Sunday 2 August 1668
(Lord’s day). Up and at home all the morning, hanging, and removing of some pictures, in my study and house. At noon Pelling dined with me. After dinner, I and Tom, my boy, by water up to Putney, and there heard a sermon, and many fine people in the church. Thence walked to Barne Elmes, and there, and going and coming, did make the boy read to me several things, being now-a-days unable to read myself anything, for above two lines together, but my eyes grow weary. Home about night, and so to supper and then to bed.
27 Annotations
First Reading
jeannine • Link
"being now-a-days unable to read myself anything, for above two lines together, but my eyes grow weary"
How very sad, and I imagine scary too.
A. De Araujo • Link
"unable to read myself anything"
At your age almost everybody needs reading glasses Sam.
Robert Gertz • Link
This could lead to problems in philandering, Sam.
"Ah, my dear pretty girl...Here we are...In a dark coach..."
"Sam'l? That's so sweet, thanks. But not in front of Deb, please..."
Madox • Link
I put reading glasses at the age of 40. It really depends on the person. Some people have perfect eyesight till they get elderly.
Terry Foreman • Link
I was already "four-eyes" ("The better to see you with!") at age 9.
Dick Wilson • Link
This is my 1st post. I am a 71 year old retired lawyer in Louisville Kentucky. Sam's eyesight is failing, and his diary will soon close. I cannot let that happen without expressing appreciation to all whose annotations have made daily reading so interesting. I have been "lurking" for about 5 years now, reading without annotating. When the diary ends I shall miss Sam, and you, too. Thank you.
Mary • Link
Thank you too, Dick, and welcome out of the shadows. I'm sure that many other annotators wonder, as I do, how many lurkers the site has. It's always good to hear from one who has enjoyed his reading.
Off-topic: my husband, who mediates a couple of internet fora, is frankly envious of the decorum and civility shown by members of the Pepys site. Our lurkers seem to be equally courteous.
Ken • Link
Like Mr. Wilson, I have been lurking for a few years and this is my first post. I read the Diary at work so I can't normally post to the site. I, too, appreciate the annotations, observations,humour, and civility of this site.
Before the advent of the internet I had actually read the Pepys diary (with much difficulty). This site brought the Diary to life and filled in so many of the cyphers that I couldn't figure out when reading the hard copy.
Again, thanks to all.
Allen Appel • Link
I'm going to pile on here. I've posted a couple of times over the years, but am mostly a lurker. My day is not complete without my Pepys and the smart, funny comments. One of you guys is going to have to figure out something for us to do when this is all over. I know, start from the beginning and do it again.
Clive Foden • Link
I, too, have been lurking for a few months {with one (inaccurate!) observation about powdered beef}.
Sam has been a hero of mine for a number of years. His humanity shines through his words and I realise how little human beings are different then and now. His glorious frailty and ambition is so similar to my other hero, Sir Gawain. Thanks to all you annotators who bring Sam to life!
Terry Foreman • Link
"One of you guys is going to have to figure out something for us to do when this is all over. I know, start from the beginning and do it again."
Allen Appel, facing this situation too, methinks it may make sense to do what you suggest: since 2003 many more resources have gone online -- more complete and better Wikipedia article, Google books, British History Online, the Hooke Folio from Pepys's initiation in the Royal Society to where it was first posted, etc.; and having now been immersed in the times and personae as long as we have, the early diary would now make more sense. At some point Phil may weigh in on this.
Idaho Lurker • Link
I think we should all, readers, commentators and
lurkers alike, meet in London near St. Olaf's church
on May 31, 2012 next year...especially you Robert
Gertz!
Paul Chapin • Link
I'll second that motion. May is a great time to be in London, and there's a lovely little park with a bust of Samuel in it right across Seething Lane from St. Olave's. Good place to gather.
MaggieNY • Link
I too have "lurked" for years here. And thru these years have enjoyed every bit of the diary and most especially the annotations from all who participated. Mostly informative and some so humorous I laughed out loud at work. (Thank you Robert!!!) It was great to get to know Sam and everyone that he was connected to. By writing this diary he gave us a look into the past that we may never have known about otherwise. Thank you Sam. And a big THANK YOU to all those responsible for getting the diary online and to all of you who added thoughts and comments.
Teresa Forster • Link
And in comes I, yet another lurker; posted only once before. Found this site back last winter and raced to catch up with you. Worth the effort - it's fascinating to read through daily comments and they add so much to the diary. I live near Brampton but am saving that visit till last - have done the Pepys trail in Cambridge and London (thanks for hints about what to see and how to go about it). Oh, do let's all meet up next May!
Ruben • Link
everyone coming out of the closet...so there is more room now for me there.
Jenny • Link
Teresa, how can you live near Brampton and not have made the journey yet? I would have to go there - I couldn't wait! I'm from New Zealand and one of my long held ambitions is to travel to London to do the "Pepys Trail".
Terry Foreman • Link
"my eyes grow weary"
and the "journall" entries grow shorter, on average.
Teresa Forster • Link
Jenny - I'm trying to spin it out and always have something in reserve to see for the duration of the diary. The Pepys family owned a bit of land in Buckden and I've visited that, and I've explored Huntingdon pretty thoroughly. Also, towards the beginning of the diary, Pepys went to Portsmouth, which is my home town. That gave me a shivery feeling, I can tell you.
Second Reading
London Lynn • Link
Another lurker here! I read the L&M Shorter Pepys in paperback many years ago and decided that the current lockdowns provided a good opportunity to read it again. While looking online for a query I had, I found this excellent website and was hooked. I’ve been reading since September last year, mainly at night - so much easier on an iPad (rather than a bulky book) - and really enjoy the links and annotations. Thank you to Phil for enabling us to read this gem and all of you who have provided explanations. It’s sad to think that I will soon be at the end but have Claire Tomalin’s book ready and waiting. I will miss Samuel.
San Diego Sarah • Link
'Charles II: August 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1667-8, ed. Mary Anne Everett Green (London, 1893), pp. 516-565. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
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Aug. 2. 1668
St. James's Palace.
M. Wren to Sam. Pepys.
Believes the Portsmouth ketch is in the Downs.
Asks the nature and profits of the place of housekeeper at the Hill House, Chatham;
the last that had it being dead, several people apply for it;
shall not else know how to inform his Royal Highness which way to bestow it.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 63.]
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Aug. 2. 1668
Portsmouth.
Capt. Ant. Deane to the Navy Commissioners.
If any shift could have been made to build the boat, you would not have been desired to provide the timber;
if you wish her to be put in hand with such stuff as I have, I will do so, but a good boat is not to be built without quarter stuff, or wainscot.
[1-¼ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 64.]
---
I wonder if this is the ship Deane and Pepys discussed on https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
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Aug. 2. 1668
The Mary, Spithead.
John Fowler to the Navy Commissioners.
Edward Hodges, late boatswain of the Portland, was found guilty, by the court-martial held on board the Monmouth, of drunkenness, swearing, cursing, and reviling, and abusing his superior officers,
and thereby lapsed under the 2nd and 23rd Articles of the Marine Laws of
War;
he was sentenced to be conveyed in a boat to the side of each of the King’s
ships in the road, his mouth gagged, his body fastened, with his hands bound
behind him, to the boat’s mast,
a drum beating in the boat’s head, his faults written on paper, on his breast,
the same to be read by each ship’s side,
and then he is to be cashiered from any office of command for the future.
But in regard of his great family, his salary and pay for himself and servants
were reserved to him, when he has passed his accounts of stores, up to the day of his sentence, 31 July.
He underwent his punishment yesterday.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 65.]
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Aug. 2. 1668
The Monmouth, Spithead.
Sir Thos. Allin to the Navy Commissioners.
I desire the colours may be sent with all speed, being the only things I want.
All are in forwardness for the voyage, but I fear we shall stay for the ships in
the Downs.
I do not think the Emsworth a fit vessel for the coast of Barbary, those seas
being deep and dangerous.
A good fast ketch or a sixth-rate frigate would be more serviceable.
[Capt. Walter] Perry is a very fit man to command her, knowing that coast
very well.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 66.]
San Diego Sarah • Link
Aug. 2. 1668
The Monmouth, Spithead.
Sir Thos. Allin to Williamson.
The ships that are to proceed with me to the Straits are at Spithead,
and the Nightingale is ready to sail for Algiers when the Duke orders her.
I will use my utmost endeavour to redeem your friend, who is a slave in Algiers, but I believe his first price, with other charges, will amount to double the sum you have proposed.
An East Indiaman has arrived at Cowes, and the Eagle is turning into Spithead.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 67.]
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Asks the nature and profits of the place of housekeeper at the Hill House, Chatham; ..."
I wonder why Matthew Wren asked Pepys about this ... surely someone in Chatham would be better placed to know the perks. But this gives us an insight on the opportunities Pepys had to collect "gratuities" in return for his favorable opinion.
Cliff • Link
Well here's the tuppence worth of another 'Lurkers (Sounds rather sinister to me!).
I'd just like to add my thanks to all the fine people who have added annotations to these daily entries of Samuel's.
Although I have the full edition of the diary everyone's contributions have enlivened and educated my reading of it.
And what a period he chose to write it in; perhaps the most revolutionary in English history as the people were shaking off the medieval and becoming modern.
Also, if he had written it later in his life, when he had achieved so much, we would have lost his wonderful descriptions of the the Restoration, London during the Plague, the Great Fire and, well, the ordinary day to days of Londoners along with Samuel's life with Elizabeth.
We owe Samuel so very much.
Karen Eade • Link
Hello from (yet) another lurker. Thank you so much for this wonderful resource. Sam Pepys is my daily companion courtesy the e-mail.
Could we go back to the beginning and start again when the diary stops? It will be like a bereavement to lose his daily commentary.
If this is not possible please accept my thanks and admiration for what has been achieved here and for enhancing my life in recent years.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Could we go back to the beginning and start again when the diary stops?"
I second your plea, Karen ... we await Phil's decision on that. However, that Terry Foreman is taking his third run through updating links and L&M citations gives me hope that the blog will be around for years to come. I also still have to read the beginning.
IMHO this is a national treasure, and should be funded as an educational resource whenever Phil is ready to retire. But his guiding hand keeping the usual nasty chatter at bay is irreplaceable.
Third Reading
jimmigee • Link
Occasionally contributing but mostly lurking daily for the past 8 yrs, I thank you, Phil, Terry, SDS and the others who have added so much.