"Mr. Povy and, I to White Hall; he carrying me thither on purpose to carry me into the ball this night before the King. All the way he talking very ingenuously, and I find him a fine gentleman."
Should this not read "ingeniously"? I can't imagine Sam being so impressed by naivete.
Two different Sarahs, Bridget. Sam's Sarah left with much regret and a glowing reference. Sandwich's Sarah is an old friend (maybe more) of Sam's from his days in my Lord's household.
"what a most troublesome fellow that Strutt is, such as I never did meet with his fellow in my life. His talking and ours to make him hold his peace set my head off akeing all the afternoon with great pain".
Sounds familiar - nothing worse than someone with a (genuine) grievance who won't shut up.
Thatched buildings are not usually fitted with gutters even to-day
No, but they have a deep overhang so that the water drips away from the walls. All the recent remodelling has probably left some awkward angles and narrow gullies where snow and water will collect and then find the easiest gravitational route.
I'm not so sure that Penn is on Sam's side. I suspect he may be stirring things up a little, just to keep Sam in his place. After all, Minnes is no shrinking violet - if he wants to pull rank on Sam he doesn't need Penn to do it for him.
Reading this for the second time around, I'm struck by how USA- and Europe - centric our annotators are and were. The position of single, poorer women in India for example is exactly the same in the "enlightened" 21st century as it was in Sam's day.
That's a nice piece about the Goodwins, Terry, which also explains the popularity of The Downs as a sheltered mooring. I sailed over the Goodwins in a small boat many years ago and it was a weird experience to drop a line over the side and find only six inches of water under the keel.
Another thought on Penn: auditors will tell you, if you think there's someone on the fiddle in your organisation look for the one who never takes a holiday. I can imagine Penn, somewhat awkwardly, over dinner: "Pepys, old boy, Mr Wilkins may call into the office with a small packet - no need to open it, just send it on to me."
At night to supper and bed. I'm on my second reading of Sam's diary and it has only just occurred to me (after 10 + years), why does he mention going to bed so frequently? Considering all the stuff he omits, to our occasional distress, why mention something so commonplace?
When I still went to church as a child all sermons seemed dull and flat. I wonder if 17th c. sermons (quite apart from the content) were delivered in a more theatrical style? Does anyone know?
Way off the 17th century, but this reminds me irresistibly of the music hall comedian Max Miller in the "innocent" days before sex was invented in the 1960's:
I love the girls that do, I love the girls that don't. I hate the girls who say they will and then who say they won't. But the ones I love the best, and I think you'll say I'm right, are the ones who say they never would - but look as though they mi...'ere!
when he comes to tell the King his secret (for none but the Kings, successively, and their heirs must know it), Reminds me of the old sketch of Ronald Reagan being shown a vast, empty hangar: "THERE'S your stealth bomber!"
Comments
Second Reading
About Wednesday 31 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
"Mr. Povy and, I to White Hall; he carrying me thither on purpose to carry me into the ball this night before the King. All the way he talking very ingenuously, and I find him a fine gentleman."
Should this not read "ingeniously"? I can't imagine Sam being so impressed by naivete.
About Monday 29 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
"the great vast trade of the goldsmiths in supplying the King with money at dear rates."
10% sounds greedy but, Charles being Charles, there was no guarantee that the money would ever be repaid.
About Saturday 27 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
Imagine expecting a 12-year-old to work what amounted then to a full-time job and to be beaten if he failed!
Easy to imagine, unfortunately. You can go to many parts of the world and find kids of half that age doing a full-time job.
About Monday 22 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
Two different Sarahs, Bridget. Sam's Sarah left with much regret and a glowing reference. Sandwich's Sarah is an old friend (maybe more) of Sam's from his days in my Lord's household.
About Tuesday 16 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
"what a most troublesome fellow that Strutt is, such as I never did meet with his fellow in my life. His talking and ours to make him hold his peace set my head off akeing all the afternoon with great pain".
Sounds familiar - nothing worse than someone with a (genuine) grievance who won't shut up.
About Friday 12 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
Thatched buildings are not usually fitted with gutters even to-day
No, but they have a deep overhang so that the water drips away from the walls. All the recent remodelling has probably left some awkward angles and narrow gullies where snow and water will collect and then find the easiest gravitational route.
About Tuesday 9 December 1662
Tonyel • Link
"my Lord Treasurer's letter"
Impossible to resist the temptation to compare the present with the past:
"Just delete 'we demand payment' and paste in 'payment would be appreciated' there's a good chap. "
"But Mr Coventry, that's a whole page to rewrite and my eyes are killing me!"
About Sunday 26 October 1662
Tonyel • Link
Poor Mr Sympson - Sam looking over his shoulder all week and then obliged to come to dinner on Sunday.
About Wednesday 8 October 1662
Tonyel • Link
my best chamber
I'm not so sure that Penn is on Sam's side. I suspect he may be stirring things up a little, just to keep Sam in his place. After all, Minnes is no shrinking violet - if he wants to pull rank on Sam he doesn't need Penn to do it for him.
Politics, politics......
About Tuesday 9 September 1662
Tonyel • Link
Thanks JY for an interesting glimpse into our boy's library.
NB fast forward to 15.30 if you don't want to watch the rather over-jolly programme.
About Friday 1 August 1662
Tonyel • Link
Reading this for the second time around, I'm struck by how USA- and Europe - centric our annotators are and were. The position of single, poorer women in India for example is exactly the same in the "enlightened" 21st century as it was in Sam's day.
About Tuesday 22 July 1662
Tonyel • Link
That's a nice piece about the Goodwins, Terry, which also explains the popularity of The Downs as a sheltered mooring.
I sailed over the Goodwins in a small boat many years ago and it was a weird experience to drop a line over the side and find only six inches of water under the keel.
About Tuesday 8 July 1662
Tonyel • Link
" I found him a most ingenuous man and good company."
Should this not be "ingenious" ? Whatever else Coventry was, no-one would describe him as naïve.
About Sunday 29 June 1662
Tonyel • Link
Another thought on Penn: auditors will tell you, if you think there's someone on the fiddle in your organisation look for the one who never takes a holiday.
I can imagine Penn, somewhat awkwardly, over dinner: "Pepys, old boy, Mr Wilkins may call into the office with a small packet - no need to open it, just send it on to me."
About Tuesday 3 June 1662
Tonyel • Link
A nice point by the Old Salt about the difference between OF and TO.
The modern equivalents could be Chief Assistant and Assistant Chief.
About Friday 16 May 1662
Tonyel • Link
At night to supper and bed.
I'm on my second reading of Sam's diary and it has only just occurred to me (after 10 + years), why does he mention going to bed so frequently? Considering all the stuff he omits, to our occasional distress, why mention something so commonplace?
About Sunday 11 May 1662
Tonyel • Link
When I still went to church as a child all sermons seemed dull and flat. I wonder if 17th c. sermons (quite apart from the content) were delivered in a more theatrical style? Does anyone know?
About Tuesday 29 April 1662
Tonyel • Link
Way off the 17th century, but this reminds me irresistibly of the music hall comedian Max Miller in the "innocent" days before sex was invented in the 1960's:
I love the girls that do,
I love the girls that don't.
I hate the girls who say they will and then who say they won't.
But the ones I love the best,
and I think you'll say I'm right,
are the ones who say they never would - but look as though they mi...'ere!
About Friday 14 March 1661/62
Tonyel • Link
when he comes to tell the King his secret (for none but the Kings, successively, and their heirs must know it),
Reminds me of the old sketch of Ronald Reagan being shown a vast, empty hangar: "THERE'S your stealth bomber!"
About Thursday 27 February 1661/62
Tonyel • Link
"Pickthank" What a wonderful, expressive word! I shall look for an opportunity to use it.