Sunday 26 February 1664/65
(Sunday). Up and to church, and so home to dinner, and after dinner to my office, and there busy all the afternoon, till in the evening comes Mr. Andrews and Hill, and so home and to singing. Hill staid and supped with me, and very good discourse of Italy, where he was, which is always to me very agreeable. After supper, he gone, we to prayers and to bed.
9 Annotations
First Reading
JWB • Link
"...Italy...which is always to me very agreeable."
Think of all the young Latin scholars sloshinng though the snow with satchells underarm containing translations of stories, histories and myths full of sun and the sea and sex and battles, heroes, ogres and barbarians.
Robert Gertz • Link
But would Sam have taken the room with a view?
Australian Susan • Link
I see him rather more as Mr Beebe
dirk • Link
Diary of Ralph Josselin today:
(weather report)
"The frost continues, though so moderate the ploughs stir. god good in manifold mercies for which my soul blesses him, the lord good in the word full of warmth and life, quicken me to thy service, and accept me I pray thee."
Pedro • Link
“Italy, where he was, which is always to me very agreeable.”
When in Rome one has to be careful!
Robert Boyle and his brother while in Geneva wanted to visit Italy, and their father reluctantly agreed fearing for their safety because of growing antagonism of Italians towards English. Boyle, who could speak French fluently, passed himself of as a Frenchman in order to move more freely in Rome because of his fear and detestation of the Jesuits and friars.
An experience in Florence gave support to this apprehension. He was at this time in the flower of youth and of fresh and brilliant complexion. While sauntering alone in the suburbs “he was somewhat rudely pressed by the preposterous courtship of two friars, whose lust makes no distinction of sexes,” and he escaped from them with difficulty and with some danger to his life.
(Info from his biography of Robert Boyle by Louis Trenchard More)
Michael Robinson • Link
"... and to singing ... , and very good discourse of Italy, ..."
Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn,
Im dunkeln Laub die Gold-Orangen glühn,
Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht,
Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht,
Kennst du es wohl?
Dahin! Dahin
Möcht ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn!
[Do you know the land where the lemon trees blossom?
Among dark leaves the golden oranges glow.
A gentle breeze from blue skies drifts.
The myrtle is still, and the laurel stands high.
Do you know it well?
There, there
would I go with you, my beloved. ]
Schubert's setting of 'Kennst du das Land' (Goethe 'Mignon' D321) another time, another place ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU…
Apologies to any offended, could not resist the parallel ...
Carl in Boston • Link
There is a golden land of Italy, far away from this snow and ice
Miss Honeychurch still stays there, and Mr Beebe chaperones.
It's only in my mind, four more weeks should bring the sun. Sisu.
The translation of Kennst du (du?) das Land is all right, but it's better in the German. There are times when the Germans are sentimental softies.
Second Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
Is this the first time Pepys has said "Sunday" instead of "Lord's Day"?
San Diego Sarah • Link
One of my favorite authors, JD Davies, has posted his review of the two Stuart art exhibits currently available in London. Lucky fella visited them both in one day. There are interesting photos of some of the Charles II exhibit, and I would love to know what Pepys thought about the last photo/painting.
https://jddavies.com/2018/02/26/a…