Reminds me of one of my favourite Doonesbury cartoons around the time of Enron: "You want me to do a triple-cross?" "That a problem?" "No, no, but the paper work's appalling."
"Among other things Captain Taylor came to me about his bill for freight, and besides that I found him contented that I have the 30l. I got, he do offer me to give me 6l. to take the getting of the bill paid upon me, which I am ready to do, but I am loath to have it said that I ever did it. However, I will do him the service to get it paid if I can and stand to his courtesy what he will give me."
Plus ca change, etc: When I was a buyer, many years ago, suppliers would often arrive at Christmas with a bottle of Scotch. The smarter ones would also bring boxes of chocolate for the accounts ladies to speed the payment of their bills in the coming year. Cash, of course, would have been frowned upon - the difference between a 'gift' and a bribe.
"In Herefordshire, and other parts, they do put a cold iron bar upon their barrels, to preserve their beer from being soured by thunder" My aunt, also in Herefordshire, always put a cloth over the milk jug when thunder was threatened for the same reason - and that was in the 1940's.
Not so long ago you could still buy live eels at the market, maybe still can? So no urgency to eat them, they would keep for a while although they are slippery customers.
" by and by came my brother John, who is to go to Cambridge to-morrow, and I did give him a most severe reprimand for his bad account he gives me of his studies." I'm ashamed to admit that I have only just looked at Sam's family tree but I think it contains a clue to his frustration with John: Seven of Sam's siblings died as children, leaving Pall and Tom who both had their own problems. With no children of his own, Sam must have placed high hopes on the remaining John carrying on the family honour and his increasing disappointment is clear.
How splendid that Paul Reiter should home in on this site with his definitive information. Now I need someone to identify what it is that sneaks up my legs when walking through corn stubble at this time of year - its bites are plentiful and itchy but, hopefully, don't carry the ague.
"God good to us in manifold mercies, ........ fears of famine ride in plenty(,) corn falling much again.
Rev. Josselin reminds me of my childhood vicar who would gabble through the service at high speed, making the words meaningless. He obviously sees nothing odd about two wildly contrasting statements in the same sentence.
"speaking well and commending me in some company..." I get the impression that this is not the usual randy Sam - more Sam the man of some importance who is patronising (in both senses) the ladies.
"Mr Urbanite, Sam" Surely, Sam would have had a professional interest in the corn harvest. The Navy must have bought huge amounts of flour, bread and hard tack biscuits and the price, as always, would fluctuate with the success of that year's crop.
" So, well pleased for once with this sight," I read this as "Glad I have seen it, but I won't bother again". Particularly as it made his head ake all evening.
"Neither Holy nor Roman nor an Empire..." Reminds me of my own country, currently squabbling about leaving or staying in the EU. Neither Great nor United.
Off topic but worth sharing, I hope: The Bishop of Hereford, many years ago, was riding in procession through the city on a mare which turned out to be in season. A following stallion mounted her, trapping the Bishop with its forelegs, and "thus they travelled for some distance" no doubt to the delight of the onlookers.
The 11th Earl of Sandwich now resides at Mapperton House in Dorset which is open to the public. On show is the handwritten recipe book of the 1st ('our') Earl full of recipes for chocolate drinks and ice cream which he is supposed to have collected when ambassador to Spain. www.mapperton.com
Way off topic, but can't resist quoting Milton Jones' gag: "When Grandfather became ill we rubbed butter all over his back - after that he went downhill quite quickly."
Any ideas what this means? Are the men of condition being sent for (but why up)? Or is this short for "Up North", a common expression by us southerners?
" And the play, in one word, is the best, for the variety and the most excellent continuance of the plot to the very end, that ever I saw, or think ever shall, and all possible, not only to be done in the time, but in most other respects very admittable, and without one word of ribaldry; and the house, by its frequent plaudits, did show their sufficient approbation. "
Comments
Second Reading
About Wednesday 16 December 1663
Tonyel • Link
"Keeping double books can be so confusing"
Reminds me of one of my favourite Doonesbury cartoons around the time of Enron:
"You want me to do a triple-cross?"
"That a problem?"
"No, no, but the paper work's appalling."
About Friday 11 December 1663
Tonyel • Link
"Among other things Captain Taylor came to me about his bill for freight, and besides that I found him contented that I have the 30l. I got, he do offer me to give me 6l. to take the getting of the bill paid upon me, which I am ready to do, but I am loath to have it said that I ever did it. However, I will do him the service to get it paid if I can and stand to his courtesy what he will give me."
Plus ca change, etc: When I was a buyer, many years ago, suppliers would often arrive at Christmas with a bottle of Scotch. The smarter ones would also bring boxes of chocolate for the accounts ladies to speed the payment of their bills in the coming year. Cash, of course, would have been frowned upon - the difference between a 'gift' and a bribe.
About Friday 6 November 1663
Tonyel • Link
"In Herefordshire, and other parts, they do put a cold iron bar upon their barrels, to preserve their beer from being soured by thunder"
My aunt, also in Herefordshire, always put a cloth over the milk jug when thunder was threatened for the same reason - and that was in the 1940's.
About Thursday 1 October 1663
Tonyel • Link
Not so long ago you could still buy live eels at the market, maybe still can?
So no urgency to eat them, they would keep for a while although they are slippery customers.
About Wednesday 30 September 1663
Tonyel • Link
Charles I really only 4'10"? Was that before or after......?
About Wednesday 23 September 1663
Tonyel • Link
" by and by came my brother John, who is to go to Cambridge to-morrow, and I did give him a most severe reprimand for his bad account he gives me of his studies."
I'm ashamed to admit that I have only just looked at Sam's family tree but I think it contains a clue to his frustration with John:
Seven of Sam's siblings died as children, leaving Pall and Tom who both had their own problems. With no children of his own, Sam must have placed high hopes on the remaining John carrying on the family honour and his increasing disappointment is clear.
About Saturday 19 September 1663
Tonyel • Link
How splendid that Paul Reiter should home in on this site with his definitive information. Now I need someone to identify what it is that sneaks up my legs when walking through corn stubble at this time of year - its bites are plentiful and itchy but, hopefully, don't carry the ague.
About Thursday 10 September 1663
Tonyel • Link
" though none of the best cooks,"
I think we would say "not the best of cooks" to get the same meaning.
About Sunday 6 September 1663
Tonyel • Link
"God good to us in manifold mercies, ........ fears of famine ride in plenty(,) corn falling much again.
Rev. Josselin reminds me of my childhood vicar who would gabble through the service at high speed, making the words meaningless. He obviously sees nothing odd about two wildly contrasting statements in the same sentence.
About Saturday 15 August 1663
Tonyel • Link
"10. spec. a. Of a person: To be suspended on or upon a cross, gibbet, gallows, etc.; to suffer death in this way; esp. as a form of punishment. "
esp. as opposed to what? entertainment?
About Friday 24 July 1663
Tonyel • Link
"speaking well and commending me in some company..."
I get the impression that this is not the usual randy Sam - more Sam the man of some importance who is patronising (in both senses) the ladies.
About Wednesday 8 July 1663
Tonyel • Link
"Mr Urbanite, Sam"
Surely, Sam would have had a professional interest in the corn harvest. The Navy must have bought huge amounts of flour, bread and hard tack biscuits and the price, as always, would fluctuate with the success of that year's crop.
About Monday 1 June 1663
Tonyel • Link
" So, well pleased for once with this sight,"
I read this as "Glad I have seen it, but I won't bother again". Particularly as it made his head ake all evening.
About Thursday 28 May 1663
Tonyel • Link
"Neither Holy nor Roman nor an Empire..."
Reminds me of my own country, currently squabbling about leaving or staying in the EU.
Neither Great nor United.
About Friday 1 May 1663
Tonyel • Link
Off topic but worth sharing, I hope:
The Bishop of Hereford, many years ago, was riding in procession through the city on a mare which turned out to be in season. A following stallion mounted her, trapping the Bishop with its forelegs, and "thus they travelled for some distance" no doubt to the delight of the onlookers.
About Monday 27 April 1663
Tonyel • Link
The 11th Earl of Sandwich now resides at Mapperton House in Dorset which is open to the public. On show is the handwritten recipe book of the 1st ('our') Earl full of recipes for chocolate drinks and ice cream which he is supposed to have collected when ambassador to Spain.
www.mapperton.com
About Monday 16 March 1662/63
Tonyel • Link
"to my office , where, with several Masters of the King’s ships, Sir J. Minnes and I "
Quite a crowd. Sam's office must be more spacious than I had imagined.
About Sunday 25 January 1662/63
Tonyel • Link
Way off topic, but can't resist quoting Milton Jones' gag:
"When Grandfather became ill we rubbed butter all over his back - after that he went downhill quite quickly."
Sorry, Phil.
About Friday 23 January 1662/63
Tonyel • Link
"and they sent for up."
Any ideas what this means? Are the men of condition being sent for (but why up)? Or is this short for "Up North", a common expression by us southerners?
About Thursday 8 January 1662/63
Tonyel • Link
" And the play, in one word, is the best, for the variety and the most excellent continuance of the plot to the very end, that ever I saw, or think ever shall, and all possible, not only to be done in the time, but in most other respects very admittable, and without one word of ribaldry; and the house, by its frequent plaudits, did show their sufficient approbation. "
One word eh, Sam?