Thursday 13 December 1666
Up, and to the office, where we sat. At noon to the ’Change and there met Captain Cocke, and had a second time his direction to bespeak 100l. of plate, which I did at Sir R. Viner’s, being twelve plates more, and something else I have to choose. Thence home to dinner, and there W. Hewer dined with me, and showed me a Gazette, in April last, which I wonder should never be remembered by any body, which tells how several persons were then tried for their lives, and were found guilty of a design of killing the King and destroying the Government; and as a means to it, to burn the City; and that the day intended for the plot was the 3rd of last September.1 And the fire did indeed break out on the 2nd of September, which is very strange, methinks, and I shall remember it.
At the office all the afternoon late, and then home to even my accounts in my Tangier book, which I did to great content in all respects, and joy to my heart, and so to bed.
This afternoon Sir W. Warren and Mr. Moore, one after another, walked with me in the garden, and they both tell me that my Lord Sandwich is called home, and that he do grow more and more in esteem everywhere, and is better spoken of, which I am mighty glad of, though I know well enough his deserving the same before, and did foresee that it will come to it.
In mighty great pain in my back still, but I perceive it changes its place, and do not trouble me at all in making of water, and that is my joy, so that I believe it is nothing but a strain, and for these three or four days I perceive my overworking of my eyes by candlelight do hurt them as it did the last winter, that by day I am well and do get them right, but then after candlelight they begin to be sore and run, so that I intend to get some green spectacles.
11 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
L&M note 3 September was always a preternatural date for the fantasists, for it was the anniversary of Cromwell's death.
Bryan M • Link
"I intend to get some green spectacles"
The website of the College of Optometrists shows some seventeenth century spectacles. Sam gets a mention at the bottom of the page.
http://www.college-optometrists.o…
A. De Araujo • Link
"I intend to get some green spectacles"
Not indicated for reading by candlelight!
DiPhi • Link
"...I perceive my overworking of my eyes by candlelight do hurt them as it did the last winter..."
a sad foreshadowing to the end of the diary.
CGS • Link
spectacles [eye glasses] been around awhile....since 1400's?
Jesse • Link
“I intend to get some green spectacles”
Why green? From the above link I got the impression that these may be filtering only and not magnifying, i.e. Pepys is looking for better contrast and peak eye sensitivity is in the green (see http://www.rwc.uc.edu/koehler/bio… towards the bottom).
Terry Foreman • Link
"they both tell me that my Lord Sandwich is called home"
L&M note this a canard: Sandwich will not return from his embassy in Madrid until September 1668.
John Mallon • Link
Re: The reference to Col John Rathbone
The London Gazette (Number 48) of April 26-30 1666 contains the above quote regarding John Rathbone.Is the listed date of publication from above (April 23-26 1666) from Pypes or another source?
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"The London Gazette (Number 48) of April 26-30 1666 contains the above quote regarding John Rathbone.Is the listed date of publication from above (April 23-26 1666) from Pypes or another source?"
John Mallon, the April 23-26 1666 date of publication appears to have been in a footnote supplied by Lord Braybrook, an early editor of the Diary, that the Project Gutenberg text included. http://www.pepysdiary.com/about/t…
john • Link
"... but I perceive it changes its place, and do not trouble me at all in making of water, and that is my joy, so that I believe it is nothing but a strain."
Nice bit of logical diagnosis, not at all common then (or now).
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Richard Browne plotted against here was probably the former Lord Mayor of London 1660-61, Sir Richard Browne M.P.
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
I'm guessing that "his Grace the Lord General" would be Gen. George Monck, Duke of Albemarle.