David
Annotations and comments
David has posted nine annotations/comments since 12 October 2018.
The most recent first…
Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
David has posted nine annotations/comments since 12 October 2018.
The most recent first…
"give us a sight of her performance" "she carried the same bullet as strong to the mark" I have never heard of a gun to be referred to as female, if it was to be assigned a sex I would have thought male might be more appropriate but come to think of it I have never heard that either.
Interesting that Elizabeth draws attention to Mrs Smith's hands, it is not the first time he comments on peoples' hands - 22 Apr 1663 ..."the very sight of my aunt's hands and greasy manner of carving, did almost turn my stomach..." and there are several other instances. In a few month's time he sought Mrs Smith out at the exchange and kissed her pretty hand. (21st Sep 67) Was this fetish his alone or was it a societal thing?
I think he was just threatening her. On the rare occasions he has hit her and certain servants in the past he has told us about it.
I had always assumed that Sam's stone case was made of wood and glass as are specimens in anatomical museums, is there an entry somewhere in which he says it was leather?
I thought the pound sign came from Latin Libra Pondo, a basic Roman measure of weight = approx 350 gms. of silver.
At times like this recourse to his diary must have been very helpful.
I wonder if he took his wig off when he got home?
Another Pepys use of clap. 7 Oct 1660. "that he that do get a wench with child and marry her afterwards is as if a man should shit in his hat and then clap it on his head."
An interesting entry. Sam rarely mentions breakfast, when he does it is usually when he is traveling, otherwise he usually starts his day with a morning draft. This deal with Mrs. Clerke would seem to indicate that bread and butter every morning is the norm. Maybe it is so mundane that he just doesn't think to mention it.