The Diary · Chapter
March 1666–67 explained
Pepys grapples with naval financial woes, observes a public effigy for St.
What happens
Pepys grapples with naval financial woes, observes a public effigy for St. David's Day, and navigates tensions at the Navy Office over the Carcasse affair. He also enjoys domestic music lessons with his wife, socializes with the Pierces, and notes the impending peace negotiations at Breda.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with the Carcasse affair, financial shortages, and the distribution of limited funds, highlighting administrative challenges and personal rivalries.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys records domestic scenes: his wife's music lessons, a false alarm about his father's death, and an evening of dancing with friends.
Money, Debt, and Economy
The chapter emphasizes the Navy's financial distress, Pepys's payment of a legacy, and the economic pressures of war.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records his daily activities, including office business, domestic life, and social engagements.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Takes flageolet lessons and sings for Pepys, who becomes frustrated with her ear for music.
- Sir William Batten
Speaks out in the Carcasse hearing and shares a coach home with Pepys.
- Sir William Penn
Brings an order from the Duke of York for a fireship and acts cunningly during the Carcasse dispute.
- Sir George Carteret
Discusses naval finances with Pepys and supports the decision against Carcasse.
- Sir William Coventry
Participates in the Carcasse hearing and sides with Pepys.
- Lord Brouncker
Argues in favor of Carcasse, leading to a public foil that displeases him.
- Mrs. Pierce
Stays with the Pepyses, dining and dancing, along with her husband and witty son James.
Key passages
“Up, it being very cold weather again after a good deal of warm summer weather, and to the office, where I settled to do much business today.”
Pepys rises early in cold weather after a warm spell and heads to the office to handle business.
Opens the chapter with a typical daily routine.
“I do think my wife will take pleasure in it, and it will be easy for her, and pleasant. So I, as I am well content with the charge it will occasion me.”
Pepys believes his wife will enjoy learning the flageolet and is happy to bear the cost.
Reflects Pepys's willingness to invest in his wife's entertainment.
“Poor wretch! her ear is so bad that it made me angry, till the poor wretch cried to see me so vexed at her, that I think I shall not discourage her so much again”
Pepys loses patience with his wife's poor singing ear, but her tears make him resolve to be more encouraging.
Shows Pepys's temper and subsequent remorse in domestic life.
“I cannot but remember that just before dinner one of my people come up to me, and told me a man come from Huntingdon would speak with me, how my heart come into my mouth doubting that my father, who has been long sicke, was dead.”
Pepys's heart races when a messenger from Huntingdon arrives, fearing news of his father's death.
Highlights Pepys's anxiety about his ailing father.
“I hear today that Tom Woodall, the known chirurgeon, is killed at Somerset House by a Frenchman, but the occasion Sir W. Batten could not tell me.”
Pepys learns of surgeon Tom Woodall's murder by a Frenchman at Somerset House, though the motive is unknown.
A brief mention of contemporary violence.
“The month shuts up only with great desires of peace in all of us, and a belief that we shall have a peace, in most people, if a peace can be had on any terms, for there is a necessity of it; for we cannot go on with the war, and our masters are afraid to come to depend upon the good will of the Parliament any more, as I do hear.”
The month ends with widespread hope for peace, as the war is unsustainable and the King fears relying on Parliament.
Summarizes the political and economic pressures for peace.
