The Diary · Chapter
January 1659–60 explained
Pepys opens the new year reflecting on his health, household, and the uncertain political state of the Rump Parliament, with General Monk in Scotland and Lambert out of favor.
What happens
Pepys opens the new year reflecting on his health, household, and the uncertain political state of the Rump Parliament, with General Monk in Scotland and Lambert out of favor. He navigates daily life in London—attending sermons, visiting family, borrowing money, and socializing—while closely following the political maneuvers and rumors that hint at the impending Restoration.
Themes in this chapter
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The chapter is steeped in political uncertainty: the Rump's return, Lambert's defiance, Monk's ambiguous stance, and the push for a free Parliament all foreshadow the Restoration.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys records mundane domestic details—burning a turkey, borrowing money, playing cribbage, and dealing with a lack of coal—grounding the political drama in everyday life.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys frequently notes his financial struggles, borrowing £10, worrying about debts, and the uncertainty of his office's salary.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and protagonist; records his health, finances, and political observations.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; burns her hand while cooking, visits family, and plays cards.
- Mr. Sheply
Lord Sandwich's steward; gives Pepys a dozen bottles of sack and discusses Lord's orders.
- Mr. Creed
Mentions a love interest and seeks Pepys's help in reconciling with her.
- Mrs. Turner
Visits Pepys with Madame Morrice and Joyce; plays cards and dines at his home.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys's patron; his lodgings and letters are mentioned, and he sends gifts of sack.
- Mr. Downing
Pepys's master at the office; secures Pepys a clerkship of the Council.
- Roger Pepys
Pepys's cousin; mentioned in the context of family and financial matters.
Key passages
“Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain, but upon taking of cold.”
Pepys thanks God that he ended the previous year in good health, free from his usual pain except when he caught a cold.
Pepys opens the diary with a health report, a recurring theme in his entries.
“The condition of the State was thus; viz. the Rump, after being disturbed by my Lord Lambert, was lately returned to sit again.”
Pepys summarizes the political situation: the Rump Parliament had resumed sitting after being disrupted by Lord Lambert.
This sets the political context for the chapter, highlighting the instability of the Commonwealth.
“My own private condition very handsome, and esteemed rich, but indeed very poor; besides my goods of my house, and my office, which at present is somewhat uncertain.”
Pepys notes that he appears well-off and is considered rich, but in reality he is poor, with only his household goods and an uncertain office position.
Pepys contrasts his public reputation with his private financial insecurity.
“All the world is at a loss to think what Monk will do: the City saying that he will be for them, and the Parliament saying he will be for them.”
Everyone is uncertain about General Monk's intentions: the City believes he will support them, while the Parliament thinks he will back them.
This captures the widespread speculation about Monk's allegiance, a key political mystery of the time.
