Don't ask me why......sometimes I just get in these moods. Since I put a thread in a couple of months ago about who likes what book, I decided to re-read The Diaries of Samuel Pepys, my favourite 17th century obsessive-compulsive. Damn, he's an interesting guy! Generally I'm not high on workaholics (his Navy duties) but a man who keeps his flageolet in his pocket ALL the time, and looks for any opportunity for a toot has gotta be OK in my book.

Thanks to Peter T and Tony Quarrington (who have access to the libraries in our higher halls of learning) I've read a shitload of Pepys related material as well, and never thought I'd know as much about Britain's shaky 17th Navy (and how Pepys singlehandedly saved it)

He truly is a remarkable character and I highly reccommend his diary to anyone not familiar with him. Get an edited version, try to ignore his constant obsession with women and take note of all the (old/new?) ballads he mentions, and just how similar 1665 is to 2003 as far as people's behaviour go.

Can someone tell me about his collection of songs, now housed in Magdalene College, Cambridge.....do they actually let people hold the manuscripts?

Cheers

Rick

P.S.

Nell Gwynne: "MR. PEPYS, is that a "D" whistle in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"

Sam Pepys: "BOTH.....my dear"!