ABSTRACT
On the fourth of January in 1667, Samuel Pepys went home from work early and at noon began to supervise final preparations for a dinner whose guests included Sir William Penn. The dinner was followed by card playing, singing, conversation, and finally supper. Pepys felt that he had done himself proud with the meal’s seven courses and with the gleaming plate on which the food was served. He also hoped that he had caused envy in his social rival Penn as well as a little personal discomfort.
