Tales of Sam and Bess, 1660-1700
Tales suggesting famed 17th century diarist/naval adminstrator Samuel Pepys and his lady had more going on than even his famed daily diary let us know...
Note: The best way to know Mr. Pepys is through his magnificent nine year daily Diary...Which is now available on-line on a day-to-day basis at pepysdiary courtesy of the wonderful Phil Gyford.
I would also recommend "The Unequaled Self", a new biography by Claire Tomlin...Just terrific and fills in the gaps the diary leaves...
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Summary: Sam's life takes a somewhat different course in an alternate universe in which he retires to his uncle's bequeathed country home in Brampton.
Diary of Alternate Sam…
October 20, 1666…
Up with the cock, for God knows what reason, there being nothing to do
in this worthless hell-hole to which I condemned myself following the
outbreak of plague last year. My wife not to be found on waking…I
sought her in the kitchen where she and I had bitter words regarding
her annoyance with what she calls 'my jealousy' and her complaints as
to the barrenness of our lives here. I for my part did tear up to her
some odd and ends of what my mother had said regarding her loose
bearing at Hinchingbrook the other day with Captain Ferrers. She did
deny it and in bad humor all the morning, insisting that she would in
spite of my command to stay be off to dine with my Lady Sandwich. I
for my turn did walk about the garden, kicking plants and did injury
to my foot in so doing. Summoned by my cousin Tom to sit in at a petty
dispute of my neighbors' over the placement of a new fence, I did dine
there, where the food bad and ill-prepared and the company as ever of
low sort in which I took no pleasure. On returning was vexed to find
my wife had indeed gone off to dine with my Lady and remained in very
bad humor all the afternoon, nursing my foot and reading in my books.
Further disappointed in the evening to learn that the local fool I had
called on to build me a new press for my books had done but clumsy,
ill work…Yet as I have no longer call on the service I once did, it
cannot be helped. Hewer did come in the afternoon bearing letters from
London but no reply from Mr. Evelyn whom Hewer says is most busy with
affairs of state these days. Nor does Mr. Hooke nor any of my other
old friends reply, excepting a letter from Creed who tells me he does
well in my old position. My wife returned in late evening…Six of the
clock as I noted to her. She did desire to be friends and mentioned
with rather odd air she would endeavor not to see Captain Ferrers
again as it displeases me. Her manner troubles me, she giving me many
sorrowful looks and I am resolved to follow her should she go about
tomorrow. Gave her a lesson in astronomy, she growing in disquiet
until the end when she begged me my forgiveness of her faults in such
strident tones that I was loathe to do so until she had told me what
such faults she referred to were, she denying more than her sorrow at
displeasing me and her discontent with our country life.
I find I will not be able to continue my journal after this for a week
for want of paper…Miserable hell-hole of a place…
And so to bed…Which did collapse under us, rotted old thing…And not a
good workman to be found to restore it until he can be called from
London