The Diary, as already explained, comprehends ten years of Mr.
Pepys official life, extending from January, 1659-60, to May,
1669. It is highly necessary to keep in mind that Mr. Pepys was
only thirty-seven years of age when he closed his Diary in 1669,
and that of the remainder of his life we have no regular account;
although the materials for it which exist have encouraged the
hope that this portion of the Life may yet be written. After the
death of Cromwell, Pepys seems to have consorted much with
Harrington, Hazelrigge, and other leading Republicans; but when
the Restoration took place, he became--as, perhaps was natural--a
courtier; still, it is said of him that "were the eulogy of
Cromwell now to be written, abounding particulars and material
for the purpose might be found in and drawn from Pepys' Diary."
Mr. Pepys sat in Parliament for Castle Rising, and subsequently
he represented the borough of Harwich, eventually rising to
wealth and eminence as clerk of the treasurer to the
Commissioners of the affairs of Tangier, and Surveyor-general of
the Victualling Department, "proving himself to be," it is
stated, "a very useful and energetic public servant.
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