Saturday 22 August 1668
Up betimes, at it again with great content, and so to the Office, where all the morning, and did fall out with W. Pen about his slight performance of his office, and so home to dinner, fully satisfied that this Office must sink or the whole Service be undone. To the office all the afternoon again, and then home to supper and to bed, my mind being pretty well at ease, my great letter being now finished to my full content; and I thank God I have opportunity of doing it, though I know it will set the Office and me by the ears for ever.
This morning Captain Cocke comes, and tells me that he is now assured that it is true, what he told me the other day, that our whole Office will be turned out, only me, which, whether he says true or no, I know not, nor am much concerned, though I should be better contented to have it thus than otherwise.
This afternoon, after I was weary in my business of the office, I went forth to the ’Change, thinking to have spoke with Captain Cocke, but he was not within. So I home, and took London-bridge in my way; walking down Fish Street and Gracious Street, to see how very fine a descent they have now made down the hill, that it is become very easy and pleasant, and going through Leaden-Hall, it being market-day, I did see a woman catched, that had stolen a shoulder of mutton off of a butcher’s stall, and carrying it wrapt up in a cloth, in a basket. The jade was surprised, and did not deny it, and the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it, only taking the meat.
20 Annotations
First Reading
martinb • Link
"at it again"
Who would have thought this phrase possible in 1668?
Terry Foreman • Link
“at it again”
And without the negative sense of the activity involved.
Chris Squire • Link
‘jade, n.1 Etym: Of unknown origin; often assumed to be a doublet of yaud n. (Icelandic jalda mare), but apparently without reason.
. . 2. a. A term of reprobation applied to a woman. Also used playfully, like hussy or minx.
1560 Nice Wanton in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) II. 179 Such a jade she is, and so curst a quean, She would out-scold the devil's dame I ween.
. . 1668 S. Pepys Diary 14 Jan. (1976) IX. 24 [Mrs] Pierce says that she [sc. Miss Davis] is a most homely jade as ever she saw.’ [OED]
Jesse • Link
"set the Office and me by the ears for ever"
Set by the ears? Websters http://tinyurl.com/3jrtes5
says that means they're in 'close contest'. Below there's "that our whole Office will be turned out, only me" which supports the close contest definition. Pissed at Penn and everyone else it seems. That letter better be "great".
"let her go that took it"
If I'm not mistaken being convicted for that kind of theft was serious business - I think letting her go was not quite your bleeding heart liberal type of silliness.
Jenny • Link
"set by the ears" - one of those lovely expressions still very much in use (in my part of the world anyway).
This whole entry is one of those wonderful entries which covers so much of Sam's world, from office business, recovered London after the fire, to the events in the market. Such a modern entry.
I don't know why the market holder let the woman go after she'd recovered the stolen mutton. Yes, it would have been a very serious offense, probably a hanging offense.
Phoenix • Link
"The jade was surprised, and did not deny it, and the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it, only taking the meat."
There are several ways of reading this passage. The most hopeful I think is that the butcher was indeed a bleeding heart liberal - a rare and precious person in that society.
Terry Foreman • Link
"the woman so silly, as to let her go that took it, only taking the meat.”
Or, given a choice between the jade and the mutton, she chose what was edible.
Robert Gertz • Link
So it was a female butcher? Perhaps that explains the warm-hearted gesture. Still while Sam does his bit for law-and-order and has nervously watched during the torment and execution of the innocent Vane and the other Restoration show trials and more recently joined in accusing poor ole Pett...Who did after all have some responsibility at Chatham though it's Sam himself who notes he really doesn't deserve the condemnation and the horrors he's been experiencing, including coming quite close to what likely would have been a most gruesome death sentence...I like to think from various Diary episodes that Sam would step forward for some innocent soul wrongly accused or threatened with an unfair punishment if he could do so in reasonable safety. Given the potential fate of "small men" like himself, I can't blame him for being cautious in the Pett affair and such, but he's not the sort who enjoys seeing suffering. Don't know if he'd be an Oscar Schindler or a George Ryan but certainly a Poldy Bloom.
languagehat • Link
"he’s not the sort who enjoys seeing suffering"
Maybe not, but that's a far cry from leaping in to "step forward for some innocent soul wrongly accused or threatened with an unfair punishment"; distaste is a far, far more common reaction than intervention (and for good reason). Do you have any examples of Pepys taking such action in a non-official capacity?
Robert Gertz • Link
He's defended Hewer and Hayter, Hayter probably being the more dangerous and less necessary one to defend. He's urged old Cromwellian captains be kept on based on merit when political expediency might have suggested urging their dismissal. He's shown regard for Bess' position and spirit and that of others even in the midst of fighting with her and them. My sense is, and I said it was what I would like to think, from the Diary is that Sam's kindness and tolerance would lead him to defend the innocent in a blatant case if he could do it safely.
LKvM • Link
The jade was surprised, and did not deny it.
Surprised = caught in the act
As (allegedly) was Noah Webster when caught by his wife in a compromising situation with a housemaid, at which the wife said, "I am surprised!" and he said, "No, madam, you are astonished. I am surprised."
Second Reading
psw • Link
Oh, man...LKvM...makes me laugh. Such a witty pedant Noah be.
London Lynn • Link
For those of you who do not know it there are some great images of Leadenhall Marker on line. Fabulous building.
Terry Foreman • Link
Leadenhall Market
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea…
London Lynn • Link
Thanks Terry - not very adept at adding a link
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Leadenhall Market we know isn't the one Pepys knew ... "The ornate roof structure, painted green, maroon and cream, and cobbled floors of the current structure, designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones (who was also the architect of Billingsgate and Smithfield Markets), make Leadenhall Market a tourist attraction."
It was a street open to the sky with stalls.
San Diego Sarah • Link
'Charles II: August 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, 1667-8, ed. Mary Anne Everett Green (London, 1893), pp. 516-565. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
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Aug. 22. 1668
The Merlin yacht, Hung road.
Capt. John Clements to the Navy Commissioners.
Has brought down the Edgar safe to her moorings here.
Has received an order for his complement of 20 men, so that his two months'
provisions for 16 men is expended; desires a supply.
Mr. Rogers, the victualler, says that Sir Denis Gauden has divested himself
of the victualler's place, and that he will not furnish any more provisions
unless he be ordered money.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 24.
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POOR SIR DENIS … you did not deserve this.
For the location of Hung Road, see https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
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Aug. 22. 1668
Bristol.
Fras. Baylie to the Navy Commissioners.
I understand there is some complaint for want of chain-plates;
this was through my sickness, taken by wading in the water to see the clamps taken off the bottom of the ship, and the neglect of others.
They are almost finished, and will be fixed to the ship by Wednesday next.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 25.]
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Aug. 22. 1668
Bristol.
Capt. John Wettwang to the Navy Commissioners.
I desire you to hasten Mr. Baylie in his works on the Edgar, as he has only two boys at work.
The victualler will not lay any more provisions on board, so I know not what
course to take to keep the men that have entered themselves, who have done all the work since the ship was launched, as all those on weekly wages have not come to above 25/., which Sir John Knight has paid.
I must put all the men on rigging wages to keep them, but Sir John swears he will disburse no more than he has in hand.
I send a demand of the boatswain for stores;
send me word what was sent to the storekeeper at Deptford, for we do not know what to demand from him.
I hope you will let me have all things fitting, so that I may be able to get from
this cursed place.
[2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 26.]
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Aug. 22. 1668
London.
R. Waith to the Navy Commissioners.
I find my clerk not only paid the tickets of all seamen that entered before
5 June, according to Lord Anglesey's directions,
but was constrained to pay all others of a later date, which he accomplished,
but was detained by Sir Jer. Smith, who required him to leave the remaining money, 700/., [IN] Lieut. Godden's custody, till orders could be sent for its
payment;
shall it remain there, or be sent for?
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 27.]
San Diego Sarah • Link
Aug. 22. 1668
Edinburgh.
Rob. Mein to Williamson.
The Earl of Linlithgow marched horse and foot to London Hill,
the surmised rendezvous of the rebels, but found not the slightest appearance of rebellion;
the militia being now sworn, so that in 24 hours 20,000 men can be raised
without a groat of charge to King, there is no fear of future attempts.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 29.]
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Aug 22. 1668
Deal.
Rich. Watts to [Williamson].
A Dane ran aground near the Goodwins, and the skipper and her crew made
their escape in their boat, and in our King's ships' boats, carrying away the
anchors, cables, &c., which have been secured by our Admiral.
Her cargo consisted of deals, fagots, and skins.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 31.]
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Aug. 22. 1668
York.
John Mascall to Williamson.
On Tuesday last several of Lord Frescheville's troop had a venison feast at the Golden Lion, when a quarrel arose between Jack Swan, one of the troop lately come in, and Capt. Hodge, one of the corporals;
they went into the garden and drew upon one another, and Swan was slain.
It was concealed for 4 hours, and as the author is [not] to be found, the coroner has adjourned the verdict till October next;
John Mettham, a country gentleman, gave the Lord Mayor particulars, and has been bound in his recognizance to appear at the assizes.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 32.]
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Aug. 22. 1668
Weymouth.
John Pocock to Hickes.
The Leopard frigate, with Sir Daniel Harvey aboard, bound for Constantinople,
has come into Portland Road;
also a London ship having the Governor appointed for Newfoundland.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 33.]
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"The Sieur de la Palme was the Governor of Plaisance (nowadays Placentia) in the New-France colony in Newfoundland from 1667 to 1670."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sie…
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Aug. 22. 1668
Letter Office, London.
James Hickes to Williamson, Billing.
I hear there is to be a new Secretary of State in the room of Sir. W. [Morice].
I believe J.D. and H. M[uddiman] will be much to seek for their employments
and intelligences;
for certainly they will never have that influence upon Sir John [Trevor] which
they had of Sir William.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 37.]
San Diego Sarah • Link
Aug. 22. 1668
Whitehall.
R. Francis to [Williamson].
I have delivered or sent your letters to Mr. Chiffinch, Sir John Robinson, and Mr. Hurt.
The Dutch post has come in by way of Harwich, with letters from Sir Wm. Temple, &c.,
I took them to Lord Arlington, but he did not rise till noon.
He is going on an airing to Highgate with Lord Lauderdale.
The Lord Keeper, Duke of Buckingham, and Lord Arlington were together in private after the Council, from 11 till near 2 o'clock,
when his lordship went to dine at Mr. Treasurer's.
A pass has been granted to one Warren, on the solicitation of Father Patrick, for 3 geldings to France.
I send several letters, and one from Sir Bernard Gascoigne;
I can neither read nor understand it, but guess he aims at some business of traffic, by his proportioning of measures.
I waited upon Ladies Anderson and Browne, and Mrs. Cave and Cox, with your commands;
Lady Anderson hopes you will not forget the promised day of return.
The Flanders packet has arrived, but too late to send an extract of the letters.
[2-¾ pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 36.]
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Williamson is staying at the Earl of Thurmond’s manor house at Billing, Northamptonshire. The “Countess” is presumable Lady Katherine O'Brien, daughter-in-law of the Earl of Thomond, who marries Williamson as her second husband in December 1678.
So now we know how Williamson is spending his summer holidays!
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Aug. 22. 1668
Tower,
London.
I have to be to-morrow with the King, Lord Arlington, and the General, so I cannot come,
but hope to meet you at Farmingwoods;
Lord Arlington shall see your desires to-morrow;
I should fain see how he dares deny either of us.
I'll send no warrant for a buck, but you may carry one back to Billing if you can get it.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 34.]
***
Sir John Robinson has a home named Farmingwoods, Northants.
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Aug. 22. 1668
Whitehall.
John Swaddell to Williamson, Billing.
Lord Arlington was poorly this morning, but is better after an airing on horseback.
Mr. Godolphin wants the signed commissions for the officers in Scilly, and asks why they are not delivered.
I was sending a warrant from Mr. Chiffinch for a buck, but Mr. Francis has
directions to dispose of it otherwise.
[2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 245, No. 38.]
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I send several letters, and one from Sir Bernard Gascoigne;
I can neither read nor understand it, but guess he aims at some business of traffic, by his proportioning of measures."
Sir Bernard Gascoigne (Italian: Bernardo Guasconi) (1614–1687) was an Italian military adventurer and diplomat, known as a royalist officer of the English Civil Wars. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ber…
Sir Bernard Gascoigne return to England on 11 March 1667, and on 20 June, 1667 he was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.[1]
1. Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
On June 17, 1668 Sir Thos. AIIin tells Williamson that Capt. Beach of the Greenwich has sailed towards the Straits, with Amb. Extraordinary Sir Robert Southwell, Sir Barnard Gascoigne, and other gentry on their way to Portugal.
[S.P. Dom., Car II. 241, No. 154.]
The cypher indicates Gascoigne was probably doing some intelligence work for Williamson. Sounds Like Robert Francis did his best to crack the code.