Wednesday 18 July 1660
This morning the carpenter made an end of my door out of my chamber upon the leads.1 This morning we met at the office: I dined at my house in Seething Lane, and after that, going about 4 o’clock to Westminster, I met with Mr. Carter and Mr. Cooke coming to see me in a coach, and so I returned home.
I did also meet with Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, with a porter with him, with a barrel of Lemons, which my man Burr sends me from sea.
I took all these people home to my house and did give them some drink, and after them comes Mr. Sheply, and after a little stay we all went by water to Westminster as far as the New Exchange.
Thence to my Lord about business, and being in talk in comes one with half a buck from Hinchinbroke, and it smelling a little strong my Lord did give it me (though it was as good as any could be).
I did carry it to my mother, where I had not been a great while, and indeed had no great mind to go, because my father did lay upon me continually to do him a kindness at the Wardrobe, which I could not do because of my own business being so fresh with my Lord. But my father was not at home, and so I did leave the venison with her to dispose of as she pleased. After that home, where W. Hewer now was, and did lie this night with us, the first night.
My mind very quiet, only a little trouble I have for the great debts which I have still upon me to the Secretary, Mr. Kipps, and Mr. Spong for my patent.
9 Annotations
First Reading
Glyn • Link
"and so I did leave the venison with her to dispose of"
Aha! so That's what they mean by "passing the buck".
vincent • Link
"This morning the carpenter made an end of my door out of my chamber upon the leads.1 ..." missing word (le(a)d roof) I'm sure he has a wonderful view of the Tower to keep him on the straight and narrow? ( many writers do cut short their complete thought making an assumption that we are fully cognicient of what we are thinking)
"..I dined at my house...."( then the entertaining).." I took all these people home to my house and did give them some drink,.." You can see his chest mighty full, so proud.
M.Stolzenbach • Link
I have assumed Pepys wanted to get out upon the roof because he kept pigeons - having a dim remembrance of Marlon Brando keeping pigeons on the roof in the movie ON THE WATERFRONT.
Poor man, he's hanging on by the teeth himself, not fully set in the job, but his father and his wife's brother both want him to do fine things for them.
vincent • Link
today "...I did carry it[venison] to my mother ,where I had not been a great while, and indeed had no great mind to go, because my father did lay upon me continually to do him a kindness at the Wardrobe which I could not do because of my own business being so fresh with my Lord. But my father was not at home.."
last sunday "... I was not at my father’s to-day, I being afraid to go for fear he should still solicit me to speak to my Lord for a place in the Wardrobe which I dare not do, because of my own business yet. ...."
These two statements speak volumes of conscients "question of self interest ,family ,patronage " of whom do you ask this question of loyalty? The Ethics committee, discuss it at the "U", which class, in the Place of Faith, " the question is still being asked and the answer not listerned to, except survival is the the supreme answer,'tis my thought.. I am sure there are a great many diverse opinions
Second Reading
Chris Squire UK • Link
‘buck, n.9 U.S. In the game of poker, any article placed in the pool with the chips.
. . P1. fig. to pass the buck (to) , to make a scapegoat or dupe of (a person); to shift responsibility (to another). colloq. (orig. U.S.).
1912 W. Irwin Red Button 341 The Big Commissioner will get roasted by the papers and hand it to the Deputy Comish, and the Deputy will pass the buck down to me, and I'll have to report how it happened . . ‘ [OED]
Nowt to do with deer.
Ivan • Link
Wow! It's only the day after Mr Pepys has moved in and a new door has been fitted, leading out on to the roof. Someone [Montagu?] is determined that our new Clerk of the Acts shall have what he wants and promptly!!
John Matthew IV • Link
"I took all these people home to my house and did give them some drink."
Any ideas as what they would drink? I have never had the senses that Sam kept a bar at home. He's always going out for his morning draft.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Wow! It's only the day after Mr Pepys has moved in and a new door has been fitted, leading out on to the roof. Someone [Montagu?] is determined that our new Clerk of the Acts shall have what he wants and promptly!!"
The Seething Lane Navy Board compound is maintained by government employees, in this case by Navy carpenters; no special patrons needed!
Liz • Link
Chris Squire UK: Glyn = tongue-in-cheek!