The Diary · Chapter
October 1664 explained
Pepys navigates a busy month of naval preparations against the Dutch, personal finances, and family visits.
What happens
Pepys navigates a busy month of naval preparations against the Dutch, personal finances, and family visits. He attends to official duties at St. James's, negotiates contracts with Sir W. Warren, and reports on the Fishery Committee. He travels to Brampton to settle legal business with his father, visits Hinchingbroke to see Lord Sandwich's waterworks, and returns home. He also deals with personal matters, including a visit from Mrs. Lane seeking help for her husband, a quarrel with his wife over his wandering eye, and a launch of a new ship at Woolwich.
Themes in this chapter
Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys is deeply involved in naval contracts, including the timber contract with Sir W. Warren, and preparations against the Dutch.
Social Ambition and Class
Pepys admires the beauty of la belle Boteler at church; Lady Sandwich discusses marriage prospects for Creed.
Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys's visit to Brampton, family interactions, and his wife's anger over his gadding.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Busy with naval preparations, family business at Brampton, and personal interactions.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Angry with Pepys for gadding after beauties; later goes to see the new ship launch.
- Sir William Batten
Accompanies Pepys to St. James's; opposed in contract negotiations with Sir W. Warren.
- Sir William Penn
To go in the same ship with the Duke; Pepys grudge him the honor.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Returns from Portsmouth; Pepys visits him and discusses the Prince's fleet.
- Sir W. Warren
Great contract for timber finalized with Pepys's help.
- Mr. Hewer
Goes with Pepys's wife to see the new ship launch.
- Mr. Creed
Dines with Pepys; Lady Sandwich proposes Mrs. Wright for him.
Key passages
“He tells me, for certain, that offers had been made to the old man, of marriage between the King and his daughter, to have obliged him, but he would not.”
He assures me that proposals were made to Cromwell for a marriage between the King and his daughter to win him over, but he refused.
Discussion of Cromwell's refusal of a royal marriage alliance.
“I saw Sir J. Lawson since his return from sea first this morning, and hear that my Lord Sandwich is come from Portsmouth to town.”
I saw Sir J. Lawson for the first time since his return from sea, and I heard that Lord Sandwich has arrived from Portsmouth.
Pepys notes the return of key naval figures.
“We go now on with great vigour in preparing against the Dutch, who, they say, will now fall upon us without doubt upon this high news come of our beating them so wholly in Guinea.”
We are now vigorously preparing for war with the Dutch, who are expected to attack us after news of our decisive victory in Guinea.
Heightened war preparations following the Guinea victory.