The Diary · Chapter
December 1668 explained
In December 1668, Pepys enjoys the newfound pride of riding in his own coach, attends plays with his wife, and navigates naval administration disputes.
What happens
In December 1668, Pepys enjoys the newfound pride of riding in his own coach, attends plays with his wife, and navigates naval administration disputes. He hears stories from the Duke of York about Spanish soldiers and French naval threats, while also dealing with personal finances, household tensions, and the death of Mr. Clerke.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with Office disputes, the Ticket-Office, and concerns about Navy debts and mismanagement.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys takes great pride in his own coach and fine horses, reflecting his social ascent.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys attends several plays, including 'The Usurper', 'Catiline's Conspiracy', and 'King Harry the Eighth', commenting on their quality.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Pepys records his daily activities, including riding in his own coach for the first time, attending plays, and managing Office business.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife accompanies him to plays and in the new coach; they have a minor quarrel about table linen but reconcile.
- Sir William Coventry
Coventry is mentioned in the context of naval administration and the Duke of York's stories.
- Sir John Minnes
Minnes foolishly complains about the Office before Sir Thomas Littleton, causing trouble.
- Lord Brouncker
Brouncker is referenced in the Ticket-Office dispute.
- Mr. Hewer
Hewer accompanies Pepys on several occasions and reports news about the French King's naval intentions.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Discussed in relation to his prize business being mismanaged by Sir R. Cuttance.
Key passages
“So she and I to the King’s playhouse, and there sat to avoid seeing Knepp in a box above where Mrs. Williams happened to be, and there saw The Usurper; a pretty good play, in all but what is designed to resemble Cromwell and Hugh Peters, which is mighty silly.”
Pepys and his wife went to the King's playhouse, sitting in a box to avoid Knepp, and watched 'The Usurper', which was decent except for its silly portrayal of Cromwell and Hugh Peters.
Pepys comments on the political satire in the play.
“So back home and abroad with my wife, the first time that ever I rode in my own coach, which do make my heart rejoice, and praise God, and pray him to bless it to me and continue it.”
Pepys rode in his own coach for the first time with his wife, feeling great joy and gratitude to God.
A milestone in Pepys's social advancement.
“He told me that he had so good spies, that he hath had the keys taken out of De Witt’s pocket when he was abed, and his closet opened, and papers brought to him, and left in his hands for an hour, and carried back and laid in the place again, and keys put into his pocket again.”
A contact claimed to have spies who could secretly access De Witt's private papers while he slept.
Illustrates espionage and political intrigue of the time.