Matthew Arnold Book

The longest of Sam's diaries and I can see why, it was a testing year to say the least.

It begins, as per usual, with Sam's empty promises to not go to the theatre and then breaking that promise, but all worth it as he gets to kiss the actress Nell Gwyn. He declares that his belly is "full with plays, that I do intend to bind myself to see no more till Michaelmas" , yet he's back to the theatre 2 days later. He even buys his wife an expensive watch to make up for all the frolicking.

The Navy's fiscal stress due to war with the Dutch is felt throughout the year, but at least the Lord of Sandwich had achieved peace with Spain and is ordered home to take control of the fleets.

There is much abuzz as preparations are on the way to rebuild the City, the King is most pleased, but obvious conflicts between various organisations slow the process down considerably, so much so that Sam himself wonders if the City will ever be rebuilt.

This year, Samuel's mother passes away, he pays for her mourning expenses and is relieved that his father and brother are in better condition.

While the Navy continues to struggle about how to pay their creditors, Sam finds himself flush enough in his own finances to start planning to get a coach of his own and a stable to house it in. He enjoys a great gossip session with Mrs. Turner, who dishes on the Lord Brouncker, his whore Mrs. Williams and "the most false fellow" Sir W. Pen.

As the Dutch attack relentlessly and the political fallout continues, Sam sends Elizabeth to the countryside to hide his money and makes a will, leaving everything to her and his father.

In October, Sir W. Batten passes away and Samuel is left rather lonely to deal with the Committee that is looking into the miscarriages made during the war, he loses sleep over it and frets for days.

This year, Samuel visits a spectacle maker, as his eyes continue to bother him. I feel a strange kind of sadness, knowing what's to come from it...