Springs from two sources, I suspect. Firstly, that he discovers the maids still abed when The Master is already up and doing.
Secondly, that a candle has been burning all night. Candles cost money, even tallow candles, and households would economise on the use of candles where they could. Sam is annoyed by the waste of good candle-wax.
This is a similar, but earlier text (first published 1627) that delineates in detail a Utopian society that depends for its progress on collective scientific research. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who hasn't come across it before.
that she wouldn't go out until Easter (when she might expect to have a new outfit). I can't help thinking that this vow carried the rider, "because I haven't got a thing to wear." If she had entertained hopes of Sam disbursing her clothing allowance a little early, they clearly went unfulfilled.
Charles the Merry Monarch was in fact fairly conscientious where government business was concerned. L&M note that in 1665 he regularly attended the thrice-weekly full Council meetings. He also attended meetings of the committee for foreign affairs with similar regularity.
What a delicious sidelight on the living legacy of the 17th Century. Thank you, Michael. This strikes me as exactly the kind of 'off-topic' annotation that would leave us all the poorer were it not made.
An L&M footnote records that, such was the strength of feeling aroused in London by this tale, that a guard had to be set at the Dutch ambassador's residence.
Mrs. Bagwell is, at the very least, playing hard-to-get. Sam's comments about the general misconduct at Court definitely fall into the 'mote and beam' category.
OED intransitive verb. To wander idly about after the manner of rogues; to live like a rogue or vagrant.
The beating and banishment of the girl seem harsh to us. However, let's not forget that Sam keeps a very large sum of money about the premises and will certainly not want people such as the roguing Scotch woman to be admitted. She's been hanging around the office for some time and could well have picked up information about how well Sam is doing these days.
I've heard it suggested that 327.5C (the melting point of lead) may have been the upper limit chosen by Newton for his scale. He was very interested (to put it mildly) in alchemy.
This would put the boiling point of water (33 on Newton's scale) at approximately one-third of the way to the top of the scale, which is not so very far out of account here.
OED: One who professionally makes up or takes charge of accounts: an officer in a public office who takes charge of the accounts. First recorded in 1593 in this sense.
The word had been in use for 100 years previously to describe someone who was accountable or responsible in Law for certain duties, though not necessarily financial ones.
Comments
First Reading
About Thursday 2 March 1664/65
Mary • Link
Sam's vexation.
Springs from two sources, I suspect. Firstly, that he discovers the maids still abed when The Master is already up and doing.
Secondly, that a candle has been burning all night. Candles cost money, even tallow candles, and households would economise on the use of candles where they could. Sam is annoyed by the waste of good candle-wax.
About Wednesday 1 March 1664/65
Mary • Link
Francis Bacon's 'New Atlantis.'
This is a similar, but earlier text (first published 1627) that delineates in detail a Utopian society that depends for its progress on collective scientific research. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who hasn't come across it before.
About Wednesday 1 March 1664/65
Mary • Link
Elizabeth's New Year vow
that she wouldn't go out until Easter (when she might expect to have a new outfit). I can't help thinking that this vow carried the rider, "because I haven't got a thing to wear." If she had entertained hopes of Sam disbursing her clothing allowance a little early, they clearly went unfulfilled.
About Monday 27 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
"get the King to come to every committee"
Charles the Merry Monarch was in fact fairly conscientious where government business was concerned. L&M note that in 1665 he regularly attended the thrice-weekly full Council meetings. He also attended meetings of the committee for foreign affairs with similar regularity.
About Saturday 25 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
the Fell types.
What a delicious sidelight on the living legacy of the 17th Century. Thank you, Michael. This strikes me as exactly the kind of 'off-topic' annotation that would leave us all the poorer were it not made.
About Saturday 25 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Just punishment?
L&M refer to a letter written by Sir T. Osborne which states that the Swede-cum-Dutchman lost his ears by way of punishment.
About Thursday 23 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
the tale of Dutch atrocities.
An L&M footnote records that, such was the strength of feeling aroused in London by this tale, that a guard had to be set at the Dutch ambassador's residence.
About Wednesday 22 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
and, of course........
Napoleon's alleged injunction to Josephine,"Ne te baigne point avant que je revienne." [Do *not* take a bath before I get back.]
About Tuesday 21 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
"a mighty pain in my forefinger...."
Mrs. Bagwell is, at the very least, playing hard-to-get. Sam's comments about the general misconduct at Court definitely fall into the 'mote and beam' category.
About Monday 20 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Aubrey's Brief Lives.
The inimitable Roy Dotrice (by no means late, though a venerable gentleman) is shortly to stage his Brief Lives once more in London.
About Sunday 19 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
rumours?
Or simply an unguarded remark or two that alerts him to the fact that the roguing Scotch woman has been in the house?
About Sunday 19 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
to rogue.
OED intransitive verb. To wander idly about after the manner of rogues; to live like a rogue or vagrant.
The beating and banishment of the girl seem harsh to us. However, let's not forget that Sam keeps a very large sum of money about the premises and will certainly not want people such as the roguing Scotch woman to be admitted. She's been hanging around the office for some time and could well have picked up information about how well Sam is doing these days.
About Saturday 18 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
A manuscript plat by John Burston
Many thanks, Michael, for this excellent link. And what a beautiful plat.
About Wednesday 15 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
"upon the rocks of Scilly"
This refers to the Scilly Isles, off the coast of Cornwall, SW England. The Straits of Messina (Sicily) have nothing to do with the case.
About Friday 10 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Oxfordness?
Shouldn't that be Orfordness, well known shingle promontory and bank furnished with former military installations?
About Monday 6 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Newton's temperature scale.
I've heard it suggested that 327.5C (the melting point of lead) may have been the upper limit chosen by Newton for his scale. He was very interested (to put it mildly) in alchemy.
This would put the boiling point of water (33 on Newton's scale) at approximately one-third of the way to the top of the scale, which is not so very far out of account here.
About Wednesday 8 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
accountant
OED: One who professionally makes up or takes charge of accounts: an officer in a public office who takes charge of the accounts. First recorded in 1593 in this sense.
The word had been in use for 100 years previously to describe someone who was accountable or responsible in Law for certain duties, though not necessarily financial ones.
About Tuesday 7 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Shades of Oscar Wilde?
" I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."
About Tuesday 7 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
"some very good fritters"
So the kitchen survives well enough, despite Jane's recent departure.
About Sunday 5 February 1664/65
Mary • Link
Exactly so, Paul.
Hence the citation describing those gentle folk, the Virtuosi.