The Ladies | Page 2

as St. Katharine Portrait by Hayts
Esther Johnson, "Stella" Portrait by Kneller
Hester Vanhomrigh, "Vanessa"
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu Portrait by Kneller
Maria Gunning Portrait by Cotes
Maria Walpole and Her Daughter, Elizabeth Laura Portrait by
Reynolds

Fanny Burney, Madame D'Arblay After Portrait by E. F. Burney

Elizabeth Pepys 1640-1669

"So home to dinner with my wife, very pleasant and pleased with one
another's company, and in our general enjoyment one of another, better
we think than most other couples do."
Elizabeth St. Michel, daughter of a French Huguenot, was fifteen when
Pepys married her. She was only twenty-nine when she died. Pepys
himself at their marriage was twenty-two. It is the skirmishing of young
folk that he describes when he reports such animated scenes as the
occasion when his wife threatened him with the red-hot tongs. They
had their brisk encounters and their affectionate interludes as well,
when "very merry we were with our pasty, well-baked, and a good dish
of roasted chickens; pease, lobsters, strawberries."
In odd moments, Pepys applied himself to his wife's education.
Dismissing her dancing-master by reason of jealousy, he began instead
a course in Arithmetic. He himself taught her Addition, Subtraction,
and the Multiplication Tables; but, says he, "I purpose not to trouble
her yet with Division, but to begin with the Globes to her now."
At her early death he mourned sincerely, and erected a memorial
celebrating the accomplished charms of Elizabeth, his wife,--
"Forma, Artibus, Linguis Cultissima."
[Illustration: Mrs Pepys as St. Katharine]

I
The Diurnal of Mrs. Elizabeth Pepys

2d May.--Sam'l now in great honour at the Navy Office, whereat my
heart do rejoice, and the less for the havings, which do daily increase,
than that I would willingly see him worshipfully received, the which
indeede his hard work do plentifully deserve, he sparing himselfe in
nothing for the advancing of his busyness.
And I do reason with myselfe that though he have faults many and
great (which God knowes is true) yet he do come up in the world and
our gettings are very good and do daily increase. How they go I know
not, for that little and grudging is spent on my clothes, and though
Sam'l goes very noble still it is not possible but much is saved, though
he do lament himself in very high wordes of our spendthrift way of life
and small saving.
But of this more anon.
Up and dressed a pease pudding with boyled rabbets and bacon to
dinner for want of a cook-mayde, Sarah leaving us at dawn, and he
loving it mightily. The which he should not have this day but that I
have a month's mind to a slashte wastcote which hitherto he hath
soured upon. This done, a brave dish of cream in the which he takes
great delight; and so seeing him in Tune I to lament the ill wear of my
velvet wastcote as desiring a Better, whereon he soured. We jangling
mightily on this I did object his new Jackanapes coat with silver
buttons, but to no purpose. He reading in the Passionate Pillgrim which
he do of all things love. But angry to prayers and to Bed.
But it is observable that this day I discover Sam'l in the keeping of a
Journal and very secret in this, and come at it I will, he being much
abroad on his occasions the while I sit at home.
3d.--This day awakes Sam'l in a musty humour as much over-served
with meat and Drink, and in great discontent calling me, do bid me rise
and fetch his Pills that olde Mother Wigsworth did give him at
Brampton. I merry and named him the Passionate Pillgrim from his
love to these, whereupon he flings the Pills in my face and all scattered,
Deb grudging to gather them it being Lord's Day. So I to churche,
leaving him singing and playing "Beauty, Retire" to his Viall, a song

not worthy to be sung on a holy Day however he do conceit his skill
therein. His brown beauty Mrs Lethulier in the pew against us and I do
perceive her turn her Eye to see if Sam'l do come after. She very brave
in hanging sleeves, yet an ill-lookt jade if one do but consider, but with
the seeking Eye that men look to, and Sam'l in especial. Fried Loyne of
mutton to dinner, and Sam'l his head akeing I did sit beside him
discoursing of the new hangings for the small closet, wherein great
pleasure for it will be most neat and fine. And great content have we in
such discourse and in our house and the good we are come to.
4th.--This day do Sam'l speak handsomely enough of his humour
yesterday, charging it upon the Rabbets, and