I fully concur, Paul Dyson’s thorough exegesis clarifies the entire epitaph, and he deserves our warm appreciation. For its literary quality, however, I would still commend the English translation that Jeannine found for us on 3 January, with ‘like’ substituted for ‘life’ (a crucial mistranscription) and ‘grander” properly spelled. I take the liberty to reproduce it here, with those changes, for the possible convenience of later readers:
Wife of Samuel Pepys (who serves the Royal Navy). She was educated first in a convent, and then in a seminary of France. She was distinguished by the excellence of both at once, Gifted with beauty, accomplishments, tongues, She bore no offspring, for she could not have borne her like. At length when she had bidden this world a gentle farewell, (After a journey completed through, we may say, the lovelier sights of Europe) — A returning pilgrim, she took her departure to wander through a grander world.
I fully concur, Paul Dyson's thorough exegesis clarifies the entire epitaph, and he deserves our warm appreciation. For its literary quality, however, I would still commend the English translation that Jeannine found for us on 3 January (cf. supra), with 'like' substituted for 'life' (a crucial mistranscription). I take the liberty to reproduce it here, with those changes, for the possible convenience of later readers:
Wife of Samuel Pepys (who serves the Royal Navy). She was educated first in a convent, and then in a seminary of France. She was distinguished by the excellence of both at once, Gifted with beauty, accomplishments, tongues, She bore no offspring, for she could not have borne her like. At length when she had bidden this world a gentle farewell, (After a journey completed through, we may say, the lovelier sights of Europe) -- A returning pilgrim, she took her departure to wander through a grander world.
Self-Denying Ordinance A bill passed by the House of Commons on 19 December 1644 stipulating that no member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords could hold any command in the army or navy. Since this meant that nobles were automatically debarred from military command (whereas members of the House of Commons could resign and retain their commands), the House of Lords hesitated, but finally passed the bill on 3 April 1645.
This was the same Bishop Ussher who calculated the precise date of the Creation, based on study of the Bible and ancient history, as the nightfall preceding 23 October, 4004 B.C., a date still adhered to by modern Creationists. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch…
Many thanks to the company here assembled for such a thorough and deep discussion of this difficult entry.
Since no one else has done so, let me take a stab at LH's problem sentence: “Talking of the business of Tangier, he tells me that my Lord Tiviott is gone away without the least respect paid to him, nor indeed to any man, but without his commission; and (if it be true what he says) having laid out seven or eight thousand pounds in commodities for the place; and besides having not only disobliged all the Commissioners for Tangier, but also Sir Charles Barkeley the other day, who, speaking in behalf of Colonel Fitz-Gerald, that having been deputy-governor there already, he ought to have expected and had the governorship upon the death or removal of the former governor.”
What I think happened here was that Teviot laid out the 7 or 8K for supplies for Tangier, and in consequence was awarded the governorship (presumably by Charles or James), contrary to the wishes and expectations of the Commissioners for Tangier as well as Barkeley, who favored Fitz-Gerald for the post. So when Teviot set sail for Tangier, there weren't a lot of going-away parties.
I'm not sure about the "without his commission" bit; it might mean that he didn't have the official document when he left, but it might also mean something to the effect that the commission was the only thing about Teviot that people could respect.
Who is "her"? " The Queen, my Lord tells me, he thinks he hath incurred some displeasure with, for his kindness to his neighbour, my Lady Castlemaine. My Lord tells me he hath no reason to fall for her sake, whose wit, management, nor interest, is not likely to hold up any man, and therefore he thinks it not his obligation to stand for her against his own interest." Once again Sam has left unclear the antecedent of a pronoun, which in this case is crucial to understanding the story. Is Sandwich not falling and not standing for Castlemaine, or for the Queen? I'm thinking Castlemaine, but would welcome other views.
What was the level of servant's wages? Well, Sam told us a few weeks ago that he hired Hannah, the new cook-maid, at 4l. per annum, which he said was the most he had ever paid a servant. Father John's expenses were 25 times that amount, which sounds like quite a bit to me.
Monmouth's wedding Monmouth, 14, and his bride, 12, are old enough to marry, but "too young to be all night together," says Charles. I presume this means they had to wait to some undetermined future date to consummate their marriage. Interesting glance at the mores of the time. Their first child was born more than 9 years later - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jame…
Thanks to Jeannine for passing on to us this wonderful letter!
The Duke of Monmouth Tomorrow (9 April 1663) is his 14th birthday. In less than two weeks, on 20 April, he will be married. And he has already received his Master's from Cambridge. Precocious fellow.
A couple of minor corrections re Mr. Coventry Sir George Carteret was the Treasurer of the Navy, not Coventry (cf. Terry's annotation). Coventry was a Commissioner, and thus officially Sam's colleague, not his superior (cf. Dirk's annotation). Coventry's power on the Navy Board came from his close association with the Duke of York more than his official status. None of this has any real bearing on the points Terry and Dirk were making, though. Just trying to keep the record straight.
The Pepys' cook ("Our Treasure") Her name was Hannah, according to the link on "a new cook-maid" in the 26 March 1663 entry: http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1… She was previously in the employ of my Lord Albemarle, nee George Monck, which sounds like quite a coup for the Pepyses, and she seems to be living up to her promise. 4l a year well spent.
"the propositions for the Civill government and Law Merchant of the town ... were in substance but not in the manner of executing them independent wholly upon the Governor consenting to."
Does anybody have any idea what this means? It reads like word salad to me.
"though it be but little, yet I do get ground every month" An increase in net worth of nearly 5% in a month is nothing to sneeze at, Sam. Keep it up at that rate and in 15 months you will double your wealth.
Which Will? Robert, I think Will Howe is the correct reference here. Will Hewer works in Sam's household; there is no reason why he would have a chest of drawers in the Navy office, but Will Howe likely would. Sam views Will Howe as something of a protege, hence "my man."
Holmes and Cooper I think the great line from the L&M Companion, quoted in Pauline's annotation at http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…, tells us what we need to know about these two: "Holmes was not invariably an easy man and Cooper was not invariably sober"
"After viewing Holmes portrait by Lely (Jeannine link), I wonder how Sam slept this night." Possibly, but note that the fellow in the portrait holding the scary-looking sword is actually Holles; Holmes is the more benign-looking one. See my annotation following Jeannine's at http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
the young ladies and Ashwell Here's what I read between the lines. A group of young ladies from some school, possibly connected to Ashwell in some way, have gone to the church. Ashwell wanted Sam to see them and tell her about them, perhaps how they were dressed, but he couldn't get far enough into the church to see them.
The portrait of Holmes and Holles Based on the description, the portrait as shown on the NMM site is reversed. The man on the right, holding the sword, is Holles; Holmes is on the left, with his arm resting on the cannon. Holles is described as missing his left arm; he is actually holding the sword in his right hand.
Comments
First Reading
About Saturday 2 May 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
I fully concur,
Paul Dyson’s thorough exegesis clarifies the entire epitaph, and he deserves our warm appreciation. For its literary quality, however, I would still commend the English translation that Jeannine found for us on 3 January, with ‘like’ substituted for ‘life’ (a crucial mistranscription) and ‘grander” properly spelled. I take the liberty to reproduce it here, with those changes, for the possible convenience of later readers:
Wife of Samuel Pepys (who serves the Royal Navy).
She was educated first in a convent, and then in a seminary of France.
She was distinguished by the excellence of both at once,
Gifted with beauty, accomplishments, tongues,
She bore no offspring, for she could not have borne her like.
At length when she had bidden this world a gentle farewell,
(After a journey completed through, we may say, the lovelier sights of Europe) —
A returning pilgrim, she took her departure to wander through a grander world.
About Elizabeth Pepys (wife, b. St Michel)
Paul Chapin • Link
I fully concur,
Paul Dyson's thorough exegesis clarifies the entire epitaph, and he deserves our warm appreciation. For its literary quality, however, I would still commend the English translation that Jeannine found for us on 3 January (cf. supra), with 'like' substituted for 'life' (a crucial mistranscription). I take the liberty to reproduce it here, with those changes, for the possible convenience of later readers:
Wife of Samuel Pepys (who serves the Royal Navy).
She was educated first in a convent, and then in a seminary of France.
She was distinguished by the excellence of both at once,
Gifted with beauty, accomplishments, tongues,
She bore no offspring, for she could not have borne her like.
At length when she had bidden this world a gentle farewell,
(After a journey completed through, we may say, the lovelier sights of Europe) --
A returning pilgrim, she took her departure to wander through a grander world.
About Sir Robert Rich (2nd Earl of Warwick)
Paul Chapin • Link
Self-Denying Ordinance
A bill passed by the House of Commons on 19 December 1644 stipulating that no member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords could hold any command in the army or navy. Since this meant that nobles were automatically debarred from military command (whereas members of the House of Commons could resign and retain their commands), the House of Lords hesitated, but finally passed the bill on 3 April 1645.
See http://www.british-civil-wars.co.… for further information.
About Ussher's 'A Body of Divinitie'
Paul Chapin • Link
This was the same Bishop Ussher
who calculated the precise date of the Creation, based on study of the Bible and ancient history, as the nightfall preceding 23 October, 4004 B.C., a date still adhered to by modern Creationists. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch…
About Wednesday 29 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
Many thanks to the company here assembled
for such a thorough and deep discussion of this difficult entry.
Since no one else has done so, let me take a stab at LH's problem sentence:
“Talking of the business of Tangier, he tells me that my Lord Tiviott is gone away without the least respect paid to him, nor indeed to any man, but without his commission; and (if it be true what he says) having laid out seven or eight thousand pounds in commodities for the place; and besides having not only disobliged all the Commissioners for Tangier, but also Sir Charles Barkeley the other day, who, speaking in behalf of Colonel Fitz-Gerald, that having been deputy-governor there already, he ought to have expected and had the governorship upon the death or removal of the former governor.”
What I think happened here was that Teviot laid out the 7 or 8K for supplies for Tangier, and in consequence was awarded the governorship (presumably by Charles or James), contrary to the wishes and expectations of the Commissioners for Tangier as well as Barkeley, who favored Fitz-Gerald for the post. So when Teviot set sail for Tangier, there weren't a lot of going-away parties.
I'm not sure about the "without his commission" bit; it might mean that he didn't have the official document when he left, but it might also mean something to the effect that the commission was the only thing about Teviot that people could respect.
About Wednesday 29 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
Who is "her"?
" The Queen, my Lord tells me, he thinks he hath incurred some displeasure with, for his kindness to his neighbour, my Lady Castlemaine. My Lord tells me he hath no reason to fall for her sake, whose wit, management, nor interest, is not likely to hold up any man, and therefore he thinks it not his obligation to stand for her against his own interest."
Once again Sam has left unclear the antecedent of a pronoun, which in this case is crucial to understanding the story. Is Sandwich not falling and not standing for Castlemaine, or for the Queen? I'm thinking Castlemaine, but would welcome other views.
About Thursday 23 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
"Sam's household is six people"
I fear I'm falling back into my earlier confusion. Isn't Will Hewer also a member of Sam's household?
About Thursday 23 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
What was the level of servant's wages?
Well, Sam told us a few weeks ago that he hired Hannah, the new cook-maid, at 4l. per annum, which he said was the most he had ever paid a servant. Father John's expenses were 25 times that amount, which sounds like quite a bit to me.
About Monday 20 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
Monmouth's wedding
Monmouth, 14, and his bride, 12, are old enough to marry, but "too young to be all night together," says Charles. I presume this means they had to wait to some undetermined future date to consummate their marriage. Interesting glance at the mores of the time. Their first child was born more than 9 years later - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jame…
Thanks to Jeannine for passing on to us this wonderful letter!
About Wednesday 8 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
The Duke of Monmouth
Tomorrow (9 April 1663) is his 14th birthday. In less than two weeks, on 20 April, he will be married. And he has already received his Master's from Cambridge. Precocious fellow.
About Monday 6 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
A couple of minor corrections re Mr. Coventry
Sir George Carteret was the Treasurer of the Navy, not Coventry (cf. Terry's annotation). Coventry was a Commissioner, and thus officially Sam's colleague, not his superior (cf. Dirk's annotation). Coventry's power on the Navy Board came from his close association with the Duke of York more than his official status. None of this has any real bearing on the points Terry and Dirk were making, though. Just trying to keep the record straight.
About Saturday 4 April 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
The Pepys' cook ("Our Treasure")
Her name was Hannah, according to the link on "a new cook-maid" in the 26 March 1663 entry: http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
She was previously in the employ of my Lord Albemarle, nee George Monck, which sounds like quite a coup for the Pepyses, and she seems to be living up to her promise. 4l a year well spent.
About Sunday 29 March 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
Guess I got my Wills confused.
Should keep better track of whether Will will will it, or Will will. Oh, will.
About Monday 30 March 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
"the propositions for the Civill government and Law Merchant of the town ...
were in substance but not in the manner of executing them independent wholly upon the Governor consenting to."
Does anybody have any idea what this means? It reads like word salad to me.
About Sunday 29 March 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
"though it be but little, yet I do get ground every month"
An increase in net worth of nearly 5% in a month is nothing to sneeze at, Sam. Keep it up at that rate and in 15 months you will double your wealth.
About Sunday 29 March 1663
Paul Chapin • Link
Which Will?
Robert, I think Will Howe is the correct reference here. Will Hewer works in Sam's household; there is no reason why he would have a chest of drawers in the Navy office, but Will Howe likely would. Sam views Will Howe as something of a protege, hence "my man."
About Tuesday 24 March 1662/63
Paul Chapin • Link
Holmes and Cooper
I think the great line from the L&M Companion, quoted in Pauline's annotation at http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…, tells us what we need to know about these two:
"Holmes was not invariably an easy man and Cooper was not invariably sober"
About Saturday 21 March 1662/63
Paul Chapin • Link
"After viewing Holmes portrait by Lely (Jeannine link), I wonder how Sam slept this night."
Possibly, but note that the fellow in the portrait holding the scary-looking sword is actually Holles; Holmes is the more benign-looking one. See my annotation following Jeannine's at http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
About Sunday 22 March 1662/63
Paul Chapin • Link
the young ladies and Ashwell
Here's what I read between the lines. A group of young ladies from some school, possibly connected to Ashwell in some way, have gone to the church. Ashwell wanted Sam to see them and tell her about them, perhaps how they were dressed, but he couldn't get far enough into the church to see them.
About Capt. Robert Holmes
Paul Chapin • Link
The portrait of Holmes and Holles
Based on the description, the portrait as shown on the NMM site is reversed. The man on the right, holding the sword, is Holles; Holmes is on the left, with his arm resting on the cannon. Holles is described as missing his left arm; he is actually holding the sword in his right hand.