The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete. Samuel Pepys

      Pepys’s successful speech at the bar of the House of Commons made him anxious to become a member, and the Duke of York and Sir William Coventry heartily supported him in his resolution. An opening occurred in due course, at Aldborough, in Suffolk, owing to the death of Sir Robert Brooke in 1669, but, in consequence of the death of his wife, Pepys was unable to take part in the election. His cause was warmly espoused by the Duke of York and by Lord Henry Howard (afterwards Earl of Norwich and sixth Duke of Norfolk), but the efforts of his supporters failed, and the contest ended in favour of John Bruce, who represented the popular party. In November, 1673, Pepys was more successful, and was elected for Castle Rising on the elevation of the member, Sir Robert Paston, to the peerage as Viscount Yarmouth. His unsuccessful opponent, Mr. Offley, petitioned against the return, and the election was determined to be void by the Committee of Privileges. The Parliament, however, being prorogued the following month without the House’s coming to any vote on the subject, Pepys was permitted to retain his seat. A most irrelevant matter was introduced into the inquiry, and Pepys was charged with having a crucifix in his house, from which it was inferred that he was “a papist or popishly inclined.” The charge was grounded upon reported assertions of Sir John Banks and the Earl of Shaftesbury, which they did not stand to when examined on the subject, and the charge was not proved to be good.

      [“The House then proceeding upon the debate touching the Election

       for Castle Rising, between Mr. Pepys and Mr. Offley, did, in the

       first place, take into consideration what related personally to Mr.

       Pepys. Information being given to the House that they had received

       an account from a person of quality, that he saw an Altar with a

       Crucifix upon it, in the house of Mr. Pepys; Mr. Pepys, standing up

       in his place, did heartily and flatly deny that he ever had any

       Altar or Crucifix, or the image or picture of any Saint whatsoever

       in his house, from the top to the bottom of it; and the Members

       being called upon to name the person that gave them the information,

       they were unwilling to declare it without the order of the House;

       which, being made, they named the Earl of Shaftesbury; and the House

       being also informed that Sir J. Banks did likewise see the Altar, he

       was ordered to attend the Bar of the House, to declare what he knew

       of this matter. ‘Ordered that Sir William Coventry, Sir Thomas

       Meeres, and Mr. Garraway do attend Lord Shaftesbury on the like

       occasion, and receive what information his Lordship, can give on

       this matter.’ ”—Journals of the House of Commons, vol. ix., p.

       306.—” 13th February, Sir W. Coventry reports that they attended

       the Earl of Shaftesbury, and received from him the account which

       they had put in writing. The Earl of Shaftesbury denieth that he

       ever saw an Altar in Mr. Pepys’s house or lodgings; as to the

       Crucifix, he saith he hath, some imperfect memory of seeing somewhat

       which he conceived to be a Crucifix. When his Lordship was asked

       the time, he said it was before the burning of the Office of the

       Navy. Being asked concerning the manner, he said he could not

       remember whether it were painted or carved, or in what manner the

       thing was; and that his memory was so very imperfect in it, that if

       he were upon his oath he could give no testimony.”—. Ibid., vol.

       ix., p. 309.—” 16th February—Sir John Banks was called in—The

       Speaker desired him to answer what acquaintance he had with; Mr.

       Pepys, and whether he used to have recourse to him to his house and

       had ever seen there any Altar or Crucifix, or whether he knew of his

       being a Papist, or Popishly inclined. Sir J. Banks said that he had

       known and had been acquainted with Mr. Pepys several years, and had

       often visited him and conversed with him at the Navy Office, and at

       his house there upon several occasions, and that he never saw in his

       house there any Altar or Crucifix, and that he does not believe him

       to be a Papist, or that way inclined in the least, nor had any

       reason or ground to think or believe it.”—Ibid., vol, ix., p. 310.]

      It will be seen from the extracts from the Journals of the House of Commons given in the note that Pepys denied ever having had an altar or crucifix in his house. In the Diary there is a distinct statement of his possession of a crucifix, but it is not clear from the following extracts whether it was not merely a varnished engraving of the Crucifixion which he possessed:

      July 20, 1666. “So I away to Lovett’s, there to see how my picture

       goes on to be varnished, a fine crucifix which will be very fine.”

       August 2. “At home find Lovett, who showed me my crucifix, which

       will be very fine when done.” Nov. 3. “This morning comes Mr.

       Lovett and brings me my print of the Passion, varnished by him, and

       the frame which is indeed very fine, though not so fine as I

       expected; but pleases me exceedingly.”