Sept. 21. 1668 Capt. Isaac White, of the Wren, to the Navy Commissioners. Kinsale.
Set sail from Cadiz, with the Earl of Sandwich, 13 Sept.; pressing sail to keep company with the Greenwich, sprang a leak, and was forced back to Cadiz; and when ready to sail, had advice from Tangiers that the Earl of Sandwich had sailed from thence.
There being 10 sail of Dutch ships bound for Holland, kept company with them till near 60 leagues from Scilly; was forced in to Kinsale by easterly winds, having a leaky ship and no provisions. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 107.)
Encloses, Paper of news that a frigate of Algiers of 150 tons, 10 guns, and 200 men, takes all nations he meets with, and carries them to Sally. The commander's name is Solyman Bewfen, a Turk of Algiers, and a fat black man. There are also 5 other Sally ships out. - Sally, 25 August 1665.
With note that the original was sent to Esquire Wren, 8 October 1668. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 1071.]
The Concord and Margaret of Lyme from Rotterdam report that the reception of the English Ambassador there was very splendid, and much exceeded what is ordinarily done on such occasions;
also that Holland and the other provinces are very high for making the Prince of Orange General, and investing him with all the privileges enjoyed by his father. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 99.] --- Sir William Temple was the new Ambassador to the United Providences.
@@@ Sept. 21. 1668 Falmouth Thos. Holden to Hickes.
The Black Eagle of Amsterdam arrived from Sally, reports that 4 English merchantmen were brought in there, as also 1 Spaniard and a Frenchman, having been deceived by an Algiers man-of-war with a Sally commission; also that 4 men-of-war put to sea, bound for the Canaries; 2 English merchant ships are trading there.
Asks whether it is true that a new island, called Pine's Island, has been found, and that it is remarkable for the strangeness of its inhabitants. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 100.]
@@@ Sept. 21. 1668 Bristol James Baskerville to Williamson.
Alderman Thos. Stevens has been elected mayor, and Humphrey Little, goldsmith, and Rich. Hart, merchant, sheriffs.
A very malignant fever rages in the adjacent parts, of which many die. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 101.]
@@@ Sept. 21. 1668 Order for a warrant to pay to George Duke of Buckingham 8,083/. 6s. 8d., being the arrears due to him as gentleman of the bedchamber from 29 May 1660 to 24 June last; and also a pension of 1,000/. a year for life. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 30, f. 82.] --- George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham is currently the most powerful person in the CABAL “government”. It appears the Treasury Commission isn’t empowered to stop Charles II’s gifts to his favorites. I wonder if they will question whether or not they should pay George for the time he spent in the Tower accused of Treason.
For auction at Sotheby's: 'The jewel-encrusted spectacles, which feature lenses made from diamond and emerald rather than glass, are believed to have originally belonged to 17th century royals in the Mughal Empire, which once ruled over the Indian subcontinent.
'Designed to help the wearer reach enlightenment and ward off evil, the diamond and emerald spectacles are an exceptionally rare example of Mughal jewelry craftsmanship, according to chairman of Sotheby's Middle East and India, Edward Gibbs. "As far as we know, there are no others like them," he said in a phone interview.'
From time to time we have annotations, but not Diary mentions, about the dangers of the use of mercury and experiments in alchemy.
On this day:
Dr. Thomas Vaughan (1622-1666), the alchemist and mystic, and the younger twin brother of Henry Vaughan he "Silurist," appears to have had some employment of state, but he continued his favorite studies and died from the fumes of mercury at the house of Samuel Kern at Albury, Surrey (near Guildford) on 27 February, 1666.
Dr. Vaughan regarded himself as a philosopher of nature, and although he certainly sought the universal solvent, his published writings deal rather with magic and mysticism than with technical alchemy. They also contain much controversy with Henry More the Platonist. Vaughan was called a Rosicrucian, but denied the imputation.
Dr. Vaughan wrote or translated Anthroposophia Theomagica (1650); most of these pamphlets appeared under the pseudonym of Eugenius Philalethes: Anima Magica Abscondita (1650); Magia Adamica and Coelum Terrae (1650); The Man-Mouse taken in a Trap (1650); The Second Wash; or the Moor Scoured once more (1651); Lumen de Lumine and Aphorisimi Magici Eugeniani (1651); The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R.C. (1652); Aula Lucis (1652); Euphrates (1655); Nollius' Chymist's Key (1657); A Brief Natural History (1669).
Dr. Thomas Vaughan was probably not the famous adept known as Eirenaeus Philalethes, who was alleged to have found the philosopher's stone in America, and to whom the Introitus Apertus in Occlusum Regis Palatium (1667) and other writings are ascribed.
"He is a great traveller; and, speaking of the tarantula, he says that all the harvest long (about which times they are most busy) there are fidlers go up and down the fields every where, in expectation of being hired by those that are stung."
The move awat from the agrarian life to the cities is underway ... this is the only mention of the harvest in the entire Diary. Pepys has lost his roots in the soil of his ancestors; but the idea of owning the buildings and concept of being a country gentleman still attract him.
This article is mostly about the British harvest season in the 19th century, but does refer to many customs that date back to Saxon times. https://www.countryfile.com/how-t…
While I totally agree with Stephane's reading of James' reaction to Penn's letter, I thought this was a good explanation of the long-standing regard the Stuart brothers had for the Admiral:
"Marston Moor was fought in that year [1644], and all England was taking sides in the contention between the Parliament and the king. The navy was in sympathy with the Parliament; and the young officer [Penn], although his personal inclinations were towards the king, went with his associates. "But in 1654 he appears to have lost faith in the Commonwealth. Cromwell sent an expedition to seize the Spanish West Indies. He put Penn in charge of the fleet, and made Venables general of the army. "The two commanders, without conference one with the other, sent secret word to Charles II, then in exile on the Continent, and offered him their ships and soldiers. This transaction, although it seemed for the moment to be of none effect, resulted years afterward in the erection of the Colony of Pennsylvania. "Charles declined the offer; "he wished them to reserve their affections for his Majesty till a more proper season to discover them;" but he never forgot it. It was the beginning of a friendship between the House of Stuart and the family of Penn, which William Penn [Jr.] inherited." https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2…
FROM The Riverside Biographical Series NUMBER 6
WILLIAM PENN BY GEORGE HODGES
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY Boston: 4 Park Street; New York: 11 East Seventeenth Street Chicago: 378-388 Wabash Avenue
"... at noon comes Knepp, with design to dine with Lord Brouncker, but she being undressed, and there being much company, dined with me; ..."
Brouncker lives on Seething Lane these days; so Knepp comes over in casual attire ("undressed" also may refer to her hair being au natural) expecting a small lunch group, only to find his house full of people in business attire. She therefore asks Pepys if she can share his quiet lunch so as to not embarrass herself or Lord Brouncker. Keeping up appearances in front of her adoring fans is part of playing an actress.
Since we have no GUNPOWDER or MAGAZINE Encyclopedia pages, this seems to be as good a place as any to add some more general information:
The Royal Navy first began using the term ‘powder monkey’ in the 17th century. In the golden age of sail, young boys would be recruited or press-ganged to service artillery guns on warships. Their job was to ferry gunpowder from the magazine in the ship’s hold to the gun crews. It was a dangerous job: gun carriages would regularly dismount and maim crewmembers, scalding iron rained from misfired guns and giant splinters would penetrate flesh.
AND FOR AN ADDED BONUS: Brief autobiographical accounts from powder monkeys do survive. One is from a boy named Robert Sands, who worked on Admiral Nelson’s ship during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He explained that “the smoke sofecated us… our skreens took fire and burnt the Leftanant of mereans [marines] badley. I had jest left thair wen the exploshon took place. The men inside the skreens was burnt to deth… Then I had to go to the fore magesene for my powder.” Despite his age and lower-class status, Sands’ memoir is one of the few accounts that exist from that battle.
It was a very good time for Louis XIV to send over an Ambassador with a lot of Louis d'Or to distribute!
With examples like the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars, I have to wonder why it is that governments are still so eager to declare a mercantile war. You'd think the human race would have learned by now that it is not good for the economy of either the winners or the losers, no matter how much they desire a market or a commodity.
Seems to me, it is the countries that stay out of the conflicts that benefit.
Jane was a young teenager, and the Pepys lived in a garrett and expected her to do all the work including killing a chicken. By 1663 she thought the grass was greener, there would be less work, more benefits, whatever, in another household, so she left.
In 1666 Elizabeth tracked her down: "This day my wife wanting a chambermaid with much ado got our old little Jane to be found out, who come to see her and hath lived all this while in one place, but is so well that we will not desire her removal, but are mighty glad to see the poor wench, who is very well and do well." https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
Either the Pepys offered her more money, or after seeing the improved conditions and Pepys' elevated status, Jane gave notice. She could move in three weeks as it was a Quarter Day when contracts ended, people changed jobs, started new leases, etc. --- Scube, I don't remember all these details. I click through to the person's name in the Encyclopedia, then look at the References page. You can see there's a gap in mentions between 1663 and 1666. So I clicked through from References to the first two entries in 1666 and came up with the answer to your question.
Mind you, I like questions because this is a blog, which implies that we interact. They also challenge my assumptions, which is always helpful.
"on the 18 I began to sow, god good to us in a dry season, ..."
Winter wheat can be sown from September to March. Early sowings from the middle of September are usually preferable, but they may not be better than late sowings in some favourable autumns.
@@@ Sept. 20. 1668 Chatham Col. Thomas Middleton to Sam. Pepys.
I told the discharged men that they could not expect any money by being discharged, but must have patience to have their tickets paid as money could be raised.
Thanks for what you tell me concerning the 700/. for the [Chatham] chest; I have money to pay the chest again, and hope never to commit the like error, yet what I did was to accommodate both the King and the people belonging to, or rather discharged from, the ship.
I shall treat with Mr. Mason about his timber, and choose 300 or 400 loads; that which may not be worth 40s. a load to build houses, may be worth 50s. to build ships, so that it may be a convenience to him, as well as to the King, to spare that which may be most convenient for the King's use, and he to keep the remainder for building in the city.
The shipwright's assistant could hear of no more timber ready until the next fall; I wonder why the King should not have a purveyor to buy it as it stands, and then he need not seek after these men, nor buy any but such as is found fit for use.
I presume if Mr. Pett continues in his place he may let you have the timber, but if he lose it, you cannot well expect this.
The calking of ships should be put in hand before winter;
I will take Mr. Tippetts advice about the Royal Oak, as he is her father. [21 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 95.]
@@@ Sept. 20. 1668 Portsmouth Hugh Salesbury to Williamson.
The Dutchman who pretends to build a ship for the King, to sail 3 feet for 2 to any other of his Majesty's ships, has arrived. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 96.]
@@@ Sept. 20. 1668 Deal Rich. Watts to [Williamson].
Will give the packet to the first Lisbon ship that sails, and take a receipt; if the master refuses one, which most of them do, asks whether to call a witness and give the packet, or keep it back.
The gentry, citizens, and country are much discontented, the cavalry being much concerned; and since the harvest has come in, there has been more dissatisfaction than before.
With postscript, cancelled, that it has been reported that Lord Arlington has bought the Governor's place of Deal Castle and that of captain of the Yellow Company there, the former being worth 120/. per annum and of great honour. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 97.]
His Royal Highness desires a survey to be made of the Anne yacht, and her repair to be put in hand; if there is not convenience in the King's own yards, it is to be despatched in some merchant's yard.
His Royal Highness approves of what they communicated concerning the weighing of wrecks in the Thames, and would have signified the same himself, but he went a-hunting so early this morning that he could not sign anything. [S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 93.]
@@@ Sept. 19. 1668 Weymouth John Pocock to Hickes.
Two Spanish men-of-war, part of the fleet which convoyed over the Constable of Castile for Flanders, have arrived;
also a Dutch man-of-war under young Eversett, with 3 ships under her convoy, bound for Lisbon and Bordeaux,
and 2 new Dutch ships for Surinam; they are to remain upon the Dutch West India Company's account, being built for that purpose. [S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 86.]
@@@ Sept. 19. 1668 Portsmouth Capt. Ant. Deane to Williamson.
I acquainted Mrs. Castle that care would be taken for her supply, and she was satisfied.
As to giving Lord [Arlington] a transcript of my return from Holland, I acquainted the King by word of mouth, who gave me the proposals to peruse, which I returned to you, when you and his lordship desired me to answer as much as I could, and give judgment upon the whole matter, which I did in the margin, but will answer more fully if they are returned.
The experiment ship is in good forwardness. [S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 87.]
@@@ Sept. 19. 1668 Bristol Sir John Knight to Lord Arlington.
There being a great want of horses in the Island of Nevis, occasioned by the late war, and the slaughter of horses for provision to save the lives of the inhabitants, which cannot be replenished unless horses are sent from England,
is requested by John Knight the younger and Company, the owners of the Lizard of Bristol, to ask for a pass to transport 26 geldings in their vessel.
The geldings are of small value, as the best of them did not cost 7/. [S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 90.]
@@@ Sept. 19. 1668 Whitehall Proclamation for further adjourning the Parliament from 10 Nov., to 1 March next.
With certificate by Lord Arlington that 2 corrections made therein were by the King's command. (S.P. Dom., Car. II., Case C, No. 7.)
@@@ Sept. 19. 1668 The Edgar, Hung Road, Bristol Capt. John Wettwang to the Navy Commissioners.
Cannot give the value of the carpenter's stores until they are bought, but sends the prices of ironwork and plank. Shall buy stores required as if they were for himself.
The ship is rigged, and intends for King Road on Wednesday next.
Thinks some of the 15 men that came from Portsmouth have run away, as they have not been aboard these 14 days; the other 87 are on board, and good men. [S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 92.)
@@@ Sept. 18. 1668 Chatham Col. Thos. Middleton to S. Pepys.
I send this by [Phin.] Pett, the King's master builder at Chatham, who wants 30 calkers to calk ships in port, to prevent damage during the winter; I send the muster calker, who is acquainted with the ablest men, not doubting but a press warrant will be given;
1,000/. is come down to pay the ships in port, 700/. of which is owing to the [Chatham] chest;
the ships will require near 4,000/.; I beg that it may be sent. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 77.]
@@@ [Sept. 18.] 1668 Petition of the London traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle to the King and Council.
They find the Scotch salt much more fit for the Navy and for merchants than that of England, but the late high impost of 40/. per cent. at its landing in England makes them unable to trade in it, but at a loss of a quarter of their first cost in Scotland.
Since the order of reference to the English Commissioners for trade, the English salt-makers in the North have tried to keep the matter from being reported on; thus the petitioners are still obstructed, and the Shields salt-makers, who pay no duty, have engrossed the trade, set what price they please, and the petitioners are forced to take their salt, which wastes and turns to brine in the ships.
Beg that the tax may not be continued for the interest of the English salt-makers, and that during the continuance of the treaty now on foot, half the tax may be taken off. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 78.] --- [London traders in salt] to the Lord Keeper.
A petition of traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle is before Council, against the imposition of 40/. per cent. on Scotch salt, laid at request of English salt-makers who are unable to supply the markets with sufficient quantities fit for the Navy or fishing Request that during the treaty between the Commissioners for settling the trade between England and Scotland, to whom the case is referred, a moiety of the said tax may be suspended, that so the English markets may be supplied, and the Dutch, who try to induce the Scots to supply them with coal, salt, &c., may be circumvented. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 80.]
@@@ Sept. 18. 1668 Whitehall
Order in Council, on breviate of 2 letters from Wm. Warren of Santa Cruz to Thos. Warren, that the Secretaries of State look out their advices about the affairs on the coasts of Barbary, and report thereon on the 23rd instant, that order may be given to preserve the trade of his Majesty's subjects in those parts; and that Thos. Warren and other traders to those coasts be required to attend. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 82.]
"Dr. Wren produced the shapes of haile falln march 26. 1667. the vpper part of which was a perfect cone. the vnder part the frustrum of a cone [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frus… ], being turnd vp the represented a marigold flower. the angle that of a pentagon. soe tht 5 of them ioynd together did make a circle orderd to be registred"
A gentian is a herb often used in medieval medicine. The origin seems to have been the marsh marigold, Caltha Palustris, possibly alluding to its past medical uses, and its association with medieval church festivals. It is one of the 'golden flowers' dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and so we have the name, 'Mary's Gold'.
Comments
Second Reading
About Monday 21 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sept. 21. 1668
Capt. Isaac White, of the Wren, to the Navy Commissioners.
Kinsale.
Set sail from Cadiz, with the Earl of Sandwich, 13 Sept.;
pressing sail to keep company with the Greenwich, sprang a leak, and was forced back to Cadiz;
and when ready to sail, had advice from Tangiers that the Earl of Sandwich had sailed from thence.
There being 10 sail of Dutch ships bound for Holland, kept company with them till near 60 leagues from Scilly;
was forced in to Kinsale by easterly winds, having a leaky ship and no provisions.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 107.)
Encloses,
Paper of news
that a frigate of Algiers of 150 tons, 10 guns, and 200 men, takes all nations he meets with, and carries them to Sally.
The commander's name is Solyman Bewfen, a Turk of Algiers, and a fat black man.
There are also 5 other Sally ships out. - Sally, 25 August 1665.
With note that the original was sent to Esquire Wren, 8 October 1668.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 1071.]
About Monday 21 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
The volume covering correspondence from Nov. 1667 – Sept. 1668 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…
Page 641-643
@@@
Sept. 21.
Lyme
Ant. Thorold to Hickes.
The Concord and Margaret of Lyme from Rotterdam report that the reception of the English Ambassador there was very splendid, and much exceeded what is ordinarily done on such occasions;
also that Holland and the other provinces are very high for making the Prince of Orange General, and investing him with all the privileges enjoyed by his father.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 99.]
---
Sir William Temple was the new Ambassador to the United Providences.
@@@
Sept. 21. 1668
Falmouth
Thos. Holden to Hickes.
The Black Eagle of Amsterdam arrived from Sally,
reports that 4 English merchantmen were brought in there, as also 1 Spaniard and a Frenchman, having been deceived by an Algiers man-of-war with a Sally commission;
also that 4 men-of-war put to sea, bound for the Canaries;
2 English merchant ships are trading there.
Asks whether it is true that a new island, called Pine's Island, has been found, and that it is remarkable for the strangeness of its inhabitants.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 100.]
@@@
Sept. 21. 1668
Bristol
James Baskerville to Williamson.
Alderman Thos. Stevens has been elected mayor, and Humphrey Little, goldsmith, and Rich. Hart, merchant, sheriffs.
A very malignant fever rages in the adjacent parts, of which many die.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 101.]
@@@
Sept. 21. 1668
Order for a warrant
to pay to George Duke of Buckingham 8,083/. 6s. 8d.,
being the arrears due to him as gentleman of the bedchamber from 29 May 1660 to 24 June last;
and also a pension of 1,000/. a year for life.
[S.P. Dom., Entry Book 30, f. 82.]
---
George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham is currently the most powerful person in the CABAL “government”. It appears the Treasury Commission isn’t empowered to stop Charles II’s gifts to his favorites. I wonder if they will question whether or not they should pay George for the time he spent in the Tower accused of Treason.
About Spectacles
San Diego Sarah • Link
Eat your heart out, Pepys:
For auction at Sotheby's:
'The jewel-encrusted spectacles, which feature lenses made from diamond and emerald rather than glass, are believed to have originally belonged to 17th century royals in the Mughal Empire, which once ruled over the Indian subcontinent.
'Designed to help the wearer reach enlightenment and ward off evil, the diamond and emerald spectacles are an exceptionally rare example of Mughal jewelry craftsmanship, according to chairman of Sotheby's Middle East and India, Edward Gibbs. "As far as we know, there are no others like them," he said in a phone interview.'
https://www.cnn.com/style/article…
About Tuesday 27 February 1665/66
San Diego Sarah • Link
From time to time we have annotations, but not Diary mentions, about the dangers of the use of mercury and experiments in alchemy.
On this day:
Dr. Thomas Vaughan (1622-1666), the alchemist and mystic, and the younger twin brother of Henry Vaughan he "Silurist," appears to have had some employment of state, but he continued his favorite studies and died from the fumes of mercury at the house of Samuel Kern at Albury, Surrey (near Guildford) on 27 February, 1666.
Dr. Vaughan regarded himself as a philosopher of nature, and although he certainly sought the universal solvent, his published writings deal rather with magic and mysticism than with technical alchemy. They also contain much controversy with Henry More the Platonist. Vaughan was called a Rosicrucian, but denied the imputation.
Dr. Vaughan wrote or translated Anthroposophia Theomagica (1650); most of these pamphlets appeared under the pseudonym of Eugenius Philalethes:
Anima Magica Abscondita (1650);
Magia Adamica and Coelum Terrae (1650);
The Man-Mouse taken in a Trap (1650);
The Second Wash; or the Moor Scoured once more (1651);
Lumen de Lumine and Aphorisimi Magici Eugeniani (1651);
The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R.C. (1652);
Aula Lucis (1652);
Euphrates (1655);
Nollius' Chymist's Key (1657);
A Brief Natural History (1669).
Dr. Thomas Vaughan was probably not the famous adept known as Eirenaeus Philalethes, who was alleged to have found the philosopher's stone in America, and to whom the Introitus Apertus in Occlusum Regis Palatium (1667) and other writings are ascribed.
But he might have been.
http://www.theodora.com/encyclope…
About Tuesday 4 February 1661/62
San Diego Sarah • Link
"He is a great traveller; and, speaking of the tarantula, he says that all the harvest long (about which times they are most busy) there are fidlers go up and down the fields every where, in expectation of being hired by those that are stung."
The move awat from the agrarian life to the cities is underway ... this is the only mention of the harvest in the entire Diary. Pepys has lost his roots in the soil of his ancestors; but the idea of owning the buildings and concept of being a country gentleman still attract him.
This article is mostly about the British harvest season in the 19th century, but does refer to many customs that date back to Saxon times.
https://www.countryfile.com/how-t…
About Thursday 17 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
While I totally agree with Stephane's reading of James' reaction to Penn's letter, I thought this was a good explanation of the long-standing regard the Stuart brothers had for the Admiral:
"Marston Moor was fought in that year [1644], and all England was taking sides in the contention between the Parliament and the king. The navy was in sympathy with the Parliament; and the young officer [Penn], although his personal inclinations were towards the king, went with his associates.
"But in 1654 he appears to have lost faith in the Commonwealth. Cromwell sent an expedition to seize the Spanish West Indies. He put Penn in charge of the fleet, and made Venables general of the army.
"The two commanders, without conference one with the other, sent secret word to Charles II, then in exile on the Continent, and offered him their ships and soldiers. This transaction, although it seemed for the moment to be of none effect, resulted years afterward in the erection of the Colony of Pennsylvania.
"Charles declined the offer; "he wished them to reserve their affections for his Majesty till a more proper season to discover them;" but he never forgot it. It was the beginning of a friendship between the House of Stuart and the family of Penn, which William Penn [Jr.] inherited."
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2…
FROM
The Riverside Biographical Series
NUMBER 6
WILLIAM PENN
BY
GEORGE HODGES
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
Boston: 4 Park Street; New York: 11 East Seventeenth Street
Chicago: 378-388 Wabash Avenue
The Riverside Press, Cambridge
COPYRIGHT, 1901
About Thursday 17 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... at noon comes Knepp, with design to dine with Lord Brouncker, but she being undressed, and there being much company, dined with me; ..."
Brouncker lives on Seething Lane these days; so Knepp comes over in casual attire ("undressed" also may refer to her hair being au natural) expecting a small lunch group, only to find his house full of people in business attire. She therefore asks Pepys if she can share his quiet lunch so as to not embarrass herself or Lord Brouncker. Keeping up appearances in front of her adoring fans is part of playing an actress.
About Board of Ordnance
San Diego Sarah • Link
Since we have no GUNPOWDER or MAGAZINE Encyclopedia pages, this seems to be as good a place as any to add some more general information:
The Royal Navy first began using the term ‘powder monkey’ in the 17th century.
In the golden age of sail, young boys would be recruited or press-ganged to service artillery guns on warships. Their job was to ferry gunpowder from the magazine in the ship’s hold to the gun crews.
It was a dangerous job: gun carriages would regularly dismount and maim crewmembers, scalding iron rained from misfired guns and giant splinters would penetrate flesh.
AND FOR AN ADDED BONUS:
Brief autobiographical accounts from powder monkeys do survive. One is from a boy named Robert Sands, who worked on Admiral Nelson’s ship during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He explained that “the smoke sofecated us… our skreens took fire and burnt the Leftanant of mereans [marines] badley. I had jest left thair wen the exploshon took place. The men inside the skreens was burnt to deth… Then I had to go to the fore magesene for my powder.”
Despite his age and lower-class status, Sands’ memoir is one of the few accounts that exist from that battle.
https://www.historyextra.com/peri…
About Wednesday 16 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
"She could move in 3 weeks" ... was that a typo or a math breakdown? Should be 6 weeks for March 25th (Lady Day).
About Tuesday 15 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
One clarification ... Penn appears to have compiled the list of dead pursers.
I wonder if he had compiled the marriages list as well.
About Monday 24 August 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
It was a very good time for Louis XIV to send over an Ambassador with a lot of Louis d'Or to distribute!
With examples like the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars, I have to wonder why it is that governments are still so eager to declare a mercantile war. You'd think the human race would have learned by now that it is not good for the economy of either the winners or the losers, no matter how much they desire a market or a commodity.
Seems to me, it is the countries that stay out of the conflicts that benefit.
About Wednesday 16 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
Jane was a young teenager, and the Pepys lived in a garrett and expected her to do all the work including killing a chicken. By 1663 she thought the grass was greener, there would be less work, more benefits, whatever, in another household, so she left.
In 1666 Elizabeth tracked her down:
"This day my wife wanting a chambermaid with much ado got our old little Jane to be found out, who come to see her and hath lived all this while in one place, but is so well that we will not desire her removal, but are mighty glad to see the poor wench, who is very well and do well."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
Either the Pepys offered her more money, or after seeing the improved conditions and Pepys' elevated status, Jane gave notice. She could move in three weeks as it was a Quarter Day when contracts ended, people changed jobs, started new leases, etc.
---
Scube, I don't remember all these details. I click through to the person's name in the Encyclopedia, then look at the References page. You can see there's a gap in mentions between 1663 and 1666.
So I clicked through from References to the first two entries in 1666 and came up with the answer to your question.
Mind you, I like questions because this is a blog, which implies that we interact. They also challenge my assumptions, which is always helpful.
About Friday 18 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
Rev. Ralph:
"on the 18 I began to sow, god good to us in a dry season, ..."
Winter wheat can be sown from September to March.
Early sowings from the middle of September are usually preferable, but they may not be better than late sowings in some favourable autumns.
About Sunday 20 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
The volume covering correspondence from November 1667 through September 1668 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…
PAGES 640-641
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Sept. 20. 1668
Chatham
Col. Thomas Middleton to Sam. Pepys.
I told the discharged men that they could not expect any money by being
discharged, but must have patience to have their tickets paid as money could be raised.
Thanks for what you tell me concerning the 700/. for the [Chatham] chest;
I have money to pay the chest again, and hope never to commit the like error, yet what I did was to accommodate both the King and the people belonging to, or rather discharged from, the ship.
I shall treat with Mr. Mason about his timber, and choose 300 or 400 loads;
that which may not be worth 40s. a load to build houses,
may be worth 50s. to build ships,
so that it may be a convenience to him, as well as to the King, to spare that which may be most convenient for the King's use,
and he to keep the remainder for building in the city.
The shipwright's assistant could hear of no more timber ready until the next fall;
I wonder why the King should not have a purveyor to buy it as it stands, and then he need not seek after these men, nor buy any but such as is found fit for use.
I presume if Mr. Pett continues in his place he may let you have the timber,
but if he lose it, you cannot well expect this.
The calking of ships should be put in hand before winter;
I will take Mr. Tippetts advice about the Royal Oak, as he is her father.
[21 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 95.]
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Sept. 20. 1668
Portsmouth
Hugh Salesbury to Williamson.
The Dutchman who pretends to build a ship for the King, to sail 3 feet for 2 to any other of his Majesty's ships, has arrived.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 96.]
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Sept. 20. 1668
Deal
Rich. Watts to [Williamson].
Will give the packet to the first Lisbon ship that sails, and take a receipt;
if the master refuses one, which most of them do, asks whether to call a witness and give the packet, or keep it back.
The gentry, citizens, and country are much discontented, the cavalry being much concerned;
and since the harvest has come in, there has been more dissatisfaction than before.
With postscript, cancelled, that it has been reported that Lord Arlington has bought the Governor's place of Deal Castle and that of captain of the Yellow Company there, the former being worth 120/. per annum and of great honour.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 97.]
About Saturday 19 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sept. 19. 1668
M. Wren to the Navy Commissioners.
His Royal Highness desires a survey to be made of the Anne yacht, and her repair to be put in hand;
if there is not convenience in the King's own yards, it is to be despatched in some merchant's yard.
His Royal Highness approves of what they communicated concerning the weighing of wrecks in the Thames, and would have signified the same himself, but he went a-hunting so early this morning that he could not sign anything.
[S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 93.]
About Saturday 19 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
The volume covering correspondence from November 1667 through September 1668 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…
PAGES 639-640
@@@
Sept. 19. 1668
Weymouth
John Pocock to Hickes.
Two Spanish men-of-war, part of the fleet which convoyed over the Constable of Castile for Flanders, have arrived;
also a Dutch man-of-war under young Eversett, with 3 ships under her convoy, bound for Lisbon and Bordeaux,
and 2 new Dutch ships for Surinam;
they are to remain upon the Dutch West India Company's account, being built for that purpose.
[S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 86.]
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Sept. 19. 1668
Portsmouth
Capt. Ant. Deane to Williamson.
I acquainted Mrs. Castle that care would be taken for her supply, and she was satisfied.
As to giving Lord [Arlington] a transcript of my return from Holland, I acquainted the King by word of mouth, who gave me the proposals to peruse, which I returned to you, when you and his lordship desired me to answer as much as I could, and give judgment upon the whole matter, which I did in the margin, but will answer more fully if they are returned.
The experiment ship is in good forwardness.
[S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 87.]
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Sept. 19. 1668
Bristol
Sir John Knight to Lord Arlington.
There being a great want of horses in the Island of Nevis,
occasioned by the late war, and the slaughter of horses for provision to save the lives of the inhabitants,
which cannot be replenished unless horses are sent from England,
is requested by John Knight the younger and Company, the owners of the Lizard of Bristol, to ask for a pass to transport 26 geldings in their vessel.
The geldings are of small value, as the best of them did not cost 7/.
[S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 90.]
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Sept. 19. 1668
Whitehall
Proclamation
for further adjourning the Parliament from 10 Nov., to 1 March next.
With certificate by Lord Arlington that 2 corrections made therein were by the King's command.
(S.P. Dom., Car. II., Case C, No. 7.)
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Sept. 19. 1668
The Edgar, Hung Road, Bristol
Capt. John Wettwang to the Navy Commissioners.
Cannot give the value of the carpenter's stores until they are bought, but sends the prices of ironwork and plank.
Shall buy stores required as if they were for himself.
The ship is rigged, and intends for King Road on Wednesday next.
Thinks some of the 15 men that came from Portsmouth have run away, as they have not been aboard these 14 days;
the other 87 are on board, and good men.
[S.P. Dom., Cur. II. 246, No. 92.)
About Friday 18 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
The volume covering correspondence from November 1667 through September 1668 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…
PAGES 639-640
@@@
Sept. 18. 1668
Chatham
Col. Thos. Middleton to S. Pepys.
I send this by [Phin.] Pett, the King's master builder at Chatham, who wants 30 calkers to calk ships in port, to prevent damage during the winter;
I send the muster calker, who is acquainted with the ablest men, not doubting but a press warrant will be given;
1,000/. is come down to pay the ships in port, 700/. of which is owing to the [Chatham] chest;
the ships will require near 4,000/.;
I beg that it may be sent.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 77.]
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[Sept. 18.] 1668
Petition
of the London traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle to the King and Council.
They find the Scotch salt much more fit for the Navy and for merchants than that of England,
but the late high impost of 40/. per cent. at its landing in England makes them unable to trade in it, but at a loss of a quarter of their first cost in Scotland.
Since the order of reference to the English Commissioners for trade, the English salt-makers in the North have tried to keep the matter from being reported on;
thus the petitioners are still obstructed,
and the Shields salt-makers, who pay no duty, have engrossed the trade, set what price they please, and the petitioners are forced to take their salt, which wastes and turns to brine in the ships.
Beg that the tax may not be continued for the interest of the English salt-makers,
and that during the continuance of the treaty now on foot, half the tax may be taken off.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 78.]
---
[London traders in salt] to the Lord Keeper.
A petition of traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle is before Council, against the imposition of 40/. per cent. on Scotch salt,
laid at request of English salt-makers who are unable to supply the markets with sufficient quantities fit for the Navy or fishing
Request that during the treaty between the Commissioners for settling the trade between England and Scotland, to whom the case is referred,
a moiety of the said tax may be suspended, that so the English markets may be supplied, and the Dutch, who try to induce the Scots to supply them with coal, salt, &c., may be circumvented.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 80.]
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Sept. 18. 1668
Whitehall
Order in Council,
on breviate of 2 letters from Wm. Warren of Santa Cruz to Thos. Warren,
that the Secretaries of State look out their advices about the affairs on the coasts of Barbary, and report thereon on the 23rd instant,
that order may be given to preserve the trade of his Majesty's subjects in those parts;
and that Thos. Warren and other traders to those coasts be required to attend.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 82.]
About Tuesday 15 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
You nailed it, Stephane
About Wednesday 16 September 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
Scube, Jane was rehired after working somewhere else for several years.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Thursday 28 March 1667
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Dr. Wren produced the shapes of haile falln march 26. 1667. the vpper part of which was a perfect cone. the vnder part the frustrum of a cone
[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frus… ], being turnd vp the represented a marigold flower. the angle that of a pentagon. soe tht 5 of them ioynd together did make a circle orderd to be registred"
A gentian is a herb often used in medieval medicine. The origin seems to have been the marsh marigold, Caltha Palustris, possibly alluding to its past medical uses, and its association with medieval church festivals.
It is one of the 'golden flowers' dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and so we have the name, 'Mary's Gold'.