And I have said nothing of the other maid, Barker, of whom Pepys says: "and I do clearly find that as to manner of singing the latter do much the better."[1]
***
All those who visit this musical household are themselves performers:—Pepys' relatives, his brother and sister-in-law, who play excellently on the bass viol;[2] and his friends, who are all musicians, good or bad. The ladies play the lute, the viol or the harpsichord; sometimes they display so much perseverance that they eventually tire their hearers.
Went to hear Mrs. Turner's daughter … play upon the harpsicon; but, Lord! it was enough to make any man sick to hear her; yet I was forced to commend her highly.[3]
Mr. Temple's wife fell to play on the harpsicon till she tired everybody, that I left the house without taking leave, and no creature left standing by to hear her.[4]
All the great personages of the day are able to play and sing.[5] Pepys' patron, Lord Sandwich, takes part with him in little concerts of chamber music[6] and composes anthems for three voices.[7] Wherever one goes one hears music.
For example, at the eating-houses:
- ↑ 12th April, 1667.
- ↑ 18th December, 1662 and 2nd February, 1667.
- ↑ 1st May, 1663.
- ↑ 10th November, 1666.
- ↑ Scarcely an exception is to be met with. Lord Lauderdale is one, but he is regarded as an eccentric, and possibly wishes to pass for one (28th June, 1666).
- ↑ 23rd April, 1660.
- ↑ 14th December, 1663.
