Tuesday 19 December 1665

Up, and to the office, where all the morning. At noon by agreement comes Hatcham Pepys to dine with me. I thought to have had him to Sir J. Minnes to a good venison pasty with the rest of my fellows, being invited, but seeing much company I went away with him and had a good dinner at home. He did give me letters he hath wrote to my Lord and Moore about my Lord’s money to get it paid to my cozen, which I will make good use of. I made mighty much of him, but a sorry dull fellow he is, fit for nothing that is ingenious, nor is there a turd of kindnesse or service to be had from him. So I shall neglect him if I could get but him satisfied about this money that I may be out of bonds for my Lord to him. To see that this fellow could desire me to helpe him to some employment, if it were but of 100l. per annum: when he is not worth less than, I believe, 20,000l.. He gone, I to Sir J. Minnes, and thence with my Lord Bruncker on board the Bezan to examine W. Howe again, who I find upon this tryall one of much more wit and ingenuity in his answers than ever I expected, he being very cunning and discreet and well spoken in them. I said little to him or concerning him; but, Lord! to see how he writes to me a-days, and styles me “My Honour.” So much is a man subjected and dejected under afflictions as to flatter me in that manner on this occasion. Back with my Lord to Sir J. Minnes, where I left him and the rest of a great deale of company, and so I to my office, where late writing letters and then home to bed.


12 Annotations

First Reading

A. Hamilton  •  Link

word of the day:

nor is there a turd of kindnesse or service to be had from him

JWB  •  Link

"I thought to have had him to Sir J. Minnes to a good venison pasty..."

Emphasis on "good". When we first met cousin Thomas he was serving a counterfeit venison pasty, "palpaple beef, which was not handsome". Jan 6, '60

Samuel  •  Link

Regarding yesterdays replies on Pepys and Benny: Mary, you're right of course. I had meant it as more in jest than in earnest. Terry, thanks for the link! I should have guessed Benny had referenced Pepys.

I would have made my reply in yesterdays comments but I didn't know if it would then be read.

Samuel  •  Link

tonyt, sorry, I just noticed you had also provided some information on Pepys and Benny, so thanks to you too.

JWB  •  Link

kindnesse or service

Sam was the go-betweeen & stood bond for this loan to Sandwich & just now being relieved of obligation he feels free to dump on his father's cousin. Besides setting a cheap table & snookering Sam out of cab fare, Cousin Thomas was repeatingly called upon in that lugubrious Uncle Thomas estate settlement & obviously didn't measure up to Sam's standards.

language hat  •  Link

"nor is there a turd of kindnesse or service to be had from him"

This is why we love the man, despite his frequently wretched behavior!

Robert Gertz  •  Link

"I said little to him or concerning him; but, Lord! to see how he writes to me a-days, and styles me “My Honour.” So much is a man subjected and dejected under afflictions as to flatter me in that manner on this occasion."

"...nor is there a turd of kindnesse or service to be had from him."

The day well may come when you need an old friend's mercy and kindness, Sam.

****

"20,000Ls"?! Thomas is worth 20,000Ls? Methinks Charlie should check the crown jewelry box.

Second Reading

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Pepys doesn't like the annual Christmas office parties. He's missing it again -- just like last year. I haven't researched any other year, so keep it in mind for 1666 and see if I'm right.

It's probably a class thing: Is he one of the bosses now, entitled to be styled “My Honour” and keep his hat on? Or is he a glorified office boy to be manipulated by the Sir Williams, Brouncker, Carteret, etc., and expected to take his hat off?

Attending a drunken binge like this might not only be an unwelcome revelation to him, but to many.

Matt Newton  •  Link

Why is W Howe being examined?

Gerald Berg  •  Link

So merry was Pepys thru these months that finally exhaustion sets in. This is about as pissy as I have read him these last few days. I am not sure what Pepys means by "turd of kindness or service". How are kindness or service related? Is this about usefulness?

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

That's how I read it. Mentally substitute "an ounce" for "a turd" and it becomes more palatable. It's Pepys' way of saying he's not worth any more of his time.

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"Why is W Howe being examined?"

Just over a month ago:
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
"I took horse and rode to Eriffe, where, after making a little visit to Madam Williams, who did give me information of W. Howe’s having bought eight bags of precious stones taken from about the Dutch Vice-Admirall’s neck, of which there were eight dyamonds which cost him 60,000l. sterling, in India, and hoped to have made 2000l. here for them. And that this is told by one that sold him one of the bags, which hath nothing but rubys in it, which he had for 35s.; and that it will be proved he hath made 125l. of one stone that he bought. This she desired, and I resolved I would give my Lord Sandwich notice of."

Pepys has been looking for something on Howe for a while ... plus by turning him in, Pepys becomes one of the "good guys" and not a plunderer.

A win-win.

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