Game of the Chesse,
Polychronicon, Chronicles of England, Description of Britain, Mirrour of
the World, Book of the Order of Chivalry_, the first and second editions
of the _Canterbury Tales_, and the _Chastising of God's Children_. Among
the most interesting collections is one of eighteen hundred ballads in
five folio volumes; and another of four duodecimo volumes of garlands
and other popular publications, printed for the most part in black
letter. The volumes are lettered: Vol. 1 _Penny Merriments_, Vol. 2
_Penny Witticisms_, Vol. 3 _Penny Compliments_, and Vol. 4 _Penny
Godlinesses_. In the first volume of the ballads Pepys has written:--'My
collection of ballads, begun by Mr. Selden, improv'd by the addition of
many pieces elder thereto in time; and the whole continued to the year
1700.' The library also possesses collections of old novels, pieces of
wit, chivalry, etc, plays, books on shorthand, tracts on the Popish
Plot, liturgical controversies, sea tracts, news-pamphlets, etc.

[Illustration: BOOK-STAMP OF SAMUEL PEPYS.]

The most interesting manuscripts are the famous _Diary_ in six volumes,
the papers collected by Pepys for his proposed _Navalia_, and a
collection of Scottish poetry, formed by Sir Richard Maitland of
Lethington, Lord Privy Seal and Judge in the Court of Session, who died
in 1586. The drawings and prints in the library are numerous and
valuable. Among them are portraits of Pepys's friends, and prints and
drawings illustrating the city of London; one of the rarest of these is
the large plan of London attributed to Agas, of which only one other
copy is known. The library also contains some volumes of music with the
title, _Songs and other Compositions, Light, Grave and Sacred, for a
single voice adjusted to the particular compass of mine; with a thorough
base on ye ghitarr by Cesare Morelli_. Several songs composed by Pepys
are in this collection, one of which, entitled _Beauty Retire_, was a
great success, and the composer was very proud of it. All the books in
the library are in excellent condition, and, with the exception of a few
in morocco or vellum, are bound in calf. Almost all of them bear Pepys's
arms on the lower cover; while on the upper is found a shield with the
inscription, SAM. PEPYS CAR. ET IAC. ANGL. REGIB. A SECRETIS ADMIRALIAE.
This shield is surmounted with his helmet and crest, and is surrounded
by mantling, in which are introduced two anchors, indicating his office.
He als