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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7th. Long in bed, and then rose and went along with Sir W. Penn on foot to Stepny to Mrs. Chappellβs (who has the pretty boy to her son), and there met my wife and Sir W. Pennβs children all, and Mrs. Poole and her boy, and there dined and were very merry, and home again by coach and so to the office. In the afternoon and at night to Sir W. Pennβs, there supped and played at cards with them and were merry, the children being to go all away to school again tomorrow. Thence home and to bed.
8th. I rose and went to Westminster Hall, and there walked up and down upon several businesses, and among others I met with Sir W. Penn, who told me that he had this morning heard Sir G. Carteret extremely angry against my man Will that he is every other day with the Commissioners of Parliament at Westminster, and that his uncle was a rogue, and that he did tell his uncle everything that passes at the office, and Sir William, though he loves the lad, did advise me to part with him, which did with this surprise mightily trouble me, though I was already angry with him, and so to the Wardrobe by water, and all the way did examine Will about the business, but did not tell him upon what score, but I find that the poor lad do suspect something. To dinner with my Lady, and after dinner talked long with her, and so home, and to Sir W. Battenβs, and sat and talked with him, and so home troubled in mind, and so up to my study and read the two treaties before Mr. Seldenβs Mare Clausum, and so to bed. This night come about Β£100 from Brampton by carrier to me, in holsters from my father, which made me laugh.
9th. At the office all the morning private with Sir G. Carteret (who I expected something from about yesterdayβs business, but he said nothing), Sir W. Batten, and Sir W. Penn, about drawing up an answer to several demands of my Lord Treasurer, and late at it till 2 oβclock. Then to dinner, and my wife to Sir W. Pennβs, and so to the office again and sat till late; and so home, where I found Mr. Armiger below talking with my wife, but being offended with him for his leaving of my brother Tom I showed him no countenance, but did take notice of it to him plainly, and I perceive he was troubled at it, but I am glad I told him of it. Then (when he was gone) up to write several letters by the post, and so to set my papers and things in order, and to bed. This morning we agreed upon some things to answer to the Duke about the practice of striking of the flags, which will now put me upon finishing my resolution of writing something upon the subject.
10th. To Whitehall, and there spoke with Sir Paul Neale,1289 about a mathematical request of my Lordβs to him, which I did deliver to him, and he promised to employ somebody to answer it, something about observation of the moon and stars, but what I did not mind. Here I met with Mr. Moore, who tells me that an injuncΜon is granted in Chancery against T. Trice, at which I was very glad, being before in some trouble for it. With him to Westminster Hall, where I walked till noon talking with one or other, and so to the Wardrobe to dinner, where tired with Mr. Pickeringβs company I returned to Westminster, by appointment, to meet my wife at Mrs. Huntβs to gossip with her, which we did alone, and were very merry, and did give her a cup and spoon for my wifeβs godchild, and so home by coach, and I late reading in my chamber and then to bed, my wife being angry that I keep the house so late up.
11th. My brother Tom came to me, and he and I to Mr. Turner the Draperβs, and paid Β£15 to him for cloth owing to him by my father for his mourning for my uncle, and so to his house, and there invited all the Honiwoodβs to dinner on Monday next. So to the Exchange, and there all the news is of the French and Dutch joining against us; but I do not think it yet true. So home to dinner, and in the afternoon to the office, and so to Sir W. Battenβs, where in discourse I heard the custom of the election of the Dukes of Genoa, who for two years are every day attended in the greatest state; and four or five hundred men always waiting upon him as a king; and when the two years are out, and another is chose, a messenger is, sent to him, who stands at the bottom of the stairs, and he at the top, and says, βVa. Illustrissima Serenita sta finita, et puede andar en casa.ββ ββYour serenity is now ended; and now you may be going home,β and so claps on his hat. And the old Duke (having by custom sent his goods home before), walks away, it may be but with one
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