# November 1666 explained — The Diary > Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys. ## What happens Pepys navigates a month of administrative frustration, personal pleasures, and growing despair over the state of the Navy and the war. He receives a noble cake from a smith's wife, visits Betty Michell, and engages in intimate encounters with Mrs. Bagwell. He discusses the King's service with Sir W. Coventry, who shares his melancholy about lost discipline and impending ruin. Pepys inspects the French prize ship Ruby, buys apples and pork, and enjoys reading plays. He acquires a varnished print of the Passion and a new vest, coat, belt, and sword, which he wears to church. He hears gossip about the Duke of Albemarle's decline and a story about Troutbecke. He drafts a letter on the Navy's ill state, which displeases Sir G. Carteret. He learns of hot words in the House of Lords between Lord Ossory and Ashly. The month ends with Pepys reflecting on the times, the Parliament's slow progress on money, and the general sense that all is lost. ## Themes in this chapter ### Naval Administration and Corruption Pepys and Sir W. Coventry lament lost discipline in the fleet, lack of money, and the need to represent the Navy's ill state to the Duke of York, highlighting administrative decay and corruption. ### Social Ambition and Class Pepys enjoys his new vest and silver-hilted sword, dines with Lady Penn and Mrs. Markham, and receives a cake from a smith's wife, reflecting social climbing and material display. ### Daily Life and Domesticity Pepys records domestic details: hanging a varnished print, buying apples and pork, reading plays, and enjoying conversation with his wife, illustrating the rhythms of everyday life. ## Character check-ins ### Samuel Pepys Pepys records his daily activities, including receiving a cake, visiting Betty Michell, engaging with Mrs. Bagwell, discussing naval affairs with Sir W. Coventry, inspecting the Ruby, buying apples and pork, reading plays, acquiring a varnished print and new vest, and drafting a letter on the Navy's state. ### Elizabeth Pepys Pepys's wife accompanies him to visit Betty Michell and her sick brother, and is present at home for supper and conversation. ### Sir William Coventry Pepys meets with Sir W. Coventry at Whitehall, who is melancholy about the King's service, lost discipline in the fleet, and the need to represent matters plainly to the Duke of York. ### Sir William Batten Pepys goes with Sir W. Batten to Woolwich and Deptford to inspect the Ruby and other yards, and later signs a letter drafted by Pepys despite being in a huff. ### Sir George Carteret Pepys walks with Sir G. Carteret, who is displeased with Pepys's letter on the Navy's ill state, and shows him a cipher letter from Lord Sandwich. ### Captain Cocke Captain Cocke visits Pepys for melancholy discourse on the times, and later comes half-drunk to sit with Pepys and his wife. ### Mr. Hewer W. Hewer accompanies Pepys to write over a letter fair, and is present at home with Mercer. ### Mr. Sheply Mr. Sheply calls on Pepys before going into the country to Hinchingbroke, and Pepys sends his service to my Lady. ## Key lines > I do not enjoy myself as I would and should do in my employment if my pains could do the King better service, and with the peace that we used to do it. Pepys feels dissatisfied with his job because his efforts are not serving the King effectively, and he misses the peace he once had. _Pepys expresses frustration with the lack of productive work at the Navy Office due to money shortages._ > He says the House goes on slowly in finding of money, and that the discontented party do say they have not done with us, for they will have a further bout with us as to our accounts, and they are exceedingly well instructed where to hit us. Sir W. Coventry reports that Parliament is slow to raise funds, and the opposition plans to attack the Navy Board's accounts, knowing exactly where to strike. _This reflects the political pressure on Pepys and the Navy Board from Parliament._ > The King’s Italian here is about setting three parts for trumpets, and shall teach some to sound them, and believes they will be admirable music. The King's Italian musician is composing music for trumpets in three parts and will teach others to play them, promising excellent music. _Pepys notes a cultural development in court music._ > We fear, if we had it, as matters are now managed, we shall never make the best of it, but consume it all to no purpose or a bad one. Pepys and Captain Cocke worry that even if Parliament grants money, mismanagement will waste it without achieving anything useful. _This highlights the pervasive pessimism about the war effort._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1666 - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters