# August 1661 explained — The Diary > Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys. ## What happens Pepys travels to Cambridge and Impington to discuss his uncle's will with Roger Pepys, attends the Assizes, and returns to London. He continues his naval office duties, visits the theatre, deals with family matters including his brother Tom's potential marriage, and notes the serious illness of General Monk and a widespread fever. He also spends time with his wife Elizabeth, his father, and various acquaintances, and expresses concern about his own distraction with plays. ## Themes in this chapter ### Naval Administration and Corruption Pepys works at the Navy Office, deals with clerks' absence for a funeral, and is troubled by his inability to focus on business due to his love of plays. ### Social Ambition and Class Pepys discusses his uncle's will and inheritance, negotiates a potential marriage for his brother Tom, and observes the deference shown to him by country people at church. ### Theatre and Public Entertainment Pepys attends several plays including 'The Joviall Crew' and 'The Witts', visits Bartholomew Fair, and expresses guilt over his love of plays. ### Money, Debt, and Economy Pepys deals with financial matters including his aunt's bond of £200, the cost of his aunt leaving the house (£10), and the expense of a coat borrowed for 6d. ## Character check-ins ### Samuel Pepys Narrator and protagonist; travels to Cambridge, attends the Assizes, discusses his uncle's will, returns to London, works at the Navy Office, visits the theatre, and deals with family and financial matters. ### Elizabeth Pepys Pepys's wife; accompanies him to Walthamstow, the theatre, and the Wardrobe; pleads with Pepys to help her brother Balty. ### Roger Pepys Cousin of Samuel Pepys; provides advice on the uncle's will and discusses the poor conduct of young men in Parliament. ### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich Mentioned as 'my Lord'; Pepys dines at his house (the Wardrobe) and discusses Lord Sandwich's sickness and recovery with Lady Sandwich. ### Sir William Penn Sir W. Penn; accompanies Pepys to Walthamstow, carries Pepys to Paul's, and is the target of a counterfeit letter from Pepys about a stolen tankard. ### Sir William Batten Sir W. Batten; accompanies Pepys to Walthamstow, and Pepys hears a story about his wife's infidelity. ### Mr. Creed Mentioned as 'Creed'; Pepys meets him at the Wardrobe and they walk together. ### Mr. Moore Gives Pepys a copy of Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. ## Key lines > Only I hear how nurse's husband has spoken strangely of my Lady Batten how she was such a man's whore, who indeed is known to leave her her estate, which we would fain have reconciled today, but could not and indeed I do believe that the story is true. Pepys hears a rumor that Lady Batten was the mistress of a man who left her his estate, and he believes it to be true. _Reflects the theme of social scandal and gossip._ > they tell me how high the old doctors are in the University over those they found there, though a great deal better scholars than themselves; for which I am very sorry, and, above all, Dr. Gunning. Pepys learns that the older doctors at Cambridge University are domineering over newer scholars who are more learned, which he regrets. _Highlights academic politics and resentment at the university._ > he told me how basely things have been carried in Parliament by the young men, that did labour to oppose all things that were moved by serious men. That they are the most profane swearing fellows that ever he heard in his life, which makes him think that they will spoil all, and bring things into a war again if they can. Roger Pepys criticizes the young members of Parliament for opposing serious proposals and swearing profusely, fearing they will cause another war. _Reflects political tensions and concerns about the stability of the Restoration._ > I spent the whole afternoon drinking with him and so home. This day I counterfeited a letter to Sir W. Penn, as from the thief that stole his tankard lately, only to abuse and laugh at him. Pepys spends the afternoon drinking and then writes a fake letter to Sir W. Penn pretending to be the thief who stole his tankard, as a joke. _Illustrates Pepys's playful and sometimes mischievous nature._ > Troubled in mind that I cannot bring myself to mind my business, but to be so much in love of plays. Pepys is worried because he cannot focus on his work due to his strong attraction to the theatre. _Shows Pepys's internal conflict between duty and pleasure._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1661 - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters