Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
All the morning at Portsmouth, at the Pay, and then to dinner, and again to the Pay; and at night got the Doctor to go lie with me, and much pleased with his company; but I was much troubled in my eyes, by reason of the healths I have this day been forced to drink.
Saturday 26 April 1662Thursday 24 April 1662
“but I was much troubled in my eyes,by reason of the healths…..forced to drink”
Excuses,excuses, besides ethanol does not affect the eyes; methanol doth.
Our boy has made a joke. It’s not much of a joke as jokes go, but at least he has made some sort of effort. I bet that he was a riot at parties.
“…healths I have this day been forced to drink.”
They have taken yesterday’s text to heart.
re: “but I was much troubled in my eyes”
Don’t worry, Shammy old boy, jesht do what I do … close one of yer eyshes like *this*, and you can schee single agin! *hic*
Perhaps the alcohol dehydrated him, making his eyes dry.
And maybe the seaside town was windy.
Just the sort of day that would have thrilled Elizabeth. Was he so mean to leave her behind?
What exactly is the “Pay-house”? (or have I missed it previously?)
‘pay house’ later called Ticket Office, it is THE place where the Jack Tars, line up for their coin of the realm for furling and unfurling of sails and for so many months of eating cheese and hard tact. Relying on the ticket the Captain issued.
“Drink, Pepys! Or we shall denounce you to the King as a closet republican!” Sir William Penn cried.
“Never, sir! I have sworn oaths to both God Almighty and my dearest wife not to touch wine till my vows be out! Should I breech my vows, my soul be accursed!”
“Take him, Commissioner Pett! Force the wine down his throat! By God, we shall all be exposed as staunch Cromwellians should we not all toast the King’s health with the whole yard watching!!”
“Mr. Pepys, as the head of England’s greatest and monopolistic shipbuilding family, in the name of God, I implore you to drink the King’s health!” Pett pleaded. “Surely He (and your she) will forgive this sin in sparing our lives for the King and Country’s service! Would you have the Navy handed over to the likes of Prince Rupert and his no-nothing Cavalier ilk?!”
“Heaven forfend!” Pepys cried, grabbing the wine bottle.