February 1663–64 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys handles office business, inspects masts, and discusses Dutch threats to English trade, highlighting naval and commercial concerns.

• Social Ambition and Class

  Pepys visits Paul's School, mingles with wits at a coffeehouse, and reflects on his rising wealth and status.

• Daily Life and Domesticity

  Domestic scenes include dinner with venison, a copper kettle dispute, and Jane's comical accident, illustrating everyday life.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Narrator and central figure; manages office business, social visits, and family concerns.

• Elizabeth Pepys

  Pepys's wife; accompanies him on outings, visits her father, and shares news of her brother's departure.

• Roger Pepys

  Cousin; Pepys writes to him about his complaints and later visits him in pain from a boil.

• Mr. Creed

  Meets Pepys at the Exchange; Pepys writes to him about pieces of eight.

• Sir W. Warren

  Discusses business with Pepys at a coffeehouse regarding Wood's affairs.

• Mr. Howe

  Meets Pepys at the Mitre Tavern; discusses Lord Sandwich's reserved behavior.

• Sir William Penn

  Mentioned as giving a horse to the Duke of York, later given away to a Frenchman.

• Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

  Lord Sandwich; Pepys discusses his perceived strangeness with Mr. Howe.

Key passages

• “he wrote to my cousin Roger Pepys, which I hope will make him the more careful to trust to my advice for the time to come without so many needless complaints and jealousies, which are troublesome to me because without reason.”

  Pepys writes to his cousin Roger, hoping he will rely on his advice and stop making baseless complaints.

  Shows Pepys's frustration with family matters and his desire for trust.

• “where he first put on a periwig today; but methought his hair cut short in order thereto did look very prettily of itself, before he put on his periwig.”

  The Duke of York wore a periwig for the first time, and Pepys thought his short hair looked nice even without it.

  Observational detail on court fashion and the Duke's appearance.

• “showing the height that the Dutch are come to there, showing scorn to all the English, even in our only Factory there of Surat, beating several men, and hanging the English Standard St. George under the Dutch flag in scorn;”

  Letters from the East Indies report Dutch arrogance, including assaults on Englishmen and flying the English flag beneath the Dutch one in mockery.

  Highlights rising tensions with the Dutch in colonial trade.

• “I saw two gallants and their footmen taking a pretty wench, which I have much eyed, lately set up shop upon the hill, a seller of riband and gloves. They seek to drag her by some force, but the wench went, and I believe had her turn served, but, God forgive me! what thoughts and wishes I had of being in their place.”

  Pepys observes two men and their servants accosting a shop girl, and admits to lustful thoughts about being in their position.

  Reveals Pepys's private desires and moral self-reflection.

• “where Dryden the poet (I knew at Cambridge), and all the wits of the town, and Harris the player, and Mr. Hoole of our College. And had I had time then, or could at other times, it will be good coming thither, for there, I perceive, is very witty and pleasant discourse.”

  At a coffeehouse, Pepys sees Dryden and other wits, and notes it as a place for clever conversation he hopes to visit again.

  Shows Pepys's appreciation for literary and intellectual company.

• “find myself worth eight hundred and ninety and odd pounds, the greatest sum I ever yet knew, and so with a heart at great case to bed.”

  Pepys calculates his net worth at over £890, his highest ever, and goes to bed content.

  Highlights Pepys's financial success and satisfaction.