation in this particular set) one of the annotators who does have a complete text will provide the missing material and also offer a translation of Sam's pseudo-cryptic remarks.
About Tuesday 18 December 1666
Mary • Link
Sorry for poor Batters.
Indeed, but also mindful of his own safety. Sam has had occasion in the past to travel down-river to various vessels and will no doubt have similar occasion in the future. There, but for the grace of God.......etc.
About Tuesday 11 December 1666
Mary • Link
"a most homely widow"
We discussed the meaning of 'homely' before and I believe we came to the consensus view that it meant 'plain' rather than downright unattractive or ugly.
About Monday 10 December 1666
Mary • Link
Warren's 'forecast'.
Foresight, skilled anticipation, even prudence.
About Sunday 12 August 1660
Mary • Link
Mrs. (Mistress) Lane.
It simply showed some respect towards a woman, whether young or old, married or single, to address her or refer to her as 'Mistress.'
Pepys is himself cited by OED as the earliest user of "Miss" as the titular prefix for an unmarried girl in 1666/7. Prior to that date, a 'miss' was understood to be a kept woman (mistress in the modern sense) or concubine.
About Saturday 8 December 1666
Mary • Link
Pepys's accent.
I should imagine that Pepys spoke like the Londoner that he, essentially, was. Shakespeare came from the West Midlands (Warwickshire) so his rhymes/puns are by no means an infallible guide to the speech of the 'Golden Triangle' (London-Oxford-Cambridge) of the 17th century.
About Friday 7 December 1666
Mary • Link
His choice of wife, one presumes. She may be living mighty fine and happy, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she's a social, professional or financial asset to her husband.
About Friday 30 November 1666
Mary • Link
chef.
The earliest OED citation of 'chef' as a stand-alone noun is from 1842.
The etymonline date of 1826 is not supported by a specific quotation or source.
About Thursday 29 November 1666
Mary • Link
calling cards,visiting cards.
These do seem to have been known in 17th century Europe, but are said to have been used by royalty and the aristocracy only. Also Europe is specified, rather than England or Britain.
Pepys has certainly never mentioned either leaving cards or having them printed. Perhaps whichever servant, clerk or other underling observed our man's arrival was expected to inform his employer in due course that he had been looked-for by Mr. Pepys of the Navy Office.
Or a working visitors' book, perhaps? Though if that were the case we might expect to find mention of such an article, either at the time or as an antique curiosity.
About Wednesday 14 November 1666
Mary • Link
a hone.
I imagine that the hone is exactly what it says that it is: a kind of whetstone, used for putting a good edge onto knives, scissors, razors etc. The size and shape of the hone bought would depend upon the kind of work that it was needed for.
Perhaps the kitchen knives at Seething Lane were blunt.
About Thursday 15 November 1666
Mary • Link
Unthankes.
Being positioned at Charing Cross, this shop was handily placed for ladies living either in London or in Westminster. There were significantly moneyed families in both.
About Tuesday 27 November 1666
Mary • Link
"my people sitting up to get things in order against tomorrow"
I doubt that much sitting was being done. "Sitting up" appears as a stock expression that simply indicates staying up late for some purpose.
About Thursday 22 November 1666
Mary • Link
"give one another the lie too much"
In this domestic case, I should have thought that this meant that Sam and Elizabeth were simply saying,"Not so!" or something similar, with 'give the lie' being loosely used to indicate lack of factual (or perceived) truth.
About Thursday 22 November 1666
Mary • Link
"he was yesterday sworn the king's servant"
The 17th century version of acquiring the Royal Warrant?
About Thursday 22 November 1666
Mary • Link
"my wife and I fell out...."
Sam presumably relented when it came to the question of his wife's portrait being painted; that neckline is cut very low
About Monday 19 November 1666
Mary • Link
Half-foxed.
Indeed; not wholly drunk but decidedly merry. To put it another way, he's half-seas over.
About Thursday 15 November 1666
Mary • Link
Just so. Thanks, Pedro.
About Sunday 18 November 1666
Mary • Link
problems with signatures.
The cause of Batten's huff seems to be that, although Penn has emphasized the importance of his own signature on such a letter (laid great weight on his hand), he has also indicated that he is too important to wait (stay for) said letter to be brought to Batten's place.
Pepys seems to gain more immediate satisfaction in recording his smoothing over of Batten's ill-temper and getting his business finished than might be had in criticizing Penn yet again. Batten has already done the peevish bit - here comes Sam the facilitator.
About Friday 16 November 1666
Mary • Link
Yes, they do.
See annotations to entry for 14th November 1666.
About Thursday 15 November 1666
Mary • Link
"only the Queen had none"
Could this have been a deliberate sartorial statement by the queen? Her dignity needed no 'bling' to support it?