SAMUEL PEPYS

Evening Star, Issue 18998, 21 July 1925, Page 2

SAMUEL PEPYS

THE CHEAT DIARIST AT CHURCH. Two hundred and fifty-six years ago, the last entry was made in ‘ Pfipy’s Diary 1 (writes Arthur Sharp, in tho ‘ Weekly Scotsman ’), Mr Samuel Pcpys, albeit ho was Secretary to the Admiralty for a period during tho roign of Charles 11., and not. undistinguished in his official career, would doubtless have boon very slightly remembered but for the fact that ho kept a diary in which ho sot down, in shorthand, a lively and curious account of tho times_ in which ho lived, leaving behind him a faithful record of almost every phase of public and social life, from tho gay revelries at Court down to the pettiest details of domestic economy, churchgoing, business, and amusements, Jinny people have kept—and many still koof—a diary; but no person has yet invested tho record of his or her daily doings with such frank unreserve and such naive charm as Air I’epys. This remarkable diary extends for a period of some nine years or over—from .January, 1659-60, to May, 1669-and was not given to the world until 1825, when it was deciphered and published by Lord Braybrooko. Interest was immediately aroused in this chronicler, who preserved for ns so striking an account of the traits of the ora connected with the Restoration; and although one hundred years have passed since the first publication of the famous diary, we still find much pleasure in perusing tho anecdotes of the man who, wo are told, was “ a great gossip, a gadder after amusements, fond of a pretty race besides that of Ids wife, vain and showy in his clothing, and greatly studious of appearances before the world.” Tiie main charm of this diary, which unfolds a wonderful story of ' many happenings connected with the Restoration, the first Dutch war, and tho plague and fire of London, lies not so much jn the facts detailed as in its " deliberate registration of those little thoughts and reflections on matters of self which pass through everyone’s mind at nearly all times and all spasons, but which hardly anyone would think proper to acknowledge, much less to put into a historical form.’’ FAITHFUL SERVICE. Pepys, like many other famous men, was of humble origin, the son of a retired London tailor. Thanks to the fact that he could claim kinship with a powerful and wealthy citizen, he was given the oportunity of planting his feet on the ladder of success, and in duo time climbed to a position of comparative affluence; and, after acting in the capacity of Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, succeeded to the higher position of Secretary to tho Admiralty, which lie held until the accession of William and Mary. Afterwards he lived in retirement, with the knowledge that he had faithfully served his country and led a useful lifo. Tho diary reveals much that is interesting about tho condition of the State, the goinga-on at Court, tho incompetency of the King’s advisers, and endless matters connected'with public affairs of the day; it also retails many choice bits of snamlal, scraps of gossip, and items of information. Tho personal character of Pepys himself, and his gradual rise in tho world, with all his “ foibles, weaknesses, and peculiarities,” is laid baro to all who read the dairist’s notes, and the whole record forms a most amusing study of never-failing interest. Pepys had exceptional opportunities for observation, and his official duties brought him into close contact- with persons in high places. Thus we find that he committed his most secret thoughts to paper, little dreaming that any eyes other than his own would over peruse them; for his system of shorthand gave him the utmost secrecy in recording his memoranda of passing events. VAIN AND SHOWY. Pepys was vain and showy in dress. He records with joy how ho put on his first silk suit; and never fails to set down tho subsequent additions to his wardrobe —camlet cloaks, with gold-and-silver buttons, perukes, flowered vests, etc.—are all carefully noted. But ho evidently had scruples about appearing too fine at business, for ho says, under iato May 1, 1658.' “Up betines. Called by my tailor, and there first put ou a summer suit this year; but it was not my fine ono of flowered tabby vest, and colored cameloU tunique, because it was too fine with tho gold lace at tho bands, that I was afraid to be Been in it; but put on the stuff suit I made last year, which is now repaired; and no did go to the office in it, and so all the morning, tho day looking as if it would.be fowle." Ilia wife's dross also mightily took his eye, for ho continues: “At noon, home to dinner, and there find my wife extraordinary fine, with her flowered tabby gown that she made two years ago, now laced exceeding pretty: and, indeed, was fine all over; and mighty earnest to go, though tho day was very lowering; and she would have mo put on my fino suit, which I did. And so anon wo wont through tho town with our new liveries of sorgo, and tho horses’ manes and tails tied with red ribbons, and the standards gilt with varnish, and all clean, and green reincs, that people did mightily look upon us; and, the truth is, I did not seo any coach morn jiretty, though more gay, than ours, all the day.” In November, 1663, he began to wear a peruke, which was thou quite a now fashion, and ha was rather nervous about appearing in it in public. He observes; “ To church, where I found that my coming in a periwig did not prove so strange as was I afraid it would, for I thought that all tho church would presently cast their eyes upon mo, but I found no such thing.” WHY PEPYS WENT TO CHURCH. Mr Pepys rarely failed to attend church on Sundays, and wo loam from his diary how tho average churchman of Ids times conducted himself with regard to religion iu that blase and frivolous time. From Popys’s own confession ho went to church as much to gratify his own amusement and to stare about him, mentally criticising Jin follow-worshippers, as tor devotional purposes. Indeed, bis motives arc made very clear, for he is quite candid about his church-going. On August 11, 1661, iic sets down: our own church in the forenoon, and in iho afternoon to Clorkonwell ‘Church, only to see tho two fair Holders.” Ho was most faroful to got into a pew from which “I had my full view of them both; but I am out of conceit now with them.” His general conduct at church was by no means exemplary, and on Ids own confession left much to be desired. Bonn.time? He amused himself in viewing (he beauties present a I service; often he slumbered (luring the sermon. This sleeping whilst the parson discoursed swt, a sad trick of his. “After dinner to church again, my wife and I, whe.ro wo bad a dull sermon of a stranger, which made me sleep.” Here lie evidently pacifies conscience with a plausible excuse; but at times bo had no such apology to offer himself—“ Sermon again, at which I slept; God forgive me!” EDGING UP TO THE GIRLS. He tells in what manner he amused himself in church. “ (My wife and I to church, where several strangers of good condition came to our new. After dinner, I by water nlono to Westminster to tho parish church, ami tLoro did entertain myself with my perspective glass up rind down the church, by which I had tho great pleasure of seeing and gazing at a. great many very lino women j ami what with that, and sleeping, I passed away the time till the sermon was dona.” Again, on August 18, 1667, Pepys " walked towards Whitehall, but, boingied, turned into St. Dunstan’s Church, whore I heard an able sermon of tho minister of that place; and stood by a pretty, modest maid, whom 1 did labor to tako by the hand; but slio would not, but got further and further from mo; and, at last, 1 could perceive her to take pins out of her pocket to prick me if I should touch her again—which, seeing, I did forbear, and was glad I did spy her design. And then I fell to gaze upon another pretty maid, in a pew close to me, and she on me; and I did go about to take her by the hand, which she suffered a little, amt then withdrew. So thq sermon ended.” Pepys did not fail to make his little personal observations of the parsrfn and the sermon. Both came in for criticism. “ Went to the red-faced parson’s church,” where, however, ho goes ou to nay: ” 1 board a good sermon of him, hotter than I looked for.” Tho sermon itself was dulv recorded—“An excellent sermon,” a " dull sermon,” a “ lazy, poor sermon,” or a “ good, honest, and painful sermon.” Once ho wont to church when “ a stranger preached like a fool.” MR PEPYS AT THE PLAY. ■ The diarist frequently alludes to tho plays that he witnessed, the names of their authors, and tho manner iu which they were acted. His opinion of some well-known plays was very esnlicit. For instance, of ‘ Midsummer Night's Dream’ he says; “It is the most insipid, ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life.” Again, of another of Shakespeare's, ha writes; “ To Deptford by water, rea4kig ‘ Othellg, Moor of

Venice,’ which I ever heretofore esteemed a mighty good play * but. having so lately read the ‘Adventures of Five Houras, it seems a, mean thing.’ Popys also notices several literary works, which ho does not fail to condemn if unsuitable to his taste: “To the Wardrobe—Hither come Mr Battersby: and we falling into discourse of a now book of drollery, called ‘ Hudibras,’ I would needs go to find it out. . ._ . But when I come to road it, it is so silly and abuse of the Presbyter Knight going to the wares that I am ashamed of it.” This book Pepys tried again and again to read, seeing 'that it was praised so highly, but, ho says : “It hath not good liking in me, though I had tried but twice or three times reading to bring myself to think it witty.” ■Gossipy and interesting, indeed, are the notes written down in the diary of Mr Samuel Pepys. All kinds of matters are set down without comment or scruple, very minutely and faithfully. Although it was left amongst his other papers at his death, it may he doubted if he ever “ entertained the least expectation that it would be perused by a single human being besides himself.” Since 1825, when the diary was eventually printed, it has afforded most amusing and instructive reading to thousands of people, and has resurrected Mr Popys from the obscurity into which his memory had fallen. It is a remarkable record, and preserves for us a splendid picture of the habits of the people, and the social life in the days of the Restoration period.