The Diary · Chapter
August 1665 explained
Pepys documents the escalating Great Plague in London, with death tolls rising to over 6,000 per week, the city becoming desolate, and his own preparations to move to Woolwich.
What happens
Pepys documents the escalating Great Plague in London, with death tolls rising to over 6,000 per week, the city becoming desolate, and his own preparations to move to Woolwich. He settles his accounts, finding himself worth over £2,180, and notes the fleet's departure to engage the Dutch, with personal concern for Lord Sandwich. Domestic tensions arise with his wife and maid Mercer, while he engages in official duties and plague prevention discussions.
Themes in this chapter
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys meticulously settles his accounts, finding himself worth over £2,180, with £1,800 in cash at home, reflecting his financial prudence amid the plague.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys manages household moves, domestic disputes with his wife and maid Mercer, and the logistics of living between Woolwich and London.
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys continues his naval office duties, discusses fleet movements, and participates in plague prevention meetings for naval towns.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records the plague's devastation, settles accounts, moves to Woolwich, and worries about the fleet and Lord Sandwich.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Has a difference with maid Mercer; Pepys meets her at Woolwich with her painter and maids.
- Sir George Carteret
Hosts Pepys at Deptford, lends him a horse, and discusses marriage portion settlement.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys takes leave of Lady Sandwich; fleet goes out again under his command, raising Pepys's hopes and fears.
- Lord Brouncker
Visits Woolwich with Commissioner Pett and a lady; Pepys meets him there.
- Mr. Hewer
Brings Pepys £119 for office disbursements and shows him a letter about the dispute between Elizabeth and Mercer.
- Sir William Coventry
Mentioned in the context of the fleet and naval affairs.
Key passages
“I did find myself really worth £1,900, for which the great God of Heaven and Earth be praised!”
Pepys calculates his net worth at £1,900 and thanks God for his prosperity.
Reflects his financial self-assessment and gratitude.
“the plague having a great increase this week, beyond all expectation of almost 2,000, making the general Bill 7,000, odd 100; and the plague above 6,000.”
The plague's weekly death toll exceeds 6,000, with the total bill over 7,000, shocking everyone.
Highlights the severity of the plague's escalation.
“Thus this month ends with great sadness upon the public, through the greatness of the plague everywhere through the kingdom almost.”
August ends with widespread grief due to the plague's devastation across the kingdom.
Summarizes the month's somber mood.