The most confiding of diarists, the most harmless of turncoats, the most wondering of quidnuncs, the fondest and most penitential of faithless husbands, the most admiring, yet grieving, of the beholders of the ladies of Charles II, the Sancho Panza of the most insipid of Quixotes, James II, who did bestow on him (in naval matters) the government of a certain "island," which, to say the truth, he administered to the surprise and edification of all who bantered him. Many official patriots have, doubtless, existed since his time, and thousands, nay millions of respectable men of all sorts gone to their long account, more or less grave in public, and frail to their consciences; but when shall we meet with such another as he was?
Hunt
MEMOIRS
OF
SAMUEL PEPYS, ESQ. F.R.S.
SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY