Pepys, Samuel

In which Pepys lists the principal vices of late seventeenth-century London, including debauchery in the streets, loose morals, scandalous marriages, blasphemous books and plays, "Mr Boyle's lecture" and the decline of religion and churchmen in particular, two pages, folio (301 x 193 mm), post-horn watermark countermarked "L R," integral blank endorsed by Pepys's secretary "Dec. 1692 Mediums for illustrating the present Depravity of The Age."; tiny hole touching one letter. Modern red cloth chemise and slip-case, red-gilt label to spine.

Sotheby's London, 30 November 1970, lot 226. acquisition: Seven Gables, 1971

CELM-MS, Introductions: Samuel Pepys

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"Plays & Stage—profane. 
Books...Atheisticall, & question^ng Fundamentalls. 
Hospit^ll--Wards
Mr Boyle's Lecture
Marriage neglected, & its Effects
Lawyers & Atturnys encreased
Religion unsteady & factious
Churchmen—ignorant—vicious—idle—wordly & distingu^shd in nothing above the Common...
Trades that Estates are now most gott by.
Excise, of Drinke
Publiq: Mistrisses
Universitys debauched..."

Pepys's listing of "Mr Boyle's Lecture" among the depravities of his age is amusing and pointed. The great chemist Robert Boyle (1627–1691) provided in his will for a series of lectures or sermons, to defend the Christian religion against infidels.  The first series of eight lectures at St. Paul's Cathedral was given by Richard Bentley from March to December 1692, and was devoted to a confutation of atheism. The deeply pious outlook of both Boyle and Bentley would hardly have recommended themselves to Pepys, but might have appeared to accord with the sentiments of the list were it to be taken altogether seriously. Pepys had recorded enjoying Boyle's early books in his diary.