Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
Temperature: 9°C / 48°F (Oct 1665 avg.)
After yesterday’s admission that he is behind in work, today it’s all work and no play! Must be a ‘catch up’ day.
Well since Sam is so busy working today, here are a few fun work related quotes in his honor ~~nothing uplifting or inspirational here, just a different perspective on the old 9 to 5.
Steve Martin:
“All I’ve ever wanted was an honest week’s pay for an honest day’s work.”
Mark Twain:
“I do not like work even when someone else does it.”
“Work is a necessary evil to be avoided.”
Mark Twain’s definition of a Public Servant, a little too close for comfort to Sam’s time!
“Persons chosen by the people to distribute the graft.
Mark Twain’s view of Procrastination
“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
Oscar Wilde
“Work is the curse of the drinking classes”
Pity Sam has so little to say about Mrs. Clerke’s place.
Just In From Heaven…And by the same post carrier Sam missed yesterday.
“I wouldn’t say so, sir.
Yours,
Elisabeth St. Michel Pepys.”
Followed ten minutes later by…
“My dear Sir,
You have done me great service this day. My thanks.
Please be so good as to explain why my wife should be writing you letters?
Your obt servant,
Samuel Pepys, Esq.”
“with my two clerks”
I wonder if building a bureaucratic army of clerks had crossed Pepys mind as a representation of status and power, or would it be considered as a pointless accumulation of rather independent souls as practical as herding cats?
Up, and to my office, where busy all the morning, and then with my two clerks home to dinner, and so back again to the office, and there very late very busy, and so home to supper and to bed.
As we all gather here today
We’ve few words with which we can play
After yesterday’s office warning
Sam’s makes a quick start of his morning
He busies himself with all his works
With the help a few Navy clerks
Office life is a box by Skinner
One ding and they all leave for dinner
Then with a lightening fast swish
They return to the office
They stay late and they are very busy
The workload could make us very dizzy
Supper may be a loaf of bread
Dog tired and then off to bed
Maybe tomorrow he’ll pick up the pace
As he returns to the Naval rat race.
John Evelyn’s Diary (in lieu of Dirk’s posting it)
21 I came from Gravesend where Sir Jo: Griffith the Governor of the fort, entertaind me very handsomly:
From the Carte Papers, Bodleian Library
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/projects/carte/carte.html
——-
Captain John Reynolds [to Sir William Penn]
Written from: On board H.M.S. Great-Gift off the Middle Ground
Date: 21 October 1665
On the appearance of the Dutch Fleet of Harwich, the writer caused the buoy of the Gunfleet to be sunk. Reports their strength & movements and desires further orders.
[Communicated by Sir William Penn to Lord Sandwich].
——-
Captain Titus to Arlington
Written from: Margate in Thanet
Date: 21 October 1665
The Dutch fleet has, for a long time, been riding between the Longsands Reach and Northsands Head. Now and then, they have sent ships on the back of the Goodwins; and sometimes into Margate Roads, but thence they were started by some dismal honey-combed guns that more endangered the gunners than the enemy.
Jesse: Sam has always had two clerks , one that nearly got Samuell’s job , being from the good old days of Cromwell, and then his [ADC ] personal helper who not only had to bring in the morning ale but find Samuel’s lost stockings and find the Mayde to delouse Samuel whom went on to be his life time friend.
All the Navy office Officers had two penmen to carry out the verbal orders, no Dictaphone then.
Daily moan
Parliament have non conforming preachers suppressed, and not be allowed to speak in publick;
King gets 1250 quid for supplies
Parliament orders to ways to prevent the Plague [ get rid of the cats?]
Parliament is to get laws to prevent the embezzling of prize silks and other goodies ,
see H of C:
Here I be, I thought it could only happen in the 20 C & 21 C that one could nick the Kings goods?