tism, but it was due to his merits
alone that he obtained the secretaryship. In the summer of 1673, the
Duke of York having resigned all his appointments on the passing of
the Test Act, the King put the Admiralty into commission, and Pepys was
appointed Secretary for the Affairs of the Navy.

[The office generally known as Secretary of the Admiralty dates back
many years, but the officer who filled it was sometimes Secretary to
the Lord High Admiral, and sometimes to the Commission for that
office. "His Majesties Letters Patent for ye erecting the office of
Secretary of ye Admiralty of England, and creating Samuel Pepys,
Esq., first Secretary therein," is dated June 10th, 1684.]

He was thus brought into more intimate connection with Charles II., who
took the deepest interest in shipbuilding and all naval affairs. The
Duke of Buckingham said of the King:--

"The great, almost the only pleasure of his mind to which he seemed
addicted was shipping and sea affairs, which seemed to be so much
his talent for knowledge as well as inclination, that a war of that
kind was rather an entertainment than any disturbance to his
thoughts."

When Pepys ceased to be Clerk of the Acts he was able to obtain the
appointment for his clerk, Thomas Hayter, and his brother, John Pepys,
who held it jointly. The latter does not appear to have done much credit
to Samuel. He was appointed Clerk to the Trinity House in 1670 on his
brother's recommendation, and when he died in 1677 he was in debt L300
to his employers, and this sum Samuel had to pay. In 1676 Pepys was
Master of the Trinity House, and in the following year Master of the
Clothworkers' Company, when he presented a richly-chased silver cup,
which is still used at the banquets of the company. On Tuesday, 10th
September, 1677, the Feast of the Hon. Artillery Company was held at
Merchant Taylors' Hall, when the Duke of York, the Duke of Somerset, the
Lord Chancellor, and other distinguished persons were present. On this
occasion Viscount Newport, Sir Joseph Williamson, and Samuel Pepys
officiated as stewards.

About this time it is evident that the secretary carried himself with
some haughtiness as a ruler of the navy, and that this was resented by
some. An amusing instance will be found in the Parliamentary Debates.
On May 11th, 1678, the King's verbal message to quicken the supply was
brought in by Mr. Secretary Williamson, wh