A House Built On Water

Change All Around and Nowhere

And so 1660 bleeds into 1661 – literally, if you’re still one of those conservatives with the opinion that New Year’s Day is 25 March. How both progress and nostalgia live side-by-side in this day and age is perhaps a sign of the times…

My beautiful wife Elizabeth – James Thomson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Looking back to where I was this time last year, I’m blessed that I can call myself one of those who have enjoyed an improvement of fortune. I now live in a house belonging to one of my employers, His Majesty’s Navy, because (I still get goosepimples to say it) I am one of their principal officers.

Moreover, my family has almost doubled in size! Though not, sad to say, a result of my nightly adventures with my wife Elizabeth. Still residing with the two of us is our maid Jane, but alongside her we now host her brother Wayneman, and the young Will Ewre.

We’re also expecting my sister Paulina to come and live with us soon, too – though her hagged presence may well ruin the chances of Elizabeth and I summoning the mood to sire any further additions to the family any time soon…

Outside of the house, 1661 looks vastly different to 1660 in many ways. Chief among them: we have a King! His Majesty is now fully settled, and loved by all.

Well – nearly all… Lord Lambert was against him a year ago, and lately frighted us with his plot to burn Whitehall and all within it – including the King and yours truly. The fright is not fully over.

The kingdom’s royalty continues to cause controversy in other areas, too, what with the revelation of the Duke of York’s secret marriage to my Lord Chancellor’s daughter. The Queen Mother is returning to France and taking Princess Henrietta with her – and so soon after the death of her other daughter, who some fondly think of as our first Princess Royal, while others prefer to grit their teeth and call her the Princess of Orange…

And meanwhile, the King dissolved Parliament on 29 December amid rumours that it grows factious. 1660 continues to echo all around us…

But I personally just cannot be melancholic. I remain in constant good health, and worth 300£ clear in money, with all my goods and debts paid – a most handsome and thriving condition.

1661 is to be a beneficial year for sure. Blessed be Almight God for it.

In return for these words of mine, please pay just one word of yours. What one word would you use to describe your circumstances at the start of this New Year?

Speak with you again soon – and may the Lord bless you and keep you until then!