Cambridge as I know (我所知道的康橋): Pepys Library of Magdalene College

Before the trip I was reading Samuel Pepys’s diaries (2 large volumes) while Janice was busy downloading all kinds of interactive London and Paris maps that are available offline, via GPS, making reservations of Eurostar trains (from London to Paris and back), buying the tickets for Royal Albert Hall and finding out how to tour the Opera Garnier, etc.  She was doing all necessary and practical preparation; mine was “spiritual” for better understanding of what we’ll see.

Pepys Library may not be the exact attraction the Tour Company would arrange to visit; but we’re not doing the conventional tour; we had very specific targets, knowing what we wanted to see, budgeting time as we pleased and savoring the local cuisines; eating is also an adventure while traveling after all.

Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) was not a literary figure (he was a high Navy official); but he was one of the most famous diarists in the history.  His diaries of about 10 years made him an eyewitness of many historical events.  He saw the execution of Charles I in front of Whitehall Palace/Banqueting House, at which time he was home from Cambridge (Magdalene College).  He wrote the execution was “greeted not with a cheer but a groan”.  After Oliver Cromwell died, Pepys was among the entourage to bring Charles II back from Holland.  Cromwell, then buried at Westminster Abbey, was dug up and beheaded.  The poet, John Milton, who worked for Cromwell, had to go in hiding.

Upon his death Pepys donated his large library of over 3,000 books to his alma mater (Magdalene College); it is now a much sought research library.

While in the yard facing the library, a lady (who is a faculty) stopped and chatted with us for about 10 minutes, giving us some of the inside stories.  Magdalene is pronounced “maudlin”, but when she said “maudlin” she covered her mouth like saying a “taboo”.  (I’ll confirm with Janice before telling the story.)

walking toward Pepys Library