# October 1667 explained — The Diary > Chapter companion for The Diary by Samuel Pepys. ## What happens Pepys navigates the political and personal turmoil of October 1667, balancing his duties at the Navy Office with the ongoing Parliamentary inquiry into the Chatham disaster. He enjoys domestic pleasures with his wife and new maid, attends a disappointing concert at Whitehall, and observes the declining health of Sir William Batten. The month is marked by intense scrutiny of naval officials, including Lord Brouncker and Commissioner Pett, as Pepys strategizes to protect his own reputation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Naval Administration and Corruption Pepys is deeply involved in Navy accounts and the Parliamentary inquiry, which scrutinizes the actions of officials like Lord Brouncker and Commissioner Pett regarding the Chatham disaster. ### Political Intrigue and Restoration The chapter highlights the political maneuvering in Parliament, with threats of impeachment against Lord Mordaunt and Lord Chancellor, and the investigation into the King's ministers. ### Daily Life and Domesticity Pepys enjoys domestic moments with his wife and new maid, attends a play, and deals with household matters, contrasting with the political turmoil. ## Character check-ins ### Samuel Pepys Busy with office work, Tangier accounts, and Parliamentary inquiries; enjoys domestic life with his wife and new maid. ### Elizabeth Pepys Accompanies Pepys to buy a nightgown and to the play; later sick with colic. ### Sir William Batten Reported to have gone to bed suddenly ill, having looked worse over the past two months. ### Sir William Coventry Walks with Pepys at St. James's, discussing Navy business and showing continued confidence in him. ### Lord Brouncker Under scrutiny in Parliament for advising to shorten sail during the Dutch war; faces potential impeachment. ### Sir William Penn Suffering from gout; involved in Parliamentary proceedings and discussions about the fleet. ### Sir George Carteret Hosts dinners at his house for Navy officers regarding his accounts. ### Mr. Pierce Dines with Pepys and shares gossip about the Marshalls and Nell Gwyn. ## Key lines > God forgive me! I never was so little pleased with a concert of music in my life. The manner of setting of words and repeating them out of order, and that with a number of voices, makes me sick, the whole design of vocall music being lost by it. Pepys was thoroughly displeased with the concert, criticizing the disjointed arrangement of words and voices that ruined the purpose of vocal music. _Pepys expresses his strong dislike for the musical performance at Whitehall, highlighting his discerning taste._ > The woman is a very wise woman, and is very plain in telling me how her plate and jewels are at pawne for money, and how they are forced to live beyond their estate, and do get nothing by his being a courtier. Lady Peterborough candidly described to Pepys how she had pawned her plate and jewels to maintain their lifestyle, gaining no benefit from her husband's court position. _Pepys notes the financial struggles of a courtier's family, revealing the hidden costs of court life._ > I was but one man's whore, though I was brought up in a bawdyhouse to fill strong waters to the guests; and you are a whore to three or four, though a Presbyter's praying daughter! Nell Gwyn retorted to Beck Marshall that she had only one lover, despite her humble upbringing, while Beck was promiscuous despite being a Presbyterian minister's daughter. _A sharp exchange between actresses Nell Gwyn and Beck Marshall, reflecting social and moral tensions in the theatre world._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1667 - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_diary_se/chapters