Quote 259 of 281

From the diary of Samuel Pepys (1663-1703)

Having done here, Sir W. Batten and I home by coach; and though the
sermon at our church was begun, yet he would light and go home and eat
a slice of roast beef off the spit, and did; and then he and I to
church in the middle of the sermon.

Asking Sir R. Viner what he thought was the cause of the fire, he
tells me that the Baker, son and his daughter did all swear again and
again that their Oven was drawn by 10 a-clock at night.  That having
occasion to light a candle about 12, there was not so much fire in the
bakehouse as to light a match for a candle, so as they were fain to go
into another place to light it.  That about 2 in the morning they felt
themselfs almost choked with smoke; and rising, did find the fire
coming upstairs---so they rose to save themselfs; but that at that
time the bavins were not on fire in the yard.  So that they are, as
they swear, in absolute ignorance how this fire should come---which is
a strange thing, that so horrid an effect should have so mean an
uncertain a beginning.

This night, going through bridge by water, my waterman told me how the
mistress of the Beare tavern at the brodge foot did lately fling
herself into the Thames and drownded herself; which did trouble me the
more when they tell me it was she that did live at the White Horse
tavern in Lumbard street; which was a most beautiful woman, as most I
have seen.  It seems hat had long melancholy upon her, and hath
endeavoured to make away with herself often.
		-- Pepys' Diary, 24 Feb. 1667

Tags: coach bridge clock diary match thames mistress spit sermon waterman beautifulwoman roastbeef strangething batten viner bakehouse whitehorsetavern