Monday 13 May 1661
All the morning at home among my workmen. At noon Mr. Creed and I went to the ordinary behind the Exchange, where we lately were, but I do not like it so well as I did. So home with him and to the office, where we sat late, and he did deliver his accounts to us.
The office being done I went home and took pleasure to see my work draw to an end.
14 Annotations
First Reading
Kevin Peter • Link
Sam and Mr. Creed are almost inseparable these days. I find it interesting that Sam tends to spend time with his friend/colleagues in bunches. A while back, he was regularly accompanying Sir William Batten, and before that, Luellin.
I'm sure there are plenty of others I'm unable to remember.
vicente • Link
"no musical interlude today ?"
"...where we lately were, but I do not like it so well as I did..."
daniel • Link
indeed, vicente!
Sam always values music in all its forms where ever he goes. no wonder today seems a bit drab to him.
Australian Susan • Link
"I do not like it so well as I did"
Maybe also he is finding the food at the ordinary just too plain ordinary!
Glyn • Link
As a reminder, he and Creed went there last Tuesday (the 7th)
A. Hamilton • Link
The workmen came March 25 to put in "a pair of stairs up out of my parler." Pepys estimated the job would take 2 months; today is the 50th day. Its too bad we don't have a picture of the stairs, which judging by the amount of labor (at least two men & I estimate at least 42 working days) must have been fairly elaborate.
vicente • Link
Education general, interesting, The Dons came to pick their students, Orals etc.: This day Evelyn did write
"..I heard, & saw such Exercises at the Election of Scholars at Westminster Schoole, to be sent to the Universitie, both in Lat: GR: & Heb: Arabic &c in the Theames & extemporary Verses as wonderfully astonish'd me, in such young stripling, with that readinesse, & witt, some of them not above 12 or 13 years of age: & pitty it is, that what they attaine here so ripely, they either not retaine, or improve more condiserably, when they come to be men: though many of them do: & and no lesse is to be blamed their odd pronouncing of Latine, so that out of England no nation were able to understand or endure it: The Examinants or Posers were Dr Duport Greek Professor at Cambridge: Dr Fell[? of who "do tell"?]:Dean of Christchu[[rc]]h Oxen : Dr Pierson, Dr. Alestree, Deane of Westminster & any that would:.."
Johny • Link
"The office being done I went home and took pleasure to see my work draw to an end." - what a feeling...:)
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
His Majesty hath appointed Four of the Clock this Afternoon, for Reception of both Houses, in the Banqueting-house at Whitehall to receive this greeting and resolution concerning the King's Marriage.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
We the Lords and Commons do humbly tender our Acknowledgments and Thanks unto Your Majesty, for that free and gracious Communication of Your Resolution to marry with the Infanta of Portugall; which we conceive to be of so high Concernment to this Nation, as that we receive it with great Joy and Satisfaction; and do, with all Earnestness, beg a Blessing upon, and a speedy Accomplishment of it. And we cannot but express our own unanimous Resolutions, (which we are confident will have a general Influence upon the Hearts of all Your Subjects) that we shall, upon all Occasions, be ready to assist Your Majesty, in the Pursuance of those Your Intentions, against all Oppositions whatsoever.
john • Link
@A. Hamilton (if you ever read this a decade later), the delay may have been for several reasons: Sam was not a good estimator; or the hole between floors may have been awkward (requiring unforseen collaring and so on, even given the redundancy of that time period).
Third Reading
MartinVT • Link
John & A. Hamilton: As I've mentioned previously, given the length of time the workers have been at it already, and not quite finished, the work at Sam's house must entail more than just a new stairway — perhaps more wainscoting, cabinetry, new flooring, etc., all made from scratch with hand tools. When it is all done, we may find out more about the scope of work.
LKvM • Link
Perhaps it was one of the "striplings" that Evelyn saw being examined who originated this verse defining the "Dr. Fell Syndrome":
I do not like thee, Dr. Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell,
But this I know and know full well,
I do not like thee, Dr. Fell.
David G • Link
It is comforting to realize that even though 363 years have elapsed since the events recorded in today's entry, one thing that remains absolutely the same is that contractors working on a home remodeling project never ever finish quickly.
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Houses of Parliament officially got the news today:
King's Marriage.
We the Lords and Commons do humbly tender our Acknowledgments and Thanks unto Your Majesty, for that free and gracious Communication of Your Resolution to marry with the Infanta of Portugall; which we conceive to be of so high Concernment to this Nation, as that we receive it with great Joy and Satisfaction; and do, with all Earnestness, beg a Blessing upon, and a speedy Accomplishment of it. And we cannot but express our own unanimous Resolutions, (which we are confident will have a general Influence upon the Hearts of all Your Subjects) that we shall, upon all Occasions, be ready to assist Your Majesty, in the Pursuance of those Your Intentions, against all Oppositions whatsoever.
Resolved, upon the Question, That this House doth concur with the House of Lords, in this Vote and Resolution: And
...
A Message from the Lords, brought by Mr. Baron Atkins and Mr. Baron Turner;
King to be attended.
Mr. Speaker, His Majesty hath appointed Four of the Clock this Afternoon, for Reception of both Houses, in the Banqueting-house at Whitehall.
Ordered, That the Speaker of this House, being accompanied by all the Members thereof, do, with the House of Peers, wait upon his Majesty, in the Banquetinghouse at Whitehall, at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, according to his Majesty's Appointment, to present the said Vote and Resolution of both Houses: And, in order thereunto, the House adjourned till Three of the Clock this Afternoon.
The Judges being called in, Mr. Speaker acquainted them, that he, being accompanied with the Members of this House, would wait upon his Majesty, with the House of Peers, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall, at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, according to his Majesty's Appointment.
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Drinks all round; party time -- congratulations, Charles II. Bombay and Tangier are on their way!