"Up, and leaving the women in bed together (a pretty black and white) ... " What does this mean, "a pretty black and white"? Is he talking about the linens? Or using the colors to indicate their complexion or hair color? I know he has talked in the past of a person being "black," which we've come to understand meant a dark complexion or black hair. Wondering if this is the same usage.
@Ruben - Only a decade later, but yes, I too have had the same questions running through my mind about what happens between him and his liaisons. It does seem to be mostly heavy petting with his willing partners. But he also tries to cop a feel when he can, and engages in what we would call molestation today. I really wonder about those encounters he has with women in dark corners of bars and public houses. I wonder if they're darker and more secluded corners than what I picture.
" ... so we had some difference with some watermen, who would not tow them over under 20s., whereupon I swore to send one of them to sea and will do it."
Just a bit vindictive here, eh, Sam? I'm curious if we'll hear the outcome of this. This points up the coldheartedness of the era - potentially dooming a man to a life (short?) at sea for simply wanting more shillings to perform a hard service.
"Nixon was condemned to be shot ... " This strikes me as a strange method of execution for this period. Muskets weren't all that terribly accurate at this time, correct? Many gruesome images come to mind when picturing a 17th-century firing squad. Do we have any more information on how Nixon was executed?)
It's review of "17c", a play that uses the Diary as its basis. Toward the end of the review, it mentions that two women ("Pepys aficianados") sit on the side of the stage: "Bookish annotators, they provide context and commentary on a Pepys website, and quibble comically about petty details." The words "Pepys website" link to here.
re Pigeon racing - When I was a kid I used to hang out and help a guy with his pigeons, back in the 60s. It's kind of a fascinating thing, and it's interesting to find a description of it as taking place in Russia. I had no idea, and I was a Russia specialist in a past career.
I don't think anyone ever commented on Cape Henry's comment. I think Pepys is not saying here that the periwigg maker gave it to him in that condition, but instead that the periwigg maker wouldn't take it for cleaning or maintenance until Pepys cleaned it of lice.
"Todd Bernhardt on 4 May 2007" "to attend my Lord Peterborough in bed" Man ... Sam will do *anything* for his job, won't he?"
I was struck by this, as well, but I had a different response. This is not the first time he's carried on business with someone while they were still in bed. Or, he's been there while Sandwich is getting dressed, for example. I've often wondered how he was able to pack so much into his days, and I guess that's one way to do it!
"The luncheon meal is called "dinner" even today in rural parts of Illinois (at least by a Mormon family who's son I'm acquainted with) ... " and wisconsin, by way of Kansas, at least (but not Mormons). My wife always gets confused when I say "dinner".
And, thanks again for the reference to "At Day's Close." I read it based on a recommendation here, great book.
Thank you for the working link, Terry! Very interesting to see something of what Pepys saw. I know what a twin-hulled boat could look like, but that image makes it concrete. Not quite how I pictured it.
re Andy's first comment - I've always wondered about his constant to and fro in the course of a normal day. It always seems so frenetic.
Comments
Second Reading
About Saturday 20 January 1665/66
Jonathan V • Link
"cape henry on 21 Jan 2009 • Link • Flag
Did anyone else burst out laughing as I just did?"
Ten years on, yes, I did. He conjures a great image, even if it's less-than-flattering to our eyes.
About Tuesday 16 January 1665/66
Jonathan V • Link
"Up, and leaving the women in bed together (a pretty black and white) ... "
What does this mean, "a pretty black and white"? Is he talking about the linens? Or using the colors to indicate their complexion or hair color? I know he has talked in the past of a person being "black," which we've come to understand meant a dark complexion or black hair. Wondering if this is the same usage.
About Sunday 10 December 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Thank you, Nick. A great read.
About Sunday 3 December 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Hear, hear! Thank you, GrahamRA.
About Wednesday 29 November 1665
Jonathan V • Link
@Ruben - Only a decade later, but yes, I too have had the same questions running through my mind about what happens between him and his liaisons. It does seem to be mostly heavy petting with his willing partners. But he also tries to cop a feel when he can, and engages in what we would call molestation today. I really wonder about those encounters he has with women in dark corners of bars and public houses. I wonder if they're darker and more secluded corners than what I picture.
About Monday 27 November 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Gerald: I assumed it was "God"; have there been other cases where they take out the word so as not to "take it in vain"?
About Sunday 1 October 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Thank you, James Morgan!
About Thursday 3 August 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Very good points, Sarah.
About Thursday 3 August 1665
Jonathan V • Link
" ... so we had some difference with some watermen, who would not tow them over under 20s., whereupon I swore to send one of them to sea and will do it."
Just a bit vindictive here, eh, Sam? I'm curious if we'll hear the outcome of this. This points up the coldheartedness of the era - potentially dooming a man to a life (short?) at sea for simply wanting more shillings to perform a hard service.
About Sunday 16 July 1665
Jonathan V • Link
Michael's link above to the Esau Sermon is dead. For anyone wishing the full text, here's an updated link: http://www.sof.org.nz/esausermon.…
I'd never heard of it before.
About Thursday 18 May 1665
Jonathan V • Link
"Nixon was condemned to be shot ... " This strikes me as a strange method of execution for this period. Muskets weren't all that terribly accurate at this time, correct? Many gruesome images come to mind when picturing a 17th-century firing squad. Do we have any more information on how Nixon was executed?)
About Monday 14 November 1664
Jonathan V • Link
This site got some press today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/1…
It's review of "17c", a play that uses the Diary as its basis. Toward the end of the review, it mentions that two women ("Pepys aficianados") sit on the side of the stage: "Bookish annotators, they provide context and commentary on a Pepys website, and quibble comically about petty details." The words "Pepys website" link to here.
Sounds like an interesting production.
About Friday 16 September 1664
Jonathan V • Link
re Pigeon racing - When I was a kid I used to hang out and help a guy with his pigeons, back in the 60s. It's kind of a fascinating thing, and it's interesting to find a description of it as taking place in Russia. I had no idea, and I was a Russia specialist in a past career.
About The website has been moved
Jonathan V • Link
Thank you for all your work on keeping this site up and running!
About Monday 18 July 1664
Jonathan V • Link
I don't think anyone ever commented on Cape Henry's comment. I think Pepys is not saying here that the periwigg maker gave it to him in that condition, but instead that the periwigg maker wouldn't take it for cleaning or maintenance until Pepys cleaned it of lice.
About Wednesday 4 May 1664
Jonathan V • Link
"Todd Bernhardt on 4 May 2007"
"to attend my Lord Peterborough in bed"
Man ... Sam will do *anything* for his job, won't he?"
I was struck by this, as well, but I had a different response. This is not the first time he's carried on business with someone while they were still in bed. Or, he's been there while Sandwich is getting dressed, for example. I've often wondered how he was able to pack so much into his days, and I guess that's one way to do it!
About Thursday 18 February 1663/64
Jonathan V • Link
"The luncheon meal is called "dinner" even today in rural parts of Illinois (at least by a Mormon family who's son I'm acquainted with) ... " and wisconsin, by way of Kansas, at least (but not Mormons). My wife always gets confused when I say "dinner".
And, thanks again for the reference to "At Day's Close." I read it based on a recommendation here, great book.
About Monday 1 February 1663/64
Jonathan V • Link
Fantastic link, StanB, thanks.
About Friday 22 January 1663/64
Jonathan V • Link
Thank you for the working link, Terry! Very interesting to see something of what Pepys saw. I know what a twin-hulled boat could look like, but that image makes it concrete. Not quite how I pictured it.
re Andy's first comment - I've always wondered about his constant to and fro in the course of a normal day. It always seems so frenetic.
About Monday 28 December 1663
Jonathan V • Link
Very interesting, StanB, thanks.