July 1663 explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Political Intrigue and Restoration

  Lord Bristol's speech to the Commons, the Lords' judgment on articles against the Chancellor, and the King's message highlight court and parliamentary maneuvering.

• Naval Administration and Corruption

  Pepys inspects Woolwich and Greenwich for naval matters, discusses ship drafts with Mr. Deane, and deals with accounts involving Sir G. Carteret.

• Daily Life and Domesticity

  Pepys records church attendance, vows against strong drink, family visits, his brother's building plans, and domestic irritations with servants.

• Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

  Observations of the Queen, Lady Castlemaine, and Mrs. Stewart at court, including the King's coldness toward Castlemaine and Pepys's own fantasies.

Characters to notice

• Samuel Pepys

  Narrates his daily activities, including church, office work, visits to Woolwich and Greenwich, and court observations.

• Sir William Batten

  Dines with Pepys at Mr. Castle's house, accompanies him to the office, and reports on Lord Bristol's speech in the Commons.

• Sir John Minnes

  Dines with Pepys at Mr. Castle's house and accompanies him to the office.

• Captain Cocke

  Dines with Pepys at his house, offering him aged Malago Sack; his lady is consumptive.

• Mr. Creed

  Lodges with Pepys and discusses disputed accounts involving Sir G. Carteret.

• Sir William Coventry

  Pepys discourses with him at St. James's, noting their good understanding.

• Roger Pepys

  Pepys intends to meet him at Thomas Pepys's house; mentioned in the context of family visits.

• Mrs. Turner

  Pepys shares with her and others the story of being frightened at Chatham.

Key passages

• “I fell to read over a silly play writ by a person of honour (which is, I find, as much as to say a coxcomb), called Love à la Mode”

  Pepys reads a play he considers foolish, written by a nobleman, and dismisses it as the work of a conceited fool.

  Reflects Pepys's critical view of amateur aristocratic writing.

• “With much ado obtained an excuse from drinking of wine, and did only taste a drop of Sack which he had for his lady, who is, he fears, a little consumptive, and her beauty begins to want its colour.”

  Pepys manages to avoid drinking wine, except for a tiny taste of an old sack wine that Captain Cocke keeps for his ailing wife.

  Shows Pepys's attempt to keep his vow and his observation of Mrs. Cocke's declining health.

• “I rose and ranted at Will and the maid, and swore I could find my heart to kick them down stairs, which the maid mumbled at mightily.”

  Pepys wakes up angry and yells at his servant Will and the maid, threatening to kick them downstairs, which the maid resents.

  Illustrates Pepys's temper and domestic tensions.

• “how my blood did rise in my face, and I fell into a sweat from my old jealousy and hate, which I pray God remove from me.”

  Seeing a man who resembles Mr. Pembleton triggers intense jealousy and anger in Pepys, which he prays to overcome.

  Reveals Pepys's lingering jealousy regarding his wife's former dancing master.

• “Mrs. Stewart in this dress, with her hat cocked and a red plume, with her sweet eye, little Roman nose, and excellent taille, is now the greatest beauty I ever saw, I think, in my life; and, if ever woman can, do exceed my Lady Castlemaine”

  Pepys declares Mrs. Stewart the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, surpassing even Lady Castlemaine in her current attire.

  Highlights Pepys's aesthetic admiration and court fashion.