Tuesday 21 April 1668

Up, and at the office all the morning, at noon dined at home, and thence took Mrs. Turner out and carried her to the King’s house, and saw “The Indian Emperour;” and after that done, took Knepp out, and to Kensington; and there walked in the garden, and then supped, and mighty merry, there being also in the house Sir Philip Howard, and some company, and had a dear reckoning, but merry, and away, it being quite night, home, and dark, about 9 o’clock or more, and in my coming had the opportunity the first time in my life to be bold with Knepp … [by putting my hand abaxo de her coats and tocar su thighs and venter — and a little of the other thing, ella but a little opposing me; su skin very douce and I mighty pleased with this; – L&M] and so left her at home, and so Mrs. Turner and I home to my letters and to bed.

Here hear how Sir W. Pen’s impeachment was read, and agreed to, in the House this day, and ordered to be engrossed; and he suspended the House —[From sitting as a member pending the impeachment. — B.]— Harman set at liberty; and Brouncker put out of the House, and a writ for a new election, and an impeachment ordered to be brought in against him, he being fled!1

17 Annotations

First Reading

Terry Foreman  •  Link

The above ellipsis hides Pepys's embarking on a triumph he's long wished for....

"...and in my coming had the opportunity, the first time in my life, to be bold with Knepp by putting my hand abaxo de her coats and tocar su thighs and venter -- and a little of the other thing, ella but a little opposing me; su skin very douce and I mightily pleased with with this; and so left her at home, and so Mrs. Turner and I home to my letters and to bed."

L&M text.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

Knepp, poised right on that social boundary...Sam nervously considering...Does he cross that Rubicon or no.

Though of course there's always the forbidding figure of Mr. Knepp, surly horse trader...Not a compliant Will Bagwell, ready to swallow any humiliation to further his career and, to be fair save his family from starvation.

Todd Bernhardt  •  Link

Sam's boldness in a coach with others in it continues to astound me. Must have been mighty dark!

(Phil, you'll want to change the link above to Henry Brouncker, not William.)

Terry Foreman  •  Link

House Journal

"The Articles of Impeachment [for breaking bulk and embezzling] were again read.

"The first Article of Impeachment was read the Second time; and the Words "the Earl of Sandwich," upon the Question, omitted; and the Words "with several Persons" inserted; and the Words "the said Sir Wm. Penn" inserted, was, upon the Question, agreed."

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…

Robert Gertz  •  Link

"Oh, the shark bites with his teeth, dear...
And he keeps them...Pearly white...
Now Sam Pepys has got his (mix of French and Spanish) hand in...But he keeps it out of sight..."

Until tonight...Knepp, a bit perturbed...

"In the Parliament's...Turbid chambers...Men abruptly tumble down...
Is it corruption...Is it incompetence...Or a sign that Pepys' in town?

And the near fall of Sir Will Penn, dear...
One Knavel (ha, ha) officer, about to go...
In the gallery stands Samuel Pepys, love...
Isn't asked and...Does not know...

Oh, Betty Martin, Elizabeth Burroughs, Betty Mitchell, and dear, dear Knepp...
Oh, line those Betties on the right, dear...Now
ole Bessie's out of..."

"Look out ole Bessie is back." grim voice at coach door.

"Mrs. Pepys." Knepp, brightly.

john  •  Link

"ella but a little opposing me"

Difficult to tell whether this is self-serving justification or actual intent on the other side.

Terry Foreman  •  Link

Even the play is on theme -- conquests both amatory and political.

Clement  •  Link

"Difficult to tell whether this is self-serving justification or actual intent on the other side."

I often wonder that too, and assume that there is quick calculation done on the target's part, wondering "What can this man actually do for me, and how should I play his advances?"

Does Knepp go home and ask her husband if he wants a job on a ship? It's also a wonder that Sam doesn't seem to fear blackmail.

Sam's motives seem transparently prurient, but I don't assume that from his "tocar-ees".

Second Reading

James Morgan  •  Link

It seems odd that Mrs Turner is along while Pepys plays with Knepp. Unless perhaps he left her at the theater while he went out with Knepp.

Nicolas  •  Link

“...and there walked in the garden, and then supped, and mighty merry, there being also in the house Sir Philip Howard, and some company, and had a dear reckoning, but merry, and away, it being quite night...”

Can anyone explain the meaning of the term “dear reckoning”? I know what “dead reckoning” is, but that wouldn’t make sense here. He had a reckoning of something dear to him? Or was it something dear, as in expensive?

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"Or was it something dear, as in expensive?"

Now you mention it, that was my assumption upon reading. Pepys pays for his two guests, wherever they were, which is expensive.

Since it's Kensington and a garden, I'm guessing he might have been back at the Grotto, sharing his new "find" with his friends.

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"Difficult to tell whether this is self-serving justification or actual intent on the other side."

Or someone who doesn't appreciate being groped in a taxi.
Now, a nice trip to Epsom for the weekend ... that would be a very different matter.

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Ahhh, the House of Lords is grappling with the will and bequests of the late Thomas, 5th Baron Wentworth, as pleaded by his widow, Philadelphia Cary, Lady Wentworth, on behalf of their only daughter.

Lady Henrietta Wentworth was about eight when her father died, making her the heir to her grandfather's title and the family home, Toddington Manor in Bedfordshire.

Lady Philadelphia must have argued a good cause, because Lady Henrietta was able to fund the Monmouth Rebellion by the sale of some of her jewels.

http://hoydensandfirebrands.blogs…

Mary K  •  Link

Reckoning

Perhaps not often heard now, but it's not so long ago that one might ask for the reckoning when wanting to pay a restaurant bill. The reckoning is generally the accumulated total of a number of items.

Timo  •  Link

‘Had the opportunity the first time in my life to be bold with Knepp …, ‘ We could see that coming a mile off. How could you do it Sam? You’ll break Robert Gertz’ heart.

Nicolas  •  Link

“Perhaps not often heard now, but it's not so long ago that one might ask for the reckoning when wanting to pay a restaurant bill. The reckoning is generally the accumulated total of a number of items.”

Thanks Mary K, I’m sure that’s what Sam meant, when he went to settle up after their evening of fun he had a “dear reckoning” meaning he had a big bill to pay. But since he and everyone had a great time and were merry it was okay.

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