Friday 10 June 1664
Up and by water to White Hall, and there to a Committee of Tangier, and had occasion to see how my Lord Ashworth —[Lord Ashworth is probably a miswriting for Lord Ashley (afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury).]— deports himself, which is very fine indeed, and it joys my heart to see that there is any body looks so near into the King’s business as I perceive he do in this business of my Lord Peterborough’s accounts.
Thence into the Parke, and met and walked with Captain Sylas Taylor, my old acquaintance while I was of the Exchequer, and Dr. Whore, talking of musique, and particularly of Mr. Berckenshaw’s way, which Taylor magnifies mightily, and perhaps but what it deserves, but not so easily to be understood as he and others make of it. Thence home by water, and after dinner abroad to buy several things, as a map, and powder, and other small things, and so home to my office, and in the evening with Captain Taylor by water to our Tangier ship, and so home, well pleased, having received 26l. profit to-day of my bargain for this ship, which comforts me mightily, though I confess my heart, what with my being out of order as to my health, and the fear I have of the money my Lord oweth me and I stand indebted to him in, is much cast down of late.
In the evening home to supper and to bed.
7 Annotations
First Reading
cape henry • Link
"...and the fear I have of the money..." Anyone who has ever made an investment that suddenly turns if-y will understand that certain gnawing at one which can result.
Terry F • Link
"abroad to buy several things, as a map, and powder, and other small things"
Map of what? (We are usually told.) Powder for the periwigg? That the other things are "small things" strikes me as curiously specific.
Robert Gertz • Link
"And you say Pepys took 26Ls of you for the Tangier ship arrangements?"
"Aye, my Lord Ashley. And eagerly too..." Taylor nods. "If ye'll be mentioning it before the Committee, my Lord, ye will be clearing me name? I having done my part on your orders."
"Have no fear, Captain. You have my protection."
"Of course, my Lord. Perhaps I should mention my Lord...Though it's not really..."
"Yes...?"
"It's said Mr. Pepys is at times an infrequent churchgoer...As is his wife. And there are...Rumors, my Lord."
"Indeed? Taking after his superior, perhaps?"
"No definite proof of Papacy, my Lord...Just rumors... Will you be moving for Mr. Pepys' dismissal, then?"
"Not at present. The Duke and his creature Coventry rather like Pepys and I shouldn't wish to provoke that sort of wrath just yet. At least not till my political schemes have jelled and my standard is a bit higher. But I will make use of it in my own good time."
Australian Susan • Link
Map and powder
I agree, we are usually told what sort of map Sam buys as these were not cheap purchases, so I was wondering if "map" might be a transcription error? And what he is buying is another domestic or personal item? Although, "powder" probably does not refer to wig powder as Sam wore his periwigg as natural hair, not dressed. Maybe this was gunpowder? Or lousing powder?
Robert Gertz • Link
"My Lord Sandwich? A moment's grace?"
"Pepys? Is this urgent? I've pressing matters at Chelsea."
I can imagine what's to be pressed, Sam thinks. But having spent the day and night before summoning up courage...
"My Lord? About the 700Ls which I did lend onto your Lordship..."
"700Ls? Your 700Ls? I should say rather my 700Ls given that you owe all your career's success to me."
"Uh, yes. Yes, of course, my Lord. But you see...Certain persons...About the City, that is, your Lordship...Have recently come to speak to me, your Lordship...Regarding your credit, my Lord..."
"My...Credit? Pepys, you speak of my credit to me? Who speaks of my credit in the City? What are their names, Pepys? Pepys, I cannot believe that I must find Will Howe's gossip to be true, that you are...So ungrateful as to question my handling of such trivial sums..."
"Ah...My...Lord...It's just...700Ls, my Lord...To me and my poor wife...Such a large sum for us..."
"And you would presume that I would not handle such a pennysworth as yours with care? Why I lose that much at cards to Lady Castlemaine every other night."
Exactly...Sam thinks.
"My...Lord...I am sure...But some do say, at the Exchange..."
"Who says what, Pepys?!!"
"Ah...Well, my Lord...Ummn..."
"Pepys?!!!"
"Dr. Pierce, Mr. Hunt, a maid I used to employ...Long-since fired, my Lord."
"Sounds like the same crew who spoke slightingly of my recuperation at Chelsea... Pepys, I am shocked...Shocked! Such ingratitude when I am the patron of your success..."
"No, no my Lord...My Lord, please...Feel free to burn it in your fireplace. It means nothing to me. Only that...My wife...Wants a few things for herself...Oh, my Lord..." sobbing...
"Pepys, really...Now, then...It'll be all right. Get a grip there, cousin... This is very touching, but you really must pull yourself together, lad. I'm not displeased with you, Pepys."
700Ls...Gone...Sam sobs on...
Second Reading
Nate Lockwood • Link
Maps were expensive, requiring a mapmaker, engraver, printer, papermaker, colorist and helpers. The engraver engraved the mapmaker's map onto large copper plates, in reverse of course. The plates were heated, inked, and pressed onto the dampened paper. Finally the colorist colored the map by hand. The link doesn't explain the heating but I interpret that the plate needed to be cleaned, heated, and re-inked for each pressing. The printer made the maps to be sold by a distributor either separately or in and atlas.
Here's the link: http://web-static.nypl.org/exhibi…
Chris Squire UK • Link
Re: ’ . . and I stand indebted to him . . ’
‘indebted, adj. < . . medieval Latin . .
. . 3. a. Under obligation to another for favours or services received; owing gratitude; beholden.
. . 1660 T. Willsford Scales Commerce & Trade Pref. sig. A vij All the others have nothing to glory in, but how Princes and States are indebted to them . . ‘
(OED)