jeannine

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jeannine has written 14 articles:

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jeannine has written summaries for eight topics:

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jeannine has posted 1,236 annotations/comments since 16 June 2004.

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First Reading

About Monday 22 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"This entry, more than any other, has made me realize just what a sorry excuse for a ruler Charles II actually was".....Thanks RGemini, I had just taken a sip of tea and read this and then almost choked laughing! What a great comment to start the day with ~ I loved it!
Djc, I just bought the book you mentioned and haven't read it yet (what else is new-the unread pile is growing!). From the Amazon summary (url below) I believe it's one of the bios of Charles that does not paint a very good picture of him??? What I do find interesting about him as a 'character' is that there are so many different opinions about him through the eyes of the historians/biographers who have written about him. I try to read more than one bio about a person to get a well-rounded perspective and often a person's character, morals, etc. are presented in a similar manner. In the case of Charles they are usually split--sometimes' he's the ultimate schemer, politician, manipulator, pulling all of the strings to the puppet show and sometimes he's the puppet. One of the more interesting comments about his character is in his the character sketch written by one of his ministers, George Savile the Marquis of Halifax's "Character of K. Charles II, where his opinion of the monarch is that "He lived with his Ministers as he did with his Mistresses; he used them, but he was not in love with them."

Anyway, you look at him he seems a tough cookie to crack.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Restorati…

About Saturday 20 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"it being a very fine evening"

Sounds delightful, I'm jealous! Any idea what the temperature would be this time of year for Sam? I'd imagine it must be sort of mild otherwise a rowboat would be freezing.

About Thursday 18 February 1663/64

EKmathcountschamp  •  Link

Sam started the Diary on Jan 1, 1660 and stopped on May 31, 1669, for a total of 3439 days (there are 3 leap years -in 1660, 1664 and 1668). The midpoint of his Diary would be 1719.5 days which (including the 2 leap years of 1660 and 1664) would bring us to the September 14/15 date.

(EK is 10 years old!)

About Thursday 18 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

The Love Song of Samuel Pepys

(For Terry F -your welcome back!)

Oh us women we come and go
Talking of Michelangelo

Of our Sam Pepys women oft have their say
Sharing female insights many a day

But to dare disturb Sam's universe
Fine female comments we intersperse

We're no prophets--and here's no great matter
Women join male friends in this idle chatter

We measure Sam's life daily in coffee spoons
Stringing thoughts in air in a festive festoon

We squeeze Sam's universe into a ball
Sharing our great insights with one and all

Is it impossible to say just what we mean
The findings so vast from the Dairy we glean

Full of high sentences, but a bit obtuse
In all this writing that Sam did oft produce

We've time yet for a hundred indecisions
And for a hundred visions and revisions

As Sam's attendants, this chatty writing we do
Will it swell a progress, start a scene maybe two

At times, we're indeed, almost ridiculous
Then politic, cautious, and meticulous

Almost, at times, the Fool we all may be
At times writing with dreaded uncertainty

Unraveling Sam's words as a Diary sleuth
A moment of clarity when I see the truth

Do I dare risk writing my thoughts all down
When others debate me, I fear I'll drown

Have I strength to force the moment to its crisis
My findings so fruitful my mind is now Isis

Should I let precious Diary secrets unfold
Gather my bravery now, before I grow old!

Dear friends who are reading I'd now make my speech
But I'm too busy eating my lunch, a peach........

About Thursday 18 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"I wrote to my father about sending him the mastiff was given me yesterday"

Hmmm, this is the second letter to his father this month. I can't help but wonder if the offer of the dog is a 'peace offering" after writing to him in anger on the 13th :

"And there wrote fair my angry letter to my father upon that that he wrote to my cozen Roger Pepys, which I hope will make him the more carefull to trust to my advice for the time to come without so many needless complaints and jealousys, which are troublesome to me because without reason".

http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…

or perhaps "revenge", depending upon how one looks at being offered a gift that one has to feed, clean up after, etc.

About Tuesday 16 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"wherein the poor man is mightily troubled, and I pity him in it, but hope to get him some ease"

Sam wrote the following letter to Commissioner Pett, dated today, February 16, 1664 on Barrow's behalf:

In answer to that one clause in your last letter touching Mr Barrow, I do assure you I judge him a most well-meaning man, and one whose aptitude to a little peevishness I am so far from accounting any ill circumstance in him, that even in that very respect I should prefer him before another of less mettle that might be frightened or flattered to a breach of his trust. To this I consider his being now better able to perform his place than either himself was two years since, or another is that probably upon his removal would succeed him. Nor am I alone in this opinion of his integrity and usefulness (besides yourself); Mr Coventry owns the like, and in order to his preserving him in the Navy hath cast about with some solicitousness how to render his present place contentful to him, and by his advice I have spent some time in reasoning with Mr Barrow about it, who besides his complaint of so hard dealing from some of the Board (which I doubt is not easily to be mended and therefore must be borne with) declares that unless he may have one instrument more at 2s. or 2s.2d. per diem to serve him as a clerk, and an addition of one or 2 more in the nature of labourers to attend wholly to the stores, he cannot safely to himself or honestly for the King undertake the charging himself with all the stores under his hand, or balancing of them, but with such an addition of help will at least do his endeavor to the utmost to so what is to be done in that business. Now I tell you I look upon performing the work of the storekeeper well to be worth 10 times such an increase in instruments, and have told Mr Coventry so too, who concurs in the granting him it rather than either not have the thing done or lose his endeavor in the doing it.....

"Further Correspondence of Samuel Pepys", edited by J.R. Tanner

About Sunday 14 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

What's wrong with these London women? Its' Valentine's Day!

Gee Glyn, consider this a little friendly advice because I'm such a caring person. When you are creating your list of potential Valentine's gifts for that special someone and those highly romantic things like iron, blender, new bathroom plunger, cleaning supplies, etc. come to mind, it might be a really good idea to cross off any sharp objects or blunt instruments from that list. You see the recipient's idea of a romantic gift and your idea of a romantic gift might not exactly be the same. And though we'd really like to see your picture on the front page of the paper someday, we'd rather not see it below the caption reading "A Sad but Justifiable Valentines Day Massacre".

About Sunday 14 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

Now if we only could find Terry F!

I found him and just got off the phone with him. He's had some health issues but is home (just today) and recuperating. He hopes to re-join us soon. He wishes to extend a Happy Valentine's Day to all fellow Pepysians!

About Sunday 14 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"Or has he just outgrown the custom?"
Paul, I hope not, but I fear so. Sometimes as people move up the career ladder they become so involved with what they perceive as the new & "important" things in life that they forget the more lighthearted "fun" things in life. I wouldn't be surprised if Sam is in this boat, which would be sad from a sentimental side but realistic from the perspective of a man or woman focused in their career opportunity and so much more consumed with business that he or she "forgets" how to have lighthearted fun. Often this happens to people at some point in their life, and then, through the life experience of living, losing loved ones, having disappointments and realizing that life is short, some come back to appreciate and embrace the little niceties of celebrating life and each other while they have it. But Sam is still young, still trying to prosper and hasn't had enough hard knocks to "come out the other side" with a different view.
On another note, King Charles NEVER took his role to heart in that manner and continued to take part in the more frivolous exchange of Valentines and delight in the frivolities. I'm not sure if it was this year or not, but one year he chose Frances Stuart and was overjoyed!

About Sunday 14 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

An Overlooked Valentine

Valentine's not a day to be cheap
Like our hero Mr. Samuel Pepys!

Off to church to a sermon that's boring
Just encourages one to start snoring

A garden stroll is a fine place for wooing
A lovely wife whom he should be pursuing

Birds and bees fill the radiant air
Glowing light bounces off her lovely hair

Amorous words should have sprung from his lips
A gentle hand on her fine swaying hips

Likening her eyes to the heavens above
Speaking soft words of his undying love

Whispering to her she's a dear piece of art
Who has captured his softly beating heart

Now would have been just the right time
To give her his sweet Valentine

Something little that she could hold dear
With loving words she so longed to hear

Soothing touches to show his heartfelt bliss
He could have cinched it with a gentle kiss

But please friends now I must beg your pardon
Our Sam blew it while walking the garden

Chance for a sweet romance on this garden walk
Lost to banter of Creed, business, shop talk

Garden to a quiet dinner for two
Was all that our Sam had to plan to do

But to dine with a couple who mettle
About cooking in a copper kettle?????

Now where is our Samuel the flirt
Who loves peeking up Mrs. Lane's skirt?

Is he trying to save all his dear money,
Instead of spending on a special honey?

He would have improved his quality of life
If a Valentine he had bought for his wife

But he chose not to spend even a penny
And ended his day without getting any!

About Saturday 13 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

A mitey limerick

Microscopes are good to have on hand
To enlarge little pieces of sand
Looking close at a mite
Could bring on such a fright
That such viewing should surely be banned!

About Thursday 11 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

From L&M, the missing paragraph mentioned by Lawrence follows:

"After dinner my wife and I up to her closet, and saw a new parcel of fine shells of her brother's giving; and then to the office, where till 11 at night and then home after I had writ an angry letter to my father upon the letter my Cosen Roger showed me yesterday. So home and to bed, my mind disturbed about the letter I am forced to write tonight to my father, it being very severe; but it is convenient I should do it."

I checked Helen Heath's book "The Letters of Samuel Pepys and His Family Circle" but this letter is not included, which makes me wonder if it still exists????

About Wednesday 10 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"Balthasar was born in England ..."

Balty was born in England but to a man who knew nothing but "the sword", therefore he never learned any useful skill, etc. to practice. At least with Sam, if he hadn't gone the way of Sandwich, he had his father's tailoring skills to fall back on and could have taken over the family trade (in his case Thomas did that). In some ways the poorer workmen were better off because at least many of them learned a family skill/business that would allow them to at least feed themselves. Alexandre basically did unskilled work, albeit for Henrietta Marie for awhile, but he was basically a soldier for hire from time to time when money ran out, so Balty is somewhat following the family path.

Many people of title and/or relation to the upper crust (even insignificant titles/ties) didn't have any skill to impart upon their children and hoped that they were granted a job by some friend in the upper ranks (ie. all of Charles II's useless appointments to his lackluster buddies, etc.). So, for this case, as far as Balty goes, at least he is doing something to earn money, which is a plus for Sam as he will get him off of his list of needy friends/relatives, at least for a little while (we hope!).

P.S. AlanB and Ruben -you get the prize of the week for best back and forth annotation! You gave me a great laugh!

About Tuesday 9 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"Hawly and I talked of his mistress, Mrs. Lane"

Obviously a typo in the Wheatley translation as it should read

"Hawly and I talked of MY mistress, Mrs. Lane..."

About Monday 8 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"and that the good Queen will of herself stop before she goes sometimes into her dressing-room, till she knows whether the King be there, for fear he should be, as she hath sometimes taken him, with Mrs. Stewart"

Queen Catherine, who was well aware of her husband's philandering, actually caught him in "the act" several times throughout her life. Over the years, she learned to publicly take it in stride, but at this point in her life, where she really was in love with her husband, the hurt, embarrassment and public gossip must have been incredibly painful for her. Charles never had the consideration for his wife's feelings to at least keep his libertine ways private. Her life seemed one public humiliation after another.

What a far cry from him weeping at her bedside last October when he feared she would die.

About Sunday 7 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

What's in the ellipsis? Anyone know?

Cactus Wren--I think that this is too harsh for our modern ears! The missing words are as follows (but any Victorian readers should proceed with caution)...

my wife being ill 'of those' ,kept her bed all day....

About Saturday 6 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"Then by coach home, calling at my cozen Scott's, who (she) lies dying, they say, upon a miscarriage."
Every day life included so much death in Sam's world. Issues associated with motherhood often lead to death. Between miscarriages, babies that couldn't be delivered, puerperal fevers (quite often associated with germs from dirty hands/instruments) it seems almost a miracle that so many babies and mothers actually survived.

About Wednesday 3 February 1663/64

jeannine  •  Link

"[Spoiler] To be fair, when the time comes Sam will defend Bess from a rogue."

Sorry Robert, but this doesn't fly with me as a positive statement about Sam. Defending one's wife is a hell of a lot different than having the courage of conviction to one's morals to stand up and defend a stranger in need. Sam is defending his own interests' if/when defending his wife as he'd never want to be the husband of a "stained" woman. Even the cuckolding libertines of the court of Charles II may go out and sleep with anyone they could get their hands on but when it came to their own wives they'd be a fool if anyone had touched them. There is a horrible double standard in the culture at this time, and Sam is unfortunately part of it.