Daily Feature For “Star” Readers.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19240, 29 November 1930, Page 8

Daily Feature For “Star” Readers.

Pepys’ Diary.

gAMUEL PEPYS, born in London in 1633, has left in his diary an artless and effective series of pen pictures of life in London which stand by themselves in literature to-day. The “ Star ” will publish, daily, an extract from the famous diary, beginning to-day with the introductory note, which reads;— FIRST YEAR. 1660. Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any 6ense of my old pain, but upon taking of cold. I lived in Axe Yard, having my wife and servant Jane, and no more in family than us three. The condition of the State was thus; viz. the Rump, after being disturbed by my Lord Lambert, was lately returned to sit again. The officers of the Army all forced to yield. Lawson lies still in the river, and Monk is with his army in Scotland. The new Common Council of the City do speak very high; and had sent to Monk their sword-bearer, to acquaint him with their desires for a free and full Parliament. My own private condition very handsome, and esteemed rich, but indeed very poor; besides my goods of my house, and my office, which at present is somewhat uncertain. Mr Downing master of my office. January Ist. (Lord’s Day.) This morning (we living lately in the garret) I rose, put on my suit with great skirts, having not lately worn any other clothes but them. Went to Mr Gunning’s chapel at Exeter House, where he made a very good sermon. Dined at home in the garret, where my wife dressed the remains of a turkey, and in the doing of it she burned her hand. 2nd. In the morning before I went forth old East brought me a dozen bottles of sack, and I gave him a shilling for his pains. Then I went to Mr Sheply, who was drawing of sack in the wine cellar*to send to other places as a gift from my Lord, and told me that my Lord had given him order to give me the dozen of bottles. Then I went to Mr Crew’s and borrowed £lO of Mr Andrewes for my own use, and so went to my office, where there was nothing to do-