The Diary · Chapter
January 1665–66 explained
Pepys begins the new year with intense work on his Pursers' business, dictating and copying documents.
What happens
Pepys begins the new year with intense work on his Pursers' business, dictating and copying documents. He enjoys social gatherings with Mrs. Knipp, music, and dancing, but is also preoccupied with the declining plague numbers and the gradual return of life to London. He navigates office politics, secures a victory for Sir W. Warren, and deals with personal and financial matters, including the cancellation of Lord Sandwich's bond. The chapter captures a mix of professional diligence, social pleasure, and the lingering shadow of the plague.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys works extensively on Pursers' business, navigates office politics over mast contracts, and discusses the Act's credit with Sir W. Coventry.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys records domestic details: his wife's toothache, new clothes, and linens, as well as the gradual return of normal city life after the plague.
Theatre and Public Entertainment
Pepys enjoys music and singing with Mrs. Knipp and others, and praises Sir J. Minnes's mimical talents, which would suit the stage.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys manages financial matters including the cancellation of Lord Sandwich's bond, handling of prize goods, and the use of tallies.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Works diligently on Pursers' business, enjoys socializing with Mrs. Knipp, and manages office politics and financial affairs.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Suffers from toothache, shows Pepys her new clothes and linens, and discusses household matters.
- Sir W. Warren
Visits Pepys, provides good discourse, and benefits from Pepys's support in a mast contract dispute.
- Lord Brouncker
Accompanies Pepys to London, engages in office business, and provides merry company.
- Sir John Minnes
Entertains with mimical tricks and is described as an excellent mimic and potential actor.
- Mrs. Knipp
Sings for Pepys, including 'Barbary Allen,' and engages in playful physical intimacy during a coach ride.
- Sir William Coventry
Commends Pepys's paper on Pursers and advises him on the Act's credit.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
His bond with Pepys is cancelled, easing Pepys's financial liability.
Key passages
“Called up by five o'clock, by my order, by Mr. Tooker, who wrote, while I dictated to him, my business of the Pursers; and so, without eating or drinking, till three in the afternoon, and then, to my great content, finished it.”
Pepys rose at 5 AM and dictated his Pursers' business to Mr. Tooker, working without food or drink until 3 PM, when he finished to his satisfaction.
Highlights Pepys's intense work ethic and focus on administrative duties.
“I got into the coach where Mrs. Knipp was and got her upon my knee (the coach being full) and played with her breasts and sung, and at last set her at her house and so good night.”
Pepys joined Mrs. Knipp in a crowded coach, sat her on his lap, fondled her breasts, and sang with her before dropping her off.
Illustrates Pepys's flirtatious and physical relationship with Mrs. Knipp.
“I with my Lord Brouncker and Mrs. Williams by coach with four horses to London, to my Lord's house in Covent-Guarden. But, Lord! what staring to see a nobleman's coach come to town. And porters everywhere bow to us; and such begging of beggars! And a delightful thing it is to see the town full of people again as now it is; and shops begin to open.”
Pepys rode to London in Lord Brouncker's coach, noting the public's awe, the beggars, and the joyful sight of the city repopulating and shops reopening after the plague.
Captures the relief and novelty of London's recovery from the plague.
“I went therefore to Mr. Boreman's for pastime, and there stayed an houre or two talking with him, and reading a discourse about the River of Thames, the reason of its being choked up in several places with shelfes; which is plain is, by the encroachments made upon the River, and running out of causeways into the River at every wood-wharf.”
Pepys visited Mr. Boreman and read a treatise explaining that the Thames is silting up due to encroachments and causeways built at wood-wharves.
Shows Pepys's intellectual curiosity about practical and environmental matters.
“I did give her a serious account how matters stand with me, of favour with the King and Duke, and of danger in reference to my Lord's and Sir G. Carteret's falls, and the dissatisfaction I have heard the Duke of Albemarle hath acknowledged to somebody, among other things, against my Lord Sandwich, that he did bring me into the Navy against his desire and endeavour for another, which was our doting foole Turner.”
Pepys confided in his wife about his precarious position: his favor with the King and Duke, the potential downfall of Lord Sandwich and Sir G. Carteret, and the Duke of Albemarle's resentment that Sandwich appointed Pepys over Turner.
Reveals Pepys's anxiety about political alliances and his own career security.
