Pepys himself refers to 'scratchings' - i.e. crossings out. I assume that L&M allude to the editorial intention, rather than the fact, when they describe these scratchings/crossings out as erasures.
I'm not at all sure that she can be classified as a common law wife in these circumstances, though Pepys may be concurring with 'society' that she is Brouncker's accepted companion. (Today's 'partner' in PC terms).
But she wasn't. I can find no reference to Brouncker ever having had a wife. Abigail Williams was long separated from her husband, but since that marriage was still in existence, she and Brouncker could not marry. The depth of his feeling and regard for her is indicated by the fact that she was the chief beneficiary named in his will.
Sam really is making Povy feel the difference in their positions as regards matters of finance and accounting, isn't he? Povy has to start the day early in order to travel from Whitehall to Sam's chamber for a 6 a.m. meeting and then is dismissed later in the day when he is "a little too late" for a further meeting.
At this point Povey is a solid citizen of mature (51) years. It must be a bit galling for him to be treated thus by a chap who's nearly 20 years younger than him.
The acceptable (and practical) manner of using salt from an open cellar was and is to place a modest spoonful of it on the rim of the plate and then take up small pinches between finger and thumb to scatter gently over the food if required. No question of dumping great clumps of it across one's plate directly from the spoon.
Consider; these may be kid gloves, in which case they will have to be thrown away once they get dirty, especially if they are pretty, light-coloured ones. Perhaps they are intended to last until next Valentine's Day at the rate of one pair a month.
"getting myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships."
Revenons a nos moutons, Sam. It seems like a long time since the man showed interest and delight in acquiring some of the technical knowledge attached to ships and ship-building.
Women had long been essential to the provision and sale of ale and beer (the ale-wife) in both town and country, so it is not surprising that they also extended their roles to the more general one of managing (or helping to manage) taverns.
As noted in 'our' encyclopedia, L&M state that Mr. Hill spent most of his working life in Lisbon as an agent for the Houblon brothers, so perhaps that is where he is going.
Pepys is acting more or less as Betty Lane's pawnbroker. He lends her £5 against some gold articles (not actual coins) that are worth somewhat less than that. She needs the ready money more than she needs the rings, bracelets or whatever. Presumably she regards this transaction as being more discreet than dealing with a goldsmith. She's also getting a better rate than she would at the goldsmith's.
Had Elizabeth warned him that dinner would be early because she had to get to Hales's studio? Sam, nevertheless, was late and found that his wife had already departed. Having eaten, he then hurried after her.
I take this to refer to Hooke. He is the last-named person and also the one with the expanding interest in optics, surveying etc. and hence most likely to be interested in matters of visual analysis and reproduction.
Little Mrs. Tooker ("a pretty child she is") and Elizabeth are about to spend an afternoon together and Sam doesn't appear to be concerned by worries over their conversation taking a dangerous turn. I presume that the 20s. mentioned refers to money likely to be spent whilst shopping rather than hush-money to the little Miss.
"this being publickly known" is probably the aspect that sticks hardest in Pepys craw. The episode with Mrs. Bagwell was, so far as we know, kept 'decently' private.
Comments
First Reading
About Saturday 17 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
"almost broke my neck.."
Ah, Sam, "il faut soufrir pour etre belle" (or "beau", in your case).
About Friday 16 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
erasures.
Pepys himself refers to 'scratchings' - i.e. crossings out. I assume that L&M allude to the editorial intention, rather than the fact, when they describe these scratchings/crossings out as erasures.
About Friday 16 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
I'm not at all sure that she can be classified as a common law wife in these circumstances, though Pepys may be concurring with 'society' that she is Brouncker's accepted companion. (Today's 'partner' in PC terms).
About Friday 16 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
"for, for"
Both words perform their proper, grammatical function.
The first explains why Sam has scratched so much - "I began to write idle"- and the second explains why he began to write idle - "want of sleep."
About Friday 16 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
"who without question must be my lord's wife"
But she wasn't. I can find no reference to Brouncker ever having had a wife. Abigail Williams was long separated from her husband, but since that marriage was still in existence, she and Brouncker could not marry. The depth of his feeling and regard for her is indicated by the fact that she was the chief beneficiary named in his will.
About Wednesday 14 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
Sam really is making Povy feel the difference in their positions as regards matters of finance and accounting, isn't he? Povy has to start the day early in order to travel from Whitehall to Sam's chamber for a 6 a.m. meeting and then is dismissed later in the day when he is "a little too late" for a further meeting.
At this point Povey is a solid citizen of mature (51) years. It must be a bit galling for him to be treated thus by a chap who's nearly 20 years younger than him.
About Monday 12 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
salt and table-manners.
The acceptable (and practical) manner of using salt from an open cellar was and is to place a modest spoonful of it on the rim of the plate and then take up small pinches between finger and thumb to scatter gently over the food if required. No question of dumping great clumps of it across one's plate directly from the spoon.
About Saturday 10 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
Consider; these may be kid gloves, in which case they will have to be thrown away once they get dirty, especially if they are pretty, light-coloured ones. Perhaps they are intended to last until next Valentine's Day at the rate of one pair a month.
About Friday 9 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
"getting myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships."
Revenons a nos moutons, Sam. It seems like a long time since the man showed interest and delight in acquiring some of the technical knowledge attached to ships and ship-building.
About Thursday 8 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
"female doing a man's work"
Women had long been essential to the provision and sale of ale and beer (the ale-wife) in both town and country, so it is not surprising that they also extended their roles to the more general one of managing (or helping to manage) taverns.
About Sunday 4 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
GFC?
About Friday 2 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
Thanks, Graham T. That's the obvious answer in this case.
About Friday 2 March 1665/66
Mary • Link
Mr. Hill departs.
As noted in 'our' encyclopedia, L&M state that Mr. Hill spent most of his working life in Lisbon as an agent for the Houblon brothers, so perhaps that is where he is going.
About Wednesday 28 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
tangible appreciation of Mrs. Knipp.
Appearance-money, perhaps? She clearly lends some glamour to Pepys & Co. especially when they are in company.
About Wednesday 28 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
Pepys is acting more or less as Betty Lane's pawnbroker. He lends her £5 against some gold articles (not actual coins) that are worth somewhat less than that. She needs the ready money more than she needs the rings, bracelets or whatever. Presumably she regards this transaction as being more discreet than dealing with a goldsmith. She's also getting a better rate than she would at the goldsmith's.
About Tuesday 27 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
late to dinner
Had Elizabeth warned him that dinner would be early because she had to get to Hales's studio? Sam, nevertheless, was late and found that his wife had already departed. Having eaten, he then hurried after her.
About Wednesday 21 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
anon alone with me
I take this to refer to Hooke. He is the last-named person and also the one with the expanding interest in optics, surveying etc. and hence most likely to be interested in matters of visual analysis and reproduction.
About Tuesday 20 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
Little Mrs. Tooker ("a pretty child she is") and Elizabeth are about to spend an afternoon together and Sam doesn't appear to be concerned by worries over their conversation taking a dangerous turn. I presume that the 20s. mentioned refers to money likely to be spent whilst shopping rather than hush-money to the little Miss.
About Sunday 18 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
"this being publickly known" is probably the aspect that sticks hardest in Pepys craw. The episode with Mrs. Bagwell was, so far as we know, kept 'decently' private.
About Sunday 18 February 1665/66
Mary • Link
Let's hope that poor Pall rubs up a little better than Daisy Ashford's Mr. Salteena.