"the boy" One would have to have a disciplined mind (like Sam) to make best use of this messaging service - once he was sent off on his errands he could be gone for several hours. I'm old enough to recall when the only way of getting a written message delivered speedily was by a telegram which was charged by the word and not cheap. Now, with social media, email, etc, nearly all that discipline has gone and the ether is filled with verbal garbage which few people have the time to study, let alone to respond to..... progress eh?
"and mightily with Mr. Gibson’s talking; he telling me so many good stories relating to the warr and practices of commanders, which I will find a time to recollect;"
I have spent a few entertaining evenings with groups from a particular line of work listening to stories, usually of ever-increasing foul-ups, from their experiences. Studs Terkel, of course, made a good living from it.
" a man of a brave, high spirit," "When the King insisted to oblige him to declare himself, he said "Sir, I wish you would put away this woman that you keep".'
That really was brave, especially for a distant successor to Thomas a Beckett.
Sarah, you should have given us the whole piece! Nothing much to do on Boxing Day, after all.
Re John Evelyn, amongst his other achievements he discovered Grinling Gibbons by happening to walk by his poor home and spotting a piece of his exquisite carving in the window. He then promoted G.G. to his wealthy friends, ensuring his success and fame.
That which exasperated them was his presuming to stay and contest the accusation as long as it was possible: and they were on the point of sending him to the Tower."
Yet another chime with modern times - - - "THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED!"
"discharging of two or three little vessels by ticket without money” I'll admit I'm not clear about this since everyone knew that money was short. Sam's words sound like he is already preparing his defence - "only little vessels, perhaps two or three? Nothing to see here..."
Thanks for renewing the Youtube link TF. A strange instrument with considerable volume but not what I would call tuneful. Perhaps Monsieur Prin's expertise made the difference.
"my Lord Anglesey did discover (which troubled me that he that is a stranger almost should do more than we ourselves could) that the appraisements made by our officers were not above half of what he had been offered for one of them," Lucky Lord Anglesey - a great political stroke on taking over a new appointment to find an area where your senior staff have been asleep on the job. Also note how Sam is quick off the mark with a 'severe letter'.
"Called up by people come to deliver in ten chaldron of coals, brought in one of our prizes from Newcastle." Has there been any mention of how this coal became a prize? I assume they are not raiding Newcastle collier ships - perhaps some of the recent prize goods were exchanged for coal?
I have the feeling that Sam and friends used the theatre like many folk use the TV these days - you switch it on in the hope there may be something worth watching. If not, it becomes background to chatting with friends, eyeing up certain ladies, snacking on an orange......
pointedly asked whether any trial of the chain had been made
I smell office politics here, keeping a copy of the letter safely locked away for future use or protection. Usually full of phrases like "with the greatest respect."
I also wonder why they could not check if it was broken by pulling on one end. The wheelhouse was burned but surely they had plenty of horses ?
I think Sam felt, owing nothing to Penn and having won some favor from Coventry and York, he could risk making a stand and using it to declare more or less his independent position in the office. Batten or even Minnes might have done
I agree with the office politics - and it's quite exciting to have an enemy of higher status, especially one who doesn't know he's an enemy.
"for I do find it necessary for me, both in respect to honour and the profit of it also, my expense in hackney-coaches being now so great, to keep a coach, and therefore will do it." This must be the third or fourth time that Sam has tried to justify this expensive move to himself.
Such a familiar problem - "I 'd really like that flash car - and of course it makes financial sense - but will folks think I'm showing off? - well, I'm not the office boy anymore - then again..."
And I wonder what she gets drunk with so often? Surely not Mr Pepys fine wine in his special bottles? That would change his love for her, especially if she replaced it with beetroot juice or - no, let's not go there......
"and how he is gone through with the purchase for my Lady Jemimah and her husband" The purchase of what? Have I missed something?
Thanks, by the way, for the definition of abu as an Irish war cry. Pete Seeger used it in a comic song about the police banning singing in Washington Square c. 60 years ago and I can stop wondering what he meant at last.
Comments
Second Reading
About Friday 24 January 1667/68
Tonyel • Link
My thought too. Would they have expected a wake afterwards, perhaps? Free beer and a cake?
About Monday 20 January 1667/68
Tonyel • Link
"the boy"
One would have to have a disciplined mind (like Sam) to make best use of this messaging service - once he was sent off on his errands he could be gone for several hours.
I'm old enough to recall when the only way of getting a written message delivered speedily was by a telegram which was charged by the word and not cheap.
Now, with social media, email, etc, nearly all that discipline has gone and the ether is filled with verbal garbage which few people have the time to study, let alone to respond to..... progress eh?
(Don't bother to read this if you are busy).
About Thursday 16 January 1667/68
Tonyel • Link
"and mightily with Mr. Gibson’s talking; he telling me so many good stories relating to the warr and practices of commanders, which I will find a time to recollect;"
I have spent a few entertaining evenings with groups from a particular line of work listening to stories, usually of ever-increasing foul-ups, from their experiences. Studs Terkel, of course, made a good living from it.
About Friday 27 December 1667
Tonyel • Link
" a man of a brave, high spirit,"
"When the King insisted to oblige him to declare himself, he said "Sir, I wish you would put away this woman that you keep".'
That really was brave, especially for a distant successor to Thomas a Beckett.
About Wednesday 25 December 1667
Tonyel • Link
Sarah, you should have given us the whole piece! Nothing much to do on Boxing Day, after all.
Re John Evelyn, amongst his other achievements he discovered Grinling Gibbons by happening to walk by his poor home and spotting a piece of his exquisite carving in the window. He then promoted G.G. to his wealthy friends, ensuring his success and fame.
About Friday 29 November 1667
Tonyel • Link
That which exasperated them was his presuming to stay and contest the accusation as long as it was possible: and they were on the point of sending him to the Tower."
Yet another chime with modern times - - - "THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED!"
Sorry - couldn't resist it.
About Wednesday 20 November 1667
Tonyel • Link
"discharging of two or three little vessels by ticket without money”
I'll admit I'm not clear about this since everyone knew that money was short. Sam's words sound like he is already preparing his defence - "only little vessels, perhaps two or three? Nothing to see here..."
About Thursday 24 October 1667
Tonyel • Link
Thanks for renewing the Youtube link TF. A strange instrument with considerable volume but not what I would call tuneful. Perhaps Monsieur Prin's expertise made the difference.
About Thursday 17 October 1667
Tonyel • Link
"my Lord Anglesey did discover (which troubled me that he that is a stranger almost should do more than we ourselves could) that the appraisements made by our officers were not above half of what he had been offered for one of them,"
Lucky Lord Anglesey - a great political stroke on taking over a new appointment to find an area where your senior staff have been asleep on the job. Also note how Sam is quick off the mark with a 'severe letter'.
About Friday 13 September 1667
Tonyel • Link
"Called up by people come to deliver in ten chaldron of coals, brought in one of our prizes from Newcastle."
Has there been any mention of how this coal became a prize? I assume they are not raiding Newcastle collier ships - perhaps some of the recent prize goods were exchanged for coal?
About Tuesday 27 August 1667
Tonyel • Link
O Madam, is it you? Pray remember that if you live, you will grow old.":
A great putdown. Reminds me of the (apochryphal?) Churchill spat: "Madam you are quite ugly"
"You sir, are drunk," "Yes, but tomorrow I'll be sober."
About Tuesday 20 August 1667
Tonyel • Link
"we made but a merry answer thereto" The old double positive joke:
"My friends, you have had such good fortune recently with your prizes - perhaps a loan to His Majesty.........
"Yeah. Right."
About Thursday 15 August 1667
Tonyel • Link
I have the feeling that Sam and friends used the theatre like many folk use the TV these days - you switch it on in the hope there may be something worth watching. If not, it becomes background to chatting with friends, eyeing up certain ladies, snacking on an orange......
About Monday 1 July 1667
Tonyel • Link
pointedly asked whether any trial of the chain had been made
I smell office politics here, keeping a copy of the letter safely locked away for future use or protection. Usually full of phrases like "with the greatest respect."
I also wonder why they could not check if it was broken by pulling on one end. The wheelhouse was burned but surely they had plenty of horses ?
About Sunday 16 June 1667
Tonyel • Link
Well spotted JayW - "bigly-barking" - even sounds like Trump!
About Thursday 6 June 1667
Tonyel • Link
I think Sam felt, owing nothing to Penn and having won some favor from Coventry and York, he could risk making a stand and using it to declare more or less his independent position in the office. Batten or even Minnes might have done
I agree with the office politics - and it's quite exciting to have an enemy of higher status, especially one who doesn't know he's an enemy.
About Saturday 1 June 1667
Tonyel • Link
"for I do find it necessary for me, both in respect to honour and the profit of it also, my expense in hackney-coaches being now so great, to keep a coach, and therefore will do it."
This must be the third or fourth time that Sam has tried to justify this expensive move to himself.
Such a familiar problem - "I 'd really like that flash car - and of course it makes financial sense - but will folks think I'm showing off? - well, I'm not the office boy anymore - then again..."
About Saturday 18 May 1667
Tonyel • Link
And I wonder what she gets drunk with so often? Surely not Mr Pepys fine wine in his special bottles? That would change his love for her, especially if she replaced it with beetroot juice or - no, let's not go there......
About Thursday 9 May 1667
Tonyel • Link
"and how he is gone through with the purchase for my Lady Jemimah and her husband"
The purchase of what? Have I missed something?
Thanks, by the way, for the definition of abu as an Irish war cry. Pete Seeger used it in a comic song about the police banning singing in Washington Square c. 60 years ago and I can stop wondering what he meant at last.
About Saturday 13 April 1667
Tonyel • Link
Speaking as an old man with a long memory Sarah, I would say that things have changed a lot more between 1960 and now...