February 1665–66 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys attends meetings to state Navy debts to the Duke, and discusses the political fallout between Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Coventry.

• Money, Debt, and Economy

  Pepys settles accounts with Alderman Backewell and Sir Robert Viner, leaves £2,000 on call, and budgets £10 for new books.

• Daily Life and Domesticity

  Pepys and his wife attend church together for the first time since the plague; they look over plate, buy a silver drudger, and discuss Pall's marriage prospects.

• Religion and Sectarian Conflict

  Pepys notes a Jewish messianic prophecy and the expectation that 1666 would be a year of great action, referencing a book about the mark of the beast.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Records his daily activities, financial settlements, and political maneuvering; attends church for the first time since the plague.

• Elizabeth Pepys

  Goes abroad to buy things and visit her parents; draws Mr. Hill as her Valentine; sits for her portrait by Hales.

• Sir William Coventry

  Attends the office for the first time since before the plague; is seen as striking at all and causing trouble for Sir G. Carteret.

• Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

  Returns to town with the King and Duke; gives Pepys studied thanks for his kindness; discusses Sir G. Carteret's difficulties.

• Sir George Carteret

  Faces public jeering and cries out about Sir W. Coventry's attacks; meets with Pepys and others about Navy debts.

• Lord Brouncker

  Dines with Pepys and Captain Cocke; Pepys rides with him and his mistress Madam Williams.

• Sir W. Warren

  Pepys talks with him at the tavern about business.

• Mr. Hill

  Sups with Pepys and his wife; is drawn as Elizabeth's Valentine; accompanies Pepys to Lord Sandwich's.

Key passages

• “The great wound I had Wednesday last in my thumb having with once dressing by Mrs. Turner’s balsam been perfectly cured, whereas I did not hope to save my nail, whatever else ill it did give me.”

  The serious wound on my thumb from last Wednesday was completely healed after just one application of Mrs. Turner's balm, even though I had expected to lose the nail and suffer other harm.

  Pepys marvels at the rapid healing of his thumb wound.

• “I find by him that Sir G. Carteret has a worse game to play than my Lord Sandwich, for people are jeering at him, and he cries out of the business of Sir W. Coventry, who strikes at all and do all.”

  I learned from Lord Sandwich that Sir G. Carteret faces a more difficult situation than he does, as people mock Carteret and he complains about Sir W. Coventry's aggressive actions against everyone.

  Pepys observes the political troubles of Sir G. Carteret.

• “Ill news this night that the plague is increased this week, and in many places else about the town, and at Chatham and elsewhere.”

  Bad news arrived tonight that the plague has risen this week, spreading in many areas around the town, as well as in Chatham and other places.

  Pepys records a worrying increase in plague cases.

• “Here I am told for certain, what I have heard once or twice already, of a Jew in town, that in the name of the rest do offer to give any man £10 to be paid £100, if a certain person now at Smyrna be within these two years owned by all the Princes of the East, and particularly the grand Signor as the King of the world, in the same manner we do the King of England here, and that this man is the true Messiah.”

  I am now reliably informed of a Jew in London who, on behalf of others, offers anyone £10 now in exchange for £100 later if a certain person in Smyrna is acknowledged within two years by all Eastern princes, including the Sultan, as the King of the World, just as we recognize the King of England, and that this man is the true Messiah.

  Pepys hears of a messianic prophecy involving a figure in Smyrna.