The general details may also, in some
instances, even in their abridged form, be considered as too
minute; nor is it an easy task, in an undertaking of this sort,
to please everybody's taste: my principal study in making the
selection, however, has been to omit nothing of public interest;
and to introduce at the same time a great variety of other
topics, less important, perhaps, put tending in some degree to
illustrate the manners and habits of the age.
In justice to Mr. Pepys's literary reputation, the reader is
forewarned that he is not to expect to find in the Diary accuracy
of style or finished composition. We should rather consider the
Work as a collection of reminiscences hastily thrown together at
the end of each succeeding day, for the exclusive perusal of the
Author.
The Journal contains the most unquestionable evidences of
veracity; and, as the writer made no scruple of committing his
most secret thoughts to paper, encouraged no doubt by the
confidence which he derived from the use of short-hand, perhaps
there never was a publication more implicitly to be relied upon
for the authenticity of its statements and the exactness with
which every fact is detailed.
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