# July 1665 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys records the escalating plague in London, his domestic and naval administrative duties, and social visits. He notes the death of Sir John Lawson, the King's pleasure at Greenwich, and his own growing wealth and wine collection, while grappling with fears of infection and moral reflections.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys deals with disorder in Portsmouth Yard due to lack of money, and manages office business amid the plague.

### Money, Debt, and Economy

Pepys calculates his savings, notes his wine stock, and discusses payments and bills of exchange.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Pepys organizes his closet, visits his wife at Woolwich, and enjoys social dinners and coach rides.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Narrator; manages office business, visits Mary at the Harp and Ball, settles accounts, and travels to Woolwich to see his wife.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Pepys's wife; stays at Woolwich, and Pepys visits her there on the night of July 8th.

### Sir William Batten

Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and Deptford; dines with him and discusses Sir John Lawson's family.

### Sir John Minnes

Travels with Pepys and Batten to Whitehall on July 3rd.

### Mr. Povy

Discusses Tangier payments with Pepys on July 1st and July 7th.

### Mr. Creed

Talks with Pepys about Tangier business on July 7th.

### Sir George Carteret

Sends word about the agreement between Lord Sandwich and himself; Pepys visits him at Deptford.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Mentioned as sailing with the fleet; his agreement with Carteret is approved by the King and Duke of York.

## Key lines

> Called up betimes, though weary and sleepy, by appointment by Mr. Povy and Colonel Norwood to discourse about some payments of Tangier.

Pepys was woken early by Mr. Povy and Colonel Norwood to discuss Tangier payments.

_Opening of the month's diary, showing Pepys's busy schedule._

> I hear this night that Sir J. Lawson was buried late last night at St. Dunstan's by us, without any company at all, and that the condition of his family is but very poor.

Pepys learns that Sir John Lawson was buried with no mourners and his family is destitute.

_Reflects the social and financial consequences of Lawson's pride._

> Sad at the news that seven or eight houses in Bazing Hall street, are shut up of the plague.

Pepys is distressed to hear that several houses on Bazing Hall Street are quarantined due to plague.

_Indicates the growing impact of the plague on London._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1665
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters