"A small hotel 'The Samuel Pepys Diaryrooms' is nearby."
This pub, just named the Samuel Pepys, is apparently still around: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Resta… It's not clear there are rooms to rent. The comments are a bit disconcerting ("...a rotten seedy drug den..." "AVOID, AVOID, AVOID" "Disorganised chaos and hostile management" "Angry and disappointed" etc., although there are some positive reviews as well). It was, or is, for sale, so you can view some photos here: https://www.admiraltaverns.co.uk/…
"transported on freight ships" seems to be the answer. Probably on deck as they would not fit down below. Towing would be dangerous. https://www.concordmonitor.com/co….
Most masts were not made of single trees the whole length. Those that were were called pole-masts; masts made by joining several lengths of timber together were called made-masts. Made-masts were actually stronger than pole-masts. More than you might want to know (but important stuff for Sam to know, later on) is here (published 1794): https://www.hnsa.org/manuals-docu… Included there is this bit: "MASTS from America are mostly trimmed in the country nearly to their sizes..." Which makes sense, so you would not transport the raw timber, just the completed lengths of masts.
"Can anyone tell me the difference between being a timber merchant and being a lumber merchant?"
In the U.S. and Canada: Timber=wood still standing in a forest, or cut down into logs but not anything smaller. Lumber=wood cut into a variety of dimensions, like boards, planks, posts and beams, ready to be used to build things.
But apparently in the UK and elsewhere outside of North America, lumber is not used in relation to wood, and timber applies to dimensioned wood as well as logs. More here on timber: https://www.etymonline.com/word/t… More here on lumber: https://www.etymonline.com/search…
To return to Todd's unanswered question from back in 2003 regarding "when God knows it is quite false":
It sounds like Col. Thompson passed along to Sam a rumor — a "great secret" — to the effect that there had been a fire aboard the Nazeby while the King was traveling on her, "but that it is not known" — in other words, that it has been hushed up rather than made common knowledge. But "God knows" — and Sam knows, having been there the whole time, that no such thing happened.
Fake news, same as it ever was. I wonder if he disputed Thompson's story or just let it be.
It was a baroque guitar, a little different from the standard instrument today. Charles purchased it in Paris a few months ago and was quite a guitar enthusiast. And apparently, indeed his axe got left behind and Pepys was put in charge of it.
Can we assume that the King left his guitar on board the ship, and now Sam is supposed to deliver it to him in London, but today almost lost track of Fairbrother, the fellow he engaged to carry the thing?
For word nerds: "cittern" derives originally from Greek "kythara", which also gave rise to "guitar" and "zither" (and other early instruments called "citole", "gitterne" and "gittern." In turn, "kythara" may have derived from Persian "sihtar", from which Hindu "sitar" is derived. Quite a swath of stringed instruments with related names.
25l became 100l in a few months. Not bad compensation for helping to ferry the King across the North Sea. Reminder: you can track the growth in Sam's wealth here: https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…, but doing so is a bit of a spoiler.
"uneasy," "unpleasant" from the OED cited by Languagehat back in 2003 seem correct for "uncouth". Basically, he is grumpy because his buddies aren't around, and the visiting vice-admiral is officious.
But regarding "all this day," actually by dinnertime (lunchtime) he must be over it, getting to preside at the high table, and then playing some ninepins. Plus, he learns that he's 30 pounds richer for a few weeks of work.
Goodbye, Scheveningen! Sam mentions the place only once more in passing, and never referred to it as Scheveningen, always Scheveling. The latter (along with Schevelinge) seems to have been an alternative form used in maps, works of art and written works in England, Holland and France, from the 17th until the early 19th century, although the Dutch usage was much more typically Scheveningen (or, early on, Scheveninghe). So Sam was not off base to use it consistently.
I suspect that the Echo is the columned portico that can be seen in the illustration here dated 1730, which is "below the house" between the two entrance stairways. https://www.haagsetijden.nl/tijdl… This is on the "rear" side of the building facing the gardens.
"After that to the Dr.’s, where we drank a while or so." — Uncharacteristic imprecision on Sam's part, but who's watching the time when you're drinking? Maybe this means, anywhere from half a while to a while and a half?
"he and I, and W. Howe to the Echo, which was very pleasant" — I'm not finding any reference to "The Echo" at Huis ten Bosch, nor elsewhere in The Hague. I assume this was either a garden feature or a room with echo effects.
Regarding confusion in the comments as to whether "my boy" actually means "the child" (Edward Mountagu) — no, it will be clear from tomorrow's entry that both children are on shore, Edward presumably having come over in a different party.
"...dined at a French house, but paid 16s. for our part of the club"
Andrew Stephenson in 2003 asks "This seems incredibly expensive for a meal. Presumably the party was numerous and they were reserving a section of the place. Any thoughts re the value of 16s?"
16s in today's money via the UK National Archives calculation tool translates to £84.14 ($104.91) in 2017. A bit more today. This covered dinner presumably for five: Pepys, Pickering, How, Pim and Whittington (assuming Pepys's boy ate in the kitchen), or about 17 pounds ($21) apiece. A very reasonable price today (think evening French restaurant meal). But, the Archives tool also says that 16s in 1660 represented 11 days wages for a skilled craftsman (which would come to over 2000 pounds or dollars today, so looked at in that light, yes, it's a pretty pricy meal. Sam's "but" indicates he thought so as well. Nice to be on an expense account, though.
"Capt. Isham went on shore, nobody showing of him any respect; so the old man very fairly took leave of my Lord, and my Lord very coldly bid him “God be with you,” which was very strange, but that I hear that he keeps a great deal of prating and talking on shore, on board, at the King’s Courts, what command he had with my Lord, &c."
No one has attempted to explain this confusing passage over the course of three readings. Apparently, Sam himself had no idea what the issues were between Isham and my Lord, it just was "very strange" to him and my Lord was very cold to Isham. Sam did not always write his daily entries the same day, and this passage feels like it was written some days after the fact, since it refers to Isham's prattlings "at the King's Courts" which they have not yet reached. So "went on shore" may also refer to going ashore once they reach their destination, which feels like it is only a day or two ahead, Sam writing this entry perhaps 3-4 days after today's date.
"Sir R. Freeman and some others" come to visit from the Lark, which is proceeding in the opposite direction. Do both ships heave to while this confab takes place? If so, my Lord doesn't seem to be in a big hurry to get to Scheveningen. (They've been aboard ship since late March awaiting today's departure, what's another hour or two?) Or, perhaps, is there a quick transfer, the ships sail on, and then, business done, Freeman and company catch another boat heading west to catch up with the Lark or get to the Lark's destination?
One way or another, I've been intrigued by the amount of ferrying of people and stuff between the ships in the squadron as well as back and forth to Deal, Dunkirk or Dover. I imagine a fleet of small boats circulating among the ships, making deliveries and awaiting signals to come alongside to transport people or goods.
I'm not peeking ahead, but I'm assuming that he is using presently to mean "soon," not "right now," and not necessarily tomorrow. But certainly this means all necessary final preparations are to be made. The arrival of Montague's son is a good indication. Also, if the King is choosing his embroiderer, preparations at his end must be down to the fine points, as well.
Sam lost another 5s at ninepins today. So far in the diary, he has mentioned playing the game 8 times. The first time, on 4/28, he says he won a crown (5s) but his opponent stiffed him. Once, he says he "won something," amount not specified. Twice, he mentions playing but doesn't specify any amount lost or gained. (But if he were winning he'd have mentioned it, one would think.) Three times, he lost 5s, and once (to my Lord) 9s. So, he appears to be down 24 shillings, or a pound and four shillings, against his net worth of 40 pounds mentioned a few days back. So he has gambled away 3 percent of his net worth. Let's keep an eye on this situation.
Comments
Third Reading
About Wednesday 20 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
"A small hotel 'The Samuel Pepys Diaryrooms' is nearby."
This pub, just named the Samuel Pepys, is apparently still around: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Resta…
It's not clear there are rooms to rent. The comments are a bit disconcerting ("...a rotten seedy drug den..." "AVOID, AVOID, AVOID" "Disorganised chaos and hostile management" "Angry and disappointed" etc., although there are some positive reviews as well). It was, or is, for sale, so you can view some photos here: https://www.admiraltaverns.co.uk/…
About Tuesday 19 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
"Strap them to the deck?"
"transported on freight ships" seems to be the answer. Probably on deck as they would not fit down below. Towing would be dangerous.
https://www.concordmonitor.com/co….
Most masts were not made of single trees the whole length. Those that were were called pole-masts; masts made by joining several lengths of timber together were called made-masts. Made-masts were actually stronger than pole-masts. More than you might want to know (but important stuff for Sam to know, later on) is here (published 1794): https://www.hnsa.org/manuals-docu…
Included there is this bit: "MASTS from America are mostly trimmed in the country nearly to their sizes..." Which makes sense, so you would not transport the raw timber, just the completed lengths of masts.
About Tuesday 19 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
"Can anyone tell me the difference between being a timber merchant and being a lumber merchant?"
In the U.S. and Canada:
Timber=wood still standing in a forest, or cut down into logs but not anything smaller.
Lumber=wood cut into a variety of dimensions, like boards, planks, posts and beams, ready to be used to build things.
But apparently in the UK and elsewhere outside of North America, lumber is not used in relation to wood, and timber applies to dimensioned wood as well as logs.
More here on timber: https://www.etymonline.com/word/t…
More here on lumber: https://www.etymonline.com/search…
About Sunday 17 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
"And just by the window that I stood at sat Mrs. Butler, the great beauty."
Sam has only got time these days to jot down a few notes, but he doesn't miss anything important.
About Saturday 16 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
To return to Todd's unanswered question from back in 2003 regarding "when God knows it is quite false":
It sounds like Col. Thompson passed along to Sam a rumor — a "great secret" — to the effect that there had been a fire aboard the Nazeby while the King was traveling on her, "but that it is not known" — in other words, that it has been hushed up rather than made common knowledge. But "God knows" — and Sam knows, having been there the whole time, that no such thing happened.
Fake news, same as it ever was. I wonder if he disputed Thompson's story or just let it be.
About Friday 8 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
Aha. Here is the skinny on the gittar: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/sites/d…
It was a baroque guitar, a little different from the standard instrument today. Charles purchased it in Paris a few months ago and was quite a guitar enthusiast. And apparently, indeed his axe got left behind and Pepys was put in charge of it.
About Friday 8 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
Can we assume that the King left his guitar on board the ship, and now Sam is supposed to deliver it to him in London, but today almost lost track of Fairbrother, the fellow he engaged to carry the thing?
About Tuesday 5 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
For word nerds: "cittern" derives originally from Greek "kythara", which also gave rise to "guitar" and "zither" (and other early instruments called "citole", "gitterne" and "gittern." In turn, "kythara" may have derived from Persian "sihtar", from which Hindu "sitar" is derived. Quite a swath of stringed instruments with related names.
About Sunday 3 June 1660
MartinVT • Link
25l became 100l in a few months. Not bad compensation for helping to ferry the King across the North Sea. Reminder: you can track the growth in Sam's wealth here: https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…, but doing so is a bit of a spoiler.
About Saturday 26 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"very uncouth all this day" —
"uneasy," "unpleasant" from the OED cited by Languagehat back in 2003 seem correct for "uncouth". Basically, he is grumpy because his buddies aren't around, and the visiting vice-admiral is officious.
But regarding "all this day," actually by dinnertime (lunchtime) he must be over it, getting to preside at the high table, and then playing some ninepins. Plus, he learns that he's 30 pounds richer for a few weeks of work.
About Wednesday 23 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
Goodbye, Scheveningen! Sam mentions the place only once more in passing, and never referred to it as Scheveningen, always Scheveling. The latter (along with Schevelinge) seems to have been an alternative form used in maps, works of art and written works in England, Holland and France, from the 17th until the early 19th century, although the Dutch usage was much more typically Scheveningen (or, early on, Scheveninghe). So Sam was not off base to use it consistently.
About Friday 18 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
I suspect that the Echo is the columned portico that can be seen in the illustration here dated 1730, which is "below the house" between the two entrance stairways. https://www.haagsetijden.nl/tijdl…
This is on the "rear" side of the building facing the gardens.
About Friday 18 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
I commented on yesterday's entry regarding the Echo at Huis ten Bosch, now he is back there again and says the Echo is "under the house".
About Thursday 17 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"After that to the Dr.’s, where we drank a while or so." — Uncharacteristic imprecision on Sam's part, but who's watching the time when you're drinking? Maybe this means, anywhere from half a while to a while and a half?
"he and I, and W. Howe to the Echo, which was very pleasant" — I'm not finding any reference to "The Echo" at Huis ten Bosch, nor elsewhere in The Hague. I assume this was either a garden feature or a room with echo effects.
About Thursday 17 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
Regarding confusion in the comments as to whether "my boy" actually means "the child" (Edward Mountagu) — no, it will be clear from tomorrow's entry that both children are on shore, Edward presumably having come over in a different party.
About Thursday 17 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"...dined at a French house, but paid 16s. for our part of the club"
Andrew Stephenson in 2003 asks "This seems incredibly expensive for a meal. Presumably the party was numerous and they were reserving a section of the place. Any thoughts re the value of 16s?"
16s in today's money via the UK National Archives calculation tool translates to £84.14 ($104.91) in 2017. A bit more today. This covered dinner presumably for five: Pepys, Pickering, How, Pim and Whittington (assuming Pepys's boy ate in the kitchen), or about 17 pounds ($21) apiece. A very reasonable price today (think evening French restaurant meal). But, the Archives tool also says that 16s in 1660 represented 11 days wages for a skilled craftsman (which would come to over 2000 pounds or dollars today, so looked at in that light, yes, it's a pretty pricy meal. Sam's "but" indicates he thought so as well. Nice to be on an expense account, though.
About Sunday 13 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"Capt. Isham went on shore, nobody showing of him any respect; so the old man very fairly took leave of my Lord, and my Lord very coldly bid him “God be with you,” which was very strange, but that I hear that he keeps a great deal of prating and talking on shore, on board, at the King’s Courts, what command he had with my Lord, &c."
No one has attempted to explain this confusing passage over the course of three readings. Apparently, Sam himself had no idea what the issues were between Isham and my Lord, it just was "very strange" to him and my Lord was very cold to Isham. Sam did not always write his daily entries the same day, and this passage feels like it was written some days after the fact, since it refers to Isham's prattlings "at the King's Courts" which they have not yet reached. So "went on shore" may also refer to going ashore once they reach their destination, which feels like it is only a day or two ahead, Sam writing this entry perhaps 3-4 days after today's date.
About Saturday 12 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"Sir R. Freeman and some others" come to visit from the Lark, which is proceeding in the opposite direction. Do both ships heave to while this confab takes place? If so, my Lord doesn't seem to be in a big hurry to get to Scheveningen. (They've been aboard ship since late March awaiting today's departure, what's another hour or two?) Or, perhaps, is there a quick transfer, the ships sail on, and then, business done, Freeman and company catch another boat heading west to catch up with the Lark or get to the Lark's destination?
One way or another, I've been intrigued by the amount of ferrying of people and stuff between the ships in the squadron as well as back and forth to Deal, Dunkirk or Dover. I imagine a fleet of small boats circulating among the ships, making deliveries and awaiting signals to come alongside to transport people or goods.
About Thursday 10 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
"presently"
I'm not peeking ahead, but I'm assuming that he is using presently to mean "soon," not "right now," and not necessarily tomorrow. But certainly this means all necessary final preparations are to be made. The arrival of Montague's son is a good indication. Also, if the King is choosing his embroiderer, preparations at his end must be down to the fine points, as well.
About Wednesday 9 May 1660
MartinVT • Link
Sam lost another 5s at ninepins today. So far in the diary, he has mentioned playing the game 8 times. The first time, on 4/28, he says he won a crown (5s) but his opponent stiffed him. Once, he says he "won something," amount not specified. Twice, he mentions playing but doesn't specify any amount lost or gained. (But if he were winning he'd have mentioned it, one would think.) Three times, he lost 5s, and once (to my Lord) 9s. So, he appears to be down 24 shillings, or a pound and four shillings, against his net worth of 40 pounds mentioned a few days back. So he has gambled away 3 percent of his net worth. Let's keep an eye on this situation.