The Diary · Chapter
February 1667–68 explained
Pepys juggles mounting professional and personal responsibilities, including Tangier accounts, naval administration, his sister's marriage settlement, and a summons from the Commissioners of Accounts.
What happens
Pepys juggles mounting professional and personal responsibilities, including Tangier accounts, naval administration, his sister's marriage settlement, and a summons from the Commissioners of Accounts. He attends a new play by Etherige, 'She Would if She Could,' and navigates social and political gossip, including the Duke of Buckingham's pardon and the trial of Carr.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with office disputes, the need for money, and the Commissioners of Accounts investigating prize profits.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys arranges his sister's marriage to a plain young man, reflecting social and economic considerations.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys attends 'The Tempest' and 'She Would if She Could,' noting the crowded house and the play's reception.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys worries about his £500 prize profit, pays the sixth £100 for his sister's settlement, and notes the financial strain on the Navy.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Busy with office work, Tangier accounts, and personal affairs; attends the play 'She Would if She Could' and deals with the Commissioners of Accounts.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Takes physick, dines with Pepys, and accompanies him to the play and to Islington.
- Sir William Penn
Exchanges high words with Pepys at the Board; later attends the play with Pepys and Lord Brouncker.
- Roger Pepys
Meets Pepys at Westminster Hall to discuss Mr. Jackson's settlement for Pepys's sister Pall.
- Mr. Creed
Dines with Pepys, cousin Roger, and Mr. Jackson.
- Lord Brouncker
Attends the Duke of York's chamber and later goes to the play with Pepys and Sir W. Penn.
- Captain Cocke
Summoned with Pepys to appear before the Commissioners of Accounts regarding prize business.
Key passages
“I was forced to go to Whitehall in expectation of a Committee for Tangier, but when I come it was put off, and so home again to the office, and sat till past two o’clock; where at the Board some high words passed between Sir W. Penn and I, begun by me, and yielded to by him, I being in the right in finding fault with him for his neglect of duty.”
Pepys went to Whitehall for a Tangier Committee that was canceled, then returned to the office where he quarreled with Sir W. Penn over Penn's negligence.
Highlights Pepys's frustration with office inefficiency and his assertiveness.
“I took pleasure to learn the tune of the seaman’s dance, which I have much desired to be perfect in, and have made myself so.”
Pepys enjoyed learning the seaman's dance tune from 'The Tempest' and mastered it.
Shows Pepys's personal delight in music and theater.
“I find these gentlemen to sit all day, and only eat a bit of bread at noon, and a glass of wine; and are resolved to go through their business with great severity and method.”
Pepys observed the Commissioners of Accounts working diligently with sparse meals, determined to be thorough.
Reflects the rigorous approach of the Commissioners.
“The great talk is of Carr’s coming off in all his trials, to the disgrace of my Lord Gerard, to that degree, and the ripping up of so many notorious rogueries and cheats of my Lord’s, that my Lord, it is thought, will be ruined.”
Carr's acquittal in his trials exposed Lord Gerard's many frauds, likely ruining Gerard's reputation.
Illustrates the political scandal and public gossip of the time.
