Friday 24 January 1661/62
This morning came my cozen Thos. Pepys the Executor, to speak with me, and I had much talk with him both about matters of money which my Lord Sandwich has of his and I am bond for, as also of my uncle Thomas, who I hear by him do stand upon very high terms. Thence to my painter’s, and there I saw our pictures in the frames, which please me well. Thence to the Wardrobe, where very merry with my Lady, and after dinner I seat for the pictures thither, and mine is well liked; but she is much offended with my wife’s, and I am of her opinion, that it do much wrong her; but I will have it altered. So home, in my way calling at Pope’s Head alley, and there bought me a pair of scissars and a brass square. So home and to my study and to bed.
Louis Link to this
"after dinner I ^seat^ for the pictures thither"
This would seem a typo for "sent."
Xjy Link to this
Marriage and money
A timely article on this in today's Guardian. http://money.guardian.co.uk/feature/story/0,115...
Wonder what Liz would have thought?
I think I know what Sam would have thought :-)
andy Link to this
a pair of scissars and a brass square
aren't these masonic symbols? or is Sam up for a bit of DIY/home improvements?
Mary Link to this
matters of money.
This concerns a loan of £1000 made in 1658 by Thomas the Executor to Sandwich, for which Pepys stood bond. This Thomas was clearly a very wealthy man and it is thought that he gained his riches through trade and/or business.
[Spoiler] This loan was to cause Pepys continuing worry until Sandwich was finally able to pay it off in 1666 out of prize-money.
Michael Slater Link to this
"very merry with my Lady"
Is this a euphemism for Samuel getting his freak on with the countess?
Mary Link to this
No.
Alan Bedford Link to this
"...very merry..."
You'll find that this generally means an enjoyable, purely social time with friends and acquaintances. Sam uses the expression frequently and consistently with this meaning.
Alan Bedford Link to this
"a pair of scissars and a brass square"
I would think that the correct answer here is "B." I haven't read ahead, but it would not surprise me if Sam wants to draw up some plans for his contractors.
The Masonic symbols would be a compass and square. One would think that if Sam were a Mason, he'd mention it in the diary.
gerry Link to this
And according to L&M Sam had originally written "quadrant" and changed it to square.
Sjoerd Link to this
I think i know what a "quadrant" is... but a square ?
Could it be something like this:
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/collectionsDet...
???
Alan Bedford Link to this
Square (noun) "...3. A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles..." (from the American Heritage Dictionary)
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=square
Alan Bedford Link to this
Here's some information on an engineer's square (which may well be what Sam bought): http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/try2.htm:
But if it was the (very similar) woodworker's try square, that would be:
http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/try1.htm
Peter Link to this
Lots of children still use a set-square at school.
vicenzo Link to this
always called it a T-Square "THE ENGINEERS TRY-SQUARE" but I doth think it be a simple L square 3 to 4 [or is it 4:3]ratio as in hypopotumuse[hypothenuse] sine [with abl]