The Diary · Chapter
August 1664 explained
Pepys secures a raise for his clerk T.
What happens
Pepys secures a raise for his clerk T. Hater, discusses the likelihood of a Dutch war, visits the playhouse to see 'Bartholomew Fair' and 'Henry the Fifth', acquires a microscope, and deals with various naval and personal affairs.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys works on contracts for masts and Tangier victualling; discusses Sir W. Batten's dealings and Sir W. Penn's rewards for helping Falconer.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys attends 'Bartholomew Fair' and 'Henry the Fifth'; hears of actor Clun's murder; Killigrew's plan for a nursery.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys secures a £30 raise for Hater, keeps £10; Warren offers to share profits; Pepys buys a microscope for £5 10s.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and protagonist; secures raise for Hater, attends plays, discusses war with Coventry, buys a microscope.
- Sir William Coventry
Moves the Duke to approve Hater's raise; discusses Dutch war with Pepys.
- Sir William Penn
Attends office meetings; his brother dies; offers coach to Epsom; buries brother under communion table.
- Sir William Batten
Present at St. James's; discussed in Warren's gossip about dealings.
- Sir John Minnes
Present at St. James's with Pepys and others.
- Mr. Hewer
T. Hater, the clerk who receives the raise; Pepys tells him the good news.
- Sir W. Warren
Discusses business with Pepys on the Exchange; offers to share dealings.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Mentioned in context of Pepys's concern for his safety at sea.
Key passages
“Mr. Coventry did move the Duke and obtain it that one of the clerkes of the Clerke of the Acts should have an addition of £30 a year, as Mr. Turner hath, which I am glad of, that I may give T. Hater £20 and keep £10 towards a boy's keeping.”
Coventry successfully proposed that one of the clerks under the Clerk of the Acts receive a £30 annual raise, similar to Mr. Turner's; Pepys plans to give £20 to T. Hater and keep £10 for a boy's wages.
Pepys uses his influence to benefit his clerk while also pocketing a portion.
“he fell to talk how everybody must live by their places, and that he was willing, if I desired it, that I should go shares with him in anything that he deals in.”
Warren remarked that everyone must profit from their positions and offered Pepys a share in his business dealings.
Warren hints at a mutually beneficial arrangement, reflecting the era's patronage and corruption.
“the Duke in an anger I never observed in him before, did cry, says he, 'All the world rides us, and I think we shall never ride anybody.'”
The Duke, in an unprecedented outburst, complained that everyone takes advantage of them and they never get the upper hand.
The Duke's frustration highlights tensions over Tangier and English assertiveness.