d go down to posterity as a man fond of
books. The arrangements for the settlement of his library after death
prove this. The numerous references throughout the _Diary_ show that he
had a passion for collecting, and showed good judgment in what he got
together. Pepys, like Dr. John North, dealt of Robert Scott, who, when
sending his distinguished customer four scarce books, the total cost of
which was only 1_l._ 14_s._, writes, 'Without flattery I love to find a
rare book for you.'[31]

R. SCOTT, the bookseller, to Mr. PEPYS.

'_June 30th, 1688._

'SIR,--Having at length procured Campion, Hanmer, & Spencer's Hist. of
Ireland, fol. (which I think, you formerly desired) I here send itt
you, with 2 very scarce bookes besides, viz. Pricaei Defensio Hist.
Britt. 4to, and old Harding's Chronicle, as alsoe the Old Ship of
Fooles, in old verse, by Alex. Berkley, priest; which last, though nott
scarce, yett soe very fayre and perfect, that seldome comes such
another; the Priceus you will find deare, yett I never sold it under
10_s._, and att this tyme you can have it of a person of quality; butt I
love to find a rare book for you, and hope shortly to procure for you a
perfect Hall's Chronicle.

'I am, Sir,
'Your Servant to command,
'ROBERT SCOTT.'

Campion, Hanmer, & Spencer fol. 0:12:0
Hardings Chronicle, 4to. 0: 6:0
Pricaei Defens. Hist. Britt. 0: 8:0
Shipp of Fooles, fol. 0: 8:0
------
1:14:0
======

The contents of Pepys' famous collections of Manuscripts, Books and rare
single-sheet literature are known more or less to students, and are
found by them to be of the utmost value. It is amusing to notice how
careful Pepys was not to admit into his library any 'risky' books.
Little did he think that the key to the diary would be one day
discovered. When he bought in the Strand 'an idle, rogueish, French
book, _L'Escholle des Filles_,' he resolved, as already stated, as soon
as he had read it, to burn it, 'that it might not stand in the list of
books, nor among them, to disgrace them, if it should be found.' He was
equally sol