Wednesday 6 February 1660/61
Called up by my Cozen Snow, who sat by me while I was trimmed, and then I drank with him, he desiring a courtesy for a friend, which I have done for him. Then to the office, and there sat long, then to dinner, Captain Murford with me. I had a dish of fish and a good hare, which was sent me the other day by Goodenough the plasterer.
So to the office again, where Sir W. Pen and I sat all alone, answering of petitions and nothing else, and so to Sir W. Batten’s, where comes Mr. Jessop (one whom I could not formerly have looked upon, and now he comes cap in hand to us from the Commissioners of the Navy, though indeed he is a man of a great estate and of good report), about some business from them to us, which we answered by letter.
Here I sat long with Sir W., who is not well, and then home and to my chamber, and some little, music, and so to bed.
15 Annotations
First Reading
Todd Bernhardt • Link
re: "Goodenough the plasterer"
Now *there's* some honesty in branding, eh? "When it's got to be good enough, call Goodenough. When it's got to be the best, well ... call us anyway, and we'll try."
Love the remark about Mr. Jessop and the shift in social strata.
Lawrence • Link
I had a dish of fish and a good hare, which was sent me the other day by Goodenough the plasterer. I know we go over the top these days with food hygiene, but "golly sam" was that smelly fish that good that you were still prepared to woof it down?
Barbara • Link
Perhaps the dish of fish was freshly bought, and only the hare was a present from Goodenough.
Nix • Link
The fish --
if not fresh, it might have been smoked or salted.
vincent • Link
"...while I was trimmed..." It does seem that he is living the Gent's life Barber is doing the short back and sides and scraping of chops in the the house?
Reading this, I do get the feeling his daily commute is like that of the Prime Ministers. No braying 'orses and cussing Draymen on a daily basis.
Emilio • Link
More commissioner fun
Never mind the man behind the curtain, or the link above. These aren't the commissioners of the Navy Board but the parliamentary Commissioners that have been confusing everyone for the last week and more.
In today's episode, we meet Mr. Jessop, more or less Sam's opposite number with the parliamentary Commissioners. As Our Man notes with satisfaction, Jessop has an impressive resume; the L&M Companion calls him "one of the most important public officials of the Commonwealth". Previous situations include:
Clerk to the Admiralty Committee 1645-53
Clerk to the Council of State 1654-60
Deputy-Clerk for the duchy of Lancaster (almost a separate kingdom within England, from what I understand) 1648-present
Now he is also acting as secretary to the Commissioners. How satisfying to receive him asking for favors, and how more so to respond to the Commissioners' personal visit with a letter. It seems that the experts in Navy matters are getting proper deference once again.
Glyn • Link
Possible slogans? How about "Goodenough for Government work"
roberto • Link
"he comes cap in hand"
This may be the first recorded instance of this cliche. To come "cap in hand" means to come before someone showing outward signs of humility or subservience.
The Bishop • Link
"Let him go hence, and with his cap in hand"
---Shakespeare>King Henry V>Act 4. Scene V
vincent • Link
"cap in hand " sign of pecking order, see Quakers and others about doffing ones' ***, along with bended knee etc.. my dreaded sires.
language hat • Link
cap in hand:
Even before Shakespeare:
There was no man would crouch or creepe to Judge with cap in hand,
They lived safe without a Judge, in everie Realme and lande.
Arthur Golding, The Fifteen Books of Ovid's Metamorphoses, 1567 (I.107-8)
http://www.elizabethanauthors.com…
Second Reading
Sasha Clarkson • Link
Sam might think that the Sir Williams are rogues, but he always seems happy to keep them company when they aren't well.
Chris Squire UK • Link
Roberto 7.2.04:
‘ . . 4.h. From the custom of uncovering the head (abridged to ‘raising’ or merely ‘touching’ the cap) in sign of reverence, respect, or courtesy, come many expressions, such as to come with cap in hand . .
1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis i. f. 2, No man woold crowche..too judge with cap in hand.
. . 1675 T. Brooks Word in Season 50 in Paradice Opened, O the caps, knees, and bows that Haman had.
. . 1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 29 Mar. 109/1 A more militant approach is called for and an end to this cap-in-hand begging for fair play.’ [OED]
Pandora • Link
I once walked past a Goodenough College near Grays Inn, in London.. I am curious to know if there is a relation there. It is very close to Holborn and Chancery lane, which are locations our man Sam seems to frequent!
Doug Quixote • Link
Cap in hand - a translation from Ovid's Latin by Golding, 1567 (Golding was Edward De Vere's uncle, and Latin tutor - De Vere was then 17 years old) and the same phrase used by Shakespeare in Henry V . . . how many coincidences does it take to amount to a certainty?