Saturday 28 November 1668
Up, and all the morning at the Office, where, while I was sitting, one comes and tells me that my coach is come. So I was forced to go out, and to Sir Richard Ford’s, where I spoke to him, and he is very willing to have it brought in, and stand there; and so I ordered it, to my great content, it being mighty pretty, only the horses do not please me, and, therefore, resolve to have better. At noon home to dinner, and so to the office again all the afternoon, and did a great deal of business, and so home to supper and to bed, with my mind at pretty good ease, having this day presented to the Board the Duke of York’s letter, which, I perceive, troubled Sir W. Pen, he declaring himself meant in that part, that concerned excuse by sickness; but I do not care, but am mightily glad that it is done, and now I shall begin to be at pretty good ease in the Office. This morning, to my great content, W. Hewer tells me that a porter is come, who found my tally in Holborne, and brings it him, for which he gives him 20s.
13 Annotations
First Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
John Evelyn's Diary
28th November, 1668. Dr. Patrick preached at Convent Garden, on Acts xvii. 31
[ http://oobible.com/kjv/acts/17/31 ], the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment, it being Advent; a most suitable discourse.
http://goo.gl/eySTk
Robert Gertz • Link
"Pardon, Master Pepys...It's the Pepys-signal." Spinning periwig covers screen.
The Pepysmobile has arrived at last.
***
Tally recovered, Pepysmobile safely berthed, peace at home, and Admiral Sir Will fuming...Life is good.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Sir W. Pen...declaring himself meant in that part, that concerned excuse by sickness"
L&M cite a document in the Pepysian Library to argue that Pepys's point was "want of health" was an allowable excuse, but Penn failed in the duty to see that the work was done by a deputy much of the past year when he was ill with gout.
Mary • Link
the tally returned.
From the fact that a tally found in Holborn could be identified and returned to its rightful place in the Navy Office would seem to argue that, in common with those mediaeval ones pictured, it had some kind of rubric or identifying marks written on it.
The only other possibility that occurs to me is that Will managed to leave it in a tavern where he was already known and that the innkeeper sent it back in due course.
Either way, Will's relief is made clear by the size of the tip given to the porter. Does he trust that Pepys will reimburse him for this?
ONeville • Link
Phew! Finding the tally is a big relief. 'You gave him 20s Hewer? That comes out of your money, of course'
Don't care for the horses. How many would there be?
GrahamT • Link
His first private transport arrives today, and he doesn't go for a spin with Elizabeth? What self control. Imagine taking delivery of a new car and just leaving it parked up.
Ah well, tomorrow's Sunday so perhaps he's saving it for his day off.
PaulG • Link
Well presumably, unlike myself getting a new car, Sam wouldn't be seen dead driving his own coach, so he needs to get someone to drive it for him. Hence his restraint.
john • Link
"the horses do not please me, and, therefore, resolve to have better" A mighty pretty coach delivered with plugs. Perhaps Sir Richard has better horses for sale.
Glyn • Link
PaulG - it's not like getting a new car, it's more like getting your own private helicopter complete with pilot. Our hero is making a clear statement about his success in his career.
Australian Susan • Link
How many horses? Almost certainly 2. Four horses (or 6) were used for long distance travel, but not in London's confined streets - they could not get up any speed and driving a four-in-hand required special skills anyway - especially in turning etc.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
A link update
John Evelyn's Diary
28th November, 1668. Dr. Patrick preached at Convent Garden, on Acts xvii. 31
[ https://www.biblegateway.com/pass… ], the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment, it being Advent; a most suitable discourse.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Up, and all the morning at the Office, where, while I was sitting, one comes and tells me that my coach is come."
L&M: Cf. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/… and https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Dr. Patrick preached at Convent Garden ..."
"Despite being recognized by contemporaries and modern historians as one of the leading churchmen of his generation, the critical influence of Simon/Symon Patrick (1626-1707; the “y” in his Christian name was his chosen spelling) on the survival of the newly restored Church of England in the 1660s has been overlooked. ..."
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/art…
I also added quite a bit about him at
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…