The Diary · Chapter
January 1664–65 explained
Pepys begins the new year by reviewing his accounts and expenses, noting significant gains.
What happens
Pepys begins the new year by reviewing his accounts and expenses, noting significant gains. He engages in various personal and professional activities, including visits to Whitehall, a barber, and the Swan, where he has encounters with women. He dines with Lord Brouncker, attends to naval business, and deals with domestic tensions involving his wife Elizabeth and their maid Jane. The chapter also covers his concerns about security after hearing noises at night, his dealings with Sir Philip Warwicke regarding timber, and news of Dutch captures of English colliers. He acquires Hooke's Micrographia, attends a Tangier Committee, and reflects on his health and financial matters.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with timber felling, Tangier Committee disputes, and naval business, reflecting administrative challenges and factionalism.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys meticulously reviews his accounts, gains £50 from a commodity, and worries about money hidden at home.
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
Pepys's encounters with women, his wife's jealousy over a letter, and domestic tensions with Jane highlight gender dynamics and marital strife.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Domestic scenes include a venison pasty, a dog mating, noises on the leads, and disputes over servants, illustrating everyday life.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Reviews his accounts, engages in personal and professional activities, deals with domestic issues, and attends meetings.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Vexes Pepys by making him read a letter about jealousy; disputes with him over maid Jane.
- Sir William Penn
Gives Pepys a ride to Whitehall; present at Sir W. Batten's with disordered talk.
- Sir William Batten
Hosts a gathering with disordered talk; Pepys visits him in the evening.
- Lord Brouncker
Hosts a French dinner with a ballet; later carries Pepys to Mr. Povy's.
- Mr. Povy
Dines with Pepys, shows him Somerset House, and is described as a simple fellow in accounts.
- Sir William Coventry
Walking with Sir Philip Warwicke in St. James's Park; discussed as an enemy by Lord Berkeley.
- Mr. Hewer
Mentioned in the context of Pepys's office work.
Key passages
“I find myself to have got clear, by that commodity, £50 and something more; and earned it with dear pains and care and issuing of my own money, and saved the King near £100 in it.”
Pepys notes that he earned over £50 from a commodity deal, saving the King nearly £100, but at great personal effort and expense.
Highlights Pepys's financial acumen and the intersection of personal profit and royal service.
“I have made myself debtor to Mr. Povy for the £117 5 s. got with so much joy the last month, but seeing that it is not like to be kept without some trouble and question, I do even discharge my mind of it.”
Pepys decides to record a debt to Mr. Povy for £117 5s. he gained last month, anticipating future trouble and wanting to clear his conscience.
Reflects Pepys's anxiety about financial impropriety and his desire to avoid future complications.
“I no sooner almost handled his foote but my belly began to be loose and to break wind, and whereas I was in some pain yesterday and t'other day and in fear of more today, I became very well, and so continue.”
Upon touching Sir W. Batten's hare's foot, Pepys's colic pain immediately eased, illustrating the power of superstition and placebo effect.
Shows Pepys's belief in folk remedies and the psychological influence on physical health.
