Saturday 6 April 1667
Up, and betimes in the morning down to the Tower wharfe, there to attend the shipping of soldiers, to go down to man some ships going out, and pretty to see how merrily some, and most go, and how sad others — the leave they take of their friends, and the terms that some wives, and other wenches asked to part with them: a pretty mixture. So to the office, having staid as long as I could, and there sat all the morning, and then home at noon to dinner, and then abroad, Balty with me, and to White Hall, by water, to Sir G. Carteret, about Balty’s 1500l. contingent money for the fleete to the West Indys, and so away with him to the Exchange, and mercers and drapers, up and down, to pay all my scores occasioned by this mourning for my mother; and emptied a 50l. bag, and it was a joy to me to see that I am able to part with such a sum, without much inconvenience; at least, without any trouble of mind. So to Captain Cocke’s to meet Fenn, to talk about this money for Balty, and there Cocke tells me that he is confident there will be a peace, whatever terms be asked us, and he confides that it will take because the French and Dutch will be jealous one of another which shall give the best terms, lest the other should make the peace with us alone, to the ruin of the third, which is our best defence, this jealousy, for ought I at present see. So home and there very late, very busy, and then home to supper and to bed, the people having got their house very clean against Monday’s dinner.
9 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
Brodrick to Ormond
Written from: [London]
Date: 6 April 1667
Gives a summary of advices, and of rumours, on pending political affairs in various parts of the Continent of Europe. ... "The Emperor" [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char… ], he writes ... "presseth the ratifying [of] the Peace concluded with Portugal, admitting the title, in form, as they require." ... "They would all allow ... 'Rex Lusitanorum', since there are Portugals [Portuguese] in the E. & W. India; not 'Rex Lusitania' - of the country between the Rivers Duerus (Douro) and Minius (Minho) ... for, amidst all their papers, I find not much controversy about the petty style of the Algarves. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alga… ]"
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/s…
Terry Foreman • Link
"The Emperor" in question in Brodrick's letter was also ruler of the Spanish Netherlands http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sout… which bears, indirectly, on the negotiations about to begin at Breda between England and the Dutch.
Glyn • Link
Pepys does enjoy people watching and I find that interesting. In comparison he hardly ever mentions any natural history, or gives descriptions of the ruined landscape he's constantly walking through.
Michael Robinson • Link
... and the terms that some wives, and other wenches asked to part with them: ...
Having seen SP in action over the past couple of years one wonders if he is sizing up potential 'talent'; he knows they will be available and less trouble, he won't have to promise immediately to arrange a job or promotion for the spouse but can leave all up in the air for the future, by which time he will have moved on to the next!
Robert Gertz • Link
"...he confides that it will take because the French and Dutch will be jealous one of another which shall give the best terms, lest the other should make the peace with us alone, to the ruin of the third, which is our best defence,..."
Great...The England that was eagerly seeking war to show off its new regime, now a third-rate power, pawn to the whims of its enemies like Byzantium in her death throes?
It's interesting that Sam and Admiral Sir Will Penn escape censure regarding their "foreign" wives. In other times, even a half-French wife might have raised hackles and led to a lot of finger-pointing and bizarre accusations.
"'Dutch' Penn betrays fleet!!"
"Are England's naval secrets in the hands of a pretty Frenchwoman?!!"
"Duke of York and King shocked to find Penn and Pepys married to enemy!! Parliament demands investigation!!"
"Now we know why our fleet is beached!! Treason in Naval Office!!"
"Secret trips to 'tailor' may be secret to spy ring!! Who needs facts when treason is clear, says Sir R. Ford!!"
"Pepys and Penn, traitors to England! Brought before Parliament to answer questions of high treason!!"
Second Reading
Louise Hudson • Link
Pepys speaks of mourning for his mother. Did he even mention in the diary when she died? If he did I missed it. Seems strange for a man who wrote down every event of his life and many inconsequential details—but the death of his mother doesn’t get so much as a mention.
San Diego Sarah • Link
Hi Louise ... yes, he has mentioned her death in rather confusing ways. He got the news on Tuesday, 26 March 1667 https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
having been warned it was coming, and he appears to be deeply moved. Then he orders new clothes for everyone (plus 2 new French periwigs for himself), and doesn't mention his mourning until the clothes arrive. He gets his on a Sunday, so strutts off to church looking very fine. Yes, he wrote a letter to his father ... but no suggestion he or Elizabeth should go to Brampton. Of course, the funeral would have happened very fast, and the department is under scrutiny, so leaving would have been unwiise ... he could easily have come home to find himself the scapegoat for Parliament and a nice cell in the Tower awaiting. But it has been ... odd.
Scube • Link
"up and down, to pay all my scores occasioned by this mourning for my mother; and emptied a 50l. bag, " Wonder what the 50l was for? Appears to be all related to mourning. As SDS points out, doesn't appear that he went to a funeral. Would have been interesting to learn a bit more about his custom there.
Third Reading
Trevor M Randall • Link
I agree, it would be interesting to know more about restoration mourning customs. Sam didn’t go to Brampton for the funeral but as he was paying off mercers and drapers it’s reasonable to assume that the fifty quid covered mourning attire and accessories…fancy black suit and curtains!?!