From the 16th to the 18th centuries the singular form 'sense' was occasionally used where we would more commonly expect to find the plural 'senses'.
Pepys uses the term here to allude briefly to the conflict between the rational faculty (judgment) and the more instinctive, less worthy human capacity to seek pleasure through the senses.
In philosophical, religious and poetic traditions one finds many elaborate expressions of this kind of human conflict, frequently depicted as a debate between the soul and the body.
Undoubtedly some of Pepys's capital is tied up, but in this instance I think that he's leading himself in more general terms to consideration of the uncomfortable way in which the wheel of fortune can turn. When you have money, it's much easier to borrow more than when you're really strapped for cash. The lack of 10s. in ready money in his pocket has given him pause for thought; where might he turn if financial disaster were to overtake him?
Why? Did he need it for warmth on the river trip, but feels it will be a nuisance in church? No mention of any return to The Swan to pick it up again. (Another little errand for the boy to run tomorrow?)
Or does the expression' to lay down one's cloak' signify an amorous assignation?
In 1663 Cholmley was given charge of the building of the mole at Tangier, so he already has prior knowledge of the base there; thus as well-placed as anyone to exercise the role of governor and better than many.
The Queen's Chapel was indeed a Roman Catholic chapel, so one would not expect there to have been a Mass celebrated on Good Friday - though Sam does not appear to have realised that this would be the case. He was, after all, brought up by an apparently sectarian mother in a broadly Anglican household.
Hales may have made a very good job of the landscape background, but Sam clearly felt that it distracted the eye from the portrait itself. I think that he had a point - no-one can deny the presence of the subject in the picture that has come down to us.
No mention of any additional payment being exacted by Hales for the additional work, injured professional pride etc. involved in this revision.
This was a neat little scheme that must have delighted the seamen. Each month a groat (fourpence) was docked from a man's pay, the resulting accumulated sum being earmarked for the provision of naval chaplains.
According to L&M, by an order of February 1665, any surplus was to be paid to the commanding admiral. £1000 would seem to represent quite a handsome surplus. Allin's payment was ordered by the Duke of York the previous July but, as shown by Pepys entry for 8th April 1666, a dispute arose between Allin and Mr. Wayth about the use to which some of the money was put
(Just in case our overseas colleagues haven't had the chance to note this) "homely"is no longer used in this sense - 'plain, unattractive' - in modern Standard English, though it may survive in some dialectal contexts.
"mighty homely" sounds very American to most English ears.
Perhaps because Elizabeth didn't care to have workmen traipsing through her private closet in order to get to the leads. Let's hope that all the mess is thoroughly cleaned up before she gets back from Brampton and that nothing got broken or damaged in the meanwhile.
While the cat's away the mice will play: enter Mrs. Bagwell after quite a lengthy break.
L&M note that burials from all causes had decreased by 16 from the previous week, but that plague burials had increased from 26 to 28. Presumably this is what Pepys means.
Sam hasn't mentioned his wig(s) for a long time. No discussion of them being sent to the wig-maker's for 'dressing' as was alluded to in the past. Perhaps he quietly abandoned them pro. tem. during the plague year?
Septicaemic plague could kill within a matter of hours, but if this had been Chiffinch's malady then one would have expected him to be in worse state than 'not very ill' an hour before his death. However, if plague had appeared on top of a pre-existing, threatening condition (e.g. coronary heart disease) then I suppose that death could have been very sudden. Chiffinch was not a young man. All pure speculation, of course.
She had just finished sitting for the artist for the first time and his initial sketching-in of her face (the first dash) already look much like the sitter.
One wonders whether Mrs. Hunt dropped in on the off-chance that Sam would lend her the money, or whether this arrangement had been agreed beforehand. The latter seems the more likely but, as Cape Henry remarks, why the need for the loan if her husband is doing so well? If he's a tight-fisted man, then Mrs. H. may have difficulty in paying the money back.
Has Sam allowed sentiment to overrule scruple for once?
"he promises me presently a dozen of silver salts"
Sam used to be scrupulous in declining to agree the nature of a 'gift' before the piece of business proposed had actually been effected. It looks as if he's relaxing that practice here. Perhaps the fact that Cocke has become a trusted friend and companion has something to do with it.
Comments
First Reading
About Tuesday 17 April 1666
Mary • Link
sense
From the 16th to the 18th centuries the singular form 'sense' was occasionally used where we would more commonly expect to find the plural 'senses'.
Pepys uses the term here to allude briefly to the conflict between the rational faculty (judgment) and the more instinctive, less worthy human capacity to seek pleasure through the senses.
In philosophical, religious and poetic traditions one finds many elaborate expressions of this kind of human conflict, frequently depicted as a debate between the soul and the body.
About Monday 16 April 1666
Mary • Link
Borrowing from Sandwich?
I doubt it. His finances have always seemed precarious and his present term as Ambassador to Spain is unlikely to improve that situation.
About Monday 16 April 1666
Mary • Link
citizen woman.
One of Dr. Johnson's definitions of 'citizen' is "a townsman; a man of trade; not a gentleman."
Possibly a fit for this context: not a lady, a bit common.
About Monday 16 April 1666
Mary • Link
"... so God keep me from want"
Undoubtedly some of Pepys's capital is tied up, but in this instance I think that he's leading himself in more general terms to consideration of the uncomfortable way in which the wheel of fortune can turn. When you have money, it's much easier to borrow more than when you're really strapped for cash. The lack of 10s. in ready money in his pocket has given him pause for thought; where might he turn if financial disaster were to overtake him?
About Sunday 15 April 1666
Mary • Link
"... to The Swan to lay down my cloak"
Why? Did he need it for warmth on the river trip, but feels it will be a nuisance in church? No mention of any return to The Swan to pick it up again. (Another little errand for the boy to run tomorrow?)
Or does the expression' to lay down one's cloak' signify an amorous assignation?
About Saturday 14 April 1666
Mary • Link
In 1663 Cholmley was given charge of the building of the mole at Tangier, so he already has prior knowledge of the base there; thus as well-placed as anyone to exercise the role of governor and better than many.
About Friday 13 April 1666
Mary • Link
no masse this day.
The Queen's Chapel was indeed a Roman Catholic chapel, so one would not expect there to have been a Mass celebrated on Good Friday - though Sam does not appear to have realised that this would be the case. He was, after all, brought up by an apparently sectarian mother in a broadly Anglican household.
About Friday 13 April 1666
Mary • Link
The putting out of the landscape.
Hales may have made a very good job of the landscape background, but Sam clearly felt that it distracted the eye from the portrait itself. I think that he had a point - no-one can deny the presence of the subject in the picture that has come down to us.
No mention of any additional payment being exacted by Hales for the additional work, injured professional pride etc. involved in this revision.
About Thursday 12 April 1666
Mary • Link
http://pepysdiary.com/archive/166…
About Thursday 12 April 1666
Mary • Link
"...out of the groats"
This was a neat little scheme that must have delighted the seamen. Each month a groat (fourpence) was docked from a man's pay, the resulting accumulated sum being earmarked for the provision of naval chaplains.
According to L&M, by an order of February 1665, any surplus was to be paid to the commanding admiral. £1000 would seem to represent quite a handsome surplus. Allin's payment was ordered by the Duke of York the previous July but, as shown by Pepys entry for 8th April 1666, a dispute arose between Allin and Mr. Wayth about the use to which some of the money was put
www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1666/0…
About Thursday 12 April 1666
Mary • Link
She grows mighty homely and looks old.
Poor woman!
(Just in case our overseas colleagues haven't had the chance to note this) "homely"is no longer used in this sense - 'plain, unattractive' - in modern Standard English, though it may survive in some dialectal contexts.
"mighty homely" sounds very American to most English ears.
About Wednesday 11 April 1666
Mary • Link
"never had a fit opportunity till now."
Perhaps because Elizabeth didn't care to have workmen traipsing through her private closet in order to get to the leads. Let's hope that all the mess is thoroughly cleaned up before she gets back from Brampton and that nothing got broken or damaged in the meanwhile.
While the cat's away the mice will play: enter Mrs. Bagwell after quite a lengthy break.
About Tuesday 10 April 1666
Mary • Link
re: the portrait.
We know that Sam borrowed (or hired) the "Indian robe" that he wears in the portrait. Perhaps his donning of a wig was equally temporary?
About Tuesday 10 April 1666
Mary • Link
"...... and two increased in the sicknesse."
L&M note that burials from all causes had decreased by 16 from the previous week, but that plague burials had increased from 26 to 28. Presumably this is what Pepys means.
About Tuesday 10 April 1666
Mary • Link
Sam hasn't mentioned his wig(s) for a long time. No discussion of them being sent to the wig-maker's for 'dressing' as was alluded to in the past. Perhaps he quietly abandoned them pro. tem. during the plague year?
About Sunday 8 April 1666
Mary • Link
I don't think that an imposthume can be unequivocally equated with a bubo.
OED impost(h)ume: a purulent swelling or cyst in any part of the body; an abscess.
Septicaemic plague is usually regarded as a different manifestation from either pneumonic or bubonic plague.
And as I said before, it's all a matter of pure speculation unless we are given further information about the state of Chiffinch's illness and corpse.
About Sunday 8 April 1666
Mary • Link
Septicaemic plague could kill within a matter of hours, but if this had been Chiffinch's malady then one would have expected him to be in worse state than 'not very ill' an hour before his death. However, if plague had appeared on top of a pre-existing, threatening condition (e.g. coronary heart disease) then I suppose that death could have been very sudden. Chiffinch was not a young man.
All pure speculation, of course.
About Saturday 7 April 1666
Mary • Link
She had just finished sitting for the artist for the first time and his initial sketching-in of her face (the first dash) already look much like the sitter.
About Friday 6 April 1666
Mary • Link
Loan of £5 to Mrs. Hunt.
One wonders whether Mrs. Hunt dropped in on the off-chance that Sam would lend her the money, or whether this arrangement had been agreed beforehand. The latter seems the more likely but, as Cape Henry remarks, why the need for the loan if her husband is doing so well? If he's a tight-fisted man, then Mrs. H. may have difficulty in paying the money back.
Has Sam allowed sentiment to overrule scruple for once?
About Wednesday 4 April 1666
Mary • Link
"he promises me presently a dozen of silver salts"
Sam used to be scrupulous in declining to agree the nature of a 'gift' before the piece of business proposed had actually been effected. It looks as if he's relaxing that practice here. Perhaps the fact that Cocke has become a trusted friend and companion has something to do with it.