The Diary · Chapter
February 1668–69 explained
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal finances, and domestic tensions.
What happens
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal finances, and domestic tensions. He attends council meetings, discusses naval reforms with the Duke of York, and deals with his wife Elizabeth's jealousy over a maid. He also visits Lord Sandwich, views a Spanish dancer, and enjoys a play.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys engages in council meetings about balancing storekeeper accounts and discusses naval reforms with the Duke of York.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The King and Buckingham's decision to remove Ormond from Ireland reflects court power struggles.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
Elizabeth's jealousy over maid Jane leads to marital conflict and reconciliation.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys watches a French showman, attends a play, and sees a Spanish dancer.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and central figure; engaged in naval business, social visits, and domestic disputes.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; struggles with jealousy over maid Jane, leading to arguments and reconciliation.
- Lord Brouncker
Attends council with Pepys and discusses the King's decision on Ormond's governorship.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys visits him; his embassy accounts are cut, causing financial concern.
- Sir William Coventry
Pepys visits him for discourse on Navy and public matters; shows old Navy books.
- Mr. Moore
Informs Pepys about Lord Sandwich's reduced embassy accounts.
- Mr. Hewer
Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and other errands.
Key passages
“I was devilish mad at it, to see us thus wounded by our own members, and so away vexed, and called my wife, and to Hercules Pillars, Tom and I, there dined; and here there coming a Frenchman by with his Show, we did make him show it us, which he did just as Lacy acts it, which made it mighty pleasant to me.”
Pepys was furious that their own colleagues were undermining them, so he left angrily, picked up his wife, and went to dine at Hercules Pillars with Tom. A Frenchman with a show entertained them, performing just like the actor Lacy, which Pepys found very amusing.
Pepys vents frustration over internal opposition and finds solace in entertainment.
“But to my great joy he is mighty open to me in everything; and by this means I know his whole mind, and shall be able to secure myself, if he stands.”
Pepys is delighted that the Duke of York confides in him completely, allowing him to understand the Duke's intentions and protect his own position if the Duke remains in power.
Pepys values the Duke of York's trust as a means of self-preservation.
“It was, that she did believe me false to her with Jane, and did rip up three or four silly circumstances of her not rising till I come out of my chamber, and her letting me thereby see her dressing herself; and that I must needs go into her chamber and was naught with her; which was so silly, and so far from truth, that I could not be troubled at it, though I could not wonder at her being troubled, if she had these thoughts, and therefore she would lie from me, and caused sheets to be put on in the blue room, and would have Jane to lie with her lest I should come to her.”
Elizabeth accused Pepys of being unfaithful with the maid Jane, citing trivial incidents like Jane not rising until Pepys left his chamber and him seeing her dress. Pepys dismissed the accusations as absurd but understood her distress. She decided to sleep separately and had Jane stay with her to prevent him from coming to her.
Elizabeth's jealousy leads to a domestic crisis, though Pepys considers it groundless.
