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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10th. Went out early, and in my way met with Greatorex104 and at an alehouse he showed me the first sphere of wire that ever he made, and indeed it was very pleasant; thence to Mr. Crewβs, and borrowed Β£10, and so to my office, and was able to pay my money. Thence into the Hall, and meeting the Quarter Master, Jenings, and Captain Rider, we four went to a cookβs to dinner. Thence Jenings and I into London (it being through heat of the sun a great thaw and dirty) to show our bills of return, and coming back drank a pint of wine at the Star in Cheapside.105 So to Westminster, overtaking Captain Okeshott106 in his silk cloak, whose sword got hold of many people in walking. Thence to the Coffeehouse, where were a great confluence of gentlemen; viz. Mr. Harrington,107 Poultny,108 chairman, Gold,109 Dr. Petty,110 etc., where admirable discourse till at night. Thence with Doling111 to Mother Lams, who told me how this day Scott112 was made Intelligencer, and that the rest of the members that were objected against last night, their business was to be heard this day seβnnight. Thence I went home and wrote a letter, and went to Harperβs, and stayed there till Tom113 carried it to the postboy at Whitehall. So home to bed.
11th. Being at Willβs with Captain Barker, who hath paid me Β£300 this morning at my office, in comes my father, and with him I walked, and leave him at W. Joyceβs, and went myself to Mr. Crewβs, but came too late to dine, and therefore after a game at shittle-cocks114 with Mr. Walgrave115 and Mr. Edward, I returned to my father, and taking him from W. Joyceβs, who was not abroad himself, we inquired of a porter, and by his direction went to an alehouse, where after a cup or two we parted. I went towards London, and in my way went in to see Crowly, who was now grown a very great loon and very tame. Thence to Mr. Stevenβs with a pair of silver snuffers, and bought a pair of shears to cut silver, and so homeward again. From home I went to see Mrs. Jem, who was in bed, and now granted to have the smallpox. Back again, and went to the Coffeehouse, but tarried not, and so home.
12th. I drink my morning at Harperβs with Mr. Sheply and a seaman, and so to my office, where Captain Holland116 came to see me, and appointed a meeting in the afternoon. Then wrote letters to Hinchinbroke and sealed them at Willβs, and after that went home, and thence to the Half Moon, where I found the Captain and Mr. Billingsly and Newman, a barber, where we were very merry, and had the young man that plays so well on the Welsh harp. Billingsly paid for all. Thence home, and finding my letters this day not gone by the carrier I new sealed them, but my brother Tom coming we fell into discourse about my intention to feast the Joyces. I sent for a bit of meat for him from the cookβs, and forgot to send my letters this night. So I went to bed, and in discourse broke to my wife what my thoughts were concerning my design of getting money by, etc.
13th. Coming in the morning to my office, I met with Mr. Fage and took him to the Swan.117 He told me how high Haselrigge,118 and Morly,119 the last night began at my Lord Mayorβs120 to exclaim against the City of London, saying that they had forfeited their charter. And how the Chamberlain of the City did take them down, letting them know how much they were formerly beholding to the City, etc. He also told me that Monkβs letter that came to them by the sword-bearer was a cunning piece, and that which they did not much trust to; but they were resolved to make no more applications to
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