The Diary of Samuel Pepys

“For these two or three days I have been much troubled with thoughts how to get money […]”

Getting and keeping money is a constant preoccupation with Pepys. He frequently reports “doing his accounts” and tallying up his earnings, which increase throughout the course of the Diary. Pepys must frequently remind himself to live more frugally so as to save money for a better future for himself and his wife.

“Every body now drinks the King’s health without any fear, whereas before it was very private that man dare do it.”

King Charles II’s return from exile causes general rejoicing among the English people. This shows that they secretly wanted the king to return and were not content with the Puritan Commonwealth under which they lived for 11 years from 1649 to 1660. The quote implies that sympathy for the king and monarchy was not encouraged under the republican Cromwell regime and that certain repressive measures were in force.

“But among all the beauties there my wife was thought the greatest.”

At a fancy wedding with noble guests, Elizabeth shines as the most beautiful. Pepys frequently expresses his admiration of his wife’s beauty and reports other people remarking on the same. Although Pepys lives in a socially stratified society, it is typical of him to elevate the common to the same level as the noble. The quote also bears witness to his deep-down love for his wife, despite some of his actions.