The Diary · Chapter
March 1665–66 explained
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal finances, and social obligations amid the lingering plague.
What happens
Pepys navigates naval administration, personal finances, and social obligations amid the lingering plague. He deals with tallies and credit issues, enjoys a sitting for his portrait, and notes the marriage of Betty Howlett to young Michell. The chapter captures his return to disciplined business habits and his ongoing concerns about money, health, and reputation.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys engages in Navy business, discusses tallies and credit, and negotiates prize ships; tensions arise between Lord Ashly and Sir W. Coventry over prize ship management.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys borrows money on bond, receives £200 from the Houbland brothers, and deals with tallies in disorder; he also buys books and a silver salt.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys enjoys domestic scenes with his wife and Mercer, welcomes little Tooker, and notes the marriage of Betty Howlett to young Michell.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records his daily activities, business dealings, and personal reflections; resolves to keep stricter vows for business discipline.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Works with Mercer on ruling paper for pursers' books; visits Hales's studio with Pepys.
- Sir William Penn
Pepys notes Penn becoming more supple; they discuss payment of Cocke's bill.
- Lord Brouncker
Accompanies Pepys to Guildhall and to Sir Robert Long; dines with Pepys at the White Horse.
- Mr. Povy
Meets with Pepys to settle Tangier reckonings; later comes by appointment but is turned away.
- Sir W. Warren
Discusses prize ships with Pepys; reports high words between Lord Ashly and Sir W. Coventry.
- Mr. Hill
Sups with Pepys for the last time before leaving; Pepys is sorry to lose his company.
Key passages
“The plague increased this week 29 from 28, though the total fallen from 238 to 207, which do never a whit please me.”
Although the overall death toll dropped, the rise in plague cases from 28 to 29 still worries Pepys.
Pepys's persistent anxiety about the plague despite a slight overall decline.
“I find all our matters of credit to be in an ill condition.”
Pepys discovers that the Navy's financial credit is in a poor state.
Reflects the broader financial troubles of the Navy and the Crown.
“He told me in my ear this night what he and his brothers have resolved to give me, which is £200, for helping them out with two or three ships.”
Mr. James Houbland privately informs Pepys that he and his brothers will give him £200 for his assistance with their shipping business.
A significant personal financial gain for Pepys from his naval connections.