Friday 2 January 1662/63
Lay long in bed, and so up and to the office, where all the morning alone doing something or another. So dined at home with my wife, and in the afternoon to the Treasury office, where Sir W. Batten was paying off tickets, but so simply and arbitrarily, upon a dull pretence of doing right to the King, though to the wrong of poor people (when I know there is no man that means the King less right than he, or would trouble himself less about it, but only that he sees me stir, and so he would appear doing something, though to little purpose), that I was weary of it. At last we broke up, and walk home together, and I to see Sir W. Pen, who is fallen sick again. I staid a while talking with him, and so to my office, practising some arithmetique, and so home to supper and bed, having sat up late talking to my poor wife with great content.
10 Annotations
First Reading
A. De Araujo • Link
"though to the wrong of poor people"
What could that be? methought that Sir W. Batten was a nice soul because of the fact that he left a pension for Mingo in his will.
Terry F • Link
"What's up?" inquires Pepys.
"O hallo, Mr. Pepys," says Batten, -- then sotto voce, turning away from the sailors to his junior colleague: "I'm 'doing right to the King' by paying these tickets at a discount"
***
Sam'l blanches: Batten is under no constraint to short these poor men for the sake of the coffers of the King; besides, it's the Ninth Day of Christmas, and a poor winter awaits them -- the sailors, not Pepys or Batten, that's for sure!
in Aqua Scripto • Link
Fleet left in April "...Governor of Jamaica with this fleet that is now going..."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
in Aqua Scripto • Link
"...the afternoon to the Treasury office..."
A nice stroll, less than a 6 furlongs by crow, by shank it be 8 furlongs or so .
in Aqua Scripto • Link
"... but so simply and arbitrarily..."
was it, two for thee ,one for me.? or like in my day, it be "lets see, four weeks at 28 bob a week,less for 8 biscuits, times 3 that be 56 bob? rite private Atkins." Atkins with "Aye Sir" under his breath "**** **** ****".
Knowing his choices..'tis KP or fresh aire.???
Australian Susan • Link
"poor people" and "poor wife"
Presumably the first means literally poverty-stricken, but the second ?? Is she ill again?
Pauline • Link
"...to my poor wife with great content..."
Aus Sus, "poor wife" almost becomes a term of endearment at times. I think he is focused on her need of distraction or a companion.
And how blind is his eye to his own interest in the companion and her possible music and dancing abilities?
Convincing himself that for Elizabeth's sake he will have to add to his household despite that being an expense against the economic goals for the coming year? Or even truly understanding of her need for a companion.
Robert Gertz • Link
"Ah, Sir Will..." Sam sits on the bed.
Howl. "My apologies."
"So when will we see ye back in the captain's chair below, Sir Will? We all long for your return, certainty."
Narrow look from Sir Will...Who knows exactly how much the speaker 'longs' for his return to the office.
"If me dear wife would stop showing me me boy's latest folderol...#$&@...nonsense each time I make it out of bed."
"Oh, the new pamphlet he funded, yes. Talk of London that one is." Sly smile...As Sir Will turns red.
Aqua • Link
"...paying off tickets..." an important subject that is involved in Corruption.
Third Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
So what's a furlong?
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one eighth of a mile,
equivalent to any of 660 feet,
220 yards,
40 rods,
10 chains
or approximately 201 metres.