Friday 6 July 1660
In the morning with my Lord at Whitehall, got the order of the Council for us to act.
From thence to Westminster Hall, and there met with the Doctor that shewed us so much kindness at the Hague, and took him to the Sun tavern, and drank with him.
So to my Lord’s and dined with W. Howe and Sarah, thinking it might be the last time that I might dine with them together.
In the afternoon my Lord and I, and Mr. Coventry and Sir G. Carteret, went and took possession of the Navy Office, whereby my mind was a little cheered, but my hopes not great.
From thence Sir G. Carteret and I to the Treasurer’s Office, where he set some things in order. And so home, calling upon Sir Geoffry Palmer, who did give me advice about my patent, which put me to some doubt to know what to do, Barlow being alive.
Afterwards called at Mr. Pim’s, about getting me a coat of velvet, and he took me to the Half Moon, and the house so full that we staid above half an hour before we could get anything. So to my Lord’s, where in the dark W. Howe and I did sing extemporys, and I find by use that we are able to sing a bass and a treble pretty well. So home, and to bed.
Paul Brewster Link to this
Afterwards called at Mr. Pim's, about getting me a coat of velvet
L&M: “William Pym, of the Strand, was Sandwich’s tailor (and Clarendon’s) and this was Pepys’s first velvet coat.”
Paul Brewster Link to this
we are able to sing a bass and a treble pretty well
per L&M: "Pepys would be the bass. Music MSS in the PL have songs transposed for Pepys to bass pitch."
vincent Link to this
Strange? J. Evelyn does mention on 6th july 1660 "..His Majestie began first to Touch for Evil according to costome:...description ... 'He put his hands upon them, & he healed them', ...." did SP missed this piece of popish (laying of hands) history.
Being the cynic that I am, the gold coin(angel gold on white white ribbon) helped.
chip Link to this
How wonderful to imagine a time before recorded music, when people got together and just improvised song! Makes one ponder what a silly notion, this progress! Sam is sure collecting the wardrobe. No longer does he mention the bill.
Grahamt Link to this
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose:
"...the Half Moon, and the house so full that we staid above half an hour before we could get anything."
After 343 years, pubs still don't have enough staff to serve everyone during busy times!
Paul Brewster Link to this
there met with the Doctor that shewed us so much kindness at the Hague
Any speculation about who this may be? L&M point back to the entry of the 17th of May. http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1660/05/17/ I found three Drs. in the entry: Dr. Clerke, Dr. Cade, and Dr. Fullers.
Eric Walla Link to this
Again, singing in the dark ...
... was there a special significance in this? I imagine that darkness could be seen to give the ear a truer representation of tone, or perhaps singing "in the dark" could actually be a metaphor for improvisation. Most likely they just enjoyed it.
vincent Link to this
Eric, I think you have good point. It could possibly mean no instruments and no sheet music. Just letting goe and enjoying the moment.
vincent Link to this
Paul : Dr Cade was not known to to SP until this moment(may 17th) as he was enjoying the Charles' ear in the Hague and he did show SP some of the good sites, so I elect Dr Cade as the man in question. Fuller goes back to feb 15th, and Dr Clerke(clark) was written up many times. Just my take.
Pauline Link to this
singing in the dark
Eric and vincent, I think it happened by chance the first time. He went up to his old room and it was empty and provided an echo chamber to sing in and he liked it. No light because he hadn't brought one up with him. This time he takes Howe with him and they harmonize. No light this time because he enjoyed it last time. As Eric says, reduces the other senses and concentrates the voice and ear. (I'm guessing they sing rather than play instruments.)
Kevin Peter Link to this
Vincent, There was something about the King touching for evil back on June 23rd as well as a footnote regarding the tradition.
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1660/06/23/
Charles probably has been doing a lot of this in recent days.
vincent Link to this
Kevin .Thanks, forgot about that episode:
Evelyn says this day was the first time, yet as you point out CII 'pose to have done it back last month on the 23rd: as noted by SP.
Terry Foreman Link to this
"So to my Lord’s and dined with W. Howe and Sarah, thinking it might be the last time that I might dine with them together."
Who is Sarah? Who is she to W. Howe? Where will she go while he remains? (pun unintended) The L&M text, Index and Companion are no help, alas.