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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5th. Abed late. In the morning my Lord went on shore with the Vice-Admiral a-fishing, and at dinner returned. In the afternoon I played at ninepins with my Lord, and when he went in again I got him to sign my accounts for Β£115, and so upon my private balance I find myself confirmed in my estimation that I am worth Β£100. In the evening in my cabin a great while getting the song without book, βHelp, help Divinity, etc.β513 After supper my Lord called for the lieutenantβs cittern,514 and with two candlesticks with money in them for symballs,515 we made barberβs music,516 with which my Lord was well pleased. So to bed.
6th. In the morning I had letters come, that told me among other things, that my Lordβs place of Clerk of the Signet was fallen to him, which he did most lovingly tell me that I should execute, in case he could not get a better employment for me at the end of the year. Because he thought that the Duke of York would command all, but he hoped that the Duke would not remove me but to my advantage.
I had a great deal of talk about my uncle Robert,517 and he told me that he could not tell how his mind stood as to his estate, but he would do all that lay in his power for me. After dinner came Mr. Gooke from London, who told me that my wife he left well at Huntsmore, though her health not altogether so constant as it used to be, which my heart is troubled for. Mr. Mooreβs letters tell me that he thinks my Lord will be suddenly sent for up to London, and so I got myself in readiness to go.
My letters tell me, that Mr. Calamy518 had preached before the King in a surplice (this I heard afterwards to be false); that my Lord, Gen. Monk, and three more Lords, are made Commissioners for the Treasury;519 that my Lord had some great place conferred on him, and they say Master of the Wardrobe;520 that the two Dukes521 do haunt the Park much, and that they were at a play, Madam Epicene522 the other day; that Sir Ant. Cooper, Mr. Hollis, and Mr. Annesly,523 late President of the Council of State, are made Privy Councillors to the King. At night very busy sending Mr. Donne away to London, and wrote to my father for a coat to be made me against I come to London, which I think will not be long. At night Mr. Edward Montagu came on board and stayed long up with my Lord. I to bed and about one in the morning,
7th. W. Howe called me up to give him a letter to carry to my Lord that came to me today, which I did and so to, sleep again. About three in the morning the people began to wash the deck, and the water came pouring into my mouth, which waked me, and I was fain to rise and get on my gown, and sleep leaning on my table. This morning Mr. Montagu went away again. After dinner come Mr. John Wright and Mr. Moore, with the sight of whom my heart was very glad. They brought an order for my Lordβs coming up to London, which my Lord resolved to do tomorrow. All the afternoon getting my things in order to set forth tomorrow. At night walked up and down with Mr. Moore, who did give me an account of all things at London. Among others, how the Presbyterians would be angry if they durst, but they will not be able to do anything. Most of the Commanders on board and supped with my Lord. Late at night came Mr. Edw. Pickering from London, but I could not see him this night. I went with Mr. Moore to the Masterβs cabin, and saw him there in order to going to bed. After that to my own cabin to put things in order and so to bed.
8th. Out early, took horses at Deale. I troubled much with the Kingβs guitar, and Fairbrother, the rogue that I entrusted with the carrying of it on foot, whom I thought I had lost. Col. Dixwellβs horse taken by a soldier and delivered to my Lord, and by him to me to carry to London. Came to Canterbury, dined there. I saw the minster and the remains of Becketβs tomb. To Sittiligborne and Rochester. At Chatham and Rochester the ships and bridge. Mr. Hetlyβs mistake about dinner. Come to Gravesend. A good handsome wench I kissed, the first that I have seen a great while. Supped with my Lord, drank late below with Penrose, the Captain. To bed late, having first laid out all my things against tomorrow to put myself in a walking garb. Weary and hot to bed to Mr. Moore.
9th. Up betimes, 25s. the reckoning for very bare. Paid the house and by boats to London, six boats. Mr. Moore, W. Howe, and I, and then the child in the room of W. Howe. Landed at the Temple. To Mr. Crewβs. To my fatherβs and put myself into a handsome posture to wait upon my Lord, dined there. To Whitehall with my Lord and Mr. Edwd. Montagu. Found the King in the Park. There walked. Gallantly great.
10th. (Lordβs day.) At my fatherβs found my wife and to walk with her
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