in the Pepysian library both
in shorthand and in longhand? It is creditable to Charles II. and the
Duke of York that both brothers highly appreciated the abilities of Pepys,
and availed themselves of his knowledge of naval affairs.

In the following year there was some chance that Pepys might retire from
public affairs, and take upon himself the headship of one of the chief
Cambridge colleges. On the death of Sir Thomas Page, the Provost of
King's College, in August, 1681, Mr. S. Maryon, a Fellow of Clare Hall,
recommended Pepys to apply to the King for the appointment, being assured
that the royal mandate if obtained would secure his election. He liked
the idea, but replied that he believed Colonel Legge (afterwards Lord
Dartmouth) wanted to get the office for an old tutor. Nothing further
seems to have been done by Pepys, except that he promised if he were
chosen to give the whole profit of the first year, and at least half of
that of each succeeding year, to "be dedicated to the general and public
use of the college." In the end Dr. John Coplestone was appointed to the
post.

On May 22nd, 1681, the Rev. Dr. Milles, rector of St. Olave's, who is so
often mentioned in the Diary, gave Pepys a certificate as to his attention
to the services of the Church. It is not quite clear what was the
occasion of the certificate, but probably the Diarist wished to have it
ready in case of another attack upon him in respect to his tendency
towards the Church of Rome.

Early in 1682 Pepys accompanied the Duke of York to Scotland, and narrowly
escaped shipwreck by the way. Before letters could arrive in London to
tell of his safety, the news came of the wreck of the "Gloucester" (the
Duke's ship), and of the loss of many lives. His friends' anxiety was
relieved by the arrival of a letter which Pepys wrote from Edinburgh to
Hewer on May 8th, in which he detailed the particulars of the adventure.
The Duke invited him to go on board the "Gloucester" frigate, but he
preferred his own yacht (the "Catherine "), in which he had more room, and
in consequence of his resolution he saved himself from the risk of
drowning. On May 5th the frigate struck upon the sand called "The Lemon
and Oar," about sixteen leagues from the mouth of the Humber. This was
caused by the carelessness of the pilot, to whom Pepys imputed "an
obstinate over-weening in opposition to the contrary opinions of Sir I.
Berry, his master, mates, Col. Legg, the Duke