the Cliffords of Cumberland, and her daughter had only just
quitted the convent in which she was educated. She brought her
husband no fortune; but the patronage of Pepys's relation, Sir
Edward Montagu, afterwards first Earl of Sandwich, prevented the
ill consequences with such a step might naturally have been
attended, and young Pepys's aptitude for business soon came to
render him useful. The distresses of the young couple at this
period were subjects of pleasant reflexion during their
prosperity--as recorded in the Diary, 25th February, 1667.

But better times were approaching Mr. Pepys: he accompanied Sir
Edward Montagu upon his Expedition to the Sound, in March, 1658,
and upon his return obtained a clerkship in the Exchequer.
Through the interest of the Earl of Sandwich, Mr. Pepys was
nominated Clerk of the Acts: this was the commencement of his
connexion with a great national establishment, to which in the
sequel his diligence and acuteness were of the highest service.
From his Papers, still extant (says Lord Braybrooke), we gather
that he never lost sight of the public good; that he spared no
pains to check the rapacity of contractors, by whom the naval
stores were then supplied; that he studied order and economy in
the dockyards, advocated the promotion of old-established
officers in the Navy; and resisted to the utmost the infamous
system of selling places, then most unblushingly practised. His
zeal and industry acquired for him the esteem of the Duke of
York, with whom, as Lord High Admiral, he had almost daily
intercourse. At the time of his entering upon this employment,
he resided in Seething-lane, Crutched Friars. He continued in
this office till 1673; and during those great events, the Plague,
the Fire of London, and the Dutch War, the care of the Navy in a