The Diary · Chapter
March 1664–65 explained
Pepys is appointed Treasurer for Tangier with the Duke's approval, receives a character of industry and discretion, and begins settling the business.
What happens
Pepys is appointed Treasurer for Tangier with the Duke's approval, receives a character of industry and discretion, and begins settling the business. He also deals with domestic matters, including giving his wife money for clothes, rising early, and managing his household. The chapter includes visits to Gresham College, discussions about the Navy, and interactions with various officials and acquaintances.
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 Rising action.
- 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's appointment as Treasurer for Tangier and his work on Navy business, including discussions with Coventry about office order.
- Social Ambition and Class
Pepys's joy at being received by persons of rank and his rise in status through the Tangier appointment.
- Daily Life and Domesticity
Domestic scenes including giving wife money for clothes, rising early, and household management.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Pepys
Appointed Treasurer for Tangier, receives Duke's approval, and manages various business and domestic affairs.
- Elizabeth Pepys
Receives £20 for clothes, goes shopping, and begins wearing light-colored locks which vexes Pepys.
- Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich
Pepys visits him to discuss the Duke's support and later dines with him; also discusses potential marriage for Lady Jemimah.
- Mr. Creed
Accompanies Pepys to Povy's house and to the Tangier Committee; involved in business discussions.
- Mr. Povy
Resigns his place as Treasurer for Tangier in favor of Pepys; Pepys finds him silly.
- Sir William Coventry
Professes love and esteem for Pepys; Pepys delivers notes to him for better ordering of office business.
- Sir William Batten
Pepys dines with him and Sir J. Minnes at the Tower; accompanies Pepys to St. James's.
- Sir William Penn
Reported to have carried himself disrespectfully to Lord Sandwich at sea.
Key passages
“The Duke did direct Secretary Bennet, who was there, to declare his mind to the Tangier Committee, that he approves of me for Treasurer; and with a character of me to be a man whose industry and discretion he would trust soon as any man's in England”
The Duke ordered Secretary Bennet to tell the Tangier Committee that he approved Pepys as Treasurer, praising his industry and discretion.
Pepys records the Duke's public endorsement of his appointment.
“I did pay my admission money, 40 s. to the society.”
Pepys paid 40 shillings to become a member of the Royal Society.
Pepys's formal admission to Gresham College.
“This day my wife begun to wear light-coloured locks, quite white almost, which, though it makes her look very pretty, yet not being natural, vexes me, that I will not have her wear them.”
Elizabeth started wearing almost white hairpieces, which Pepys found attractive but disliked because they were not natural.
Pepys's disapproval of his wife's artificial hair.
