The Diary · Chapter
July 1664 explained
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal indiscretions, and a serious political crisis when Lord Chancellor Clarendon accuses him of meddling in timber rights.
What happens
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal indiscretions, and a serious political crisis when Lord Chancellor Clarendon accuses him of meddling in timber rights. He also engages in Tangier victualling negotiations, attends the Royal Fishery committee, and enjoys cultural pursuits like book collecting and music.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with victualling contracts, mast procurement, and the death of a ropeyard official, highlighting the daily workings and ethical gray areas of naval management.
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The timber dispute with Lord Chancellor Clarendon reveals the high-stakes maneuvering and personal loyalties at court, with Pepys fearing for his position.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys's interactions with Creed (accepting gold), his pursuit of Lord Peterborough's promised £50, and his book collecting reflect his social climbing and financial aspirations.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys records personal details such as putting off his linen waistcoat, visiting a barber for a nit-infested periwig, and attending morning prayers at St. Dunstan's.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records his daily activities, including a tryst with a maid, negotiations over Tangier victualling, and a confrontation with Lord Chancellor Clarendon.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Mentioned as preparing to go into the country; Pepys notes they have not lain together due to heat.
- Sir William Batten
Accompanies Pepys to Woolwich ropeyard and learns of Mr. Falconer's death.
- Sir William Coventry
Discusses masts business with Pepys and accompanies him to Blackwall yard.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys takes leave of him before his journey to Deale; later advises Pepys on how to appease Lord Chancellor.
- Sir George Carteret
Confides in Pepys about Lord Chancellor's anger over timber business and plots to serve Lord Sandwich.
- Mr. Creed
Gives Pepys twenty pieces of gold as a token of obligation; takes final leave before following Lord Sandwich.
- Mr. Povy
Shows Pepys his new perspective; asks Pepys to help with victualling contractors, surprising him.
Key passages
“he told me that those of the Mole did promise to consider him”
Povy claimed that the Mole contractors had agreed to reward him.
Reflects the expectation of kickbacks in government contracting.
“I did most ungentlemanlike with him, and had justified the rogues in cutting down a tree of his”
Lord Chancellor accused Pepys of acting rudely and supporting thieves who cut down one of his trees.
Central to the political crisis Pepys faces in this chapter.
“I did own that all I have, is derived through my Lord Sandwich from his Lordship”
Pepys acknowledged that his entire fortune came via Lord Sandwich from Lord Chancellor.
Shows the hierarchical dependency of patronage in Restoration England.
