The Diary by Samuel Pepys (children's ebooks online TXT) π
Description
Pepysβ Diary is an incredibly frank decade-long snapshot of the life of an up and coming naval administrator in mid-17th century London. In it he describes everything from battles against the Dutch and the intrigues of court, down to the plays he saw, his marital infidelities, and the quality of the meat provided for his supper. His observations have proved invaluable in establishing an accurate record of the daily life of the people of London of that period.
Pepys eventually stopped writing his diary due to progressively worse eyesight, a condition he feared. He did consider employing an amanuensis to transcribe future entries for him, but worried that the content he wanted written would be too personal. Luckily for Pepys, his eyesight difficulties never progressed to blindness and he was able to go on to become both a Member of Parliament and the President of the Royal Society.
After Pepysβ death he left his large library of books and manuscripts first to his nephew, which was then passed on to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where it survives to this day. The diary, originally written in a shorthand, was included in this trove and was eventually deciphered in the early 19th century, and published by Lord Baybrooke in 1825. This early release censored large amounts of the text, and it was only in the 1970s that an uncensored version was published. Presented here is the 1893 edition, which restores the majority of the originally censored content but omits βa few passages which cannot possibly be printed.β The rich collection of endnotes serve to further illustrate the lives of the people Pepys meets and the state of Englandβs internal politics and international relations at the time.
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- Author: Samuel Pepys
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βA great rising in the city of the Fifth-monarchy men, which did very much disturb the peace and liberty of the people, so that all the train-bands arose in arms, both in London and Westminster, as likewise all the kingβs guards; and most of the noblemen mounted, and put all their servants on coach horses, for the defence of his Majesty, and the peace of his kingdom.β
Ruggeβs DiurnalThe notorious Thomas Venner, the Fifth-monarchy man, a cooper and preacher to a conventicle in Swan Alley, Coleman Street, with a small following (about fifty in number) took arms on the 6th January for the avowed purpose of establishing the Millennium. He was a violent enthusiast, and persuaded his followers that they were invulnerable. After exciting much alarm in the City, and skirmishing with the Trained Bands, they marched to Caen Wood. They were driven out by a party of guards, but again entered the City, where they were overpowered by the Trained Bands. The men were brought to trial and condemned; four, however, were acquitted and two reprieved. The execution of some of these men is mentioned by Pepys under date January 19th and 21st. βA Relation of the Arraignment and Trial of those who made the late Rebellious Insurrections in London, 1661,β is reprinted in Somersβ Tracts, vol. vii (1812), p. 469. β©
Ben Jonsonβs comedy. Pepys mentions the play before under date June 6th, 1660. β©
The Widow, a comedy by Ben Jonson, Fletcher, and Middleton, published in 1652. β©
See ante, January 7th. β©
The Hoop was in Thames Street, near London Bridge. It is registered in the list of taverns in London and Westminster in 169S (Harl. MS. 4716). β©
Venner retreated with his followers to Caen Wood (there were about fifty). The extent of Caen Wood must not be estimated by the small portion now surrounding Lord Mansfieldβs mansion. β©
In the list of taverns in London and Westminster and ten miles round in 1698 (Harl. MS. 4716), the taverns at Deptford are given as the Castle, Angel, Swan, Kingβs Head, and Red Lion. The Globe is not mentioned. β©
The old expression for a brunette. β©
And probably a relation, as Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Slingsby (cousin of the Comptroller) married Sir Walter Bethel, of Alne, Yorkshire. β©
Burnt wine was somewhat similar to mulled wine, and a favourite drink. It is remembered by Bishop Corbetβs witty message to Ben Jonson. Burnt wine is mentioned by Dickens in Our Mutual Friend, book i, chap. xiii. β©
Dick Shore, now Duck Shore, Limehouse, is a landing place or stairs at the narrow street end of Fore Street. It is not far from the great turn of the river southward, opposite to the Isle of Dogs. Dickβs-Shore, Fore Street, Limehouse, and Dickβs-Shore Alley by Dickβs Shore, are both mentioned in Dodsleyβs London and Its Environs, vol. ii, p. 233, edit. 1761. β©
Peter Pett. The great shipbuilding family of Pett was chiefly connected with the growth of the English navy from the reign of Henry VIII to that of William III, but as the Christian names of Peter and Phineas appear to have been favourites in the family, it is very difficult to distinguish between some of them, and great confusion has been the result. Amongst the original Fellows of the Royal Society are mentioned Peter Pett, Esq., and Sir Peter Pett. The former of these two was the Commissioner (see ante, note 442), and the latter was Advocate-General, and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. Peter Pett, Esq., was the fifth son of Phineas Pett, βMaster Shipwright to James I,β and was born in 1610. It is frequently stated that he was knighted, but this appears to be incorrect. β©
Christopher Pett was the eleventh child of Phineas Pett, βMaster Shipwright to James I,β and was born May 14th, 1620. β©
Wife of Captain Arthur Browne, Sir William Battenβs brother-in-law. See February 14th, 1660β ββ 61, and for his death, April 27th, 1663. β©
Captain (afterwards Sir) Roger Cuttance. See note 229. β©
To forsooth is to address in a polite and ceremonious manner.
βYour city-mannerly word forsooth, use it not too often in any case.β
Ben Jonsonβs Poetaster, act iv, sc. 1β©
The Sovereign, a first-rate of one hundred guns, was built at Woolwich, in 1657, by Captain Phineas Pett, sen. β©
Standingβs was in Fleet Street. β©
There was a Greyhound tavern in Tower Street, of which a token exists (see Boyneβs Trade Tokens, ed. Williamson, vol. i, 1889, p. 777). Pepys may refer to that, or more probably to the Greyhound in Fleet Street, see November 12th, 1662. β©
Thomas Venner and Roger Hodgkins were executed in Coleman Street; Giles Pritchard and William Oxman at the end of Wood Street. Others were executed in various parts of London. β©
A tragicomedy, by Sir William Barclay, published in 1638. β©
This document is in the British Museum, Add. MS. 11,602, and consists of twenty-two closely printed pages. It is entitled, βA Discourse touching the Past and Present State of the Navy, composed by that Ingenious Gentleman, Sir Robert Slingsby, Knt. and Baronet, Comptroller thereof.β ββ B. β©
Mercerβs Hall and Chapel occupy the site of the ancient college or hospital of St. Thomas of Acon or Acres. These buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire, and rebuilt about 1672.
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