Monday 4 November 1661
In the morning, being very rainy, by coach with Sir W. Pen and my wife to Whitehall, and sent her to Mrs. Hunt’s, and he and I to Mr. Coventry’s about business, and so sent for her again, and all three home again, only I to the Mitre (Mr. Rawlinson’s), where Mr. Pierce, the Purser, had got us a most brave chine of beef, and a dish of marrowbones. Our company my uncle Wight, Captain Lambert, one Captain Davies, and purser Barter, Mr. Rawlinson, and ourselves; and very merry. After dinner I took coach, and called my wife at my brother’s, where I left her, and to the Opera, where we saw “The Bondman,” which of old we both did so doat on, and do still; though to both our thinking not so well acted here (having too great expectations), as formerly at Salisbury-court. But for Betterton he is called by us both the best actor in the world. So home by coach, I lighting by the way at my uncle Wight’s and staid there a little, and so home after my wife, and to bed.
12 Annotations
First Reading
Robert Gertz • Link
Sam's behaving himself I see...Picking Beth up for the show, etc. There's a nice air of conjugal companionship in this entry as well as respect for Beth's opinion (of course she agreeing with him no doubt that helped...)
Anyone else see "Stage Beauty"? I was a little disappointed with the Betterton in it.
vicente • Link
The Bondman
bought a copy of play + refs at
http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive…
"...saw “The Bondman” acted; an excellent play and well done. But above all that ever I saw, Betterton do the Bond man the best...."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive…
"...White-Fryars, where we saw “The Bondman” acted most excellently, and though I have seen it often, yet I am every time more and more pleased with Betterton’s action...."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive…
"....and I and my wife sat in the pit...." 'salisbury court'
http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive…
Mary House • Link
What would you do with a plate of marrowbones? Suck the marrow out of them or maybe first break them to get at the marrow?
john lauer • Link
Marrow-ball soup goes by various (ethnic) names. Very tasty.
Pauline • Link
"What would you do with a plate of marrowbones? "
In these times, we suck the marrow out or twirl it out with the tip of a knife. Best hot, or at least warm.
upper_left_hand_corner • Link
Marrowbones: Osso buco anybody?
Mary • Link
marrowbones.
Long-shanked, slender spoons were made, expressly for extracting the marrow from the bones. They turn up in antique shops with fair regularity.
Second Reading
Louise Hudson • Link
Marrow is usually spread on bread.
john • Link
Beef-marrow consumption ceased for a while due to BSE (mad-cow disease).
Louise Hudson • Link
Not in Sam's day, surely.
Terry Foreman • Link
"But for Betterton he is called by us both the best actor in the world. "
Mrs Pepys had a dog named Betterton in 1664 (Shorthand Letters, p. 22) -- perhaps so-called because of his acting. (L&M note)
Terry Foreman • Link
"by coach with Sir W. Pen and my wife to Whitehall, and sent her to Mrs. Hunt’s, and he and I to Mr. Coventry’s about business, and so sent for her again, and all three home"
L&M: Sc. 'homewards', Mrs Pepys being dropped by Tom's in Salisbury Court on the way.