Sunday 10 December 1665
(Lord’s day). Lay long talking, Hill and I, with great pleasure, and then up, and being ready walked to Cocke’s for some newes, but heard none, only they would have us stay their dinner, and sent for my wife, who come, and very merry we were, there being Sir Edmund Pooly and Mr. Evelyn. Before we had dined comes Mr. Andrews, whom we had sent for to Bow, and so after dinner home, and there we sang some things, but not with much pleasure, Mr. Andrews being in so great haste to go home, his wife looking every hour to be brought to bed. He gone Mr. Hill and I continued our musique, one thing after another, late till supper, and so to bed with great pleasure.
15 Annotations
First Reading
Margaret • Link
If Mrs. Andrews is looking every hour to be brought to bed, does that mean that she expects to go into labour any minute? If so, no wonder Mr. Andrews is keen to get home.
jeannine • Link
If Mrs. Andrews is looking every hour to be brought to bed, does that mean that she expects to go into labour any minute?
That's how I read it Margaret. Maybe we'll get an update tomorrow (hoping for a quick labor for her) - a boy or a girl-place your bets!
A. Hamilton • Link
brought to bed
Not only do I read it the same, but can cite authorities, including Webster's, which calls it an archaic phrase for giving birth, and the following title,
Brought to bed. Childbearing in America, 1750-1950
A. Hamilton • Link
Lay long talking ... with great pleasure
I find earnest Sam's unexpected capacity for jammin' quite attractive.
Robert Gertz • Link
There is the Andrews husband type who is willing to risk displeasing a well-to-do patron in order to get home to his pregnant wife near labor. And then there's:
"One minute you're in a bar and they tell you your wife's had a girl...And the next..."-Roger Sterling, "Mad Men".
Where does Sam fall? Hard to say. Now, Lord Sandwich on the other hand...
Mary • Link
Just a note - and a spoiler.
For an interesting discussion on next year's Great Fire of London and its aftermath, go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/atoz/…
and then select In Our Time - listen again.
Terry Foreman • Link
Mary, Terrific listen and appropriate tribute to the quite civilized roles of Robert Hooke, et al., in the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire. Thanks.
Terry Foreman • Link
John Evelyn's Diary (Dirk's not having posted it)
10 A stranger preached at Greenewich on 13 Luke. 1. 2. and 5. not to judge uncharitably of others, for our owne Escape: applied to those who survived the Contagion &c: a seasonable discourse:
***
Luke.13
[1] There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
[2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
[5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Nix • Link
Doesn't Evelyn ever say anything about his social interactions with Samuel? (Or with anyone else, for that matter?)
cgs • Link
Evelyn be too much of a "Gent" to comment on mere mortals.
Second Reading
San Diego Sarah • Link
I wonder who took Elizabeth home to Seething Lane. Interesting Pepys is more interested in recording who he was making music with than his wife's safety -- so many unpaid, unsheltered and hungry seamen in the neighborhood that should have been a concern.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Doesn't Evelyn ever say anything about his social interactions with Samuel? (Or with anyone else, for that matter?)"
Evelyn frequently mentions eating with Kings and Dukes and Earls and Lords and gentlemen. Perhaps later on Pepys will qualify for a social mention -- right now I suspect Evelyn sees him as a working stiff at the Navy Office who has contacts. But not REALLY a gentleman -- maybe he's heard from Downing how he used to be his cyber expert before the Restoration?
The Greenwich Patriot • Link
Margaret Willes's book "The Curious World of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn" explores the friendship between them, which really flourished later. And of course, Evelyn wrote that charming tribute in his diary when Pepys died.
Nick Hedley • Link
Evelyn's tribute mentioned by The Greenwich Patriot is:
"26th May, 1703. This day died Mr. Samuel Pepys, a very worthy, industrious and curious person, none in England exceeding him in knowledge of the navy, in which he had passed through all the most considerable offices, Clerk of the Acts and Secretary of the Admiralty, all which he performed with great integrity. When King James II. went out of England, he laid down his office, and would serve no more; but withdrawing himself from all public affairs, he lived at Clapham with his partner, Mr. Hewer, formerly his clerk, in a very noble house and sweet place, where he enjoyed the fruit of his labors in great prosperity. He was universally beloved, hospitable, generous, learned in many things, skilled in music, a very great cherisher of learned men of whom he had the conversation. His library and collection of other curiosities were of the most considerable, the models of ships especially. Besides what he published of an account of the navy, as he found and left it, he had for divers years under his hand the History of the Navy, or Navalia, as he called it; but how far advanced, and what will follow of his, is left, I suppose, to his sister's son, Mr. Jackson, a young gentleman, whom Mr. Pepys had educated in all sorts of useful learning, sending him to travel abroad, from whence he returned with extraordinary accomplishments, and worthy to be heir. Mr. Pepys had been for near forty years so much my particular friend, that Mr. Jackson sent me complete mourning, desiring me to be one to hold up the pall at his magnificent obsequies; but my indisposition hindered me from doing him this last office."
Jonathan V • Link
Thank you, Nick. A great read.