Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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It was not usual at this time to sit down to breakfast, but instead a morning draught was taken at a tavern.
Until, that is 17th January 1661 when he enjoyed breakfast with Lady Sandwich. Wonder what was on the menu?
30 March 1661 and Sam has not mentioned a morning draft for the longest time since the Diary began.
Perhaps it is life at the Admiralty or does the “Seaman’s Grammar” include the phrase;
“Sun above the yardarm.”
First snifter at 11.00am?
http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/bulletin_board/15/messages/458.html
Sam Lives and works in the same locality. ‘Tis harder to find an excuse to stop off at the Local, unless he is on his way to another worksite.
Another reason for not mentioning the quaffing of ale is that it is so routine, that it is not worth mentioning. Many day to day mundane ‘doings’ are not worth writing about for him but would be very interesting to us, as we are not part of his daily habit.
Most homes at the time did not have water piped to them and the water that was available for washing with was disease ridden anyway. So a watered down ale or sometimes wine was sold at taverns as low levels of alcohol kill these diseases. Hence Pepys’ differentiation of strong wine and liquour elsewhere.
Also a convivial way to have a chat etc.