The Dark Side of Samuel Pepys by Geoffrey Pimm

Author:Geoffrey Pimm [Pimm, Geoffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Historical, History, Europe, Great Britain, General, Social Science, Sexual Abuse & Harassment
ISBN: 9781526717290
Google: ZRT2swEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 37976603
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2018-02-15T00:23:52+00:00

Chapter 13

A Very Pretty Wench & Her Mother

In July 1663 Pepys does a round of shopping – a visit to his booksellers and then to his instrument makers to purchase a ruler and lastly to Westminster Hall …

… where I expected some bands made me by Mrs. Lane, and while she went to the starchers for them, I staid at Mrs. Howlett’s, who with her husband were abroad, and only their daughter (which I call my wife) was in the shop, and I took occasion to buy a pair of gloves to talk to her, and I find her a pretty spoken girl, and will prove a mighty handsome wench. I could love her very well. (Diary 18th July 1663)

Pepys notices Betty Howlett because as well as being pretty, she apparently bears a close resemblance to his wife Elizabeth:

So to Westminster Hall, and there at Mrs. Michell’s shop sent for beer and sugar and drink, and made great cheer with it among her and Mrs. Howlett, her neighbour, and their daughters, especially Mrs. Howlett’s daughter, Betty, which is a pretty girl, and one I have long called wife, being, I formerly thought, like my own wife. (Diary 24th July 1663)

It is not long before he begins to stalk her; perhaps she saw him coming, as she obviously puts on some speed: ‘… to Westminster Hall, where, seeing Howlett’s daughter going out of the other end of the Hall, I followed her if I would to have offered talk to her and dallied with her a little, but I could not overtake her.’ (Diary 7th November 1663)

However, Betty is still a little young, even for Pepys, but he appears to be prepared to wait whilst anticipating what an attractive woman she will become: ‘I was much pleased to look upon their pretty daughter, which is grown a pretty mayd, and will make a fine modest woman.’ (Diary 8th February 1664)

Betty disappears from the pages of the diary for a while and it is nearly two years later when she next puts in an appearance, one of nearly a hundred entries in the diary detailing Pepys’ obsession with her: ‘… there I did see Betty Howlet come after the sicknesse [i.e. the plague] to the Hall. Had not opportunity to salute her, as I desired, but was glad to see her and a very pretty wench she is.’ (Diary 16th December 1665)

Betty has grown up and she is now definitely and firmly in Pepys’ sights: ‘… walked to Westminster Hall, where I staid talking with Mrs. Michell and Howlett long and her daughter, which is become a mighty pretty woman …’ (Diary 28th February1666)

It appears however that he may have missed the boat, for after another torrid session with Mrs Lane, she tells him …

… that Betty Howlet of the Hall, my little sweetheart, that I used to call my second wife, is married to a younger son of Mr. Michell’s (his elder brother, who should have had her, being dead this

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