Here's Sam going to bed 'with great content' after spending the previous night away from home. Is this more evidence of his code for conjugal relations, as suspected by some of yesterday's commentators?
Pedro's link to the story of the construction of the New River still works. And the fear of flooding is still relevant. We bought a house in Ware in 2004 which was close to the New River. Our solicitor (not a local) looked on the map and warned us we might be flooded. We had to explain that this was an aqueduct, not a river. Also that the house was about 8 metres up a slope and that there was a field lower than the water level on the opposite side, so there was no chance of any water reaching our property. I've been living alongside the New River all my life, first in London near the New River Head, gradually moving out along the Lea Valley and eventually coming to Ware. It's never flooded in my lifetime!
"I will not give it him without my father’s consent, which I will write to him to-night about, and have done it" I would interpret this as 'I said I would write to him tonight, and I have now done so' rather than Pepys stopping half way through his diary entry to write the letter as suggested by Dirk above.
I doubt that Sam spent too much time planning his entries. He was used to setting down his thoughts and recollections daily. Here he tells the story of the treasure hunt from getting up to going to bed, back-tracks to the morning walk with Mr Coventry and adds on the final stories as an afterthought so he doesn't forget them. Not exactly a minute by minute chronological account!
I think bravely in this context is more likely 'looking good' than 'being courageous' Travellers would take advantage of moonlight if they could. In mid October in the UK it gets dark by late afternoon (sunset is 17.07 GMT today) so having left after the court proceedings Sam probably wanted to get to Cambridge and the main road back to London before resting so he could get home the next day.
Pepys on his way to my home town. Speaks to another traveller. 'Where are you going?' 'Ware' 'Yes, where are you going?' 'Ware' Repeat until exhausted. Oldest joke in Hertfordshire.
Train bands: does anyone else recall the tale of John Gilpin, who famously rode from London to Edmonton and continued unwillingly to Ware? He was said to be 'a train band captain'. So the 'train bands' were still operative over 100 years later. From Wikipedia: John Gilpin (18th century) was featured as the subject in a well-known comic ballad of 1782 by William Cowper, entitled The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
This reminds me of the Jubilee Procession of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. The River Thames was full of boats and the riverbanks were crowded with spectators. The day ended with torrential rain, which Sam was spared 250 years earlier in 1662
Comments
Second Reading
About Friday 19 December 1662
JayW • Link
'Give over!' meaning 'stop it!' was in common useage in my post-war London childhood.
About Saturday 20 December 1662
JayW • Link
And travelling 'with great content' in the coach is clearly NOT shorthand for connubial bliss.
About Monday 15 December 1662
JayW • Link
Here's Sam going to bed 'with great content' after spending the previous night away from home. Is this more evidence of his code for conjugal relations, as suspected by some of yesterday's commentators?
About Thursday 27 November 1662
JayW • Link
And for SIR HUGH MYDDELTON AND THE WATER SUPPLY OF OLD LONDON
http://www.thebookofdays.com/months/sept/29.htm
Pedro's link to the story of the construction of the New River still works. And the fear of flooding is still relevant. We bought a house in Ware in 2004 which was close to the New River. Our solicitor (not a local) looked on the map and warned us we might be flooded. We had to explain that this was an aqueduct, not a river. Also that the house was about 8 metres up a slope and that there was a field lower than the water level on the opposite side, so there was no chance of any water reaching our property. I've been living alongside the New River all my life, first in London near the New River Head, gradually moving out along the Lea Valley and eventually coming to Ware. It's never flooded in my lifetime!
About Tuesday 18 November 1662
JayW • Link
"I will not give it him without my father’s consent, which I will write to him to-night about, and have done it"
I would interpret this as 'I said I would write to him tonight, and I have now done so' rather than Pepys stopping half way through his diary entry to write the letter as suggested by Dirk above.
About Thursday 30 October 1662
JayW • Link
I doubt that Sam spent too much time planning his entries. He was used to setting down his thoughts and recollections daily. Here he tells the story of the treasure hunt from getting up to going to bed, back-tracks to the morning walk with Mr Coventry and adds on the final stories as an afterthought so he doesn't forget them. Not exactly a minute by minute chronological account!
About Tuesday 14 October 1662
JayW • Link
I think bravely in this context is more likely 'looking good' than 'being courageous' Travellers would take advantage of moonlight if they could. In mid October in the UK it gets dark by late afternoon (sunset is 17.07 GMT today) so having left after the court proceedings Sam probably wanted to get to Cambridge and the main road back to London before resting so he could get home the next day.
About Thursday 9 October 1662
JayW • Link
Jude cooper. Thanks to your link to the Crown and Falcon I realise I called in there, several years ago. Must go again.
About Thursday 9 October 1662
JayW • Link
Pepys on his way to my home town. Speaks to another traveller. 'Where are you going?'
'Ware'
'Yes, where are you going?'
'Ware'
Repeat until exhausted.
Oldest joke in Hertfordshire.
About Tuesday 2 September 1662
JayW • Link
Bridget, 'Tom's mistress' was the lady he seeks to marry. The word did not have the same meaning as in modern speech.
About Sunday 31 August 1662
JayW • Link
Train bands: does anyone else recall the tale of John Gilpin, who famously rode from London to Edmonton and continued unwillingly to Ware? He was said to be 'a train band captain'. So the 'train bands' were still operative over 100 years later.
From Wikipedia:
John Gilpin (18th century) was featured as the subject in a well-known comic ballad of 1782 by William Cowper, entitled The Diverting History of John Gilpin.
About Saturday 23 August 1662
JayW • Link
This reminds me of the Jubilee Procession of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. The River Thames was full of boats and the riverbanks were crowded with spectators. The day ended with torrential rain, which Sam was spared 250 years earlier in 1662
About Wednesday 6 August 1662
JayW • Link
Loving this mouse incident among all the high drama of office politics.