"but only that" = "except for the fact that" indeed.
The death of two coach horses with a further death expected represents a considerable loss of money: good coach horses did not come cheap. Although plague can be transmitted to other mammals than man I've no idea whether it is transmissible to horses. More common causes of sudden equine death are contaminated feed or careless treatment (leading to colic) by a stable-hand.
Yes, that's irony. Irony is one of the standard rhetorical figures that make up a good part of Sam's classical education and I join in agreeing that he uses it quite deliberately (instinctively?) here.
The Stuarts were not exactly tossed out for good: Mary was a Stuart, but a Protestant Stuart. Although she and William enjoyed a joint monarchy, it was she who remained in England and became a popular monarch, whereas William returned to the Low Countries as soon as he reasonably could, for he had other, pressing fish to fry on the continent.
In that case (thanks for the reminder, MR) it's possible that Mrs. Mercer showed her daughter's letter to Will in a state of some distress/anger/ indignation, hoping that he would alert Sam to the dispute and so effect either a reconciliation or at least a rational conclusion.
Because he is still putting everything in order in preparation for the move. He has a load of personal stuff to secure (not least the accumulated savings that he regularly mentions in the monthly accounts) as well as naval affairs and though melancholy and more fearful of the plague than previously, he's hardly in a blue funk about remaining in London whilst he settles matters.
He also gives the impression that, with the exception of the death of the good Dr. Burnett, he associates susceptibility to the plague more with the working classes and labourers than he does with the middle-class/merchant class/ nobility with whom he has the most regular dealings.
The combination of the plague and the Dutch war made the court and government particularly anxious about the activities of dissidents and supposed plotters at this time. There was a lively fear of sedition, so this particular instance can't really be described as petty oppression.
Well, it's possible but by no means necessary. Will Hewer could just as easily be referred to as 'Pepys's Will" and he's no slave, African or otherwise.
"Thence with a lanthorn, in great fear of meeting of dead corpses, carried to be buried; but, blessed be God, met none, but did see now and then a linke (which is the mark of them) at a distance.
Pepys here gives a remarkably atmospheric pointer to one change wrought by the plague. In other days the light of the links was a comfort and source of assurance in the night-time streets of London; now it suggests an immediate, indiscriminate threat. No longer a question of 'lead, kindly light, amidst the encircling gloom.'
Apropos John Evelyn's diary. [and off the Pepys point]
By coincidence, 13th August was a very windy day in southern England this year, too; gusts of 50-60mph, trees down, tiles off roofs etc. Unusual August weather, even for England.
Sam has been raising money for the King by 'placing' these tallies with goldsmiths, wealthy merchants etc.who will eventually hope to secure repayment from the Treasury on presentation of their tallies.
SPOILER. At this rate, with the town emptying of those who are essential to its conduct, the pursuit of many aspects and business and finance will shortly become very difficult indeed. Tallies, notes of hand, letters of credit etc. need the surety of gold (and hence merchants and goldsmiths on the spot) to back them.
Comments
First Reading
About Thursday 7 September 1665
Mary • Link
"The past is another country...." is what Hartley wrote.
About Saturday 2 September 1665
Mary • Link
"but only that" = "except for the fact that" indeed.
The death of two coach horses with a further death expected represents a considerable loss of money: good coach horses did not come cheap. Although plague can be transmitted to other mammals than man I've no idea whether it is transmissible to horses. More common causes of sudden equine death are contaminated feed or careless treatment (leading to colic) by a stable-hand.
About Friday 1 September 1665
Mary • Link
Yes, that's irony. Irony is one of the standard rhetorical figures that make up a good part of Sam's classical education and I join in agreeing that he uses it quite deliberately (instinctively?) here.
About Sunday 27 August 1665
Mary • Link
The Stuarts were not exactly tossed out for good: Mary was a Stuart, but a Protestant Stuart. Although she and William enjoyed a joint monarchy, it was she who remained in England and became a popular monarch, whereas William returned to the Low Countries as soon as he reasonably could, for he had other, pressing fish to fry on the continent.
About Monday 28 August 1665
Mary • Link
In that case (thanks for the reminder, MR) it's possible that Mrs. Mercer showed her daughter's letter to Will in a state of some distress/anger/ indignation, hoping that he would alert Sam to the dispute and so effect either a reconciliation or at least a rational conclusion.
About Saturday 26 August 1665
Mary • Link
Why still return to London?
Because he is still putting everything in order in preparation for the move. He has a load of personal stuff to secure (not least the accumulated savings that he regularly mentions in the monthly accounts) as well as naval affairs and though melancholy and more fearful of the plague than previously, he's hardly in a blue funk about remaining in London whilst he settles matters.
He also gives the impression that, with the exception of the death of the good Dr. Burnett, he associates susceptibility to the plague more with the working classes and labourers than he does with the middle-class/merchant class/ nobility with whom he has the most regular dealings.
About Thursday 24 August 1665
Mary • Link
Many thanks for the reference, Barry.
About Monday 21 August 1665
Mary • Link
harassing the poor Presbyterians.
The combination of the plague and the Dutch war made the court and government particularly anxious about the activities of dissidents and supposed plotters at this time. There was a lively fear of sedition, so this particular instance can't really be described as petty oppression.
About Monday 21 August 1665
Mary • Link
Well, it's possible but by no means necessary. Will Hewer could just as easily be referred to as 'Pepys's Will" and he's no slave, African or otherwise.
About Sunday 20 August 1665
Mary • Link
"Thence with a lanthorn, in great fear of meeting of dead corpses, carried to be buried; but, blessed be God, met none, but did see now and then a linke (which is the mark of them) at a distance.
Pepys here gives a remarkably atmospheric pointer to one change wrought by the plague. In other days the light of the links was a comfort and source of assurance in the night-time streets of London; now it suggests an immediate, indiscriminate threat. No longer a question of 'lead, kindly light, amidst the encircling gloom.'
About Wednesday 16 August 1665
Mary • Link
"two shops in three....shut up"
A very clear indicator of the seriousness of the situation in the city.
About Friday 11 August 1665
Mary • Link
polyglot passage.
The L&M reading is almost identical to the Duncan Grey quoted by Paul.
The only, small difference is that they give "any cosa" rather than "an cosa."
About Sunday 13 August 1665
Mary • Link
Apropos John Evelyn's diary.
[and off the Pepys point]
By coincidence, 13th August was a very windy day in southern England this year, too; gusts of 50-60mph, trees down, tiles off roofs etc. Unusual August weather, even for England.
About Sunday 13 August 1665
Mary • Link
"I shall be in much better state of soul..."
Apart from a bit of opportunistic adultery, of course.
About Friday 11 August 1665
Mary • Link
tally sticks.
Go to
http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/mu…
and you will find illustrations and explanation.
Sam has been raising money for the King by 'placing' these tallies with goldsmiths, wealthy merchants etc.who will eventually hope to secure repayment from the Treasury on presentation of their tallies.
About Thursday 10 August 1665
Mary • Link
Source of the eye-witness account, please, CGS.
About Thursday 10 August 1665
Mary • Link
Yes, that bill.
About Thursday 10 August 1665
Mary • Link
the Bill.
The term 'bill' here used in the sense of 'published document.'
cf. such expressions as - play-bill, "Post no bills," Parliamentary Bill etc.
About Wednesday 9 August 1665
Mary • Link
"people being most out of town"
SPOILER.
At this rate, with the town emptying of those who are essential to its conduct, the pursuit of many aspects and business and finance will shortly become very difficult indeed. Tallies, notes of hand, letters of credit etc. need the surety of gold (and hence merchants and goldsmiths on the spot) to back them.
About Tuesday 8 August 1665
Mary • Link
equally likely to be bitten?
Not necessarily. See
http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive…
"all the fleas came to him and not to me."