Tuesday 22 May 1666

Up betimes and to my business of entering some Tangier payments in my book in order, and then to the office, where very busy all the morning. At noon home to dinner, Balty being gone back to sea and his wife dining with us, whom afterward my wife carried home. I after dinner to the office, and anon out on several occasions, among others to Lovett’s, and there staid by him and her and saw them (in their poor conditioned manner) lay on their varnish, which however pleased me mightily to see.

Thence home to my business writing letters, and so at night home to supper and to bed.

23 May 2009, 12:57 a.m. - Terry Foreman

"in their poor conditioned manner" A shabby shop? The varnish trade is not as tidy as the prick-louse trade.

23 May 2009, 9:45 a.m. - A. Hamilton

which however pleased me mightily to see I wonder, is Sam the sponge of knowledge about all manner of technique speaking here or Sam the admirer of "a very beautiful woman" as he described Mrs. Lovett on first meeting her?

23 May 2009, 5:49 p.m. - cgs

Both, Sam enjoys the pursuit of knowledge, and who does not enjoy and succor seeing beauty in any form.

23 May 2009, 5:51 p.m. - cgs

A shabby shop, color here there, drip here, there and everywhere, then there be the most enjoyable purfumed aire.

25 May 2009, 11:19 p.m. - Robert Gertz

Must have been quite overwhelming in a close little shop.