This was Elizabeth Dickons, the daughter of a merchant, who Sam much admired in 1662. If you enter 'Morena' in the search box, you will find all three references to her. She died in October 1662.
I find it scarcely credible that Sam would not have experienced the 'clean' and odourless burning of beeswax candles by this stage in his life, even if economy has meant that tallow candles have been in regular use in his household. Can he be referring to candles made of some other kind of wax?
This remark seems to be open to two, different interpretations. Either:
"Although I beg God not to allow me to be too extravagant, these are still going to cost me a pretty penny."
Or:
"I beg God not to allow me to be too extravagant and these (i.e. the plate and cutlery) will represent convertible goods that are as good as money. Hence not extravagant."
I favour the latter interpretation, but can see good arguments for each.
'and it raining hard' No wonder Aunt Wight is out of humour. If her fine clothes are made of silk, plush or velvet the chances are that they have 'spotted' badly in the rain. The plush or velvet will have to be carefully steamed and brushed to bring it back into good condition and the silk will need careful sponging and pressing. Moreover, there are likely to be mud-stains (or worse) from the dirty streets.
In an age when most people expected their clothes to do service for many years, this sort of running maintenance was a time-consuming business.
Sam not infrequently abbreviates the daughter, Theophila's, name in this way.
The 'Mrs.' is purely a courtesy title, indicating that the girl is not a mere wench, but more important than that. It does not necessarily have anything to do with age or marital status in a context such as this.
Sam not infrequently abbreviates the daughter, Theophila's, name in this way.
The 'Mrs.' is purely a courtesy title, indicating that the girl is not a mere wench, but more important than that. It does not necessarily have anything to do with age or marital status in a context such as this.
Being big with child doesn't necessarily contribute to the happiness of the family. Nor does it necessarily imply that the family was happy several months ago when the child was conceived. Sad, here, may indeed mean 'unhappy, dreary, distressed etc.' In earlier entries Sam has expressed the opinion that Mrs. Lane's marriage is proving far from contented, at least as far as she is concerned.
This Peg Penn is surely Margaret Penn, the daughter of Marie and John Jasper of Ballycase, County Clare. She married, firstly, Nicasius van der Schuren and then, after his death, William Penn (knighted 1660) in 1643. L&M Companion does not give her date of birth, but notes that she died in Walthamstow in 1672. Notable Quaker, William Penn, was her eldest son, born 1644,
Sam no doubt expects the housekeeping money to be accounted for down to the last penny. Unless Elizabeth is to keep minutely detailed accounts of every deal that she makes in the markets day by day, this is going to be very difficult for her - not least because many deals will have involved a process of chaffering and bargain-making. Stall-holders are unlikely to give out written receipts.
Comments
First Reading
About Sunday 18 December 1664
Mary • Link
the 'old' Morena
This was Elizabeth Dickons, the daughter of a merchant, who Sam much admired in 1662. If you enter 'Morena' in the search box, you will find all three references to her. She died in October 1662.
About Sunday 18 December 1664
Mary • Link
"my new Morena"
L&M suggest that this may have been one Mrs. Horsley, who will be encountered again in 1666.
About Thursday 15 December 1664
Mary • Link
wax candles.
I find it scarcely credible that Sam would not have experienced the 'clean' and odourless burning of beeswax candles by this stage in his life, even if economy has meant that tallow candles have been in regular use in his household. Can he be referring to candles made of some other kind of wax?
About Wednesday 14 December 1664
Mary • Link
"though these will still be pretty good money"
This remark seems to be open to two, different interpretations. Either:
"Although I beg God not to allow me to be too extravagant, these are still going to cost me a pretty penny."
Or:
"I beg God not to allow me to be too extravagant and these (i.e. the plate and cutlery) will represent convertible goods that are as good as money. Hence not extravagant."
I favour the latter interpretation, but can see good arguments for each.
About Friday 9 December 1664
Mary • Link
Pretended.
Also means 'claimed' cf. The Old Pretender and the Young Pretender (Bonnie Prince Charlie).
About Thursday 8 December 1664
Mary • Link
'and it raining hard'
No wonder Aunt Wight is out of humour. If her fine clothes are made of silk, plush or velvet the chances are that they have 'spotted' badly in the rain. The plush or velvet will have to be carefully steamed and brushed to bring it back into good condition and the silk will need careful sponging and pressing. Moreover, there are likely to be mud-stains (or worse) from the dirty streets.
In an age when most people expected their clothes to do service for many years, this sort of running maintenance was a time-consuming business.
About Wednesday 7 December 1664
Mary • Link
"my boy and I to music"
We've heard no more of that diagnosis of 'the stone' for the lad. Perhaps it was just a touch of colic?
About Monday 5 December 1664
Mary • Link
Sorry for repetition; glitch somewhere.
About Monday 5 December 1664
Mary • Link
Mrs. The
Sam not infrequently abbreviates the daughter, Theophila's, name in this way.
The 'Mrs.' is purely a courtesy title, indicating that the girl is not a mere wench, but more important than that. It does not necessarily have anything to do with age or marital status in a context such as this.
About Monday 5 December 1664
Mary • Link
Mrs. The
Sam not infrequently abbreviates the daughter, Theophila's, name in this way.
The 'Mrs.' is purely a courtesy title, indicating that the girl is not a mere wench, but more important than that. It does not necessarily have anything to do with age or marital status in a context such as this.
About Friday 2 December 1664
Mary • Link
"commissioners for the sick and wounded took over the Savoy hotel"
(Pedro's quote above).
The old Savoy Palace had long been used as a hospital for wounded members of the military.
It was not a hotel!
About Wednesday 30 November 1664
Mary • Link
"this time of mixing monies and confusion"
Oh dear, oh dear. Dangerous waters ahead for our friend, if he's not careful.
About Friday 25 November 1664
Mary • Link
"can't be all that sad, Sam"
Eh?
Being big with child doesn't necessarily contribute to the happiness of the family. Nor does it necessarily imply that the family was happy several months ago when the child was conceived. Sad, here, may indeed mean 'unhappy, dreary, distressed etc.' In earlier entries Sam has expressed the opinion that Mrs. Lane's marriage is proving far from contented, at least as far as she is concerned.
About Sunday 20 November 1664
Mary • Link
Mea culpa.
Apologies to all. Just shows that you shouldn't rush to annotate just before dashing off to catch a train.
About Sunday 20 November 1664
Mary • Link
Peg Penn
This Peg Penn is surely Margaret Penn, the daughter of Marie and John Jasper of Ballycase, County Clare. She married, firstly, Nicasius van der Schuren and then, after his death, William Penn (knighted 1660) in 1643. L&M Companion does not give her date of birth, but notes that she died in Walthamstow in 1672. Notable Quaker, William Penn, was her eldest son, born 1644,
About Tuesday 15 November 1664
Mary • Link
"hard looks and sooth"
L&M amend this reading to - 'hard looks and sithes'
sithes=sighs.
About Sunday 13 November 1664
Mary • Link
"getting ..... without book"
i.e. learning it by heart.
About Monday 31 October 1664
Mary • Link
Poor Bess.
Sam no doubt expects the housekeeping money to be accounted for down to the last penny. Unless Elizabeth is to keep minutely detailed accounts of every deal that she makes in the markets day by day, this is going to be very difficult for her - not least because many deals will have involved a process of chaffering and bargain-making. Stall-holders are unlikely to give out written receipts.
About Saturday 29 October 1664
Mary • Link
The Dutch fleet remains in The Straights.
According to an L&M footnote, this was a false rumour. de Ruyter was actually en route to Guinea.
About Saturday 29 October 1664
Mary • Link
A barrel of oysters for late supper?
Not sure that my digestive system would welcome this. Let's hope that our man manages to sleep well tonight.