The Diary · Chapter
November 1665 explained
Pepys navigates professional duties and personal reflections amid the waning plague.
What happens
Pepys navigates professional duties and personal reflections amid the waning plague. He discusses merit versus favor, inspects naval affairs at Erith, visits the Fleet, and enjoys social calls with Evelyn and others. He also manages prize goods disputes, prepares to return home, and rejoices in the declining plague numbers.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys manages victualling, prize goods disputes, and Tangier boats, highlighting the intersection of duty and personal profit.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys marvels at his rise from mean beginnings and the respect he receives, reflecting on merit versus favor.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys and Elizabeth prepare to return home as the plague abates, dealing with lodgings and household goods.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Reflects on his rise by chance and diligence, manages victualling business, and navigates court factions.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Returns to Greenwich lodgings and helps prepare goods for moving back home.
- Sir William Batten
Accompanies Pepys to Erith and Mrs. Williams's lodgings for Lord Brouncker's birthday.
- Lord Brouncker
Celebrates his birthday with green ribands and hosts Pepys at Erith.
- Captain Cocke
Dines with Pepys, discusses prize goods and the King's matters, and travels with him.
- Sir W. Warren
Settles the Tangier boats business with Pepys, yielding over £100 profit.
- Mr. Evelyn
Shows Pepys a 100-year-old Navy ledger and historical letters; gifts the ledger to Pepys.
- Sir William Coventry
Corresponded with regarding Hambro fleet pilots; envies Lord Sandwich.
Key passages
“how little merit do prevail in the world, but only favour; and that, for myself, chance without merit brought me in; and that diligence only keeps me so”
Merit counts for little; favor and chance got me my position, and hard work keeps me there.
Pepys reflects on his career advancement with Mr. Hill.
“Great joy we have this week in the weekly Bill, it being come to 544 in all, and but 333 of the plague; so that we are encouraged to get to London soon as we can.”
We are overjoyed that the plague deaths have dropped to 333, encouraging us to return to London.
Pepys notes the declining plague numbers and plans to move back.
“I sent for little Mrs. Frances Tooker, and after they were gone I sat dallying with her an hour, doing what I would with my hands about her.”
I summoned young Mrs. Frances Tooker and spent an hour fondling her freely.
Pepys records a moment of physical intimacy with Frances Tooker.