Friday 18 April 1662
This morning sending the boy down into the cellar for some beer I followed him with a cane, and did there beat him for his staying of awards [?? D.W.] and other faults, and his sister came to me down and begged for him. So I forebore, and afterwards, in my wife’s chamber, did there talk to Jane how much I did love the boy for her sake, and how much it do concern to correct the boy for his faults, or else he would be undone. So at last she was well pleased.
This morning Sir G. Carteret, Sir W. Batten and I met at the office, and did conclude of our going to Portsmouth next week, in which my mind is at a great loss what to do with my wife, for I cannot persuade her to go to Brampton, and I am loth to leave her at home. All the afternoon in several places to put things in order for my going.
At night home and to bed.
20 Annotations
First Reading
A. De Araujo • Link
"beat him for his staying of awards"
It beats me!...
Bradford • Link
"Shorter Pepys":
. . . "I fallowed him with a cane, and did there beat him for his staying of arrands and other faults,". . . [sic, sic]
"Stay: to keep waiting," says the Glossary---which in this context no doubt means putting off the errands he has been charged with carrying out.
As for Sam's not leaving Elizabeth home alone unchaperoned, what perils might befall her?---other than, of course, Gentleman Callers.
DrCari • Link
It appears incorrigible Wayneman was up to his old tricks.
Sam was required to apply some 'correction'. This won't be the last time, nor the last of Jane's pleas to Sam for mercy toward Wayneman.
Clement • Link
"incorrigible Wayneman"
I believe this is the second caning he has received at Sam's hand; the last was for lying about the provenance of a rocket in his pocket before Bonfire Night.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
Clement • Link
"a great loss what to do with my wife"
Sam never mentions Elizabeth's preference in the matter, and I suspect he's clumsily trying to overmanage the outcome.
I won't further apply my boot of speculation against the deceased horse of motive, but he sure sounds like he's hiding some intent.
Australian Susan • Link
If Sam is going to see the arrival of England's new Queen (hidden away behind "offical" navy business or busyness), then it does seem rather mean not to arrange matters so Elizabeth can come. It would be a lovely treat for her, but would need new clothes, of course........
It does not seem to have occured to Sam that Elizabeth could stay with her own family. What's wrong with that? (except of course that Elizabeth doesn't want to). How about a room in the Wardrobe also?
Australian Susan • Link
Corporal punishment.
Sam was in loco parentis and thus perceived it as his duty to chastise the boy physically for his own good. They really did believe this in those days ("spare the rod and spoil the child"). A father could and did beat his daughter until she was married and then this "duty" [sic] was handed over to the new husband. Sometimes, this was done literally with the father handing an old slipper to do the beating to the son-in-law to signify this change. This is the origin of the practice of tying old shoes to the back of going-away cars.
Cumgranissalis • Link
"...did there talk to Jane how much I did love the boy for her sake, and how much it do concern to correct the boy for his faults, or else he would be undone..." Well put.
"Quidquid praecipies, esto brevis"
'Orice , Ars Poetica, 333
Whatever you admonish, be quick.
Cumgranissalis • Link
Eliza has seen the accomodations in the Navy Yard. He only wants to see the real Navy town.
Mary • Link
The Portsmouth journey.
We have heard nothing of any other wives being taken along on this trip. Sam would not feel able to take Elizabeth along as the 'trailing spouse' if no other women were to join the party. Let's wait and see how the group is finally composed.
Todd Bernhardt • Link
re: the Portsmouth journey
I agree with Mary. Though Sam has strayed from the straight and narrow often enough (and, we know, will continue to do so), I haven't seen convincing evidence so far that he has ulterior motives in this instance. So far, he's been completely honest when "speaking to" his diary; I don't see why things would be any different this time.
Peter • Link
Nice turn of phrase, Clement. Not quite flogging a dead horse... but very nearly!
A. Hamilton • Link
"Sam has strayed from the straight and narrow often enough"
If once is enough. I may have missed something, but so far Sam's sins appear to be enjoying the sight of pretty women, flirting, and one sexual adventure some 18 months ago. I surmise that the adventures that made (unmade) his reputation lie in the future.
Robert Gertz • Link
Pity Sam doesn't give us a list of specific rivals he fears. Though his having been a witness to the King's and Duke's open courting of Mrs. Palmer, Lady Castlemaine...and no doubt a witness to many other such advances by lesser men to married women. Perhaps that was enough...
Todd Bernhardt • Link
re: often enough
In my wife's opinion -- and, I'm presuming, Elizabeth's! -- once would *be* enough! :-)
Wim van der Meij • Link
- beat him for the staying of awards -: Warrington has: - staying of errands -. Now it does make sense, methinks.
Wim van der Meij • Link
Now I see that Bradford already mentioned the errands.
Second Reading
Louise Hudson • Link
Sam doesn't draw the line at beating boys. He has also beaten female servants and written about it in his diary. . I wonder if he beats Elzabeth, there being no law or custom against it. I doubt he'd mention it in his diary, though. I wonder if he could be beaten by his superiors for supposed lapses. Beatings of social inferiors seemed to be common and accepted in Sam's day and continued well into the 20th century. I'd rather think Sam was above that, but apparently not.
Sasha Clarkson • Link
Unlike many, including some teachers of my own childhood, Sam doesn't enjoy cruelty. If he were to beat Elizabeth, it would certainly trouble him enough to mention it in his diary, because what troubles him he DOES record.
There is no more point in hoping for Sam to be a 21st century man than there is expecting Lord of the Rings to be a work of socialist realism. The diary is important precisely because it IS a (remarkably frank) record of attitudes and behaviour in a very different era.
Terry Foreman • Link
"So I forebore, and afterwards, in my wife’s chamber, did there talk to Jane how much I did love the boy for her sake, and how much it do concern to correct the boy for his faults, or else he would be undone."
L&M: Wayneman Birch was dismissed in July 1663, and in the following November was packed off to Barbados: https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
He was a 'pretty well-looked boy' and had been in Pepys's service since September 1660. His escapades included one small explosion, an attempt at running away and 'strange things . . . not fit to name': https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…