John Aubrey - My Own Life by Ruth Scurr: I came across this post today on Bensozia's blog. Though he wasn't terribly inspired by the book, the life of Aubrey as seen through a diary written by Scurr, he gives a fascinating abstract of the book. One to be noted and the question asked? Why and how these men born of noble families always managed to survive without money and heavily in debt.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I see another person who carries on the family tradition of untidy luggage. My daughter staggered out of the house this morning with her bag packed. They are off to Edinburgh for a week. HMG went to uni there, nostalgia calls.
I think the answer to how people like Aubrey survived whilst permanently in debt is because spending money was not the massive social requirement that it is today. Even in 1970 when I was in art school, if I ran out of money I would make something - in one case a turned wooden chair - then sell it for about £30. That money would last me for about a month. In Aubrey's time, ordinary paupers were taken care of by their parish. In one case I read about, a family of 5 were bought a house in the neighbouring parish because it was cheaper to do that than pay for the family to live in their own parish. They became the responsibility of the neighbours! These days, housing is an investment and food is a commodity.
ReplyDeleteCapitalism wins once again. Interesting nugget of information about the family and the fact that people weren't left to starve. I suspect those with rich relatives could just hideout in one of the many bedrooms those large old houses contained. The kitchens always had plenty of food on the go for the servants and family. And there wasn't the pressure to get a job. Inheritance of course also had a part to play.
DeleteIt was important to attend church in those days.
DeleteAnd be frightened to death of course. Charity began at home.
Deletewas rather comments on Tony Blair's award from you by now?
ReplyDeleteI know there was splutters everywhere Pat and haven't really read up on it. He has been punished for a long time over a catastrophic decision, perhaps the Queen decided to forgive him on more recent charity work? As she has also defended her son Andrew. She is Christian after all.
DeleteThose bags look quite tidy to me - ha ha - I'm a hopeless packer.
ReplyDeleteMore broadly, after an unexpectedly difficultly December - as much logistical as anything - I'm finally catching up on some of my favourite blogs to wish their authors a happy new year and say thanks for reading and commenting on mine. Yours has been a new find for me this year - I look forward to reading more.
Meanwhile, I hope next year brings us better times and plenty of words (and pictures) to inspire and entertain.
Best wishes
Mark
Yes we have missed you Mark. Funnily enough you commented on one of my blogs years ago. So welcome back, please, please keep writing and a Good New Year to you and your family.
DeleteTidiness in our family is a lost cause, I expect people to use suitcases, though Matilda has gone off with mine and not knapsacks on their backs!
My son and husband are very good at packing (Keith is brilliant loading the car for Fairs). Danny was very scathing about other walkers when he was walking Hadrian's wall last year. The rugby players? who travelled heavy and downed so much beer and Scotch the night before it was a wonder they didn't have to have their stomachs pumped next morning (and never got beyond day 1); the lads with blisters after the first few miles; the ones with pots and pans swinging from their rucksack which is guaranteed to be tiring as it moves the rucksack about.
ReplyDeleteYes I suppose men are much better at packing than us, Paul took great joy in being neat, whereas I was less so. Obviously when out walking there is a system of how to carry things properly Jennie.
ReplyDelete