The Diary · Chapter
October 1663 explained
Pepys deals with naval administration disputes, personal health issues, and domestic improvements.
What happens
Pepys deals with naval administration disputes, personal health issues, and domestic improvements. He clashes with Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten over contracts and accounts, while also managing his household's cleaning and his wife's closet decoration. His physical pain from constipation and wind troubles him, leading him to seek treatment from Mr. Holliard.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys engages in disputes over contracts, accounts, and salaries, highlighting inefficiency and potential corruption in the Navy Office.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys details his wife's hanging of closet hangings, household cleaning, and his own health struggles with constipation and pain.
Money, Debt, and Economy
Discussions of Cocke's commission reduction, salary increases, and the cost of timber contracts reflect financial concerns.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Narrator and central figure; deals with office disputes, health issues, and domestic affairs.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Occupied with hanging her closet and managing household cleaning.
- Sir William Batten
Accused by Pepys of suspicious dealings and opposed Sir J. Minnes's salary increase.
- Sir John Minnes
Clashed with Pepys over contracts; defended Cocke's account and demanded salary increase.
- Sir William Penn
Discussed Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten with Pepys.
- Mr. Creed
Walked with Pepys and discussed Tangier affairs and Lord Sandwich's plans.
- Captain Cocke
His second account was examined and reduced at the board.
- Mr. Hewer
Mentioned as Will, Pepys's servant, who is drooping and causing concern.
Key passages
“my wife all day putting up her hangings in her closet, which she do very prettily herself with her own hand, to my great content.”
Elizabeth spent the day hanging decorations in her closet herself, which pleased Pepys greatly.
Domestic contentment and Elizabeth's handiwork.
“Sir J. Minnes did boldly assert the truth of it, and that he had examined it, when there is no such thing, but many vouchers, upon examination, missing”
Sir J. Minnes falsely claimed to have verified Cocke's account, but many supporting documents were missing.
Highlighting incompetence or dishonesty in the Navy Office.
“I did say it was the most cautious and as good a contract as had been made here, and the only [one] that had been in such terms.”
Pepys defended the contract with Warren as one of the best and most carefully made.
Pepys's pride in his contractual work.
“my pain continued on me mightily that I kept within all day in great pain, and could break no wind nor have any stool after my physic had done working.”
Pepys suffered severe pain from trapped wind and constipation, even after taking medicine.
Pepys's recurring health issues.
