He carries about him in his manner and conversation more of the sailor than the author, has nothing student-like in his appearance, and savours more of the binnacle lamp than of the study." And again, six months after the Lewistown flare-up: "It would have been better for both parties if the sailor author had been known on this side of the Atlantic only by his writings ...

he has evidently not enjoyed the benefits of refined society, or intercourse with people of literary talents." The Knickerbocker Pepys grew mellower as he advanced in years.

There is a marked change in the tone of the Diary dating from the very time when he himself suffered financial reverses.

It was the test of the man that misfortune did not embitter him, but made him more kindly in his judgments of those about him.

The smug self-satisfaction belonged to the early days.