# March 1664–65 explained — The Diary

> Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

## What happens

Pepys is appointed Treasurer for Tangier with the Duke's approval, receives a character of industry and discretion, and begins settling the business. He also deals with domestic matters, including giving his wife money for clothes, rising early, and managing his household. The chapter includes visits to Gresham College, discussions about the Navy, and interactions with various officials and acquaintances.

## Themes in this chapter

### Naval Administration and Corruption

Pepys's appointment as Treasurer for Tangier and his work on Navy business, including discussions with Coventry about office order.

### Social Ambition and Class

Pepys's joy at being received by persons of rank and his rise in status through the Tangier appointment.

### Daily Life and Domesticity

Domestic scenes including giving wife money for clothes, rising early, and household management.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Pepys

Appointed Treasurer for Tangier, receives Duke's approval, and manages various business and domestic affairs.

### Elizabeth Pepys

Receives £20 for clothes, goes shopping, and begins wearing light-colored locks which vexes Pepys.

### Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich

Pepys visits him to discuss the Duke's support and later dines with him; also discusses potential marriage for Lady Jemimah.

### Mr. Creed

Accompanies Pepys to Povy's house and to the Tangier Committee; involved in business discussions.

### Mr. Povy

Resigns his place as Treasurer for Tangier in favor of Pepys; Pepys finds him silly.

### Sir William Coventry

Professes love and esteem for Pepys; Pepys delivers notes to him for better ordering of office business.

### Sir William Batten

Pepys dines with him and Sir J. Minnes at the Tower; accompanies Pepys to St. James's.

### Sir William Penn

Reported to have carried himself disrespectfully to Lord Sandwich at sea.

## Key lines

> The Duke did direct Secretary Bennet, who was there, to declare his mind to the Tangier Committee, that he approves of me for Treasurer; and with a character of me to be a man whose industry and discretion he would trust soon as any man's in England

The Duke ordered Secretary Bennet to tell the Tangier Committee that he approved Pepys as Treasurer, praising his industry and discretion.

_Pepys records the Duke's public endorsement of his appointment._

> I did pay my admission money, 40 s. to the society.

Pepys paid 40 shillings to become a member of the Royal Society.

_Pepys's formal admission to Gresham College._

> This day my wife begun to wear light-coloured locks, quite white almost, which, though it makes her look very pretty, yet not being natural, vexes me, that I will not have her wear them.

Elizabeth started wearing almost white hairpieces, which Pepys found attractive but disliked because they were not natural.

_Pepys's disapproval of his wife's artificial hair._

## Links

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