The Diary · Chapter
November 1667 explained
Pepys navigates personal and political anxieties, from a suspected burglary that turns out to be chimney sweeping to the ongoing parliamentary conflict over Lord Clarendon.
What happens
Pepys navigates personal and political anxieties, from a suspected burglary that turns out to be chimney sweeping to the ongoing parliamentary conflict over Lord Clarendon. He receives a gift of fifty pieces from Mr. Warren as a token of gratitude for past favors, attends a play with his wife, and reflects on the precarious state of the kingdom.
Themes in this chapter
Political Intrigue and Restoration
The chapter is steeped in political uncertainty, with the Houses at odds over Lord Clarendon and fears of a return to Commonwealth rule.
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys's dealings with Warren over payments for ship passes highlight the informal economy of favors within naval administration.
Daily Life and Domesticity
The domestic scare over a noise in the night, later explained as chimney sweeping, illustrates the everyday anxieties of household life.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and central figure; manages office duties, receives payment from Warren, attends play, and experiences a fright over a noise in the house.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Pepys's wife; accompanies him to the King's playhouse and shares his alarm during the early morning noise.
- Sir William Penn
Walks with Pepys and discusses the likelihood of the Houses failing to agree after their free conference.
- Sir W. Warren
Visits Pepys to pay a debt of fifty pieces for past assistance in getting his ship out.
- Lord Brouncker
Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall to see the Duke of York, but they are unable to speak with him.
- Sir John Minnes
Part of the group that goes to Whitehall; his chimney is the source of the noise that frightens Pepys.
- Sir William Coventry
Mentioned as the recipient of a letter from Pepys regarding a pass for Warren's ship.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Subject of Sir John Chichly's intended testimony before the Committee, which is expected to be harmless to him.
Key passages
“so that he fears that there may be some bad thing which they have a mind to broach, which they dare not do without more security than they now have. God keep us, for things look mighty ill!”
He worries that some harmful scheme is being planned, but they lack the confidence to proceed. May God protect us, for the situation appears very dire.
Pepys expresses his anxiety about the political climate and potential conspiracies.
“I remember what Mr. Evelyn said, that he did believe we should soon see ourselves fall into a Commonwealth again.”
I recall Mr. Evelyn's prediction that we might soon find ourselves back in a republican form of government.
A reflection on the fear that the monarchy might collapse and the Commonwealth be restored.
“It is one of the most extraordinary accidents in my life, and gives ground to think of Don Quixote’s adventures how people may be surprised”
This is one of the most remarkable incidents I have ever experienced, and it makes me think of Don Quixote's tales of how easily people can be startled.
Pepys compares his fright over the noise to the fantastical adventures in Don Quixote.
