Pepys diary entries April 1666

 

maybe it's the matters of the day, of which there were many in this month, or it could be similar to now. The plague had become such an integral part of life that specific details were no longer mentioned aside from the statistical reality of the Bills of Mortality. Maybe, like now, people are just over it. 

(5/4)

"The plague is, to our great grief, encreased nine this week, though decreased a few in the total. And this encrease runs through many parishes, which makes us much fear the next year."

strange news to hear of an associate who hasn't died of the plague

(8/4)

"The Court full this morning of the newes of Tom Cheffin’s death, the King’s closett-keeper. He was well last night as ever, flaying at tables in the house, and not very ill this morning at six o’clock, yet dead before seven: they think, of an imposthume (abcess) in his breast. But it looks fearfully among people nowadays, the plague, as we hear, encreasing every where again."

still reminders of the plague and the degree to which it effects everyday life

(9/4)

"Thence by coach to Mrs. Pierce’s, and with her and Knipp and Mrs. Pierce’s boy and girle abroad, thinking to have been merry at Chelsey; but being come almost to the house by coach near the waterside, a house alone, I think the Swan, a gentleman walking by called to us to tell us that the house was shut up of the sicknesse."

(10/4)

"Bad news that the plague is decreased in the general again and two increased in the sickness."

another example of the plague not essentially making the heart grow fonder

(22/4)

"Thence walked wearily as far as Fleet Streete and so there met a coach and home to supper and to bed, having sat a great while with Will Joyce, who come to see me, and it is the first time I have seen him at my house since the plague, and find him the same impertinent, prating (to talk foolishly or at a tedious length about something) coxcombe (a vain and conceited man; a dandy) that ever he was."

(23/4)

"The plague, I hear, encreases in the towne much, and exceedingly in the country everywhere."

the term impertinent, prating coxcombe has now become a part of my lexicon.