Reviews for The Diary of Samuel Pepys 1667

The average rating for The Diary of Samuel Pepys 1667 based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-01-04 00:00:00 Kathleen Horn Sam's 1667 diary is his longest. This is indeed a busy year. On the family front, Sam's mother passes away. On the work front, Sam's career is in jeopardy. Given a poor showing in the war with the Dutch, there's much finger-pointing in Parliament; some of those fingers point uncomfortably close to Sam's station. The search is on for those responsible for the notable English incompetencies. Sensing danger, Sam sends his lucre for safe keeping out of town. Once the coast is clear, there's humour in reading of Sam's recovery effort; his father buried Sam's wealth; one of the bags broke, scattering gold about; Sam tries his best to dig up his cherished wealth at night without calling unwanted attention. To lessen the scrutiny on his doings, Sam resigns his Navy victualling post, foregoing the £300 annual income attendant to that position. I believe 1667 finds Sam at his most lecherous; he has a rush of dalliances. He's also mad for the theatre, despite a few solemn vows to refrain from public entertainment. Sam's aging dog, Fancy, makes a surprising reappearance; I thought Sam lost the dog on a walk some time ago? Just what will 1668 bring for our enterprising, most human, friend?

Review # 2 was written on 2021-02-10 00:00:00 Eric Fix 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...