Bradford on 1 Oct 2004  •  Link

"my singing master, Mr. Goodgroome, was come to teach me and so she rose and this morning began to learn also"

One is curious: would Mr. Goodgroome (a name impossible to improve upon) address proper breathing, diaphragm support, placing the voice and negotiating the "passagio" between a person's natural registers---or focus on phrasing, legato, "pointing" the words to bring out their meaning, controlling volume and vowel-sounds---or some combination of the physical and the interpretive?

dirk on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

"I would let her learn to sing"

Imagine Sam and Elisabeth singing a duet together...

I just wonder what the world would look like if public servants in our time would all learn to sing. There's something to be said for an extended "humanist" education! Sadly our education system is structured to deliver only (often narrowminded) professionals. My very personal opinion, no offense intented of course (-:

Robert Gertz on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

A good day at the Pepys'...

It must be great for Sam to discover how eager Beth is to join him in things like this and he's doing well today.

Quite a girl he married in that fit of wild, thoughtless passion...Though despite some of his biographers' opinions I can't help thinking he looked his prospective bride over carefully, in spite of his desire and saw more than just a beauty.

RexLeo on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

"... that my singing master, Mr. Goodgroome, was come to teach me and so she rose and this morning began to learn also."

Showing off her horsemanship, insisting on accompanying P to the Theatres, and now taking up singing which is one of Sam's passion, Elizabeth is obviously working on an agenda. Is it to impress Sam suiatbly to generate admiration and to curtail his roving eyes or generally trying to be a real life partner?
Whatever it is, as Operah would say, "You go, girl!"

Pauline on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

"Elizabeth is obviously working on an agenda"
Or she has her new home settled well, new servants causing no friction, has perhaps come to terms with not wishing for a pregnancy on a daily/weekly basis, and has met and been welcomed by interesting women who have provided models--namely Lady Sandwich. Not to say that she brought no aspirations or interests and expectations for herself from her aristocratic background in France or her time in the convent in Paris.

dirk on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Evelyn's diary for today:

"I sailed this morning with his Majestie [on] one of his Yaachts (or Pleasure boates) Vessells newly known amongst us, til the Dut[c]h [E. India Comp.] presented that curious piece to the King, & very excellent sailing Vessels. It was on a Wager betweene his other new Pleasure boate, built fregate-like, & one of the Duke of Yorks, the wager 100 pounds. The race from Greenewich to Gravesend & back: The King lost it going, wind Contrary, but sav'd stakes returning: There were divers noble Person[s] & Lords on board: his Majestie sometimes steering himselfe: There attended his Barge & Kitchin boate: I brake fast this morning with the king, at returne in his smaller Vessell, he being pleasd to take me & onely foure more who were Noble-men with him: but dined in his Yacht, where we all Eate together with his Majestie.

In this passage his Majestie was pleasd to discourse to me about my Book inveing against the nuisance of the Smoke of Lond: & proposing expedients how by removing those particulars I mention'd, it might be reformd; Commanding me to prepare a Bill, against the next session of Parliament; being (as he said) resolved to have something don in it:

Then he discoursd to me of the improvement of Gardens & buildings (now very rare in England, comparatively to other Countries) and then commanded to me draw-up the Matter of fact happning at the bloudy Encounter which then had newly happn'd betweene the French & Spanish Ambassador neere the Tower, at the reception of the Sweds Ambassador contending for precedency; giving me order to consult Sir William Compton (Master of the Ordnance) to informe me what he knew of it; & with his favorite Sir Char: Berkeley [after: Earle of Falmoth:] (Cap: of the Dukes life-guard) then present with his Troope, & 3 foote Companies; with some other reflections and Instructions; to be prepard for a Declaration to take off the reports which went about of his Majesties partiality in this affaire, & of his Officers &c: Spectators rudenesse whilst the conflict lasted:”

So there were rumours that King Charles wasn’t really impartial in the matter of the fight between the Sapnish and french ambassadors…

vicente on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Helps to understand about gardens recently mentioned "improvement of Gardens & buildings (now very rare in England, comparatively to other Countries"
Men usually underestimate Women, so badly. How many times has it been found in that sweet flighty wench, there lies a brain and common sense good enough to run large corporations.
Too many talents, in both sexes have not been exposed but left to rot.
My limited view, education should not be to stuff in but to draw forth all the talents that lie hidden.

vicente on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Precedence: My dear chap it is veddy veddy important that the "i is before e....."
"...That the Peers of this Realm having formerly made their Petition to the Crown (as the Fountain of Honour), for Preservation of their ancient Rights and Privileges they all derive from its Royal Grace and Sovereign Dignity, which we humbly now renew unto Your Majesty, finding what they then complained of daily encreasing upon us, for Want of timely Remedy; the Nobility of Scotland and Ireland taking Place in this Kingdom according to their Titles, without any Regard to the Precedency due to the Peerage of this Your Majesty's Realm, to the great Disparagement and Injury of the English Nobility, as will appear to Your Majesty by the following Reasons, which we humbly offer..."
..
...etc:

From: British History Online
Source: House of Lords Journal Volume 12: 4 March 1668. House of Lords Journal Volume 12, ().
URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Date: 02/10/2004
c Copyright 2003 University of London & History of Parliament Trust
there are places that there is a fight [verbal mostly]over WHO is the senior man, same as a general, a day makes a difference to where one stands in the queue for the nod of acceptance.]

vicente on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

more on Precedency:
L. Delawar and L. Berkley, Precedency.
This Day the Cause was heard, by Counsel on both Sides, touching the Matter of Precedency between the Lord Delaware and the Lord Berkeley of Berkeley, upon the Petition and Complaint of the Lord Berkeley.
And the Counsel for the Lord Delaware pleaded, "This Matter hath been already adjudged in this House, 39 Elizabeth?, for the Lord Delaware.”
But the Counsel for the Lord Berkeley alledged, “That that Business was not concerning any Difference touching Precedency of Place between the Lord Delaware and the Lord Berkeley; neither was the Lord Berkeleye’s Ancestor Defendant in that Matter, and so could not be bound by that Judgement.”
Hereupon the Counsel were commanded to withdraw.
And the House, upon Consideration hereof, were of Opinion, “That the Lord Berkeley’s Counsel may proceed to the Merits of the Cause; because it appears that the Lord Berkeley’s Ancestor was not Defendant in that Business in 39 Elizabeth?.”
And the Counsel being called in again, the Lord Chancellor signified so much to the Counsel; and thereupon they proceeded to hear the Merits of the Cause.
And after some Time spent therein, it was agreed between the Counsel on both Sides, to state the Evidence and the Case amongst themselves; and when that is done, upon Signification thereof to this House, their Lordships will appoint a further Day to hear the Business.
.

From: British History Online
Source: House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 7 June 1661. House of Lords Journal Volume 11, ().
URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Date: 02/10/2004
c Copyright 2003 University of London & History of Parliament Trust

Ruben on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

more on Precedency
...or pecking order.
No wonder they adorned their hats with feathers, as we red lately about one Frenchman.

AussieRene on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Operah! Please... do not mention a third rate American television personality within these esteemed pages.

R on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Operah!
I never saw her in TV, but I have a friend who spoke with a woman who saw Operah's TV program. He tells me that Operah is recommending good books to her public, something that in American TV is unheard off and risky.
I cannot dismiss her good intentions.
She is riding a very difficult gale...

Robert Gertz on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

Oh, I hope no source modern or ancient will fail to be utilized in these pages...Even 'a third rate American television personality'...if it offers illumination on a point.

After all, with her love of romance novels, our Bethie would probably be an avid viewer of Oprah. While Sam, expressing contempt at times for the idiots addicted to such things, would, with his adoration of celebrity, no doubt fall on his feet in worship should Ms. Winfrey come to town and smile on him.

"Elisabeth, guess who I'm bringing to dinner tonight?! Tony Blair, Oprah Winfrey, Conan O'Brien, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Colin Powell, George Lukas, Jay Leno, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and your favorite author, Danielle Steele!...Oh, and some royal, William, I think." Our boy trembles with joy.

Elisabeth's glowing eyes turn a bit cool...Sniffing..."Sam'l? I told you, darling, I've grown beyond Ms. Steele, since joining Oprah's Book Club."

Todd Bernhardt on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

re: Third-rate personalities

One hopes Elizabeth -- and certainly Sam, given his good musical taste! -- also would have grown beyond *shudder* Andrew Lloyd Weber. Ick.

Vincente, up to this point I've extracted and saved particularly notable quotes from Sam, but today, you join the club: "Education should not be to stuff in but to draw forth all the talents that lie hidden." Works for me.

David A. Smith on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

"hardly bring myself to do, yet do please me much when it is done"

Herein lies one of the several keys to Sam's success: work incomplete gnaws at him, he is content only when atop the paper pile.

Though he is ambitious (plenty), a social climber (in spades) and an obseqious courtier (when warranted, which is more or less continuously), without that internal obsession his wit and bustle would one day be exposed as pretense and he would be as nothing.

vicente on 2 Oct 2004  •  Link

precedence again: money buys brains and brawn; brains can persuade brawn: looks deceive all:

David Ross McIrvine on 3 Oct 2004  •  Link

I AM SLANG CHALLENGEd

I always have a wry sort of perspective on modern slang--one wonders what Sam's time would have thought of "You go, girl!"

And i'm afraid whenever i see internet slang i have a bit of a problem too. for instance, lol is, in contract bridge slang, an abbrevation for "little old lady." So when I see someone say "LOL!" I think they are identifying themselves as a little old lady.

vicente on 3 Oct 2004  •  Link

"LOL!” was my mothers call out for my Father.

Gerald Berg on 3 Oct 2014  •  Link

And brawn beats brains.

Annie B on 14 Dec 2016  •  Link

I think it's funny how Sam had to consider whether he would allow Elizabeth to learn to sing. I wonder, was it the cost he was considering, or was there any part of him that wasn't thrilled to give up another one of his personal hobbies. I think it's nice Sam and Elizabeth are spending more time together, but on the other hand, for some, this could be getting to be a lot of time together... Last year, Sam had a lot more time away from the house to himself!

RLB on 2 Oct 2024  •  Link

@Annie: it was probably to do with the reputation singing (and dancing) masters had at the time: that they would try to have a fling with every single one of their students. Sam probably thought that as long as Elizabeth had her lessons together with him, it was OK.