Just one more off-topic memory: our London neighbours in the hungry days after WWII were sent a live duck for Christmas from the country. Of course, being townies, they did not know what to do with it and it waddled happily around their garden for several years afterwards.
"then after a little time at Sir W. Batten’s, where I am mighty great and could if I thought it fit continue so," Anyone care to translate this? Does Sam feel that his relationship with Sir W is now that of an equal or just an ally in office politics? Or am I missing something?
"May our 2008 be free of plagues, pestilence, and, at year's end (forgive the digression), finally free of this maleficent, incompetent administration of the United States Government." Plus ca change, etc.
Well, Happy new Year to all - especially Phil for allowing us another ten years of our 17thC soap opera.
"Oh what a strutting little barnyard cock we are, crowing on our dunghill!" --Australian Susan 11.20
Let's not be too hard on Sam. Here's the tailor's son, surrounded by the great and good of the land who actually listen to what he says and act on it. I'm sure many of us remember a point in our career where the realisation dawns, "They're taking notice of me - I think I've made it!"
The Duke espied me, and came to me, and talked with me a very great while about our contract this day with Sir W. Warren, and among other things did with some contempt ask whether we did except Polliards, which Sir W. Batten did yesterday (in spite, as the Duke I believe by my Lord Barkely do well enough know) among other things in writing propose. Can someone fathom this please? And should 'except' read 'accept'?
"The attack was successful not least because the defenders had already withdrawn from the place before the fleet arrived." Another reminder of the late and much missed Terry Pratchett: His hero Cohen the Barbarian who had survived many battles by being somewhere else at the time.
"the ill-serving up of our victuals yesterday;" He described this as a rare chine of beef but perhaps 'rare' was not a compliment. In the UK at least rare beef means lightly cooked so that the centre is still bloody. Or, perhaps it was a misprint for 'raw'. Either way, not an attractive dish to set before guests given the hygiene standards of the time.
"Remember, one in three died in childbirth all the way up to the 1820s"
And beyond: My grandparents' entry in the 1911 UK census includes three columns: Total children born alive 6 Children still living 2 Children who have died 4
Brutally matter-of-fact to modern eyes but only because it was commonplace then.
"where Colonell Reames hath brought us so full and methodical an account of all matters there, that I never have nor hope to see the like of any publique business while I live again. " I trust this an example of Sam's sense of humour - along the lines of "You have taught me more about palmate newts than I ever wanted to know."
Terry, my image of the Navy Office is of a large room full of clerks, Sam's executive office to one side (complete with hole in the wall) and a meeting room where the grandees assemble for board meetings. I can't imagine he keeps potentially damaging information (diary, personal accounts, bribes & commissions) in such a vulnerable place. They would be safer in a private office where he expects to be undisturbed. I have no evidence to offer for this beyond " it's what I would do in his shoes".
"after their being two hours with me parted, and I to my office to do business," Not sure if this has been discussed before, but it seems to me that Sam distinguishes between "the office" and "my office" quite often. In today's entry I read it that he returned to the Navy office after dinner and met with the surgeons. When they finally left he went to his own office (presumably a room in his house) and did some more, private work.
Thanks Steven but it still doesn't ring any bells - it must have been an American scandal that didn't make it across the pond. (We should not go off topic any further I think - it was just an idle query.)
Hmmn...Apart from the interesting historical coincidence-another Mercer, likewise daughter to a "decayed" gentleman of reduced means, will be causing havoc to a famous couple in 250 years.. Modern gossip has a short shelf-life.... Can anyone remember who this referred to 10 years ago?
Louise, I think you are being just a little unfair on Sam. It seems common knowledge that Mrs Lane has married a neer-do-well and that could reflect on Sam if he found him a job. Mrs Lane must be equally disappointed in her choice of husband so an affair with Successful Sam could be considered a just compensation. I am, of course, looking at it from a male perspective.
"to see how one of them was horsed upon a hard-trotting sorrell horse, and both of them soundly weary and galled. " Can someone explain 'galled' - and is Sam referring to the horses or the riders? Thank you Sarah for the information on the pink - and the Irish trade problems.
Comments
Second Reading
About Wednesday 25 January 1664/65
Tonyel • Link
Just one more off-topic memory: our London neighbours in the hungry days after WWII were sent a live duck for Christmas from the country. Of course, being townies, they did not know what to do with it and it waddled happily around their garden for several years afterwards.
About Tuesday 17 January 1664/65
Tonyel • Link
Thanks Sarah, that makes sense - I had not connected the remark with the Povy shambles.
About Tuesday 17 January 1664/65
Tonyel • Link
"then after a little time at Sir W. Batten’s, where I am mighty great and could if I thought it fit continue so,"
Anyone care to translate this? Does Sam feel that his relationship with Sir W is now that of an equal or just an ally in office politics? Or am I missing something?
About Saturday 31 December 1664
Tonyel • Link
"May our 2008 be free of plagues, pestilence, and, at year's end (forgive the digression), finally free of this maleficent, incompetent administration of the United States Government."
Plus ca change, etc.
Well, Happy new Year to all - especially Phil for allowing us another ten years of our 17thC soap opera.
About Monday 21 November 1664
Tonyel • Link
"Oh what a strutting little barnyard cock we are, crowing on our dunghill!"
--Australian Susan 11.20
Let's not be too hard on Sam. Here's the tailor's son, surrounded by the great and good of the land who actually listen to what he says and act on it. I'm sure many of us remember a point in our career where the realisation dawns, "They're taking notice of me - I think I've made it!"
About Tuesday 18 October 1664
Tonyel • Link
Thanks Jon, much clearer.
About Tuesday 18 October 1664
Tonyel • Link
The Duke espied me, and came to me, and talked with me a very great while about our contract this day with Sir W. Warren, and among other things did with some contempt ask whether we did except Polliards, which Sir W. Batten did yesterday (in spite, as the Duke I believe by my Lord Barkely do well enough know) among other things in writing propose.
Can someone fathom this please? And should 'except' read 'accept'?
About Tuesday 11 October 1664
Tonyel • Link
"The attack was successful not least because the defenders had already withdrawn from the place before the fleet arrived."
Another reminder of the late and much missed Terry Pratchett: His hero Cohen the Barbarian who had survived many battles by being somewhere else at the time.
About Friday 7 October 1664
Tonyel • Link
"the ill-serving up of our victuals yesterday;"
He described this as a rare chine of beef but perhaps 'rare' was not a compliment. In the UK at least rare beef means lightly cooked so that the centre is still bloody. Or, perhaps it was a misprint for 'raw'. Either way, not an attractive dish to set before guests given the hygiene standards of the time.
About Monday 3 October 1664
Tonyel • Link
Can't shake off an image of Captain Pepys going into battle with the Dutch and marshalling his crew:
"All together lads, Our ropes are better than your ropes! your sails are rubbish too! "
About Thursday 22 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
"Remember, one in three died in childbirth all the way up to the 1820s"
And beyond: My grandparents' entry in the 1911 UK census includes three columns:
Total children born alive 6
Children still living 2
Children who have died 4
Brutally matter-of-fact to modern eyes but only because it was commonplace then.
About Monday 19 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
"where Colonell Reames hath brought us so full and methodical an account of all matters there, that I never have nor hope to see the like of any publique business while I live again. "
I trust this an example of Sam's sense of humour - along the lines of "You have taught me more about palmate newts than I ever wanted to know."
About Thursday 15 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
Terry, my image of the Navy Office is of a large room full of clerks, Sam's executive office to one side (complete with hole in the wall) and a meeting room where the grandees assemble for board meetings. I can't imagine he keeps potentially damaging information (diary, personal accounts, bribes & commissions) in such a vulnerable place. They would be safer in a private office where he expects to be undisturbed.
I have no evidence to offer for this beyond " it's what I would do in his shoes".
About Thursday 15 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
"after their being two hours with me parted, and I to my office to do business,"
Not sure if this has been discussed before, but it seems to me that Sam distinguishes between "the office" and "my office" quite often.
In today's entry I read it that he returned to the Navy office after dinner and met with the surgeons. When they finally left he went to his own office (presumably a room in his house) and did some more, private work.
About Thursday 8 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
Thanks Steven but it still doesn't ring any bells - it must have been an American scandal that didn't make it across the pond.
(We should not go off topic any further I think - it was just an idle query.)
About Thursday 8 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
Hmmn...Apart from the interesting historical coincidence-another Mercer, likewise daughter to a "decayed" gentleman of reduced means, will be causing havoc to a famous couple in 250 years..
Modern gossip has a short shelf-life.... Can anyone remember who this referred to 10 years ago?
About Monday 5 September 1664
Tonyel • Link
Louise, I think you are being just a little unfair on Sam. It seems common knowledge that Mrs Lane has married a neer-do-well and that could reflect on Sam if he found him a job.
Mrs Lane must be equally disappointed in her choice of husband so an affair with Successful Sam could be considered a just compensation.
I am, of course, looking at it from a male perspective.
About Wednesday 31 August 1664
Tonyel • Link
"another small business by which I may get a little small matter of money."
No, really..... a teeny tiny amount, hardly worth mentioning.
Well, just a hundred.
About Saturday 20 August 1664
Tonyel • Link
"whoever attends the civic assemblies will still find his voice the most audible, if not the most attended to."
Irresistible reminder of the present Speaker of the House of Commons.
About Saturday 6 August 1664
Tonyel • Link
"to see how one of them was horsed upon a hard-trotting sorrell horse, and both of them soundly weary and galled. " Can someone explain 'galled' - and is Sam referring to the horses or the riders?
Thank you Sarah for the information on the pink - and the Irish trade problems.