Samuel Pepys, author of the incomparable “Diary,” was born either in London or at Brampton, Huntingdonshire, on February 23, 1632-3, son of John Pepys, a London tailor.  By the influence of the Earl of Sandwich, he was entered in the public service.  Beginning as a clerk in the Exchequer, he was soon transferred to the Naval Department, and rose to the high office of secretary to the Admiralty.  His services were interrupted for a time, on the baseless suspicion that he was a Catholic, during the panic about the supposed “Popish Plot,” but he was returned to his charge, and held it until the accession of William and Mary.  Pepys was a man of very wide interests.  He was a member of parliament, and became president of the Royal Society.  He was an accomplished musician and a keen critic of painting, architecture, and the drama.  But it is as a connoisseur of human nature that Pepys is known to-day.  The “Diary” extended over the ten years, January, 1659-60, to May, 1669; it closed when he was thirty-seven years old, and he lived thirty-four years afterwards.  The manuscript, written in shorthand, fills six volumes, which repose at Magdalene College, Cambridge.  It was deciphered in 1825, when it was published as “Memoirs of Samuel Pepys, comprising his Diary from 1659 to 1669, deciphered by the Rev. J. Smith, and a Selection of his Private Correspondence, edited by Lord Braybrooke.”  Pepys died on May 26, 1703.

I.—­“God Bless King Charles"

January 1, 1659-60.  Blessed be God, at the end of last year I was in very good health, without any sense of my old pain, but upon taking of cold.  I lived in Axe Yard, having my wife and servant, Jane, and no other in family than us three.

The condition of the state was thus:  the Rump, after being disturbed by my Lord Lambert, was lately returned to sit again.  The officers of the army all forced to yield.  Lawson still lies in the river, and Monk is with his army in Scotland.  The New Common Council of the City do speak very high; and had sent to Monk their sword-bearer, to acquaint him with their desires for a free and full parliament, which is at present the desires, and the hopes, and the expectations of all.  My own private condition very handsome, and esteemed rich, but indeed very poor; besides my goods of my house, and my office, which at present is somewhat certain.

March 9, 1660. To my lord at his lodging, and came to Westminster with him in the coach; and I telling him that I was willing and ready to go with him to sea, he agreed that I should.  I hear that it is resolved privately that a treaty be offered with the king.

May 1. To-day I hear they were very merry at Deal, setting up the king’s flag upon one of their maypoles, and drinking his health upon their knees in the streets, and firing the guns, which the soldiers of the castle threatened, but durst not oppose.