The Diary · Chapter
February 1661–62 explained
Pepys balances domestic improvements with naval office duties, receives news of the destruction of the mole at Algiers, attends a festive wedding dinner, deals with legal troubles from a man named Field, and begins composing songs.
What happens
Pepys balances domestic improvements with naval office duties, receives news of the destruction of the mole at Algiers, attends a festive wedding dinner, deals with legal troubles from a man named Field, and begins composing songs. He also navigates family tensions over annuities and office politics.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the news of the impending naval battle throws the Board into…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Naval Administration and Corruption
Pepys deals with office politics, reads the Duke's instructions, and hears of bribery among Treasurer's officers.
- Daily Life and Domesticity
Pepys oversees home renovations, enjoys a wedding feast, and composes songs.
- Money, Debt, and Economy
Pepys discusses annuity with his uncle, plans his wife's clothing budget, and notes corruption in payments.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Records his daily activities, including office work, home improvements, and social engagements.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Accompanies Pepys to church and the theatre; discusses spending £20 on clothes.
- Sir William Penn
Walks with Pepys in the garden, dines with him, and discusses office mismanagement.
- Sir William Batten
Hosts a wedding anniversary dinner with pies and wine; Pepys avoids his daughter on Valentine's Day.
- Sir George Carteret
Joins Pepys and others at the office to read the Duke's instructions.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Sends news of the storm at Algiers and exotic gifts from Captain Hill.
- Mr. Blackburne
Visits Pepys and reports corruption among the Treasurer's officers.
Key passages
“express is come from my Lord with letters, that by a great storm and tempest the mole of Argier is broken down, and many of their ships sunk into the mole. So that God Almighty hath now ended that unlucky business for us; which is very good news.”
A dispatch from Lord Sandwich reports that a storm destroyed the mole at Algiers and sank several ships, ending a troublesome affair.
Pepys views this as providential relief from a costly conflict.
“he do tell me plain of the corruption of all our Treasurer’s officers, and that they hardly pay any money under ten percent; and that the other day, for a mere assignation of £200 to some counties, they took £15 which is very strange.”
Mr. Blackburne reveals that the Treasurer's officers demand a 10% bribe on payments, citing a recent £15 fee on a £200 assignment.
Highlights systemic corruption in naval finances.
“I did this day purposely shun to be seen at Sir W. Batten’s, because I would not have his daughter to be my Valentine, as she was the last year, there being no great friendship between us now, as formerly.”
Pepys avoids Sir William Batten's house to prevent his daughter from choosing him as her Valentine, as their relationship has cooled.
Reflects social maneuvering and personal estrangement.
