Thursday 6 August 1668

Waked betimes, and my wife, at an hour’s warning, is resolved to go with me, which pleases me, her readiness. But, before ready, comes a letter from Fitzgerald, that he is seized upon last night by an order of the General’s by a file of musqueteers, and kept prisoner in his chamber. The Duke of York did tell me of it to-day: it is about a quarrel between him and Witham, and they fear a challenge: so I to him, and sent my wife by the coach round to Lambeth. I lost my labour going to his lodgings, and he in bed: and, staying a great while for him, I at last grew impatient, and would stay no longer; but to St. James’s to Mr. Wren, to bid him “God be with you!” and so over the water to Fox Hall; and there my wife and Deb. come and took me up, and we away to Gilford, losing our way for three or four mile, about Cobham. At Gilford we dined; and, I shewed them the hospitall there of Bishop Abbot’s, and his tomb in the church, which, and the rest of the tombs there, are kept mighty clean and neat, with curtains before them. So to coach again, and got to Lippock, late over Hindhead, having an old man, a guide, in the coach with us; but got thither with great fear of being out of our way, it being ten at night. Here good, honest people; and after supper, to bed.

23 Annotations

First Reading

Terry Foreman  •  Link

L&M tell us what else was writ about today's doings in the ellipsis after "bed".

"This day yo did first with my hand tocar la cosa de our Deb in the coach -- ella being troubled at it -- but yet did give way to it. To bed. [sic]"

Terry Foreman  •  Link

The Royal Society today at Arundel House — from the Hooke Folio Online

August the 6. 1668. There was made a microscopicall obseruation diuised by the Curator on a little Lump of charcole made of firrwood in which appeard here and there interstitias or partitions intersecting the great pores seuerall of the company saw it and were satisfyd. The curator affirmd also that some of the smallest pores had the same interstices and he added that he was inclind to beliue there were values in [/73/] wood since it appeard not possible that in trees of 2 or 300 foot high as there are such between the tropicks the sap should ascend soe high by filtration which Carryes liquor noe higher than 36 or 40 foot. there were proposd seuerall querys about the texture of trees in order to consider of their solutions by Expts. as whether the sap of trees Runs out when ascending or descending or at both times. whether any euer descends whether there be any trees which being bared of all (euen the innermost) bark will grow. it was Desired tht more querys might be made & therevpon. the Pret. mr Boyle Sr. R Moray Sr G Ent, Mr Henshaw & mr Hooke promised to draw vp some & mr. ch: Howard promisd to make obseruations to Answer

(Pistoll bullet voideded by vrine) a cockle shell found in the gall of a greyhound)

There made an Expt. of compressing air with birds it was made twice wth. the same sucesse vizt. a finch being put into a glasse of the capacity of about a pint at 5h. 20'. and the air condensd to 1/8 part which appeard by a gage the bird was killd in 24. another was closed vp in a glasse 4 1/2 as large as the former & left in the common vncompressed air. it appeard very sick at after the space of an howr

(Boyle on sensitiue plant) Sr. I. finch Letter. about Redi de insectus
[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran… ]) transfusion made at vienna)

Eustachio Diuini had improud microscopes by vsing 2 comon obiect glasse & 2 plano conuex eye glasses Ioyned together on the conuex side soe as to meet in a point [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eust… ] , the tube as big as a mans legg & the eye glasses as big as the palm of a mans hand,

Society adiourned till summons. mean time the Curator was orderd during this vacation to make the expt. in the park for the measure of the earth and that of the observing the Parallax of the earths Orb. and that the comtee of the Society should often meet

http://webapps.qmul.ac.uk/cell/Ho…

Terry Foreman  •  Link

Ormond to Ossory
Written from: Whitehall
Date: 8 August 1668

Sir George Carteret is about to repair to Ireland, in order to the execution of his office [of Vice-Treasurer], and particularly to the passing of his account. He desires that the proper Officers should be warned to make their preparations for it, a matter recommended to the Lord Deputy's care.

http://www.rsl.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwm…

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"The curator affirmd also that some of the smallest pores had the same interstices and he added that he was inclind to beliue there were valves in wood.... "

A fir is a vascular plant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasc…

Robert Gertz  •  Link

Bess is always up for a trip with her boy...Beware Ware, though, Sam.

And what is it with you, anyway, Cap't Kirk? Just be glad there's no interior lighting in that coach...And Deb is startlingly mum, so far.

***

"Sir! What are you doing?!!" Bess shrieks at the old guide. Who looks about, wonderingly.

"Sir?!" Sam...Hastily retracting... "Sir, what is the meaning of this outrage?"

Quick turn back to Deb...

"Ten shillings, dear...Not a word to dear Mrs. P." hasty whisper.

"Jest thought this was the way your city folk gals like it." the guide notes.

"What?" Bess, staring...

"Well, this is outrageous, sir! Driver! Stop!! Sir...Your services are no longer required." Sam hastily thrusts man out, following.

"Twenty shillings...Not a word to the dear lady...God be with you,sir."

"Away, varlet!" Sam shakes fist, climbs back in.

"The notions these country churls have of the city...The King's lax and lewd Court is to blame, no doubt of it." he notes, sniffing.

"Hmm-hmmn." Bess nods. "By the way, thanks for the ten shillings and I promise Mrs. P. won't hear a word from me." cool smile.

"You really do have eye trouble, darling." she notes.
***

Mary  •  Link

"but yet did give way to it"

The poor girl didn't have much of a choice. She's miles from home, unlikely to have any money on her and probably fears that if she were to make a fuss a great row could ensue in which she might be turfed out of the coach and told to make her own way back to London.

Jenny  •  Link

I think Deb was very fond of Sam...and Elizabeth. I think she admired and liked Sam and wasn't at all averse to the "touching". The Pepys had shown her a very nice time in London, taken her on holidays and outings and treated her as an equal. She was, for Elizabeth, the daughter she never had. Spoiler, so sad and such a betrayal for everyone later in the year.

Mary  •  Link

However, Pepys admits "ella being troubled at it". She sound averse to this touching to me.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

Deb's an interesting mix. The trip to Bath showed how startlingly popular her late mother was, with crowds coming for a glimpse of her daughter and Sam being genuinely impressed by her solid merchant uncle. Of course she had been at school for a long while and it's likely she's very innocent and uncertain of what Sam's touching means, though obviously she's not comfortable with it. With Mercer, Sam seems to have made some sort of "spare Bess' feelings" compromise after his little gropings during her employment with the Pepys and Mary seems fond enough of both Pepys not to make an issue of it. I note he hasn't mentioned making further attempts during their visits together suggesting Mercer has quietly and kindly let him know to back off. It could be of course that Mercer has told Bess everything and as long as Sam no longer pursues there and kept it limited to a little groping she's not anxious to follow up...

{Spoiler...

...though in light of what's coming...Unlikely on Bess' part.)

It's Sam's willingness to take risks that seems odd though...I mean, Mercer? And the even more dangerous for being so young and innocent...And likely to spill, Deb? Right under Bess' nose? While I accept that the thrill may be the addiction, it almost seems as if he wants to be caught.

Anyway "I see a bad moon a-risin'..."

Robert Gertz  •  Link

It's a neat bit of comic relief about Fitzgerald, "kept prisoner" in his rooms, with Sam rushing to his defense only to find the man snoozing soundly away and unwilling to rouse himself to greet his staunch friend. Perhaps also seeking to avoid having to answer that suspected challenge...And on reflection after his panicky letter of the night before not so sorry to be confined.

languagehat  •  Link

"I think she admired and liked Sam and wasn’t at all averse to the “touching”."

That's an odd thing to say, considering Sam himself says she was "troubled at it." I entirely agree with Mary. Sexual exploitation of helpless employees/servants is one of the oldest stories going.

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"having an old man, a guide, in the coach with us"

Could this be Samuel Pepys, the man who takes such great pleasure -- and time -- showing all about the Great Sights of Guildford, esp. the curtained tombs that are so clean and neat; and then complains that they arrive so late at the evening's lodging?

Jenny  •  Link

I don't think it's an odd thing to say. Of course she was "troubled by it". Elizabeth was in the same coach. She was a "good" girl and Sam has admitted before that he admires modesty in a girl and he doesn't force the issue if he respects the girl, maidservant or not. "She gave way to it", tells me a lot. Of course, under the circumstances, she can't slap his face but I don't think she wanted to.

Yes, sexual exploitation of helpless employees was a given (still is) but Deb was a cut above the usual maidservant, she had become family and not just "family" meaning everyone in the household.

Jenny  •  Link

I also think that Elizabeth was completely in the dark about Sam's "gropings". I think she was very uncomfortable with some of his friendships with loose women but (spoiler again) she really was completely unaware of his wanderings.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

I can't quite see Betty Pierce...Ever protected by either pregnancy or a child in tow...As "loose", though she certainly has come to enjoy an occasional romp about London with Sam and friends. She and James seem to have found a way to deal with Charles' Court even if it seems to involve serious risk and she has always seemed well able to hold Sam off until he was either geniunely repelled at getting close enough to notice her painting or found an excuse for his failure with her. As for Betty Knepp, trapped with the morose Chris, she seems desperate for any diversion. Bess sees them as threats I think more because they surpass her in social status and have talents and abilities Sam respects...They could potentially supplant her. While I do believe she's innocent of Sam's philander, it seems hard to imagine Mercer and some of the other former and current servants "approached" by Sam keeping completely mum...Though anything's possible and Mercer is intelligent and kind and might simply wish to spare Bess.

Second Reading

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"it is about a quarrel between [Fitzgerald] and Witham"

L&M: Both had served in the Tangier garrison. Fitzgerald had been Deputy-Governor until 1666; Witham, a cavalry captain now back in England to bring a report on the state of the fortifications and the mole, had been made redundant by the reduction of the garrison in March 1668. PRO and Routh, pp. 313-4 and n.

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"At Gilford we dined; and, I shewed them the hospitall there of Bishop Abbot’s"

L&M: The Hospital of The Blessed Trinity, on the n. side of High St.,; founded (1619-22) by George Abbott (d. 1633) Archbishop of Canterbury and a native of the town. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abb…'s_Hospital

Terry Foreman  •  Link

"the hospitall there of Bishop Abbot’s, and his tomb in the church, which, and the rest of the tombs there, are kept mighty clean and neat, with curtains before them. "

Tomb of George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury in Holy Trinity Church in Guildford in Surrey [lately without curtains] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hol…

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/…

@@@
Aug. 6. 1668
Woolwich.
John Hancrett, boatswain, to Col. Middleton.

Is informed that an anchor was carried from Barking by John Hutchinson,
a fisherman, delivered to John Richards, a smith near Wapping Dock,
and afterwards seized by a collector living near the dock.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 104.]

@@@
Aug. 6. 1668
The Dover, Downs
Capt. Jeffry Peirce to the Navy Commissioners.

I have arrived here from Barbados, coming thence with 13 ships in convoy
on 19 June.

Sir Jer. Smith advises me not to write, as he will give an account of my business and condition.

The ship is leaky, and the masts, shot, and sails and rigging very much worn;
I have not had any stores for the ship’s use for a long time.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 105.]

@@@
Aug. 6. 1668
The Garland, Spithead.
Capt. Rich. Rooth to the Navy Commissioners.

I have received instructions to sail, with the Francis and Emsworth, for Sallee,
and there to enter into a treaty of peace with the Governor and inhabitants,
as opportunity offers;
I cannot perform this service unless I have credit at Cadiz or Tangiers for
money for defraying incident charges;
I hear from his Royal Highness’s secretary that your Honours are to supply
me at Cadiz;
let me know your pleasure therein.

If the wind continues contrary, my sea store of provisions will be much
exhausted; I crave an order to the victualler for supplying what shall be
expended.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 106.]

@@@
Aug. 6. 1668
Edinburgh.
James Standsfield to Hickes.

I am too much occupied to be able to become your correspondent,
and am, moreover, under obligation not to exercise my pen that way.

A false report of an insurrection in the West caused the Council to sit,
and the city companies to draw to arms.
Many of the late rebels are lurking in corners to prosecute some desperate deed.

Endorsed with note by Hickes that this is answer to a request to Standsfield
to become a correspondent.
[S P Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 108.]

@@@
Aug. 6. 1668
Edinburgh.
Rob. Mein to Williamson.

A letter was sent informing the Lord Chancellor of a new design of insurrection in the West,
and that they are resolved to seize 10,000 stand of arms at Borrowstown Ness, just imported by Rob. Mime, provost of Linlithgow.

The Earl of Linlithgow has gone down to those parts and secured the arms,
but sees no appearance of rebellion.
The surmise might be occasioned by some gentlemen going to a wedding.
[S P Dom., Car. II. 244, No. 109.]

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Aug. 6. 1668
Portsmouth.
Hugh Salesbury to Williamson.

The Portugal Ambassador, bound for Lisbon, has arrived from London in
the Princess, and rides at Spithead;
Bishop Russell (fn. 1) is with him.

Sir Thos. Allin and the Royal Sovereign are still at Spithead.
[Ho. 112.]
***
1. Rich. Russell, Bishop of Portallegro, Portugal.

Sam Ursu  •  Link

"(Pistoll bullet voideded by vrine)"

Are you telling me that a guy pissed out a friggin' bullet and nobody here has one thing to say about it? No documentary links? How could such a thing even happen? Astounding!

Mary K  •  Link

Perhaps those perentheses are significant. Much might depend on whether they are original or editorial. If original, they might signify the mention of an unverified (and unverifiable) report. The subsequent mention of the cockleshell found in a dog's gall bladder might be an equally unverified tale adduced in possible support of the voided bullet tale.

If the parentheses are merely editorial they may say more about the editor than about the original recorder of the day's proceedings.

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