# April 1662 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

In April 1662, Pepys balances naval administration, social outings, and domestic life. He attends plays, visits the Wardrobe, and pays off ships at Deptford and Portsmouth. He deals with office politics, plans house renovations, and prepares for his wife's trip to Brampton. The chapter captures his ambition, his interactions with naval officials, and his enjoyment of entertainment and company.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys engages in paying off ships, inspecting dockyards, and discussing office faults, highlighting the complexities and potential corruption in naval management.

### Social Ambition and Class

Pepys seeks favor with Sir G. Carteret, attends plays with nobility, and navigates social hierarchies to advance his position.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Pepys manages household matters, including disciplining a servant, planning his wife's trip, and renovating his house.

### Theatre and Public Entertainment

Pepys frequently attends plays, such as 'The Maid in the Mill' and 'The Bondman', and enjoys walks and cheesecake outings.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Narrator and central figure; manages naval pay, attends plays, and navigates office dynamics.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's wife; accompanies him to plays and outings, and is persuaded to go to Brampton for her ague.

### Sir William Batten

Naval colleague; involved in pay-offs, house renovations, and office discussions.

### Sir William Penn

Naval colleague; accompanies Pepys to Portsmouth and shares in pay and social activities.

### Sir George Carteret

Naval official; walks with Pepys, discusses office faults, and oversees pay at Portsmouth.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Mentioned in relation to letters and the Wardrobe; not directly present in this chapter.

### Mr. Creed

Appears in the context of the Wardrobe and social interactions.

### Mrs. Pierce

Spotted at Portsmouth; Pepys speaks with her but misses her lodgings.

## Key lines

> I was much troubled today to see a dead man lie floating upon the waters, and had done (they say) these four days, and nobody takes him up to bury him, which is very barbarous.

Pepys is disturbed by the sight of a corpse floating in the water for four days without anyone burying it, calling it barbaric.

_Reflects on the neglect of the dead and societal indifference._

> He offers to bring me into the college of virtuosoes and my Lord Brouncker’s acquaintance, and to show me some anatomy, which makes me very glad; and I shall endeavour it when I come to London.

The Doctor promises to introduce Pepys to the college of virtuosos and Lord Brouncker, and to show him anatomical studies, which Pepys eagerly anticipates.

_Shows Pepys's intellectual curiosity and desire for social advancement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1662
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters