The Diary · Chapter
December 1661 explained
In December 1661, Pepys records his daily life, including church attendance, social visits, and naval office work.
What happens
In December 1661, Pepys records his daily life, including church attendance, social visits, and naval office work. He dines with friends, attends plays, and deals with household disputes. He also notes the arrest of old statesmen on suspicion of a plot, and continues his efforts to secure a wife for his brother Tom. The month ends with Christmas celebrations and a dinner with Exchequer acquaintances.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys engages in paying off ships and preparing estimates of Navy debts, highlighting the bureaucratic and financial aspects of naval management.
Daily Life and Domesticity
The chapter details Pepys's household routines, including disputes over meat, visits to the painter, and Christmas dinners.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys's interactions with Lady Wright about fashion and his efforts to arrange his brother's marriage reflect social aspirations and class distinctions.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The arrest of old statesmen and Pepys's commentary on the treatment of Cavaliers underscore the political climate of the Restoration era.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and protagonist; attends church, office, and social events; manages household and brother's marriage plans.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; attends church, socializes with neighbors, and has domestic disputes with Pepys over household sluttery.
- Sir William Penn
Naval colleague; dines with Pepys, plays cards, and accompanies him to Moorfields and the Treasury office.
- Mr. Moore
Friend and associate; dines with Pepys, accompanies him to the Temple and Privy Seal, and assists with business.
- Captain Cocke
Gave girkins to Mrs. Pepys; appears half-drunk at Sir W. Penn's supper on Christmas.
- Roger Pepys
Cousin; mentioned in the context of family and legal matters.
- Sir William Batten
Naval colleague; accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and the office.
- Mr. Creed
Appears in Pepys's dream about pain; also mentioned in other contexts.
Key passages
“There hath lately been great clapping up of some old statesmen, such as Ireton, Moyer, and others, and they say, upon a great plot, but I believe no such thing; but it is but justice that they should be served as they served the poor Cavaliers; and I believe it will oftentimes be so as long as I live, whether there be cause or no.”
Recently, several former statesmen like Ireton and Moyer have been arrested, supposedly for a major conspiracy, but Pepys doubts it. He thinks it's fair punishment for how they treated the Royalists, and expects such actions to continue regardless of actual guilt.
Pepys reflects on the political retribution against former Parliamentarians after the Restoration.
“I did offer to give the school what books he would choose of £5.”
Pepys offered to donate books worth five pounds to Paul's School, as chosen by the master.
Pepys's charitable gesture toward the school reflects his interest in education and patronage.
“I made them a foolish promise to give them one this day twelvemonth, and so forever while I live, but I do not intend it.”
Pepys made a rash promise to host a similar dinner every year, but he does not plan to keep it.
Pepys acknowledges his insincere promise to his Exchequer friends, showing his social maneuvering.
