Tuesday 18 December 1666
Up, and to the office, where I hear the ill news that poor Batters, that had been born and bred a seaman, and brought up his ship from sea but yesterday, was, going down from me to his ship, drowned in the Thames, which is a sad fortune, and do make me afeard, and will do, more than ever I was.
At noon dined at home, and then by coach to my Lord Bellasses, but not at home. So to Westminster Hall, where the Lords are sitting still, I to see Mrs. Martin, who is very well, and intends to go abroad to-morrow after her childbed. She do tell me that this child did come is ‘meme jour that it ought to hazer after my avoir ete con elle before her marid did venir home … [And she would now have done anything cum ego; and did endeavour, but su cosa stava mala, which did empescar. – L&M] Thence to the Swan, and there I sent for Sarah, and mighty merry we were … [but contra my will were very far from hazer algo. – L&M] So to Sir Robert Viner’s about my plate, and carried home another dozen of plates, which makes my stock of plates up 2 1/2 dozen, and at home find Mr. Thomas Andrews, with whom I staid and talked a little and invited him to dine with me at Christmas, and then I to the office, and there late doing business, and so home and to bed. Sorry for poor Batters.
23 Annotations
First Reading
Bradford • Link
"this child did come is ‘meme jour that it ought to hazer after my avoir ete con elle before her marid did venir home": will the full version, translated, tell us that perhaps Pepys might not have been shooting nothing but blanks?
Terry Foreman • Link
Bradford, here's a little more.
….”“…. I to see Mrs. Martin, who is very well, and intends to go abroad tomorrow after her childbed. She doth tell me that this child did come la meme jour [ the same day ] that it ought to hazer after my avoir ete con elle [ having ? been with her ] before her marido [ husband ] did venir [ come ] home. And she would now have done anything cum ego; and did endeavor, but su cosa stava mala, which did empescar. Thence to the Swan, and there I sent for Sarah and mighty merry we were, but contra my will were very far from hazer algo [ doing anything].”
[there is an accent acute over each “e” in “ete”] http://www.pepys.info/bits3.html#…
IMHO Pepys can only shoot blanks, but Mrs. Martin is after something.
Terry Foreman • Link
Sorry for poor Batters.
Michael L • Link
Batters' death would be a shock, having dined with him only just before his death.
Though I wonder if, with regards to him accidental drowning, alcohol was involved (as the papers say)?
Terry Foreman • Link
"(as the papers say)?"
Afraid the accidental deaths of humble persons are included as statistics in the weekly Bill of Mortality; but then, such notices are still around.
Terry W • Link
... I to see Mrs. Martin, who is very well, and intends to go abroad tomorrow after her childbed. She doth tell me that this child did come the same day that it ought to have after my having been with her before her husband did come home. And she would now have done anything with me; and did endeavor, but her thing (hurt?) bad, which did (prevent?). Thence to the Swan, and there I sent for Sarah and mighty merry we were, but against my will were very far from doing anything.
A. Hamilton • Link
You might think Betty Martin's attempt to implicate Sam as father to her child might have put Sam off from gallantry with Sarah. But not our Sam (who may well be convinced he is shooting blanks).
Mary • Link
Sorry for poor Batters.
Indeed, but also mindful of his own safety. Sam has had occasion in the past to travel down-river to various vessels and will no doubt have similar occasion in the future. There, but for the grace of God.......etc.
A. De Araujo • Link
"but su cosa stava mala"
Methinks Mrs Martin is telling Sam that he is the father and he is denying it saying to his diary that she was menstruating at the time.
language hat • Link
“but su cosa stava mala”
"But her thing was bad." Obviously, we have no way of knowing what exactly this involved.
Nate • Link
"Methinks Mrs Martin is telling Sam that he is the father and he is denying it saying to his diary that she was menstruating at the time."
Were they aware of the fertility cycle in the 17th century?
cape henry • Link
"Though he also seems to have no great interest in pursuing Mercer…Caution in dealing with one who has become a family friend or lack of interest?" --RG 12/18 Today's entry would suggest that Pepys wouldn't lack interest in a female from the moon. His interest seems to be limitless. It may be that Mercer has drawn a bright line?
John MacGibbon • Link
I cannot understand why a couple of commenters seem to think Sam didn't get it off with Sarah at the Swan. My reading is that he probably did - but perhaps, for some reason I know not, I am getting an expurgated edition of his diaries?
Here's what I can see: "… Thence to the Swan, and there I sent for Sarah, and mighty merry we were …"
This is not the first time, in apparently salacious circumstances, that what I actually read doesn't square with what other commenters are talking about. Do those dot-dot-dots mask something, and if so, how do I get to see the unexpurgated edition?
Michael Robinson • Link
Thence to the Swan, and there I sent for Sarah, and mighty merry we were …”
L&M continue: "... but contra my will were very far from hazer algo...."
@John MacGibbon , "for some reason I know not, I am getting an expurgated edition of his diaries?"
For a discussion of the text used here and prior editions:
http://www.pepysdiary.com/about/t…
The first complete text, and the current modern critical edition, is that of Robert Latham and William Matthews (L&M), published 1970-83 in 11 vols. inc. index and reprinted in various formats and various dates after, for links etc.see:
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
Mary • Link
those dot-dot-dots
If you don't have access to the unexpurgated edition of the diary, you will usually find that (as in Terry Foreman's first annotation in this particular set) one of the annotators who does have a complete text will provide the missing material and also offer a translation of Sam's pseudo-cryptic remarks.
Mary • Link
su cosa stava mala
Betty Martin's new daughter was only baptised on 2nd December and was probably born only a short while before that. Hardly surprising that the new mother may still be feeling too tender to contemplate any rumpy-pumpy with Pepys.
A. De Araujo • Link
Mary I do aggree with you;Mrs Martin was in her puerperium and probably breastfeeding;no menses,just a sore genitalia.Sam's sexual apettite knows no bounds.
CGS • Link
for those that need to know the gory details:
here it be:
http://www.pepys.info/bits3.html#…
then scan down to the date of concern.
Australian Susan • Link
Batters
Probably in common with most sailors and fishermen, he could not swim: sailors thought if you could swim, it just prolonged your death at sea. But the alcohol theory could be true too.
Fred Wilson • Link
Regarding whether Batters had been drinking, Latham and Matthews say in their footnote: He had just sold 10 pounds-worth of fish to a fish monger and appears to have been drinking in celebration.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
Batters' body
L&M: Batters' body was not found until the end of the following March.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... which is a sad fortune, and do make me afeard, and will do, more than ever I was."
Does Pepys fear foul play? Does he think the Dutch / Catholics murdered Capt. Batters? What will he do more of? What an odd paragraph.
RSGII • Link
Traveling the Thames with its strong currents in a small boat was a dangerous business as Batters death reminded Sam. He had to do it often and was often understandably afraid and Batters death will make him even more fearful in the future.