# April 1665 explained — The Diary > Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys. ## What happens Pepys navigates the complexities of naval administration, financial pressures of the Dutch war, and his own personal ambitions. He attends plays, manages accounts, secures his Tangier commission, and confronts the looming plague, all while balancing his domestic life and professional duties. ## Themes in this chapter ### Naval Administration and Corruption Pepys grapples with the Navy's financial chaos, Ticket abuse, and the incompetence of ministers like Sir G. Carteret, while the King's service suffers. ### Money, Debt, and Economy Pepys meticulously tracks his monthly accounts, gains over £100, and reaches a net worth of £1,400, yet faces uncertainty about Tangier funds and lending money on Tallies. ### Social Ambition and Class Pepys enjoys the King's notice, attends plays with nobility, and interacts with pretty shopkeepers, reflecting his social climbing and pleasure-seeking. ### Daily Life and Domesticity Pepys balances office work with domestic routines: dining at home, taking the air with his wife, and dealing with servants like Mercer. ## Character check-ins ### Samuel Pepys Busy with office accounts, Tangier business, and personal finances; attends plays and social events; vexed by colleagues' incompetence and his own lapses. ### Sir George Carteret Dines with the Commissioners of Prizes at Captain Cocke's; harangues about Ticket abuse, frustrating Pepys. ### Sir William Batten Attends meeting with Lord Treasurer; returns from Harwich; notes Pepys's absences from the office. ### Sir John Minnes Present at Lord Treasurer's meeting; returns from Chatham; notes Pepys's absences. ### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich Referenced as 'my Lord' in context of Tangier business and Privy Seale. ### Mr. Povy Clerk Tasborough works on his accounts; discusses Tangier finances and discourages Pepys about getting money; behaves boldly with Mercer. ### Mr. Creed Accompanies Pepys to the play, to Chelsey, and to Gresham College; consults on Tangier money matters. ### Elizabeth Pepys Attends play with Pepys and Creed; goes by coach to Hackney for air; visits Unthanke's. ## Key lines > But to see how my Lord Treasurer did bless himself, crying he could do no more than he could, nor give more money than he had, if the occasion and expense were never so great, which is but a sad story. The Lord Treasurer threw up his hands, insisting he could not provide more funds than he possessed, no matter how urgent the need—a lamentable state of affairs. _Highlights the financial desperation of the Navy during the Dutch war._ > All the pleasure of the play was, the King and my Lady Castlemayne were there; and pretty witty Nell at the King's house, and the younger Marshall sat next us; which pleased me mightily. The only enjoyment of the play came from seeing the King and Lady Castlemayne, along with the witty actress Nell and young Marshall sitting nearby—a great delight to me. _Pepys finds more pleasure in the social spectacle than the performance itself._ > I with great joy find myself to have gained this month above £100 clear, and in the whole to be worth above £1,400, the greatest sum I ever yet was worth. I am delighted to discover I have earned over £100 this month, bringing my total net worth to more than £1,400—the highest I have ever achieved. _Pepys takes pride in his growing wealth and careful accounting._ > Great fears of the sickness here in the City, it being said that two or three houses are already shut up. God preserve as all! There is widespread fear of the plague in the City, with reports that two or three houses have already been quarantined. May God protect us all! _The first ominous sign of the Great Plague reaching London._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1665 - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters