# January 1664–65 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1664-65
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters