# August 1664 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1664
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters