THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES [IDAVOD L'ESLOE, FIRST LORD NEWARK. OB. 16 CORRESPONDENCE JOHN .EVELYN, F.RS. TO WHICH IS SUBJOINED f fee JriiraJ* BETWEEN KING CHAELES I. AND SIB EDWAED NICHOLAS, AND BETWEEN 8IE EDWAED HYDE, AFTEBWABDS EAEL OF CLABENDON, AND SIB EICHABD BBOWNE. EDITED FBOM THE OEIGINAL MSS. AT WOTTON BY WILLIAM BRAY, ESQ. F.A.S. A NEW EDITION, IN FOUR VOLUMES. COBBECTED. REVISED, AND -ENLARGED. VOL. III. LONDON: HENRY G. BOHN", YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1863. DA ! \ ? 6 vA.3 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. MM I. DAVID LESLIE, LOBD NEWABK. To face Title-page. II. GEOBGE GOBDON, MAEQUIS OF HUNTLEY . 42 III. JEBEMY TATLOE . . . . . .94 IT. THE HON. EOBEET BOYLE .... 147 V. EDWAED MONTAGUE, EAEL OE SANDWICH . 201 VI. MAEGAEET DE VALOIS 245 VII. HENET THE FOTJETH OF FEANCE . . . 268 VIII. SIE WALTEE EALEIGH 301 IX. JOHN LOCK!! . ... 369 :DA v- CONTENTS. THE EVELYN CORRESPONDENCE. The Letters to which an asterisk is prefixed are printed here for the first time. * Dr. Isaac Basire to John Evelyn. Oct. 2, 1647 * John Evelyn to Sir Richard Browne. December 6, 1647 * The same to the same. April 21, 1648 . * The same to the same. May 4, 1648 .... * The same to the same. May 12, 1648 . . . . * The same to the same. May 15, 1648 * The same to the same. May 18, 1648 . * The same to the same. Whit Sunday, 1648 * The same to the same. June 1, 1648 . * The same to the same. June 5, 1648 .... * The same to the same. June 15, 1648 . * The same to the same. October 19, 1648 . * The same to the same. October 23, 1648 , . * The same to the same. December 18, 1648 * The same to the same. March 22, 1648-9 * The same to the same. March 26, 1649 * The same to the same. March 29, 1649 * The same to the same. April 2, 1649 * The same to the same. April 5, 1649 . . . . * The same to the same. April 16, 1649 * The same to the same. No date. Middle of April, 1649 * The same to the same. April 23, 1649 * The same to the same. May 10, 1649 .... Page 3 5 7 10 13 16 18 20 22 25 28 30 31 33 36 39 41 43 44 45 47 49 50 VI CONTEXTS. Pane * John Evelyn to Sir Eichard Browne. May 14, 1649 . . . 52 * The same to the same. June 7, 1649 ..... 54 * Alexander Ross to John Evelyn. May 20, 1650 . . . 56 * The same to the same. July 21, 1650 57 John Evelyn to Lady Garret. October 9, 1651 . . . . ib. * John Cosin to John Evelyn. December 18, 1651 ... 58 * The same to the same. April 3, 1652 . . . . . 61 John Evelyn to Edward Thurland. April 25, 1652 . . 63 * Thomas Barlow to John Evelyn. March 17, 1653-4 . , . 64 John Evelyn to Jeremy Taylor. February 9, 1654-5 . . 65 The same to the same. March 18, 1654-5 66 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. January 25, 1655-6 . . 69 The same to the same. April 16, 1656 . . . . 71 John Evelyn to Jeremy Taylor. April 27, 1656 ... 72 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. July 19, 1656 . . . . 74 * Dr. Thomas Triplet to John Evelyn. August 7, 1656 . . 75 * Dr. John Wilkins to John Evelyn. August 16, 1656 . . 76 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. September 15, 1656 . . ib. The same to the same. November 21, 1656 . . . . 78 John Evelyn to his brother GK Evelyn. December 15, 1656 . 79 Francis Barlow to John Evelyn. December 22, 1656 . . . 81 John Evelyn to Francis Barlow. December 23, 1656 . . 82 John Evelyn to Mr. Maddox. January 10, 1656-7 . . . 83 John Evelyn to the Lieutenant of the Tower. January 1 4, 1656- 7 86 , John Evelyn to Edward Thurland. January 20, 1656-7 . . 87 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. February 22, 1656-7 . . 91 John Evelyn to the Hon. Eobert Boyle. May 9, 1657 . . 92 John Evelyn to Jeremy Taylor. May 9, 1657 . . . . 93 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. May 15, 1657 ... 94 * Reverend Edward Snatt to John Evelyn. May 25, 1657 . . 95 John Evelyn to Jeremy Taylor. June 9, 1657 ... 96 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. June 9, 1657 . . . . 97 The same to the same. August 29, 1657 .... 98 John Evelyn to Sir Richard Browne. February 14, 1657-8 . 101 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. February 17, 1657-8 . . 102 * Thomas Barlow to John Evelyn. March 25, 1658 . . . 104 CONTENTS. Vli P* Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. May 12, 1658 ... 104 John Evelyn to Edward Thurland. November 8, 1658 . . 106 John Evelyn to George Tuke. January, 1658-9 . . . 108 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. April 9, 1659 . . . 109 John Evelyn to the Hon. Robert Boyle. April 13, 1659 . 110 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. June 4, 1659 . . . . 112 John Evelyn to the Hon. Robert Boyle. August 9, 1659 . 114 The same to the same. September 3, 1659 116 The same to the same. September 29, 1659 .... 121 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. November 3, 1659 . . . 126 The same to the same. February 10, 1659-60 . . . 127 John Evelyn to Dr. John Wilkins. February 17, 1659-60 . . 129 * Samuel Hartlib to John Evelyn. 1660 . . . .131 * John, Lord Mordaunt to John Evelyn. April 23, 1661 . . 132 * Thomas Barlow to John Evelyn. June 10, 1661 . . . ib. John Evelyn to the Hon. Robert Boyle. September 13, 1661 . 133 Jeremy Taylor to John Evelyn. November 16, 1661 . . 134 John Evelyn to Thomas Chiffinch. 1661 . . . . 135 John Evelyn to Lady Cotton. September 9, 1662 . . . 136 John Evelyn to Mr. Vander Douse. September 13, 1662 . . 137 John Evelyn to Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Croone. July 11, 1663 . 138 John Evelyn to Dr. Pierce. August 20, 1663 . . . .139 The same to the same. September 17, 1663 . . . . 141 * Thomas Barlow to John Evelyn. June 21, 1664 . . .143 John Evelyn to Mr. Spratt. October 31, 1664 . ... 144 John Evelyn to the Hon. Robert Boyle. November 23, 1664 . 147 John Evelyn to Lord Cornbury. February 9, 1664-5 . . . 149 John Evelyn to Sir Thomas Clifford. April 2, 1665 . .153 John Evelyn to Dr. (afterwards Sir Chris. Wren) . April 4, 1665 154 * Sir Thomas Clifford to John Evelyn. May 11, 1665 . . 155 John Evelyn to the Duke of Albemarle. May 30, 1665 . . 156 John Evelyn to Sir Thomas Clifford. June 16, 1665 . . 157 John Evelyn to Sir Peter Wyche. June 20, 1665 . . . 159 John Evelyn to Lord Cornbury. June 21, 1665 . . .162 The same to the same. September 9, 1665 .... 164 The same to the same. September 12, 1665 .... 168 Vlll COKTENTS. Page Sir Philip Warwick to John Evelyn: September 16, 1665 . 169 John Evelyn to Sir Philip Warwick. September 30, 1665 . . 171 John Evelyn to Sir William Coventry. October 2, 1665 . . 173 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. January 3,, 1665-6. . . . 175 John Evelyn to Lord Cornbury. January 20, 1665-6 . . 177 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. March 26, 1666 . . . 178 The same to the same. March 26, 1666 180 John Evelyn to Sir Samuel Tuke. September 27, 1666 . . 186 * Philip Dumaresque to John Evelyn. November 12, 1666 . 189 * John Evelyn to Lord Chancellor Clarendon. Nov. 27, 1666 . ib- John Evelyn to Dr. Wilkins. 1666 . . . .192 * Sir George Mackenzie to John Evelyn. February 4, 1666-7 . 193 John Evelyn to Abraham Cowley. March 12, 1666-7 . .194 Abraham Cowley to John Evelyn. May 13, 1667 . . . 195 * Sir John Langham to John Evelyn. July 30, 1667 . . 196 * John Evelyn to Sir John Langham. 1667 . . . . 197 John Evelyn to Henry Howard. August 4, 1667 . . . 198 John Evelyn to Dr. Bathurst. September 9, 1667 . . . 199 John Evelyn to the Earl of Sandwich. December 13, 1667 . 201 * Sir George Mackenzie to John Evelyn. 1668 . . . 202 * Sir Eobert Moray to John Evelyn. June 14, 1668 . . 203 John Evelyn to the Eev. Joseph Glanvil. June 24, 1668 . . 204 John Evelyn to the Earl of Sandwich. August 21, 1668 . 205 John Evelyn to Doctor Beale. August 27, 1668 . . . 207 Henry Howard to John Evelyn. September 15, 1668 . .211 The same to the same. September 22, 1668 . . . . ib- John Evelyn to Sir Thomas Clifford. February 1, 1668-9 . 213 * Dr. John Fell to Dr. Bathurst, March 7, 1668-9 . . . 216 John Evelyn to Henry Lord Howard. March 14, 1668-9 . 217 * Dr. Isaac Basire to John Evelyn. May 22, 1669 . . . 218 * Dr. Bathurst to John Evelyn. August 12, 1669 . . . 219 John Evelyn to Dr. Meric Casaubon. January 17, 1669-70 . 220 John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer. January 20, 1669-70 . 221 Dr. Meric Casaubon to John Evelyn. January 24, 1669-70 . 224 John Evelyn to Dr. Meric Casaubon. January 24, 1669-70 . 225 * Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, to John Evelyn. Feb. 1669-70 226 CONTENTS. IX Fa*e * The Rev. N. Jameson to John Evelyn. April 11, 1670 . . 226 * Philip Dumaresque to John Evelyn. July 13, 1670 . . . 227 John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer. August 31, 1671 . . 228 John Evelyn to the Eev. Father Patrick. September 27, 1671 . 231 John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer. November 14, 1671 . 238 * Theodore Haak to John Evelyn. November 27, 1671 . . . 241 John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer. August 21, 1672 , . . ib. John Evelyn to Lord Cornbury. September 17, 1672 . . 242 * Lord Mordaunt to John Evelyn. April 11, 1673 . . . 243 John Evelyn to the Duchess of Newcastle. June 15, 1674 . . 244 John Evelyn to Dr. Meric Casaubon. July 15, 1674 . . 246 * Dr. Thomas Good to John Evelyn. December 13, 1675J . . 247 * John Evelyn to Dr. Good. 1675 248 * Dr. Thomas Good to John Evelyn. March 2, 1675-6 . . 249 * Dr. John Fell (Bishop of Oxford) to John Evelyn. April 26, 1676 250 * Anne, Countess of Sunderland, to John Evelyn. February 11, 1677-8 ib. * The same to the same. March 3, 1677-8 j . . . . 251 * The same to the same. October 28, 1678 .... ib. * The same to the same. December 25, 1678 . . . . 252 * Mr. Henry Green (a Florist) to John Evelyn. June 24, 1679 . 254 John Evelyn to the Countess of Ossory. June 5, 1680 . . ib. John Evelyn to Dr. Morley (Bishop of Winchester) . June 1, 1681 255 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. June 5, 1681 . . . 256 John Evelyn to Mr. William London. September 27, 1681 . 257 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. December 6, 1681 . . . 260 * Dr. Edward Tyson to John Evelyn. March 15, 1681-2 . . 264 JohnEvelyntothe Bishop of Oxford (Dr.Fell). March 19,1681-2 ib. * The Eev. Thomas Creech to John Evelyn. 1682 . . 267 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. September 19, 1682 . . . ib. * The Eev. Thomas Creech to John Evelyn. May 6, 1683 . . 272 * Eobert Berkeley to John Evelyn. April 14, 1684 . . . 273 * Sir Eobert Southwell to John Evelyn. November 3, 1684 . 274 * Eobert Berkeley to John Evelyn. March 21, 1684-5 . . . 275 * The same to the same. September 12, 1685 .... 276 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. September 23, 1685 . . . i*. X CONTENTS. Pmte Samuel Pepys to John Evelyn. October 2, 1685 . . . 279 * Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. January 4, 1685-6 . . . 280 * Henry, Earl of Clarendon, to John Evelyn. August 7, 1686 . 281 * Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. August 16, 1686 . . . 282 John Evelyn to the Countess of Sunderland. Sept, 12, 1686 . 284 John Evelyn to the Viceroy of Ireland (Lord Clarendon). September, 1686 285 * Robert Ball to John Evelyn. January 30, 1687-8 . . . 286 * Sir Henry (afterwards Lord) Capell to John Evelyn. October 19, 1688 287 John Evelyn to his Son. December 18, 1688 . . . . ib. John Evelyn to the Countess of Sunderland. Dec. 22, 1688 . 290 John Evelyn to Lord Spencer. ~ 1688 293 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. August 12, 1689 . . . 294 Samuel Pepys to John Evelyn. August 30, 1689 . . .' 312 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. October 4, 1689 . . . 313 John Evelyn to the Countess of Sunderland. July 25, 1690 . 315 The same to the same. August 4, 1690 317 * Henry Bemde to John Evelyn. October 25, 1690 . . . 319 * Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. January 1, 1690-1 . . 320 John Evelyn to Anthony h. Wood. May 29, 1691 , . . 321 * Sir Richard Bulkeley to John Evelyn. April 13, 1692 . . 322 * The Bishop of Lincoln (Dr. Tenison) to John Evelyn. October 3, 1692 . 323 John Evelyn to the Bishop of Lincoln. October 15, 1692 . . 325 * John Evelyn to his Brother. January 5, 1692-3 . . . 330 * Sir Dudley Cullum to John Evelyn. January 5, 1692-3 . . 331 * Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. April 20, 1693 . . . 332 * John Evelyn to Mrs. M. Tuke. No date 333 John Evelyn to Dr. Plot. August 27, 1693 .... 335 John Evelyn to Lord Spencer. September 4, 1693 . . . 336 Dr. Plot to John Evelyn. October 2, 1693 . . . .337 * Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. October 26, 1693 . . . ib. * James Quine to John Evelyn. March 28, 1694 . . . 338 * The Bishop of Lincoln to John Evelyn. April 5, 1694 . . 339 * Sir Dudley Cullum to John Evelyn. May 14, 1694 . . ib. CONTENTS. XI John Evelyn to the Bishop of Lincoln. May 29, 1694 . . 340 John Evelyn to Edmund Gibson (afterwards Bishop of London). May 31, 1694 341 John Evelyn to Mr. Benjamin Tooke (Printer). June 2, 1694 . 342 * The Bishop of Lincoln to John Evelyn. June 19, 1694 . . 343 * James Quine to John Evelyn. January 9, 1694-5 . . . 344 * Archbishop Tenison to John Evelyn. April 20, 1695 . . 345 * The same to the same. July 19, 1695 . . . . . ib. John Evelyn to William Wotton. March 30, 1696 . . 346 William Wotton to John Evelyn. April 7, 1696 . ... 352 The same to the same. May 24, 1696 353 John Evelyn to Lord Godolphin. June 16, 1696 . . . 354 * Dr. John Williams to John Evelyn. June 19, 1696 . . 359 John Evelyn to Mr. Place. August 17, 1696 . . . . 360 John Evelyn to William Wotton. October 28, 1696 . . 363 John Evelyn to Dr- Richard Bentley. January 20, 1696-7'. . 365 * Abraham Hill, F.R.S., to John Evelyn. January 26, 1696-7 . 366 * The same to the same. February 26, 1696-7 . . . . 367 * Dr. J. Woodward to John Evelyn. September 25, 16S7 . ib. * The same to the same. October 5, 1697 368 John Evelyn to Dr. Bentley. December 25, 1697 . . . 369 William Wotton to John Evelyn. January 2, 1697-8 . . 370 * Dr. Thomas Gale to John Evelyn. January 19, 1697-8 . . 371 William Wotton to John Evelyn. January 20, 1697-8 . . ib. John Evelyn to Dr. Godolphin (Provost of Eton). February 8, 1697-8 373 John Evelyn to Mr. Henshaw. March 1, 1697-8 . . . 375 * Archdeacon Tenison to John Evelyn. November 17, 1698 . 376 * The same to the same. November 28, 1698 .... 377 John Evelyn to Archdeacon Nicholson (afterwards Bishop of Carlisle). November 10, 1699 378 * The Reverend Joshua Walker to John Evelyn. February 7, 1700-1 382 * Archdeacon Nicholson to Jolin Evelyn. March 25, 1701 . 383 The same to the same. May 9, 1701 384 William Wotton to John Evelyn. January 22, 1701-2 . . 385 OF JOHN EVELYN, F.E.S. Dr. Isaac Basire* to John Evelyn. Rouen, October 2nd, 1642. SlB, I had a good hope of an occasion to come over myself in person to give you thanks for your favourable communication of that twin of printed letters, which you were pleased to send me. They came opportunely, for I made present use of one of them to disabuse some of the many who mistake the king's person and his cause. "What success it may further have I shall acquaint you at my coming over, God willing, within these few weeks. Meanwhile, my work here is with tongue and pen (with the advice of the king's public ministers here) to save the king and the church, which service is reward sufficient, considering the goodness, truth, and justice of the cause, 1 The letters which, were not included in the previous Editions of this Correspondence, are indicated in the Tables of Contents, by asterisks prefixed. 2 Allusions to Basire will be found in the first vol. of the Diary, pp. 378 and 392, and see post, page 218. His loyalty was rewarded by preferment under Charles the Second, to whom he was wont to preach sermons of considerable unction, proving the perfection of the English Church, and that England was " the very land of Goshen." The letter before us confirms the statements in the Diary as to the early period of the Civil Wars at which Evelyn was engaged and active. B 2 4 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1642. for which my heart deceives me greatly, if I durst not even die. To God Almighty I betake it, for support and speedy good success, and shall bear witness of your always ready co-operation towards it ; and the servants of it, indeed, increase and multiply the number of the king's faithful ministers, in which number, Sir, we shall honour you as one of the chief, who is Tour most humble servant, ISAAC BASIBE. P.S. I do reserve a few observations upon the printed letter, for conference on, for my next. John Evelyn to Sir Richard Browne. [The succeeding twenty-four letters were written secretly by Evelyn to Sir Richard Browne, at this time ambassador from England to the Court of France, and whose daughter Evelyn had married in the previous summer. The signature principally adopted, " Aplanos," was the cor- ruption of a Greek word, expressive of the constancy of his opinions ; and the fictitious address was to " Mr. Peters." The letters throw con- siderable light on the party feelings and movements of the stirring time they describe. It was the period known in the history of the " Great Rebellion " as that of the Second Civil War, when the attitude of the Independents had alarmed the more timid of the Presbyterians in the city and elsewhere, and simultaneous tumults in Kent, Essex, and other counties, seconded by a rising in Wales, seemed to threaten a general recommencement of strife. The letters of Evelyn embrace this period, and that which immediately succeeded the death of the King, when the daring policy of Cromwell and the parliamentary leaders suggested more wary tactics to the partisans of the King's son. They are full of error and mis-statement, which it is not necessary to correct, and which on the writer's part implied no intention to mislead, except so far as the ardent expectations of his party heightened and coloured his views. A comparison of the authentic accounts with those of Aplanos, in the matter of the Surrey petitioners, as of other well-known incidents re- ferred to, suggests simply to what extent the immediate excitement of those momentous days told upon the respective hopes and fears of all who were engaged in them. And it is most interesting to observe the change of tone in these communications after the tragedy in Whitehall. The letter dated the 26th of March (see p. 39) may be called in some sort the manifesto of that intelligent party of royalists among whom Evelyn became afterwards more distinguished, and whose watchwords, derived from the experience of Charles's melancholy reign, were " the Protestant profession," " the old way of a free parliament," and " the known laurs of the land."] 1647. JOHN ETELTN. London, 6 December, 1647. SIR, Being about a day old in town, since my Susses journey, where I have put mine estate in some better pos- ture than it was, and am much obliged to my uncle William for his company, I have employed yesterday and a part of the present to inform myself of intelligence fit to furnish you withal ; for which purpose I went yesterday as far as Chelsea, and dined with Sir John 31, who shewed me extra- ordinary courtesy, and more than twice conjured me to make trial of his friendship upon all occasions, as if somebody had expressly bespoken him ; that evening I made a visit to my Lord of 36, and my character goes among all mine acquaint- ance for the civilest traveller that ever returned ; for I was expected all ribbon, feather, and romango, which has turned much to my account, though better spoken from another. I have been this day at St. James's to have moved Mr. 118 in the fresh prosecution of our business, and brought it to a personal treaty with his friend the Colonel ; but he being gone to visit his uncle, who lies a dying, as others think, sick out of design, as usually he is once a month, to have leisure to tell and dispose of his vast treasure, I could not compass mine intention as I hope very shortly to do. From here I called upon 131, where, though I found your cousin Fan- shawe and my Lord Arundel of Wardour '( yei y good com- pany), yet I brought back little news but what you will find enclosed in this pamphlet, being very ingeniously the full substance of what is positively true. It is said that his Majesty is in straiter custody in the Isle of "Wight than ever he was at Hampton Court, but this is not generally believed. The propositions are certainly to be sent him some time this present week, and many there are who are confident he will sign them. For my part, I think the personal treaty a mere juggle, and that his Ma- jesty shall never be the nearer to London, if they have power to adjourn, where and when they please. The King's case is just like the disarmed man, who, whether he agree that his antagonist shall keep his weapon or not, is forced to let him have it. The Parliament have gotten the power, and 6 COEEESPONDENCE OP 1647. now they ask his Majesty by these propositions whether he assent they should keep it, when, as in truth, they are agreed upon it already, in despite of his teeth. From whence I conclude that if he sign them, he will be but in statu quo nunc; and if he refuse them, in far greater peril than ever he was yet, since he was sold to those tyrants. But, that which is news indeed, the agitators are for certain reconciled with the army, and, since the last council, held by them (as I take it) on Saturday last, as high and strong as ever they were ; which is a mutation that makes us all at a maze what project is now a-working. Ton will shortly hear of Cromwell's vision, and how on Friday night last he being strucken blind for the space of four hours, during which he had a conference with God, per- suading him to adjust with the holy agitators, he next day put it in execution. To-morrow we look for strange things ; these monsters and some principal of the army being ex- pected at the parliament, some say, absolutely to dissolve them, others, more discerning, to purge them again of about 70 moderate humours that hinder operations. Quorsum hoc? O Heavens ! we are now more in the dark than ever, and I protest unto you things were never more unriddleable than at this instant of time, after so many fair and promising ex- pectations. I have lately newly learned that the army are generally inarching into Hampshire : what that signifies I give you leave to judge ; as well as conjecture of their affec- tions to the settling of his Majesty, by those letters of my Lord Digby, published on purpose to enfever the people against him, as one that practised a parley in Ireland to subdue them in England. This, Sir, is all our news at present ; and I cordially wish that, in case it be no better, it would suddenly be worse, that so we may know where to apply ourselves and interest, in which (I do not doubt) but I shall prove serviceable unto you effectually. In the mean time I must not forget to advise you of a secret which was imparted me by a real friend who wishes you well for my sake, my old cousin 34, 51, 7, 13, 20, 2, 14, a quick, honest, shrewd man, and one I dare confide in ; and it was that he should be told by one, who was very intimate with his Majesty, that 82 had an ill opinion of you, as if you had held intelligence with some 1647. JOHN EYELTN. 7 here, for which (seeing there was no conjuring him to dis- cover me the persons) I rendered him many thanks : but conjecture, from the daily conversation of your brother Sir D. 41, and Mr. 32 with him, that it must be one of them ; and of them rather the first, because, for the latter, I have ever heard him declare himself so much your friend : but this is a time that shall well warrant all suspicion; and as I hope it will nothing discourage you, as innocence and a good conscience is a perpetual feast, so I am con- fident you will not forget to make such use thereof as stands with your interest, and excuse me for this impartial boldness which I always assume in rendering you the best iutelligence I can learn ; for so is my duty, and I am resolved to discharge that so long as I have the honour to remain, Sir, Tours, APLANOS. I counsel you to make God your friend and trust, nor fear what men can do. My next shall inform you how far my brother and I are proceeded ; but the time now prevents me, and he in the country, to fetch up money. Sir, I beseech you make what enquiry you can, to inform me how I may write to my co. Thorn. ; for I have important business with him, which I may do him service in, if I knew how to convey him advice. Superscribed " A Monsieur, MONSIETTE PETERS, Au Lion d' Ar- gent vis-st-vis le Grand Moyse, rue de Foures Faubourges, St. Germain, Paris." And endorsed " From my son EVELYX, 6 December, 1647." London, 2lst April, 1648. SlE, These two posts having failed me of intelligence from your parts, makes me a little pause, ifc being now a time amongst us of many expectations from you in order to the motion of His Highness the Prince of Wales. Since my last to you, which was April 13th, the good news from Scotland holds, though haply their pretensions prove more specious than the conclusion real ; I make no recapitulation, because I know they are amongst your weekly extraordi- naries. There is no fear of the compb'ance of the parlia- 8 COERESPOJTDENCE OP 1643. ment, city, and army, with tlieir demands, which are covenant and presbytery, if our brethren will be content to tolerate independency, out of hope to be masters of that, when they shall have obtained the other ; but on the other side, if the army have the wit to see this, I have answered mine own objection as I wished, and do verily believe that if the Par- liament join issue with the Scots in this sense, the inde- pendent part of the army with the discontents and loyal subjects both of city and country, will bring his Majesty in upon another score. But these are only my private sug- gestions, for which there is yet little presumption. Poyer, 1 whose forces are not above 3000 horse and foot, my last in- telligence being erroneous, has in Wales very newly defeated a considerable party of horse lately sent against him ; and if Inchiquin so far overpower him in those parts as to make a handsome head, and protect such as shall recruit, without doubt that may prove a great advantage to the affairs and expectations now on foot : but of this nothing can be said till he land, which is more talked of than believed. Grod bless Poyer till that time. Letters are come this day from the north, altogether owning Sir Thomas Glenham and the rest as no incen- diaries, and making good our former intelligence of their realities and preparation for the field, in pursuance of those resolutions you have heard ; which gives small satisfaction to our states here. That there has been, and is, tamper- ing with the King is certain ; I both hear, and hope he will be wise. Sir John Greare appeared yesterday before the Lords, where he, refusing to kneel, was fined 5001. His charge was only read ; but in his going through the Hall he dispersed among the people a thousand printed papers, wherein he summoned all the free subjects of England to 1 Poyer, a dissolute but brave Welshman, and a Colonel in the army of the party called Presbyterian royalists, took a prominent part in the Second Civil War, by holding out Pembroke Castle for several days against the siege of Cromwell. He surrendered on the llth July, 1648, and on the 8th March, 1648-9, having been voted guilty of treason, -was shot in Covent Garden. He, and two other Welsh Colonels, found guilty at the same time, had been allowed to draw lots to determine which single life should expiate the guilt of all j and the lot fell to Poyer. 1648. JOII^ ETELT1T. 9 stand stoutly to their ancient privileges, affirming them to have no power to try him as a delinquent, nor acknowledg- ing them any other than a surreptitious and arbitrary au- thority ; which was a thing so well and rationally penned, that the gallant spirit of the yet living Judge Jenkins is evidently seen to act, maugre all their malice and endeavours to the contrary. The very same course took resolute John Lilburne, who, in the same manner, scattering his papers about the Hall, was suddenly accompanied by divers gentle- men and strangers to the bar, where he obtained (against all opposition) an Habeas Corpus, and is now, with others of his crew, in the army, prosecuting our Great Cromwell as an unjust usurper and murderer of the free people of England. Besides the business in Wales, other parts are in great suspicion ; so that you see upon what threads the affairs of this kingdom depend, the issue whereof none can conjecture other than strange and dangerous on all sides ; for I am verily persuaded that the Grandees 1 here will push it to the uttermost, and make a bloody catastrophe of it if the Scots be but resolute ; for they are so affrighted with what they have done, that they can neither look back nor advance but with a strange despair or extraordinary hazard ; and they would certainly run where their treasure is, had they not engaged so many men of fortune, whom they have fooled to believe themselves as desperate as they, which I fear will gain them a strong party, being already masters of the City by a mere plot of their own, in pursuance of others in hand. But God is above all, and I hope will convert all to the best. On Monday next is the general call, and then we shall be full of news : this being all at present. Sir, I do herein inclose other letters, which I shall request you to convey. In the meantime, having (by much diligence) recovered the box, I delivered it the same day unto the lady, who returns you many great acknowledge- ments for the favour. My brother is in town ; and I think I shall suddenly dispose of some monies in very good hands to my best advantage, being now quite off from purchasing, till the times be better, and the lands more supportable, 1 By the Grandees, he means the men in power on the Parliament side. 10 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1648. which are now coming on us afresh. My uncle John came yesterday to see me, my nephew William failing of his pro- mise, which was to have prevented the visit with my first addresses. He still holds his resolutions for France ; which I do very much approve ; and, when this term is done, I shall make bold to air myself at Deptford till these broils be over. I desire to hear news of the Prince, and likeAvise whether the Marquis of Ormoiid have taken his leave of France. It is reported here that the States retain his Highness, and will not let him move. Tou must rectify all, and so I conclude, Yours, as I ever was, to honour and serve, APLANOS. London, 4th May, 1648. SlE, Yours of the 6th and 9th of May received, chal- lenges this account from me. And first I perceive you are fully satisfied in the particular of my L. Mon., 1 whom I shall soon inform touching the diamonds, as likewise per- form your other commands to the C. of Clare. My uncle resolves to visit you about fifteen days hence, with whom Mr. L., who, in the meantime, shall be advised how th' affair concerns him with Mr. L. Gr. I do remember also your advertisement touching the gold. As to the point of Mr. F., I do much incline to your opinion ; so that, if you can procure the money, I am willing to relinquish all ; yet I presume the favour which I did him (being wholly un- known to him) was worth a reply to my last letter. And now for news : first, I acknowledge the obligation of yours of the 6th and the 9th, and in exchange assure you that things are in an extraordinary fair overture here. Monday, late, came one Colonel Marshall with the Scots' demands, which were for a personal treaty ; a full vindication touch- ing his disposal 2 without their privity ; the pressing of the covenant, establishment of presbytery, and speedy dis- banding of the army of schismatics and sectaries under the command of Thomas Lord Fairfax (for so are the terms) ; and a positive answer to be expedited within fifteen days, 1 Lord Montague. - The King's. 1648. JOHN EYELYN. 11 which is their uttermost limitation. Upon this, the opinion of the wise is divers ; some apprehending that it' our bre- thren see presbytery and the covenant put into speedy ad- vancement, they will agree both together in desertion of the rest ; for that the loyal party are beginning to appear so formidable, both amongst them and in every corner of England, as puts them in fear that when they are once en- gaged, it will not be in their power to make good their pro- positions, which are only made use of to drive along their own interest (for without doubt the Parliament are now in such a condition that the Scots cannot demand what they shall be denied) ; so these will be quiet and proceed no fur- ther. Thus some ; others are of a quite contrary sense, because of that bitter mixture in their ink touching the army, which will, I believe, extremely gravel their resolu- tions. The surprise of Berwick and Carlisle in my judg- ment should signify that their intentions are more than nominal. But as yet there hath been no faith in the sons of men. Hope we do, and indeed there is good reason so to do, since that gallant and unanimous appearance of your Essex men, who (contrary to all expectations until the very nick) came in a body of about 15,000 men, whereof 2000 horse and foot rode quite through London ; the rest stayed at Stratford-Langton, bearing their petitions before each hundred of the county ; and were so well and so advanta- geously marshalled even unto the very Parliament doors, that nothing was, nor is like to be of greater consequence than this very day's appearances. And that you may know what an extraordinary cortege it was, there were thirty knights, 500 gentlemen, gallantly attended, and the rest all freeholders without exception, as it appeared upon debate ' of those who strove all that they could to suppress it. For this they were constrained (though highly against their stomachs) to give them thanks ; and for the present, in the name of the Houses, they promised them that the first thing which they took in hand, should be the contents of their petition, containing a personal treaty, disbanding of the army, and other things of the like concernment, tend- ing altogether to the wished-for settling these distractions. This petition to-morrow it will be in print, so that yet particulars are not generally known was presented by Sir 12 COBBESPOKDENCE OF 1618. "William Hicks ; and if you had but heard the bells of every church ring as they passed the streets, with those strange and cordial acclamations of the people as they marched, I am sure it would have more cheered your heart than this imperfect relation can possibly imagine to do. But this cold answer which they received, hath, it seems, appeared to them so unsatisfactory, that they are resolute not to leave it until matters be in better posture ; and in pursuance of their steps, our county of Surrey are in a very great forwardness to do the like. Divers other coun- ties likewise resolved to follow them, which strange altera- tions (after all this security of theirs, and subornation of mock counterfeit petitions to take them for their votes of non-address) shows plainly that it is only the finger and power of God, who can unravel all this bottom of confu- sion, by beginning their destruction, where they began our miseries. This day's work has struck such a damp in them 1 that they all concurred in the House this morning, that either they must accommodate with his Majesty, or resolve to despatch with monarchy, and run a most desperate course, which I tremble to consider. In the mean time Crom- well is not in such grace with his soldiers as to make that force he believed he should to accompany him into Wales, where (if Lahorne 2 be not treacherous) he may yet find a difficult employment. It was whispered that he is not to be found, upon which it is imagined that he is again tam- pering with the King, or else hatching some cockatrice* egg, which will suddenly break forth. I assure you this day's example is like to be such a shoeing-horn to the good expectations on foot, that no conjuncture could be more lucky ; and I augur much satisfaction in the rest of my expresses to you hereafter. By the next we shall see more clearly, for it cannot be long now but we shall see what we have to trust to. God in his mercy put a conclusion to this tragedy, and so I end. 1 The " Grandees" of Parliament. 2 Major-General Langhern is here meant. He resisted at Pembroke in company with Foyer, was sentenced to death, and escaped at the throw of the dice by which Poyer suffered. 1648. JOHN EVELYK. 13 [Postscript.] Extraordinary haste, occasioned by visitants, just at the writing hereof, with the lateness, before I was well informed of the truth, makes ine write thus confusedly. If you approve it, my sister and brother Granville (who are truly persons not unworthy of friendship), hearing that I intend to spend the heats of this summer at Deptford, at my request will bear me company, which will be an ease to my expenses, (they being but frugal,) and no little satisfaction ; else they go to a stranger's, and I shall be alone : but till we have your approbation, nothing is resolved. London, May 12th, 1648. SlE, I come now (with a great deal of regret, God knows) to relate you the catastrophe of the Kentish design and engagement, they having, as it were, universally aban- doned themselves to no better conditions than the mercies of the men of Westminster. For indemnity is no more granted them, than if they had still persisted in their loyalty ; so that many of them being imprisoned (as Sir Pay ton Brockman, &c.), the rest are become slaves, and the whole county at their devotion. Behold the fruits of your wise consultations in Prance ; from whence it was stedfastly hoped and confidently believed some person of conduct and quality would have been sent unto them, with such a commission as might have determined all disputes of precedency in a conjuncture of so much advantage and opportunity, the like whereof we henceforth altogether despair of. When I reflect upon the strange miscarriage of that poor county (not for want of hands, but heads), I cannot but accuse you abroad, as well as lay the blame upon our proceedings at home. When Maydeston 1 might have, been relieved during the fatal conflict there, by one thousand men, which waited on my Lord Norwich and others, not a commander would stir for want of orders, or (to say truly) obedience to some person that had a more proper delegation than any there pretended. The people were numerous ; the country was full of arms and provi- 1 Maidstone. 14 COEEESPONDEKCE OP 1648. sions ; the sea, the river, and the ships were their guard ; the adjacent shires were their confederates ; the enemy was weak, far off, and full of apprehensions ; in fine, there was nothing wanting, but temper, discretion, and valour, in some individual and particular men,, to have (ere this) freed us from the most detestable and sordid oppres- sion that ever befel a nation. But God was not yet pleased to think us fit for deliverance, and we must attend his leisure. Sir, I have held you too long on a sad theme, but really my passion is guilty, and I must beg you pardon. All our talk now is of my Lord of Norwich, his march and accessions in Essex, which, with some hopeful planets in the north, and a few faithful ships, is the small glimpse and little light which now guide us from falling on the rocks of despair. And now I have spoken of my Lord of Nor- wich (I beseech you be nothing discouraged), he is strong and in a very good posture ; there being come to his assist- ance my Lord Capell, \vith numbers of gallant men out of this town, and Sir Charles Lucas, by whose counsel and valour we do promise ourselves a great deal better success, both from the example of their neighbours and the hand- some constitution of their followers. Their number is about 5000 horse and foot well armed, and stout men. In this engagement none were compelled, or, indeed, invited, but only such of the country as were absolutely resolved to dispense with all private interests and run the uttermost hazards ; so that such as would accept of indemnity were not restrained, nor such as declared for them refused ; in the mean time many of the trained bands accompany them, fearing to return upon submission (so much are their very mercies obnoxious), and the whole army march towards Cambridgeshire, where it is reported they will this night encounter an adjunct of 500 horse more. Nor are they at all afraid of those who follow them seeing the General (who is this day come out of Kent with 1500 foot and 500 horse, having left 2000 men to take the two forts which still re- fuse him), as the cream of their whole forces in these parts are conceived to be fully equivalent to him in number and resolution. If they can attain the north without great impeachment, it is nothing doubted but the game may yet 1G43. JOHN EVELYN. 15 be balanced to the purpose ; for which purpose we heartily pray here to God. "We pray to God that he may establish, the resolutions of those who command the navy, for the Rich 1 is sent empty away from Portsmouth (whatever they brag), and we are made to believe here six or seven more are come in to them. Many of our ships are under sail for Holland, where we hope they may receive a gallant Admiral: yet it was practised by our grandees here to have tempted them both with money and promises, for which end, besides the stratagem of manning a ship z with women (not Sirens) to entice them (the sailors' wives), Sir H. Vane and Mr. Green were despatched with golden hooks and stranger instruments to have prevailed with them. This is the news at sea ; and indeed, if it hold fair weather there, the Storm cannot last long at land, as the citizens and merchants very well foresee, who are now forming a more peremptory petition for an effectual com- pliance with his Majesty ; that trade may live again, which, is now giving the last gasp. For if these wooden walls- hold out, the merchant must keep in, and the retail men (who are numerous and depend on them) will be compelled to farther some strange and sudden alteration, which God send us. On Saturday next seven night there will of course be a Common-Hall for the election of a new mayor and sheriffs. What that may produce, none can tell ; if the threatening army be far enough, perhaps something of consequence. In the north, Pomfract Castle is relieved and reinforced with 400 men ; God grant 'the governor prove honest. Langdale still augments : but whether advanced, retreated, or happily engaged with Lambert, nothing can be col- lected of truth. The Scots are at a stand, and many affirm they will not come in, the Duke of Hamilton having laid down his commission (as they report) ; but if Calender 3 resume it (who is more for the King, less for 1 A pun upon Rich Earl of Warwick. 2 Evelyn elsewhere remarks, " This was a new sea-term." s The Earl of Calender, who fought for the Parliament in England, had now taken up the King's cause in Scotland. His disputes with the Duke of Hamilton at and after the Kout of Preston are matters of his- tory. The report that the Duke had " laid down his commission" wa premature. 16 COBEESPOXDENCE OF 1618. the crown, than the ether), it ia hoped the change is not for the worst. In North Wales, the good party received an unlucky defeat ; in the South, Cromwell is fortunately repulsed; which particular expect in my next. Ireland does nothing but remonstrate. So has Essex done this morning extremely well. Sussex had a general answer to their petition, and all things are as much out of frame as ever : Orate pro nobis. If his Highness were on the coast of any voisin country, it would add great influence in our proceedings. It is said Prince Rupert is designed for this place, but believe it altogether unseasonable : happy for us Norwich had stayed. Yours, APLANOS. From the old hand and place, 15th May, 1648. SlE, This succeeds iny last of the seventh current, which I wish heartily there were just cause to retract ; our Welsh news running still as high as ever (whatsoe'er may be the report with you), so that you may be assured all expectations from those parts are absolutely frustrated ; this victory being so unseasonable, so unfortunate, in so hopeful a conjuncture. But it has fallen out (as I was ever fearful it would), the Royal party engaging themselves in all places so preposterously, that it is now conceived it will be no difficulty for the army to weed them out. And who can tell but that our brethren (who always appre- hended that party might overpower them in conclusion, and turn head against Covenant) do willingly contribute to their ruin, by their slow advance and manifest cuncta- tion. However, not to discourage you altogether, we hear there is yet a remnant of them left in the castles, who will be able to give them some trouble ; and it is reported that Langhorne, 1 and such troops as escaped, are advanced and gotten to Langdale, who appears numerous and far engaged in the kingdom. And if the Scots (as all our confident party do verily believe) be as good as their outside, there will be yet another difficulty for the game. It is rumoured that their Parliament being adjourned till the 31st of July (as I take it), they will out of hand be marching ; and that 1 See p. 12, note. 1618. JOHK EVELYN 17 letters now come to the House with us are no way satis- factory. Others, again, offer to lay wagers that they come not in at all. It hath been moved that the forces of the army might still abide in London, even by Skippon himself, notwith- standing that they had a late grant for the return of their ancient militia, which is not well taken (as I conceive) by the citizens. Essex does still persist in putting their whole county into a defensive posture against all taxes, quarter- ings, sequestrations, and the like oppressions. Surrey comes up unanimously with their petition ; Kent are vigorously in hand with theirs ; which are the best signs that I can possibly discern of a timely change. And without doubt (if the army were but conveniently divertised), both this city and the adjacents to it would be so associate, as we might have a blessed conclusion of these distractions, without Scot or devil. And now I spake of Kent, you are to know that those who were to be tried by the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer were all acquitted by the several juries, and an ignoramus brought in ; several jurors, a strange charge, and all the rigour that malice could invent, having been tempered together to despatch them, which so much incensed the country, that when the verdict was finished, all of them cried out aloud, " God, King Charles, and Judge Tresham !" who, it seems, did, in his instructions to those of the county jury, declare his opinion with less vehemence and rigour than did Wilde. "Which event of theirs hath so much vexed the thirsty ones of the Parliament, that it was moved this day martial law might pass upon them ; but it was not as- sented unto. So that you may see what the common law is like to come unto, if our constitution cannot preserve it. One observable I must not [omit, which was, the judges being to pass by in a coach, there were three halters de- livered, like a present, from a country fellow, with addresses ; one to the judge, another for the under- sheriff, and a third for Mr. Major. Tresham confessed to the Speaker but this morning (as an ear-witness assured me) that the affections of that county were totally lost ; and that if there had not been a guard of two troops of horse and a regiment of foot, nothing could have rescued them from the violence of the people. VOL. III. C 18 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1648. Just as I am corne to this period, my brother surprises me that he now spake with two or three gentlemen, who had it from the mouth of the Gloucester carrier (but now arrived), that Horton, in this action of \Vales, has been since totally routed, and the other still in posture ; which sudden change of scene does so amaze me, that I know not what to add, until a farther inquiry, which time will now prevent me of. Grod grant it may hold to the next ! [The end of this letter has been torn off.] London, 18th May, 1648. SlB, The news of this interval is so strange, and the scene of such a look, there is no ink black enough to ex- press the horror and impiety of the act ; but because I have not time to anatomize circumstances, I shall only present you with the naked relation. Tuesday was the day of our Surrey men's petition, the contents whereof I make bold to enclose. It was much opposed in the county by Sir R. Onslow (one of the Knights of the Shire), and others of that party, as the complexion and nature thereof, aiming honestly at the true mark, will readily discover : notwithstanding, being bravely animated both by men of quality and honour, it Avas subscribed unto by many thousands, and brought up according to the usual manner by near upon 5000 knights, gentlemen, and free- holders of the best qualifications in our county, and pre- sented by Sir Edward Boyer to the Lords, and one Mr. Price to the Commons. But so it happened that, after the Lords had returned them a civil answer, the Commons of purpose retarding theirs (as it is believed), whilst many of our county, naked and disarmed men, expected in the Palace - yard their reply (more than a third part of them being dismounted, and scattered by means of an extreme shower of rain, which then fell abundantly), there rushed in upon them two troops of horse and a full regiment of foot, invited privately from Whitehall, and, falling upon our poor countrymen (after they had slain some watermen and secured the stairs), most barbarously not only wounded 1648. JOHK EVELYN. 19 but utterly stript and murdered a great number of them. 1 by Avhich means they not only failed of their expectations in petitioning, but lost many of their horses and lives too. Upon this the Parliament gave thanks to the Lieutenant who guided the action, after they had substituted false witnesses, -who deposed that some disorderly person of the multitude cried out twice, " God bless King Charles !'.' Avhich is crime enough here to put a man to death. Behold now, if this be not a satisfactory answer to our petition, and if the right of the subject be not highly asserted ! This was the tragedy of Tuesday. "Wednesday, a committee was ordered to examine the particulars more accurately, wherein you may De sure our poor Surrey men shall have little favour, if you well ob- serve the premises ; and in order to that nothing is yet done which gives any honest man satisfaction, seeing that it hath hitherto extended no further than to the restoring of their horses taken, and the prohibition that for the future no petition shall be brought through the town by above five or six persons at the most, whereby you may easily conjecture for what reason our poor petitioners were . so inhumanly butchered. Since this fatality, some talk of an inclination in Surrey to associate ; but I fear their enemies are too potent. If Kent be not discouraged, there are great hopes of a sudden change ; but that Essex does most magnanimously proceed, a very little time will fully acquaint you : meantime, thanksgiving has been given for the mock victory in South "Wales ; though it is feared the forces there are but in a bad condition, Cromwell pressing very hard upon them, so that, if more speedy succour do not arrive from Ireland, proceedings there will be in great disadvantage. That Langdale is strong there, nobody dis- putes. And it is affirmed, that the Scots will be suddenly upon English ground, though I (for my part) do much doubt it ; their general being (as we hear) not yet approved, and their rendezvous of so long a date, that it is feared the animosities of those injured and oppressed people will be utterly and irrevocably suppressed. This day the city of London obtained a complete order 1 " About 20 slayne and wounded more than 100," is a note attached to this letter. 20 COBEISSPOKDEFCE Ol" 1648. for the speedy re-instating them into the Tower and ancient militia ; but, so long as Skippon is to continue their major, it is not to be expected that any good should come from them. And indeed it is more than suspected, that they will forthwith comply in all respects to their masters the army. For which end, they have granted them liberty to collect 30,000, as a small gratification for their several good ser- vices. So that you see what hopes we have of the happy days, which you believe in France are breaking upon us ; now in more obscurity, thraldom, error, and confusion than, ever we were since these wars began. They talk of treating with hip Majesty, but defer it ; to- morrow, some say, they go about it ; but, if I do not sleep till they intend it, I shall never lay mine eyes together, unless proceedings have a strange turn, and an unexpected catastrophe. This is all our news in brief. I pray God give us patience and hope, which is the only refuge of miserable men. But he that endureth to the end, shall be saved. London, Whitsunday, 1648. SlE, Upon hope you have received my last, which gave you notice of our Surrey success, I continue this pre- sent ; wherein you will find no more satisfaction touching that miscarriage and strange entertainment, than almost the utter defection of the county. Persons have been examined by the committee deputed ; but with such par- tiality on the soldiers' behalf, as that the county are draw- ing up a remonstrance to disabuse the world. All that may be is attempted to reconcile them. My Lord of Northumberland and sundry others sent down to assuage them. My brother absolutely refused to go. Sir R. Onslow has utterly lost himself; and I am confident, that though the heat for the present be allayed, yet that county will be always ready for an opportunity to declare themselves. Meantime Kent are still resolute to pursue their petition (which, it is apprehended, will not be brought up by men that are so unprovided as that of Surrey was) ; however they 1 labour all they can to suppress these meetings and 1 The Parliament men. 1648. JOHK EVELYN. 21 intentions, by having caused a declaration to be read in every church throughout that county, to deter men from setting their hands, or acting therein, under the name of a pretended petition, tending to a seditious consequence. It is this day reported that the city of Eochester is all in an uproar upon a bruit that soldiers were coming amongst them from the parliament, they resolving to op- pose them ; but there is no such thing, for I suppose our masters have not such a strength near them, as they dare adventure amongst them. But that which is most ob- servable from thence, is the news of Saturday, giving in- telligence from Mr. Mayor of Sandwich, of Prince Charles his landing, or another Perkin Warbeck as like him. Some believe it, your friend laughs at it ; and so soon as he 1 has a new suit and a clean shirt (of both which the poor Prince was extremely disfurnished), Mr. Mayor has pro- mised to send him up, having first, as Pilate did our Saviour, conjured him to tell him whether he were that Charles Prince of "Wales, eldest son and heir apparent to Charles, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, Trance, and Ireland, King, with the rest of his titles, as in good earnest it is affirmed. Some now begin to scandalize the proceedings in Essex, as if their hearts began to fail them ; and matters not alto- gether so high as it is reported ; but this comes from a person, 3 who I am confident wishes it so. They speak of an offer of the Cambridgeshire men to join with those of Essex ; but how true I know not. Hertfordshire and Mid- dlesex, some think, will petition, with a great part of Sus- sex ; which things are but in embryo as yet. Ireton has played the d 1 in Hampshire, plundering and imprisoning all such as he suspects to be loyal ; amongst others having secured Sir ~W. Legg and Mr. Ashburnham, 3 who (as it is reported) were betrayed unto him. From "Wales we have received nothing, since Cromwell's cruelty at Chepstow ; but the holding out still of the castle there, which, upon the late storming, slew a world of the assailants. The rest 1 The alleged Prince. 2 Sir Harbottle Grimston (in margin). 3 These were sent to Windsor Castle, where I think they lack many friends." (Evelyn's note.) 22 ' COEEESPOXDENCE OF 1648. of the castles resist as yet, if some internal discord do not injure them, it being talked here as if the commanders were all at defend one amongst the other. Letters this day from the North confess, that Sir M. Langdale is grown to a very considerable army, well ap- pointed and disciplined. His head-quarters are at Kendal ; and, if he do advance with any convenient speed into York- shire, they acknowledge him irresistible because of the defection of that county : and our letters from Scotland affirm that, notwithstanding all the complaisances here, and their victory in Wales (which the letter says has nothing disanimated the counties in those parts), they are unani- mously resolved to march forwards very suddenly. Upon which, his caution was that unless 5000 horse and dragoons were expedited, all would be lost in those quarters. And assure yourself, their armies at present are so exercised with apprehensions at home, that they have not such num- bers to spare abroad ; not daring as yet to remove the garrison from "Whitehall ; and, with very ill wills, that of the Tower marches out to-morrow. In the mean time, Skippou doth much complain, that he does not find the trained bands under his command in such due obedience, since his late re-instatement, as he expected they would have been. ***** [The remainder of this letter has been cut off.] London, 1st June, 1648. SlE, I have these two days continued in town, to enable myself for the intelligence of this day ; every motion proving now of such consequence, as if the whole State depended upon every man's reports. That the scene is in Kent, I need not re-advise you ; but that the entire machine of our hopes is altogether knit upon the success there, I can assure you. On Tuesday last, Sir Thomas drew out upon Blackheath (having marched through Surrey, where, by the way, many soldiers deserting him, neither he nor any of his durst ad- venture to lie in beds or in towns, but kept the field all the night, for fear of the incensed countrymen), to the number of 3000 sober and well-appointed men. He is since 5663 1648. J011X ETELYK. 23 men, as the list was given in to the committee at Derby- House ; which advice I got very strangely. The next day he advanced as far as Dartford, and so that night quartered even to Gravesend (where at present the head-quarters are), having swept the places through which he hath marched of all their horse, which the Kentishmen spared, that they might not disoblige the countrymen, and, [seizing] other moveables, plundered the town. As for acts of hos- tility committed, there hath as yet been little, beside the conjunction of some scouts and forlorn hopes, wherein it is reported the people have had much the better ; and oqe tells me that Colonel Backstirr (the same that commanded the Surrey assassins) came yesterday into London, mor- tally wounded. Touching the reports of this day, they seem to be very much in favour of the Army, as that Eochester was entered by stratagem, or Canterbury (for none of the relators agree either in the place or modus), the Cavaliers defeated, and the whole people were in disorder. But it comes through such hands and from such persons, that I do assure you it is no part of my creed ; for the whole body, being within the river of Medway, it is believed, were in a better pos- ture than to be dispered with a single party, though never so resolute. Besides, two watermen, which were employed by some of our correspondents, arriving just now from Gravesend, assure us that such as were sent to discover, to- wards Eochester, came back with a sad relation of their strength and numerosity. Others say there was a strong party sent through Sussex to relieve Dover ; by that means taking a gallant force of gentlemen, who had esteemed them the King's friends ; whilst another is ready to depose there is no such matter, but that, on the contrary, as some troops were marching through Sussex, the inhabitants of the county fell foul upon them, and so frustrated that design. For mine own part, I believe neither the one nor the other, but absolutely gather from the variety of the best, and un- confident relation of the worst, that they have never yet engaged to any purpose. As for the Kentish army, I hear it is divided into three brigades, their comrnander-in-chief being Hales. They have one council, to redress the complaints of the county ; 24 COKBESPOSTDENCE OF 1648. and another, to transact all martial affairs. That which is most considerable with us, will be their remaining in this posture till matters are arrived to more maturity in Essex and the City ; the one wanting time for their absolute de- claration, and the other a little more warmth in their new nests of militia ; for I do assure you the snakes do now begin to hiss, and may speak aloud ere it be many days longer. Major Brown (no later than yesterday morning) said in full House, that the Army were no less traitors than the men of Kent themselves, calling them a pack of shufflers and varlets ; and added that himself would be one of the thirty who would meet any forty of them in the field, to determine the truth of his assertion ; telling them, more- over, that he which, at that present, commanded the Parlia- ment Guard below, would not refuse to assert his expres- sion, as secure as they thought themselves ; which (being called up) he readily declared at the bar. For this demeanour it was this day expected the Major should have been ques- tioned by the House ; but nothing was done, save the re- ception of a petition; which came from the moderate party in the city, wherein they express their desires of a personal treaty in London, the releasement of the imprisoned Alder- men, and that they would join with them in an association with the Kentishmen, Essex, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and Sussex. This demand being a breakfast more hard than they could digest at that time, they referred them to a committee, which was presently selected, that should endeavour to give them competent satisfaction ; but what this is I cannot yet learn, nor do I believe it is yet deter- mined. Perhaps they will offer them to be contented with the settlement of the militia throughout the whole kingdom Avhich they pretend to be now in hand with ; with other such stuff or design to procrastinate the time till they see Avhat will become of their main stock, which is now that of Kent ; who, they hope, will be forced to an engagement, and so to a confusion, that they may bid a second good night both to King and people. But I hope God will in his mercy prevent it. In the mean while, the City are extremely discontented ; and I have protracted my this day's writing as long as I 1648. JOHN EVELT2T. 25 durst, that I might have given you some intelligence what has been done in Common Council ; but they are not yet risen. Besides, we have great talk of a Common Hall, which it is believed may happen to do strange feats with. Skippon and the Parliament ; all which, together with the whole fate of these fair blossoms, absolutely depend upon the Kentishmen's behaviour and non-engagement, which you are desired to pray for, without ceasing. The news of the revolt of almost the whole navy stands yet good. Warwick is gone down ; but it is thought he will not be admitted, unless he change his spots, and avow their protestations. Cromwell, it is feared, may be near with some horse ; but many do not believe it. The gentle- men in the North increase, but have a great force against them. The Scots look like Janus with two faces, and pre- tend such distractions among themselves that they are gene- rally taken for knaves amongst us. Tet some affirm they will come in. From Ireland no succour comes yet toWales. It is wished you would send us some sober, wise, stout, man into Kent. Surrey have this reply to their Commis- sioners, that no more soldiers shall be quartered amongst them ; that the authors and executors of those murders shall be prosecuted according to law (there having been seven more found strangled and butchered, lying unburied in a ceDar at Whitehall, since the soldiers left it ; there ap- pearing by the names subscribed more than 100 that have miscarried, or at least not yet returned home) : all which shall be put in execution when the Kentishmen have played out their game. Believe it not before ; for they are resolved to adventure the whole State upon this design, continually expecting when the good tidings will be brought them of their bloody and desperate designs upon that poor people, which God divert ! APLANOS. London. June 5. 1648. SIB, Not to lose time (though I may haply escape some more fresh intelligence, by sealing up my letter before the Houses are risen) I am destined to relate to you the sad news of our Kentish misfortunes. On Thursday, the army began to engage with the Kentish at Gravesend, where 26 COESESPOIS'DENCE Or 16-18. there was little opposition ; on Friday, on attempting Ro- chester Bridge, they were repulsed with some loss from the town, so that finding no passage in those parts, they advanced as far as Maidstone, where by the treachery of a gunner, who was to fire the ordnance on the bridge, whicli be con- verted against the people in the town, they rushed into the streets, and after a very hot dispute (by the help of the dis- affected therein) they mastered the town, killing about one hundred, and taking some prisoners ; but all this was not done without a considerable loss on their part, whicli it ia believed, sextupled the number of the countrymen. How- ever, the fame thereof came so seasonably to the City, that it hath for the present quite dashed all our proceedings for an accommodation, and, as their own relations will have it, they endeavour to make us believe that they have killed 200, taken 1200 men, 5000 arms, and finally so dispersed the rebels, as they call them, that there are not two men left in a body through the whole county. In the mean time, those who calculate the march of Fair- fax can by no means probably consent to the truth hereof; for he, being suddenly commanded back by the Houses who apprehended themselves in some danger from the tumultuary inclined people, could not possibly have time enough to penetrate unto the more eastern parts of Kent, where we do yet believe there is a sufficient power to preserve themselves in a body and take the castle of Dover, which some say is beleagured. Besides, there ia another force at Canterbury, not as yet dissipated, as ap- pears by Sir Thomas's own letter of this day from Roches- ter, where he is, having sent a party of 600 horse through the city into Essex, to pursue those who, upon the taking of Maidstone, quitted Rochester as untenable. Of these, who are about 5000 horse and foot, the Earl of Norwich is general, a very unfit man, as his character is with the City ; which makes them much suspected. They ferried over on Saturday night about Greenwich, and upon their arrival, having made good the bridge at Bow, beat back with some loss to the enemy such of the horse as were sent round about, and foot likewise, who issued out of the Tower Hamlets against them : this is their posture at present. I am told the Essex men, (who are joined in great numbers with them) have now sent up Charles Rich with their sub- 1618. JOH^ ETELT2T. 27 mission to the Houses, upon their indemnity and further satisfaction to their petition, which, whether it be true or false, I leave to a small times determination, since others affirm it is only the act of some of the gentry of that county, not of the commoners. And this is the best rela- tion I can learn. Now for the City. No Common Hall could be procured ; for it being referred to a committee of their own, and all accesses being shut up from distm-bing them, it was there ordered in the negative ; so that you may hereby plainly perceive from where all our mischiefs proceed, even from a self-interested party in the City, commanded both by Par- liament and Army. From, the North, none contradict the this day's report of the taking of Pomfract Castle by a party of Langdale's forces ; which news, with the bruit of Cromwell's defeat in North Wales, does not a little recover our drooping cavaliers. The ships (it is said) are more and more firm, though some wise men believe they will be wrought upon with money and other corrupt practices. Some report Norfolk and Suffolk to be newly risen. Sir Charles Lucas, we hear, is gone this morning into Essex, and that your cousin, S. T., with divers others, follow him this evening. From Ireland there comes no news at all ; but it is reported this morning (from a Blue Bonnet), that our brethren will undoubtedly come in some time this month, as he assures us ; all factions being there appeased that may obstruct them. It is now a-voting whether the Earl of Norwich shall be a traitor or not. "What they conclude, expect by my next. As touching applications to his Majesty, be confident none will be, unless by a very high and an almost miraculous hand they be compelled at last unto it ; for, in order to a personal treaty, nothing is resolved on by the Houses, save the preparing those bills for the re -calling his pro- clamation, the security of their militia and presbytery for three and ten years ; which is sent down unto the Scots, with a golden hook, and, if swallowed by them, it is likely his Majesty (accepting of their benevolence) shall, upon his divesting himself, obtain leave to approach to Hampton Court, there to be almost a Duke of Venice. 28 COEBESPONBENCE OF 1648- For all this, Sir " Fides que coronat ad aras " let us have good hearts. APLANOS. I \vould foot this letter with what I have since learned ; but how true, I leave to time. It is now hot come to town that the dispute hath been so hot in a long fight yesterday and to-day with the remaining part in Kent, that, as some affirm, Sir Thomas is wholly routed ; and certain it is, the men of Essex have beaten (being new in fight) those horse, their opposers, even unto Whitechapel. Grod improve this ! . London, 15th June, 1648. SIB, Lest I should endanger the departure of the post (which hath hitherto made my despatches so confused and precipitately written), I shall continue my intelligence to you before the Houses are risen, and from henceforth prepare my letters in convenient time for their delivery ; adding what shall intervene as postscripts, till the fixed moment of sending them away cause me to seal them up. Since my first of June, I expect you have received mine of the 5th, 8th, 12th ; all which I have punctually and with- out interruption sent you. And now for the news. The scene is Essex, more topically Colchester ; the persons, Lord Norwich, Lord Capell, and Sir Charles Lucas, who (with us) passeth for the actor in chief ; and I pray God it conclude not in a play (a tragedy I mean) ; for the army of the faction made such haste after them, that (as some say), diflident of his horse, he betook himself to the town ; yet it seems not so opportunely but that he was constrained to shut the gates upon some of his own men, about 300, who were most of them taken. Whereupon they set fire to the suburbs, and (as they say) were storming' of the town, in hopes of success. This, Sir, is the story of the faction ; but others report (and methiuks, upon the unconfident manner of late and sickly relations of theirs, with as much face of truth) that in this conflict was a sore and bloody flight, till the dark- ness of the night caused them to withdraw into the town ; 1648. JOUST EYELTJT. 29 the suburbs whereof being thereupon set on fire, with the conspiration of the wind, which was full in the army's teeth, rendered them of the town such a light and oppor- tunity to fight by, that, upon a second bold issue, they recovered not only their losses, but gave a great overthrow to the enemy, causing them to make towards their ord- nance, which lay three or four miles oif; in this chase killing and taking divers eminent ones of the soldiery, which are not yet come to light. And this, I must confess, I am somewhat inclined to believe, knowing for certain that the general sent to Skippon for a re - inforce of 3000 horse (no less) this morning very early. And now I mentioned Skippon, you must know that the faction here have presented him with many horse, which are privately listed, and are ready upon all such occasions. By which practice of theirs (if the City be no wiser) this town will insensibly fall under a considerable bondage again ; for all their militia, and the junto at "Westminster, make all possible diligence to put the adjacent counties in their posture of defence ; impeding all such meetings, by their proclamations and otherwise, as they apprehend may tend to petitioning, however freely they have voted in right of the subject ; yet with all this ado, scarce hindering the sollevation l of Hamp- shire, some parts of Sussex, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk ; the two last of them being of late (if not yet in consider- able numbers) ready to join with the Essexians. And, with- out doubt, could Sir Charles be able to make good his inarch forwards, his forces would be incredibly augmented by that time he attained Sir Marmaduke,whom he believes to be the most serious and likeliest party of Loyalists in this poor kingdom. It is here confirmed that he is retreated to join with the Scots, who some aflinn to be more cordial in the design than myself am inclined to flatter you with at present. As for South Wales, Cromwell has absolutely received a notable repulse from Pembroke, with the loss of at the least i>00 men that miscarried in the storm. From Ireland we hear nothing of consequence as yet ; 1 Kindling of hostility ; from the French, soulever. So, in a marginal jiote to this letter (next page) the French word "redarguer" is used for our English " blame." 30 COEEESPOKDENCE Or 1648. but the news of the faithful seamen and navy (consisting now of about fifteen stout ships) doth strangely encourage us, especially hoping that the approach of his Highness will add both resolution and constancy in them. And that this is a consideration of moment, I need only repeat you this passage of Sir H., which he let fall lately in the House, that the defection of the fleet (however they seemed to slight it) was of more consequence than the loss of five armies. 1 Farewell ! APLANOS. The business of Colchester looks now very suspicious, but nothing certain ; only that the Scots are numerously entered, is uncontradictedly reported this evening ; and this, with the ships, promises very much. The three castles hold still out in Kent. Mr. Spencer desires to know how his son doth, from whom he hath not heard long since. I shall recapitulate your letters, and the next week inform you how my par- ticular affair stands with my brother. London, 19th October, 1648. SlE, There is nothing from hence worthy your observa- tion, besides what I have enclosed, to avoid the medium of writing. It is (as is imagined) the general sense and in- clination of the forces (now sufficiently at leisure) to think on mischief, chastise the City, and cudgel the Parliament, for daring to treat with a King who standeth so ill in their lonnes graces. The Speaker pulled forth a letter this morning (which he shewed to a friend of your servant's), intimating that for those whom he is desired may be given up (with his assent) as an holocaust, to be abandoned as ever inca- pable of making their composition either for lives or for- tunes, he had given his ultimate answer, being resolved never to sacrifice those who had been his friends, though with the hazard of this overture. And as touching the abolition of Bishops (which two things are the only dif- 1 " Spoken to redargue their coldness in reducing them." 1648. JOHN EVELYN. 31 ficulties), lie replied that he had received no satisfaction (as to point of sacrilege and reason) from those arguments presented him by the divines, and therefore desired the Commissioners (whom he took to be intelligent and inge- nuous men) that they would propose something which were less verbal and more substantial ; the issue whereof you will soon understand. I pray it may not be with the disso- lution of the treaty. The last concessions (since those I formerly advertised you of) are the taking away all honours conferred by patent under his Great Seal since 1642. For himself, his Majesty hath as yet proposed nothing, save his coming to London, and the settlement of a constant revenue to the Crown. Judge Bramston is likely fungi officio, as heretofore having acted nothing since the supersedeas which was sent him from Oxford ; so that Wilde is not likely to supplant him. There is shortly a general rendezvous of the army at Newmarket. Every man speaks his mind of the treaty. For my part, I leave all to the soldiers ; and, if they do not deceive us, peace may happily ensue. I am since told that the ajmy have put off their meet- ing, and that the treaty is like to be effectual ; but this is Exchange news. From the Villa, 23rd October, 1648. SlB, Tour last of the 24th of October I received ; and being now upon my journey into Sussex (where I intend effectually to settle my business), I conceived it would be seasonable for me to advertise you thereof, so that you might not imagine by my silence that there was any in- terruption in the Ordinary, by whom I have seldom failed to render you the best intelligence I can learn. Since my last, I received an express from a correspon- dent of mine in the Isle of Wight, which gives me great hopes that the treaty may yet produce something like a settlement, which we continually expect in these parts. But what was more than I expected, an enclose from Mr. Warcupp (whom Mr. Speaker hath sent thither, to give him an account of proceedings there, and whose letters to 32 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1646. him lie continually reads in the House), containing many great expressions and tender of service, if in anything there he could be useful to me ; adding withal, that if I desired a safe convey thither, he would readily procure it. To which (after I had returned him many acknowledgments for being so mindful of me at that distance, and after so long a dis- continuance of acquaintance), I replied, that for my own particular, I had nothing to do there, as being no person that could pretend anything to state aifairs (such as were now transacted) ; but for my relation's sake (whom he very well knew), I should neither spare charge nor pains, knew I but how in the least proportion to promote his designs, which I told him were so just and honourable, that if I had any friend in the world (as I knew none more able and real than himself) unto whom I would recommend the interest of a deserving person, it should be that of , x who had been in nothing more unfortunate than in being (what he was resolved still to continue) an honest and a candid man, amidst all this storm of temptations and exigencies. And for him, if it lay properly in his way to do any right (either in confirmation of his present employ- ment or election into some new), by which one of such excellent parts might not be lost to the commonwealth ; as the good, which he should be the instrument of, would be a sufficient satisfaction to himself, so the favour he shewed thereby done unto us both could never be forgotten. And something to this effect, I conceived (as I told him) might be in his power to do (whether the treaty succeeded or not), for which he should not find us to be only verbal in our last expressions. This was all writ, which, if it shall appear to you no unpardonable presumption in me, I shall be exceeding glad. Now I am going into the coach, and cannot stay to make other conclusion than that of, sir, Tours, &c. APLA.NOS. My service to all. I am sorry for my uncle's indisposition. 1 Sic in MS. 1648. JOHN EVELYN. 33 London, 18th December, 1648. SlB, Behold the third post, which brings me nothing from France ; the last from these parts (bearing date December 12th) furnishing me with apprehensions, that you may come to know what distractions signify, in a short time, as well as we in this place by so long and woeful experience. 1 Since my last, the soldiers have marched into the city, and seized on the public treasures ; they have been pretty quiet as to much action, only they extremely insinuate themselves into the town, where they pretend to be at free-quarters until their arrears be fully paid. In the mean time they have garrisoned Blackfriars (which likewise they have fortified with artillery) ; Paul's Church, which, with London House, they have made stables for their horses, making plentiful fires with the seats ; also Barnard's Castle, with divers other considerable places in the body and rivage of the city. By this means they are ready to govern the election of public officers, which will of course fall out to be on St. Thomas's day next ensuing. The members are still in hold ; so that there seldom meet so many in the House together, as will make up a Parliament, until they have sent for them to their houses. Divers others, though not in restraint, yet are not permitted to enter ; so that now none come above fifty: and sometimes for the com- mission of the seal they are called from oif the chancery. Thus they are troubled both to meet and to adjourn. How- ever, they made a shift to unvote the vote of redresses to the King, and the proceedings thereupon, as wholly un- justifiable ; in order to which, that the receiving likewise of the ten members into the House (when a charge of so transcendent a nature lay against them) was unparlia- mentary and of dangerous consequence. Major- General Browne was fetched out of London by a troop of horse, and carried to Whitehall, from whence he was sent prisoner to St. James's, where he is now accompanied with Clot- worthy, Massey, and Waller, all whom I hear were made 1 The allusion, it need hardly be remarked, is to the insurrections of the Fronde. VOL. III. D 34 COBBESPOKDENCE OP 1648. close prisoners the last night, at which time it is said divers troops of horse and companies of foot went towards Wind- sor, where it is thought his Majesty was suddenly to come, and be proceeded upon in the uttermost extremity. All the discourse is now upon that new model called The Agreement of the People, unto which every man will he summoned to subscribe ; and this being first to be debated by a general council of the army, made me this day have the curiosity to adventure amongst them. Wherefore, put- ting myself in a suitable equipage, I got into the council- chamber, where, Ireton presiding, a large scroll containing this new device was examined, and each paragraph or title there (after a very short debate) put to the question, but with that disorder and irreverence, and palpable cozenage, as is impossible for you ever to believe, unless you were an eye-witness of their transactions. Neither to any one thing did the officers (of whom this council was composed) agree ; scarcely abstaining from using uncivil terms at what time they differed in judgment ; so young, raw, and ill-spoken men (Ireton himself, in whom the world is so much mis- taken, not excepted,) I never imagined could have met in council together ; nor is it possible for nie to believe this rope of sand can long subsist, for the present puffed up (as they are) with success, interest, corruption, and an ignorant company of people whom they have called out of all the counties in this kingdom, to execute this chimera when it is formed, if in the mean time the good God do not disturb them. This Agreement, by which they will cheat us all under the name of the people's agreement, containeth, to my best remembrance, these heads in the preamble : That the King and his party having lost and forfeited their trust in the people, and been fairly vanquished, the people are now in a state of absolute freedom. That now, therefore, they have unanimously agreed to put an end to this present parlia- ment by April next, and in June to elect new represent- atives, who shall be chosen without writ. This shall sit but six months, and then be dissolved for two years, in which interim, a council of state shall sit (which council, 1 perceive, shall have the grand arbitrary power in it), for the government of the Common Wealth (for so they named it 1648. JOHN EYELYN. 35 upon all occasions). That none who make their composi- tions, shall be ever hereafter molested for any thing said or done during these last engagements ; that all public receivers be brought to an account ; that laws may be abridged, and all of them rendered in the English tongue ; that all religions may be tolerated which shall not be ap- parently prejudicial to the State ; and finally, that delin- quents be brought to a speedy trial ; such forces to be still maintained in several parts of the kingdom, as shall be necessary for the safety thereof, till these things are effected, and all appearances of contradiction utterly suppressed and subdued. This, sir, is the test we must all undergo, that will enjoy any thing here ; where, for the present, all things are at the devotion of an army, and where there is certainly no more face of religion than heretofore in Sodom and Go- morrah, which God destroyed with fire from heaven. Warwick is come in, contrary to his own interest and safety, as many think. The King is now made pupil to Sir Thomas Fairfax, the General, who is to take care of him. Hamilton is come to Windsor. No drum to be struck up, nor militia to be exercised in city or county, but by immediate command from his Excellency : all is now in their hands, and we are an utterly lost nation, without the mercy of God. I am right sorry to understand the loss of so many of my letters, as I perceive have miscarried, be- cause some of them contained matters of particular con- sequence to your servant : but haply in this some of them may be come to your hands. Ireland is now the only string to our bow. Little hope of any rising in this kingdom, whatever reports you hear : yet am I most confident there is nothing which these men do that can continue. In the meantime, I wish you could advise me how I may prevent an absolute ruin as to some part of my fortune, which I would most willingly dispose of in some more peaceable and sober corner of the earth. Neither in these resolutions shall I want either encouragement or company, even of my best friends in England ; who have thoughts of leaving this place in a very short time, if these proceedings continue. Sir, I am altogether confused, and sad for the misery that is come upon us. Since finishing hereof, I received yours of the 19th. I 36 COEEESPOKDENCE OF 1649. pray God to give mine uncle a safe return ; that shadow of my dear self which he brings shall be most agreeable, which, had you not mentioned, I should now have importuned you in, that which I bear about me being not altogether so like the subject as I have often wished. I am hanging a chamber in your villa, where I am going to set up my rest after Christmas, till you otherwise dis- pose of me, having now in a manner disposed of mine affairs. London, 22nd March, 1648-9. SlE, I enclose the news henceforwards, that (being un- mixed) it may be the more communicative. Since my last, here is nothing done by the New States 1 of great concernment, besides the Act for abolishing the Kingly office in these dominions* with a dissolution also of the House of Peers, and disabling any of the last King's posterity to claim any title to the Crown. Successive to this (being the production of this day) there is published a declaration, showing the causes of the late proceedings in alteration of the former government ; which, being now the corollary and svupopa of what they have to say, proves to be, iu the judgment of most indifferent people, a piece full of recrimination on their own proceedings, very slenderly managed, worse penned, and in nothing seconding to the large expectations. The forces in Lancashire under Colonel Ashton, formerly ordered to be disbanded, are reported to be very refractory (the Earl of Derby's son being chief, and the number near 4000, unto whom, we are told, the country come in apace, they professing for the covenant) ; and that they fortify Clitheroe Castle, to oppose the coming of Major- General Lambert, who (perhaps) may rise from Pom- fract to force them to an obedience. If this prove true, it is unwelcome here, where some bold fellows (of whom one Captain Bray is chief) have presented to the House a charge against his Excellency, for which Bray is sent prisoner to 1 The reader will observe that between the dates of the present and preceding letter the execution of Charles the First had taken place. 1649. JOHK ETELTK. 37 "Windsor, as traitor to the people. For my part I concur with, some, who conceive it merely the design of another eminent member of the army, 1 whose ambition, ha,ving no limits, is resolved to neglect no tentative (how many soever fail, and of which some Eoyalists are apt to make too plausible constructions) that may unsaddle the General, and fairly hold him the stirrup : and then we shall be ridden to the purpose, sir. The trials of Powell, Foyer, and Langhern, are not yet concluded as to final sentence, though some now say they are condemned. Sir J. Stowell is to be dispatched at the King's Bench ; Judge Jenkins, the next western circuit (being a person too eminent to be heard plead in this place) ; poor Brother Bushel will hardly escape. The Marquis of Win- chester and Bishop Wren are to remain in everlasting pri- sons, who, with those banished (already signified to you), and such as have assistecj. in the Irish affairs, have not leave to compound. The rest have thus : All within eighty miles of London, filing their petitions at Goldsmiths' Hall by the 1st of April ; all more distant, within six weeks, and if be- yond the seas, by the 1st of June ; after which time, to forfeit their estates ; and then we may expect the act of grace, which is now much discoursed of. And to the end their impartiality may be notorious, they have confined and ex- amined the Lady Carlisle, upon whom there is now a strong guard. Some are not ashamed to say, that they mean to put her to death ; others, that her honourable brother shall secure them that she shall no more play the stateswoman. Papists that have been in arms, have permission to sell half their estates, and depart the kingdom ; the other moiety is to be left for the public service. Some talk as if Sir John Winter had day to be gone ; but it is myste- rious, to such as have understood how he hath been re- ceived here. The Scots have now owned the late act of their commis- sioners, in a letter full of artifice, whereby (taking notice of the breach of public faith, law of nations, and the common freedom of ambassadors), they endeavour rather to aggravate the unkindness, than to discover any positive menacing, which yet they forget not to imply ; craving 1 CromwelL 38 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1649. the time of three months warning (according to mutual engagement), before a war (if no other satisfaction in the interim) be recommenced. The Prince Elector (with some ceremony) is gone for Holland, from whence Mr. Strickland writes word that Monsieur Pau, the Ambassador (returned, not long since, out of England), hath made a very favourable relation of his noble usage here : and that the States will not interpose in the difference between the Prince and Parliament, with matter to the same effect. Lieutenant- Gen. Cromwell, with some other gifted cham- pions of the army, exercised yesterday at Whitehall, to in- quire of the Lord (according to the language now in use) whether he were the person destined for the Irish employ- ment (whither, I dare assure you, he hath no mind at all to go, but haply may be caught) ; and for the good success of this, there is to be a day of public humiliation. Our great navy here advanceth not with that speed as is desired, the seamen being very much unsatisfied to admit of landsmen to force them. For all this, here are many vessels in preparation some gone forth already, and others upon expectation of a more favourable wind to bring them into the sea. Some fire-ships, I conjecture, may accompany them; by something I have both heard and seen. Here is talk as if their Vice- Admiral (disputing with a States man-of-war for the courtesy of the seas due to the King) had received much hurt and loss ; others say, Prince Rupert met with her; but neither of them are confirmed. It is likewise reported that David Lesley and his anta- gonists in Scotland are likely to accord, and that the party in Holderness for his Majesty proves to be true ; but no such thing as was given out, that any Danes or Swedes were landed. Some write out of Holland, that Montrose and his old enemies are likely to unite : if that could be effected, and that but one interest were prosecuted, it would much conduce to the wishes of many ; but we think here that a Scotch enmity is implacable. There are whisperings as if Jones and Ormond were accorded ; which, methinks, seemeth likewise to correspond with your expres- sion, viz. " Upon the arrival of the good news here out of Ire- 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 39 land" &c. If that be so, believe what a great person among the States let fall to a friend of ours the other day : " We /tare e'en cast our selves upon Providence, and know not which way to turn our selves." The Countess of Peterborough is secured, and the Lord of Carlisle since sent to the Tower. Please to advise to what persons you communicate the author of this intelligence, for he desires to be con- cealed. London, 26 March, 1649. SlB, My last "bears date the 22nd current, since which it is here reported that Pomfret Castle is delivered ; all, except six only, to have mercy ; three of whom, making a desperate sally, escaped ; the other three are taken. This, for the present, is all the certainty we have ; and I fear it is too true. Neither do we hear of any thing more from the Lancashire men, who (although still very troublesome to the faction here) yet it seems did not think of relieving those distressed men. I was told this morning (of one that pretends good intel- ligence) that there were two ships of corn gotten into Dub- lin ; but Jones's brother (newly come over) reporteth that the city cannot hold out above a Aveek longer. For my part, I give faith to neither ; only this, I think it were time the Lord- Lieutenant despatched that work ; for here are preparations of great strength intended, Cromwell himself resolving to go in person. Prince Rupert hath taken at sea near upon twenty sail of very considerable ships, richly freight with wines and other commodities from divers ports in Spain, two whereof are exceeding rich in plate, and one bearing thirty pieces of ordnance ; which news, being but few hours old, hath given a wonderful alarm to this city, and will doubtless much impede their maritime prepa- rations. J. Lilburne hath published a second part of England's New Chaint, in pursuance of the Levelling petition of 40 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1649. September llth, wherein he doth to the life discover the late perfidious sophistications of our grandees, and, in the name of an host of his party, doth solemnly protest against their dissimulation in bringing up the army into the city, the extra-judicial proceeding with the King, the discompos- ing the Houses, their election, establishing High Courts, and Council of State, and present aweing of the Parliament almost against all their late transactions. What this will come to, time will evidence. "We hear of commissioners coming out of Scotland hither, which we take to be an ill sign, unless matters be carried on prudently with that kingdom ; in order to which, and some other particulars, I am much solicited (by persons of great faith to his Majesty's cause, and of equal abilities and intel- ligence of present affairs) to recommend unto your best op- Eortunity with the King's Council, these few particulars allowing, viz. : 1st. That his Majesty be desired, if possible, to close with the Scots as to condescensions of ratifying what church government they please, in their own kingdom ; and for this of England, that he will absolutely refer it to a synod of di- vines, and a new free parliament, to be chosen after his restitution. 2nd. That he would suddenly publish a favourable de- claration to the city of London, as likewise to the Presby- terian party in general, and all others that have not had any hand in the late destruction of his father ; for, by this means, he will preserve them both from that feared coalescence with the army, unto which only their despair of the King's mercy and protection, it is doubted, may incline them the sole endeavour of the Grandees now being, after this break- ing of their spirits, to persuade them that their iniquities are unpardonable. And in this piece his Majesty cannot be too indulgent and kind in his expressions : some great leaders of the Presbyterians being, to my knowledge, well inclining, since the late proceedings, could they but have assurance from abroad ; especially such as were distinguished here by the name of politic Presbyters, and of which the number fully equals the conscientious. 3rd. That he would likewise declare to the mariners upon what terms they shall be received upon their coming 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 41 in ; fully explaining the cause of that rigour which is re- ported here to have been exercised towards some taken lately about Jersey, which (though I conceive a falsehood only raised here) hath of late much discouraged some of the in- ferior, yet. most useful, condition. 4th. Lastly, that in all these he would close with the Protestant profession, and do nothing as to the point of punishing offenders and Government, but what shall be approved of by the old way of a free parliament, and the known laws of the land. These particulars, I was soberly conjured to recommend unto you; desiring that they may be seriously communicated to some of his Majesty's council, as expedients most proper for the present temper of the kingdom, and especially of this city, which in the meanest of her condition is capable to do hurt or good to the King's affairs. The Scots play the knaves, it is feared. You are likewise requested to carry this advice with all caution as to the party communicating it unto you, who herein ventures both his life and fortune upon the least miscarriage or discovery. Burn therefore this paper ; after you have made your abstract. My cypher being not here, I was compelled to be thus plain. Let me know of the receipt hereof. Superscribed " CONCEALMENT." London, 29 March, 1649. SlB, Supposing that Paris is now free of the investi- ture, a certain accommodation being here in every man's mouth, I presume to adventure this letter by the ordinary address. I should be glad to hear of the resolutions, touching the last affairs, importing my particular. After which, I shall more seriously think of obeying your commands, in order to my coming over. But, before this can be effected, I must see the fruits of this uncontradicted accord, by the usual frequency of your letters ; which have hitherto been so great strangers, that I have cause extremely to doubt of the reality of our common reports ; every man corresponding 42 COBRESPO^DEHCE OF 1649. at Paris daily receiving their intelligence, a favour which I do not often obtain, though I extremely desire it. There is little at present to be added to my former intelligence but the rendition of Pomfract Castle, which was as my former advised you. Neither were mine appre- hensions of the Scots frivolous, since they have taken off the head of Huntly for being a cavalier; banished and proscribed the Marquis of Montrose, Lanerick, Seaforth, Lauderdale, &c. ; and taken away the hereditary shriefships from the nobility, and all donations for the laity. So that their invitation of the King was in all probability but a device to have betrayed him into the hands of sinners. The subjugation of those of the north of Scotland is not yet well understood. The stubborn men of Lancashire afford us matter of various discourse ; but nothing so much as the unexpected surprisal and intowering l of John Lilburne, proclaiming him traitor ; which suffering of his, it is sup- posed, will but stimulate his faction, if not render them desperate. That which I mentioned of the late sea-prize is alto- gether confirmed, and hath wrought very great apprehen- sions in this town, for remedy whereof I see yet no sudden appearance. As for Ireland, make use of this, if you can conveniently. It is determined, by supreme council here, that Jones shall sooner set fire on the city than yield it ; which resolution, doubtless, if the inhabitants understood it, would much alter the matter. If you love me let me hear from you, and what from me you have of late received ; for it is to satisfy your most humble, APLAKOS. I would now have written to Veliora, who tells me she expects me, but being at a tavern with my brother and some others, I could not have time. 1 Throwing into the Tower. GEOKCE , QUIS OF HTJ"N" OB, 1649, 1649. JOHN EYELYN. 43 London, April 2nd, 1649. SlB, By this time mine of the 26th and 29th are come safe to hand. So much favour I promise myself from that late, yet welcome accommodation, which it is reported here hath now been made in France. I hope likewise (with some of my late ones) you have received your bills of exchange, together with what I proposed unto you about your manor at "W., as it was the last resolution and debate at the departure of my uncle, since which I have received nothing from you, which I extremely wonder at, seeing to all other corresponding in France letters come weekly with- out any stop or interruption. I am come this day from D. (whither I was gone two days for fresh air), and now think not to stir from this city till I have so exactly adjusted mine affairs, disposed of some valuable goods, and made myself fit for any motion, or long absence (if so necessity require). All which I presume may be seasonably finished by the conclusion of this ensuing term. After which (if my presence at Paris may import you, vdthout farther engaging myself, in case of your absence from thence), I shall put myself in a posture to be suddenly with you : and, certainly, nothing could satisfy me more than to see you in some hopeful employment, whilst it any way lay in my power to be useful unto you, which I conceive I should no \vay better be, and safer, than if, having settled your family, you were pleased to add me to the number of your domestiques. Neither shall my absence from this distracted kingdom any way prejudice your in- telligence from home, having already laid and prepared such friends here, - EVELYN. 45 be gone. It was last week bruited that 135 is under some cloud in Paris. Be assured he hath laboured all he could to foment matters there, as I could show you by a letter, printed not long since ; and you would do a piece of service to inform the Council of France, that there are yet amongst them divers agents who are to endeavour another irruption, if possible ; for nothing is so formidable here as a conjunc- tion betwixt Spain and you. My uncle is not yet returned, and it concerns me to know whether mine of March 26th came to hand. I have herein enclosed you a cursory proof of the youth's writing, which truly he performs with a wonderful facility and strange sweetness of hand ; nor can you be so fitted in every respect. He is young, humble, congruously literate, very apprehensive and ingenuous, and may be of great use to you (when you can spare him) in schooling your son. He is my brother-in-law's jewel, and from whom, but to you only, I am confident he would not have parted. His person is not very gracious, the small-pox having quite put out one of his eyes ; but he is of good shape ; and I know you do not expect a horse, which whoever buys for show, may lose his race. Truly, I am of opinion you will be very proud of him, and may make him your secretary with a great deal of reason ; however, if you do not like him, I am now resolved never to part with him, so long as he is willing to be with me ; and above all, he is admirably temperate. The Anabaptists' desire of engrossing the whole kingdom into their hands, promising to provide for the army, set the poor on work, and repay public faith for being of that pro- digious nature, I forbear to speak further of. 1 London, 16th April, 1649. SlE, The small intelligence come to us, since my last, would have quitted you this trouble, but to make recapitu- lation of the enclosed, which you are desired to peruse and address. 1 Some of the " Socialist" schemes propounded at this time hy the Anabaptists (or Fifth Monarchy men) and Levellers were almost iden- tical with French and German theories of Socialism in our owu day. 46 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1649. It were still highly to be wished that those D., 1 which I have so long pressed (from certain knowledge of the good effects they may produce) were by this time put in a way of publication ; and, if I could convey you from what sober persons I am solicited, of much expedience to hinder a con- junction, assure a diffident party, and buoy up the spirits of the people, I make no question some speedy course would be taken about it. It is here reported that the regiment now ready to embark for Chester, refuse to go. In the meantime, here come many complaints of P. R. and P. M., 2 how they treat the seamen and persons of higher quality in Ireland ; which, if true, will prove exceedingly disadvantageous to the greatest of our hopes. For if that business of the fleet be not care- fully managed, and some generally beloved person put into that trust, never look for good, as it now remains. So much I perceive by all discoveries. and the others of that strain (though there were no more in it than the universal disaffection to them), are of infinite scandal on this side; and I am confident do extremely wrong the Cause. And one would think (as it is commonly said) the K. 3 had now no need ; for the humour of two or three endanger the absolute losing of as many hundred thousands. All which, suggested not from me, you are to receive as the Vox Populi. P. El. P. 4 hath obtained much favour here amongst the Grandees, who take orders still to continue his stipend, for which it is believed he is to pay them some considerable service : it would be well looked into : you know what rela- tions of his are at sea. If the old Earl of Norwich marry my Lady Kingsmill, and get both his person and estate freed, you will believe something that I long since intimated. It is not yet known whether the condemned Welshmen shall be executed or banished. They find still very great difficulties in the sea- affairs, and I do not hear of any great fleet, besides those already at sea with Popham and five more, now ready to put out from Portsmouth. The Common Council require double 1 Allusion is evidently made to the demands of the moderate Royalists, contained in the letter, ante, p. 29. 2 Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice. ' The King. 4 Prince Elector Palatine. 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 47 security with Deans and Chapter lands upon loan of this last advancement ; and I hear that the new Lord Mayor begins to make some scruple of publishing their unkingly proclamation without the politic assistance of this city in body representative, which they refuse. Be assured that the news of this last week hath made our Grandees look nothing so confidently as heretofore, whatever be the reason. It is verily believed that if there had not been some falling - out by late discourtesies done to 159 from 183, he had ere this been master of 152. And this is all I know at present. P.S. The levelling party are now so high that I may shortly write you word of the return of those soldiers marched out of this city, and destined for Ireland, to do as great a vio- lence to this stately council as lately they did to the Parlia- ment, for such is their resolution against Cromwell and his followers. They are likewise changing all their commanders. Philipp and Montgomery, the first of that name, took his place this day in the Commons' House. We have no ill news from Holland ; if true, the States talk of building gallies, and making slaves. Superscribed " A Monsieur, MONSIEUR EOBEET KIBBLE, Denieurant atec Mons. Greene, Merehand Anglois, a 1'Hostel de Yenize, airs Fau- bourgs St. Germain, a, Paris." No dale. About the middle of April, 1649. SlE, Yours of the 10th received. I much joy to under- stand what of mine have come to hand, especially that so much here expected and desired, in order to a free and gracious D. both to city, presbyterian, and mariners ; and that before their fears and want of confidence (being alto- gether their pretence) necessitate them to a compliance with the army now (I say), whilst matters are warm and exasperated, as hath of late been in this city, since (after degraduating the Lord Mayor) they have voted five more of the principal aldermen ! out of the city government, thereby 1 In margin : " Goore, Adams, Langham, Bunce, and Reynardson, men able to furnish with great sums, some of them having most part of their estates beyond sea, and moderately inclined." 48 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1649. to make it absolutely their own, resolved to elect sucli men in their places as shall force this ass to receive all such burthens as their unmercifulnesses please to lay upon it, and from which these aldermen had hitherto exceedingly obstructed them. Contrary to all expectations, a fleet is at last patched up, consisting of thirty stout, yet mixed, vessels, which are now under sail, ready to visit the Irish coasts ; besides, they are preparing as many more to bring up the rear, so soon as they can be fitted. If these be not broken, good men here will much despair ; but, if reduced, believe it the hook is in their nostrils. There is no more of the last week's confident reports that Dublin should be surrendered ; but this is certain, that three commissioners are despatched from hence to treat anew with the Catholics, in hope that by outbidding the Lord Lieutenant the bargain may be repented, and a party gained. But, as for land forces to be in a great forwardness to be sent into that kingdom, as yet I discover not ; nor are they much to be feared, if the divisions in Scotland grow so high as already to have engaged Lesley and the Huntleans. But this, "though formally related, is but pamphlet news ; and to which I adhibit no more faith than to assure myself that the distractions there may prove capable of a great diversion here, where there are the regiments designed to march northwards (as it is conjectured) to assist Argyle in case it grow to a business, and he be overpowered. They are preceding with the Lord Carlisle and the rest of the Welsh prisoners ; but what will be the issue is not known : only it is said that they pretend to have discovered matters of great proof against Brown for having received 20,000/. towards this last summer's engagement, for which he is ordered to be speedily sent for from Windsor Castle, his prison. There is nothing here so much abhorred as a peace 'twixt your two crowns of Prance and Spain, for which all applications are used to the Hollanders that they would interrupt it, upon reason of state, well knowing that their joint interest can no longer well subsist but in troubled fountains. If the ]aing ever think to thrive here he must provide 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 49 him a good body of horse, of which the army here are ge- nerally so well provided, that a more complete and nume- rous is not easily to be seen. If this could be compassed upon safe stand and repose, all other advantages would soon rail in of themselves. If Hide and some others (ejusdem luti 1 ) be of your council it will generally disgust, and be resented here ; their persons being obnoxious to all sides and inclinations. It was reported here that you were 107, but it is not since confirmed. "We much desire to know how you shape your course, and what both your private and public resolutions are. You are yet to receive and account for mine of the 29th March, likewise April 2nd and 5th, besides this. London, 23rd April, 1649. SlE, I shall write very abruptly to you, as also to my lady, for which I desire you to forbear my reasons, till the next return. I omitted also the last Thursday upon the same account. Since my last ; little news, but great ex- pectations from Dublin, which some (not your servant) affirm to be delivered. Here are great preparations on this side : 12,000 drawn out by lot, the greatest part whereof, it is said, are unanimous. Shipping, likewise, is endea- voured, M. G. Cromwell showing a readiness, though some will not believe all these appearances. In the mean time, while the new King declares nothing of his intentions 2 to this nation but what is printed out of Holland, &c., we are easily persuaded, (even the most mo- derate as well as rigid Presbyterian, and divers of other stuft') that he prepares only for an absolute conquest, with- out warning, condition, or moderation. Against which I find most men inclined to oppose, by a juncture with the new Commonwealth. Verbum sat . John Lillburne is much threatened, and returneth as high. This day legions of women went down to clamour the House for his enlargement, but had not welcome. Foyer 1 Of the same vile stamp. 2 Another allusion to the demands, ante, p. 40, 41. TOL. Til. E 50 CORBESPOKDENCE OF 1649. is by lot appointed to die, as this day, if his petition prevail not. From Scotland we have nothing certain ; but from sea divers reports of losses, but none from reporters of credit. They have now set forth a fair fleet at last ; but no tidings of successes as yet. Those that are to succeed them are well stored with chains and grappling-hooks, with which stratagem great things are promised to be done. The Queen's goods, hangings, &c., are brought from "Wimbledon, to adorn the Lord- General's lodgings ; and the rest kept at Somerset House. The news of late hath not much pleased, and BO you must pardon these rags of intelligence from, Sir, yours, so long as I last. Some say the regiments which lay at Chester miscarried ; others, that they are not yet gone ; others, that they are landed. Superscribed " A Monsieur, MOSSIETTR KIBBLE, Demeurant avec Mons. Lawrence Greene, Merchand Anglois, a la Ville de Venice, aux Faubourgs St. Germains, a Paris." London, May 10, 1619. SlK, I this day received your congratulatory distich, with other your affectionate expressions of the 15th current, for which please to accept this acknowledgment and second con- firmation of my perfect recovery. Our business of W. is not yet ripe for a conclusion ; the title proving so unsatisfactory to counsel, in defect of a former recovery. But, upon what you are pleased lately to assure me under your hands, I shall make no ^oubt of proceeding ; neither should I have pressed so far, but to satisfy my friends here, &c. And now I must beg your pardon for omitting the last post, having, ever since mine enlargement, been obliged to return many of my friend's visits, and so incerti laris till this day, which is the first I have enjoyed without interruption. Every day is now big with news ; since this levelling dis- temper hath so epidemically spread itself among the sol- diers, that the General himself and Lieutenant- General are 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 51 both of them, with what forces they were capahle to draw forth, inarched towards Oxford and Salisbury, with absolute intentions (if they cannot otherwise accommodate) to put it to the hazard of a day ; which, whatever others affirm, they are like enough to carry, surprising them thus in the infancy of their bold declaration, which hath been seconded by the continual petitions of both sexes for several days past. In the mean time, to prevent the escape of John Lillburne, the Tower of London was yesterday seized upon by four troops of horse, sent in fey the Lieutenant- General, who have possessed themselves thereof, and outed the Go- vernor ; so that John is now faster in Limbo than ever. What will be the result of these strange confusions and distempers, you may imagine ; it being not easy for me to determine, further than that it is probable to impede the preparations for Ireland, from whence we receive nothing which is certain. Neither is our intelligence such, out of Scotland, as speaks anything positively of an agreement with their King ; only Middleton's party, with the Gordons, are acknow- ledged to be very strong, and not a little formidable, inso- much as it is conceived here, that if the King do not accord with the Kirk, Sir John will be forced to invite a parlia- mentary assistance from their brethren here. From Hol- land it is credibly reported that Dr. Dorislaus (lately des- patched from here upon affairs of State, or as others affirm, to prepare something previous to an intended embassy) was assassinated by some Scotchmen, who surprised him at sup- per, at the Hague. Believe it, this is a very unwelcome news to the Grand Council. I was informed, from a singular hand this day, that Prince Eupert had taken, in these summer's fortunes at sea, of money and staple prizes, to the value of two hundred thou- sand pounds, with which he is fortifying himself at Kinsale without rendering any further account. There are divers spies pensioned here, from the king's Court ; which should be looked into. Tou would little con- ceive John Birkenhead should be one. Nor dare I affirm it ; but, as it is my manner to write all that I hear, you must pick and leave what is for your turn. I have no particular passion to any man, and therefore please to correct me when 52 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1649. I transgress. You shall best know how to value mine in- telligence, as you shall see it answered by the success of things ; though that be now no perfect rule to judge by. Sir, I am too bold, but it is to let you understand how absolutely I am Tour unfeigned servant. My uncle J. and his wife being in town, I have been to visit them this afternoon. London, 14M May, 1649. SlB, Since mine of May 10th, here is arrived so small in- telligence from the army, on whose actions depend all our expectations, that I know not what to write, where to fix. The General is still pursuing the reduction of the levellers, which he is resolved to do, either by money, promises, or blows. And it is certain that Col. Reynolds, attempting to reduce a party of them near Banbury, had his lieutenant slain ; so that there is blood drawn, though, it is said, he afterwards dispersed them. "What the rest (in a great body) have done, or will do, is not mine to determine ; but the most sober men believe it will conclude, at least, in a present and superficial accommodation ; others, and they not few, that they will never be appeased till this Council be abolished, the Parliament determined, and all their de- mands absolutely granted. In the mean time, to stay your stomachs at Paris, it is now communicated to me as a very great secret, even from persons of very great moderation and singular interest, that this defection of theirs hath something more in it than as yet appeareth, and that they have privately debated these brief particulars, viz. : 1. If slaves, then to him that hath right; to a king rather than fellow-subjects. 2. If free, as free as heaven and earth can make us ; for in a month's revolution great mutations may be made, and great ones called to account. 3. To incline to monarchy strictly regulated. 4. A speedy rendezvous, and declaration according to papers dispersed by faithful hands into all parts of the king- dom. 1W9. JOH^ EVELYN. 53 5. A dilemma put upon the Parliament either to try or not to try John Lillburne ; if not, then sure to revenge the injury ; if, then just ground of discontent. 6. Quaere, How to supply with Officers ? Reply, Any soldiers created by them were as able as any now in commission ; for did not we make them all at Triploe Heath? 7. Quaere, How to prevent future ruin, in respect some of us are for an universal toleration ; others, for English, freedom only ? Reply, This to be debated next meeting. And doth not this carry a serious face with it ? How facile a thing it is to deceive the credulous Cavalier ! In his hope he hugs himself, sits still, and expects. But I am not apt to be caught with chaff, neither would I have you believe omne hoc micans aurum esse. If my next do not inform you of an accord, believe it that there is suspicion that they will have their scope of reigning, which is all they contest for ; and I verily think an accommodation can be but temporary. For any other loyal inclinations in them, I can in no way deduce it. The L.-Gen. Cromwell is returned to London, to make all sure here, where he hath caused treble watches to be kept for this night past. The corpse of Dorislaus, now brought hither, is to be interred with pompous solemnity. Here is yet no more out of Ireland nor the North ; and now to ourselves. In the business of "W., we have perfectly made a con- clusion, so soon as the deed is sealed, &c., by you and my mother, with which the fine shall (if possible) be conveyed to you next post-day ; for, till that be past, neither estate nor mortgage is valid in law longer than you live; nor Avere your heirs any way responsible to mine uncle, if you had failed, in default of a recovery, as now (as not till now) he very well knows. In the interim, I shall secure to mine uncle the payment of the remainder, so soon as either of you shall determine of the sum, which I desire you should do speedily, that I may provide the monies. And here again I do freely reiterate my promise of settling the land upon my dear wife, as the least part of what I have already given her in my will. This being perfected, I shall adjust the time of my coming over, being exceedingly desirous to 54 COBBESPOKDENCE OF 1649; 4 confer with you about many things. And so, I beseech God to bless us with a happy meeting. Sir, your most obedient servant, EVELYN. I have made all possible means to procure those orders you spake of. S. D. C. protests that he left all his papers, &c., at Oxon ; and others whom I employ can yet give me no account, most of those things being in the custody of our G-randees. Notwithstanding, I will still do mine endeavour till I receive your supersedeas. To-morrow I intend to visit, where are my uncle Jo. raid his lady, for a day or two. London, *Jth June, 1649. SlB, I yesterday received yours of the 12th current, with the duplicates enclosed ; all which shall be duly thought on. My aunt P. is fallen here sick of the measles : so that now our western journey is absolutely put off, and my southern approaches very near. I have been this day visiting all our noble friends in this town, to give them notice that they make ready their commands against next week ; what time I intend to take leave of them, and the week following to put my foot into the stirrup. In the meantime (to-morrow) my uncle and I shall set an hour apart to determine what is farther to be done in the busi- ness of W., in case my brother's money should not come in, he depending altogether upon a creditor, who promised to pay him in 2000 ; so that, however matters fall out, we will so order it, that both you and your servant be well satisfied, and of which I shall haste to render you a more full account. For news, I never knew anything more uncertain than the reports which come to us of something done lately at Kinsale. But, because you may desire it, I will let you know both what we wish, and what we fear. The cava- liers' news goes current, that a squadron of the States' ships 1 having as they thought gained the governor of the castle by a present, &c., entered the haven, and there, 1 Ships of the Parliament. 1649. JOHN EVELYN. 55 putting themselves in posture to have destroyed the P. fleet, 1 and to have reduced the town, their friends in the castle let fly at them with such courage and success, that with the help of the ships in port, and store of shot from the town, they took and sunk divers of their ships, and half ruined them for this summer. But how consistent this is with the last night's Order, that the present block- ing up of Kinsale, and thereby the probable reduction of Prince Rupert's fleet, be added as an ingredient to this day of thanksgiving in all the pulpits, I leave you to judge. Their Admiral Pophani is for certain come to this town, which some interpret a confirmation of their being worsted ; others say, it is to solicit for six months provisions more, resolving to tire them out with over-watching (so you know did AYarwick the last summer), which I take to be as likely. But, whilst I am telling you what we hear from sea, I must not forget to let you know how matters go on shore, this solemn day of triumph in the city. First, the Grandees, my Lord- General upon one of the late king's horses, went modestly through the streets to Christ Church, where, first entered the president in a black velvet gown, richly faced with gold, and his train borne up by two. Next him, the Speaker, and Commissioners of the Great Seal. After him the General ; then the House of Commons. Cromwell at the tail of three Lords, 2 which was all that were there. In this order they took their places, and were fitted with a double sermon. Going from church towards Grocers' Hall, where they dined, the Lord Mayor delivered up his sword and mace to the Speaker, with this compliment, that as he had been a faithful servant to the King, so would he now be no less to the States ; and with that it was re-delivered him according to the custom. Being entered the Hall, the bason and ewer of gold were presented to the General, and a fair cupboard of silver to the L. Gen. After this they sate at table, in the same order in which they entered the church, where they had as luxurious an entertainment as you can imagine. Thus, being now warm, and settled in the new govern- 1 Prince Rupert's. Salisbury, Pembroke, and Lisle (in margin). 56 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1649. ment, they are upon reforming most of the courts of justice, and resolve to confirm themselves by all means imaginable. I hear for certain that the Isle of Scilly is in very ill- condition for want of corn, and that those Irish lately put on shore there (since the sickness of the governor) are ex- ceedingly insolent. Here are speedy preparations for Ireland ; and no doubt but Col. Jones will be able to march into the field with a very little addition. This is all the news which I have thus confusedly made up ; the streets being at present so full of noise and tumult, occasioned by three or four wild gents * in drink, that I scarce know what I am doing, nor how it will end. Here are five Straits' merchant-ships, the custom amount- ing to above 50,000, just come into the river. Alexander Ross- to John Evelyn. London., May 20, 1650. !N"OBLE MB. EVELYN, I have received a rich jewel from you, which I more value than Alexander did Darius his cabinet or Homer's Iliads. You have doubly obliged me to you, first in remembering me who have merited nothing from you, then in bestowing on me such a present, whose verses 1 esteem as peerless ; in the one you show your goodness, in the other your judgment. Sir, I have nothing to return you but verbal thanks, only I shall entreat you to accept this mite for your rich present, instead of a better gift. I would have sent you this epitome bound, but Mr. Bedell told me that you would bind it to your own mind ; then, Sir, your Virgil shall bear your name in the frontispiece as benefactor ; and it shall always be my remembrance of your worth and goodness, and withal of my thankful acknow- ledgments, who shall, till death, remain, Sir, Tour faithful servant, ALEXANDEB Eoss. Sic in Original. - See Diary, voL i. p. 260. 1651. JOHK EVELYN. 57 Alexander Ross to John JZvelyn. London, July 21, 1650. "WOBTHT SlB, I received yesternight your letter and translation, the beginning whereof I have yesternight and this morning perused; but sometime will be requisite to peruse it all with judgment. I have taken the boldness to mark some of its pages, as I desire to confer with you about it. I am sorry to be called from it, but this morning I am bound to Hertfordshire upon urgent business ; on niy return I will solace myself with the melody of your muse, which I will bring to you myself, and pay the debt of a visit I owe you. "With my humble service, I rest your very humble servant to command, ALEXANDEE Eoss. John Evelyn to Lady Garret. Paris, 9/A Octob., 1651. It had not been now that the grateful resentiments of your Ladyship's favour remained so long for a fair gale on this side, if the least opportunity had presented itself before the return of this noble gentleman; and however Fortune (who esteemed it too great a favour for me) has otherwise disposed of the present which you sent me, I think myself to have received it as effectually in your Ladyship's design and purpose, as if it were now glistening upon my finger. I am only sorry, that because I missed that, I did not receive your commands ; and that an obligation of so much value seems to have been thrown away, whilst I re- main in another country useless to you. I will not say, that the way to find what is lost, is to fling another after it ; but if any services of your Ladyship perished with that jewel, there can be no danger in reinforcing your commands, and repairing the greater loss, seeing there is nothing in the world which with more passion I pretend to, than to con- tinue, Madam, Tour Ladyship's, &c. 58 COBEESPO^DENCE OF 1651. Dean Cosin l to JoJm Urtlyn. Paris, 18 December, 1651. DEAE ME. EVELYN, I have been told that, upon the news of rny con- version to the Catholic Faith, and of my retirement thereupon, it hath been given out amongst divers, that I have been in- veigled by the priests of our nation, allured by fair promises to desert my former religion, and now by them detained in such restraint, as not to be permitted to converse with or to repair unto my friends. Hence some have proceeded to ex- claim, " What a barbarous and unconscionable thing it is to separate a son from his father, and to encourage him in this act of disobedience against him." Weak refuges these, alas, to defend themselves ! much weaker arguments to reduce me from where I am. I beseech you, therefore, to know (and also to let others know), that I cannot but esteem this report as a foul aspersion cast upon myself; and I make bold upon this occasion to beg this favour of you, confiding to your candid and uninterested ingenuity that I have found in you, that you will afford it me ; seeing it is only to assist me to manifest the truth without prejudice to any. Surely I have neither so much debility and weakness in my capacity ; so little understanding, constancy, and resolu- tion ; so much of the child, nor so little of the man ; as to be fooled into any other religion by fair words, or be kept in it by threats. What I have done I assure you is wholly voluntary not violently forced, nor foolishly persuaded, not drawn, except I may be said to be sweetly drawn (which I willingly confess) by the powerful hand of Al- mighty God, whose infinite goodness hath been pleased to 1 This is the letter referred to by Evelyn in the Diary, vol. i. p. 285. The writer had become a"Eoman Catholic, " debauched by the priests," says Evelyn, but, in truth, prepared for conversion or perversion by the teaching of his father, the Dean, whose indignation at the result is very much what Dr. Pusey may be supposed to have felt at Mr. Newman's departure for Home. Dean Cosin, afterwards Bishop of Durham, was one of the most popish of Anglican divines, as even Evelyn's occasional notices of him may prove (see Diary, vol. i. pp. 278, 282), and as his published writings more plainly testify. 1651. JOHN ETELTK. 59 strengthen my heart (after some years of reluctancy) to embrace His truth ; and hath also given me a firm and solid resolution (as I hope) never to deviate from His right ways. Believe me, Sir, these desires of mine were not first conceived nor discovered in France (I mean very privately to, or by, some friends of mine, Catholics, in secret discourse, which was sometimes my own desire to content myself) ; I have had them in some degree a longer time, though I deferred the execution of them until' now, not so much to satisfy a discontented world that I did not with temerity resolve, as out of a private and eager apprehension that I might (if any where) meet here in Paris with dear satisfaction. When I had sought here for this quiet to my troubled mind, with all the diligence I could possibly use (without discovering myself to any, which, I must confess, I durst not do on one side, and on the other side as yet I would not), and neither in this way could I find any repose, what had I to do but to extricate myself from the labyrinth of those ambiguities which had caused me to doubt. Which I did privately, too ; by hearing the public disputations of the reverend fathers of many several religious houses and orders, and other scholars ; by reading some manuscripts dictated by the learned doctors of the Sorbonne, by fre- quenting their lectures, in which truth was so clear and solid, so evident, so perspicuous and evincing, that in my opinion no man was able to resist it : potius fugientia ripas Flumina deyincat, rapidis aut ignibus obstet. Where is there yet any barbarism in our priests ? Is it for keeping constant to their integrity of conscience ? Or that I have turned, not to those priests only, but to the Father of those priests (whose ministers they are), my Savi- our Christ. Or is it for rejoicing at the conversion of a sinner, which is the joy of the blessed angels in Heaven ? Though, Sir, their wisdom and piety, their love of God in Christ (for which they daily bear the cross of most oppro- brious contumelies with great joy, patience, and long-suffer- ing), doth carry them so transcendently to their pious obli- gations (whom I have had the happiness to converse withal), I cannot choose but vindicate their goodness and integrity, 60 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1651. their innocence and piety, from those slanderous indignities and heinous false aspersions (especially in this case), which without just indignation I cannot see so maliciously cast upon them. But I am separated (they say) from my dear father, and remain in actual disobedience to his commands. If I be separated, that separation proceeds not from the instigation of any priest living : they have done no more than with joy received me into the Church of God, of which office they are not ashamed, or, if they were, I should join myself to their present detractions, and make their quarrel just. If I obey not his commands, it is because I cannot hear them, and that is caused by my absence. Sir, it is not so new a thing for children to absent themselves for some time out of their parents' sight, when they have done anything, though never so justly, which may seem to displease them. My design was to have discovered the business unto him in the best manner ; and I believe I had done so, had not my resolutions been unexpectedly discovered, and I too sud- denly surprised. Believe me, Sir, my absence proceedeth rather from the duty I confess to owe unto my dear father, than any disre- spect : and if I esteemed it otherwise, I would rather have .suffered much more than I could have expected, than to have withdrawn myself from him. Had I not been assured that Catholic Doctrine did not en- join the payment of children's obedience and duty to their parents, I assure you it would have been a point that should have given me great distaste : and surely the Grace of God cannot diminish our pious and natural affections, since it is the complement and perfection of all virtues. But herein I hope to give due satisfaction to the world, when at last Time, which is edajc rerum, shall first digest all fears and dis- cords, and then rectify their understanding. In the mean while, I desire to give men this satisfaction, that I am free ; and to forgive them their own freedom in talking so disso- lutely of my restraint. Why should people so much concern themselves as to slander so ignominiously (I will not say barbarously) inno- cent men on my behalf, if my desires of privacy be (as they 1652. JOH2T ETELY2T. 61 are, for aught they know) out of a serious devotion to get into the Church as much as I can, apprehending the danger I was in, in being so long out of it ? This freedom, Sir, I have taken with you, as well to quell these vulgar outcries, as to have a right understanding amongst us. If, after the trouble of reading these tedious lines, yon will not take the trouble to communicate this for others' satisfaction and niy vindication, I hope yet I shall not quite lose my labour ; but you will please to believe me yourself, in whose good opinion as an ingenious and sober friend, I shall rest as content as in that of the mul- titude. I cannot be so confident as to think that any will receive a salutation from a disobedient ; I shall, therefore, remit it a while ; and when this dark cloud is more dispersed and blown over, that my candid innocence and integrity in this matter may appear, I shall take the boldness to present my service where it is due, though not with so much freedom. and presumption, yet with the same honesty and heartiness in which I now say I am, Dear Sir, Tour most faithful and affectionate servant, ^ Cosix. Addressed " To his much honoured friend Mr. Evelyn, at Sir RicJiard Browne's, Resident for His Majesty the King of England in Paris" and endorsed by Evelyn : " Brought to rne late at night by an unknown person, and answered by me, dated 1st January, by occasion of the dispersing copies of it in Her Majesty's Chamber." Dean'Cosin to John Ecslyn. Paris, April 3, 1652. SlE, If it had not been our preparation here the last week for Easter, I should have prevented your letter with my thanks for your kind visit that you gave my daughter, whereof she had given me notice the week before. Your 62 COEBESPOtfDEXCE OP 1652. advice and assistance in disposing of her books will, I hope, make her journey more pleasant to her than otherwise it would have been. If those half dozen that your brother hath scored, be not such as will dismember any class, and hinder the sale of the rest which belong unto it, she shall not do amiss to part with them : but for them that you have a mind to yourself (and I would for her sake, and for your own, too, you had a mind to them all, especially to the Fathers, and to the History, both ecclesiastical and secular, whereof upon every occasion you will find great use), I dare promise that she shall give you your own convenient times of payment for such monies as you agree upon, and that her demands for the agreement will be very reasonable. Truly if you would be pleased to furnish yourself with those classes which were chosen and designed by you know whom, for Mr. St. (who intends not to make the use of a good library that you are both desirous and able to do), rather than they should be distracted elsewhere, it will be best for her to take your payments proportionably for several years, as you can best spare the money ; for I would you might have as much ease in your payments as I know you will have pleasure in the books. I am sony you find such confusion in Religion, and such intemperance in life, where you are ; but as neither of them i.s pleasing to you (whom I have ever noted to be virtuous, orderly, and conscientious in all your ways), so it pleases me highly when you can number so many names that make more esteem of their knees and their souls together, than to bow them down to Baal. I never entertained any suggestions against my daughter, who, I am confident, hath more of God in her than ever to be carried away with such Devil's temptations as have seduced and undone her brother, against whom I can hardly hold here from expressing a very great indignation. The excellent letter you addressed to him, I presented to his Majesty's view (and I presented your excuse withal for not coming to him before you went), for whom the copy of it was prepared ; and every way it was highly pleasing to him as he read it. But when I told him it was my intention to publish it, though he wished it done, yet he thought it were better for a while to spare it (rebus sic st-antibus), for fear of 1652. JOHN EVELYN. 63 displeasing his mother the Queen, 1 who had been pleased to interest herself in the matter. I meet often with the good company of those persons that you left behind you : but in good truth I am very sorry that I must lose the benefit and pleasure of your good society, which was always most acceptable to Your assured and most humble servant, J. COSIK. John Evelyn to Edward Tlmrland. (Afterwards Sir Edward Thurland, and Baron of the Exchequer.) London, 2Zlh April, 1652. SlB, Nemo habet tarn certain manum ut non s* EVELYK. 137 of grief which, canrecal nothing that God has taken to him- self in exchange without a kind of ingratitude ? There be some may haply soothe your Ladyship in this sensible part (which was the destruction of niy dear Mother) ; but your Ladyship's discretion ought to fortify you against it before it become habitual and dangerous. Eemember that you have an husband who loves you entirely : that you have other children who will need your conduct ; that you have many friends and a prosperous family. Pluck up your spirits, then, and at once vanquish these hurtful tender- nesses. It is the vote of all that honour and love you ; it is what God requires of you, and what I conjure you to resolve upon ; and I beseech your La'p, let this express bring us some fairer confidences of it, than the common re- port does represent it to the grief of, Madam, your, &c. John Evelyn to Mr. V under Douse, 1 " Grandson to the great Janus Dovsa." Sayes-Court, 13 Sept. 16G2. SlE, I have to the best of my skill translated your Rela- tion of China : if you find the Argument omitted, it is for that I thought it superfluous, being almost as large as the text ; but I have yet left a sufficient space where you may, (if you think good) insert it. In the mean time, it would be consider'd, whether this whole piece will be to the pur- pose, there having been of late so many accurate descrip- tions of those countries in particular, as what Father Al- varez Semedo has published in the Italian ; 2 Vincent le Blanc in French ; 3 and Mandelslo in high Dutch ; 4 not omit- ting the Adventures and Travels of Pinto in Spanish ; 5 all 1 See Diary, vol. ii. p. 184. 2 History of the great and renowned Monarchy of China ; translated from the Portuguese into English, by a person of Quality ; frith cuts. Folio. 1655. 3 Voyages fameux du Sieur Vincent le Blanc, Marseillois. 4to. Paris, 1658. 4 Peregrinations from Persia into the East Indies, translated by John Davies. Folio. 5 Ferdinand Meudez Pinto, his Travels in the Kingdoms of Ethiopia, China, Tartaria, Cochin China, and a great part of the East Indies ; translated out of Portuguese into English by Henry Cogan. Folio. 1663. 138 COBKESPCmXENCE OF 1663. of them now speaking the English language. At least I conceive that you might not do amiss to peruse their works, and upon comparing of them with this piece of yours, to observe what there is more accurate and instructive ; lest you otherwise seem actum ayere, as the word is : but this, Sir, 1 remit to your better judgment, who am, Sir, your, &c. From John Evelyn to Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Croone, Professor of Rhetoric at Gresham College. 1 Sayes Court, 11 July, 1663. SIR, It has neither proceeded from the unmiudfulness of your desires, or your deserts, that I had not long before this gratified your inclinations, in finding you out a condi- tion, which it might become you to embrace, if you still continue your laudable curiosity, by wishing for some op- portunity to travel, and see the world. There have passed occasions, (and some which did nearly concern niy rela- tions) when I might happily have engaged you ; but haying long had a great ambition to serve you, since I had this in prospect, I rather chose to dispense with my own advan- tages that I might comply with yours. My worthy and most noble master, Mr. Henry Howard, has by my Cousin Tuke signified to me his desires of some fit person to in- struct and travel with his two incomparable children ; and I immediately suggested Mr. Croone to them, with such recommendations and civilities as were due to his merits and as became me. This being cheerfully embraced on their part, it will now be yours to second it. All I shall say for your present encouragement is but this : England shall never present you with an equal opportunity ; nor were it the least diminution that Mr. Crooue, or indeed one of the best gentlemen of the nation, should have the tuition of an heir to the Duke of Norfolk, after the Royal Family the greatest Prince in it. But the title is not the thing I would invite you to, in an age so universally depraved 1 He founded a course of Algebraic Lectures in seven colleges at Cambridge, and also a yearly anatomical Lecture in the Koyal Society. 1663. JOHK EVELYK. 139 amongst our wretched nobility. You will here come into a most opulent worthy family, and in which I prognosticate (and I have it assured me) you shall make your fortune, with- out any further dependances : For the persons who govern, there have both the means to be very grateful, and as gene- rous a propensity to it as any family in England : Sir, if you think fit to lay hold on this occasion, I shall take a time to discourse to you of some other particulars which the limits of an hasty letter will not permit me to insert. I have been told to leave this for you at the College ; because I was uncertain of seeing you, and that I have promised to give my friends an account of its reception. If your affairs could so far dispense with you as to afford me an afternoon's visit at my poor villa, I should with more liberty confer with you about it, and in hope of that favour I remain, Sir, your, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Pierce, " President of Magdalen College in Oxford ; and one of his Majesty' 's Chaplains in Ordi- nary." 1 Say es- Court, 20 Aug. 1663. REVEEEXD SIB, Being not long since at Somerset-house, to do my duty to her Majesty the Queen Mother, I fortuned to en- counter Dr. Goffe. 2 One of the first things he asked me was, whether I had seen Mr. Cressy's 3 Reply to Dr. Pierce's so much celebrated Sermon ? I told him, I had heard much of it, but not as yet seen it : upon which he made me an offer to present me with one of the books, but being in haste, and Avith a friend, I easily excused his civility, that I could not well stay 'till he should come back from his lodg- ing : in the mean time he gave no ordinary encomiums of that rare piece, which he exceedingly magnified, as beyond all answer ; and to reinforce the triumph, he told me that you had written a letter to some friend of yours (a copy whereof he believed he should shortly produce) wherein 1 See Diary, vol. i. p. 334 and 398. 2 See vol. i., p. 21. 3 Roman Catholic Doctrines no Novelties ; or an Answer to Dr. Pierce's Court Sermon, miscalled, The Primitive Rule of Reformation. 8vo. 1663. 140 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1663. (after you had express'd your great resentment that some of the Bishops had made you their property, in putting you upon that ungrateful argument) you totally declined to en- gage any farther in that controversy : intimating that you would leave it at the Bishops' doors, and trouble yourself no more with it. This (or words to this effect) being spoken to myself, and to some others who stood by, would have Aveighed more with me, had I not been as well ac- quainted with these kind of artifices to gu'n proselytes by, as of your greater discretion never to have written such a Letter, and abilities to vindicate what you have published, when you should see your time. Nor had I likely thought more of it, had not my Lord of Canterbury, the Bishop of Winchester, together with my Lord Chancellor (to whom upon some occasion of private discourse, I recounted the passage) expressly enjoined me to give you notice of it ; be- cause they thought it did highly concern you ; and that you would take it civilly from me. And, Sir, I have done it faithfully ; but with this humble request, that (unless there be very great cause for it) you will be tender of mentioning by what hand your intelligence comes ; because it may do me some injury. Sir, I am perfectly assured, that you will do both yourself and the Church of England that right which becomes you upon this occasion. I will not say that the burthen ought to be cast upon your shoulders alone ; but I will pronounce it a greater mark of your charity, and zeal, and such as en- titles you to the universal obligation which all men have to you ; upon confidence whereof I satisfy myself you will soon dismantle this doughty battery, and assert what you have gained so gloriously. Thus I discharge my duty, in obedience to their com- mands. But it is upon another account that I was not displeased with having an opportunity by this occasion to express my thanks and great acknowledgments to you, for the present you made me of that your incomparable Sermon, and which in my opinion is sufficiently impregnable ; but something must be done by these busy men, to support their credit, though at the irreparable expense of truth and ingenuity. The Epistle before Mr. Cressy's papers does not Avant confidence : and Ave are very tame Avhiles AVO 1663. JOHN EYELYN. 141 suffer our Church to be thus treated by such as being once her sons did so unworthily desert her. But pardon this indignation. I am, Eev. Sir, Tour most, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Pierce. Land. 17 'th Sept. 1663. SlE, I received your favour of the first of this month with very different passions, whiles in some periods you give me reasons so convincing why you should rather consult your health, and gratify your charge, and personal concern- ments, than reply to impertinent books ; and in others again make such generous and noble offers, that the Church of England, and the cause which is now dishonoured, should not suffer through your silence ; and I had (according to your commands) made my addresses to those honourable persons with something of what you had instructed me, had either my Lord of "Winchester, or my Lord Chancellor been in town. Since I received your letter my Lord of Win- chester is indeed gone to Farnham some few days past ; but I was detained by special business in the country till this very moment, when coming to London on purpose to wait on him, I missed him unfortunately, and unexpectedly. In the meantime, I was not a little rejoiced at something my Lord of Salisbury did assure me, of some late kind intercourse between you and your Visitor, to the no small satisfaction of all those that love and honour you here. In pursuance of your farther injunction, I was this very morning with Dr. Goffe : after a short ceremony we touched upon Cressy's pamphlet : He tells me there are eight sheets more printing (by a Eeverend Father of the Society, as he named him), who has put Mr. Cressy's rhapsody into mode and figure, that so it might do the work amongst scholars, as it was like to do it with his illiterate proselytes. Upon this I took occasion to remind him of the letter which he lately pretended you had written, intimating your resolution not to reply. After some pause he told me that was a mis- take, and that he heard it was only a friend of yours which writ so. Whether he suspected 1 came a birding, or no, I 142 CORBESPOXDENCE OF 1603. cannot be satisfied, but lie now blenched what before (I do assure you) he affirmed to me concerning your own writing that letter. This is the infelicity (and I have observed it in more than one) that when men abandon their religion to God, they take their leave also of all ingenuity [ingenuous- ness] towards men. And what could I make of this shuffling, and caution, now turned to a mistake, and an hearsay ? But so it seems was not that of your being offended with the Bishops for the ungrateful task they put upon you, which he often repeated ; and the difference betwixt you and your Visitor : so after a short velitation, 1 we parted. Sir, I have nothing more to add to your trouble, than that I still persist in my supplication, and that you would at last break through all these discouragements and objections for the public benefit. It is true, men deserve it not ; but the Church, which is dearer to you than all their contradictions can be grievous, requires it. You can (in the interim) govern a disorderly College which calls for the assiduous care ; but so does no less the needs of a despised Church ; nor ought any in it concern themselves so much as to this particular, with- out being uncivil to you : though (I confess) after you have once chastised this insolence, no barking of the curs should provoke you for the future : Sir, I do not use a quarter of those arguments which your friends here suggest, why you ought to gratify the Church by standing in this gap ; because I am confident you perfectly discern them ; and that though some particular persons may have unjustly injured you, yet she has been kind and indulgent ; and in a cause which con- cerns either her honour or veracity, it will be glorious (not to say grateful) you should vindicate her wrongs. You are not the only subject which that academic Jack-pudding has reproached more bitterly personally : The drunkards made a song of holy David, yet still he danced before the ark of God, and would be more vile. What are we Christians for ? I do assure you, there is nothing I have a greater scorn and indignation against, than these wretched scoffers ; and I look upon our neglect of severely punishing them as an high defect in our politics, and a forerunner of something very funest. 2 I would to God virtue and sobriety were more in reputation : but we shall turn plainly barbarians, if all 1 Skirmishing. - Fatal. 1664. JOIIX EVDI/YX. 143 good men be discouraged. Sir, you are of a greater mind than not to despise this. Fa pur lene e lascia dire. But I run into extravagancies, and I beseech you to pardon my zeal, and all other the impertinencies of. Sir, your, &c. Tfiomas Barloio to John Evelyn. Queen's College, 21 June, 1664. SIR, I received by the hands of my worthy friend Dr. Wilkins the last part of the Mystery of Jesuitism ; now not more a Mystery ; being so well discovered to the world by the pious pains of the Jausenists and yourself. I return (all I am at present able) my hearty thanks and by you well deserved^gratitude. I confess I wonder at your good- ness and to me continued kindness, seeing upon a strict search, I can find no motive or merit in myself to deserve it, nor any reason to incline you to so much and so little deserved kindness, unless you make your own former favours obligations for future, and resolve to continue kind because you have been so. I am exceedingly pleased with those discoveries of the prodigious villainies and atheism of the Jesuits, who really are the wild fanatics of the Romish faction ; who have been (so much as in them lay) the bane of truth and true piety for this last age, and probably may be the ruin of the Roman Idol (the Pope) and bring him low, as he deserves, while they impiously indeavour to set him up too high. Sure I am that Idol hath and will have fewer worshippers. I perceive by many letters from Paris and other parts of France that the sober French Catholics are strangely alarmed by the extravagant principles and practices of the Jesuits ; that they seek after, and read diligently, reformed authors to find means against the new heresy, by which they may happily come to discover more truth than they looked for, and at last find (which is most true), that since the Apostles left the world, no book but the Bible nor any definitions are infallible. Pray pardon this impertinent rude scribble of, Sir, Tour exceedingly obliged and thankful servant, THOMAS BAELOW. COEBESPOXDEKCE OF 1664. John JSvefyn to Mr. Sprat, " Chaplain, to the DuJce of Bucking- ham, afterwards Bishop of Rochester .' n Sayes- Court, 31 Octal. 1664. UPON receipt of the Doctor's letter, and the hint of your design, which I received at Oxford in my return from Cornbury, I summoned such scattered notices as I had, and which I thought might possibly serve you in some particulars relating to the person and condition of Sorbiere. His birth was in Orange, where he was the son of a Protestant, a very indigent and poor man but however making a shift to give him some education as to letters. He designed him for a minister, and procured him to be pedagogue to a cadet of Mons r le Compte de la Suze, in whose family he lived easily enough, till being at length discovered to be a rampant Socinian, he was discharged of employment, but in revenge whereof ('tis reported) he turned apostate, and renounced his religion, which had been hitherto Huguenot. I forgot to tell you that before this he obtained to be made a schoolmaster to one of the classes in that city ; but that promotion was likewise quickly taken from him upon the former suspicion. He has passed through a thousand shapes to ingratiate himself in the world ; and after having been an Aristarchus, phy- sician (or rather mountebank), philosopher, critic, and politician (to which last he thought himself worthily arrived by a version of some heterodox pieces of Mr. Hobbes), the late Cardinal Mazarin bestowed on him a pitiful canonicat at Avignon worth about 200 crowns per arm., which being of our money almost 50 pounds, is hardly the salary of an ordinary curate. But for this yet he underwent the basest drudgery of a sycophant in nattering the Cardinal upon all occasions the most sordidly to be imagined, as where I can show you him speaking of this fourb for one of the most learned persons of the age. He styles himself Historio- graph du Eoy, the mighty meed of the commonest Gazetteer, as that of Conseiller du Eoy is of every trifling pettifoger, 1 Tliis letter alludes to Mons. Sorbiere's " Voyage to England," then just published ; and also to "Observations" on the game Voyage by Dr. Sprat. 1664. JOHX EVELY>~. which is iu France a very despicable qualification. It is certain that by some servile intelligences he made shift to screw himself into the acquaintance of many persons of quality, at whose tables he fed, and where he entertained them with his impertinencies. A. great favourite of our late republic he was, or rather of the villainy of Cromwell, whose expedition at sea against Holland he infinitely extols, with a prediction of his future glorious achievements, to be seen in an epistle of his to Mons. de Courcelles, 1652, and upon other occasions : not to omit his inciting of our [Roman Catholics to improve their condition under his Majesty by some effort, which smells of a rebel spirit, even in this relation which he presumes to dedicate to the French King. Thus as to the person of that man and his communica- tions : for the rest in which this audacious delator suffici- ently exposes himself to your mercy, I forbear to add ; unless it be to put you in mind of what occurs to me in relation to your vindicating my Lord Chancellor, whom all the world knows he has most injuriously vilified ; and you have an ample field to proceed on, by comparing his birth and education with that of his Cardinal Patron, whom he so excessively magnifies, and even makes a demi- god. My Lord Chancellor l is a branch of that ancient and honourable family of Norbery in Cheshire, as it is cele- brated by Mr. Camden in his Britannia, and so famous for the long robe, that an uncle's son of his present Lordship came to be no less a man than Lord Chief Justice of England not long since, which dignity runs parallel with their Premier President de Paris, one of the most con- siderable charges of that kingdom. Nor has this person ascended to this deserved eminency without great and signal merits, having passed through so many superior offices ; as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Privy Councillor, Ambassador Extraordinary, &c., not to mention his early engagement with his Majesty Charles I. in a period of so great defection ; the divers weighty affaires he has success- fully managed, fidelity to the present King, his eloquent tongue, dexterous and happy pen, facetious conversation 1 Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon. VOL. III. L 146 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1664, and obliging nature, all of them the products of a free and ingenious education, which was both at the University and Inns of Court, now crowned with an experience and address so consummate, that it were impossible this satirist should have hit on a more unreasonable mistake, than when he refined upon the qualifications of this illustrious Minister. You will meet in a certain letter of the old King's to his consort the Queen Mother, that his Majesty long since had him in his thoughts for Secretary of State. But these topics were infinite ; and 'tis no wonder that he should thus defame a Chancellor, who has been so bold as to dare to censure a crowned head, and to call in question the pro- cedure of the King of Denmark about the affair of Cornlitz TJlefield, 1 for which Monsieur 1'Abbe de Palmyre has per- stringed him to that purpose, and published it in French, together with some observations of an English Gentleman npon the relation of Sorbiere, in which those unworthy and malicious imputations of lacJiete and baseness in your nation is perfectly vindicated, even by citations only of their own French authors, as namely Andre du Chesney, Antoine du Verdier, Philip de Commines, and others of no mean name and estimation amongst their most impartial historians sufficient to assert the courage and gallantry of the English, without mentioning the brave impressions the nation has made even into the very bowels of their country, which after the winning of several signal battles, they kept in subjection some hundreds of years. You cannot escape the like choice which he made by which to judge and pronounce of the worth of English books, by the learned collection he carried over with him of the works of that thrice noble Marchioness, 2 no more than of his experience of the English diet by the pottage lie ate at my Lord of Devonshire's : but it is much after the rate of his other observations ; or else he had not passed so desultorily our Universities and the Navy, with a thousand other particulars Avorthy the notice and not to be excused 1 Count Cornelius Ulefield Oxenstiern, Danish Prime Minister. 2 Margaret Cavendish, Marchioness, afterwards Duchess of New- castle, a very voluminous writer, both in verse and prose. There are fourteen volumes of her works in thin folios greater favourites with Charles Lamb two hundred years after her Grace's death, than they - appear to have been with Evelyn in her lifetime. TIME HON. IR(D1BEKT IBOYILE, OB, 1691, 1664. JOHIf EYELYN. 147 in one pretending to make relations ; to omit his subtle reflections on matters of state, and meddling with things he had nothing to do with : such as were those false and presumptuous suggestions of his that the Presbyterians were forsooth the sole restorers of the King to his throne ; and the palpable ignorance of our Historiograph Royal where he pretends to render an account of divers ancient passages relating to the English Chronicle, and the juris- diction and legislative power of Parliaments, which he mingles and compares with that of Kings, to celebrate and qualify his politics : upon all which you have infinite advan- tages. It is true he was civilly received by the Eoyal Society, as a person who had recommended himself to them by pretending he was secretary to an assembly of learned men formerly meeting at Mons r . Monmors at Paris ; so as he had been plainly barbarous not to have acknow- ledged it by the mention he makes ; whiles those who better know whose principles the Mushroom 1 is addicted to, must needs suspect his integrity; since there lives not on the earth a person who has more disobliged it. Sir, I am, &c. P.S. I know not how you may have design'd to publish your reflections upon this disingenuous Traveller ; but it would certainly be most communicative and effectual in Latin, the other particular of his relation coming only to those who understand the French, in which language it is already going to be printed. John Evelyn to the Honourable Robert Boyle. Sayes- Court, Nov. 23, 1664. SlE, The honour you design me by making use of that trifle which you were lately pleased to command an account of, is so much greater than it pretends to merit, as indeed it ia far short of being worthy your acceptance : but if by any service of mine in that other business, I may hope to contribute to an effect the most agreeable to your excellent and pious nature, it shall not be my reproach that I did not my best endeavour to oblige it. I do every dav both at 1 Mr. Hobbes. L 2 148 COEEESPO> T DENCE OF 1GG4. London and at home, put Sir Richard in mind of this sup- pliant's case ; and, indeed, he needs no monitor, myself being witness that he takes all occasions to serve him in it ; nor wants there any dispositions (as far as I can perceive), but one single opportunity only, the meeting of my Lord Privy Seal (who, for two or three Council days, has been indis- posed, and not appeared), to expedite his request ; there being a resolution (and which Sir Richard promises shall not slacken), both to discharge the poor man's engagements here, and afford him a competent viaticum. As for that sacred work you mention, it is said there is a most authentic copy coming over, the laudable attempt of this person being not so fully approved. This is, in short, the account I have, why the impression is retarded. I should else esteem it one of the most fortunate adventures of my life, that by any industry of mine I might be accessary in the least to so blessed an undertaking. If my book of architecture do not fall into your hands at Oxon, it will come with my apology, when I see you at London ; as well as another part of the Mystery ot Jesuitism, which (with some other papers concerning that iniquity) I have translated, and am now printing at Royston's, but without my name. So little credit there is in these days in doing anything for the interest of religion. I know not whether it becomes me to inform you, that it has pleased his Majesty to nominate me a Commissioner to take care of the sick and wounded persons during this war with our neighbours : but so it is, that there being but four of us designed for this very troublesome and sad employment, all the ports from Dover to Portsmouth, Kent, and Sussex, fall to my district alone, and makes me wish a thousand times I had such a colleague as Mr. Boyle, who is wholly made up of charity, and all the qualifications requisite to so pious a care. But I cannot wish you so much trouble ; the prospect of it would even draw pity from you, as well in my behalf, as for the more miserable, who foresee the confusion and importunities of it, by every article of our busy instructions. But the King has laid his positive commands on me, and I am just now going towards Dover, &c. to provide for mischief. Farewell : sweet 166-1-5. JOHN EVELTX. 149 repose, books, gardens, and the blessed conversation you are pleased to allow, dear Sir, Tour most affectionate and most obedient servant, J. EVELTW. P.S. Mr. Groldman's Dictionary is that good and useful book which I mentioned to you. Here is Mr. Stillingfleet's new piece in vindication of my Lord of Canterbury's. I have but little dipped into it as yet : it promises well, and I very much like the epistle ; nor is the style so perplexed as his usually Avas. Dr. Mer. Causabon, I presume is come to your hands, being a touch upon the same occasion. One Khea l has published a very useful and sincere book, concerning the culture of flowers, &c. but it does in nothing reach my long since attempted design of that entire subject, with all its ornaments and accessories, which I had shortly hoped to perfect, had God given me opportunity. Your servant, my "Wife, most humbly kisseth your hands, as I do Dr. Barlow's, &c. To my Lord Viscount Cornbury.- London, 9 Feb., 166-1-65. MY LORD, Being late come home, imagine me turning over your close printed memoirs, and shrinking up my shoulders ; yet with a resolution of surmounting the difficulty, animated with my Lord Chancellor's and your Lordship's commands, whom I am perfectly disposed to serve, even in the greatest of drudgeries, the translation of books. 3 But why call I 1 Q? the celebrated Ray. 2 Henry Hyde, Lord Cornbury, was the eldest son of Sir Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, whom he succeeded in his titles and estate, Dec. 29, 1674. He had two wives. The first was Theodosia, daughter of Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex, beheaded for his loyalty to King Charles I. ; and the second, alluded to in a subsequent letter by Evelyn, was Flower, widow of Sir William Backhouse of Swallowfield, Berks, Bart., by whom he had no issue. By this marriage Lord Cornbury became possessed of the manor and house at Swallowfield. The cele- brated Lord Chancellor Clarendon resided at his son's house after his retirement from public life, and there wrote " The History of the Great Rebellion." 3 " Mysterie of Jesuitisme, and its pernicious consequences as it re- lates to Kings and States, w'h I published this yeare." Evelyn's Note. 150 COEEESPO^DEITCE OF 1664-5. this a drudgery ? who would not be proud of the service ? By the slight taste of it, I find God and the King concerned and I will in due time endeavour to present your Lordship and the world with the fruits of my obedience, cheerfully, and with all due regards : nor is it small in my esteem that God directs you to mate use of me in anything which relates to the Church, though in my secular station. I began indeed (as your Lordship well remembers) with that Essay on St. Chrysostom some years since upon that consideration, though prompted by a lugubrious occasion, such a one (though in no respect so great a one) as what I but too sensibly perceive afflicts my Lord your father ; for as I last beheld his countenance, in thought I saw the very shaft transfixing him ; though the greatness of his mind, and pious resignation l suffer him to do nothing weakly, and with passion. Besides the divine precepts, and his Lord's great example, I could never receive anything from philosophy that was able to add a grain to my courage upon these irremediless assaults like that Enchiridion and little weapon of Epic- tetus, Nunquam te quicquam perdidisse dicito, sed reddidisse, says he : Filiusobijt? redditus est ; it is in his 15th chap. Hepeat it all to my Lord, and fco yourself; you can- not imagine what that little target will encounter; I never go abroad without it in my pocket. What an incomparable guard is that ru have some one of us at Harwich and Ipswich while the fleet lies at the Gunfleet. John Evelyn totlieDulce of Albemarle. Dover, 30 May, 16G5. MAT IT PLEASE YOUB, &EACE, Being here at Dover for the examining and audit- ing my accounts, as one of his Majesty's Commissioners in this Kentish district ; and finding that our prisoners at the Castle here, since their late attempt to escape through the Magazine (over which till then they had a very spacious and 1665. JOH^" EVELYIT. 157 convenient room to lodge in), are now for want of accommo- dation necessitated to be kept in a very strait place, by rneans whereof they grow miserably sick, and are indeed reduced to a sad condition, which cannot be remedied with- out extraordinary inconvenience to the Lieutenant : My most humble suit to your Grace is, that you will be pleased to give order that they be conveyed to Chelsea College ; and the rather, that there being no great number of them, it will be hardly worth the while and charge to maintain officers for them here and particular guards : the condition of the poor men (who suffer for the attempt of their more daring fellows) is very deplorable, nor can it be prevented without enlargement of their quarters, which the Governor cannot spare them without danger. I have already informed your Grace how much we suffer by the scruples of those vessels, who refuse to transport our recovered men to the fleet, which makes me again to supplicate your Grace's fresh orders ; it would infinitely conduce to his Majesty's service. But of this, as of several other particulars, I shall render your Grace a more ample account at my return to London ; where I shall not fail to do my duty as becomes, May it please your Grace, Your Grace's, &c. John Evelyn to Sir Thomas Clifford. Paynters Hall, Land. 16 June, 16G5. SlB, I was in precinct for my journey when your letter arrived, which imparted to us that most glorious victory, in. which you have had the honour to be a signal achiever. I pray God we may improve as it becomes us : his Royal Highness being safe, becomes a double instance of rejoicing to us ; and I do not know that ever I beheld a greater and more solemn expression of it, unless it were that on his Ma- jesty's Restoration, than this whole city testified the last night, and which I cannot figure to you without hyperboles. I am heartily sorry for those heroes that are fallen, though it could not have been on a more transcendant occasion. Sir, I communicated your letter to my Lord Arlington, and to his Majesty, who read it greedily. My greatest solicitude 158 CORSESPOSTDENCE Ol? 1665. is now how to dispose of the prisoners in case you should be necessitated to put them in at the Downs, in order to which my Lord Duke of Albemarle has furnished me with 400 foot and a troop of horse, to be commanded by me for guards if need require ; and I am just going to put all things in order. His Grace concludes with me, that Dover Castle would be the most convenient place for their custody, but would by no means inva,de his Royal Highness's parti- cular province there without his Highness's consent, and therefore advises me to write his Highness for positive com- mands to the Lieutenant. It is therefore my humble re- quest that you will move him therein, it being of so great importance at this time, and not only for his Castle of Dover, but for the forts likewise near it ; and that (besides my own guards) he would be pleased that a competent number of land soldiers might be sent with them from on board, to prevent all accidents, till they come safe to me ; for it was so likewise suggested by his Grace, who dismissed me with this expedient : " Mr. Evelyn," says he, " when we have filled all the gaols in the country with our prisoners, if they be not sufficient to contain them, as they sent our men to the East Indies last year, we will send them to the West this year by a just retaliation." Sir, I think fit to let you understand, that I have 3 days since obtained of the Council a Privy Seal, which I moved might be 20,000, in regard of the occasion ; together with the use and disposal of the Savoy-Hospital (which I am now repairing and fitting up, having given order for 50 beds to be new made, and other utensils), all which was granted. I also obtained an Order of Council for power both to add to our servants, and to reward them as we should see cause. His Majesty has sent me 3 chests of linen, which he was pleased to tell me of himself before I knew they were gone ; so mindful and obliging he is, that nothing may be wanting. Sir, I have no more to add but the addresses of my most humble duty to his Royal Highness, and my services to Mr. Coven- try from, Sir, your, &c. 1667. JOHN EVELYN. 159 John Evelyn to Sir Peter Wyche, Knt. 1 SIB, This crude paper (which begs your pardon) 1 should not have presumed to transmit in this manner, but to obey your commands, and to save the imputation of being thought unwilling to labour, though it be but in gathering straw. My great infelicity is, that the meeting being on Tuesdays in the afternoon, I am in a kind of despair of ever gratifying mine inclinations, in a conversation which I so infinitely honour, and that would be so much to mine ad- vantage ; because the very hour interferes with an employ- ment, with being of public concernment, I can in no way dispense with : I mention this to deplore mine own misfor- tune only, not as it can signify to any loss of yours ; which cannot be sensible of so inconsiderable a member. I send you notwithstanding these indigested thoughts, and that attempt upon Cicero, which you enjoined me. I conceive the reason both of additions to, and the cor- ruption of the English language, as of most other tongues, has proceeded from the same causes ; namely, from victo- ries, plantations, frontiers, staples of commerce, pedantry of schools, affectation of travellers, translations, fancy and style of Court, vernility and mincing of citizens, pulpits, political remonstrances, theatres, shops, &c. The parts affected with it we find to be the accent, analogy, direct interpretation, tropes, phrases, and the like. 1. I would therefore humbly propose, that there might first be compiled a Grammar for the precepts ; which (as did the Romans, when Crates transferred the art to that city, followed by Diomedes, Priscianus, and others who undertook it) might only insist on the rules, the sole means to render it a learned and learnable tongue. 2. That with this a more certain Orthography were intro- duced, as by leaving out superfluous letters, &c. : such as o in woomen, people ; u in honour ; a in reproach ; uyh in though, &c. 1 Chairman of a Committee appointed by the now organised Royal Society to consider of the improTement of the English tongue. 160 CORBESPOZX-DEKCE OF 16G7. 3. That there might be invented some ne\v periods, and accents, besides such as our grammarians aud critics use, to assist, inspirit, and modify the pronunciation of sentences, and to stand as marks beforehand how the voice and tone is to be governed ; as in reciting of plays, reading of verses, &c., for the varying the tone of the voice, and affections, &c. 4. To this might follow a Lexicon or collection of all the pure English words by themselves ; then those which are derivative from others, with their prime, certain, and natural signification ; then, the symbolical : so as no innovation might be used or favoured, at least till there should arise some necessity of providing a new edition, and of amplifying the old upon mature advice. 5. That in order to this, some were appointed to collect all the technical words ; especially those of the more gene- rous employments : as the aiithor of the " Essaies des Mer- veilles de la Nature, et des plus nobles Artifices," has done for the French ; and Francis . Junius and others have endeavoured for the Latin : but this must be gleaned from shops, not books ; and has been of late attempted by Mr. Moxon. 1 6. That things difficult to be translated or expressed, and such as are, as it were, incommensurable one to another : as determinations of weights and measures ; coins, honours, national habits, arms, dishes, drinks, municipal constitutions of courts ; old, and abrogated customs, &c., were better in- terpreted than as yet we find them in dictionaries, glossaries, and noted in the lexicon. 7. That a full catalogue of exotic words, such as are daily minted by our Logodcedali, were exhibited, and that it were resolved on what should be sufficient to render them cur- rent, ut Civitats domentur ; since without restraining that same indomitam novandi verla Hcentiam, it will in time quite disguise the language. There are some elegant words : in- troduced by physicians chiefly and philosophers, worthy to be retained ; others, it may be, fitter to be abrogated ; since there ought to be a law, as well as a liberty in this particular. And in this choice, there would be some regard had to the well sounding, and more harmonious words ; and such as are numerous, and apt to fall gracefully into their cadences 1 In the second volume of his " Mechanick Exercises." 1665. JOHN EVELYN. 161 and periods, and so recommend themselves at the very first sight as it were ; others, which (like false stones) will never shine, in whatever light they be placed, but euabase the rest. And here I note, that such as have lived long in Uni- versities do greatly affect words and expressions no where in use besides, as may be observed in Cleaveland's Poems for Cambridge : and there are also some Oxford words used by others, as I might instance in several. 8. Previous to this it would be inquired what particular dialects, idioms, and proverbs were in use in every several county of England ; for the words of the present age being properly the vernacula, or classic rather, special regard is to be had of them, and this consideration admits of infinite improvements. 9. And happily it were not amiss, that we had a collec- tion of the most quaint and courtly expressions, by way of florilegium, or phrases distinct from the proverbs : for we are infinitely defective as to civil addresses, excuses, and forms upon sudden and unpremeditated (though, ordinary) encounters : in which, the French, Italians, and Spaniards have a kind of natural grace and talent, which furnishes the conversation, and renders it very agreeable : here may come in synonyms, homoinyms, &c. 10. And since there is likewise a manifest rotation and circling of words, which go in and out like the mode and fashion, books should be consulted for the reduction of some of the old laid-aside words and expressions had formerly in deliciis ; for our language is in some places sterile and barren, by reason of this depopulation, as I may call it ; and therefore such places should be new cultivated, and enriched either with the former (if significant) or some other. For example, we have hardly any words that do so fully express the French clinquant, ndivet'e, ennui, bizarre, concert, fa$onier, chicaneries, consomme, emotion, defer, effort, chocq, entours, debouche : or the Italian vagliezze, garbato, svclto, &c. Let us therefore (as the Eomans did the Greek) make as many of these do homage as are like to prove good citizens. 11. Something might likewise be well translated out of the best orators and poets, Greek and Latin, and even out of the modern languages ; that so some judgment might be VOL. III. M 162 COBEESPOUDEKCE OF 1665. made concerning the elegancy of the style, and a laudable and unaffected imitation of the best recommended to writers. 12. Finally, there must be a stock of reputation gained by some public writings and compositions of the Members of this Assembly, and so others may not think it dishonour to come under the test, or accept them for judges and appro- bators : and if the design were arrived thus far, I conceive a very small matter would dispatch the art of rhetoric, which the French proposed as one of the first things they recom- mended to their late academicians. I am, Sir, Tour most, &c. Sayes-Court, 20 June, 1665. John Evelyn to Lord Viscount Corribury. Cornbury, 21 June, 1665. MY LORD, Those who defined history to be Disciplina compo- sita de bono practico obtinendo pointed us to that use of it which every wise man is to make of it by his reading of authors. But as it is the narration Rerum gestarum (for whatever is matter of fact is the subject of history) your Lordship cannot expect I should, at this distance from my study and books of that kind, be able to present you with so complete a series of authors as you require of me ; much less such a method as your affection for so noble a resolu- tion, and so becoming a great person, does truly merit. However, that this may not be looked on as an excuse, and that I may in some measure obey your Lordship's com- mands, I shall, as far as my talent and my faithless memory serves me at present, give your Lordship the names of those authors which have deservedly been esteemed the most worthy and instructive of those great and memorable actions of the ages past. A Recension of the Greek Historians from the reign of Cyrus (before which we have nothing of credible in any pro- fane history) till after Justinian, and the confusion of the Roman Empire by the Goths and Vandals. 1665. JOHN EVELYN. 163 1. Herodotus. 8. Arrianus. 2. Thucydides. 9. Appianus. 3. Xenophon. 10. Dion-Cassius. 4. Polybius. 11. Herodian. 5. Diodorus Siculus, 12. Zosimus. 6. Dionysius Halicarnassus. 13. Procopius. 7. Josephus. 14. Agathias, &c. The Latin Historians from the foundation of Home to the death of the Emperor Valens : Sallust, Caesar, Titus Livius, Yelleius Paterculus, Quintus Curtius, Tacitus, Plorus, Sue- tonius, Justinus, Ammianus Marcellinus, &c. To these may be superadded, Plutarch, Diogenes Laertius, Philostratus, andEunapius, among the Greeks; Cornelius Nepos, JEmilius Probus, Spartianua, Lampridius, and the Augustas Scriptores, of the Latin, &c. : but, for being more mixed, and less me- thodical, they would haply be read in another order ; and if the Greeks have haply written more even of the Roman story than the Romans themselves, it is what is universally known and acknowledged by the learned ; which has made the enu- meration of the one to exceed the mention of the latter. These are, my Lord, sufficient to afford your Lordship a fairer and more ample course than any of your quality usually pretend to ; being the best and most worthy con- sideration both as to the grandeur of examples, and politure of the language. As to the later period, from Valens and the Gothic Empe- rors to our times, I shall furnish the curiosity, when you have finished this stage ; for it were now, my Lord, to dis- courage you, the very calling over the names of so many ; how much more, should I add (what your Lordship's curi- osity will desire to dip into, to emerge a complete historian) the Biography, or writers of particular lives, relations, nego- tiations, memoirs, &c., which are things apart, and that pro- perly come within the series of the more solid and illustrious historians. Only as to that of Chronology, I conceive it of absolute necessity that your Lordship join it with all the readings, together with some geographical author and guide, whose tables, maps, and discoveries both for the ancient and modern names, situations and boundaries of the places, you shall with incredible advantage consult, to fix and make it your own. Scaliger's Emendatio Temporum, Petavii Ratio- M 2 164 COBEESPONDENCE OF 1C65. narium, Calvisius, Helvicus, or our Isaacson, 1 may suffice to assist you, with Cluverius, our Peter Heylin, and the late accurate atlasses set forth by Bleau. To these may be added, as necessary subsidiaries, H. Stephens's Historical Dic- tionary set lately forth in London ; and if your Lordship think fit to pursue the cycle with more expedition, which were likewise to gratify your curiosity by a preparation that will furnish you with a very useful prospect, before you en- gage yourself on the more particulars, there is in English one Howel (not James) who has published a very profitable Compendium of Universal History, so far as he has brought it ; to which you may join what Bishop Usher has set forth in two volumes, containing the annals of all the memorable actions and passages which have happened in the Church from the Creation, mingled with divers secular passages of rare remark, and which may serve you instead of Baronius, or any of his voluminous epitomisers, Spondanus, Peru- ginus, &c. And by that time your Lordship is arrived thus far, you will have performed more than any man of your quality can pretend to in Court, by immense degrees, accord- ing to my weak observation, who sometimes pass my time at the circle where the gallants produce themselves with all their advantages, and (God knows) small furniture. Nor will it be difficult for you to go through the rest with delight and ease, whether you would begin at the present age, and read upwards, till you meet with the period where you left off (which is Grotius's advice to Mon r Maurelique), or pro- ceed in that order in which you began. But, my Lord, of this, as of whatever else you shall judge me worthy to serve you in, I shall endeavour to present your Lordship with something more material, and better digested, when you please to command, my Lord, Tour Lordship's, &c. John Evelyn to Lord Viscount Cornbury* Sayes-Court, Qth Sep. 1665. MY LOED, I should be exceedingly wanting to my duty, and to the interest you pleased to allow me in your friendship, 1 Henry Isaacson, author of the " Chronological Series of the Four Monarchies." Folio, London, 1633. 1665. JOHK EVELYK. 165 not to preserve it by sucli acknowledgments as are due to you by infinite obligations : and if this have not been done oftener, distance, and the many circumstances of a jealous intercourse, will easily obtain your mercy ; for I swear to you, my Lord, there breathes not a man upon earth who has a greater value for your noble person : because I have esta- blished it upon your virtues, and that \vhich shines in you above titles, and adjuncts, which I regard but as the shadows of great men ; nothing constituent of good and really perma- nent. But, my Lord, I intend not here a panegyric, where haply an epithalamium were due, if what has been lately told me, of your Lordship's being newly married, or shortly re-entering into those golden-fetters, be true. 1 But can your Lordship think of such a felicity, and not command me to celebrate it ? not as a poet (for I know not what it means), but as one perfectly devoted to your good fortune ; since that glory must needs be in my mouth, which already is so profoundly engraven in my heart. I thought indeed that golden key which I saw tied to your side by that silken ribbon 2 was the fore-runner of some other knot, constant as the colour, and bright as the metal. My Lord, I joyed you at Hampton-Court for the one, and I would joy you from Sayes-Court for the other. You have in the first a dignity conspicuous for the ornament it receives from your virtues ; but in the second only, a reward of them above the pearls, and the rubies : 'tis a price which Fortune owes your Lord- ship, and I can celebrate her justice without flattery. Long may you live under her happy empire. When I am certain of the particulars, I will string more roses on this chaplet, and make you a country gardener's present ; if the anxiety of being at this distance from a person whose influence is so necessary, do not altogether wither my genius. But, my Lord, give me now leave to entertain you a little with mine own particular condition; since, as con- traries illustrate one another, it cannot but improve your happiness. After 6978 (and possibly half as many more concealed) which the pestilence has mowed down in London this week, near 30 houses are visited in this miserable village, ' See ante, p. 149. 2 Lord Cornbury was at this time Lord Chamberlain to the Queen. 166 COBKESPOIfDENCE OB 1665. whereof one has been the very nearest to my dwelling : after a servant of mine now sick of a swelling (whom we have all frequented, before our suspicion was pregnant), and which we know not where Avill determine, behold me a living monu- ment of Grod Almighty's protection and mercy ! It was Saturday last 'ere my courageous wife would be persuaded to take the alarm ; but she is now fled, with most of my family : whilst my conscience, or something which I would have taken for my duty, obliges me to this sad station, till his Majesty take pity on me, and send me a considerable refreshment for the comfort of these poor creatures, the sick and wounded seamen under mine inspection through all the ports of my district. For mine own particular, I am re- solved to do my duty as far as I am capable, and trust Grod with the event ; but the second causes should cooperate : for in sum, my Lord, all will, and must, fall into obloquy and desolation, unless our supplies be speedily settled on some more solid fonds to carry this important service on. My brother commissioner, Sir William D'Oily, after an ac- count of 17,000, is indebted about 6000, and my reckon- ing comes after it apace. The prisoners of war, our infir- matories, and the languishing in 12 other places ; the charge of salaries to physicians, chirurgeons, officers, medicaments, and quarters ; require speedy and considerable supplies less tnan 2000 a week will hardly support us. And if I have been the more zealous and descriptive of this sad face of things, and of the personal danger I am exposed to, it is because I beg it may be an instance of your goodness and charity to read this article of my letter to my Lord your father, who I know has bowels, and may seriously represent it to his Majesty and my Lord High Treasurer. For, my Lord, having made mine attempts at Court by late ex- presses on this occasion, I am driven to lay this appeal at nis Lordship's feet ; because, having had experience of his favour in mine own concern and private affairs, I address myself with a confidence I shall succeed now that it imports the public. I dare not apply what St. Paul said to Timothy (because it does not become me), but give me liberty to allude : I know none (amongst all our Court great-ones) like minded, who does naturally care for our state. The oonsectary is ; for all seek their own. 'Tis, my 1665. JOHN EVELYN. 167 Lord, a sad truth, and this no time to flatter ; we should succumb under the poise but for some few such Atlasses as are content to accept of the burthen with the honour ; which, though it makes it sit heavy, makes it sit with a good con- science, and the expectation of a blessing. I am a plain country gentleman ; yet hear, and see, and observe, as those in the vallies best discern the mountains. This nation is ruined for want of activity on our parts ; religion and grati- tude on all. But, my Lord, I tyrannise y r patience ; pardon the excess ; I have not often the opportunity, and God knows when I may enjoy another, who daily carry my life in my hands. If the malignity of this sad contagion spend no faster before winter, the calamity will be indicible. But let me now acquaint your Lordship how I pass those moments which my assiduous prayers to God for your pros- perity, and my service of His Majesty do not take up. It is now about 2 months since I consigned a large epistle to Uoyston ; for that piece your Lordship enjoyned me to pub- lish in consequence of the former, and which I have made bold to inscribe to my Lord Chancellor, under somewhat an enigmatical character, because of the invidiousness of the argument. The book itself was quite finished, and wrought off; but Eoyston being fled, and the presses dissolved, we cannot hope to get our freedom, till it please God in mercy to abate the contagion. This is that which hinders us from that most incomparable piece of Mr. Stillingfleet's friend against Searjeant, and divers other particulars, which, though printed, will not as yet be published ; both vendors, and buyers, and readers, being universally scathed. As to our philosophical concerns, Dr. Wilkins, Sir ~Wm. Petty, and Mr. Hooke, with our operator, live all together at my Lord Geo. Barclay's at Durdans near my brother, where they are excogitating new rigging for ships, new chariots, and new ploughs, &c. so as I know not of such another happy conversation of Virtuosi in England. And now I mentioned my brother, I were ungrateful to omit my acknowledgement of the infinite honour he tells me my Lord Chancellor was pleased to do me, before so many persons of quality and gentlemen of our county of Surrey as came in to wait on him at Farnham, at my Lord Bishop's of "Winchester table ; when his Lordship was 168 COBBESPONDENCE OP 1665. pleased to mention me with an eulogy, and kindness so par- ticular and obliging, as I can never hope to merit from his goodness. But I would esteem it the most fortunate day in. my life that should present me with an occasion, in which I might signalise my prone and most ardent inclinations to his service, as being proiessedly more engaged to his Lordship than to any person living in this world. And if God hear the humble prayers which I pour out for the continuance of your prosperity, I shall have performed but my duty, who am with a most unfeigned resignation, My Lord, Your, &c. John Evelyn to Lord Viscount Corribury. Sayes-Court, 12 Sep., 1665. MY LOBD, By this most agreeable opportunity I continue to preset/ your Lordship with my faithful service, and if it arrive seasonably to supplicate your Lordship's pardon for the style, the mistake, and the length of mine of the ninth instant : it will excite in you different passions, and one, my Lord, not an unpleasant one. Smile at my intel- ligence, and pity all the rest ; for it will deserve it, and find a way to your noble breast. My servant (whom I there mention to have sent from my house for fear of the worst) will recover, and prove sick only of a very ugly surfeit ; which not only frees me from infinite appre- hensions, but admits me to give my wife a visit, who is at my brother's, and within a fortnight of bringing me my seventh son : and it is time, my Lord, he were born ; for they keep us so short of moneys at Court, that his Majesty's Commissioners had need of one to do wonders, and heal the sick and wounded by miracle, till we can maintain our chirurgeons. My Lord, I do not forget your injunction of waiting on you this month at Cornbury ; but I am momentarily threatened to be hurried to the sea-side again, after this conflict of my Lord Sandwich : and the woman in the straw I would gladly see out of peril. I will not question your Lordship's being at Oxford this approaching reconvention of Parliament. My Father-in-law waits there, and it must go ill with me if I kiss not your hands. Just now I hear the guns from 1665. JOHN EVELYN. the Tower ; this petty triumph revives us much ; but the miserably afflicted City, and even this our poor village, want other consolations : my very heart turns within me at the contemplation of our calamity. God give the repentance of David, to the sins of David ! "We have all added some weights to this burthen ; ingratitude and luxury, and the too, too soon oblivion of miracles. The Almighty preserve your Lordship, and my best friend in the world my most honoured Lord Chancellor. I would say a thousand affectionate things more to conjure your Lordship's belief, that I am, &c. My Lord, your, &c. Sir Philip Warwick to John Evelyn} COUSIN Strait on, 16 Sept. 1665, 8 at NigJit. I am to seek how to answer your letter: for without passing any compliment upon you how much I am, concerned in your safety, which I find endangered by your employment ; without professing how sensible I am, that scarce any particular in the JNavy ought to have that care and tenderness wait upon it as the sick and wounded men, and the prisoners though a less regard in respect I hear ours are not so well used, and that the Ambassador's ser- vant seems to take such little care for exchanges as if he meant to burthen us with them, and that these fellows are so stubborn that they will not work, nay beat any that will yet a shame it is if they be not, in the proportion the King allows them, provided for. The ill effect of both these I acknowledge if they be neglected. And when I have said this you will wonder what I can say next, that my Lord Treasurer makes not the provision. Sir, I must say, though I offend my good friend Sir George Carteret, that from the first my Lord Treasurer told him this charge was a chief part of the expense of the Navy, and by his assignments to be provided for. It was the first sin, transferring faults one from another; and therefore I am ashamed to be making such returns, and know that it will as little feed 1 See Diary, vol. i. p. 358. Sir Philip Warwick was at this time Secretary to the Lord High Treasurer. The letter is in answer to Evelyn's complaints of the inadequacy of funds for the proper discharge of his official duties as one of the commissioners for the care of the sick and wounded during the Dutch war. 170 COERESPONDENCE OF 1665. the hungry arid clothe the naked, as a mouth that's open with a benediction, and a hand closed with the money. And yet how to make you judge of this I cannot, without show- ing you how the whole royal aid is distributed. (And this I assure you, the distribution of the whole 2,500,000 is not of particular concern unto me, fine paid). Of the City, for the Navy, before the Parliament borrowed ....... Of the Dunkirk money .... Thirteen Counties wholly assigned . County of Bucks, for the Naval Regiment . The first three months of all the other counties "Upon seventeen other counties, 102,000 pounds, and 40,000 pounds. And now lately the dis- pute being that he had no proper assignment for the sick and wounded, my Lord told him he would assign him 28,000 pounds of those counties particularly for them But I fear that will not do you any service, Sir George saying, the assignment being upon the third year, he cannot borrow upon it. This hath been already the Navy's portion of the Royal aid Ordnance hath had assigned unto it Guards hath counties set out for Garrisons ....... "Wardrobe had on Wales .... Remaining on the 17 counties, 50,000 1 , AQ nnn on "Wales . 59,000 / iuy > wu And now do you see by whose friendship you have received that small refreshment, which I say not to diminish his kindness, but to show you that properly you were a care of Mr. Vice-Chamberlain's. Total . Remaining 200,000 50,000' 1,277,604 47,346 96,047 170,000 1,840,997 367,686 170,616 45,121 25,000 608,423 2,558,420 "This to be repaid." 1665. JOHK EVELYN. 171 All I can add is, my Lord Treasurer will endeavour to dispose the Vice- Chamberlain; arid if it be in his power, for I think him as much overlaid as others, I doubt not he will undertake your charge. And because the assignment which remains to be made upon Wales, which is about 30,000 for the second year and the first quarter of the third, may better please him, my Lord Treasurer will offer him that, or offer it to Sir William D'Oyly and yourself, if you can procure credit upon it. He will make an essay whether out of the present prizes (which if his Majesty will not employ to this use, being a better fond of credit, he may be repaid from this assignment) he can get you a considerable sum. His lordship is ready to assign out of Wales, or the seventeen counties, 50,000 for this ser- vice singly. And if I could give you a better and more particular account, I would : for I value both yours and Sir William's integrities and informations so much, you may both assure yourselves I will not be wanting. And am really sensible of your cares and dangers, which we want not (being for all comers) even here ; but being in our station, and depending on Providence, I hope none of us shall miscarry. We are now separated and in motion, but I will haste the resolution. In the meantime you may reserve this to yourself. Only communicate it to" Sir Wil- liam D'Oyly, to whom I cannot at present write ; for having received your letters but late this night, and the post going away in the morning, and I have to send my letter six miles thither. I beg his pardon and yours, and remain, with all truth and affection, Tour most faithful kinsman and servant, P. WABWICK. John Evelyn to Sir Philip Warwick. Sayes Court, 30 Sept. 1665. SIB, Your favour of the 16th current from Stratton, has not only enlightened mine eyes, but confirmed my reason ; for sure I am I durst write nothing to you which would carry in it the least diffidence of your most prudent economy; and you are infinitely mistaken in me if you 172 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1665. think I Lave not established my opinion of your sincerity and candour in all that you transact, upon a foundation very remote from what the Avorld does ordinarily build upon. I am sufficiently satisfied to whose care our sup- plies did naturally belong ; for I do not believe the sums we have received to carry on our burthen thus far, trifling as they have been compared to the occasion, proceeded from his (Sir George's) good nature (which I have been much longer acquainted with than you), but to shift the clamour which our necessities have compelled us to do ; whilst our task-masters exacted brick without allowing us straw. And if I have expressed anything to you in a style more zealous than ordinary, it has been to lay before you a calamity which nothing can oppose but a sudden supply ; and for that my Lord Arlington (to whom I have fre- quently said as much) directed me to the proper object. jSTor was what I writ a prophecy at adventure. One fort- night has made me feel the utmost of miseries that can befal a person in my station and with my affections ; to have 25,000 prisoners, and 1,500 sick and wounded men to take care of, without one penny of money, and above 2000 indebted. It is true, I am but newly acquainted with busi- ness, and I now find the happy difference betwixt specula- tion and action to the purpose ; learning that at once, which others get by degrees ; but I am sufficiently punished for the temerity, and I acknowledge the burthen insupportable. ]STor indeed had I been able to obviate this impetuous tor- rent, had not his Grace th6 Duke of Albemarle and my Lord Sandwich (in pure compassion r\ me) unanimously resolved to strain their authority, and to sell (though not a full quorum) some of the prizes, and break bulk in an Indian ship, to redeem me from this plunge ; and all this, for the neglect of his personal care whom you worthily perstringe, though for domestic respects and other relations they were not willing to express their resentments. Sir, I am in some hopes of touching the 5000 some day this week ; but what is that, to the expense of 200 the day ? Is there no exchange or pecuniary exemption to be proposed? or is his Majesty resolved to maintain the armies of his enemies in his own bosom ? whose idleness makes them sick, and their sickness redoubles the charge ! I am amazed at this 1665. JOHN EYELYK. 173 method, but must hold my tongue. Why might not yet the French, who are numerous in this last action (and in my conscience have enough of the sea), be sent home to their master, not to gratify but plague him with their un- profitable numbers ? Sir, I most humbly acknowledge your goodness for the confidence you have in me, and for that Arcanum, the account of the disposure and assignment of this prodigious royal aid of 2,500,000 which you have so particularly imparted to me, and that I should have preserved with all due caution, though you had enjoined me none. If I obtain this small sum of 5000 it will be a breathing till I can meet my brother commissioners at Oxford, whither I am summoned to join for the effects and settlements of some of those more solid appointments mentioned in your audit, and which you have promised to promote ; and therefore I will trouble you no further at present, than to let you know, that upon that account of your encouragement (I mean the providence of God and my sole desires of serving him in anything which I hope he may accept, for I swear to you no other con- sideration should tempt me a second time to this trouble) I am resolved to maintain my station, and to refuse nothing that may contribute to his Majesty's service, or concern my duty, who am, Sir, Tour, &c. John Evelyn to Sir William Coventry. 1 Sayes- Court, 2 October, 1665. MAT IT PLEASE TOUB Nothing but a calamity which requires the appli- cation of the speediest redress to preserve the lives of men, the honour of his Majesty, and (as I conceive) a concern- ment of the weightiest importance to the whole nation, could have extorted this repetition of the sad posture our affairs are in, for want of those moneys and effects we were made believe should be assigned us for the carrying on of the province entrusted to us. I will not torment you with 1 Secretary to the Duke of York, and one of the Privy Council. 174 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1665. the particulars of my own story, which you know so well by all that haa prevented my complaints ; but I perfectly apprehend the funest and calamitous issue which a few days may produce, unless some speedy course be taken to stop it. Nor am I so little acquainted with the respect which I owe to the persons I now write to, as not to know with what decency and reserve I ought to make my addresses upon any other occasion : but the particulars I have alleged are very great truths, and it were to betray his Majesty's gracious intentions, and even his honour, to extenuate here. Sir William D'Oyly and myself have near ten thousand upon our care, whiles there seems to be no care of us ; who, having lost all our servants, officers, and most necessary assistants, have nothing more left us to expose but our persons, which are every moment at the mercy of a raging pestilence (by our daily conversation) and an unreasonable multitude ; if such they may be called, who, having adven- tured their lives for the public, perish for their reward, and die like dogs in the street unregarded. Our prisoners (who with open arms, as I am credibly informed by eye-witnesses, embraced our men, instead of lifting up their hands against them) beg at us, as a mercy, to knock them on the head ; for we have no bread to relieve the dying creatures. Nor does this country afford gaols to secure them in, unless Leeds Castle (for which I am now contracting with my Lord Culpepper) may be had ; if at least half of them sur- vive to be brought so far, to starve when they come there. As for the pittance now lately ordered us, what will that benefit to our numbers and the mouths we are to feed ? Neither is that to be had suddenly, and will be spent before we touch it. I could assemble other particulars of a sad countenance relating to the miseries of our own country- men. I beseech your Honour, let us not be reputed bar- barians ; or if at last we must be so, let me not be the executor of so much inhumanity ; when the price of one good sub- ject's life is (rightly considered) of more value than the wealth of the Indies. It is very hard, if in now a twelve- month's time that we have cost you little .more than 30,000, through all England where we have supported this burthen there should not have been a sufficient fund consecrated and assigned as a sacred stock for so important a service ; since 1665-6. JOHN EVELYN. it has been a thing so frequently and earnestly pressed to their Lordships, and that this is not an affair which can be managed without present moneys to feed it ; because we have to deal with a most miserable indigent sort of people, who live but from hand to mouth, and whom we murder if we do not pay daily or weekly. I mean those who harbour our sick and wounded men, and sell bread to our prisoners of war. How we have behaved ourselves for his Majesty's advantage and honour, we are most ready to produce the accounts, and to stand to the comparison of what it cost a former usurper, and a power which was not lavish of their expenses. Let it please your Honour to consider of the premises, and if you can believe I retain so much of servile in me, as to inform you of tales, or design to magnify my own merits (whatever my particular and private sufferings have been), let me be dismissed with infamy ; but let me beg of your Honour to receive first the relation of his Majesty's principal officers and commissioners of the Navy which accompanies the paper of, Right Honourable, Tour, &c. John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. 1 Sayes-Court, 3 Jan., 1665-6. SlE, I have according to your commands sent you an hasty draught of the Infirmary, and project for Chatham, the reasons and advantages of it ; which challenges your promise of promoting it to the use designed. I am myself convinced of the exceeding benefit it will every way afford us. If, upon examination of the particulars, and your in- tercession, it shall merit a recommendation from the rest of the principal officers, I am very confident the effects will be correspondent to the pretence of the papers which I trans- 1 Pepys was now Clerk of the Admiralty, or, as it was then called, Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, and brought into frequent official com- munication with Evelyn. For evidence of their long friendship, only closed by death, see Diary, vol. ii. pp. 383, 384. 176 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1665-6. mit to accompany it. In all events, I have done my en- deavour ; and if, upon what appears demonstrable to me (not without some considerable experience, and collation with our officers, discreet and sober persons), I persist in my fondness to it, from a prospect of the singular advan- tages which would be reaped by setting it on foot, I beseech you to pardon my honest endeavours, with the errors of, Sir, your, &c. JOHN EYELYtf. 177 John Evelyn to Lord Viscount Cornbury. Sayes-Court, 20 Jan. 1665-6. MY LOBD, Vbi Amor, ibi Oculus, excuses the glances we cast upon desirable objects. My hand cannot contain itself from this presumption, when I have any thing to write which affords me the least pretence ; and though you should not answer my letter, yet, till you forbid me writing, I please myself that you vouchsafe to read them. Great persona pay dear for such addresses, who afford them that honour ; and especially those that (like your Lordship) know so well to value their time. One period more, my Lord, and leso los manos. Upon Wednesday last I went to London, and spent the whole afternoon in viewing my Lord Chancellor's new house, 1 if it be not a solecism to give a place so vulgar a name. My incessant business had till that moment prevented my passionate desires of seeing it since it was one stone ad- vanced : but I was plainly astonished when I beheld what a progress was made. Let me speak ingenuously ; I went with prejudice, and a critical spirit, incident to those who fancy they know anything in art. I acknowledge to your Lordship that I have never seen a nobler pile : my old friend and fellow-traveller (cohabitant and contemporary at Borne) has perfectly acquitted himself. It is, without hyperboles, the best contrived, the most useful, graceful, and magnificent house in England, I except not Audly- end ; which, though larger, and full of gaudy and barbarous ornaments, does not gratify judicious spectators. As I said, my Lord : here is state and use, solidity and beauty most symmetrically combined together : seriously, there is no- 1 Evelyn himself contributes this note : " Clarendon House, built by Mr. Pratt ; since quite demolished by Sir Thomas Bond, &c., who pur- chased it to build a street of tenements to his undoing. J. E," The street thus referred to was Old Bond Street. Sir Thomas Bond was Comptroller of the Household to the Queen Mother, and the attached favourite of Jamea the Second, with whom he went into exile. Frequent and interesting mention is made by Evelyn of this house. See Diary, rol. i. p. 404; vol. ii. pp. 5, 21, 25, 3435, 40, 187,194195,207 208. TOL. III. N 178 COBBESPOKDENCE OP 1666. thing abroad pleases me better ; nothing at home approaches it. I have no design, my Lord, to gratify the architect, be- yond what I am obliged, as a professed honourer of virtue wheresoever 'tis conspicuous ; but when I had seriously con- templated every room (for I went into them all, from the cellar to the platform on the roof), seen how well and judi- ciously the walls were erected, the arches cut and turned, the timber braced, their scantlings and contignations dis- posed, I was incredibly satisfied, and do acknowledge myself to have much improved by what I observed. "What shall I add more ? rumpatur invidia ; I pronounce it the first Palace in England, deserving all I have said of it, and a better encomiast. May that great and illustrious person, whose large and ample heart has honoured his country with so glorious a structure, and, by an example worthy of himself, showed our nobility how they ought indeed to build, and value their qualities, live many long years to enjoy it ; and when he shall have passed to that upper building not made with hands, may his posterity (as you, my Lord) inherit his goodness, this palace, and all other circumstances of his grandeur, to consummate their felicity ; with which happy augure, per- mit me in all faithfulness and sincerity, to subscribe myself, my Lord, Tour, &c. John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. Sayet-Court, 26 March, 1666. SIB, I know not with what success I have endeavoured to perform your commands ; but it has been to the utmost of my skill, of which you are to be my judge. The favour I bespeak of you is, your pardon for not sending it before. I have not enjoyed one minute's repose since my return (now a fortnight past) till this very morning ; having been ever since soliciting for a little money to preserve my miser- able flock from perishing. On Saturday, very late, I dis- patched Mr. Barber towards my Kentish circle, where our sick people are in quarters ; and at his return, I hope to ^present you a complete account : but till this instant 1666. JOHN EYELYN. 179 morning I had not written one line of those tedious papers ; so that, if through haste (the parent of mistakes), there may haply appear some escapes, give pardon to your servant ; or let me purchase it with a small present of fragments (such yet as you have been pleased to accept), and a little book that I also recommend to excuse my expense of such leisure as I can redeem from the other impertinences of my life. As to the report which I send you, I would receive it as a favour, however your resolutions of putting it in execution may succeed (the time of year being so far elapsed, in regard of action and more immediate use), it might yet be grate- fully presented to his Royal Highness, or rather indeed, to his Majesty himself, who has so frequently been pleased to take notice of it to me as an acceptable project ; because it would afflict me to have them think I have either been re- miss or trifling in my proposal. This obligation I can only hope for from, your dexterity, address, and friendship, who am, Sir, Tour most affectionate and humble servant, J. EVELYN. SIB, There is nothing in the other paper which you commanded me to return, but what is included in these, with ample and (I hope) considerable improvements. I must beg a copy of those papers when the clerks are at leisure, having never a duplicate by me : and it may haply need a review. SIE, The bearer hereof, Roger "Winn, being our mes- senger (and without whose services I cannot possibly be, having so frequent occasions of sending him about business belonging to my troublesome employment), does by me sup- plicate your protection, that he may not be pressed, of which he is hourly in danger as he travels about our affairs with- out your particular indulgence, which I therefore conjure you to let him have under your hand and signature. 180 COHEESPO>*DE>*CE OF 1GGG. John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. Sayes- Court, 26 March, 1666. SIR, If to render you an account of the progress of my late proposal be any testimony of my obedience to your com- mands, be pleased to believe that I most faithfully present it in these papers according to the best of my talent. And if you find the estimate considerably to exceed the first cal- culation, you will remember it was made to the meridian of London ; that the walls were, both by his Majesty and the directions of the principal officers, to be made thicker and higher ; that the materials and workmen were presumed to be found much cheaper in the country ; and that the place and area to build on was supposed a level. But it has fallen out so much to our prejudice, and beyond all expectation in these particulars, that, to commence with the ground, AVC could not in four or five miles walking about Chatham and Rochester find one convenient spot that would bear a level of 200 foot square, unless it were one field beyond the dock, in the occupation of Mr. Commissioner Pett, near the bog and marsh, which has neither solid foundation, nor fresh water to it. There is a very handsome green close at the end of the Long-Eope-house, towards Chatham ; but the declivity is so sudden and great to the west, that less than ten-foot raising will not bring it to such a rectitude as that we can lay our plate upon the wall, which will be a con- siderable trouble and charge to reform, as may be easily demonstrated : for either the earth must be so much abated towards the east, or the wall advanced to the height of near twenty foot, while one extreme of the roof will touch the superficies of the earth : beside the field is not above 150 feet wide. But supposing all this might be encountered (as indeed it might with charge), it borders so near to the rope-houses, the dock, and that ample way leading to it from the hill-house and Chatham, as might endanger his Majesty's people in case of any contagion ; because it will be impossible to restrain them from sometimes mingling amongst the workmen and others, who have employment in the dock, when the convalescent men shall be able or permitted to walk abroad. This, and some 1666 JOHF EYELYtf. 181 other difficulties, made us quit the thoughts of that other- wise gracefully-situated place. After many other surveys, we at last pitched on a field called the Warren, just beneath the Mill, and regarding the north towards the river. The access is commodious ; it has a' well of excellent water, ready dug, and wanting only repairs ; and though this ground be likewise somewhat uneven, yet, with help, it will carry about 240 feet in length, and 150 in breadth, allowing the filling up of some valleys and depressures of about four or five foot deep to be taken from several risings. This, for many rea- sons, I conceive to be the fittest for our purpose, it having also a solid foundation on the chalk, and being at a ^compe- tent distance from all dangerous commerce with the town, which will greatly contribute to the health of the sick, and protection of the inhabitants ; but, being at present in lease to the Chest, leave must be obtained, and the tenant, who now rents it, satisfied ; in all which Mr. Commissioner Pett (whose direction and assistance I took, according to the in- junctions) informs me, there will be no difficulty. Upon examination of the materials on the place : s . d. Bricks will not be delivered at the place under . . 18 Lime, per load, containing 32 bushels, per thousand . 16 Drift sand, by ton 012 Tiles, per thousand delivered 110 Heart lathes, per load, containing 39 bundles . 210 Sawing, per hundred . . . . . 034 Workmen sufficient (in which was our great mistake) . 026 TJpon those materials we conceived thus of the scantlings: Walls, at one brick and a half. Wall-plates 9 in. 5 Parallel rafters 96 middle 16| feet long. 11 7 ends Single raftera ... . . 4f 3J Purlins 9 6 . ; 17 Binding-beams 12 12 Window-frames 4f 3J . . 42 Door-cases, in brickwork, single doors 7 6 . . 6 2 8 in. The two outward double, with architrave 7 6 . . 994 Ground-floor g'ist . . . . 4 4 . . 18 And if stone-floors to the four-corner rooms, as has been since judged more commodious, the G-'ists. 83 So' men 14 11 182 COEEESPONDEKCB OF 1666. Besides partitions, posts, interstices, quarterage. At those scantlings, together with the alteration of the- walls for height and thickness, &c. Every rod of square brick-work, solid, at 1| brick thick, containing in bricks of 9-inch, about 12 bars long, to 16f feet in height ; 15 bricks to every 3-feet high, which to 16i is about 83 ; so that 83 by 21 is 1743 bricks superficial. This, at the designed thickness, is every square rod 5229 bricks, which I suppose at 17 (the low- est we can expect) delivered at the place, is every rod square, 9?. 8s, Id. The total of brickwork then, con- tains about 118 square rod, without defalcations ; of doors, windows (being 8 doors at 6 and 3-feet ; windows 114 at 3 and 2-feet, reduced to measure, contains doors 24 feet by 48, which is 1152 square foot ; windows, 342 feet by 228 feet is 77,976 feet square) ; both these re- duced to square rods, are almost 30 rods square ; whereof allow 10 square rods for the inequality of the foundation and chimneys (if upon the Warren-ground), and then the bricks of the whole (without lime and sand) will cost for 98 square rods, at 4J. 8s. Id 431 12 2 And every rod after the rate of I8d. for one foot high, in workmanship, to. . . . . .. 149 Which for 98 rod, is .... . . . 122 6 So as the brick-work for the whole will come to . . 650 Tiling, at 36 per square 450 Timber, at 46 per square 600 Glass, about 684 feet, at 6d. per foot . . . 17 Window-frames, at 4 d. each 22 Single doors and cases, at 20s. each ; double doors and cases (for the moi'e commodious bringing in of the sick, being frequently carried), at 36s., with the casements, locks, hinges, &c. . . . . . . 30 Stone-floors ... 32 Stairs, per step, 3s., 76 in all . . . . 11 8 Levelling the ground, as computed upon view . . . 46 10 Total 1859 18 But this erection, reduced to 400 beds, or rather persons (which would be a very competent number, and yet ex- ceedingly retrench his Majesty's charge for their mainte- nance), and the whole abated to near a fifth part of the expense, which amounts to about .... 371 The whole would not exceed . 487 18 1666. JOHN- ETELTK. 183 Whereof the timber and roof 480 The timber alone to , 360 Which, if furnished from the yard, the whole charge of the building will be reduced to 127 18 So as the number of beds, diminished cradles, and attend- ance proportionable, the furniture complete will cost 480 Total . . . 1607 18 According to the formerly-made estimate ; and which whole charge will be saved in quarters of 400 men only, within six months and about fifteen days, at six- pence per head, being no less than 10 per diem, 70 per week, 280 per month, 3640 per annum ; which is more than double what his Majesty is at in one year's quarters for them in private houses; besides all the incomparable advantages enumerated in the subsequent paper, which will perpetually hold upon this, or any the like occasion : the quartering of so many persons at six-pence per diem amounting to no less than 7280d. per annum. If this shall be esteemed inconvenient, because of dis- furnishing the yard, or otherwise a temptation to embezzle the timber of the yard : All the materials bought as above . . . 1487 18 Furniture .... . 480 Total . . . 1967 18 The whole expense will be reimbursed in eight months viz. in 400 men's diet alone, by sixpence per diem 378d. per month 4536rf. per annum, Whereas the same number at his Majesty's ordinary entertainment is. . . 627 per month 7526 8 per annum So as there would be saved yearly . 2990 8 Note, that the salary of the steward (who buys all pro- visions, pays and keeps the account, takes charge of the sick when set on shore, and discharges them when re- covered, &c.) is not computed in this estimate : because it is the same which our clerks and deputies do by the present establishment. 184 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1666. Thus I deduce the particulars : Chirurgeons seven : viz. three master-chirurgeons, \ f 280 at 6s. per diem each ; mates four, at 4s. each ; I < 56 diet for 400, 2SOI. ; one matron, per week, 10s. ; ' |_ 42 twenty nurses, at 5s. per week ; fire, candles, i soap, &c., 3d. per week . . . . J 378 per month Cradle-beds, 200, at lla. per cradle, at 4| feet wide, 6 long 110 Furniture, with beds, rug, blankets, sheets, at 30*. per bed 300 Utensils for Hospital, &c 70 480 But I do farther affirm, and can demonstrate, that sup- posing the whole erection, and furniture (according to my first and largest project, and as his Majesty and the principal officers did think fit to proportion the height and thickness of the walls), for the entertain- ment of 500 men, should amount to . . . . 1859 IS Furniture to . 582 10 Total . . . 2442 2 Then would be saved to his Majesty S32/. 18s. per month, 3994Z. ICs. per annum. So that in less than eight months time there will be saved, in the quarters of 500 men alone, more money than the whole expense amounts to ; 500 men's quarters at Is. per diem coming to 25 per diem, 175 per week, 700 per month, 9408 per annum. Upon which I assume, if 3994, by five hundred men, or 3640 in four hundred men, or, lastly, if but 2990 be saved in one year in the quarters of 400 sick persons, &c. there would a far greater sum be saved in more than 6000 men ; there having been sent 7000 sick and wounded men to cure in my district only^and of those 2800 put on shore at Chatham and Rochester, for which station I proposed the remedy. Now, 500 sick persons quartered in a town at the victuallers and scattered ale-houses (as the custom is), will take up at least 160 houses, there being very few of those miserable places which afford accommodation for about two or three in a house ; with, frequently at greater distances, employ of chirurgeons, nurses, and officers, innu- merable ; so as when we have been distressed for chirurgeons, 166G. JOHN EVELYN. 185 some of them (upon computation) walked six miles every day. by going but from quarter to quarter, and not being able to visit their patients as they ought : whereas, in our hospitals, they are continually at hand. "We have essayed to hire some capack us empty houses, but could never meet with any tolerably convenient ; and to have many, or more than one, would be chargeable and very troublesome. By our infirmary, then we have these considerable advantages. At six-pence per diem each (in the way of commons), the sick shall have as good, and much more proper and whole- some diet, than now they have in the ale-houses, where they are fed with trash, and embezzle their money more to in- ilame themselves, and retard and destroy their cures out of ignorance or intemperance ; whiles a sober matron governs the nurses, looks to their provisions, rollers, linen, &c. And the nurses attend the sick, wash, sweep, and serve the offices, the cook and laundrer comprehended in the number, and at the same rate, &c. By this method, likewise, are the almost indefinite number of chirurgeons and officers exceed- ingly reduced ; the sick dieted, kept from drink and intem- perance, and consequently, from most unavoidably relapsing. They are hindered from wandering, slipping" away, and dis- persion. They are more sedulously attended ; the physician better inspects the chirurgeons, who neither can nor will be in all places, as now they are scattered, in the nasty corners of the towns. They are sooner and more certainly cured (for I have at present near thirty beds employed in a barn at Gravesend, which has taught us much of this experience), they are received and discharged with infinite more ease. Our accounts better and more exactly kept. A vast and very considerable sum is saved (not to say gained) to his IMajesty. The materials of the house will be good, if taken down ; or, if let stand, it may serve, in time of peace, for a store or workhouse ; the furniture will (much of it) be useful upon like occasion ; and, what is to be esteemed none of the least virtues of it, it will totally cure the alto- gether intolerable clamour and difficulties of rude and un- grateful people, their landlords and nurses, raised by their poverty upon the least obstruction of constant and weekly pays ; for want of which, they bring an ill repute on his Majesty's service, and incense the very magistrates and 186 COEEESPONDENCE OF 16G6. better sort of inhabitants (neighbours to them), who too frequently promote (I am sorry to speak it) their mutinies ; so as they have been sometimes menacing to expose our men in the streets, where some have most inhospitably perished. In fine, this would encounter all objections what- soever ; is an honourable, charitable, and frugal provision ; effectual, full of encouragement, and very practicable ; so as, however, for the present it may be considered, I cannot but persist in wishing it might be resolved upon towards autumn at the farthest ; Chatham and Rochester alone, having, within seventeen or eighteen months, cost his Majesty full 13,000, in cures and quarters ; half whereof would have near been saved had this method been established. Add to this, the almost constant station of his Majesty's ships at the buoy in the Nore, and river of Chatham ; the clamour of that place against our quartering these, this crazy time ; and the altogether impossibility of providing elsewhere for such numbers as continually press in upon us there, more than any where else, after actions, or the return of any of his Majesty's fleet : which, with what has been offered, may recommend this project, by your favourable representation of the premises, for a permanent establish- ment in that place especially, if his Majesty and Royal Highness so think meet. This account, being what I have been able to lay before you, as the effects of my late in- spection upon the places, by commands of the Honourable the Principal Officers, I request through your hands may be addressed to them from, Sir, Tour most obedient servant, J. EVELYX. "We might this summer burn our own bricks, and procure timber at the best hand, which would save a considerable charge. John Evelyn to Sir Samuel Take. Sayes- Court, 27 Sej}. 1663. SlB, It was some four days before the most fatal con- flagration of the (quondam) City of London that I addressed a few lines to you, little thinking I should so soon have had 1666. JOHN EVELYN. 187 two such dissolutions to deplore, the burning of the best town in the world, and the decease of the best friend in the world, your excellent lady. Sir, you know they are but small afflictions that are loquacious great ones are silent ; and if ever great ones there were, mine eyes have beheld, and mine ears heard them, with an heart so pos- sessed of sorrow, that it is not easily expressed ; because the instances have been altogether stupendous and un- paralleled. But it were in vain to entertain you with those formal topics, which are wont to be applied to persons of less fortitude and Christian resignation, though I cannot but exhort you to what, I know, you do look upon all things in this world as transitory and perishing ; sent us upon condition of. quitting them cheerfully, when God pleases to take them from us. This consideration alone (with the rest of those graces which God has furnished you with) will be able to alleviate your passion, and to preserve you from succumbing under your pressures, which I confess are weighty, but not insupportable. Live there- fore, I conjure you, and help to restore our dear country, and to consolate your friends. There is none alive wishes you more sincere happiness than my poor family. I suppose I should have heard ere this from you of all your concernments, but impute your silence to some pos- sible miscarriage of your letters ; since the usual place of address is with the rest reduced to ashes, and made an heap of ruins. I would give you a more particular relation of this calamitous accident ; but I should oppress you with sad stories, and I question not but they are come too soon amongst you at Paris with all minuteness, and (were it possible) hyperboles. There is this yet of less deplorable in it : that, as it has pleased God to order it, little effects of any great consequence have been lost, besides the houses ; that our merchants, at the same instant in which it was permitted that the tidings should fly over seas, had so settled all their affairs, as the complying with their foreign correspondence, as punctually as if no disaster at all had happened ; nor do we hear of so much as one that has failed. The Exchange is now at Gresham College. The rest of the City (which may consist of near a seventh part), and suburbs, peopled with new shops ; the same 188 COBEESPONDENCE OF 1666. noise, business, and commerce, not to say vanity. Only the poor booksellers have been indeed ill treated by Vul- can ; so many noble impressions consumed by their trusting them to the churches, as the loss is estimated near two hundred thousand pounds, which will be an extraordinary detriment to the whole republic of learning. In the mean- time, the King and Parliament are infinitely zealous for the rebuilding of our ruins ; and I believe it will universally be the employment of the next spring. They are now busied with adjusting the claims of each proprietor, that so they may dispose things for the building after the noblest model. Everybody brings in his idea : amongst the rest I presented his Majesty with my own conceptions, with a discourse annexed. It was the second that was seen within two days after the conflagration : but Dr. Wren had got the start of me. 1 Both of us did coincide so frequently, that his Ma- jesty was not displeased with it, and it caused divers altera- tions ; and truly there was never a more glorious phoenix upon earth, if it do at last emerge out of these cinders, and as the design is laid with the present fervour of the under- takers. But these things are as yet immature ; and I pray God we may enjoy peace to encourage those fair disposi- tious. The miracle is, I have never in my life observed a more universal resignation, less repining amongst sufferers : which makes me hope that God has yet thoughts of mercy towards us. Judgments do not always end where they begin ; and therefore let none exult over our calamities. We know not whose turn it may be next. But, Sir, I for- bear to entertain you longer on these sad reflections ; but persist to beg of you not to suffer any transportations un- becoming a man of virtue ; resolve to preserve yourself, if it be possible, for better times, the good and restoration of your country, and the comfort of your friends and relations, and amongst them of, Sir, Tour, &c. 1 These plans were afterwards printed by the Society of Antiquaries, and have been repeatedly engraved for the various histories of London. That by Mr. Evelyn is erroneously inscribed " Sir John Evelyn." 16G6. JOHN EYELYN. 189- Philip Dumurcsgiie to John Evelyn. Jersey, 12/7,5 Nov. 1666. SlB, I should acknowledge but in part the obligations I have to your lady, if I did not confess myself equally indebted to you ; for, besides the particular kindness to me, I am obliged, with all his Majesty's subjects, for that ex- cellent and useful piece of yours of planting and gardening, which Mr. Messerney did lend me to read; the subjects therein so accurately handled being so suitable to my incli- nation and kind of life, that uo fear of invasion from our ill neighbours can hinder me from putting daily in practice some of the directions therein prescribed. I was in good hopes to have had the honour of giving you the particulars of my proficiency myself during this winter, wherein there was some likelihood there would be no occasion for our stay here ; but our governor's commands have been so absolute to all that desired leave but for two months only, that I am out of hopes to pay you in person the respects I owe you for your favours ; but must be content, till a happier oppor- tunity, to entreat from your goodness to believe that there is nothing I esteem more than the happiness to be accounted by you, as I am really, Sir, Your most humble and obliged servant, PlIILIP DUMABESQUE. John Evelyn to Lord Chancellor Clarendon. Sayes Court, 27th Nov. 1C66. MY LOUD, I did the other day in Westminster Hall, give my Lord Cornbury, your lordship's son, my thoughts briefly concerning a most needful reformation for the transmitting a clearer stream for the future from the press, by directing to immaculate copies of such books as, being vended in great proportions, do, for want of good editions amongst us, export extraordinary sums of money, to our no less 190 COBBESPONDENCE OP 1666. detriment than shame ; and I am so well satisfied of the honour which a redress in this kind will procure even to posterity (however small the present instance may appear to some in a superficial view) that I think myself obliged to wish that your Lordship may not conceive it unworthy of your patronage. The afi'air is this. Since the late deplorable conflagration, in which the stationers have been exceedingly ruined, there is like to be an extraordinary penury and scarcity of classic authors, &c., used in grammar schools ; so, as of necessity, they must suddenly be reprinted. My Lord may please to understand that our booksellers follow their own judgment in printing the ancient authors, according to such text as they found extant, when first they entered their copy ; whereas, out of the MSS. collated by the industry of later critics, those authors are exceedingly improved. For instance, about thirty years since Justin was corrected by Isaac Vossius, in many hundreds of places most material to sense and elegancy ; and has since been frequently reprinted in Hol- land after the purer copy, but with us, still according to the old reading. The like has Florus, Seneca's tragedies, and near all the rest, which have in the mean time been castigated abroad by several learned hands ; which, besides that it makes ours to be rejected, and dishonours our nation, so does it no little detriment to learning, and to the treasure of the nation in proportion. The cause of this is principally the stationer driving as hard and cruel a bargain with the printer as he can, and the printer taking up any smatterer in the tongues, to be the less loser ; an exactness in this no ways importing the stipulation ; by which means errors repeat and multiply in every edition, and that most notoriously in some most necessary school-books of value, which they obtrude upon the buyer, unless men will be at unreasonable rates for foreign editions. Tour Lordship does by this perceive the mischievous effects of this avarice and negligence in them. And now towards the removing these causes of the decay of typography, not only as to this particular, but in general, it is humbly proposed to consider whether it might not be expedient : first, that inspection be had what text of the Greek and Latin authors should be followed in future 1666. JOHN EVELYN. 191 impressions ; secondly, that a censor be established to take care and caution of all presses in London, that they be provided with able correctors, principally for school-books, which are of large and iterated impressions ; thirdly, that the charge thereof be advanced by the company, which is but just, and will be easily reimbursed, upon an allowance arising from better and more valuable copies ; since it is but reason that whoever builds a house be at the charges of surveying ; and if it stand in relation to the public (as this does), that he be obliged to it. My Lord, these reflections are not crudely represented, but upon mature advice and conference with learned persons with whom I now and then converse ; and they are highly worthy your Lordship's interesting your power and autho- rity to reform it, and will be inserted into the glorious things of your story, and adorn your memory. Great persons here- tofore did take care of these matters, and it has consecrated their names. The season is also now most proper for it, that this sad calamity has mortified a company which was exceed- ingly haughty and difficult to manage to any useful refor- mation ; and therefore (well knowing the benefit which would accrue to the public by so noble an attempt), I could not but recommend it to your Lordship out of the pure sense of gratitude I have to wish your Lordship all the happy occasions of increasing your honour, for the favours you always show me, and the obligations I have to your par- ticular friendship and kindness. My Lord, if this paper find acceptance, I would be bold to add some farther hints for the carrying it on to some perfection ; for, besides all I have said, there will need pains in reading, consulting MSS., and conference with learned men, good indexes, apt divisions, chapters, and verses, as the " Dutch Variorum," embellish- ments of Eoman and Italic letters to separate inserted speeches (especially in historians and sententious authors), and which adds to the use and lustre, together with a choice of succinct notes after more terse and profitable copies. For it is a shame that even such as our own country- man Farnaby has published should be sold us from other countries, because our own editions are so much inferior to them. If your Lordship would set your heart upon other particulars concerning the reformation of our English press, 192 COKBESPOXDENCE OF 16GG. I could give instance in some of high reputation and no mean advantage. But I would rejoice to see but this take effect. My Lord, I kiss your Lordship's hands, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Wilkins. 1 SIB, I have read Mr. TiUotson's " Kule of Faith," and am obliged to render him thanks for the benefit I acknow- ledge to have received by it. Never in my life did I see a thing more illustrated, more convincing, unless men will he- blind because they will be so. I am infinitely pleased with his equal style, dispassionate treatment, and Christian tem- per to that important adversary : for my part, I look upon that business as dispatched, and expect only the grimaces and agonies of dying and desperate men for the future ; plainly the wound is mortal. Sir, that I presume to send you the consequence of what I formerly published in English, in the controversy betwixt the Jesuits and the Jansenists, speaks rather my obedience to a command from that great person, 2 than my abilities to have undertaken, or acquitted myself as I ought. I annexed an Epistolary Preface, not to instruct such as you are, in anything which you do not know ; but for their sakes, who, reading the book, might possibly conceive the French kings to have been the only persons in danger : and because I hope it may receive your suffrage as to the pertinence of it pro hie et nunc. I am heartily sorry that some indispensable avocations frequently deprive me of your meetings at Gresham College, and particularly that I cannot be there on "Wednesday ; his Majesty having enjoined me to repair to-morrow to Chatham, for the taking order about erecting an infirmary, capable to entertain about 500 sick persons, and all to be finished against the next occasion. If Almighty God do not vouch- safe to accept this service, as well as the King my master, I shall be an intolerable loser, by being so long diverted from 1 At this time Dean of Kipon. See Diary, vol. i. pp. 305. The allu- sions in this letter determine its date. * The Lord Chancellor. 1666-7. JOHN EVELYN. 193 a conversation so profitable and so desirable. But wars will once 1 have a period : and I now and then get a bait at philo- sophy ; but it is so little and jejune, as I despair of satisfac- tion till I am again restored to the Society, where even your very fragments are enough to enrich any man that has the honour to approach you. Sir, I think I have at last pro- cured the mummia which you desired : be pleased in the name and with authority of the Eoyal Society, to chal- lenge it of the injurious detainers, therein using the address of Mr. Fox ; Sir Samuel Tuke having written most effectually in our behalf, who deserves (together with the Hon. Mr. Hen. Howard, of Norfolk) a place among our benefactors. Sir, I am, &c. Sir George Mackenzie "- to John Evelyn. Edinburgh, February 4, 1666-7. SlE, I have written two letters which, with iny last moral discourses, now lie before me because I want your address. This I have at last ventured upon, which will assure you of a friendship as zealous, though not so advan- tageous as you deserve ; as a testimony of which, receive this inclosed poem written by me, not out of love of poetry, or of gallantry, but to essay if I might reveal my curiosity that way. I could wish to know the censure of Sir William Davenant or Mr. "Waller upon it ; and in order to this, I beg that you will present this letter and it to Sir William, and if he pleases it, to give copies of it, or use it as you please. I wish he sent me an account of its errors, and as a penance I promise not to vomit any new one. I had sought my security in no other approbation than your own, if your friendship for me had not rendered you suspect. Dear sir, pardon this imprudence in Tour most humble servant, GEO. MACKENZIE. 1 i. e., One day. 8 Sir George Mackenzie is frequently mentioned in the Diary (see in particular, vol. ii. p. 317). He was a very famous Scottish lawyer and antiquarian, whose memory is still preserved and revered in Edin- burgh, notwithstanding his high-flying doctrines of divine right and passive obedience, as the founder of the celebrated Advocates' Library. YOL. III. O 194 COBEESPONDENCE OF 1666-7 To Abraham Cowley, Esq. 1 Sayes-Court, IZth March, 1666-7. SlE, You had reason to be astonished at the presump- tion, not to name it affront, that I who have so highly cele- brated recess, and envied it in others, should become an ad- vocate for the enemy, which of all others it abhors and flies from. I conjure you to believe that I am still of the same mind, and that there is no person alive who does more honour and breathe after the life and repose you so happily cultivate and adorn by your example : but, as those who praised dirt, a flea, and the gout, 2 so have I Public Employ- ment in that trifling Essay, 3 and that in so weak a style com- pared to my antagonists, as by that alone it will appear I neither was nor could be serious ; and I hope you believe I speak my very soul to you. But I have more to say, which will require your kindness. Suppose our good friend were publishing some eulogies on the Boyal Society, and, by de- ducing the original progress and advantages of their design, would bespeak it some veneration in the world ? Has Mr. Cowley no inspirations for it ? Would it not hang the most heroic wreath about his temples ? Or can he desire a nobler or a fuller argument either for the softest airs or the loudest echoes, for the smoothest or briskest notes of his Pindaric lyre ? There be those who ask, What have the Royal Society done ? Where their College ? I need not instruct you how to answer or confound these persons, who are able to make even these inform 4 blocks and stones dance into order, and charm them into better sense. Or if their insolence press, you are capable to show how they have laid solid foundations to perfect all noble arts, and reform all imper- 1 This and the following letter will be read with interest by all \vho have admired the masterly poem to which chiefly they relate, and which was published before the close of this year in Sprat's History of the Royal Society. 3 Dornavius's " Amphitheatrum Sapiential Socraticse Jacoserise" con- tains a large collection of facetiae of this kind, in prose and verse, with which the scholars of those times relieved their serious studies. 3 " Public Employment, &c., preferred to Solitude," 1667. Printed in Evelyn's " Miscellaneous Writings," 1825, 4to, pp. 501, 509. 4 An adjective from the Latin informis. 1667. JOin* EVELYN. 195 feet sciences. It requires an history to recite only the arts, the inventions, and phenomena already absolved, improved, or opened. In a word, our registers have outdone Pliny, Porta, and Alexis, and all the experimentists, nay, the great Yerulam himself, and have made a nobler and more faithful collection of real secrets, useful and instructive, than has hitherto been shown. Sir, we have a library, a repository, and an assembly of as worthy and great persons as the world has any ; and yet we are sometimes the subject of satire and the songs of the drunkards ; have a king to our founder, and yet want a Maecenas ; and above all, a spirit like yours, to raise us up benefactors, and to compel them to think the design of the Royal Society as worthy of their regards, and as capable to embalm their names, as the most heroic enter- prise, or any thing anticpity has celebrated ; and I am even amazed at the wretchedness of this age that ac- knowledges it no more. But the devil, who was ever an enemy to truth, and to such as discover his prestigious effects, will never suffer the promotion of a design so destructive to his dominion (which is to fill the world with imposture and keep it in ignorance), without the utmost of his malice and contradiction. But you have numbers and charms that can bind even these spirits of darkness, and render their instruments obsequious ; and we know you have a divine hymn for us; the lustre of the Royal Society calls for an ode from the best of poets upon the noblest argument. To conclude: here you have a field to celebrate the great and the good, who either do, or should, favour the most august and worthy design that ever was set on foot in the world : and those who are our real patrons and friends you can eternise, those who are not you can conciliate and inspire to do gallant things. But I will add no more, when I have told you with great truth that I am, Sir, &c. From Abraham Cowley to John Evelyn. Chertsey, 13th May, 1667. SlE, I am ashamed of the rudeness I have committed in deferring so long my humble thanks for your obliging o 2 196 COBRESPONDEKCE OF 1667. letter, which I received from you at the beginning of the last month. My laziness in finishing the copy of verses upon the Royal Society, for which I Avas engaged before by Mr. Sprat's desire, and encouraged since by you, was the cause of this delay, having designed to send it to you en- closed in my letter : but I am told now that the History is almost quite printed, and will be published so soon, that it were impertinent labour to write out that which you will so suddenly see in a better manner, and in the company of better things. I could not comprehend in it many of those excellent hints which you were pleased to give me, nor de- scend to the praises of particular persons, because those things aiford too much matter for one copy of verses, and enough for a poem, or the History itself; some part of which I have seen, and think you will be very well satisfied with it. I took the boldness to show him your letter, and he says he has not omitted any of those heads, though he wants the eloquence in expression. Since I had the honour to receive from you the reply to a book written in praise of a solitary life, 1 I have sent all about the town in vain to get the author, having very much affection for the subject, which is one of the noblest controversies both modern and ancient ; and you have dealt so civilly with your adversary, as makes him deserve to be looked after. But I could not meet with him, the books being all, it seems, either burnt or bought up. If you please to do me the favour to lend it to me, and send it to my brother's house (that was) in the King's Yard, it shall be returned to you within a few days with a humble thanks of your most faithful obedient ser- vant, A.. C OWLET. Sir John Langham to John Evelyn. Crosby House, this SQlh July, 1667. "WOBTHY SlB, I presume upon your goodness, though a stranger, so far to trouble you as to make a double enquiry concern- ing Mr. Phillips, who lately was entertained in your family. 1 Sir George Mackenzie's " Moral Essay upon Solitude, preferring it to Public Employment," &c., 1665. 1667. JOHN EVELYN. 197 The one how he approved himself to you in learning and behaviour, whom I had long known to be the greatest judge of both : the other where he is now disposed of, and whether in the liberty of receiving an ingenuous employment, if your character of him and my discourse with him shall encourage me to give him a call thereto. One requisite that I am com- missioned to be assured of, is his ability of speaking ready and refined Latin ; for as to his manners and regular con- versation, there lies not a suspicion for anything in them unworthy of the sanctimony of your house, which hath long been venerated as the holiest temple of all virtue and in- genuity. I am sensible how far already I have trespassed upon your consecrated leisures, therefore, lest I should con- tinue the fault, I add not more, than I am, Sir, Tour very humble Servant, J. LAKGUIAM. John Evelyn to Sir John Langliam. SIB, It is from the abundance of your civility that you load me with eulogies, and because you are not acquainted with my imperfections, which are so much the greater by having not had the honour to be known to so deserving a person as yourself. I can say nothing to the disadvantage of Mr. Phillips, which might not recommend him to your good intentions, except it be that I did not observe in him any greater promptness of readily speaking Latin (which I find is one of the principal faculties you are in search of) ; but it was not for that, or indeed any other defect which made us part, but the passion he had to travel and see the world, which he was made believe he should have had a sud- den opportunity of effecting with a son of my lord of Pem- broke, who has now these two years been under his tuition without satisfying his curiosity as to that particular. Mr. Phillips is, I think, yet at Wilton, where my lord makes use of him to interpret some of the Teutonic philosophy, to whose mystic theology his lordship, you know, is much addicted. As to Mr. Phillips's more express character, he is a sober, silent, and most harmless person ; a little versatile in his 198 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1667. studies, understanding many languages, especially the modern, not inferior to any I know, and that I take to be his talent. Thus, sir, what I have said concerning Mr. Phillips in the matter you require, I hope shall not abate of your value for him, or the honour I promise myself in receiv- ing your future commands, who remain, Sir, Tour very humble Servant, J. EVELYN. John Evelyn to Henry Howard. 1 Sayes-Court, 4 Aug. 1667. SlE, It is not without much regret and more concern- ment as it regards your honourable and illustrious family, that I have now so long a time beheld some of the noblest antiquities in the world, and which your grandfather pur- chased with so much cost and difficulty,lie abandoned, broken, and defaced in divers corners about Arundel House and the gardens belonging to it. I know your honour cannot but have thoughts and resolutions of repairing and collecting them together one day ; but there are in the mean time certain broken inscriptions, now almost obliterated with age and the ill effects of weather, which will in a short time utterly be lost and perish, unless they be speedily removed to a more benign and less corrosive air. For these it is, I should be an humble suitor that you would think fit to make a present of them to the University of Oxford, where they might be of great use and ornament, and remain a more lasting record to posterity of your munificence, than by any other application of them whatsoever ; and the University would think themselves obliged to inscribe your name, and that of your illustrious family, to all significations of gra- titude. 1 Heir apparent to the Dukedom of Norfolk, frequently mentioned in the Diary. " This letter," Evelyn writes upon the MS. original, " pro- cured all the Marmora Arundeliana, Greek and Latin Inscriptions, Urns, Altar Tables, &c. now at Oxon. J. E." See also his Dedication to Mr. Howard, prefixed to Roland Freart's " Idea of the Perfection of Painting," and reprinted in his " Miscellaneous Writings," 1825, 4to. p. 555. 1667. JOHN EVELTX. 199 I have also long since suggested to your honour, that you would cause the best of your statues, basso-relievos, and other antiquities standing in your gallery at Arundel House, to be exquisitely designed by some skilful hand, and engraven in copper, as Mons. Liancourt did those of Home by Perrier, and long before him Raphael himself, Sadeler, 1 and other incomparable sculptors ; because by this means they|would be communicated to the world, and divers great and learned persons, studious of antiquity, might be benefited by them; and if such a thing were added to the impression of the Marmora Arundeliana (which I hear the University of Oxon are now preparing for a second impression), how greatly would it adorn that admi- rable work, and do new honours to your illustrious name and family, as it has formerly, and yet does to divers noble Italians and others, who have not been able to produce such a collection as you are furnished with, but which perish in obscurity, and yield not that to the public, who would be obliged to celebrate you, for want of a small ex- pense ! Methmks, whilst they remain thus obscured and neglected, the very marbles are become vocal, and cry to you for pity, and that you would even breathe life into them. Sir, you will easily see I have no other design in this, than to express the honour I have for your person and for your illustrious family ; and because I find this would be one of the most glorious instances to augment and perpetuate it, I cannot but wish that it might take effect. I have no more to add but that I am, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Bathurst* London, 9tk September, 1667. SlR, I heartily wish I had the good fortune to be as serviceable to you in particular for the many favours I have received, as I doubt not but I shall be to a place, which, for your sake as well as my own, I have so much reason to 1 Little more than six years before the date of this letter the Vestigt dell' Antichita di Roma, engraved by Giles Sadeler, had appeared. 2 At this time President of Trinity College, Oxford. 200 COBBESPONDENCE OS 16671 honour I mean the University ; if, at least, it may be es- teemed a service to have obtained of Mr. Henry Howard, of Norfolk, the freely-bestowing upon you all those learned monuments which pass under the famous names of Marmora Arundeliana. This, sir, the interest which that illustrious person has allowed me in his friendship has wrought for you ; and I dare pronounce it highly worthy your accept- ance. For you shall not only be masters of some few, but of all ; and there is nothing more to be done, than, after you have taken notice of his munificence (which I desire, and wish may be speedily done, in a public address, as from the body of the University), to take order for their trans- portation to you ; for which effect, I conceive it would be worth your while to delegate Mr. Obadiah "Walker, or Dr. "Wren (Sir Christopher), persons that I much honour, who may take care and consult about the best expedients for their removal ; for they being marble, and some of them basse-relievos rarely cut, will deserve to be guarded from injuries : and when they are at Oxford, I conceive they can nowhere be more fitly placed than in some part about the new theatre, except you should think fit to protect some of the more curious and small ones, as urns, &c., in the galleries next the library, where they may remain secure. I have as- Bured Mr. Howard that the University will not fail in their sense of this noble gift and munificence, by decreeing him a public and conspicuous inscription which shall consecrate his memory : and if I have hinted it more particularly to Mr. "Walker, it is what I think will become your justice and such grateful beneficiaries. I shall entreat you to acquaint Mr. Vice-Chancellor with what I have done, as also Dr. Barlow and Dr. Pierce, the Warden and Presidents of Queen's and Magdalen Colleges, my worthy friends, and beg that through your address this service of mine may be ac- ceptable to the University from, Sir, your, &c. SirP-lelypinr. MONTAGU* EARL OP SAUDWTCH OB. 1672. 1667. JGHK EYELYX. 201 John Evelyn to the Earl of Sandwich. Sayes-Court, 13 Decemb. 1667. MY LOUD, 1 could hardly obtain of myself to give your Excellency this trouble, or dare to mingle my imperti- nencies amongst your public and weighty concerns, till, reflecting on the greatness of your genius, I concluded it would neither be disturbed, nor disdain my humble address, that confident of your communicative nature, I adventured to supplicate your Excellency's favour in behalf of a work of mine upon the Hortulan subject ; and in particular, that your Excellency would vouchsafe by the meanest of your servants to give me some short descriptions of the mosir famous gardens and villas of Spain, 1 and what other singu- larities of that kind might occur to the adorning of a labour- wherein I chiefly pretend to gratify great and illustrious persons, and such as, like your Lordship, are the most worthy to cultivate and enjoy these amenities. The cata- logue which I here presume to send your Excellency, and the pains I have already taken to render it no trifling or un- useful speculation, will in some degree commute for this bold address ; especially since I could never hope to receive so much light from any but your Excellency, to whom I am confident there can be nothing curious in this argument concealed, how close and reserved soever the Spaniards are. I have heard that there is lately a German at Madrid, who pretends to a successful invention for the setting of corn by a peculiar sort of plough. This, I am sure, cannot have es- caped your Excellency ; and it will be due to the Boyal Society, the history whereof, now at last published here with infinite applause, I doubt not is come to your hands, and that you will judge it worthy the most accurate translation. But, my Lord, I shall leave that to the joint request of the 1 Evelyn subjoins this note. " Which he sent me from Madrid, in many sheets of paper written in his own hand, together with the Sem~ brador or plough itself, which I gave to the Koyal Society, and is de- scribed in their ' Transactions,' J. E." Lord Sandwich, it is needless to add, was at this time our Ambassador to Spain. 202 COllBESPONDENCE OP 1668. Society, and accumulate no more to tbese extravagances of mine, after I have supplicated your Excellency's pardon, who am, May it please your Excellency, your, &c. Sir George Mackenzie to John JEvelyn. Edinburgh, 1668. 1 did, Sir, in my greener years believe that our lofty and more wingy thoughts could not be forced into rhymes or submit to the rules of poetry. But I attribute this partly to the rudeness of my ear, which the storminess of the place where I live fashioned from my infancy to take notice of no sound less loud than winds or thunder, and thus I under- value poetry as soldiers accustomed to the noise of drum and cannon contemn the softer airs of the viol or lute. But being at last released from this error, I resolved to choose for my essay a theme which (like her for whom the poem was intended) would not look ill in any dress, and in which my duty might excuse my want of wit. This poem being the first fruits of my muse, I have sent to you as to whom it was due, being Apollo's high priest. Tour eyes can ripen everything they see, and if there be any lameness in its feet, your touch can miraculously cure it. Tour approbation is a sanctuary unto which if these lines can once get they will be secure, nor dare the avenger follow them ; and your bays are branches enough to secure them against the heats of envy, though they need, I fear, more the pity than the rage of more exalted heads. I desire rather your assistance than your censure, and I fear as much the one, as they need the other. Pardon the rudeness of this address from Tour humble servant, GrEO. MACKENZIE. P.S. If you favour me with a return, direct it to Sir Gfeo. Mackenzie, Advocate, in Edinburgh. 1668. JOHN EVELYN. 203 Sir Robert Moray to John Evelyn. Tester, 14th June, 1668. MY VEEY WORTHY EBIEND, By what telescope you read me at this distance, I do not know ; but by your letter of the 13th December, I learnt that you are acquainted with my most illegible parts. I should hardly have suspected it. It seems you conclude me to be a greater master in another sort of philosophy than in that which is the business of the Eoyal Society ; for if you were not confident I can govern the whole brood of my passions, as well, at least, as Banks did his horse, you would not have adventured to stir up so many of the fiercest of them at once. This I incline the rather to believe because I know you value my friendship and would not bend to a flame that might blow it up. Therefore, instead of flying over, like lightning, upon the wanton and tempting lan- guage by which you assault my humility and sobriety, my ingenuity and my unconcernedness, exciting me to pride, vanity, ambition, and affectation, I do but smile upon the liberty of your pen, and commend the pretty texture of your ingenious words, and only construct the design of all to be to express quaintly your kindness in desiring I may be where you are. And my return to that is, that were I at my own disposal, I could be as willing as you would have me to con- fine myself to that little world that goes under the name of Sayes Court, and choose, not covet, the most courted glories of our terrestrial planet, nay, nor envy those that inhabit the noble one that illuminates the rest, if any such people there be : and, then, if the two luminaries that keep up a perpetual spring in that rich place did but shine perpetu- ally on such an obscure guest, what sublunary things would be wanting to complete the happiness of, my very much honoured friend, Your faithful humble servant, E. MORAY. 201 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1668. John Evelyn to the Rev. Joseph Glanvil? Sayes-Coitrt, 24/7* June, 1668. SIR, I received so welcome, and so obliging a token from you by the hands of Mr. Oldenburgh, that after all I can say in this letter in acknowledgment of that particular favour, I must continue to subscribe myself your debtor. I^or what have you seen in any of my productions, which should make you augur so favourably of that trifle of mine, upon so trite and humble a subject ? or mention me amongst the heroes whom you so meritoriously celebrate ! I cannot find anything to support it, but your most obliging nature, of which the comely and philosophic frame is abundantly conspicuous, by this worthy vindication both of yourself and all useful learning against the science (falsely so called) of your snarling adversary. 2 I do not conceive why the Royal Society should any more concern themselves for the empty and malicious cavils of these delators, after Avhat you have said ; but let the moon-dogs bark on, till their throats are dry : the Society every day emerges, and her good genius will raise up one or other to judge and defend her ; whilst there is nothing which does more confirm me in the noble- ness of the design, than this spirit of contradiction which the devil (who hates all discoveries of those false and presti- gious ways that have hitherto obtained) does incite to stir up men against it. But, sir, you have discoursed this so fully in this excellent piece of yours, that I have no more to- add, but the suffrage and subscription of, Sir, Tours, &c. 1 Mr. Glanvil, a Devonshire Clergyman, was a fellow of the Royal Society, one of the King's Chaplains in Ordinary, and a writer of some repute in his day. Evelyn writes upon this letter " He sent me his book entitled, ' Plus Ultra ; or the Progress and advancement of Know- ledge, since the days of Aristotle," octavo, London, 1668. J. E." An, account of the hook may be seen in the Philosophical Transactions, If o. 36. - Henry Stubbe, an inveterate enemy of the Royal Society, which he attacked in vai'ious pamphlets, now happily forgotten. Among them was an Answer to Glanvil, entitled, " The Plus Ultra reduced to a Nan Plus ; or a Specimen of some Animadversions upon the Plus Ultra of Mr. Joseph Glanvil." Q, 1670. 1668. JOHN EVELYN. 205 John Evelyn to the Earl of Sandwich. Sayes-Court, 21st August, 1668. MT LORD, I am plainly astonished at your bounty to me, and I am in pain for words to express the sense I have of this great obligation. 1 And as I have been exceedingly affected with the descrip- tions, so have I been greatly instructed in the other parti- culars your Lordship mentions, and especially rejoice that your Excellency has taken care to have the draughts of the places, fountains, and engines for the irrigation and refreshing their plantations, which may be of singular use to us in England. And I question not but your Excellency brings with you a collection of seeds ; such especially as we may not have commonly in our country. By your Lordship's description, the Encina should be the Ilex major aculeata, a sucker whereof yet remains in his Majesty's Privy-Gardens at "Whitehall, next the door that is opposite to the Tennis- court. I mention it the rather, because it certainly might be propagated with us to good purpose ; for the father of this small tree I remember of a goodly stature, so as it yearly pro- duced ripe acorns ; though Clusius, when he was in England, believed it to be barren : and haply, it had borne none in his time. I have sown both the acorns of the tree, and the cork with success, though I have now but few of them remaining, through the negligence of my gardener ; for they require care at the first raising, till they are accustomed to the cold, and then no rigour impeaches them. "What your Excel- lency means by the Sama de Joseph, I do not comprehend ; but the Planta Alois, which is a monstrous kind of Sedum, will, like it, endure no wet in winter, but will certainly rot if but a drop or two fall on it, whereas in summer you cannot give it drink enough. I perceive their culture of choice and ten- der plants differs little from ours in England, as it has been published by me in my Calendarium Horteme, which is now the third time reprinting. Stoves absolutely destroy our conservatories; but if they could be lined with cork, I J See ante, p. 201. 206 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1668. believe it would better secure them from the cold and mois- ture of the walls, than either mattresses or reeds with which we commonly inrest them. I think that I was the first that ever planted Spanish Cardons in our country for any culi- nary use, as your Excellency has taught the blanching ; but I know not whether they serve themselves in Spain with the purple beards of the thistle, when it is in flower, for the curdling of milk, which it performs much better than rennet, and is far sweeter in the dairy than that liquor, which is apt to putrify. Tour Excellency has rightly conjectured of the pome- granate ; I have always kept it exposed, and the severest of our winters does it no prejudice. They will flower plentifully, but bear no fruit with TIS, either kept in cases and the repository, or set in the open air; at least very trifling, with the greatest industry of stoves and other artifices. We have asparagus growing wild both in Lincolnshire and in other places ; but [as] your Lordship observes, they are small and bitter, and not comparable to the cultivated. The red pepper, I suppose, is what we call guinea-pepper, of which I have raised many plants, whose pods resemble in. colour the most oriental and polished coral : a very little will set the throat in such a flame, as has been sometimes deadly, and therefore to be sparingly used in sauces. I hope your Lordship will furnish yourself with melon seeds, because they will last good almost twenty years ; and so will all the sorts of garavances, calaburos, and gourds (whatever Herrera affirm), which may be for divers economical uses. The Spanish onion-seed is of all other the most excellent : and yet I am not certain, whether that which we have out of Elanders and St. Omers, be all the Spanish seed which we know of. My Lady Clarendon (when living) was wont to furnish me with seed that produced me pro- digious crops. . Is it not possible for your Excellency to bring over some of those quince and cherry-trees, which your Lordship so celebrates ? I suppose they might be secured in barrels, or packed up, as they transport other rarities from far 1668. JOHW EYELY5T. 207 countries. But, my Lord, I detain your Excellency too long in these repetitions, and forget that I am all this while doing injury to the public, by suspending you a moment from matters of a higher orb, the interest of states and re- conciling of kingdoms : and I should think so of another, did I not know withal, how universal your comprehensions are, and how qualified to support it. I remain, my Lord, Tours, &c. John Evelyn to Doctor Beale. 27th August, 1668. SlB, I happened to be with Mr. Oldenburg some time since, almost upon the article of his receiving the notice you sent him of your fortunate and useful invention ; and I remember I did first of all incite him, both to insert it into his next transactions, and to provoke your further prosecu- tion of it ; which I exceedingly rejoice to find has been so successful, that you give us hopes of your further thoughts upon that, and those other subjects which you mention. 1 You may haply call to remembrance a passage of the Jesuit Honorati Fabri, who speaking of perspectives, observes, that an object looked on through a small hole appears magnified ; from whence he suggests, the casting of two plates neatly perforated, and fitted to look through, prefer- able to glasses, whose refractions injure the sight. Though I begin to advance in years (being now on the other side of forty), yet the continuance of the perfect use of my senses (for which I bless Almighty Grod) has rendered me the less solicitous about those artificial aids ; which yet I foresee I must shortly apply myself to, and therefore you can receive but slender hints from me which will be worthy your acceptance upon that argument ; only, I well re- member, that besides Tiberius of old (whom you seem to instance in), Joseph Scaliger affirms the same happened both to his father Julius and himself, in their younger years. 1 The paper alluded to is entitled, " An experiment to examine what Figure and Celerity of Motion begetteth or increaseth Light and Flame," and -will bo found in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. i. p. 226. 03 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1668. And sometimes, methinks, I myself have fancied to have discerned things in a very dark place, when the curtains about my bed have been drawn, as my hands, fingers, the sheet, and bedclothes ; but since my too intent poring upon a famous eclipse of the sun, about twelve years since, at which time I could as familiarly have stared with open eyes upon the glorious planet in its full lustre, as now upon a glow-worm (comparatively speaking), I have not only lost the acuteness of sight, but much impaired the vigour of it for such purposes as it then served me. But besides that, I have treated mine eyes very ill near these twenty years, during all which time I have rarely put them together, or composed them to sleep, before one at night, and sometimes much later : that I may in some sort redeem my losses by day, in which I am continually importuned with visits from my neighbours and acquaintance, or taken up by other im- pertinencies of my life in this place. I am plainly ashamed to tell you this, considering how little I have improved my- self by it ; but I have rarely been in bed before twelve o'clock, as I said, in the space of twenty years ; and yet I read the least print, even in a jolting coach, without other assistance, save that I now and then used to rub my shut eye-lids over with a spirit of wine well rectified, in which I distil a few rosemary flowers, much after the process of the Queen of Hungary's water, which does exceedingly fortify, not only my sight, but the rest of ray senses, especially my hearing and smelling ; a drop or two being distilled into the nose or ears, when they are never so dull ; and other xoXXovpiov I never apply. Indeed, in the summer time, I have found wonderful benefit in bathing my head with a decoction of some hot and aroinatical herbs, in a lixivium made of the ashes of vine branches ; and when my head is well washed with this, I immediately cause abundance of cold fountain water to be poured upon me stillatim, for a good half-hour together ; which for the present is not only one of the most voluptuous and grateful refreshments ima- ginable, but an incredible benefit to me the whole year after ; for I never need other powdering to my hair, to preserve it bright and clean, as the gallants do ; but which does certainly greatly prejudice transpiration by filling up, or lying heavy upon the pores. Those, therefore, who (since 1668. JOHN EVELYN. 20& the use of perukes) accustom to wash their heads, instead of powdering, would doubtless find the benefit of it ; both as to the preventing of aches in their head, teeth, and ears, if the vicissitude and inconstancy of the weather, and con- sequently the use of their monstrous perukes, did not expose them to the danger of catching colds. When I travelled in Italy, and the Southern parts, I did sometimes frequent the public baths (as the manner is), but seldom without peril of my life, till I used this frigid effusion, or rather profusion of cold water before I put on my garments, or durst expose myself to the air ; and for this method I was obliged to the old and noble Rantzow, in whose book De conservandd valetudine I had read a passage to this purpose ; though I might have remembered how the Dutch- men treated their labouring horses when they are all over in a froth, which they wash off with several buckets of cold water, as I have frequently observed it in the Low Countries. Concerning other aids; besides what the masters of the catoptrics, phonocamptics, otacoustics, &c., have done, some- has thing been attempted by the Royal Society; and you know the industrious Kircher has much laboured. The rest of those artificial helps are summed up by the Jesuit And. Schottus. I remember that Monsieur Huygens (author of the pen- dulum), who brought up the learned father of that incom- parable youth Monsieur de Zulichem, who used to prescribe to me the benefit of his little wax taper (a type whereof is, with the history of it, in some of our Registers) for night elucubrations, preferable to all other candle or lamp light whatsoever. And because it explodes all glaring of the flame, which by no means ought to dart upon the eyes, it seems very much to establish your happy invention of tubes instead of spectacles, which have not those necessary de- fences. Touching the sight of cats in the night, I am not well satisfied of the exquisiteness of that sense in them. I be- lieve their smelling or hearing does much contribute to their dexterity in catching mice, as to all those animals who are born with those prolix smelling hairs. Fish will gather themselves in shoals to any extraordinary light in the dark night, and many are best caught by that artifice. But TOL. III. P 210 COREESPOITDENCE OP 1668. whatever may be said of these, and other senses of fish, you know how much the sagacity of birds and beasts excel us ; how far eagles and vultures, ravens and other fowls "will smell the carcase ; odorumque canum vis, as Lucretius ex- presses it, and we daily find by their drawing after the games. Gesner affirms that an otter will wind a fish four miles distance in the water, and my Lord Verulam (cent. 8) speaks of that element's being also a medium of sounds, as well as ail 1 . Eels do manifestly stir at the cracking of thunder, but that may also be attributed to some other tremulous motion ; yet carps and other fish are known to come at the call and the sound of a bell, as I have been in- formed. Notorious is the story of Arion, and of Lucullus's lampreys which came ad nomen ; and you have formerly minded me of Yarro's Greek pipe, of which Lucian and Cicero (ad Atticwn) take occasion to speak. Pliny's dolphin is famous, and what is related of the American Manati : but the most stupendous instance, that of the xiphia or sword-fish, which the Mamertines can take up by no other stratagem than a song of certain barbarous words, as the thing is rebated by Thorn. Eazzello. It is certain that we hear more accurately when we hold our mouths a little open, than when we keep them shut ; and I have heard of a dumb gentleman in England who was taught to speak (and therefore certainly brought to hear in some degree) by applying the head of a base viol against his teeth, and striking upon the strings with the bow. You may re- member the late effect of the drum extending the tympanum of a deaf person to great improvement of his hearing, so long as that was beaten upon ; and I could at present name a friend of mine, who, though he be exceedingly thick of hearing, by applying a straight stick of what length soever, provided it touch the instrument and his ear, does perfectly and with great pleasure hear every tune that is played : all which, with many more, will flow into your excellent work, whilst the argument puts me in mind of one Tom Whittal, a student of Christ Church, who would needs maintain, that if a hole could dexterously be bored through the skull to the brain, in the midst of the forehead, a man might both see and hear and smell without the use of any other organs ; but you are to know, that this learned problematist 1668. JOHN EVELYN. 211 was brother to him, who, preaching at St. Mary's, Oxford, took his text out of the history of Balaam, Numb, xxii., "Am I not thine ass?" Dear Sir, pardon this rhapsody of, Sir, your, &c. Henry Howard to John Evelyn. London, 15th September, 1668. SlB, I send Knevett to accompany a gentleman of the Ambassador's of Venice to Greenwich, where his business is to find out some private house to give the said Ambassador 1 shelter till the Earl of Anglesea come with his Majesty's barges, and the Master of Ceremonies, to make his entry on Thursday next. 'Tis not unknown to you how great the obligations of myself and family are to that republic, where- fore I do not only write as concerned for their satisfaction, but will even own as a most particular obligation to me whatever favour or civility is bestowed upon them by any of my friends or acquaintance : and therefore, sir, apply myself to the favour herein to assist us, leaving the rest to KLnevett to discourse more particularly with you, from your most affectionate and humble servant, H. HOWAED, of Norfolk. From the same to John Evelyn. Arlington House, 22nd September, 1668. I herewith enclosed send you the relation of Signor Pietro, as unpolished as the usual styles of the Levanters are, and he has, as you will see, put together the story of both the impostures, not only of the Padre, but this new vagabond who I discovered lately at court. You may please to compose two distinct narratives, or all in one, as you please, for I see the trouble is not to be a translator but a composer ; for these are but heads and hints, and I desire 1 Signor Muccinigo, who was lodged at Evelyn's house. See Diary, vol. ii. p. 38. 212 COEBESPO>*DE>*CE OF 1668. you will compile a story out of them. So as I do not novr expect that under many weeks, I yesterday had proposed to myself to acquaint the King within a few days of ; but if his Majesty call upon me before his progress for it, I will tell him where it is lodged ; else I desire yourself will please to present it him after his return. I have made, as you will see, some marginal notes on Signer Pietro's memoirs, of which when you appoint me to bring him to your house to discourse farther, I obey ; for I desire it should now be a little more accurate than first proposed, because I am re- solved as soon as 'tis composed and finished by you, to have it translated and sent to divers places beyond sea. Signer Pietro desires after you have done with this paper book of his, that you will please to return it, and he will by that have more notes ready for your perusal, which shall be ani- madversions upon this counterfeit book, and may possibly (if but short) not be improper or unworthy to insert in his said story. I am now in some haste, so as I have only read the first story of the Padre, I send you the rest as it is, for I see you will have several discourses and queries to make ere you end the story ; to which my two memorandums are not amiss, first, that all the Turkish stories and people in those parts know that the last Grand Signer (father to this) never had but three sons born ; and that this Grand Signor was ever the eldest, and the two others still alive in the seraglio, and never stir but with him ; next, that no prince of the Ottoman blood, more especially not the Grand Sul- tana, ever travel but when the Grand Signor also journeys. 1 But I can detain you no longer. I am your affectionate servant, H. HOWAED, of Norfolk. 1 There are two or three illegible lines in this letter. 1668-9. JOHN EVELYN. 213 John Evelyn to Sir Thomas Clifford. 1 S ayes-Court, 1st February, 1668-9. EIGHT HOXOUBABLE, In my conversations sometimes amongst books to redeem my time from other impertinencies, I think it my duty to give your Honour notice of some pieces which have come to my hands, the subjects whereof I cannot but esteem highly prejudicial to the honour of his Majesty and the whole nation, especially two books, the one written in French, the other in Latin (not inelegantly), both with the approbation of their superiors, the States of Holland licens- ing their publication. The argument of them is a remon- strance to all the world of the occasion, action, and success of the late war between the English and the Dutch ; but with all the topics of reproach and dishonour as to matter of fact ; every period being filled with the dissembled in- stances of our injustice, ingratitude, cruelty, and impru- dence; and the persons of divers particular gallant men, engaged in that action, injuriously treated and accused; and, in sum, whatever they can else suggest to render his Majesty and people cheap, vile, the subjects of derision and contempt. 1 should think in my poor judgment (under submission to a better) that there is nothing which ought to be more precious to a prince, or his people, than their reputation ; sure I am, it is of more value with a man of honour than his life ; and certainly, a great kingdom, which comprehends BO many individuals as have been one way or other concerned in the public interest, ought to be tender of their fame, and consequently obliged to vindicate it, and cannot without a crime do less, without being wanting to themselves in a most necessary defence. I know it may be said, that this is but a paper quarrel ; but your Honour does consider what effects such malevo- lent suggestions do produce, and with what a black and deep malice contrived, how far they fly, and how universally understood the Latin and French tongues are, the one 1 At this time Treasurer of the Household ; afterwards Lord High. Treasurer. 214 COREESPOITDENCE OF 1668-9. amongst the grave and more intelligent sort (not by way of pamphlet, but of a formal and close treatise), and the other amongst the vulgar ; to which is also joined, for the better fixing their injurious ideas, the several types and figures cut in brass, to represent our misfortunes ; as in par- ticular our want of conduct (as they term it) in the first encounter, our baseness in surprising a few poor fishermen, and the firing of Schelling, revenged in the dire conflagration of London, the metropolis of our nation ; the descent they made on Sheerness, and their glorious exploit at Chatham, Avhere they give out we so ridiculously lost or betrayed the cream of our fleet, and bulwarks of our kingdom, by an un- paralleled supineness : nor this crudely, nor in a trifling way of writing ; but so as may best affect the passions and pre- possess the judgment and belief of the reader. I say nothing of some personal reflections on my Lord Arlington, Sir Robert Holmes, and even the King himself, whom they represent deliberating in a panic consternation of a flight to Windsor, &c., nor many other particulars pointed at ; nor of a thousand other notorious indignities plainly insupport- able : but I have said enough to inflame a breast sensible of honour, and generous as I know yours to be, to approve, or at least to pardon, the proposal which I shall humbly submit to your consideration and encouragement, for the vindication of his Majesty's and the nation's honour, and especially of an action in which your honour bore so great and so signal a part. And that were doubtless by employing an able pen, not to a formal, or studied reply to any particular of this egregious libel (which might now haply be thought unseason- able), but to compose a solid and useful History of the late War, according to the truth of circumstances, and for the honour of those very many brave men who were actors in it, whose names deserve as well to be transmitted to posterity as our meaner antagonists ; but which must else die in ob- scurity, and what is worse, with obloquy and scorn, not of enemies alone, but of all that shall read what these men are permitted to scatter abroad in the world, whilst there is no care taken amongst us at home to vindicate them from it. When I have mentioned to your Honour the employ- ment of an able pen upon this occasion, I prevented all pretences to it aa relating to myself; who have neither 1668-9. JOHN EYELY1S*. the requisite talents, nor the least presumption for it. 1 But I would humbly suggest how worthy and glorious in your Honour- it would be, to move my Lord Arlington, and with him, to provoke his Majesty to impose this province upon some sober and well-instructed person, who, dignified with the character of his Royal Historiographer, might be obliged to serve and defend his Majesty's honour, and that of the public, with his pen; a thing so carefully and so indus- triously observed by the French king and other great potentates, who have any regards or tenderness to their own or their people's glory, the encouragement of gallant men, and prospect of their future stories, as there is nothing more notorious. It is history alone (however the writers of them may be esteemed) which renders the greatest princes, and the most deserving persons, what they are to the pre- sent age ; which perfumes their names to posterity, inspires them to an emulation of their virtues, and preserves them from being as much forgotten as the common dust in which they lie mingled. If your Honour think this worthy your thoughts (and worthy of them I pronounce it to be), all that I shall humbly supplicate to you is, that through your favour I may present his Majesty with a person highly de- serving it ; as being one, who has not only been a sufferer in his capacity, but one who is perfectly able and accom- plished to serve his Majesty: a learned, industrious person, and who will esteem himself gratified with a very modest subsistence, to be always at hand, and always laborious; and not to wear a title (as some triflers have lately done to the reproach of it). If there be already a tolerable honorary appendant to the place of historiographer, we have no more to beg, but the grant of it ; if not, that through your mediation, some encouragement may be procured. It will be one of your least noble things, for which you will merit a 1 Mr. Evelyn was however himself appointed to write this History, and had made considerable progress (see post, p. 221), when upon the conclusion of the war he was ordered to lay it aside. What he had written is \m fortunately lost, except the Preface, which he published in 1G74 as a distinct treatise, under the title of " Navigation and Com-, merce, then* Original and Progress :" (reprinted hi Evelyn's " Mis- cellaneous Writings," 1825, 4to., pp. 625, 687). This highly pleased the King ; but, because it gave great ofience to the Dutch, it was for a time suppressed. See Diary, vol. ii. p. 27, &c. 216 COliBESPOKDEXCJ! OF 1668-9. just veneration of your memory. But I shall add no more at present, because I will beg the grace of a particular per- mission to discourse this aifair to you, and Avith the joint request of my worthy friend Mr, Williamson 1 (who will likewise present your Honour with a specimen of the per- son's abilities) bespeak your Honour's favourable encou- ragement, who remain, Your Honour's, &c. Dr. John Fell- to Dr. Bathurst. 7 March, 166S-9. GOOD SIB, I presume you are not a stranger to our late transactions with the Royal Society concerning the MSS. of the Arundel Library, that they might be transferred hither, where they would remain more advantageously to all the interests of learning, and more conspicuously in reference to the name of my Lord and his family : we making a compensation to the Society by furnishing their library with such books as would be useful for the studies which they happily advance. The last night, Mr. Walker informs me, that the Royal Society are come to a resolution of referring the affair entirely to my Lord, and to that end to give up all the interest they have in the MSS. by his gift, that if he thinks fit he may bestow them here ; on the other side, if he would have them retained, they may remain as they are. He tells me farther, that this will speedily be put into execution, and therefore it will be advisable that my Lord may be possessed by some friend of the University's, of the convenience of placing them here and adding to his former donation. I cannot think of any person whom we should rather address so in this behalf, than to him whose favour we have already found so much benefit by : I mean Mr. Evelyn. I pray undertake this agency with him as speedily and effectually as you can, and when you do so be pleased to present him with my humble and faithful service. The present straightness of time allows me not a possibility of addressing him. My wishes for your safe return to your affectionate friend, JOHN PELL. 1 Afterwards Sir Joseph Williamson, and Principal Secretary of State. - Subsequently Bishop of Oxford. J668-9. JOHN' ETELT3T. 217 John Ecelyn to Henry Lord Howard. Sayes-Court, March 14, 1668-9. MT LOED, I am not prompted by the success of my first address to your Honour, when, as much for your own glory as that of the University, I prevailed with you for the marbles, which were inscriptions in stone : to solicit you now, on the same account, for the books, which are inscrip- tions but in parchment : but because I am very confident your Honour cannot consult a nobler expedient to preserve them, and the memory of your name and illustrious family, than by wishing that the Society (on whom you have so generously bestowed your library) might exchange the MSS. (such only, I mean, as concern the civil law, theology, and other scholastic learning) for mathematical, philoso- phical, and such other books, as may prove most useful to the design and institution of it ; especially since the Uni- versity do not only humbly desire it (as I can testify by divers letters which I have seen from the Vice- Chancellor, and other eminent persons there), but desire it with a design of owning it yours, and of perpetuating your muni- ficence, by dignifying that apartment where they would place them with the title of Bibliotheca Arundeliana ; than which, what can be more glorious and conspicuous ? The learned Selden, Sir Kenelm Digby, Archbishop Laud (not to mention Sir Thomas Bodley, their founder, and several others who are out of all exception), esteemed this a safer repository than to have consigned them to their mansions and posterity ; and we have seen that when their persons, families, and most precious moveables have suffered (some of them the uttermost violences and dispersion), their books alone have escaped untouched in this sacred asylum, and preserved the names of the donors through all vicissitudes. !Nor, in saying this, do I augur less of the Royal Society, should they think fit to keep them in their own library ; but because, by thus parting with such as are foreign to their studies to the University, your illustrious name and library will be reserved in both places at once with equal 218 COEEESPOKDE>'CE OF 1668-9. zeal and no less obligation ; when as many as shall have recourse to such books at Oxon as are under the Arundelian title, will have occasion to mention it in their works and labours to your eternal honour. For my part, I speak it with great sincerity and due veneration of your Lordship's bounty, that if I would to the utmost of my power consult the advancement of your Lordship's glory in this gift, it should be by declaring my suffrage in behalf of the Uni- versity's request. I said as much in the late council ; where I must testify that even thoss who were of a con- trary sense to some others of us, were yet all of them equally emulous of your Lordship's honour. But, since it was the unanimous result to submit this particular to your Lordship's decision, I cannot, upon most serious reflection on the reasons which I have alleged, and especially that of preserving your name and library by a double consignation, but implore your Lordship's favour and indulgence for the- University, where your munificence is already deeply en- graven in their hearts, as well as in their marbles ; and will then shine in letters of a more refulgent lustre ; for, me- thinks I hear their public orator, after he has celebrated your name amongst the rest of their glorious benefactors and heroes, end his panegyric in the resounding theatre, as once the noble poet, in the person of the young Arcadian, Nunc te Marmoreum pro tempore fecimus Eel. vii. : We yet, great Howard, thee but in marble mould, But if our books increase, thou shalt bo gold. I am your Lordship's, &c. From Dr. Isaac Basire to John Evelyn. York, May 22, 1669. HONOUBED SIR, I wish all that are able were of your good temper, and public spirit, the want whereof generally is the bane of all good societies ; I was always a pretender to it, which made it therefore my design and study in fifteen years pain- ful pilgrimage (only for my religion and allegiance) to purchase from both the eastern and western Churches their 1669. JOITS EVELYN. 219 confessions and other public instruments, with no small care and cost, which, I thank God, I brought home with me, per varies cams. At my postliminium, all my hope and ambition was to exchange a shilling for three groats, that so my studies and thoughts, dispersed in the circumference of my scattered functions, being united in one centre, I might publish to the world my dear-bought collections ; but, being- disappointed thereof, non sum tarn felix otii, so that ''I fear they must die (abortives) with me : yet I have not been wanting, pro virili, to satisfy the honest demands of several in this kind ; witness the very question you proposed to me in yours of the 6th instant, received when I was in the heat of my late visitation in Northumberland, from whence no- sooner returned, but I am, thus far in my way, hastening to my attendance in June ; till that be over I can hardly hope to do more than I have done already upon that very ques- tion, which, by a kind of providence, being propounded to me from Prance, Scotland, and Oxford, almost all at once. I did awhile ago return unto Monsieur Arnauld, a com- petent answer to his most material questions, but whereas he further desiring copies of those confessions which I did not allege in mine, it requires more time than this present juncture can afford; of this you may be assured, that I shall never be wanting to serve the Catholic, especially at the request of such as you, For I am, Sir, your very faithful friend, And most humble Servant, ISAAC Dr. Bathurst to John Evelyn. Oxford, August 12, 1669. SlE, The University having a design to set up my Lord Howard's arms, with an inscription of his titles, in acknow- ledgment of the noble donation of his marbles, it is Mr. Vice-Chancellor's desire that, as you have been eminently 1 Endorsed by Evelyn, " Concerning the Greek Church ; and the testimonials Dr. Basire received under the head and seal of all the oriental Patriarchs in his travels." See Diary, vol. i. p. 378. COEEESPONDENCE OF 1669-70. instrumental for procuring the gift, so you would be pleased to help us in the due commemoration of it, by directing us in these particulars : 1. "What are his titles according to the patent lately given him. by the King ? 2. Whether any distinction be added to his paternal coat upon the late creation, and Avhat it is ? 3. Whether the difference of a second brother be neces- sary or no ? If you will do us the favour to send your resolution of these in a few lines to Mr. Vice- Chancellor, who presents you with his most humble service. I have no more to add -it present, but my thanks for your kind visit at Oxford, and my best service to all with you, and rest, Sir, Tour faithful, and very humble servant, R. BATHTTEST. John Evelyn to Dr. Meric Casaulon* " Is. Fil. Prebend of Canterbury, $-c." Sayes- Court, Vith January, 1669-70. 'KEYEBEND SIB, Though I am a stranger to your person, yet the name and the learning which you derive both from inherit- ance, as well as acquisition, draw a just veneration to them. Sir, whilst it has been lately my hap to write something concerning the nature of forest trees, and their mechanical uses, in turning over many books treating of that and other subjects, I met with divers passages concerning staves, which have in a manner obliged me to say something of them in a treatise which I am adorning : but whilst I was 1 Meric Casaubon, the son of the great Genevese critic and contro- versialist, was educated and became resident in England, where his lather's name and his own High Church opinions obtained him not only the notice of James the First, but afterwards the patronage of Laud, to whose memory he continued resolutely faithful through all the subse- quent triumphs of the Puritans. He obtained his reward at the [Restoration. He was an honest man, but not a very wise one. His writings are remarkable only for their oddity. He was a faithful be- liever in spirits, and expounded the spiritual and supernatural ex- periences of the famous Dr. Dee. 1670. JOH^ EVELYN. 221 intent on this, I began to doubt whether I should not actum agere ; remembering this passage of your father (roD //,a/cap/-oD), in his Comment on Theophrastus, p. 172, edit. 1638 : Sed hcec hactenus ; nam de Baculis et eorum forma, mul- tiplicique apud veteres usu, phirima qua olservavimus ad lucent multorum Scriptorum veterum alibi, say 6 0ebg Uz'krj, commodius proferremus. That which I now would entreat of you, sir, is to know whether your learned father did ever publish any express treatise concerning this subject, and if not, that you will be pleased to afford me some short hints of what you see noted in his Adversaria about it : by which means you will infinitely oblige me, who shall not fail to let the world know to whose bounty and assistance I am indebted. Sir, that worthy and communicative nature of yours, breathing in your excellent writings, prompts me to this great confi- dence ; but, however my request succeed, be pleased to pardon the liberty of, reverend Sir, your most humble, though unknown servant, &c. John Evelyn to the Lord High Treasure)' (Sir Thomas Clifford). Sayes- Court, 20th January, 1670. EIGHT HO^OTTBABLE, I should much sooner have made good my pro- mise of transmitting to your Honour the enclosed synopsis (containing the brief, or heads of the work I am travailing on), if, besides the number of books and papers that I have been condemned (as it were) to read over and dili- gently peruse, there had not lately been put into my hands a monstrous folio, written in Dutch, * which contains no less than 1079 pages, elegantly and carefully printed nt the Hague this last year ; and what fills me with indig- nation, derogating from his Majesty and our nation: tho subject of it being principally the war with England, not yet brought to a period, which prompts me to believe; there is another volume preparing on the same argument. By the extraordinary industry used in this, and the choice pieces I find they have furnished the author with, his Majesty and your Lordship will see that to write such an- 1 " Saken ran Stuet en Orlogh door d'lleer Licuwe Van Aitzema," &c. 222 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1670. history as may not only deliver truth and matter of fact to posterity, but vindicate our prince and his people from the prepossessions and disadvantages they lie under (whilst, remaining thus long silent, we in a manner justify their reproaches), will require more time to finish than at the first setting out could well have been imagined. My Lord, I dare affirm it without much vanity, that had I been ambi- tious to present his Majesty with a specimen only of my diligence, since first I received his commands, I could long ere this have prevented these gentlemen, who, I am told, are already upon the Dutch war. There had nothing been more easy than after a florid preamble to have published a laudable description and image of the several conflicts, and to have gratified abundance of worthy persons who were actors in them ; but since my Lord Arlington and your Lordship expect from me a solemn deduction and true state of all affairs and particulars, from his Majesty's first enter- ing into treaty with the States at his arrival in England, to the year 1667, nay to this instant period (which will com- prehend so great and so signal a part of his glorious reign), I easily believe his Majesty will neither believe the time long nor me altogether indiligent, if he do not receive this history so soon as otherwise he might have expected. All I will add in relation to myself is this ; that as I have not for many months done any thing else (taking leave of all my delightful studies), so by Grod's help I intend to prosecute what I have begun, with the same fervour and application. Tour Lordship will consider how irksome a task it is"! to read over such multitudes of books, remonstrances, treatises, journals, libels, pamphlets, letters, papers, and transactions of state, as of necessity must be done before any one can set pen to pnper. It would affright your Lordship to see the heaps that lie here about me, and yet is this the least part of the drudgery and pains ; which consists in the judgment to elect and cull out, and then to dispose and place the materials fitly ; to answer many bitter and malicious objec- tions, and dexterously, and yet candidly, to award some unlucky points that are not seldom made at us ; and after all this the labour of the pen will not be inconsiderable. I speak not this to enhance of the instrument, but rather that I may obtain pardon for the lapses I may fall into, not- 1670. JOHN ETELTN. 223 withstanding all this zeal and circumspection : and that his Majesty will graciously accept of my endeavours, and pro- tect me from the unkindness of such as use to decry all things of this nature for a single mistake, or because some less worthy men find not themselves or relations flattered, and be not satisfied that (though they deserve not much) they are no way disobliged. As to the method, I have bethought myself of this (if your Lordship confirm it), namely, to transmit the papers, as fast as I shall bring them to any competent period, to my Lord Arlington and your Lordship ; that so being communicated (through both your favours) to his Majesty before they swell into enormous bulk, he may cast his royal eye over them with less trouble, and animadvert upon them till they are refined and fit for his gracious approbation ; since by this means I shall hope to attain two great things ; the performing of his Majesty's pleasure, and that part of a true historian which is to deliver truth ; and he (I think) who attends to this, omne tulit punctum. But, my Lord, there are yet divers consider- able papers and pieces which I want ; letters, treaties, articles, and instructions to ambassadors, &c., which I can only receive from Mr. Secretary and from your Lordship, that so I may not be imposed on by such memoirs and transactions of state as I find to my hand (if I durst adven- ture on the coin) in the books of our antagonists published with a confidence so frontless. But since I may not well hope for these and other personal and living assistances (as I shall also have need of) 'till the more urgent affairs of par- liament are over, I do in the mean time employ myself in adorning a preface (of which I here inclose your Lordship a summary), and go on in reading and collection of materials, that when I shall have received those other desiderates, I may proceed to the compiling part, and of knitting together what I have made some progress in. I am, my Lord, your Honour's, &c. 224 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1669-7^. Doctor Meric Casaubon to John Evelyn. January 24, 1669-70. SlB, You might have bad a more speedy answer to your kind letter, but that soon after the receipt of it, I fell into my ordinary distemper, which is the stone, but with more than ordinary extremities, which hath continued these three or four days already, and what will be the end, God knows ; to whom, for either life or death, I heartily submit. Presently, after the reading of yours I set myself to search my father's Adversaria and papers, and after a little search I found a proper head, or title de Baculis, as an addi- tion to what he had written upon Theophrastus : and under that title, many particular references to all kind of ancient authors, but so confusedly that I think no man but I that, have been used to his hand and way, can make anything ot* it. There are two full sides in quarto. Sir, if God grant me life, or some respite from this present extremity, it shall be one of the first things I shall do to send you what he hath written, copied out in the same order as I found it. Whilst I was searching my father's papers, I lighted on a note concerning plants and trees, which I thought fit to impart unto you, because you tell me you have written of trees ; you have it here inclosed. Besides this, I remember I have, but know not where to find it at this time, "Wormij Literatura Danica, where, if I be not much mistaken, he hath somewhat de Baculis, there, or in some other treatise, I am pretty confident. Sir, I desire you to believe that I am very willing to serve any gentleman of your quality in so t reasonable a request. But if vou be that gentleman, as I suppose, who have set out the first book of Lucre- tius in English, I must needs confess myself much indebted to you, though I never had the opportunity to profess it, for that honourable mention which you were pleased to make of me in your preface. Whatsoever I should think of your work or translation, yet civility would engage me to say so much. But truly, sir, if you will believe me, who I think was never accounted a flatterer by them that have 1669-70. JOHX EVELYN. 225 known me, my judgment is, that you have acquitted your- self of that knotty business much, better than I thought could be done by any man, though I think those excellent parts might deserve a more florid and proper subject : but I submit to your better judgment. Sir, it hath, been some task to me to find so much free time to dictate so much : if there be any thing impertinent I desire you will be pleased to consider my case. So I take my leave, and rest, Tour very humble servant, MEEIC John Evelyn to Dr. Meric Casaubon. Sayes- Court, Jan. 20, 1669-70. REV. SIE, There was no danger I should forget to return you notice of the favour I yesterday received, where I find my obligations to you so much improved by the treasure they conveyed me ; and that it is to you I am to owe the great- est and best of my subsidiaries. There are many things in your paper which formerly I had noted ; but more which I should never have observed ; and therefore, both for con- firming my own, and adding so many more, and so excellent, I think myself sacredly engaged to publish my great ac- knowledgments, as becomes a beneficiary. As to the crude and hasty putting this trifle of mine abroad into the world, there is no danger ; 2 since I should thereby deprive myself of those other assistances which your generous bounty has in store for me : nor are those materials which lie by me brought into any tolerable order yet, as not intended for any work of labour, but refreshment, when I am tired with other more serious studies. Thus, Sir, you see me doubl}- 1 This Letter bears Casaubon's autograph signature, but the body of it is in another hand. 2 Among Evelyn's papers there exists a small fragment of this trea- tise in Latin, consisting only of two or three pages ; it was evidently never finished. From an introductory paragraph, it would seem to have been intended as a jocular piece ; but the small part which is writ- ten is grave and solemn enough. It begins at the beginning of the .subject ; the first staff mentioned being that which Jacob used when he met his brother Esau. YOL. III. Q 226 COEIIESPO2O)ENCE OF 1670. obliged to return you my thanks for this great humanity of yours, and to implore the Divine goodness to restore you your health, who am, Eev. Sir, Tours, &c. Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, 1 to John Evelyn. WelbccA, February, 1670. HONOUBABLE SlB, I have by your bounty received a book, named a Discourse of Forest Trees : you have planted a forest full of delight and profit, and though it is large through num- ber and variety, yet you have enclosed it with elegancy and eloquence, all which proves you more proper to be the head than a member of the Royal Society. The truth is, you are a person of singular virtues, for which all ought, as I do,, admire you ; and am your humble servant, MABGABET NEWCASTLE. My humble service, I pray, to your lady. The Reverend Nicholas Jameson (of Credwell, Wiltshire) to John Evelyn. Credwett, llth April, 1670. HONOTTEED SlE, The delight I take in planting of trees and flowers hath often prompted unto me some little thoughts and de- signs concerning the raising of mulberries, which thoughts have been very much heightened and animated by the read- ing of some part of your most ingenious and excellent Dis- course of Forest Trees ; but by all the enquiry I could hitherto make by my friends about London for some seed of the whiter kind, which your book treats of, I have not hitherto been so happy as to procure any, nor indeed to meet with those who ever heard of any such mulberry or seed. Now, loth as I was to give over my design, and as 1 See Diary, vol. ii. p. 24, 25, 26, The reader need not be reminded that this high, fastastical Duchess was a great favourite with Charles Lamb, who has frequently commended her life of her husband as a perfect "jewel of a book." And see pout, p. 341. 1670. JOHN EVELYN. loth to be presumptuous, jet at length those thoughts, to which you gave life, urged me to apply unto yourself, as their most proper patron and nourisher ; and in their be- half I humbly beg that you would be pleased to give me some directions how, or by whom, such seed as I desire may be attained. Worthy Sir, I hope you will excuse my bold- ness ; it ought to be considered that it is not likely that such persons as yourself should come so publicly abroad without getting much bold acquaintance ; but not to add a second trespass by my tediousness, if this my confidence be thought worthy of a line or two in answer, be pleased to direct it to be left with Mr. Alestry, bookseller, at the Hose and Crown, in St. Paul's Churchyard, for Mr. Thomas Jameson, minister of God's word, at Hackney, near Lon- don, who will take care to send it to Tour humble servant and real honourer, N. JAMESON. Philip Duma/resque to John Evelyn. Jersey, IZth July, 1670. "WOETIIY SlB, I have received yours by Mr. Sealemont, together with your excellent present, than which nothing could be more acceptable to me ; who though naturally inclined to the things that make the subject of it, am much more moved by the manner of yqur handling of it ; for certainly Sir, the want either of sincerity or true knowledge had hitherto much discouraged the trusting of books in the like nature, and the practice and experience of any single man being hardly able to attain so universal a knowledge, it was no wonder if planting was not so much in fashion be- fore you were pleased to recollect that art in a body, and give it to the public, the like of which, I believe was never so sincerely and exactly performed, as far as my weak capa- city will permit me to judge. I wonder, Sir, to understand of the great disorder your noble plantation hath received by the rigour of the winter ; and it will encourage me some- what here ; having planted about a score of cypress trees I had from Prance and some borders of phylyrea Mr. Mes- seray gave me, whereof most parts were of slips, which. 228 COBEESPOJS'DENCE OF 1671. thrive indifferently well, although planted between two very hard frosts, and the extreme dry season, the like of which was never seen here ; for at Christmas last we could hardly find humour enough in the ground to plant, and springs which the memory of man had never known to fail have left their course ; which hath confirmed me in the opinion they are generally produced from, the winter rains, perco- lated through the hills and produced by the opposition either of clay or rocks, which are at the basis of all the earth I nave yet seen in our country here, having been obliged, by my little experience to dig deeper in respect of the sea than ever it was known here, having never observed any upon the plains, unless it came from the neighbour hills. Pardon me, Sir, if the season hath occasioned me to trouble you with our want of water in the most watered country of the world for the bigness. I have this year began a little plan- tation of vineyard, encouraged by the translation of the French Gardener ; but, as I understand, I am likely to be more troublesome to my friends, and, that which vexes me the more, about a thing doth not deserve it. I am obliged to sacrifice my rustic employment to the ambition of others ; but one thing shall allay the inconvenience of the trouble- some journey, that I shall have the honour to acknowledge in person the favours I have received during my last abode, and particularly from Sir Richard Browne and yourself and worthy lady ; to whom I desire you to permit me to sub- scribe myself, Your most humble and obliged servant, PHILIP DTJHAEESQUE. John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer (Sir Thomas Clifford.) Sayes-Court, Slat August, 1671. Mr LORD, It is not my fault, but misfortune, that you have not ere this received a full account of the time which (by your particular favour to me) I acknowledge to be wholly yours : your Lordship has sometime since justified the queries which I first drew up, that they were material, and promised I should not want your assistance in the solution 1671. JOHN EVELYIT. 229 of them ; but the recess of the Court, and consequently your Lordship's absence, and otherways want of oppor- tunity, and pressure of affairs, has deprived me of receiving those necessary directions which so important a subject as that under my hand does require. But though this might serve somewhat to extenuate what may be thought wanting to my industry, yet I hope I shall not be found to have trifled in that which I am preparing to put shortly into your hands ; namely, the two former parts of the History, which (if your Lordship likewise approve) I think of disposing into the following periods. The first (giving a succinct account of their original, for method's sake) comprehends the state of the Hollanders in relation to England, espe- cially their defection from the Crown of Spain, anno 1586, till his present Majesty's happy Restoration, 1660 ; and herein, a deduction of all the notorious injuries and affronts which the English have suffered from the Dutch, and what rebukes they have received for them from the powers who first made war against them, and from his Majesty whom they compelled to make another. The second sets forth at large the course and progress of the late differences, from his Majesty's return, anno 1660, to the year 1666 inclusively, by which time (his Majesty's ambassadors being recalled from their respective ministries abroad) the war Avas fully indicted. This period more especially relates his Majesty's endeavour to have composed matters in dispute between his subjects and the Dutch : answers all their cavils, vindicates his honour ; states the aggression, treaties with Munster ; describes the first battle, the action at Bergen ; transactions with the Dane, with the French, the rupture with both ; together with all the intercurrent exploits at Guinea, the Mediterranean, "West Indies, and other signal particulars, in 169 paragraphs or sections ; and thus far it is already advanced. The third and last period includes the status or height of the war (against the three great potentates we named) to the conclusion of it in the Treaty at Breda, 1667, in which I shall not omit any of those numerous particulars presented to his Majesty through my Lord Arlington's hands, in my first project of the work, nor anything else which your Lordship shall command me to insert. The two former parts being already dispatched want no- 230 COREESPONDEXCE OF 1671. thing save the transcribing, which I therefore have not thought convenient to hasten, till I receive your Lordship's directions in the difficulties which I herewith transmit ; upon return whereof, I shall soon present his Majesty with the better part of this work ; and then, as his Majesty shall approve of my diligence, proceed with the remainder, which I hope will not take up so long a time. If it shall be thought fit hereafter to cast it into other languages, especially Latin or French, it may be considerably contracted, so very many particulars in the English relating only to companies and more domestic concerns, in a legal style, full of tedious me- morials and altercations of merchants ; which (though now requisite to deduce somewhat more at large for the justifi- cation of his Majesty's satisfaction of his subjects, and as a testimony published from authentic records amongst our- selves) will be of little importance to foreigners, and espe- cially great persons, curious and learned men, who are to be entertained with refined and succinct narratives, and so far with the cause of the war, as may best imprint the sense of the wrongs we have sustained, and take off" the preju- dices our enemies have prepossessed them with, together with the most shining matter of fact becoming the style of history. I now send your Lordship my Preface. It is in obedience to a particular suggestion of my Lord Arlington's, requiring of me a complete deduction of the progress of navigation and commerce, from its first principle, to the present age ; and certainly not without great judgment ; since, (as his Lordship well observed) all our contests and differences with the Hollanders at sea derive only from that source : and if the Introduction (for a page or two) seem less severe than becomes the forelorn of so rude a subject as follows it, I have this to say, that as no man willingly embarks in a storm, so I am persuaded your Lordship will not condemn me when you have perused it to the end, and considered how immense an ocean I have passed to bring it home to the argument in hand, and yet in how contracted a space I have assembled together that multitude of particulars the most illustrious. I have taken in all that is material, and more (permit me to affirm) than is to be found in many authors of great bulk, much less in any one single treatise, 1671. JOHN EYELYN, 231 ancient or modern ; by which your Lordship may perhaps a little estimate the diligence that has been used, and that I can do nothing which your Lordship thinks fit to command me, superficially. I confess it were yet capable of politure, and would show much brighter in another dress among the curious, to whom singly it might haply prove no unaccept- able entertainment. I could yet also add considerably to it, but some perhaps may think it already too large for a vestibule, though that will best appear when the super- structure is finished, which, if my calculation abuse me not (from the model already framed, and in good part advanced) will amount to, at the least, 800 or 1000 pages in folio, not- Avithstanding all the care I can apply to avoid impertinen- cies, as far as consists with integrity, and the numerous particulars which necessarily crowd into so active and ex- tensive a war. Sure I am (whatever may be objected) it is apposite and proper to the subject and the occasion of it, and stands and falls by your Lordship's suffrage. His Ma- jesty has yet two sheets, which I beseech your Lordship to retrieve for me ; and after your animadversions on this, I will wait upon your Lordship, and receive your farther di- rections to, My Lord, &c. John Evelyn to the Rev. Father Patrick. 1 Sayes-Court, 27th Sept., 1671, hoc Sanctum Benedictum. REVEEEND PATHEE, You require me to give you an account in writing, what the doctrine of the Church of England is concerning the Blessed Eucharist ? and in particular, whether there be anything in it signifying to adoration ? which, I conceive, an expression of mine one day at Mr. Treasurer's might oc- casion. Though I cannot suppose you to be at all ignorant of what her opinion is in these matters ; and that indeed you 1 A Roman Catholic priest whom Evelyn had met at the Lord Trea- surer's table. Evelyn mentions in his Diary (vol. ii. p. 76) the fact of Clifford's " warping to Borne" at this tune. He seems to have had a grateful affection for this unfortunate Statesman, whose unvarying kind- ness he repeatedly acknowledges, and whose melancholy death he de- scribes in his Diary, vol. ii. pp. 91 93. 232 COHEESPONDEJfCE OF 1G7I. ought to inquire concerning them of some of our learned Prelates and Doctors, whose province it is to unfold these mysteries ; yet since you command it, and that I read in the Apostle 1 how every one is obliged to render an answer to those who demand a reason of the hope which is in them, I do with all alacrity comply with your desires, as far as my talent reaches. 2 1. The doctrine of the Church of England is, or at least to my best understanding, imports, that after the prayer, or words of consecration, the symbols become changed into the body and blood of Christ, after a sacramental, spiritual, and real manner ; and that all initiated, or baptized persons, of competent age and capacity, who by unfeigned repentance, and a faithful consideration of the life, doctrine, and passion of our Blessed Saviour, resolve to undertake his holy religion, and to persist in it, are made really participants of the benefits of his body and blood for the remission of their sins, and the obtaining of all other spiritual graces ; inasmuch as it is a revival of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, once offered for sin, and for ever effectual ; and a renewing of the covenant of grace to the penitent. But she who affirms this, holds also, that even after the words of consecration (or, rather, efficacy of the bene- diction), the bodily substance of the elements remain ; yet so as to become the instruments of the Divine Spirit, conveying its influence and operation to the prepared recipient : and therefore she does not behold the elements altogether such as naturally they are to the corporeal refection, but (as Theodoret speaks), upon the change of the names, the change which grace superinduces. Or, if you like it better, not merely bread and wine, naked figures and representations, but such as exhibit Christ himself, and put the worthy communicant into sure possession of him. In a word, they are seals to superior excellencies ; give federal title to God's promises ; and though they are not changed in natural qualities, yet are applicable of divine benefits, and a solemn profession of our faith, &c. And upon this account, the mysterious pre- sence of Christ she holds to be a great miracle, engaging the 1 1 Peter, iii. 15. See pott, p. 237. 1671. JOHN EVELYN". 233" infinite power of God, to render the flesh and blood of Christ so present in the elements by effect and benediction, as that the worthy receiver as really communicates in re- ference to his spirit, as he sacramentaily communicates in reference to his body : the mystical presence being present with the material, by a supernatural conjunction really tendered to the faithful. I could add infinite other forms to express the same thing,, but this I take to be the clear sense of the article ; and can,, when you command me, defend it by the best and noblest instances of Scriptures, Fathers, and reason ; l but you have not required it, and it were too tedious for a letter. Let it suffice, that the difference between us ani the Church of Home consists chiefly in the definition of the manner of the change ; the quomodo or modus ; about which (not to recite here what Ockham, Cajetan, Biel, &c. say) when P. Loin- bard had (as himself professes) collected the opinions and sentences of all the ancients, he ingenuously acknowledges- he could no way make out that there was any substantial conversion : for the doctrine was then in the cradle ; and when afterwards it grew up, and became an article of faith, Durandus says, plainly, the matter of bread remained, Mo- dum nescimus, prcesentiam credimus, and so says the Church of England : it was then left free. Why should it not be so still ? We both affirm a change and the reality of it ; only we retain the ancient and middle belief, and presume not to determine the manner of it, because we find it nowhere re- vealed ; and can produce irrefragable testimonies for 1200 years, to explode the gross and material sense which the later age has forced upon it : when, to assert it, they tell us that a body consisting of all its physical dimensions and parts, occupies neither place nor space, but is reduced to a point invisible ; that mere accidents can inhere without subject ; that colour, taste, smell, and the tactile qualities can subsist after the destruction of the substance ; that bodies are penetrable ; that the same individual thing may be at the same time, in different places, visible and invisible at the same period ; that the same proposition may be abso- lutely true and false in the same instance ; that contradic- tions may consist with God's veracity ; that Christ devoured 1 Secposl, p. 237. COBEESPOKDENCE OF 1671. liimself, and that his body was broken and torn with teeth when it was yet whole and entire ; that Christ's body may be eaten, thougli only accidents be inanducated and chewed ; that a sacrifice should be made without the destruction of the oblation, and a thousand other incompossibilities, riddles, and illogical deductions extinguishing the eye of reason, and making an error necessary to salvation. In brief, this new- minted transubstantiation, abhorring from the genuine and rational sense of the text, substitutes a device not only in- credible, but impossible ; so as Christians, who are enjoined to ofter up a rational liturgy and service, or reason of the hope which should be in them, must bid defiance to it ; for they must not believe their eyes, nor taste, nor touch, nor smell (the criterions by which St. John confirms the Christian doctrine, quod vidimus oculis nostril, quod per speximus, et mamis nostrte con- trectaverunt, c^e.) * But they must renounce them all, and not only quit the common principles of sciences, but even com- mon sense. I will say nothing of those who have taken in these strange impressions with their milk ; considering the incredible force of education, and that the profoundest learned amongst the heathen were not secured by it from the grossest errors upon this account. One would yet have thought the wise Athenians 2 needed not a lecture "from St. Paul upon the topics he preached ; but that persons enlight- ened as the Doctors of the Church of Home pretend to be, should fall into absurdities so illogical and destructive to the very definition of that which discriminates men from brutes, is plainly stupendous ; and seems, methinks, to be pointed at by the great Apostle, where he tells us in the later days, that Grocl shall send some of them strong delusions, 3 and you know what follows. He would be thought a thick-skinned doctor in any of their own, as well as our schools, who skilled not to discern how a thing might be real and yet spiritual, or as if nothing were real, but what were corporeal and natural. These do not consider how God himself operates on the conscience and souls of men, and that the gifts of his sacred spirit are real graces, and yet not things intelligible and sensible as bodies are. That the 1 1 Jo. i. 13 ; Acts iv, 20. 2 Acts vii. 22, &c. 3 2 Tliess. ii. 11. 1671. JOHN EVELYN. 235 Church of England believes a real presence, she expresses in the Canon of her Eucharistical office, 1 verily and indeed, and that that, what can he more real? To object, that the faith in the Holy Trinity obliges us to as great a difficulty as the Pontifician modality, is very trifling, since that is only matter of belief indefinite. "We are not required to explain the matter of the mystery ; nor have we, or the most metaphysical wit living, faculties and adequate instruments to dissolve that knot : spiritual things belong to spirits ; Ave can have no notices proportionable to them ; and yet, though they are unfathomable by our reason, they are not inconsistent with it, nor do they violate our understanding by enjoining nonsense. They indeed exceed our explications, but disparage not our religion ; rather they procure it veneration ; since there are in nature and common objects things which we know to be, but know not how they be. Bi .; when the dispute (as in this of the Holy Eucharist) is of bodies and material things, we can define, and may pronounce concerning their affections and possi- bilities ; they are obnoxious to sense, and fall justly under our cognisance and explication. But your Reverence enjoins me to say what our Church permits her sons to believe con- cerning Adoration. I will tell you, the very same that St. Augustine, Nemo digne manducat, nisi prim adoraverit : she holds, therefore, that the Holy Eucharist is an homage, and an act of adoration, and receives it in that humble gesture ; for Christ being there present in an extraordinary manner, she worships him at a time when he exhibits himself to her in so extraordinary and mysterious a manner, and with so great advantages ; but then this act is to her blessed Lord, as God's right hand : or, if it please you better, she adores the flesh and blood of her Saviour in the mystery and venerable usage of the symbols, representing and imparting it to our souls ; but she gives no divine honours to the bare symbols, without that signification : since it is certain, had the primitive Christ : ins done otherwise, 2 their enemies would have said they worshipped the work of their own hands too, and so retorted their reproaches. The Church of England, and we her sons, worship what we know ; you worship what 1 See the Catechism in Book of Common Prayer. 2 See Minutius Felix Octav. 236 COBBESPOtfDENCE OF 1671. you know not, and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Species and accidents, representations and mere creatures, though consecrated to holy uses, are not proper objects of adoration : God is a jealous God, and it should be seriously considered how innumerable the contingencies are (though your opini- ons were tolerable) that render your manner of worshipping the Host extremely obnoxious and full of peril ; since the possible circumstances and defects of the priest's ordination, consecration, recitation of the words, want of intention, im- purity of the elements, their disproportion and mixture if the priest be illegitimate, simoniacal, or irregular and several other impediments of the like nature, render the adorers gross idolaters by your own tenets and confession. I have but a word to add, and that is concerning the Oblation, in which the Church of England differs from that of Rome. She affirms, that the notion amongst the ancients imported only Oblatum celebrare, et memoria renovare ; and that if Christ were really offered (as you pretend) he must every time be put to death again. But St. Paul tells us plainly he was but once * offered, as now shortly on Good Friday he is said to be crucified, and at Christmas to be born, &c. But we add, if Christ delivered his holy body, and sacrificed it in a natural sense, when he instituted the Holy Sacrament, before his real passion on the cross (as, according to you, indisputably he did), it could not be propitiatory; and if it were not^ propitiatory, what becomes of your mass ? For if it was propitiatory when he instituted it, his blessed Father was reconciled before his suffering, which I think we neither dare to affirm. It was then representative and memorative only of what was to be, as now it is to us of what it has already been ; and yet the Church of England does for all this ac- knowledge it in another sense to be a sacrifice, both pro- pitiatory and impetratory ; because the oblation of it to God with and by the prayers and praises of her members, does render God propitious, by obtaining the benefits which the death of our Lord does represent : and therefore over it we beseech God for the universal peace of the Church ; for the state of the world ; for kings, priests, and magistrates ; 1 Compare Komans vi., and Hebrews ir. 1C71. JOHN EVELYN. 237 for the sick ; for a glorious resurrection of the saints. 1 In sum, with St. Cyril, we implore that it may move God to grant all that is desired by the regular and assiduous offices of the Catholic Church, especially of those who at that time offer and communicate. This, Eeverend Father, is the best account I am able for the present, and in so short limits, to give you : it is what our Church will own, what I believe, and what I endeavour to practise, who in great charity and humility, subscribe myself, Tour most faithful servant, J. EVELYN. Sir, you must pardon my frequent blots, &c. Note to page 232. If it be transubstantiated, it is a miracle : now our blessed Saviour never did miracles (that we read of), but the visible change was apparent to all the world, as from blindness to sight, from sickness to health, from death to life ; so the loaves were augmented, the water converted to wine, &c. : but here is a miracle wrought without any visible change, which we never read he did, and is indeed a contradiction, and destroys the effect of our common sense and reason, by which alone we have assurance of all that Christ did and suffered ; and if we may not credit these, we may justly doubt of the whole Christian religion itself; which God would never tempt his rational creatures to do. Note to page 233. And now we mentioned fathers, there occurs to me one passage in that excellent treatise of St. Augustine, "De Doctrind Christi :" Book iii., Chap, vi., upon that famous period in St. John on which our antagonists put so much stress, that as it instructs us how to interpret the literal sense of divers the like places in Scripture, so has it per- fectly convinced me as to the meaning of that pretended 1 See the prayer in our Communion Office, for the whole state of Christ's Church militant, &c. 238 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1671. difficulty : I say so fully, as I dare oppose it to whatsoever can be produced out of all the Fathers of the Church (as they call them) put all together. The words are these Si preceptiva, &c. If a preceptive speech or expression seems to enjoin a thing that is flagitious or wicked, or to prohibit a beneficial or profitable thing, it is figuratively to be taken; e. g. ; " Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood (says our Saviour), ye shall have no life in you." This seems to command a flagitious and unlawful thing ; it is therefore figurative, enjoining us to communicate in the passion of our Lord, and sweetly and profitably to keep in mind that his flesh was crucified and wounded for us : and this is so plainly the sense and the voice of the Church of England, that I think men must be out of their wits to con- tend against it. I could yet augment the number of as plain testimonies and suffrages from more of those good men ; but it is unnecessary. John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer. SayesrCourt, November 14<7*, 1671. MY LOUD, I was yesterday at "Whitehall to wait on your Lord- ship, and a little to expostulate with you upon the work en- joined me, for want of that assistance which Mr. Secretary promised me from time to time ; so as unless your Lordship interpose and procure those papers, I must desist and go no further. It is, my Lord, a grave and weighty undertaking in this nice and captious age, to deliver to posterity a three- years war, of three of the greatest powers and potentates of Europe against one nation newly restored, and even at that period conflicting with so many calamities besides. If this deserve no application extraordinary, I have taken but ill measures when I entered on it ; but I rely on your Lord- ship, whose commands first animated, and by whose influ- ence only I care to proceed. If the materials I have amassed lie still in heaps, blame not me, who write not for glory, unless you approve of what I write, and assist the deferrent, for I am no more. It is matters of fact his Majesty would have me deliver to the world ; let me have them authentic, then ; and now especially in this crisis of exinanition (with 1671. SOUK EVELYK. 230 grief and indignation I speak it), and that the whole nation is sinking. As to the action at Bergen, I am ready to trans- mit what I have drawn, up ; but it shall go no further till you have cast your eye upon it, since without your Lordship's approbation (after the measures I have taken of your com- prehensive and consummate judgement, quorumq : pars ipse fuisti) I neither can nor ought to like any thing I do ; but this, either your modesty or business denies me ; and unless I overcome it, let all I have done wither and rise no more. Augustus Caesar had- weighty aftairs on his hand, but he suftered nothing to pine of lesser concern, when he some- times heard poems recited ; and Scipio would converse with Laslius, and often with Lucullus too : and will you let your country suifer, and that, which you with so much earnest- ness and vigour pressed might be published with the greatest expedition, languish now for want of your assistance ? My Lord, what you were wont to say was prediction, and we are already blown upon and profaned without recovery. The inscription 1 I here enclose will more than a little dis- cover that it were high time to think of all imaginable ways to recover the dignity of the nation ; and I yet assure my- self your Lordship has been inflamed with a disdain 'becom- ing you at the sound of this disgrace : I do protest solemnly, I have not in my life received a more sensible mortification. O that ever his Majesty and this glorious country should in our time (and when your Lordship sits at the helm) suc- cumb under the reproach ; see ourselves buried alive, and our honour (which is ten thousand times more precious than life) borne thus away by a perfidious and ungrateful people 1 To see our glory dragged in triumph, and a pillar to our in- famy set up on that foul turf which had not been a name but for our indulgence. I dare say, my Lord, your heart is as big as your breast can contain, and that you would be one of the nrst should even devote themselves to tear down that impudent trophy, and take away our reproach ; and if God Almighty do not shortly stir up amongst us some such generous indignation, I do not for my part desire to live, and see the ruins that are coining on us : but this is reserved for men of great hearts, and for such as your Lordship. 1 Set up for De Witt en his exploit at Chatham. 210 COEEESPO^DEXCE OF 1671. part will be to represent it so, when I come to that cutting period. If it incite not all that call themselves English to rise as one man in rescue of our honour, the whole world will blush at our stupid lachete, and the ingratitude of our foes be styled a virtue. Let me, therefore, my Lord, receive your further directions seasonably. "Whilst you still incite me to dispatch, your Lordship's not furnishing me those pieces renders it impossible to advance. I am, my Lord, &c. Desiderata. The particulars of the Treaty with the Dutch after the first war with the Parliament, to be found (I sup- pose) in the Paper Office. 2. "What commission was given De Ruyter when he went to Guinea, of which we charge the States ? 3. Mr. Henry Coventry's instructions for Sweden, so far as concerns the action at Bergen. 4. Colonel Nichol's instructions, &c., with the articles of the redition of New Amsterdam. 5. Lord Fitz Harding's instructions, which I suspect are corrupted in the Dutch relations. 6. The instructions of Sir Walter Yane sent to the Duke of Brandenburg. 7. His Majesty's treaty with the Bishop of Munster. 8. By whose importunity was the sail slackened in the first encounter with the Dutch, or whether I am to blanch this particular ? 9. What particular gentleman volunteers, &c., am I more especially to mention for their behaviour in the first engage- ment ? 10. Was Mr. Boyle's head carried into the sea from the trunk ? 11. Did there no wound or bruise appear upon my Lord Falmouth's body ? 12. On whom is the breaking bulk of the East India prizes to be really charged ? 13. Did Bastian Senten board the Earl of Sandwich, take down the blue flag, set up the orange, and possess him three hours, as the Dutch relations pretend ? 14. Sir Gilbert Talbot's letter to the Commander in 1671. JOHN EYELYK. 241 Chief at Bergen, which I find not in your Lordship's papers. 15. I desire the order your Lordship promised me to the Clerk of the Parliament, that I may search the Journals for those important particulars your Lordship mentioned, &c. Theodore Haak (" the learned German") to John Evelyn, London, 27th November, 1671. SlE, The original and author of the History of the Smyrna Imposter, being arrived here from thence, I be- lieved you might be desirous to be acquainted with him. He hastens home, and may stay but a few days more with us ; if I knew whether you would be in town on Wednesday or Thursday, and where to meet you, I would endeavour to bring him to you, for to have some conference with him, and further satisfaction about that matter. It is but send- ing me the least notice to my lodging at Mr. Martin's, in Cushion Yard, Broad Street, and I shall attend your plea- sure, as ever ready and obliged to approve myself, Noble Sir, Your very humble servant, THEODOKE HAAK. John Evelyn to the Lord Treasurer.* Sayes- Court, 21 Aug. 1672. MY LOKD, According to my duty, I send your Lordship the letters and papers which your Lordship has been pleased to trust me withal, for the compiling of that part of the 1 Clifford was now a peer (his creation dates the 22nd April, 1672) ; and to the margin of Evelyn's congratulatory letter to him on liis new dignity, is added this note: "Who was ever a most obliging friend to me in particular ; and after Treasurer (whatever iiis other failings were), a person of as clean hands and generous a mind, as any who have suc- ceeded in that high trust." YOL. III. B 242 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1G72. History of the late "War, which (having received both his Majesty's and your Lordship's approbation) I design to publish, and the rather because I have no other means to express my great obligations to your Lordship than to set that forth in which your Lordship's courage and virtue has been so conspicuous. And now, my Lord, the great ability, uprightness, and integrity, which your Lordship has made to give lustre through the rest of those high offices and charges which you have rather dignified, than they your Lordship, makes me perfectly deplore your Lord- ship's so solemn, so extraordinary, and so voluntary a recess. I am deeply sensible of my own great loss by it, because I have found your Lordship has ever been the most obliging to me ; but much more of the public. I pray God to bless your Lordship, and humbly beg this favour, that you will still regard me as your most grateful beneficiary, and reckon me amongst the number of those who not only make the sincerest professions, but who really are what they profess, which is to be, My Lord, &c. John Evelyn to Lord Viscount Cornbttry. Whitehall, 17 Sept. 1672. MY LOBD, I think it is not unknown to your Lordship that I have sometime since been commanded by his Majesty to draw up a narrative of the occasions of the first Dutch war ; in order to which my Lord Clifford acquaints me he did formerly and does still continue to desire of you, that you would be pleased to give me the perusal of Sir G-eorge Downing's dispatches to my Lord Chancellor your father, which (as I remember) you told me were at Cornbury, where now you are. My Lord, 'tis an extraordinary morti- fication to me, that my untoward employments here have not suffered me to wait upon you all this time of your sweet recess ; that I might also have seen how that place is adorned and improved since I was there, and where I might likewise have seen those papers without giving your Lordship this trouble ; but your Lordship will consider my present condition, and may be assured that I shall make 1673. JOH^T EVELYN. 243 use only of such particulars as conduce to the province imposed on me by his Majesty. I would likewise be glad to know, what light your Lordship can give me out of the letters and dispatches of my Lord Holies, Mr. Coventry, and Sir Gilbert Talbot, which have all of them an influence into that affair, as it concerned France, Denmark, and Sweden ; upon which I am also directed to touch, but shall not be able to do it with any satisfaction, unless your Lord- ship favour me with the communication of the subsidiaries in your Cabinet, who am, My Lord, &c. From Lord Mordaunt to John Evelyn. Fish-Court, 11 April, 1673. WHOEVEE can demur in sending Mr. Evelyn what plants soever he desires, deserves not the advantages he may have found by excellent rules and encouragements he has obliged his country with. I am. sure I am much better pleased to send him so just a tribute, than I can be to receive any additional accessions to my gardens, howsoever I love them. The tube-roses are now in the hot-bed and begin to appear ; if you think it not too early to remove them from so warm a quarter, send your gardener whenever you please and I will send you some, or what other plants you desire, that are worthy to be seen at Sayes-Court. When the season of budding comes, you shall have of what kinds of oranges and lemons you please. A friend of yours at Clarendon House has laid his commands upon me, to wait on him to-morrow to Kensington with intent to buy some oranges that are lately come over. If you could spare two hours you would oblige him, for I fear 'twill prove too hard a province for me to make the choice ; the plants are small, and of as small a price, a crown a plant. If you can with your convenience go with us, I will call for you about two of the clock, at Whitehall, or where you shall appoint : pray believe me your most humble servant, Mo ED AUNT. 244 COBBESPOffDENCE OF 1674* John Evelyn to the Duchess of Newcastle. 1 Sayes-Court, I5tk June, 1674. MAT IT PLEASE YOUR GrBACE, I go not into my study without reproach to my prodigious ingratitude, whilst I behold such a pile of favours and monuments of your incomparable spirit, without having yet had the good fortune, or the good manners indeed, to make my recognitions as becomes a person so immensely obliged. That I presume to make this small present to your Grace (who were pleased to accept my collection of Architects, to whom timber and planting are subsidiaries) is not for the dignity of the subject, though princes have not disdained to cultivate trees and gardens with the same hands they managed sceptres ; but because it is the best expression of my gratitude that I can return. Nor, Madam, is it by this that I intend to pay all my homage for that glorious presence, which merits so many encomiums, or write a panegyric of your virtues, which all the Avorlcl admires, lest the indignity of my style should profane a thing so sacred ; but to repeat my admiration of your genius, and sublime wit, so comprehensive of the most abstracted appearances, and so admirable in your sex, or rather in your Grace's person alone, which I never call to mind but to rank it amongst the heroines, and constellate with the graces. Such of ancient days were Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, that writ the history of her country, as your Grace has done that of my Lord Duke your husband, worthy to be transmitted to posterity. What should I speak of 1 This letter, says Evelyn, in a marginal note to it, was written to her Grace " at Bolsover, when she sent me her works." It might be taken for a banter on the poor duchess, notwithstanding the occasion of it, were it not remembered that the homage paid to high rank in that day was excessive ; and that Evelyn generally was very profuse of com- pliment in his dedications and letters of acknowledgment. Similar glorifications of the Duke and Duchess are collected in a scarce and. curious volume, entitled, " A collection of Letters and Poems, written by several Persons of Honour and Learning, upon divers import-.int bubjects to the late Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, London, 1(378," which is quite an astonishing exhibition of the sort of language com- monly proffered on such occasions, not simply by learned men, but by bodies of learned men. tfe: 1674. JOHN EVELYN. 245 Hilpylas, the mother-in-law of young Pliny, and of his admirable wife ; of Pulcheria, daughter to the emperor Arcadius ; or of Anna, who called Alexius father, and writ fifteen books of history, &c. ! Your Grace has title to all their perfections. I pass Cornelia, so near the great Scipio, and mother of the Gracchi, to come to the later wits, Isabella, Queen of Castile, wife of Ferdinand, King of Arragon, of which bed came the first Charles, and the mother of four learned daughters, of whom was one Kathe- rine, wife to our Henry the 8th ; Mary of Portugal, wife to John Duke of Braganza (related to her Majesty the Queen Consort), rarely skilled in the mathematical sciences ; so was her sister, espoused to Alexander, Duke of Parma ; Lucretia d'Este, of the house of Ferrara ; Duchess of Urbin, a profound philosopher ; Vittoria Colonna, wife of Ferdinand d'Avila, Marquis of Pescaria, whose poetry equalled that of the renowned Petrarch ; Hippolita Strozzi, daughter to Francis, Duke of Milan ; Mary of Aragon ; Fabiala, Marcella, St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Bridget and Therese (for even the greatest saints have cultivated the sciences), Fulvia Morata, Isabella Andreini ; Marguerite of Valois (sister to Francis the First, and grandmother to the great Henry of France), whose novels are equal to those of the witty Boccaccio ; and the memoirs of another Mar- guerite, wife of this great prince, that name having been so fertile for ladies of the sublimest genius ; Catharine de Roches, of Poictiers, a celebrated wit, and Claudia de Clere- mont, Duchess of Ketz, Mary de Gournay, and the famous Anna M. Schurman ; and of our own country, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Jane, the Lady Weston, Mrs. Philips, our late Orinda, the daughters of Sir Thomas More ; also the Queen Christina of Sweden, and Elizabeth, daughter of a queen, to whom the renowned Des Cartes dedicated his learned work, and the profound researches of his extra- ordinary talent. But all these, I say, summed together, possess but that divided, which your Grace retains in one ; so as Lucretia Marinella, who writ a book (in 1601), dell' Excellenzia delle Donne, con difetti e mancamenti de gli Huomini, had no need to have assembled so many instances and argu- ments to adorn the work, had she lived to be witness of Marguerite, Duchess of Newcastle, to have read her writings, 246 COEBESPONDE^CE OF 1674. and to have heard her discourse of the science she compre- hended. I do, Madam, acknowledge my astonishment, and can hardly think too great of those souls, who, resembling your Grace's, seem to be as it were wholly separate from matter, and to revolve nothing in their thoughts but uni- versal ideas. For what of sublime and worthy in the nature of things, doea not your Grace comprehend and explain ; what of great and noble, that your illustrious Lord has not adorned ? For I must not forget the munificent present of his very useful book of Horsemanship, together with your Grace's works upon all the profound as well as politer subjects, which I received of Sir Francis Tapps from both your Graces' hands ; but this accumulation ought to be the argument of a fresh and more ample acknowledgment, for which this paper is too narrow. My wife (whom you have been pleased to dignify by the name of your daughter, and to tell her that you look upon her as your own, for a mother's sake of hers who had so great a veneration of your Grace) presents her most humble duty to you, by Madam, Tour Grace's, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Iferic Casaulon. 1 SayeS'Court, 15 July, 1674. REVEEEND SIE, I am infinitely obliged to you for your civil reply to my letter, but am not a little troubled that it should im- portune you in a time when you were indisposed. The stone is an infirmity, which I am daily taught to commiserate in my poor afflicted and dear brother who languishes under that torture, and therefore am much concerned when I hear of any that are exercised under that sad affliction : I will therefore beg of you, that no impertinence of mine (for truly that trifle is no other) may engage you to the least inconvenience, and which may prejudice your health. Ton have already greatly obliged me by the hints you are pleased to send me, and by the notice you are pleased to take of that poor essay of mine on Lucretius, so long since escaping me. You may be sure I was very young, and therefore very rash,. 1 See Casaubon's Letter to Evelyn, ante, p. 22i. 1675. JOIIX EVELYN. 247 or ambitious, when I adventured upon that knotty piece. 'Tis very true, that when I committed it to a friend of mine (and one whom I am assured you intimately know) to in- spect the printing of it, in my total absence from London, I fully resolved never to tamper more with that author ; but when I saw it come forth so miserably deformed, and (I may say) maliciously printed and mistaken, both in the Latin copy (which was a most correct and accurate one of Stephens') and my version so inhumanly depraved, shame and indignation together incited me to resolve upon another edition ; and I knew not how (to charm my anxious thoughts during those sad and calamitous times) to go through the five remaining books : but when I had done, I repented of my folly, and that I had not taken the caution you since have given us in your excellent " Enthusiasm," and which I might have foreseen. But to commute for this, it still lies in the dust of my study, where 'tis like to be for ever buried. Sir, I return you a thousand thanks for the favour and honour you have done me, and which I should have sooner acknowledged, had I not been from home when your letter came to my house : I shall now beg of God to restore your health, not for the satisfaction of my impertinent inquiries, but for the universal republic of learning, and the benefit which all good men derive from the fruits of your worthy labour, who am, &c. Dr. Thomas Good to John Evelyn. Baliol College, IZth Dec., 1675. ME. EYELYN, Many years and troublesome are past and gone since you lived gentleman commoner amongst us, insomuch as you seem to have forgotten your old college ; for you were in Oxford last act, and did not vouchsafe us a visit. The last year I wrote a letter to you, showing how unfor- tunate our college has been by reason of the late wars, and the dreadful fire in London; besides, you have printed several books, and not bestowed one of them upon our col- lege library ; these .things I thought fit to signify unto you, 248 COBBESPONDENCE OP 1675. to make you sensible that we did expect more kindness from a gentleman of your parts and ingenuity ; you may resent as you please, they are intended out of a respect to you, as some time a member of our college, from him that is Tour friend and servant, THOMAS GOOD. John Evelyn to Dr. Good. SIE, The letter which was left at my house some time since, has been so little out of my thoughts, that I have ever since placed it so in my study as seldom there has passed a day, when I have been at home (which indeed has been very seldom, in regard of much business taking me almost continually from thence for more than these two years past), wherein I have not looked on the inscription as a monitor, obliging me to give you an account of it ; and that I have not hitherto done it was not out of any forget- fulness, but because I could not do it so effectually as I de- sired, by reason of some inconvenient circumstances which I have ever since, and do still lie under ; there being due to ine little less than 200CM., most of it for rent, which you may believe is no small disorder to me and my family, -who have little other dependence. It is not to every one that I would discover this infirmity, but I assure you it has been the only cause why I answered not your letter, having it still in my resolution to gratify your patience so soon as I was in some handsomer condition. This, as I am a Christian, has been the cause of my remissness ; which I cannot yet be so dis- ingenuous as not to acknowledge a fault, and, indeed, want of good manners in me, complicated, as you justly reproach me, with my passing by you lately at Oxford without waiting upon you. I have only to say for that, that unless it were for a gentleman of Magdalen College, who was sick, I was not at liberty to make one visit all the time of my stay, tied as I was to attend to those ladies with whom I came down, not for my pleasure, but business at the assizes at Northampton, which hurried me out of the town when I had resolved to wait upon you and make this apology. As to the books 1675. JOHN EVELtN. 249 which I have written, I never sent any one that I can tell of, but what were required of me expressly ; for though I have had the vanity to publish, and to think some of them might be useful to persons of my little force, I did not think them considerable enough to make any public present of. The honour they have done me in marking them in the Bod- leian Catalogue was not only beside my expectation, but beyond my merit or ambition. Thus, Sir, I have endeavoured to reply to the various periods of your letter with all truth and sincerity ; the re- proaches you give me are but what indeed I deserve, nor will I farther extenuate the causes of them. I am only sorry that the posture of my affairs does not permit me to make the college a handsome present. I am, dear Sir, Tour most humble and faithful servant, J. EYELTJf. 1 Dr. Thomas Good to John Evelyn. Baliol College, Oxford, 2nd March, 1675-6. "WOETHT SlB, I do not remember that there was one syllable in my late letter tending to your reproach : it is true I im- ported a piece of unkindness to you in passing by your old college and your old friend unsaluted, for which you have made ample satisfaction by your apology, and have given a sufficient testimony that you have not forgotten the place 01 your education by your free and liberal remembrance of us, for which be pleased to accept of this return of our hearty thanks ; and, notwithstanding your modest expressions con- cerning your ingenious books, if you shall vouchsafe to be- stow them upon our library, you will very much oblige our whole society, and especially, Your very thankful and humble servant, THOMAS GOOD. 1 Evelyn has endorsed this letter (which is without date) as follows : " I now sent him by Dr. Crouch 201., which was much more than Dr. Good expected, as I since understood from him." 250 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1G77-8. Dr. John Fell (Bishop of Oxford} to John Evelyn. April 26, 1676. SIB, "We must never forget the obligation which my Lord Marshal has laid upon the university in the donation of his Marbles -, 1 and, while we remember that, cannot choose to bear in mind your great kindness in that affair. Having at last finished the account of his and our other monuments, they are all dedicated to my Lord, and would be presented to him by the mediation of the same person who was so in- strumental in the gift of them. The bearer hereof is the editor, by whose industry and care the work was done ; and he is ordered by Mr. Vice Chancellor, in the name of the university, to present you with a copy, as a testimony of the sense they have of your favour to them. This is all that I have at present to trouble you with, adding my wishes of all health to you, I remain, Sir, &c., JOHN OXON. Anne, Countess of Sunderland, to John Evelyn. February 11, 1677-8. I am most confident of your friendly wishes, and value them extremely. For this honour the King has done my Lord, 3 1 cannot think it worth the rejoicing much at as times now are ; I have else reason to be glad for what you mention ; I could say much to you of my thoughts of this matter, but it is my waiting day : I pray Grod to direct my Lord, and prosper him to the good of his country, and to God's glory ; pray for him and me, and I am sincerely your friend, A. SUNDEELAND. 1 See ante, pp. 198 200. All the circumstances of the gifts are de- tailed in the Diary, vol. ii. pp. 32 34. Mr. Howard was now Lord Howard. He was created baron in 1669, and succeeded as sixth Duke of Norfolk in 1677. For private circumstances connected with his life, which gave great offence to Evelyn, see Diary, vol. ii. pp. 65 and 125. 2 Lord Sunderland was appointed Secretary of State at this time. 1678. JOHN EVELY2T. 251 Anne, Countess of Sunderland, to John Evelyn. March 3, 1677-8. I believe the news of the Duke and Duchess being gone will surprise you, as it does other people ; the King has declared that he commanded his brother to retire. I be- seech God it may produce the effects hoped for from it. I am heartily grieved for poor Lady S., who has gone with them, it is so bad weather. I thought myself obliged, on all accounts; to tell you this by letter, which should be longer, but I am not well. Your very sincere friend, A. Anne, Countess of Sunderland, to John Evelyn. Whitehall, 28t7t October, 1678. I can never want inclination to give you any satis- faction in my power, but there is yet very little discovery made. On Saturday the Commons made an address to the King to banish all the Catholics to twenty miles from Lon- don, which was favourably answered. There were named to go to-night to visit the prisoners in Newgate, Lord Trea- surer, Lord Shaftesbury, Lord Essex, Lord Clarendon, and the Bishop of London, in order to examine them, and to report to the House ; but they could not learn any thing of them ; found Coleman very insolent, and not at all inclined to enlighten them. They are to go again to-day, to try for better success. This day the two Houses were much alarmed with Sir Edward Rich, of Lincolnshire, coming when they were sitting, and bidding them begone, or they would all be blown up ; upon which there was search made, but nothing found, and he looked upon as a madman. The Commons sent up to the Lords to join with them in making all papists incapable of sitting in either House, but as yet they have done nothing in it. There is a strango consternation amongst all sorts of people. I beseech Grod to fit us to bear all the sad tilings we have in prospect pre- pared for us. Madam Mazarin was named in the House of 252 COEEESPONDENCE* OF 1678. Commons to-day for one of the Pope's emissaries : 'twere to be wished that assembly would stick to the weightier concerns of our laws and religion, but God knows what is best for us. When there is aiiy thing new, assure yourself you. shall hear from yours very sincerely, A. SUNDEELAND. Anne, Countess of Sunderland, to John JSvelyn. 25th December, 1678. I should think I was mighty happy were it in my power to show you any friendship ; till it is, accept of what I can do, which is very small, but very willingly performed by me. I think, when you left, the business of my Lord Treasurer was afoot, which proceeded to an impeachment, containing six articles : the two first, which they built most upon, was what Mr. Montague's letters furnished, which they divided into two articles, that went under the name of high treason. The treating with the King of Prance for peace, as they must suppose without the knowledge of the King, because these letters bear date the 25th, and the King's revealed will, declared in Parliament the 20th, was the reason to go on with a thorough war with Prance ; this they say is treason, and therefore impeached him of traitorously to have assumed the regal power to himself by treaties of peace and war by his own counsel : the other was about the breach of act of Parliament in keeping up the army. These were the two of treason ; the others are misdemeanors, of great kind, too long to write : but it was their intent the putting in treason to have obliged the Lords to have committed him, and then made no question, but to have proved all upon him ; but after a long debate it was not found treason according to the act, and therefore the Lords would not allow of sequestering him of his place, and his Lordship does yet keep the King's ear. Between you and I, I fear he will find he is ill-advised if he thinks to carry it with a high hand ; for I believe he will prove a wounded deer, and be very unserviceable to the King in the place he is in : this is, at least, the opinion of wise persons. To-morrow, they say, will be a hot day, and show us much. I ain told they mean to move him an enemy to the country, 1678. JOHN EVELYN. 253 and that they will never give money while he has the manag- ing of it : if they do that, God knows what will follow, and how far he will be able in such case to carry things. It is out of my province to speak on these matters, but what ought I not to do to save one to whom I have such great obligations. As to the plot, it looks as if God Almighty would bring it all out, whether we will or not, and show us our wilful blindness. The day you went, Bedloe cast his- eye upon a man that followed his coach, and on a sudden- cried out that they should lay hold of him, for that was the- man that he had described to the two Houses, and that h& could never find : upon which the man was seized, loaded with chains, and sent to Newgate. Bedloe says, swearing, he was one that killed Godfrey, and that, if he would con- fess, he could make great discoveries ; upon which the Lords obtained his pardon of the King, and went on Monday with* it to the dungeon, where they were a considerable time, my Lord Winchester, Lord Essex, Lord Shaftesbury, Lord- Grey. At their coming away the King went to my Lord Winchester, and asked him what they had discovered ; he- answered, not any thing, that the fellow seemed to be an idle fellow, and contradicted himself : this very well satisfied the King : but they had entered into a solemn oath not to discover. On Monday they obtained a summons from Secre- tary "Williamson to search Somerset House, where they found all the people, save one, that he had told them, and seized' them. This made a great noise yesterday ; and this fellow, who is a silversmith, and used to clean the plate of the Queen's Chapel, was brought before the King and Council, and upon search they are now satisfied the murder was done at Somerset House. The King himself begins to believe it ; my Lord Bellasis is still named to be the chief in it by this fellow, too ; several other very weighty circumstances he told, and several other persons he has named in private to a committee of the House of Commons last night, who were writing what he said two hours at the prison. One thing more I must not omit, which is said, that in the search at Somerset House after the men this fellow accused, they found between fifty and sixty Irish and other priests, but not having a warrant to seize them, they could not. I assure you of my sincere friendship, and am your attached servant, A. SU2n>EKLA2fD. 254< COBEESPO:NT>ENCE OF 1680. Mr. Henry Green (a Florist) to John Evelyn. June 24th, 1679. HONOTTBED SlE, You may remember, about August last, there was a person with, you to desire your opinion about Imbibition of seeds. He adventured to discourse with you about im- provements, and entreated your directions about what at that present might tend to best account. You have gene- rously pleased to express yourself on some particulars, and referred him to the Eeverend Doctor Beale as one fully acquainted with all the parts of husbandry, and of a most communicative spirit. I addressed that worthy divine, and have found him fully to answer the excellent character you gave of him. I have told him, since, you (for whom he has so high an honour) gave me encouragement to apply to him for advice, which he has nobly obliged me with beyond my expression. I lately hinted, if he had any thing to convey to you, I would be his willing messenger, and put it into your hands, and pay you my humblest duty and acknow- ledgments for recommending ine to so incomparable a master, to whom I owe more than to any man living. I write these few lines to be left with you, together with a letter from the Doctor, in case I should be so unhappy as to miss of you at home, and for your above mentioned signal favour I return you my heartiest thanks. I am, worthiest sir, Your most humble servant, John Evelyn to the Countess of Ossory. Whitehall, 5tk June, 1680. MADAM, I cannot account myself to have worthily dis- charged my duty to the memory of my noble Lord, without deeply condoling the loss your Ladyship has sustained in the death of that illustrious person : never did a great man go off this earthly stage with more regret and universal sorrow ; never had Prince a more loyal subject, never nation a more public loss ; and how great my own were in par- 1681. JOHN EVELYN. 255 ticular, the uninterrupted obligations of above thirty years (joined with a most condescending and peculiar friendship) may serve to declare, that nothing could have happened to me more calamitous. But all this does but accumulate to your Ladyship's affliction, which were indeed deplorable, had you not, besides the great and heroic actions of his life, the glorious name he has left behind, the hopeful branches that remain to imitate his virtues, the consolation, above all, of his being safe, where he has received a crown brighter than any earthly Prince. It was my duty (as well as honour) to be with him night and day till I closed his eyes, and to join in those holy offices which were so devoutly performed by the Bishop of St. Asaph to the last article, and during all his Lordship's sickness ; which was passed through with such Christian patience and resignation, as that alone ought to give your Ladyship exceeding comfort. I am sure it does to me ; and your Ladyship is to bless Almighty God for it, who after so many honourable hazards in, this wicked world, would have him to a better, and that he is departed hence as a great man. and a true Christian should do, though for the present to our infinite loss. And now, Madam, I should beg pardon for entertaining you so long on this mournful occasion, did I not assure myself that the testimony I give your Ladyship of the religious and pious circumstances of his sickness, would afford you some consolation, as well as to show how sincerely devoted I was to his Lordship's service, how much obliged for his constant and generous friendship to me, and how much I am, Madam, your, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Morley (Bishop of Winchester) . 1 June, 1681. ' * Father Maimbourg has had the impudence to publish at the end of his late Histoire du Calvinisme, a pre- tended letter of the late Duchess of York, 1 intimating the motives of her deserting the Church of England ; amongst other things to attribute it to the indifference, to 1 This letter may be found in a small collection of "Letters of Eminent Persons," 2 TO!S. 12mo. 256 COBBESPONDEXCE OF 1691. call it no worse, of those two bishops, upon whose advice she wholly depended as to the direction of her conscience, and points of' controversy. 'Tis the universal discourse that your Lordship is one of those bishops she mentions, if at least the letter be not suppositions ; knowing you to have been the most domestic in the family, and one whom her Highness resorted to in all her doubts and spiritual concerns, not only during her former circumstances, but all the time of her greatness to the very last. It is therefore humbly and earnestly desired (as well as indeed expected) amongst all that are concerned for our religion, and the great and worthy character which your Lordship bears, that your Lordship would do right to it, and publish to all the world how far you are concerned in this pretended charge, and to vindicate yourself and our Church from what this bold man would make the world believe to the prejudice of both. I know your Lordship will be curious to read the passage yourself, and do what becomes you upon this signal occasion, God having placed you in a station where you have no great one's frowns to fear or flatter, and given you a zeal for the truth and for his glory. With this assurance I humbly beg your Lordship's blessing. 1 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys? Sayes-Court, 5 June, 1681. SlE, I have been both very sorry and very much concerned for you since your JSTorthern voyage, as knowing nothing of it 'till you were embarked (though I saw you so few days before), and that the dismal and astonishing accident was over, which gave me apprehensions and a 1 On the margin of this letter is the following note by Evelyn : " This letter was soon followed with the Bishop's full vindication published in print." The latter was entitled an " Answer to a Letter written by a Eomish Priest : together with the Letters themselves." Dr. Morley also published a "Letter to Ann, Duchess of York, a few months before her death." 2 This letter was written after the shipwreck in which the Duke of Tork escaped so narrowly, as he was returning out of Scotland. 1681. JOHN EVELYK". 257 .mixture of passions not really to be expressed 'till I was assured of your safety, and I gave God thanks for it with as much sincerity as any friend you have alive. 'Tis sadly true there were a great many poor creatures lost, and some gallant persons with them ; but there are others worth hundreds saved, and Mr. Pepys was to me the second, of those some ; and if I could say more to express my joy for it, you should have it under the hand, and from the heart of, Sir, your, &c. John Evelyn to Mr. William London, at Barbados. Sayes-Court, 27 Sept., 1681. SlB, I find myself so exceedingly obliged for the great civility of your letter (abating only for the encomiums you are pleased to bestow upon me, and which are in no sort my due), that having nothing to return you but my thauks and acknowledgments, I was not to delay that small retri- bution, for so many useful and excellent notices, as both your letter and the papers enclosed have communicated me. I have, indeed, been formerly more curious in your culture of trees and plants, and blotted a great deal of paper with my crude observations (and some of them I have had the vanity to publish), but they do in no degree amount to the accurateness of your design, which I cannot but applaud, and wish you all the success so excellent an undertaking deserves. I do not know that ever I saw a more pertinent and exact enumeration of particulars, and if it please God you live to accomplish what you have drawn the scheme of, I shall not doubt to pronounce it the most absolute and perfect history that we have anywhere extant of either our own, or other plantations. So that I cannot but highly encourage, and augur you all the prosperity imaginable ; and I shall not fail, in order to it, to impart your papers to the Royal Society, who I ain very confident will be ready to do you any service ; although I do not see that your design is any where defective. And I persuade myself that you Avill be curious to adorn your work with true and handsome draughts of the animals, plants, and other things that you describe in the natural part. This I am bold to mention, VOL. III. 8 258 COEKESPONDENCE OF 168K because most of those authors (especially English) who have given us their relations, fill them with such lame and imperfect draughts and pictures, as are rather a disgrace than ornament to their books, they having no talent that way themselves, and taking no course to procure such as can design ; and if now and then you sprinkle here and there a prospect of the countries by the true and natural landscape, it would be of infinite satisfaction, and imprint an. idea of those places you pass through, which are so strange to us, and so desirable. G-aspar Barlseus (in his elegant History of Brazil) has given an incomparable instance of this ; in which work the landscapes of divers parts of that country are accurately exhibited and graven in copper, besides the chorographical maps and other illus- trations : but, sir, I beg your pardon for mentioning a thing, which I am sure you have well thought of, and will provide for. In your account of plants, trees, fruits, &c., there are abundance to which we are here utter strangers, and therefore cannot but be desirable to the curious. I am told there is newly planted in Barbados an orange of a most prodigious size : and such an improvement of the China as by far exceeds these we have from Portugal, which are of late years much degenerated. As for flowers, I think I have heard that the narcissus tuberosus grows wild, and in plenty with you. I have not the impudence to beg for myself any of those rarities you mention, but wish with all my heart I had anything of my own worthy your acceptance. I had at the beginning of last spring some foreign and exotic seeds, which I imparted to my friends, and some I sowed and set, but with very little success ; and, as rightly you complain, there is no trust in our mercenary seedsmen of London for anything. In the meantime concerning nut- megs, cinnamon, cloves, and those other aromatics you so reasonably covet, I fear it will be a very difficult province to obtain such of them from the East Indies, they being mostly in possession of the Hollanders, who are (you know) a jealous people, and as I have been informed, make it capital to transport so much as a single nutmeg (I mean such a one as being set would produce a tree) out of their country. The late Sir John Cox, who had often been at Nova Batavia, told me he could not procure one handful 1681. JOIIK EVELY>:. 259 but such as were effete and deprived of their sprouting principle, upon any terms ; much less could he obtain a plant ; and yet I have been told by a confident broker about the Custom-house (whose name occurs not), and who has himself been in the Indies more than once (pretending to curiosities), that he brought away two or three plants of the true nutmeg tree belonging to a certain Dutch mer- chant ; I suppose for the learned Dr. Munting of that country, who has brought up both nutmeg and cinnamon plants in his garden in Holland, but to what improvement I cannot tell. It were not to be despaired but that some subtile and industrious person (who made it his business), might overcome this difficulty among some of their planta- tions, and why not ? as well as that a countryman of ours, who some years since brought home the first heads of saffron out of Greece (whence it was death to transport it) iu the hollow head or top of his pilgrim staff, if what our Hollingshed writes be true. Some such contrivance or accident will doubtless at last enrich our western and pro- pitious climate with those precious deficients ; as it has done sugar, ginger, indigo, and other beneficial spices and drugs ; and I know not whether the Jamaica pepper be not already comparable to many of those we have enumerated. I am sure it gratifies the taste and smell with most agree- able qualities, and little inferior to the oriental cinnamon. There is a walnut in Virginia whose nuts prosper very well with us, but we want store of them. It is, in the mean- time, deplorable that the Bermudas cedar, of all others the most excellent and odoriferous, is (as I am told) almost worn out for want of propagation : if it will thrive in other countries, 'tis pity but it should be universally cultivated. But, sir, I tire you. The Hortus Malabaricus l presents us with the most stupendous and unheard-of plants in that elaborate work ; the cuts being in copper, are certainly (of any published) the most accurately done ; nor are their shapes and descriptions less surprising. Sir, the Royal Society have lately put their Repository into an excellent method, and it every day increases through the favour and benevolence of sundry benefactors, whose names are grate- fully recorded. If anything incur to you of curious (as 1 PublishedatAmsterdam in twelve volumes folio. 2GO COEBESPONDEJTCE OF certainly there daily do, innumerable), you will greatly oblige that assembly of virtuosi in communicating any pro- ductions of the places you travelled through, upon the occasion of the return of vessels from those parts. The particulars they collect are animals and insects of all sorts, their skins and skeletons, fruits, stones, shells, swords, guns, minerals, and whatever nature produces in her vast and comprehensive bosom. Sir, your letter came to me from Mr. Harwell, the 23d of Sept., anjd by the same hand and favour I return you the hearty thanks, and acknow- ledgments of, Sir, your, &c. John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys} Sayes-Coztrt, Dec. 6, 1681. SIR, In compliance with your commands, I have already transmitted to you the two large sea-charts, and now I send you the sheets I have long since blotted with the Dutch War, for which I should now make another apology (besides its preface) were it not that you well understand the pre- judices I lay under at that time, by the inspection of my Lord Treasurer Clifford, who could not endure I should lenify my style, when a war with Holland was the subject : nor with much patience suffer that France should be sus- pected, though injustice to truth, as evident as the day, I neither would, nor honestly could, conceal (what all the world might see) how subdulously they dealt and made us their property all along. The interception of De Lyonnc's letters to his master, p. 266, is sufficient to make this good : and I am plainly astonished it should not long since have opened our statesmen's eyes : unless it be, that we design to truckle under France, and seek industriously the ruin of our country. You will, sir, pardon this severe reflection, since I cannot think of it without perfect indignation. As to the compiler's part, it is not easy to imagine the infinite fardles of papers, treaties, declarations, relations, journals, 1 The original of this letter is in the possession of Samuel Pepys Cockerellj Esq., who kindly contributed it, with several other letters by Evelyn. 1681. JOHK EVELYK. 261 original letters, and other volumes of print and writing, &c., which I was obliged to read and peruse (furnished, and in- deed imposed on me, from the secretaries of state and others) for this small attempt, and that which was to follow. I am only sorry that I was so hasty to return some pieces to my Lord Treasurer, which I might honestly have kept, and with better conscience than his carrying them away to Devon- shire, uncle nulli retrorsum. I had drawn a scheme of the entire work down to the Treaty of Breda, arid provided the materials ; but the late Lord Treasurer Danby 1 cutting me short as to some just pretensions of another nature I had to his more particular kindness, I cared not to oblige an ungrateful age ; and per- haps the world is delivered by it from a fardle of imperti- nences. Clifford (his predecessor) was, with all his other imper- fections, a generous man, and, I verily believe, of clean hands : I am sure I was obliged to him : the other had been some- times so to me and mine, but that is all past. Clifford ha-d great failings, but was grateful and firm to his friend. As to your other queries, I have not anything relating to the Prize Office ; and for that discourse wherein I did attempt to show how far a gentleman might become learned by the only assistance of the modern languages, (written at the request of Sir Samuel Tuke for the Duke of Norfolk) to my grief, I fear I never shall recover it ; for, sending it to the person I named sometime since, he tells me he cannot find it ; and so, for aught I see, it is lost. There is a list in it of authors, and a method of reading them to advantage, besides something in the discourse which would -not have displeased you ; nor was it without some purpose, of one day publishing it, because it was written with a virtuous design of provoking our court fops, and for encouragement of illustrious persons who have leisure and inclinations to cultivate their minds beyond a farce, a horse, a whore, and 1 Thomas Viscount Dumblaine, afterwards Earl of Danby and Duka of Leeds. He married the Lady Bridget, second daughter of Mon- tague Bertie, Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain of England, and died at Easton in Northamptonshire, the seat of his grandson, the Lord Lempster, on his journey to his house inYorkshire, July 26, 1712, in the 81st year of his age. 262 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1681. a dog, which, with very little more, are the confines of the knowledge and discourse of most of our fine gentlemen and beaux. I will desire Sir James to make another search for it, when next I see. In the mean time the particulars which here I send you are, The battle of Lepanto ; a description of the Armada in [15]S8, I suppose authentic. A paper written in French, touching the severity of their Marine Laws. Trajan's Column, with Alphonso Ciaconius's notes, re- ferring to the bas-relief by the figures. Such as concerns ships and gallies, &c., you will find by the figures 57, 248, 260, 153, 24, 236, 239, 152, 155, and especiaally 303, 235, where he speaks of copper or brass instead of iron- work ; and the best season for felling of timber ; and there is, as to other notices, subject for a world of erudition beyond what Ciaconius has touched, which would deserve an ampler volume. A Discourse concerning the Fishery and Duty of the Flag. A large volume of Sir K. Browne's Dispatches from 1641 to 1644, &c., during his public ministry and character in the French court. Besides which I have two folios more that continue it longer. I also send you the Journal of Martin Frobisher and Captain Fenton. That of Drake I cannot find as yet, so many papers and things there are to be removed and turned over in my con- fused study. Item, a Map of an Harbour, whose name I find not to it. Also an old Map of a Sea-fight. Also a packet of original Letters, belonging to the former of my Lord Leicesters, in number fourteen, which are all I have remaining. ~W ith a Declaration of the old Prince of Orange, William of Nassau, who was assassinated at Delft. The Earl of Leicester's Will. Another packet of Letters and other matters, and Trans- actions of State relating to the late times, in number eighty-eight, and of which I have thousands more that you 1681. JOHN ETELTN. 263 may command sight of, but these I think are most ma- j. i terial. A particular of wages due to the Deputy, army, and other state officers and affairs relating to Ireland, anno 1587, 1588. A packet of thirty-eight papers containing Instructions and matters of State to several public ministers abroad, &c. Item, another packet of thirty -three original letters to and from great persons during the late rebellion here. A Scheme of the action of the Hollanders at Chatham, 1667, \vheu they burnt our ships, and blocked up the Thames. 1 Order of Council of State (then so called) for the appre- hension of Charles Stewart, his present Majesty, so named by the regicides. Lastly, a Relation of his Majesty's action and escape at "Worcester, when he came out of Scotland with his army, being as far as Sir Richard Browne wrote out of the Queen Mother's letters at Paris ; that which he took from his Majesty's own dictating (when he, after that escape, came into France at Paris) was sent to Mons. Renodaut, and was published by him in the Weekly Extraordinary, Anno 1651, where you'll find it in French among the volumes of his Gazettes. I am sorry the original was not retrieved from him. Thus, Sir, you see how diligent I have been since I came home, to answer your queries, as I shall in all other your commands as far as is in the power of, Sir, your, &c. These papers, 2 maps, letters, books, and particulars, when you have done with, be pleased to take your own time in returning. 1 This " Scheme" is a pen and ink sketch by Evelyn, preserved with Pepys' Official Correspondence in the Bodleian Library. An accurate fac-simile copy was made, and published in Pepys' Diary and Memoirs. 2 Evelyn has here written in the margin " Which I afterwards never aaked of him." 264 COBBESPOirDElSrCE OP 1681-2. Dr. Edward Tyson to John JSvelyn. London, 15th March, 1681-2. HONOUBED SIB, I lately received the enclosed from Dr. Plot at Oxford, who desired me to transmit it to you, as also to acquaint you that he intends to come to town on the 22nd, against which time it is desired, if it may be, that the answers to the proposed queries of Mr. Anthony Wood may be ready. I had hopes that I might have seen you at the Society, but not having an opportunity of delivering it to you there, I was informed it might safely reach your hands this way ; which, when it does, it is only farther to present you with Dr. Plot's service, as also of Tour most humble servant, EDWABD TYSON. Jo Jin Evelijn to the Bishop of Oxford (Doctor Fell). Sayes Court, 19th March, 1681-2. MY LOED, It cannot but be evident to your Reverend Lord- ship, to how great danger and fatal consequences the ' His- toire Critique,' not long since published in French by Pere Simon, and now lately translated (though but ill translated) into English, exposes not only the Protestant and whole Reformed Churches abroad, but (what ought to be dearer to us) the Church of England at home, which with them ac- knowledges the Holy Scriptures alone to be the canon and rule of faith ; but which this bold man not only labours to unsettle, but destroy. From the operation I find it already begins to have amongst divers whom I converse with, especi- ally the young men, and some not so young neither, I even tremble to consider what fatal mischief this piece is like to create, whilst they do not look upon the book as coining from some daring wit, or young Lord Rochester revived, but as the work of a learned author, who has the reputation also of a sober and judicious person. And it must be ac- knowledged that it is a masterpiece in its kind ; that the 1681-2. JOHN EVELYK. 265- man is well studied in the oriental tongues, and has carried- on his project with a spirit and address not ordinary amongst critics ; though, after all is done, whether he be really a Papist, Socinian, or merely a Theist, or something of all three, is not easy to discover ; but this is evident as for the Holy Scriptures, one may make what one will of them, for him. He tells the world he can establish no doctrine or principles upon them ; and then, are not we of the Reformed Religion, in a blessed condition ! For the love of God, let our Universities, my Lord, no longer remain thus silent : it is the cause of God, and of our Church ! Let it not be said, your Chairs take no notice of a more pernicious plot than any that yet has alarmed us. "Whilst everybody lets it alone, men think there's nothing to be said against it ; and it hugely prevails already, and you will be sensible of its progress when it is too late to take oif the reproach. I most humbly therefore implore your Reverend Lordship to consider of it seriously ; that the pens and the Chairs may openly and on all occasions assert and defend the com- mon cause, and that Oxford may have the honour of appear- ing the first in the field. For from whom, my Lord, should we expect relief, if not from you the Fathers of the Church, and the Schools of the Prophets ? It is worthy the public concern to ward the deadly blows which sap the roots, and should by no means be abandoned to hazard, or the feeble attempts of any single champion, who, if worsted, would but add to the triumph of our enemies, Papists and Atheists. My Lord, he who makes bold to transmit this to your Lord- ship, though he be no man of the Church, is yet a son of the Church, and greatly concerned for her ; and though he be not learned, he converses much with books, and men that are as well at Court as in town and the country ; and thinks it his duty to give your Lordship an account of what he hears and sees, and is expected and called for from you, who are the superintendents and watchmen that Christ has set over his Church, and appointed to take care of his flock. Sir John Marsham's book ' should likewise be considered farther than 1 " Chronicus Canon 2Egyptiacus, Hebraicus, et Grsecus, cum Disqui- sitionibus Historicis et Criticis," fol. Lond. 1672. Marsham had tra- velled into France, Italy, and part of Germany ; ho was a lawyer, and had held the office of one of the Six Clerks in Chancery. He suffered, 266 COEEESPCXBE^CE OP 1681-2. as yet it seems to have been, and the obnoxious passages in it not put off to prefaces and accidental touches only ; whilst neither to that, nor yet to Spiuosa (made also vulgar), we have had any thing published of express, or equal force in a just volume, fitted either for domestic or foreign readers. I know that the late Bishop of Chester, 1 Dr. Stillingfleet, Huetius, and some few others, have said abundantly to confute our modern Atheists ; but as these start new and later notions, or rally and reinforce the scattered enemy, we should, I think, march as often out to meet and encounter them. For the men of this curious and nicer age do not consider what has been said or written formerly, but expect some- thing fresh, that may tempt and invite them to consider, that for all the bold appearances of the enemy, they are no stronger than heretofore, and can do us no more hurt, unless we abandon and betray ourselves and give up the cause. It is not, my Lord, sufficient to have beaten down the head of the hydra once, but as often as they rise to use the club, though the same weapon be used, the same thing repeated ; it refreshes the faint, and resolves the doubtful, and stirs up the slothful, and is what our adversaries continually do to keep up and maintain their own party, whenever they receive the least rebuke from us : fas est et ab hoste doceri. Nor, my Lord, whilst I am writing this, do I at all doubt of your Lordship's great wisdom, zeal, and religious care to obviate and prevent this and all other adversaries of our most holy faith, as built upon the Sacred Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner- stone. But if the excess of my affection for the University (which I have sometimes heard perstringed, as not taking the alarm so concernedly upon these occasions) have a little too far transported me, I most humbly supplicate your Lordship's pardon for my presumption, and for my zeal and during the Civil Wars, as a partisan of King Charles the First, but on the Restoration was restored to his office, and soon after created a Baronet. He was one of the greatest antiquaries and most learned writers of his time. Father Simon calls him the Great Marsham of England. He wrote the Preface to the second volume of the Monasti- con Anglicanum, besides the Diatriba above mentioned. Sir John was ancestor of the present Earl of Romney. 1 Dr. Wilkins. 1682. JOHN EVELYN. 267 good wishes to the prosperity of our Zion, your Lordship's blessing, Who am, my Reverend Lord, Yours, &c. The Rev. Thomas Creech 1 to John Evelyn. Oxford, 8th, 1662. SlB, This brings you my most humble thanks for your kind and obliging letter, which discovers a noble temper, and truly generous, that can bestow praise and commenda- tion when my vainest hopes could scarce expect pardon. You were pleased LO direct to me Fellow of Wadham Col- lege ; a good-natured mistake, and I believe you wish that my condition : but I can boast no such thing, being yet a boy scarce able to reckon twenty, and just crept into a bachelor's degree. I am sensible how much I want of being correct, nor would the necessary exercise of the House, or my own severer studies, permit me to take longer time than two months for the completing it ; so that the shortness of the time and the weakness of my own genius, make me justly fear that it wants not its imperfections and lies too open to censure. Your charitable hand may remedy this, and if your more useful studies would permit you to look it over and observe the faults, none should more gratefully acknow- ledge the benefit than, Sir, your most obliged humble servant, THOMAS CEEECH. John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys, Sayes-Court, 19 Sept., 1682. SlB, In answer to your queries, I will most ingenuously declare my thoughts upon second meditation since I pub- 1 Creech was at this time nearly three-and-twenty, so that his plea in abatement for the errors of his ' Lucretius ' (to the second edition of which, already in preparation, the letter refers) is somewhat overstated on the score of juvenility. He took his master's degree in the year fol- lowing the date of this letter, and obtained a fellowship, not at Wadham, but at All-souls. 268 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1682. lishecl my Treatise of Commerce, and what I have been taught, but was not there to speak in public without offence. I will therefore reply in the method you seem to hint, and then say what I have concerning our pretence to dominion on the seas. To the first : Boxhornius has written a history of the Hanseatic Towns, where you will find in what condition and credit Holland was for traffic and commerce, and in the Danish Annals. It should be inquired when the English staple was removed into Brabant, being 100 years since,, and now fixed at Dort. How far forth Charles the Fifth pursued or minded his in- terest at sea ? As to Henry the 4th of France, 'tis evident he was not negligent of his interest there, by his many pro- jects for trade, and performances at Marseilles ; all that Bi- chelieu and his successors in that ministry produced was projected by their Great Henry, as is plain out of Claude B. Morisot his preface. And now : To our title of Dominion and the Fishery (which has made such a noise in this part of the world), I confess I did lately seek to magnify, and assert it as becomes me pro Me et mine (to speak with logicians), and as the circumstances you. know then required. But between friends (and under the rose as they say), to tell you really my thoughts, when such, like topics were used sometimes in Parliament, 'tis plain they were passed over there upon important reasons. To begin with the very first. Supposing the old Britons did prohibit foreigners to come into their country, what infers that to any claim of dominion in the Narrow, but a jealousy rather over their proper coasts ? Nor read we that they ever practised it over the Gauls. The Chinese, we find, for- bade all to enter their country : are they, therefore, Lords of the Oriental seas ? As for King Arthur (abating what is fabulous, viz. his legendary dominion), the Comes Litoris Saxonici, &c., stretched to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, infers either too much or nothing. Have we, there- fore, any right of claim to those realms at present ? Why then to the seas ? Again, admit the most, may not do- minion be lost or extinguished ? Was not his rather a mo- mentary conquest or excursion, rather than an established dominion ? Was it not lost to the Danes ? Had they not all the characters of domination imaginable Lords of our 1682. JOH:N* EVELYX. 269 seas, Lords of our shores too, and the tribute of Danegelt from England and Ireland both ? If ever there were a real dominion in the world, the Danes must be yielded to have had it : and if their title cannot be extinguished by subse- quent revolutions, I greatly question whether ours will ever be evinced. In short, the story of King Edgar is mon- strously romantic, and the pretended deed I doubt will ap- pear but spurious. Truly, if foreign chronicles had been as much stuffed with the renown of this prince as with King Arthur, I should give more credit to it. In the mean time, what they report of Athelred is totally against us, since 'tis plain he paid the Danegelt as a tribute to them, and settled it to the end. One may query whether the Scots seas, and Scotland to boot, be not a fee to England ; for with as much reason we might challenge it, if the producing rolls, records, and acts of Parliament, and of Statutes to that purpose were of any importance ; because we can show more to the pur- pose than in the other case : but how would then that nation take it, and what become of their laws about fishing ? 'Tis declared in our laws that we are the Lords of the Four Seas, and so adjudged in our courts, as to those born upon those seas ; and yet the Parliament of Scotland can impose a tax on our fishermen, which is a shrewd argument against us. "Who ever read that the Kings of England prohibited any to fish on the coast of Scotland ? Or charged them with usur- pation for taking toll and custom for the herring-fishery ? The truth is, the licences (which I speak of in my book, from Scarborough) were only to fish on the Dogger-bank. Such English as were to fish in the Scottish seas about Ork- ney, and Shetland, Iceland, and Eero, &c., did take licences to fish from the Kings of Norway, at Bergen and North- barum ; and this jurisdiction and sovereignty undoubted of the Norwegian Kings, is recognised by our own Parliament in a statute of 8 Hen. 6. c. 2, and by innumerable treaties betwixt the two crowns, even within a century of years ; and if so, consider how feeble a proof is that famous roll pro ho- iiiinibus Ilollandiee, and how it is to be limited in itself (by the history and occasion that caused it) to the Narrow or Channel only. 'Tis also to be considered that the Danes protested at Breda, that the cession of the Scots fishery about Orkney and Shetland was never made to our King 270 COEEESPOIfDE^CE OF 1682. James upon his marriage of Queen Anne (as our tradition is), nor any time before to any Scottish King ; and sup- posing that there were any such authentic deed, it -were better to fix the fishery (we contend about) even in the Dutch, than either permit it to be regulated by the decrees of a Scotch parliament, or transfer it to that nation. Now as to the great trade and multitude of English vessels, by the history of the Hans Towns, their privileges and power in England, one shall find, that for the bulk our navies con- sisted most of hired ships of the Venetians, Genoese, and Hanseatics, till Queen Elizabeth, though her father Henry the Eighth had a flourishing fleet. The right of passes, and petitions thereupon, were formed upon another part of the Jits Gentium, than our pretended dominion of the seas ; which (to speak ingenuously) I could never find recognised expressly in any treaty with foreigners. And to return to the fishery, that of the Dutch fishing without licence, the intercur&us magnus (so boasted) was a perpetual treaty, and made as well with all the people as the princes of Burgundy ; and so as to be obligatory, though they rejected their governors, as we see most of them did, and as perhaps they might according to the Icetus introitus. And that the Dutch are still, and by Queen Elizabeth were so declared to be, a pars contrahens, after their revolt and abjuration of Spain, does as much invalidate that proceeding of King James, and Charles the Eirst, who both signed that intercur&us, and were in truth included thereby though they had not signed it. But besides all this, the nature of prescription would be inquired into as well when it makes against us, as for us ; and, therefore, it should be demanded whether Queen Eliza- beth did not first assert the mare libenim in opposition to the Danes, and whether his present Majesty has not done it at Jamaica against the Spaniard ; pray consider the seal of that Admiralty. To speak plain truth : when J. writ that Treatise, rather as a philological exercise, and to gratify the present circumstances, I could not clearly satisfy myself in sundry of those particulars, nor find really that ever the Dutch did pay toll or took licence to fish in Scotland after the contest, from any solid proofs. Indeed (as there I re- late), they surprised Brown who came to exact it, and de- 1682. JOHN ETELYIS-. 271 tained him in Holland several months ; but I think they never paid a penny for it, though the papers I have perused speak of an assize herring : nor did I find that any rent (whereof in my 108th page I calculate the arrears) for permission to fish, was ever fixed by both parties ; and so cannot properly be called a settled rent. This should, therefore, be ex- quisitely inquired into ; and perhaps, both for these and many other particulars, a thorough search in his Majesty's Paper Office may afford clearer light, if there have any due care been taken to collect and digest such important matters. As for the years 1635 and 1637, you cannot but espy an intrigue in the equipping those formidable fleets ; and that they were more to awe the Trench than terrify Holland (see how the times and interests change ! but no more of that, 'tis now a tender point) I fancy were no difficult mat- ter to prove ; and that any licences were taken in those years, I could never be assured of, that of 1636 being but a single act of force on some particular men, the States never owning them in it ; and you know the Admiral Dorp was cashiered for not quarrelling it with our Northumberland, and our conduct and licences flatly rejected in 1637, when Capt. Field came. Lastly : When King James fixed his chamber, did he not either renounce the English sovereignty of the seas, or violate therein his league with Spain (as that nation urged, plead- ing that the British seas were territorium domini regis) ? but he did not the latter, wherefore I am not single in this de- claration. In a word, the entire argument of this fishery is too controvertible to be too peremptorily decided by the pen, and upon many other accounts (of which the plenty and wantonness of our full-fed unfrugal people, which de- ters them from hard labour, is not the least), a project wholly useless as circumstances be, and therefore might with. much more benefit, ease, and facility, be supplied by in- creasing our fishery at Newfoundland. Finally : As to the commerce in general of this nation. From all that I could observe during my short being of that noble and honourable Council, and informing myself as I was able by books and discourses of experienced persons , I say after all this, I considered it a very vain thing to make any (the most probable, certain, or necessary) proposal about trade, 272 COBBESPOKDENCE OP 1683. &c. K"ot that it miglit not be infinitely improved, if princes and people did unanimously, and with a true public spirit, and as our natural advantages prompt us, apply themselves honestly and industriously about it ; but for that, as things now are, and have hitherto been managed since the renown- ed Queen Elizabeth (for that encomium I must give her), the whole advantage this nation receives thereby is evi- dently carried on more by ancient methods and the sedulity of private men, than by any public encouragement ; and as to the present, it certainly languishes under insupportable difficulties. And thus, Sir, I choose to convey you niy second more digested thoughts, of a point which in your excellent design and work cannot escape the ample handling as one of the most considerable, when you come to speak of the import- ance of our shipping and trade, or pretence of dominion, &c. And I do it, you see, Avith all self-denial imaginable, (and not without some reproach) after what I have published to the contrary ; by which you may conclude how suspicious wise men should be of other histories and historians too, however confident and specious soever, unless it were almost demonstration, and that the authors had no interest of then- own to serve, and were not influenced by their superiors, or the public cry. Let this ingenuous confession commute for my faults in that Treatise, and be put amongst the re- tractions of, Sir, yours, &c. The Rev. Thomas Creech to John Evelyn. Oxford, Qth May, 1683. HOXOUBED SIB, What you have been pleased to read, to like, and to commend, I now humbly beg you to accept a small re- turn, I must confess, for that kindness you have shown, and for that reputation for which as long as life, I must stand indebted. It comes more confidently to wait on you than at first, having something that may commend it since it pre- sents you with your own, and with the most hearty thanks that gratitude after so great obligations can possibly return. 16S4. JOHX ETELTK. 27B 1 must beg young Mr. Evelyn to accept one ; and if utmost endeavours can attain it, I hope more fully to manifest the just respects of, Sir, Tour much obliged and humble servant, THOMAS CKEECII. Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. Spetchley, 14th April, 16S4. TIIE greatness of your civilities occasions you this trouble, and I don't know whether I am to make my apology for it, or to beg your pardon. Tour kind entertainment at your renowned villa (where you possess all that can be wished for here) challenges my thanks, and the further fa- vour of your letter adds a double obligation. Let this, dear sir, offer what poor return I can make you ; and entreat of you to receive to yourself and most excellent Lady, my humble service. I have not yet tried any experiments out of your papers, but I hope this summer to give you some account of them. It would be soon essayed with Mr. Boyle's pump, whether or no it may give -such a vacuum as to pre- serve fruit and flowers in their natural ; it would be a thing of good use if it may be effected in quantity. I fear I shall lose by the late frost most of my Cypress, Ilex, and Ala- ternus ; the Laurels will lose their leaves only, and the Bay trees, I presume, will spring at root ; the Holly, Juniper, Arborvitae, Pine, and Tew have escaped ; but I do not hear of any Eosemary alive in these parts. I have not lost any of my Greens in my Conservatory ; the Orange and Lemon trees are as fresh as ever I saw them, being secured by keeping them underground, which I find the best way to preserve them in our climate during a severe winter. I shall be glad to know how your greens have escaped, espe- cially those in your wilderness, where they are so agreeable with the pleasing variety of your forest trees ; I could dwell on this subject were it not to divert your thoughts from a fairer idea of it. Be pleased to admit me into the number of those that love and honour you for your virtues. I re- main, Sir, your most affectionate and humble servant, E. BEEKELEY. TOL. III. X 274 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1684. Sir Rolert Southwell to John Evelyn. King's Weston, near Bristol, 3rd Nov., 1684. HONOURED SIB, Since my retirement hither I have been so much in the mortar as to multiply walks and walls, and have be- gun to be a planter. Tour fine Holly-hedges tempted me to an essay for the like in a length of above 300 feet, but the last winter and summer gave me a severe rebuke, killing, as I fear, half the roots ; the rest are alive, and many of them with leaves ; I will persist to cultivate with care and pa- tience till all be restored and in a way of growth. My next desire is to abound in hedges of Tew ; I would plant it against the walls of two large courts, and in other places, so as now and hereafter to extend it five or six hun- dred yards and more. My seat is somewhat bleak, and therefore I choose this green as that which no cold will hurt, and I am told it will grow as much in three years as Holly in five. Now seeing I need so much, it would have been good husbandry to have begun with seeds, and to have raised my roots, but this I omitted, and you note in your book that they peep not till the second year, wherefore, calling on a gardener who has a nursery of them, he de- mands at the rate of twelvepence for every root of a foot high. Pray cannot you put me into better hands, and where to be supplied on such reasonable terms as I may find it easy to pursue this desire of having stores of Tew. Next I desire to know how far asunder I may plant these roots, so as in time to touch and close into a hedge ; and whether I may not plant Philareas between them, which are cheaper, and grow fast, and may be cut away as the others grow up, and capable of speading to fill their room. This I chiefly propose in the two courts, where I would have the walls lined with this future tapestry of Tew : but here I meet in opposition the opinion of the country of its noxious quality to cattle, who will be browsing the greens they can come at ; and if this be experimentally true, then I must be at the charge of railing in where it is pos- sible the cattle may come at it. I have a nursery of Firs -from seed of two and three years' growth : I am thinking 1684-5. JOHX EVELYN- 275 in April to transplant them, and desire to know if the distance of ten feet be not sufficient for this naked tree. In the next place, I desire to know if these trees will, by their dropping, endanger the Holly hedge, which I have set, and which is to grow up close to them. Pardon, I pray, the impertinences of a young planter, who having the honour of your book, and that in gift, is en- couraged to bring his doubts and scruples to you. My son gives you his most humble duty, and I am ever, Sir, Tour most affectionate servant, BOBEET SOUTHWELL. Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. Spetchley, 2lst March, 1684-5. SIR, So much kindness, and so undeserved, would not have suffered me thus long to have been silent, had not our late catastrophe so confined my thoughts, as not immediately to recollect my obligations to my friends ; but as I was send- ing this to kiss your hands, I had an account of the sad news of your daughter's death, which has given too great an addi- tion to my trouble not to be much concerned for you, know- ing your loss to be irreparable. Sir, if the entreaties of a friend can enforce the resolves of so great a philosopher as Mr. Evelyn, suffer me amongst the number of yours to use what arguments I may to mitigate the extremity of your sorrows, and I shall only with due submission offer these : If any person deservedly may be allowed to be perfectly happy in himself, whether or no he is abstracted from such notions as are common to sense ; in the exterior, likewise, if that party possesses more continued blessings than possi- bly any other does enjoy, may he complain without ingrati- tude ? If not, then dear Mr. Evelyn is really happy still, and makes many others so, whilst your health is not denied you : which I pray God preserve. My wife is likewise ex- tremely troubled for your good lady : she joins in our most humble services. I am, Sir, Your most obedient and devoted servant, It. BERKELEY. T 2 270 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1GS5. From the same to the same. Spelchley, 1 1th September, 1GS-3. HOKOUBED AND MOST DEAB SlE, I cannot enough acknowledge my debt to your last obliging entertainment, and to your former letter, which was extremely kind : be pleased here to receive my most hearty wishes for your health, which I should be very joyful to hear of: we have been passionately concerned for your misfortunes. So great is my apprehension, as if Providence would not suffer such perfect happiness on earth, to be pos- sessed without alloy proportionate to render all your enjoy- ments in the next world, answerable to those which you have received in this. How great must they then be, and what are we to expect who come so far short of your deserts, dear Mr. Evelyn ? None of us are here exempt from the greatest sorrows and the highest disappointments, which I shall here- after more steadfastly look upon as a mark of the Almighty's favour, since so great examples of virtue as you have been in our age, are so excessively afflicted. I pray God give so en- tire a resignation to His will, that you may have yet greater contentment than you have hitherto found. It is my great unhappiness that I cannot pay my duty to you as I would, in condoling with you at Sayes- Court ; and the more I think of Mr. Evelyn, the more I am perplexed in a fatal necessity in depriving me of one of my greatest satisfac- tions, which a nearer distance would make me happy in. I still hold my resolution for travel as soon as I can get at liberty from my engagements here. I am in all sincerity, dear Sir, Tour most obedient and most devoted servant, E. BEEKELEY. John Evelyn to Samuel Pcpys. Sayes-Court, 23rd Sep. 1685. SlE, I were very unworthy of your late and former favours should I not render you some assurances, that I am often meditating on them ; and that I shall ever (accord- 1695. JOHN EVELYN. 277 ing to my small force and capacity) obey your commmancls. Without more ceremony, then I am in the first place to give you an account of Colours. But you will be better pleased to receive it from the learned Gisbertus Cuperus's Apotheosis, vel consecratio Homeri, 1 in his curious conjectures upon an antique sculpture : where, speaking of the rhap- sodists that were used to sing the ballads of Ulysses' Errors and Maritime Voyages, they were wont to be clad in blue ; when his Iliads and fighting Poems, in red ; and were so superstitious, as always to cover those books or rolls in parchment of those two colours. He pretends that one Oenomaus first invented distinctions of colours in the Ludi Circenses, where green was the ensign of combatants by land, and blue at sea : so as when those who were clad in green gained the prize, they looked on it as presage of a fruitful harvest ; if the blue coats prevailed, successful expeditions and exploits at sea : the first, it seems, concerned the hus- bandman, the other the mariner. He farther observes, that when there was any commotion or rebellion in the ports of Italy or Gaul, the general of Horse carried a blue cornet, for as much as that generous creature was produced by Neptune's trident, and first managed by that sea god ; and that whoever signalised his courage on that element, was honoured with a flag of the same colour ; which Suetonius gives a remarkable instance of, in the life of Octavius Augustus : M. Ayrippam in Sicilid, post navalem victoriam, cceruleo vexillo donavit, after the naval victory obtained against young Pompey. It were ostentation to cite more authors, Statius, Diodorus Siculus, Plutarch in Vit. Themist. ", C.P.S. From Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. The Hague, I6th Aug. 1686. I PBESTJHE before this, Captain Warburton has given you some account of our voyages. After we had the honour of their company in his yacht, we tided down to G-ravesend, where we lay at anchor that night, and stayed there till the evening after, when we hoisted sail, and the next day about five of the clock in the afternoon got into Margate, when the wind turning to N.E., kept us there for four days ; but after we had a very fine gale, and in fourteen hours we landed on the island of /Walcheren ; the next day, by the 1636. JOHN EVELYN. 283 favour of Captain Wai-burton, we passed through most part of Zealand to Dort, the first town on that side of Hol- land, being seventy-two miles ; from thence we went the next day to Rotterdam, where the curiosity of the place de- tained us three days, and afterwards we passed through Delpht to this place, where we safely arrived the 2nd inst., and are now settled here for most part of this next winter ; finding the place extremely pleasant ; provisions cheap, and our lodgings reasonable enough, considering they are good, and near the Court. I should have given you a further ac count of our travels, but I know that you are from several hands better informed. I have not yet had time to give you so particular account of their method of gardening as you may expect. I was the other day at the Princess's Villa, given her lately by the Princess of Friesland, which is ca- pable of being made very agreeable both for shade and water, the ground within the inclosure being about twenty acres, and the garden already walled of large extent, which the Princess is now improving with the house, whose middle room is much taken notice of for its good paintings and proportions. Since, I have been at Mr. Bentinck's, where there is a great variety of gardening, and the plantations very large ; but I find little to be admired after the con- servatory, which is indeed grand, built semi-circular, with a fair room well painted in the middle, where the Court is often entertained in prospect of the most beautiful greens that I have seen : the garden has three descents to an oval fountain : in the house where the greens stand in the winter two rows on each side, with a fine walk of twelve feet between them : these two wings are about sixty yards distant from each other when you enter the garden : in the house were two large stoves on each side and vents atop, to keep them in what temperature of heat the season may require ; there is, moreover, an engine to remove the cases, of what weight soever, into their places with little trouble. Besides these I do not remember anything worth communicating to you, except their double espaliers, which I presume may be of good use, bearing fruit on each side, the posts being large for that purpose, and to allow such ample room between that the fruit ripens exceedingly well. The plantation abounds with Hornbeam, which, spread on frames of wood 28-1 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1686. makes their arbours : the aviary is about forty yards in length, answering a pleasant pond, where there is a variety of the lesser water-fowl. The water- works will be pleasant when finished, yet I have seen much finer in England. And now, dearest sir, after all I have said on this subject, I must tell you in justice to my own reason, and more from the sincerity of a friend, that your gardens and wilderness are much more pleasing and agreeable, being far better designed having the advantage likewise of good gravel and finer turf, (here only sand and grass walks) with greater variety of forest trees. If I find anything hereafter worthy your notice, you are sure of the trouble of an account of it. I am ever, Sir, Tour most devoted and devoted servant, R. BEEKEXEY. John Evelyn to the Countess of Sunderland (Lady Anne Spencer) . ^ayes-Court, 13 Decemb. 1667. MADAM, I am not unmindful of the late command you laid upon me, to give you a catalogue of such books as I be- lieved might be fit to entertain your more devout and serious hours ; and I look upon it as a peculiar grace and favour of God to your Ladyship, that, amidst so many temptations, and grandeur of courts, the attendants, visits, diversions (and other circumstances of the palace, and the way you are engaged in), you are resolved that nothing of all this shall interrupt your duty to God, and the religion you profess, whenever it comes in competition with the things of this world, how splendid soever they may appear for a little and (God knows) uncertain time. Madam, 'tis the best and most grateful return you can make to Heaven for all the blessings you enjoy, amongst which there is none you are more happy in, than in the virtue, early and solid piety of my Lady Anne, and progress of your little son. Madam, the foundation you have laid in those two blessings will not only build, but establish your illustrious family, : beyond all the provisions you can make of gallant and great 1686. JOHX EVELYN. 285 in estimation of the world ; and you will find the comfort of it, when all this noise and hurry shall vanish as a dream, and leave nothing to support us in time of need. I am persuaded you often make these reflections, from your own great judgment and experiences of the vicissitudes of things present, and prospect of future, which is only worth our solicitude. I am, &c. John Evelyn to the Viceroy of Ireland (Lord Clarendon}. Say es- Court, Sqrt. 1686. MY LOED, I had ere this given your Excellency my most humble thanks for yours of the 7th past, but that I was expecting the event of some 1 extraordinary things, then in suspense ; and when I have said this, I need not tell your Lordship what I am assured you have received from better hands, nor make any further reflections on it, than to ac- quaint your Excellency that I know of no new commissions which your Lordship desires to understand the meaning of, and that make (it seems) no less noise with you than they do here. The character your Excellency gives of the huff- ing great man 2 is just. How the noise he makes will ope- rate I know little of; what it does with you (and would everywhere do else) is sufficiently evident ; but God is above all, and your Lordship's prudence, courage, and steady loyalty, will, if it not surmount all malevolence, purchase you the estimation of all good subjects, and, I doubt' not, but of his Majesty also. I am plainly amazed at what your Excellency tells me of Ireland, which country we have seen given twice conquered into his Majesty's father's and bro- ther's (our late Sovereign's) hands, at no small expense of blood and treasure ; and therefore question not but his pre- sent Majesty does both see, and well consider, the infinite importance of cherishing its improvements and tranquillity. 1 The Commission of Ecclesiastical Affairs, which suspended the Bishop of London, &c., and gave great offence to all the nation. J. E. See ante, p. 281. 280 COREISPOXDENCE OF 1687-8. My Lord Teviot, I think, has quite abandoned us ; 'tis near four months since we have received any assistance irom him at the Seal ; so as I have not been able to make any excursion as yet this summer, and when I shall now make my flight to Swallowfield, I am uncertain. I have again been to enquire out my Lord Cornbury ; but his Lordship is still so employed 'twixt the Court and his mili- tary charge, that I cannot expect the happiness I promised myself of accompanying him thither, and to go without him would be a melancholy thing. The ladies are still at Tunb ridge, tempted by the continuance of this Paradisian season ; whilst we are here mightily in the dark, and curious (if lawful) to understand, whether a certain new Countess came lately over hither with his Majesty's knowledge and permission. I tell the inquisitive I know nothing of it, but that I am sure your Excellency does nothing save what becomes you, and with good advice. Now that Buda is taken, all our eyes are on Hamburgh and Denmark. I pray God give peace to Christendom, and continue it in little England, with all prosperity and blessing on your Excel- lency and illustrious family : these are the assiduous prayers of, my Lord, Your Excellency's, &c. Robert Ball to John Evelyn. LcyJiorn, 30th January, 16S7-8. SlE, You may wonder that you have not heard from me sooner, but I have not been at all unmindful of you, for I have now sent you a pretty big box of acorns of the cork tree, and in it you will find two or three sorts of seeds of evergreens that grow about Leghorn, which I think are them you desired. I could not get the olives for this oc- casion, we shall see to send them you by next ; but olives here are propagated by slips, and grafted. The box is in- cluded in a bill of lading amongst other things. I am, Sir, Your humble servant, EOBEKX BALL. 1688. JOHN EVELYN. 287 From Sir Henry (afterwards Lord") Capell to John Evelyn. Kew, 19th October, 1688. SlE, Besides the favour of the acorns, which I re ceived in their season, I have lately received other seeds with the mention of other roots from your garden, for all which roots I give you many thanks. I have ordered my gardener to lay aside such things as my garden could afford, and they are put up and left at my Lord Clarendon's, ac- cording to your directions. I heartily wish they may any- ways be answerable to your garden, for I assure you I am your faithful friend, HENRY CAPELL. John Evelyn to his Son. Anno Mirabil. London, I8th Dec., 1688. SON, I just now received the narrative of the Prince's march, and the political remarks you have made upon the occurrences where you have been. My Lord Clarendon would gladly have conferred with you on several points seasonable at that juncture ; but all have now (it seems) submitted, and the bells and the bonfires proclaim as much joy and satisfaction as those are capable of, who have beheld so many changes and revolutions, without being able to divine how all this will conclude at last, and remembering that precept of the wisest of kings, (Proverbs ch. xxiv. v. 21) which I need not repeat to you. It will be no news (I perceive) to you, to acquaint you with his Majesty's late recess, nor of his being stopped at Fever- sham, &c. But of his coming back to Whitehall, and what has since intervened, you may not yet have heard. On Friday last there went thither my Lord Middleton, Earl of Aylesbury, Lord Feversham, Sir Stephen Fox, and Mr. Grahame, where the rabble had detained the King (the vessel wherein he was embarked with Sir Edward Hales, and Ralph Sheldon, which were all his attendants, 288 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1688. coming in for want of ballast), till the news of it being brought to the Lords of the Council, those Lords and gentlemen I named were sent to persuade his Majesty to return, or if not prevailing, to conduct and wait upon him with two troops of horse, to what other port or place he should please to go. The King, at last induced to come back to London, arrived at Whitehall on Sunday even- ing, went to mass at his chapel on Monday, three priests officiating ; the usual number of Roman Catholics, and a world more, filling the bedchamber and all the rooms with extraordinary acclamation. In this manner his Ma- jesty went thence to dinner (a Jesuit saying grace), and all things seemed to pass in such order, as the eclipse the Court suffered, by his Majesty's four days' absence, was hardly discernible ; all the clouds (as we thought) were vanishing, and a bright day again appearing. So soon as he was retired, he sent my Lord Feversham with a letter under his own hand to invite the Prince of Orange to St. James's : the message was accepted, but the messenger arrested and made prisoner at Windsor ; upon which politicians make reflections. But 'tis pretended that u general of an enemy ought not by the law of arms to come into the quarters of his antagonist without a trumpet and a passport : others say, that his Highness was much displeased at the Earl's disbanding his Majesty's forces under his command, without disarming them, and unpaid, as thereby leaving them in danger of seeking some despe- rate resolution, of disturbing the measures he had taken ; and there are who believe upon some other account, which time will discover. Tuesday morning came the Marquis of Halifax (who with the Lord G-odolphin had been sent commissioner to the Prince) from Windsor, to let his Majesty know the Prince would be the next day at St. James's ; but withal (foreseeing it might be dangerous to have his army quartered about the town, so necessary to his safety, whilst the King's guards were so near), he desires his Majesty that he would make choice of Hampton Court, or some other place about the distance, to repair to, for the avoiding jealousies and inconveniences which might happen between the guards of different interests. You will easily believe this was not very kindly taken, after so generous an invitation : and that it was the more 1688. JOHN EVELTN. 289 surprising for its coming to him at one o'clock in the morn- ing, when he was weary and fast asleep. The King upon this rises, and goes immediately to council, where several things being proposed (but what I undertake not to say) are altogether rejected : and whilst by this time White- Hall and all its environs were crowded with Dutch soldiers, his Majesty put himself into his barge, accompanied with my Lord Aylesbury (now in waiting), the Lords Dum- barton, Arrau, and one or two more, followed with three other barges and small boats, filled with a Dutch guard, and a troop of horse by land, steering their course towards [Rochester again, from whence he so lately had returned. Thus have you the second recess, or something more dismally lading ; which, whilst I myself, with Sir Charles CottereU. and Sir Stephen Fox, beheld from one of the windows of the new buildings, vix tempera a laclirymis. I should have told you that the Prince being yesterday at Sion, sent Sir Robert Howard and Henry Powle with a letter to the city, ac- quainting them with his approach, with other compliments of course. This was read before the Lord Mayor and Common Council, and was answered with all submission and respect, and with an invitation that his Highness would honour their city by vouchsafing to lodge in it, rather than at St. James's. On this there stood up an alderman, and moved that an address might first be made to congratulate his Majesty's gracious return to White-Hall. But the pro- posal was not approved of, one of them saying, they had given a good pail of milk, and that this were to kick it over again. Thus, Son, I have given you as minute an account of the Proteus here as I am able for the present. The hero is now at St. James's, where I have seen him, and several of my old acquaintance. I dined at the Earl of Clarendon's, whom I did not find altogether so well satisfied as I ex- pected, considering that his son my Lord Cornbury took so considerable a stroke in his turn. I wish he do not rgij z'svrga, \axrffta. By what I collect, the ambitious and the covetous will be canvassed for places of honour, and rich employment ; arid that my Lord will withstand the market, and neglect if not slight his applications, upon con- fidence of his near relation, and the merits of my Lord his son, if not upon other principles. If none of this happen, YOL. III. 290 COEBESPOKDEIfCE OF 1688. and that success do not quite alter the principles of men in power, we are to suspect Astrea upon earth again. But as T have often told you, I look for no mighty improvement of mankind in this declining age and catalysis. A Parliament (legally called) of brave and worthy patriots, not influenced by faction, nor terrified by power, or corrupted by self- interest, would produce a kind of new creation amongst us. But it will grow old, and dissolve to chaos again, unless the same stupendous Providence which has put this opportunity into men's hands to make us happy, dispose them to do just and righteous things, and to use their empire with modera- tion, justice, piety, and for the public good. Upon the whole matter, those who seek employment, before the grandees are served, may suspend their solicitation, the Queen having ('tis said) carried away the Great Seal : most of the writs being burnt by his Majesty, it will cost time, and excogitation of expedients, how legally to supply them, if his Majesty should design to travel again, or the door (which I fear most likely) be shut after him. These aud sundry other difficulties will render things both uneasy and uncertain. Only I think Popery to be universally de- clining, and you know I am one of those who despise not prophesying ; nor, whilst I behold what is daily wrought in the world, believe miracles to be ceased. Sir Edward Hales and Obadiah (his old tutor) are both in gaol at Maidstone. Chief Justice Herbert, Robert Brent, and Peters above all, are not yet heard of. Poor Roger (for want of better observation) is carried to Newgate, and every hour is pregnant of wonders. John Evelyn to the Countess of Sundcrland. Sayes-Court, 22nd December, 1688. MADAM, The busy and wondrous age I have lived in, the not altogether confinement of myself to morose conver- sations in the world, the tincture I early received from generous and worthy parents, and the education they gave me, disposing (at least inciting) me to the love of letters, 1688. JOHN EVELYN. 291 and a great regard to Religion, as the end and scope of all accomplishments, wisely and prudently considered (not that I have pursued this glorious and only happy course, to my sorrow and reproach be it confessed, but what I ought to have done), does now and has long since taken up my thoughts about that sovereign good which all the thinking part of mankind has in all ages and times been searching after, to acquiesce and rest in ; and in pursuance of this great concern, I have preferred the recess of near thirty years, during which, by mean compliances, and in a vicious age, one might probably have arrived to something which they call (though not very properly) a figure (but I, an empty cipher) in the world, to all other advantages whatso- ever ; and upon the foot and sum of all (for I do often cast it up), I have found nothing solid, nothing stable, and worth all this hurry, disquiet, and expense of time, but the pursuit of moderate things for this life, with due and modest regard to quality, and the decent circumstances of that maintained and procurable by Avorthy, open, and honour- able wages, in a virtuous, but to be neglected and despised as base and ignoble, in a false and vicious age. For, besides acquisitions so obtained are ever procured by low and ser- vile arts, they are of no durance longer than the favourite shall prostitute his conscience ; and sacrifice all sentiments of genuine and real greatness, which will recur some time or other upon generous minds seduced, if once they ever come to recollect themselves. It were a most happy thing if young persons (and next to a miracle 'tis they should not) did believe the experience that almost 7000 years' fore- fathers, who once were young, have told their children, and the wisest books recorded, and the perpetual events of things declared it ; that piety, sincerity, justice, temperance, and all that series and chain of moral virtue, recommended to us, as well by the wiser heathen as by God himself, and the very dictates of nature, are the only means of obtaining that tranquil and happy state a prudent man would choose, even in this life only, a religious and truly wise in that to come ; and he was both great and wise, and well expe- rienced, who pronounced it : I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandments are exceeding broad; ample in all dimensions ; in a word, immortal. u 2 292 CORKESPO^DENCE OP 1688. Madam, this topic is as large as the world. This book, I say, of all the philosophers, the precepts of all the divines, the histories and records of all ages. The experience of all mankind, every day's vicissitude proclaims it aloud ; and never was it more articulate and conspicuous than in this conjuncture, present, and approaching revolution. And it is an eternal truth, and can never be otherwise, that true honour and happiness, and the things which we seek (would consummate our felicity and bound our further pursuits), is not to be found in the things which pass away like a dream when we awake ; but in a brave and generous soul, that having those advantages by birth or laudable acquisition, can cultivate them to the production of things beneficial to mankind, the government, and eminent station in which God has placed him. This is great indeed, and truly noble. The fruit of it is a present good, the memory and con- templation of it a lasting pleasure, and a glorious recom- pense. But what's all this to your Ladyship, who knows all I can say in this, or any other subject ? It is then nothing to inform and teach your Ladyship, but an account of my most retired thoughts ; and an idea of the passion I have, that you may, from the yet remaining hopes of your illustrious family (in whom there already appear such fair impressions and noble characters of virtue), find always something to alleviate your past sufferings and unexpected traverses in your present circumstances. Do not there- fore with much anxiety afflict yourself at what is past, farther than to improve your experience and exercise your virtue by its documents. But look forward at present and always upwards for the time to come, and to things pos- sible and permanent, which will bring peace at the last; and those will God keep in perfect peace whose minds are stayed in him. Suffer nothing then to abate of your courage and Christian fortitude ; you know who is a present help in trouble, and you will do nothing without consulting him, and you will need no other in this world to bring you safe out of them all. Eemember that One (who yet suffered much greater) found by experience (as so will your Ladyship I am persuaded with joy) how good it was that he had been afflicted. And verily, this is the best use we should make of all God's methods and dis- .688. JOHX ETELT2T. 293 pensations of this sort ; and it is, by the suffrage and obser- vation of all holy persons, a greater indication of God's paternal care and favour, than a continual current and succession of temporal prosperity. This your Ladyship will find to be the tenor of those divine oracles you so assiduously read and meditate on, and which will fill your heart with more real joy and inward consolation than you could ever have derived from, all other helps and friends, princes and great men, in this wretched, perishing world. The tiresome mortifications I have gone through for above fifteen years past, being entangled in a trust ; besides that of the late Viscountess Mordaunt (of which I am but newly delivered), my own tedious suit in Chancery ; with the bur- den of no few years upon me, and domestic cares (requiring some indulgence), considered; your Ladyship is pleased to accept of my son, who is disposed to serve you, if you com- mand it, and that my Lord Grodolphin be one in the trust : because, though his Lordship should not be so active in the industrious part, he will be of great advantage to the safe and prudential : which is, I assure your Ladyship, of great moment in confidences of this nature. I am, Madam, yours, &c. John Evelyn to Lord Spencer. MY LORD, Having now tempted and sufficiently provoked your Lordship in Plautus, Cicero, Pliny, Seneca, Lipsius, Ac. (for your Lordship is master of all styles) I give it over. On my word, your Lordship has tamed the shrew, and it is more than time for me to leave off the pedant, and write henceforth in my mother tongue. And now I think on it, I cannot a little wonder that whilst there are extant so many volumes of letters, and familiar epistles in the politer modern languages, Italian, Spanish, and French, we should have so few tolerable ones of our own country now extant, who have adorned the part of elegancy, so proper and so becoming persons of the no- bility, quality, and men of business, and education too, as 294 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1689. well as lovers and couriers of the fair sex. Sir Francis Bacon, Dr. Donne, and I hardly remember any else who have published any thing of considerable, and they but gleanings ; or cabal men, who have put many things in a heap, without much choice or fruits, especially as to the culture of the style or language, the genius of the nation being almost another thing than it was at that time. James Howell published his ' Ho-Elianas,' for which he indeed was laughed at (not for his letters, which acquainted us with a number of passages worthy to be known, and had never else been preserved,) but which, were the language enlightened with that sort of exercise and conversation, I should not question its being equal to any of the most celebrated abroad. When, therefore, your Lordship shall think fit to descend so low as to believe it not unworthy your reflec- tions (you who are so perfect a master in the learned tongues), how would you embellish your native language, set an emulous example to others, revive the dire and mournful age, and put it out of debt by the product of a native flock of our own, and, as I said, the most useful. I am, &c. . John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys. Say cs- Court, 12th August, 1689. SlE, I was on "Wednesday last '(afternoon) to kiss your hands ; but finding you abroad, and myself obliged to return that evening, that I might receive the Countess of Sunderland, who sent me word she would call at my house the next morning early before her embarkmeut for Holland, I do now write, what I should have said to you, if time had permitted ; and that is to let yon know, that upon your late communicating to me your desire of adorning your choice library with the pictures of men illustrious for their parts and erudition, I did not in the least suspect your intention of placing my shallow head amongst those heroes, who, knowing my unworthiness of that honour, will, in spite of your good opinion of 1689. JOHN EVELYH. 295 Mr. Kueller for his skill of drawing to the life, either con- demn his colouring, that he made me not blush, or me for impudence that I did not. But this is not all : for men will question your judgment, or suspect you of flattery, if you take it not down ; for in good earnest, when I seriously consider how unfit I am to appear in the class of those learned gentlemen, I am perfectly ashamed, and should say with much more reason than Marullus (after a recension of the famous poets) Nos, si quis inter cseteros locat Vates, Onerat, quam honorat verms. 'Tis pity and a diminution, so elegant a place and precious collection should have anything in it of vulgar, but such as Paulus Jovius has celebrated, and .such as you told me you were procuring ; the Boyles, the Gales, and the Newtons of our nation : what, in God's name, should a planter of cole- wort do amongst such worthies ? Setting him aside, I con- fess to you I was not displeased with the fancy of the late Lord Chancellor Hyde, when to adorn his stately palace (since demolished) he collected the pictures of as many of our famous countrymen as he could purchase or procure, instead of the heads and busts of foreigners, whose names, through the unpardonable mistake or (shall I call it) pride of painters, they scorn to put to their pieces ; imagining it would dishonour their art, should they transmit anything valuable to posterity besides faces, which signify nothing to the possessor (unless their relations were to live for ever, and always in being), so as one cannot tell whether they Avere drawn from any of their friends or ancestors, or the pic- ture of some porter or squalid chimney-sweeper, whose pro- lix beard and wrinkled forehead might pass him for a philo- sopher. I am in perfect indignation at this folly, as oft as I consider what extravagant sums are given for a dry scalp of some (forsooth) Italian painting, be it of Raphael or Titian himself ; which would be infinitely more estima- ble, were we assured it was the picture of the learned Count of Mirandola, Politian, Guicciardini, Machiavel, Pe- trarch, Ariosto, or Tasso ; or some famous pope, prince, poet, or other hero of those times. Give me Carolus Mag- nus, a Tamerlane, a Scanderbeg, Solyinan the Magnificent, 296 COBEESPONDENCE OF 1689. Matt. Corvinus, Lorenzo, Cosimo, Medici, Andrea Doria, F-erdinando Cortez, Columbus, Americus Vespucius, Cas- tracani Castruccio, and a Sforza ; the effigies of Cardan, and both the Scaligers, Tycho Brahe, Copernicus, and Galileo. I say, give me the portraits of an Isabella of Aragon or Castile, and her four daughters ; Lucretia d'Este (to whom our Queen is related), Victoria Colonna, Hippolita Strozzi, Petrarch's Laura, Anna Maria Schurman, and above all, Helen Cornaro, daughter of a procurator of St. Marco (one of the most illustrious families of Venice), who received the degree of Doctoress at Padua for her universal knowledge and erudition, upon the importunity of that famous Univer- sity prevailing on her modesty. She had been often sought in honourable marriage by many great persons, but prefer- ring the Muses before all other considerations, she preserved herself a virgin, and being not long since deceased, had her obsequies celebrated at Rome by a solemn procession, and elogy of all the witness of that renowned city. Nor may I forget the illustrious of our own nation of both sexes : the Westons, Moores, Seymours, Sir J. Cheke, Ann Coun- tess of Oxon (whose monument is in "Westminster Abbey), the late Mrs. Philips, and Princess Elizabeth, eldest daughter to the unfortunate Queen of Bohemia, to whom the great Des Cartes dedicates his books, with a world of more renowned characters, famous for arms and arts : rather than the most beautiful courtesan or prostitute of them all, who has nothing to commend her but her impu- dence, and that she was a painted strumpet. Did it ever prejudice the glory of the inimitable Holbein for putting the names of our great Duke of Norfolk, Henry the Eighth when less corpulent, Edward the Sixth and Treasurer Crom- well, Jane Seymour, Anne Bulleyn, Charles Brandon, Althea Talbot Countess of Arundel, Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Thomas More and his learned daughters, Sir Brian Tuke, Dr. Noel, Erasmus, Melancthon, and even honest Frobenius, among innumerable other illustrious of that age for learning and other virtues ? I ask if this were the least diminution to the fame of one who really painted to the life beyond any man this day living ? But, in truth, they seem from the beginning jealous of their own honour, and afraid of being forgotten: hence we find TAATKHX A0HXAIOC EITOIEI 1689. JOHN EYILTN. 297 insculpt on the Faruesian Hercules, and Michael Anyelo fecit, P. P. Reubens pinxit, Marc. Antonio calavit, fyc. There is not that wretched print but wears the name of no-artist, whilst our painters take no care to transmit to posterity the names of the persons whom they re- present ; through which negligence so many excellent pieces come after a while to be dispersed amongst brokers and upholsterers, who expose them to the streets in every dirty and infamous corner. 'Tis amongst their dusky lumber we frequently meet with Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, the Countess of Pembroke, Earls of Lei- cester and Essex, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Philip Sidney, Cecil, Buckhurst, Walsingham, Sir Francis Bacon, King James and his favourite Buckingham, and others (who made the great figure in this nation), of John Huss, Zisca, Luther, Calvin, Beza, Socinus, William and Maurice Princes of Orange, Charles the Fifth, Philip the Second, Francis the First ; the Dukes of Alba, Parma, Don John of Austria, and Count Egmont ; authors of sects, great captains and politicians (famous in our history in other countries), flung many times behind the hangings, covered with dust and cobwebs. Upon this account it is, men curious of books and antiquities have ever had medals in such estimation, and rendered them a most necessary fur- niture to their libraries ; because by them we are not only informed whose real image and superscription they bear, but have discovered to us, in their reverses, what heroical exploits they performed ; their famous temples, basilicas, therms, amphitheatres, aqueducts, circuses, naumachias, bridges, triumphal arches, columns, historical and other pompous structures and erections by them : and which have been greatly assistant to the recovery of the ancient and magnificent architecture, whose real monuments had been so barbarously defaced by the Goths and other trucu- lent invaders, that without this light (and some few ruins yet extant justify those types) that so useful order and or- nament of columns and their concomitant members were hardly to be known by the text of Vitruvius, and all his learned commentators ; and till Daniel Barbaro, Leon Alberto, Saphael, M. Angelo, and others raised it out of the dust, and restored that noble art, by their own and 298 COBEESPONDENCE OF ]689. other learned men consulting and comparing the reverses of medals and medallions : besides \vhat they further con- tribute to the elucidation of many passages in history, chronology, and geography. So as I do not see how Mr. Pepys's library can be long without this necessary adjunct. It is amongst the medals we meet the ancient legislators, Lycurgus, Solon, Nuina, &c. There we find Orpheus. Linus, and the old bards ; and there is mention of nummus Homericus by Strabo, and (if I well remember) by Aris- totle himself too ; as there is still extant those of the brave Hector and Achilles : so as among them we may see what kind of persons were Aristides, Themistocles, Eparninon- das, Miltiades, Alexander, and Cyrus, Darius, &c. The grave philosophers Socrates, Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Zeno, and Demosthenes, show their faces to this day revered in our medals. Those of the Hebrew represent to us the rod of Aaron and pot of manna, and show how Judah was led captive. We come by medals to understand the ancient weights and measures, and the value of moneys; you will see there when it was that princes assumed the radiant crowns, and what the diadem was. I might pro- ceed to the Punic Hannibal, Juba, &c., to the consular and imperial of the Romans from Romulus, the Scipios, Catos, down to this age of ours, if after Pertinax, and decline of that empire, sculpture and all good arts had not fallen with it. You will therefore be curious of having the first Caesars, the great Julius (after his Pharsalian victory) being the first honoured with having his effigies, old, lean, and bald as he was, in medal, or rather in money, which are rare to procure, in gold or small copper. There are of these and the other emperors with Greek inscriptions also. Who is not delighted to behold the true effigies of the famous Axigustus, cruel Nero, and his master Seneca ? Vespasian, Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus, Severus. the great Constantine and his devout mother Helena ? For we have in medals the beautiful Cleopatra and her paramour ; Drusilla, Livia, Julia, Agrippina, Antonia, Yaleria, Mes- salina, Octavia, Poppaea Sabina, all of them Augustas ; and sundry more of the fair sex Avho ruled the world. I have seen a series of the popes from St. Peter ; and amongst the reputed heresiarchs, that medallion of John Huss and 1689. JOHK EVELYN. 299 Jerome of Prague's martyrdom, with the memorable in- scription Post centum annos vos Cito, which fell out at the appearing of Martin Luther exactly at that period. But, Sir, I am sensible I have quite tired you by this time with medals ; and therefore I will say nothing concerning those observations in the filing, sharpness, and due extanic varnish and other marks, necessary to be critically skilled in, to prevent the being cheated and imposed upon by copies and counterfeits for antique and original, (though yet all copies if well dissembled, stamped, or cast, are not to be rejected) ; because you will, both for this and all the rest, consult Ful- vius Ursinus, Goltzius, Monsieur St. Amant, Otto, Dr. Spon, Vaillant, Dr. Patin, and (instar omnium) the most learned Spanhemius in that treatise De prcestantid et usu Numismatum .dntiquorum. You will likewise make use of your friends Dr. Gale, Mr. Henshaw, Hill, and Mr. Justell, upon whose skill and judgment you may rely, though even the most skil- ful may now and then be mistaken : but you shall be sure not to be paid with trash, 'such as I do not (as I said) call theAntiquo Moderno if well imitated. These persons, your friends whom I mentioned, will I am sure be ready to assist you in this laudable curiosity. And if they can be pur- chased together, as accidentally they sometimes may, it will save you a great deal of pains, and enrich you at once. But otherwise, they are likeliest met withal amongst the gold- smiths, and casually, as one walks the streets on foot, and passes by the stalls. Mr. Ashmole, our common friend, had collected all the ancient and modern coins of this kingdom, which were very rare, together with several medals of our British, Saxon, and other kings, upon occasion of births, coronations, marriages and other solemnities. I know not whether they escaped the burning of his study at the Middle Temple. But for the most accurate ordering and disposing of medals, so as one may more comraodiously take them out of their repositories, Mr. Charlton, 1 of that society has a peculiar method, as he is the most elegant, and rarely furnished in all his other collections. In the mean time the curious of this sort of erudition (I mean of medals) were formerly, and I believe at present, very few in Eng- land. For besides Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Selden, Sir Simon 1 See Diary, vol. ii. p. 270. 300 COEEESPONDEKCE OF 1689. D'Ewes, Sir Thomas Hanmer of Hanmer, Sir William Pas- ton, and the late Mr. Hervey, I find hardly any. That great lover of antiquity, Thomas Earl of Arundel, had a very rich collection as well of medals, as other intaglios, belong- ing to the cabinet he purchased of Daniel Nice at the cost of ten thousand pounds, which, with innumerable other rarities, have been scattered and squandered away by his Countess when she got that treasure to Amsterdam, whilst my Lord was in Italy, where he died. Abundance of them she bestowed also on the late unhappy Viscount Stafford, her beloved son ; and such as remained, Lely, "Wright, and the rest of the painters, panders and misses, have cheated the late Duke of Norfolk of. The same fate befel a noble collection of medals belonging to the then curious Sir Simon Eanshaw, of "Ware Park ; they were after his decease, thrown about the house (as that worthy gentleman his son, Sir Bichard, Lord Ambassador in Spain, from whom I had the relation, has told me) for children to play at counter with : as were those elegant types of Sir Henry SavilFs, at Eton, which that learned knight procured with great cost for his edition of St. Chrysostom ; and as it commonly fares with such curiosities where the next heir is not a virtuoso. So vain a thing it is to set one's heart upon anything of this nature with that passion and mania, that insatiable earl whom I mentioned did, to the detriment of his estate and family ; mediocria firma. The medals in our university libraries are not yet at all considerable, though Obadiah "Walker were an industrious promoter of it, and not un- skilful in them. Mr. Ealph Sheldon, of Weston, in "War- wickshire, left a very handsome collection both of gold, silver, and copper, ancient and modern, part of which were bequeathed to a sister of my Lady Tukes, who not long since offered to have sold them. I brought M. Justell to see them, but they were much overvalued, and whether she have since disposed of them 1 never enquired. At present, I know of none who can show a better chosen set of medals than the Earl of Clarendon, to whose late father (after all this tedious parenthesis) I return, and have a mind to enter- tain you a while longer with what I had begun, where I spake of his p\irpose to furnish all the rooms of state and other apartments with the pictures of the most illustrious OB; 1618, 1689. JOHN EVELYN. 301 of our nation, especially of his Lordship's time and acquaint- ance, and of divers before it. There were at full length, and as I doubt not but you well remember to have seen, the great Duke of Buckingham, the brave Sir Horace and Fraii- cis Vere, Sir AValter Raleigh, Sir Philip Sidney, the great Earl of Leicester, Treasurer Buckhurst, Burleigh, "Walsing- hain, Cecil, Lord Chancellor Bacon, Ellesmere, and I think all the late Chancellors and grave Judges in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and her successors James and Charles the First. For there was Treasurer Weston, Cottington Duke Hamilton, the magnificent Earl of Carlisle, Earls of Carnar- von, Bristol, Holland, Lindsey, Northumberland, Kingston, and Southampton ; Lords Falkland and Digby (I name them promiscuously as they come into my memory) ; and of Charles the Second, besides the Royal Family, the Dukes of Albemarle and Newcastle, Earls of Derby, Shrewsbury, St. Alban's, the brave Montrose, Sandwich," Manchester, &c. ; and of the coif, Sir Edward Coke. Judge Berkely, Bramston, Sir Orlando Bridgman, Geoifrey Palmer, Selden, Vaughan, Sir Robert Cotton, Dugdale, Mr. Camden, Mr. Hales of Eton. The Archbishops Abbot and Laud, Bishops Juxon, Sheldon, Morley, and Duppa : Dr. Sanderson, Brownrigg, Di^Dpnne, Chillingworth, and several of the clergy, and others of the former and present age. For there were the pictures of Fisher, Fox, Sir Thomas More, Thomas Lord Cromwell, Dr. Nowel, &c. And what was most agreeable to his Lordship's general humour, old Chaucer, Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, who were both in one piece, Spen- ser, Mr. "Waller, Cowley, Hudibras, which last he placed in the room where he used to eat and dine in public, most of which, if not all, are at the present at Cornbury in Oxford- shire ; together with the library, which the present Earl has considerably improved, besides what books he has at Swal- lowfield not contemptible ; and the manuscript copies of what concerns the Parliamentary Records, Journals and Transactions which I have heard both himself and the late unfortunate Earl of Essex, (who had also the same curiosity) affirm cost them 5001. transcribing and binding, and indeed furnish a pretty large room. To complete and encourage this noble and singular collection, I sent his Lordship a list of the names following : Cardinals Pole and "Wolsey ; Gard- 302 COKKESPOXDEIfCE OP 1689. ner Bishop of Winchester, Cranmer, Ridley, old Latimer, Bishop Usher, Mr. Hooker, Occham, Ripley, John Duns, Roger Bacon, Suisset, Tunstal Bishop of Durham (corre- spondent with Erasmus), Tompson, Venerable Bede, if at least to be met with in some ancient office or mass-book. where I have seen some of those old famous persons accu- rately painted either from the life or from copies : Sir John Cheke, Sir Tho. Bodley, Smith, Jo. Berkeley, Mr. Ascham. Sir Fulke Greville, Buchanan, Dr. Harvey, Gilbert, Mr. Oughtred, Sir Henry Wotton (I still recite them promis- cuously and not like a herald), Sir Francis Drake, Sir Rich- ard Hawkins, Mr. Cavendish, Martin Frobisher, &c. : some of which his Lordship procured, but was ; you know, inter- rupted, and after all this apparatus and grandeur, died an exile, and in the displeasure of his Majesty and others who envied his rise and fortune tarn Ireves Poptili Romani amore*.' But I shall say no more of his ministry, and what was the pretence of his fall, than that we have lived to see great revolutions. The buffoons, parasites, pimps, and concu- bines, who supplanted him at Court, came to nothing not long after, and were as little pitied. 'Tis something yet too early to publish the names of his delators, for fear of one's teeth. But time will speak truth, and sure I am the event has made it good. Things were infinitely worse man- aged since his disgrace, and both their late Majesties fell into as pernicious counsels as ever Princes did : whilst, whatever my Lord Chancellor's skill, whether in law or po- litics, the offices of State and Justice were filled with men of old English honour and probity : less open bribery and ostentation ; there was at least something of more gravity and form kept up (things, however railed at, necessary in Courts) ; magnificence and ancient hospitality in his Ma- jesty's houses, more agreeable to the genius of this nation than the open and avowed luxury and profaneness which succeeded, * EVELYN. 313 John Evelyn to Samuel Pepysl Deptford, October 4,th, 1689. SIR, 1 had newly been reading Aristotle's book vip) rr'CE OP 1690. take notice of it to me, and that I had by that book alone incited a world of planters to repair their broken estates and woods, which the greedy rebels had wasted and made such havoc of. Upon this encouragement I was once speaking to a mighty man, then in despotic power, to mention the great inclination I had to serve his Majesty in a little office then newly vacant (the salary I think hardly 300) whose province was to inspect the timber-trees in his Majesty's forests, &c., and take care of their culture and improvement ; but this was conferred upon another, who, I believe, had seldom been out of the smoke of London, where, though there was a great deal of timber, there were not many trees. I confess I had an inclination to the employment upon a public account, as well as its being suitable to my rural genius, born as I was at "Wotton, among the woods. Soon after this, happened the direful conflagration of this city ; when, taking notice of our want of books of architecture in the English tongue, I published those most useful directions of Ten of the best authors on that subject, whose Avorks were very rarely to be had, all of them written in French, Latin, or Italian, and so not intelligible to our mechanics. What the fruit of that labour and cost has been (for the sculptures, which are elegant, were very chargeable), the great improvement of our workmen, and several impressions of the copy since, will best testify. In this method I thought properly to begin with plant- ing trees, because they would require time for growth, and would be advancing to delight and shade at least, and were therefore by no means to be neglected and deferred, while building might be raised and finished in a summer or two if the owner pleased. Thus, Madam, I endeavoured to do my countrymen some little service, in as natural an order as I could for the im- proving and adorning their estates and dwellings, and if possible, make them in love with these useful and innocent pleasures, in exchange of a wasteful and ignoble sloth which, I had observed, had so universally corrupted an ingenuous education. To these I likewise added my little History of Chalco- 1690. JOHN EVELYN. 319 graphy, a treatise of the perfection of Painting, and of erecting Libraries, Medals, with some other intermesses which might divert within doors, as well as altogether without. Henry Bemde to John Evelyn. 25tn October, 1G90. . SlB, The last night arrived Colonel Eitzpatrick, with the express from Kinsale : the new fort was surrendered upon honourable terms, marching out three regiments with bag and baggage, drums beating, colours flying, with an article for the governor, Sir Edward Scott, to have a pass- port to be transported beyond sea within any time dur- ing three months ; they left great store and 109 pieces of cannon. The Duke of Berwick, with 1500 horse, was upon the march with a design to relieve it, but Lieut.- General Ginkel having notice, had like to have been in the rear of them with 3000 horse and 1000 dragoons, but of this they had notice, and did return to Limerick, burning many vil- lages and the Lord Orrery's house, which cost but lately 40,0001. The building was the noblest palace in Ireland. The Duke of Berwick sent twice to Maxwell not to fire it, but could not prevail. The Duke of Grafton is certainly dead ; has made his will, by \vhich the Lords Godolphin and Lichfield are executors. The King continues his pension to the young duke. To-morrow an ambassador from Portugal has audience of the King, which is an acknowledgment, and brings him into the Confederacy, and it is thought all the Italian princes will follow his example. The Turks now growing so powerful in Hungary, have taken Belgrade, and it is feared Tekely has defeated Prince Louis of Baden ; the not having made a peace when time served is wholly im- puted to the treachery of the Jesuits. The Breda, a third- rate ship, lying in Kinsale road, having twenty-five prisoners of war and many other passengers, designing for England the next day, was by an unhappy accident, blown up, all 320 CORBESPONDENCE OF 1690. perishing but the captain, who cannot live, he is so bruised. The King goes next month for Holland. I am, sir, your affectionate servant, H. BEMDE. Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. v Spetchky, 1st January, 1G90-1. WHEN I consider the honour Mr. Evelyn has done me in his hortulan Kalendar, I must blush at my own un- worthiness, and be more than ever sensible of my defects in that which he is so great a master of. I confess I was always a lover of gardening, by reason I find in it a con- stant expectation of something new, without the remorse which most if not all the pleasures of this life are mixed with. And in this diversion I have here, at my poor villa, for some time entertained myself, buried, as 'twere, in obli- vion of my friends, till I found myself living in your works, which are celebrated not only in your own country, but in those parts where I have observed the most curious in their plantations and gardens. The daily experience of this age testifies the universal benefit you have done mankind, in discovering to us several secrets in the mystery of that art, which before we were altogether ignorant of. Give me leave, my dear sir, to admire you in your garden, whilst you are raising those cedars which will eternise your memory ; so that we shall see a most pleasant verdure in the midst of winter, and the most curious plants preserved in their natu- ral vigour, and all the variety of nature, in a perpetual spring. If there is a paradise here on earth, doubtless you enjoy it with your Flora, who excels not only in those quali- ties which render a rural life most agreeable, but in most other virtues and ornaments of her sex. Tou have made me your debtor to future ages ; and the best return I can pay you in this, will be to own on all occasions that I am, with the greatest deference and respect, sir, Tour most obliged and obedient servant, E. BERKELEY. 1691. JOHN EVELYK. 321 From John Evelyn to Anthony & Wood. Sayes-Court, 29th May, 1691. SIR, Having lately received an account from Mr. Aubrey (as formerly by the Specimen and Proposals you bave pub- lished) of tbe progress of tbe intended History {Athena Oxonienses), and that you desire to be informed who one Mr. Weils (some time since of Deptford) was : the best light I can give you will be from the inscription upon his wife's monument in that pariah-church. Of what county, or family of that name, he originally was, I cannot say ; but it might haply be conjectured by the arms, had not the clerk (whom I ordered to send me the inclosed note) forgotten that circumstance. Thus much only I can add, that Mr. Wells the husband married into a very ancient and worthy family of the Wallengers and Gonstones, of which the last (namely Benjamin) had been treasurer of the Navy Royal during the reigns of Henry VIII., King Edward Vt., Queens Mary and Elizabeth, a place of greatest trust and honour. And to these two families my wife has a near re- lation. But to return to Mr. Wells. He was the author of a book of Shadows or Dialing, an excellent mathematician, well acquainted with Mr. Gunter, Gelibrand, Doctor Gilbert, Mr. Oughtred, and other famous mathematicians of his time: I have several horoscopes and other schemes of his, among my papers. He had two sons (whom I well knew), whereof the eldest succeeded in his father's office of Storekeeper in the Naval Arsenal, a place of good credit, and requiring ex- traordinary application. His second son, Ben. Wells, Phy- sician, formerly fellow of All Souls in Oxon, a very good scholar, lately deceased at Greenwich, leaving only two daughters. This, sir, being all 1 can at present learn of Mr. Wells, I take opportunity to superadd something which more im- mediately concerns myself. 'Tis some time since that Dr. Plot, communicating to me your noble design, required me (as from yourself) to give him some account of my own family, &c. : what then I writ I do not now so well approve of: and divers circumstances since that intervening both as VOL. III. T 322 COBBESPONDENCE OP 1692. to my fortune (which may possibly transfer my hitherto abode here at Sayes Court in Kent to the seat of my an- cestors in Surrey), and honourable charge which his late Ma- jesty conferred on me, of one of the Commissioners of the Privy Seal, seems to require some other account from me than that which Dr. Plot exacted of me, which I desired he would entreat you to manage, not as written by me in my own person (which were a vanity insupportable), but that you would use the sponge, as you thought fit, and as becomes the modesty of one who has no other ambition in this, than that (if needs you will take notice of an inconsiderable man), though I can contribute little to your worthy labour, I may yet endeavour that the honour you intend me, and the glorious university who is pleased to own me, may not suffer through your too great civility, or reproach me of presump- tion, or ingratitude. I am, Sir, yours, &c. SIB, If I may be so bold I should esteem it a great favour, if at least you have prepared anything concerning me, that you would transmit' me a copy thereof before you print it. From Sir Richard Sulkeley to John Evelyn. London, 13th April, 1692. SlE, It is from your great sense of religion, and love to learning, that I have been moved to give you the trouble of this ; and it is from that also that I. hope for my pardon for this, which otherwise were a great presumption. Although you have lived so long in the world as to know the vanity of learning in itself, and that almost all its satisfactions are cal- culated only for the meridian of this short life, yet you can- not but know that in some particulars it may be instru- mental in promoting the glory of God ; and that you may contribute in some measure to make it so, is the intent and end of this, The bearer hereof is the son of a poor widow 1692. JOHN EVELYK. 323 in London, who, by the charitable care of Dr. Gale, has at- tained to so great a degree of learning, that upon the public examination at Paul's School he was chosen (with a small exhibition of 10/. a-year which the Mercers' Company do allow) to go off to Cambridge. But his learning (of which you will presently be the judge) is much short of his parts and his industry in his studies, and those are yet abundantly of his piety. I have known him a considerable time, and have found in him so deep a sense of religion, and such a pure, meek, humble, and resigned soul, of which in discourse I could give you evident testimonies, that I am fully per- suaded he might become a very useful labourer in the Lord's vineyard ; but here he sticks, and without the assistance of some Mecffinas he cannot subsist at Cambridge. I hope you will pardon the great freedom I have taken in giving him this opportunity of applying himself to you for a charity of, I think, the best and the most useful sort. I rest, sir, Your most humble servant, ElCHAED BULKELEY. From the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr Tenison) to John Evelyn. Buckden, October 3rd, 1692. SlE, Though I have had here a great deal of good company, yet I must own that I still wanted your conver- sation, especially upon the happening of the earthquake. None in Buckden (that I can hear of) were sensible of it, but it was discerned in divers neighbouring towns, and many have complained to me of a giddiness in their heads which it caused for a while. In the fens, nigh Ely, some turf-diggers were much surprised by it, whilst they per- ceived the ground to tremble in an unusual manner, and the water to come of a sudden a foot deep into dry pits, and by and by to sink down again. Since this earthquake, I mused a little upon the nature of earthquakes in general, whilst I was upon the road to y 2 324 COBBESPONDENCE OP 1692, Cambridge, and I here send you my conjectures, to no other end than that I may draw from you some better thoughts upon the subject. My conceit is this. I imagine that the cause of thunder in the clouds is much the same with that of quaking in the earth, the discharge of a nitro-sulphurous matter. I know nothing in nature which goes off with such force, and moving with such speed, as that does ; and in this earthquake it must have been something of mighty force to make it so general, and of wonderful celerity to cause it in so many very distant places about the same hour. If I be not much mistaken in the last earthquake which destroyed Smyrna, a sulphurous flame broke out of the earth and did dreadful execution above-ground ; and in this it was here said, that by many persons in London a sulphurous stench was smelt, and by some in Northamptonshire whilst they were hunting; and (if I well remember) the places most subject to earthquakes, as those nigh to Constantinople, abound with sulphur both in the air and in the earth. This nitro-sulphurous matter may be sometimes kindled in the earth by lightning striking into some deep cavity impregnated with that body, and, I think, in the late earthquake in Jamaica, there happened just before it a mighty tempest in the air. Whilst I mention Jamaica, give me leave to transcribe a few words out of Palmer's Almanack, in his observations on September last. " We wish well," says he, " to the island of Jamaica, for if si be their horoscope, it cannot be of pleasant consequence to that people." Here, though he is too late by some months, and speaks not particularly of an earthquake, yet his singling out of that island this year has something of oddness in it, though nothing of prophecy. But to return to the matter from which I digressed. Sometimes the lightning may kindle the sulphur in the earth and cause an explosion, and by that an earthquake ; sometimes some other causes in the bowels of the earth may set it on fire, and then, if it happens in a place where there is little communication by subterraneous caverns, the earthquake may be of less extent and the sulphurous flame may break out as in Vesuvius. But if it happens where there is great store of 1692. JOHN EYELYN. 325 nitro-sulphurous matter, and a great communication by long and various channels, perhaps it may be the first matter and by it which it immediately kindles, and so in succession make a very forcible and speedy and general concussion. I doubt not but that there are quantities of nitre and sulphur everywhere in the air and earth, but more especially towards the central parts of the earth, as also that there are innumerable very deep caverns in the earth by which the parts of it have communication. That which made this earthquake, whatsoever it was, moved in passages under the sea, being felt by us and by those beyond the seas that encompass us. This is the sum of the fancies which came into my head whilst I was passing from Buckden to Cambridge. It may be, if I had slept all the way in my coach, I might have dreamt as philosophically as I now write : however, it will turn to my benefit if the effect of it be a letter of more judicious reflections from so knowing and worthy a friend as yourself to, Sir, Tour very obliged faithful servant, THOMAS LINCOLN. From John Evelyn to the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr. Tenisori). Sayes-Courl, 15th October, 1692. MY LORD, "Whatsoever my opinion had been concerning the cause of earthquakes, I am sure it had become me to have submitted to your Lordship's better judgment. But, in- deed, I have long had no other sentiments of it than what I find confirmed by your Lordship with so great reason, by so many experiments, and pregnant instances of the irre- sistible effects of nitre, which no chains can bind. An ex- periment which was long since made at Gresham College, was enough to convince one. They prepared a ball of solid iron, about the thickness of a pretty cannon bullet, which was hammered both hot and cold, to render it as hard and tough as possible. In this they drilled a email hole to the 326 CORKESPONDEXCE OF 1692. centre, and after having dropped in a few grains of gun- powder, and stopping them up by forcing in a screw, exceed- ingly well riveted at the top, they set it on a pan of char- coal, in a large quadrangle of the College, which no sooner thereby heated, but with a terrible explosion it broke the ball into a thousand pieces. Now though this was common gunpowder, yet, 'tis not the sulphur, but the nitre, which operates with this pernicity, and breaks all bands whatsoever. The sulphur and coal which enter into the composition and blacken the corns, are only (your Lordship knows) in order to its speedy kindling, adding little else to its force. The consideration whereof frees me from all questionings of the being and power of spirits (I mean intellectual ones), and of creatures and beings invisible. The dire effects of com- pressed and incarcerated air, when the turnkey fire (sulphur) unlocks the prison-doors, are not to be expressed but with astonishment ; nor pass I by a windmill without wonder, to see a stone of that magnitude, and so ponderous, and of so many tons weight, whirled about with that swiftness by something which we do not see, and sometimes hardly feel, for a very little breath will set it going. Indeed it was to this pent-up vapour, that the ancient meteorologists attri- buted those cholics and convulsions of the earth ; but they did not dream of nitre, which, though no more than air con- tracted, has so much the more violent operation when ex- panded, as inclines me to think it has raised all the famous fires we meet with, and not only the volcanos at present burning (such as Hecla, Vesuvius, JEtna, Stromboli, &c.) but perhaps mOst of the mountains of the world, which I fancy might have been thrust up by the force of subterra- nean fires. Powdered alabaster, chalk and sand being put into a vessel, and set on the fire will, (when hot) boil and bubble up to some pretty and odd resemblances of such pro- tuberances. Nor is it unlikely that where the hills are high- est, the caves are as profound underneath them ; and that there are vast ones under those Alps and Sierras from whence our rivers derive their plentiful streams, and have their supplies from some such capacious cisterns and hydro phylatia as Kircher mentions. Besides these, may there not also be many dry and empty cryptas, sometimes above, and sometimes beneath these water receptacles, where Vulcan 1692. JOHN ETELTTf. 327 and the Cyclops are perpetually at work ? And that in process of time, the fire arriving at a bed of nitre and sul- phur, blowing up all incumbrances, not only causes these concussions, but frequently spew out great quantities of water ? 'Tis evident that the very glebe and soil all about Naples is natural fuel, where I have in many places taken up sulphur vivum, both under and above the surface. All the ground both under that noble city and country about it, sounds hollow like a tub. The hot baths, natural stoves, and other extraordinary things of this kind through all that territory, are the effects of subterranean fire, which, feed- ing on the bituminous and other unctuous and inflammable matter, (which it copiously finds), when it comes once to meet with a stratum of nitre it forces up all above and about it, and makes that prodigious havoc, however thick, deep, and heavy, be the incumbent weight or matter. Thus did Vesuvius, A.D. 1630, and now since (more terrible) at Cata- nea, ejecting stones and huge rocks of monstrous bulk : belching out flames and scattering ashes some hundred leagues distance from the eruption. Now when this nitre has done its execution, and one thinks it quite at rest, (for so it seemed to be for about a thousand years, nay I think ever since the elder Pliny perished there 1 ) emitting only a little smoke, it was all this while, it seems, lurking till it came to another stratum, and then up went all again ; and thus 'tis evident have been made those deep and dreadful calderras both of Vesuvius and Etna. Whether at first these fires were kindled by lightnings from without (as your Lordship well conjectures), or from coruscations with- in, or by the collision of pyrites and other stones of the arched caverns, the prepared matter soon conceives a kind- ling, which breaking into a flame, rarifies the stagnant air that bursts those rocky bars, which, till it breaks out, puts oftentimes a country in those paroxysms and ague fits which we call earthquakes. The noise, explosion, and inconceiv- able swiftness of its motion, affecting so distant places in the same moment almost of time, shows through what re- cesses, long extended channels and hollow passages (as in 1 " For in this confidence they built cities and palaces, and planted vineyards aud places of pleasure. J. E. " OOBEESPONDENCE OP 1692. so many mines), this sulphurous nitre lies in train, ready for the linstock. These furnaces are doubtless the laboratories where minerals are concocted into metals, fluors sublimated, salts and juices condensed into precious stones, the several ferments imparting various qualities to earths and waters, and promoting vegetation. Nay, who knows (and I pray God we may never know) whether local Hell be not the central fire ; or whether this vast terraqueous globe may not one day break like a grenado about our ears, and cast itself into another figure than the deluge did according to the ingenious Doctor's 1 theory ? But, my Lord, from philosophising and conjecture I am rambling I know not whither, when all that I would signify is my full assent to your Lordship's reasoning ; verily be- lieving the cause of earthquakes to proceed from the ingre- dient mentioned, mutually enkindled, and then, in searching vent, tears all up, where it finds the obstacle and shaking all about it. 'Tis observable that Egypt and the lower regions seldom feel these concussions, whilst the mountain- ous countries are most obnoxious, as most cavernous ; espe- cially in hot climates. Sad instances of this are the yet ruins of Old Antioch, Smyrna, &c., and in our days Kagusa, Benevento, Smyrna again, and that terrible one of Jamaica, which had its operation, and was felt as far as England but a few days since. All the mountainous countries of Sicily and Greece and along Dalmatia's side are hollow, perhaps for thousands of miles, even under the very sea itself; as I believe from Vesuvius to Etna, and thence to other further remote mountains and volcanoes, perhaps as far as Iceland, China, and the Andes of Peru, which are full of picos, whereof Potosi (that inexhaustible magazine of silver and other metals) seems to be no other. Those furious ravages may also probably have made so many rugged rocks, cliffs, hiatuses and peloponesuses, and have separated those many islands, and scattered, nay, as it were, sowed about the ocean, and divided from the continent ; and what if raised in the very sea itself, as the Terceras were, and Teneriffe in the Grand Canaries, not to insist on the new mountain near the Baise : So that, my Lord, I am in no distress at all to 1 Dr. Bui-net of the Charter-House, 1692. JOHN EYELYN. 329 solve this phenomenon, at least to my own satisfaction. But when all is said, though all proceed from natural causes, yet doubt I not their being inflicted and directed by the Su- preme Cause of causes, as judgments upon a sinful world; and for signs of great calamities, if they work no reforma- tion: if they do, of chastisements. Upon these accounts I look on them as portentous and of evil presage, and to show us that there is no stability under heaven, where we can be safe and happy, but in Him alone who laid the foun- dations of the earth, the Rock of Ages that shall never be removed, when heaven and earth shall pass away. As to our late earthquake here, I do not find it has left any considerable marks ; but at Mons 'tis said it haa made some demolitions. I happened to be at my brother's, at Wotton, in Surrey, when the shaking was, and at dinner with much company ; yet none of us at table sensible of any motion. But the maid who was then making my bed, and another servant in a garret above her, felt it plainly, and so did my wife's laundry-maid here at Deptford : and, generally, wherever they were above in the upper floors, they felt the trembling most sensibly, for a reason I need not explain to your Lordship. In London, and particularly in Dover Street (where my son's house is), they were greatly affrighted. But the stories that go about in this neighbourhood, by many who are lately returned from Jamaica, are many, and very tragical. I doubt not at the next meeting of G-resham College (which will now shortly be after their usual recess during summer), we shall have ample and authentic histories and discourses on this subject from several places of their correspondents. I cannot, in the meantime, omit acquainting of your Lordship with one very remarkable, which we have received here from credible hands : that during this astonishing and terrible paroxysm, multitudes of people, running distractedly out of their tottering houses, and seeing so many swallowed up and perishing, divers of them espying the minister of the town at some distance ran and compassed him all about, desiring him to pray for them, as immediately he did, all falling on their knees, when, all the ground about them suddenly sinking, the spot only upon which they were at prayer remained a firm and steady island, all the rest of the con- 330 COEEESPONDEKCE OF JG92. tiguous ground turning into a lake, other places into gulphs, which drowned and buried all that stood upon them, and which were very many. And now, my Lord, 'tis time to implore your pardon for this tedious paper, together with your blessing. From John Evelyn to his Brother. Dover Street, 5th Jan. 1 DEAE BEOTHEE, The occasion of my writing at present, is from a visit made me this evening from Sir Richard Onslow. After the common civilities were passed between us, he informed me that his coming to me at this time, was to desire I would acquaint you with the late Chief Baron Montague's intention of disposing of Baynard's, and his offering it to him as lying so conveniently to bis estate in that part of Surrey. But that he should be very tender in dealing for it, if it should in any sort be to the prejudice of one, for whom he had so great a respect, and which he would endeavour to preserve to our family. I told him, that I was sure you would own this expression as a signal instance of his great civility, as became you. As for Bay- nard's, I presumed he could not but know the injury had been done you by my sisters, in taking that estate so un- handsomely from you, without any colour of justice or cause given. Sir Richard, however, pressed me to write to you about it, and that you please to let him know your con- venience, and whether with your good liking, he might be encouraged to proceed with Mr. Montague ; for that he had promised to return him a positive answer within ten days. I assured him I would write to you by the very first oppor- tunity, and that I did not question but you would speedily command me to wait on him with your answer, and, in all events, acknowledge this great mark of his friendship and neighbourly respect. What safe title Mr. Montague could 1 The date of this letter is uncertain ; but it seems most likely to belong to 1692, when Evelyn was residing in Dover Street. 1692-3. JOHN EVELYK. 331 make to what he came so surreptitiously by, I would not undertake to determine ; but I believe you would not wish so good and worthy a friend as Sir Richard Onslow to deal for an estate which, being detained fraudulently, might possibly create him any trouble or misunderstanding be- tween so good and ancient neighbours : and whatever reply you think fit to make, let it, I pray, be so written, that I may show Sir Eichard the whole letter ; or rather (which I suppose he will receive as a greater respect) write to him- self, and I will wait on him with it. I wrote to you the last week in answer to a former of yours at large. I pray God give you ease of your infirmity, and believe me to be, my dear brother, &c. &c. From Sir Dudley Cullum to John Evelyn, Hampstead, 5th Jan., 1692-3. SlB, I cannot but think myself obliged, in gratitude, to give you an account how well your late invented stoves for a green-house succeeds (by the experience I have had of it), which has certainly more perfection than ever yet art was before master of. I have perused your directions in laying my pipes (made of crucible earth), not too near the fire-grate, which is nigh upon or better than sixteen inches above, and by making a trench the whole length of my house under the paving (for the air to issue out and blow the fire), of a convenient breadth and depth (that 13 eighteen inches both ways, covered with an arch of brick), leaving a hole open under the fire-grate almost as wide, and at the other end of the trench having a square iron plate answerable to that of my paving, to take off and put on, with a round hole at each corner of about three inches diameter, with a lid to slide open and shut upon every one of them (as you may have seen upon some porridge- pot covers), so that by opening any one of these holes, or all of them more or less, or by taking off the whole plates, I can release such a quantity of air out of the house to blow the fire, so as to increase or diminish the blast ; and as you were pleased by letter to inform me concerning 332 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1693 distributing the air at its admission more equally through the house, I have inserted my pipes into a channel all along the wall at the end of the house ; with these several over- tures you mentioned, all which, sir, I assure you prove most admirably well, and by this free and generous communica- tion of yours, you must have highly obliged all the lovers of the recreation, as well as, Sir, your most faithful servant, D. CULLTJM. From Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. Spetchley, 20th April, 1693. I HAD before this made my acknowledgments to Mr. Evelyn for the favour of his acceptable present, but I was willing to read some part of the book, which you have done the honour to translate ' and let be published under your name, for which you are so far from needing an apology, that both Monsieur Quintinye himself, and the rest of our gardeners of this age, must take their original from you, and all the ingenious that study universal gardening will confess it. Monsieur Quintinye is very curious in his tract of fruit-trees, which le Sieur Le G-endre, cure d'Hernonville, has been before in his Maniere de cultiver les Arbres Frui tiers, and Monsieur Morin, in his Traite* pour la Taille des Arbres. I find likewise much of his observation in Monsieur Lau- rent's Abregt pour les Arbres nains, dedicated to Monsieur Quintinye ; and in the Jardinier Royal, with the Nouvelle Instruction pour connoitre les bom Fruits selon le mois de Fannee, by Monsieur Claude St. Etienne. Monsieur Quintinye is very curious likewise in his L6gum.es, and in his distinction of fruits, and seems to exceed the former in his particular direction in the ordering of them. But he is most to be admired in his method of pruning, or rather, his anatomy of fruit-trees, which is one of the most difficult parts of gardening, and has not before attained to that perfection. I give you many thanks for the vines, which were very well 1 Treatise on Orange Trees. 1693, jonsr ETELYW. 333 put up, and came safe hither. I am highly indebted to these and your former favours, particularly the great honour you have done me in your Kalendarium Hortense. Your dis- position to oblige all the world, must occasion a continu- ance of your favours to one who is most unworthy of them. I can only beg of you freely to dispose of me, having a just right of prescription in whatever I may render you any service ; being with due regard to our patron, and with sin- cere affection, Sir, your most humble servant, E. BEBKELEY. P.S. These herein-mentioned, with the Remarques neces- saires pour la Culture desFleurs, by Monsieur P.Morin, and the The"dtre de Jardinage, with the Jardine Potager, by Aristote, I have bound together in six tomes, with the French Gar- dener, which might be yet of some use in their version, by reason there are remarks in gardening not yet in English. Is the Jardinier du Pays-Has translated into English ? These, with submission, I refer to you, who have so much obliged the public with your former translations, and much more with your own works, many of them already extant, and the rest we must hope for from your manuscripts not yet known but to your retirements. From John Evelyn to Mrs. M. Tuke. DEAE COUSIN, Knowing how much you are in the confidence of my daughters, and have opportunities of seeing a gentleman who sometimes made his court at Somerset - house, for \vhom I really have great respect, and would not he should think it has at any time been lessened by some misunderstanding I hear of: that, therefore, I may take off all mistakes and prejudices, by a free eclair 'cissement of particulars, I will first begin with Sir Lawrence Staughton. Long after Mr. B. had, as I believed, given over all intentions of making any further application here, my brother Glanvill proposed Sir L. S. to us, and when I came (at the beginning of summer last) 384 COBEESPOKDE^CE OF 1693. to Wotton, my brother Evelyn then spoke very earnestly to me about it. In the meantime, Mr. B. desired to know, whether if by the end of the Michaelmas Term (then ensuing) he had a hearing and determination of his suit in Chancery to his advantage, he might be admitted to proceed again, which my wife returned an answer to. That term expiring, and nothing done by which he could well settle any present jointure (without much hazard), I could not imagine that the admitting one visit only (for it was no more) of a gentleman who made no address until the end of November, was to be rejected, Mr. B. being himself uncertain of bringing his concerns to any con- clusion, as I was informed from his own lawyer. In this circumstance could I do less than propose Sir L. S. to my daughter, or more for Mr. B. than (when I found her un- easy) to desire him not to make any addresses, in as fair and decent a manner as I could. That I acquainted my brother Evelyn how unhappy I was, beset so with difficul- ties, is but what I thought myself obliged to do to those who proposed him to us, when Mr. B. had desisted. I must in the meantime own, that Sir Lawrence was a person whom I could not but see to be every way suitable to my circumstances, so near the place where I am likely (with God's blessing) to continue our family, and to whom we formerly had a near relation, and which would have renewed a considerable interest in the country, with such other in- ducements as might have made a less indulgent father to have used authority in these encounters, where there was no exception. But I have been so far from doing it, that I have, since all this, again utterly rejected a proposal of another person of great estate, and every way qualified be- yond any reasonable exception, to gratify inclinations of what I all along, and as far as I am able, have set apart for my daughter's portion to be accepted of, as it would have been by those I mentioned, who yet did offer a very ample jointure and indisputable settlement. As, therefore, to the addition, of 5001. more, which I understand by you is in- sisted on, it is what I could never promise positively, be- cause it may never be in my power : but as it is not twice that sum which I could stick to give to make my daughter happy, so I must not oblige myself by covenant, and make 1693. JOHN EVELTS". 335 that a debt on my estate which I do in kindness only, if God shall me able. The present estate hanging over me, being so many ways encumbered ; and what I now possess, so settled as I cannot reasonably charge it ; nor is there reason I should, since by the method of even a Smithfield bargain, there ought to be a proportionable addition of 50/. per annum to the jointure of 200Z. a-year, which is worth a thousand pounds. Many other things I could say upon this article, but I will not tire a fair lady, whose friendship and prudence I rely on for my justification, and if need be, for reconciliation, to make use of this paper as you think convenient. If the pretended lover outweigh the five hundred pounds, there will need, I think, few words to the bargain. I am, Dearest Cousin, &c. From John Evelyn to Dr. Plot. Say es- Court, 27 th August, 1693. WOETHT DOCTOB, Our common and excellent friend, Mr. Pepys, acquaints me, that you would be glad to know upon what I am at present engaged relating to Corns, there being (it seems) a design of publishing something about that subject as they concern the money of this nation. It is true indeed (and as I remember to have told you) that I had blotted some sheets upon an argument of that nature, but without the least reference to current money, ancient or modern, but on such Medals as relate purely to something historical, which does not at all interfere with other coins, unless it be such as our Spur-royal, as they call it, being a single stamp of gold, and, as you know, suggesting something of our story here in England, besides its intrinsic value, upon which ac- count I may have occasion to mention it. For the rest, I meddle not with them. But this prompts me to send my request to you for the assistance you promised, by impart- ing to me what you had of this kind, which might contribute to what I am now preparing, and by which you will very much oblige, Sir, yours, &c. 336 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1693. From John Evelyn to Lord Spencer. Deplford, 4Jh September, 1693. MY LOBD, Though I have not the opportunity of waiting on your lordship so often as I ought and should do, was I per- fectly at my own disposure (which by reason of many im- pediments in my circumstances of late I neither have been, nor as yet am), yet my worthiest thoughts and inclinations are never absent from you ; and I often revive myself with the meditation of your virtues, and some very few noble young persons more, when that of the sad decadence of the age we live and converse in interposes its melancholy pro- spect. I was with great appetite coming to take a repast in the noble library which I hear you have lately purchased (and by the catalogue I have seen, must needs be a very chosen collection), when at the same time I understand you are taking a journey with resolution of making a tour about England, thereby joining to books and paper-descriptions, experience ; and to speculation, the seeing of the things themselves. It has certainly been a great mistake and very preposterous in our education, the usually sending our young gentlemen to travel abroad, and see foreign countries, before they have seen or known anything of their own. Your lord- ship remembers who says it, Ne sis peregrinus domi ; and therefore worthily done, and memorable in my Lord Trea- surer Burleigh, to hinder the Council, who in those days it seems used to give passes to travel, from granting them to any who had not first seen and could give a good account of their own country. Your lordship, therefore, has taken the best and most natural method ; and I know not what can now be added to the rest of your accomplishments, but the continuance of your health, which I shall pray may attend all your motions, who am, My lord, your, &c. 1693. JOHN ETELTK. 337 From Dr. Plot to John Eielyn. Threadneedle Street, London, 2nd October, 1693. HONOURED SIR, According to your desire, I have looked out all the historical medals I have in my possession, which I have laid aside for your use, whenever you please to call for them. In the meantime I must beg a favour of you in behalf of the University of Oxford, who are now publishing a tract of Plutarch's concerning education, and would gladly add another of St. Chrysostom, published in France by Com- befis, in Greek, could they meet with the book. Paul's Churchyard and Little Britain have been searched for it without success, nor is there now any hopes left but in you, who it seems have translated it into English, wherefore they presume you must have the Greek copy, which they pro- mise themselves (upon my importunity) you will be pleased to accommodate them with. "Wherein you are also desired to be very speedy, because they design to have both tracts out before Christmas. Our common and most excellent friend, Mr. Pepys, told me this day he hoped to see you this week, with whom, should I be out of town (as I guess I may on Wednesday and Thursday, in qiiest of some Roman anti- quities now under my consideration), I desire you would leave the book; wherein you will very much oblige the whole University, and amongst them more particularly, Your most humble and obliged servant, BOB. PLOT. From Robert Berkeley to John Evelyn. Worcester, Oct. 26th, 1693. SIR, In my last I think I did not justice to Monsieur Quintinye, having not then been so well acquainted with his book, which is the beat of any of that kind (I presume) in VOL. in. z 838 CORBESPONDENCE OF 1694. the extent of it ; but in the general, doubtless your works are much more preferable as comprehending the universal art of gardening ; and were they printed, as they are wished by all who have any knowledge of them, would be the most celebrated in the world, and remain as a rule to govern ua in future ages ; which I hope you will consider of, both in duty to yourself and your country, that what you have not time to digest into the requisite order, whilst you live, you will leave them in such hands as shall see them published. I should highly recommend Mr. Bentley to you, if you were a stranger to him or to his merit. I believe there is nothing in your power you can deny him, being a lover and patron of all virtue and learning. I entreat of you and your excel- lent lady to accept my most humble services. I am, with real affection, Tour most faithful friend, R. BEHKELEY, From James Quine to John Evelyn. 28th March, 1694. MOST HONOURED SIB, These are from him who lately made you the late visit, and was troublesomely curious concerning Milton, the greatest man that ever rose in civil poetry, nor know I any greater in prose : let Shakspeare live, and let Mr. Cowley not die, wherein he is chaste, but not compared. But still may we not say that poetry has been for the most part di- vorced from its proper use and end, and obliged to contract strange marriages with vanity and vice, and spend itself in flattery and lying, in confounding the good and the bad, in emptiness and debauch, in saying all that it can say, without any regard to truth or virtue or honour, and that her fall is equal to that of the son of the morning. It is long, excel- lent sir, that I have honoured and very much loved your name, your character, your genius, and your writings, and the solid and the obstinate friendship you seem to me to have held with virtue and religion in the midst of a crooked and a foolish generation ; though never till last summer, at 1694. JOHN EVELYN. 339 my Lord of Canterbury's (my old and most honoured friend and acquaintance), had the honour and the happiness to be acquainted with you, if yet I enjoy it, or if yet you permit it. However, I shall presume to write myself, Sir, Your meanest servant, JAMES QUINE. From the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr. Tenison} to John Evelyn. 5th April, 169J... GOOD SIB, I received yours, and with it the MSS. I am glad you go on with your work. I forgot to show you a gold medal coined at the coronation of James I. This morning the Earl of Pembroke sent a letter to me, which sets forth that a fiery exhalation coming from the sea into Montgomeryshire, hath travelled far by land and burnt such hay, stubble, and straw as hath stood in its way. It has fired the straw of some houses, and by that the houses themselves, but of itself it is languid and burns not wood or any compact body. It hath spread itself many furlongs in both breadth and length. The hand he had it from, he assured me, was good ; perhaps to you this is not an original, to me it is. God bless yourself and family. I am, Sir, Tour assured servant, THOMAS LINCOLN. From Sir Dudley Cullum to John Evelyn. Hampstead, 14/A May, 1694. I OUGHT long since to have given you thanks for the favour of your letter, had I not a desire to see my plants removed from their winter quarters ere I satisfied your request of hearing how it agreed with them. As for my stove, at one time this winter it had fire day and night for a fortnight together, and found the heat managed with a great deal of ease, and, notwithstanding the closeness of z 2 340 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1694. the place, yet, by the admission of that air you advised, gave such a freedom of breathing as one would have thought himself abroad in the open air in April, when ia January all things then without doors were freezing very hard. As for my orange-trees, they looked as well as I could wish ; and other plants carried a complexion as in summer, such as myrtles, Spanish and Indian jessamines, oleanders, with some of less worth, which endured their winter quarters extremely well. My green-house is about fifty-eight feet in. length, fourteen in breadth, and ten high ; my oraiige-treea were full of blossom-buds all the winter, and have had some blown in April, as in the most usual and natural season. Pray, Sir, pardon this tedious relation from Tour humble servant, D. CULLTJM. From John Evelyn to the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr. Tenisoii). Wotlon, 29th May, 1694. It is none of the least mortifications, that besides other circumstances obliging me to be at this distance from my old abode, I cannot have the opportunity of waiting on your Lordship and receiving those advantages and improve- ments which I always returned with whenever I came from my Lord of Lincoln. We are here in no unpleasant solitude. Some good books which I find here, with a cart load which I brought along with me, serve to alleviate the tediousness of sitting still ; but we know nothing of new, but what our friends from your side impart to us. Mr. Pepys sent me last week the Journal of Sir John Xarbrough and Captain "Wood ; * together with Mr. "Whar- ton's Preface to his intended History of the Life of Arch- bishop Laud. 2 I do not know whether I might do the learned editor (for it seems he only publishes a MS. written 1 Entitled, " An Account of several late Voyages and Discoveries to the South and North, towards the Straits of Magellan, the South Seas," &c. 8vo. 1694. * Printed in two folio volumes in 1695 1700. 1694. JOHN EVELYK. 341 by that great prelate of his own life) any service, by acquainting him with a passage relating to that person, namely, the jubilee which the sacrifice of the Bishop caused among some at Home ; it being my hap to be in that city, and in company of divers of the English fathers (as they call them), when the news of his suffering, and the sermon he made upon the scaffold, arrived there ; which I well remember they read, and commented on, with no small satisfaction, and (as I thought) contempt, as of one taken off who was an enemy to them, and stood in their way : whilst one of the blackest crimes imputed to him was (we may well call to mind) his being Popishly affected. 1 know not, I say, whether the Memoirs may be of any import to Mr. Wharton, with whom I have no acquaint- ance : I therefore acquaint your Lordship with it, and in the forms almost that I have mentioned and subjoined to my Discourse of Medals under that of this Archbishop's figure, which, together with my copy, I have now sent Benjamin Tooke to print (as he desires) if it be worth his while. I add nothing more but that of my wife's humble service to you and my Lady, and that there is still a part of our small family at Sayes-Court, where my daughter Draper and husband are the young economists, and all of us con- cerned to beg your Lordship's blessing and prayer especially. Tour, &c. I should rejoice to hear how Mr. Bentley proceeds with the library at Whitehall. I hope your Lordship will mind him of the Sermons he owes us and the public ; I hear nothing of the Bishop of Cbichester, who is likewise in our debt. From John Evelyn to Edmund Gibson l (afterwards Bishoj) of London). Wotton, 3Lrt May, 1694. SlE, To the notes and papers you desired of me, I have since endeavoured to inform myself in those parti- 1 " The learned person who published the Saxon Chronicle, and was now setting forth a new edition of Cainden's Britannia, with additions. J. E." 342 COEBESPONDENCE OP 1694. culars you mentioned, and which I presume are come to you ; and now, by this letter from a friend of mine, well acquainted with the trustees of Dog Smith (as he is called), I send you the particulars of that extraordinary benefactor to this county. You may please to take notice, that besides what I writ to you of Greorge Abbot, Archbishop of Canter- bury, and his brother Eobert, Bishop of Salisbury, he had at the same time Moris, another brother, who was Lord Mayor of London ; all sons of the same clothier, and natives of Gruildford. Also that Hammond, whom I men- tioned, was not only a benefactor to the school there, but founder of a fellowship at Baliol College, Oxon. John de la Haye died about three hundred years since, about whom and other particulars expect in my next, for I would not retard the printer longer than is necessary, who remain, Tour, &c. From John Evelyn to Mr. Benjamin Tooke (Printer). Wotton, 2nd June, 1694. ME. TOOKE, Tarde, sed tandem. At last I send you the copy you have so long expected ; never the worse, I hope, for coming no sooner. I wish it may answer the pains I have taken in compiling -. for it would amount to the value of many Medals. I was indeed unwilling it should escape from me without something more than an ordinary treatise. It will therefore require a more than ordinary supervisor. You tell me, such a one you have,$ if not, pray make use of the poor man I directed to you, who is also acquainted with my hand, and will be ready to assist you. There being abund- ance of writers on this subject in all other polite European languages, and but one very short and partial one in ours, will I hope render this the more acceptable, and give ferment to the curious. I expect attacks from some peevish quarter, in this angry age ; but so it make for your interest, and satisfy equitable judges, I shall not be much concerned. The Medals which are here sent you, pray take care of, 1C94. JOHN EVELYK. 343 and deliver but one by one to your graver, nor supply him with any other till he returns you that he is graving with the plate. You will find I have marked the paper, wherein you must keep the plates, and apply to the pages as directed by which you will avoid mistakes, easily fallen into without some such method. Such as you are to have from the Earl of Clarendon, Dr. Plot, &c. 1 will take care to procure you by the time these are despatched. As for the graving, SQ the contours and outlines be well designed, I am not soli- citous for the hatching (as they call it), since we have lau- dable examples of the other in Grrutor, Spanheim, and other excellent authors. Mr. White, if he have leisure, will be your best man ; and for the volume, I should think a thin moderate folio, with a fair letter, most desirable. As for the title, epistle and preface, I shall provide you in good time, and as I see cause ; only I pray take special care of the insertions and paragraphs which 1 have marked [. When all this is finished, I purpose a very accurate index. This being all at present, I wish you good success, and am, Your, &c. From the Bishop of Lincoln (T)r. Tenisori) to John Evelyn. Bukden, 19th June, 1694. GOOD SIR, Your letter dated May 30th, came not to me till June 17th at night. It was the comfortablest letter I re- ceived that post ; all the rest were filled with ill news from Brest and out of Flanders, the latter of which I have reason to think is false. That passage of yours relating to Bishop Laud is very remarkable, and touches the main point. I am glad your Book of Medals is coming out, and that that passage is inserted : for Mr. Wharton has done all he intends by writing that preface which he sent to me. The book is all Bishop Laud's own, so that he neither adds nor alters, unless in the margin, and I believe the book is by this time all printed off: however, I will write to him into Kent next post. I'm sure my letter will be very agree- able to him upon the account of the insertion. I have had 344 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1694-5. lately sent to me six little pieces of coin (all of a sort) found in an urn by a ploughman, nigh Mildnall, in Norfolk. At a court held by the Dean and Chapter of Ely, it was presented as treasure trove, they being the Lords. One of the Prebends sent them. The inscription is not very legible especially by my eyes, but they seem to be coin stamped by W. Rufus, or about that time. Please to give my wife's and my own hearty services to Mrs. Evelyn. I am your affectionate friend T. LINCOLN. There is a book in 12mo, called Religion and Reason lately printed for Eogers in Fleet Street, which may perhaps give you an hour's good diversion. From James Quine to John Evelyn. 9th January, 1694-5. HONOUBED SlK, Though I have been obliged to you, and that for the charming manner of the obligation (so natural to yourself and easy) more than the matter, yet I hope I have not lost the friend in you when I most want it. If I know myself and the value I had for you, I think I would cheerfully have served you, had it lain in my power, in a hundred times the sum, and have been abundantly recompensed in the pleasure of serving you. Farewell, excellent man, and forgive this trouble from him who has cultivated poverty, and found it a greater treasure than riches, and which, if Suetonius may be credited, was, with a happy retirement, the biggest ambi- tion of Augustus, and a fortune he preferred to that of the Konian Empire. But it has its agonies and its pressures which he never. knew, in which he himself would have had recourse to a friend, when an honourable industry had failed of its reward ; which is my case, witness much translation of the best things, and much original of the nature of the enclosed, where the verse is purposely written low and in- correct, that the many who are so, may edify thereby. I am with great sincerity, worthy Sir, Tour obliged, humble servant, JAMES QUINB. 1695. JOHN EVELYN. 345 From Archbishop Tenison to John Evelyn. St. Martin's Church Yard, 20th April, 1695. SIB, I had yours, and have spoken to my Lord King about a meeting in order to the better carrying on the de- sign of the Hospital at Greenwich. The parliament will now soon be up, and then I presume we shall meet, and not before. When I have the happiness of seeing you, we may discourse the business about the Chapel you speak of; I will do all I can in the case. I have with this sent you my sermon at the Queen's funeral : though I ordered one long ago, yet I fear it was not sent ; you will excuse the plain- ness of it. There is come forth an answer to it, said to be written by Bishop Kenn ; but I am not sure he is the author : I think he has more wit and less malice. I saw this day a medal in which the Queen's face is better hit than I ever saw in picture or on medal. I wish you all the blessings convenient for you, and shall ever be your faithful friend, THOMAS CANTTJAB. From Archbishop Tenison to John Evelyn. Lambeth, 19th July, 1695. GOOD SIB, I am very sorry I could not meet with you on Friday last, or see you this day : my business is such that I cannot help leaving part of it undone. I will consider of the pro- position about a maritime college ; I like it extremely well, everything of this kind moves so slowly that it discourages, but I will not faint for my part. I shall heartily pray for the better health of your excellent lady, and for the hap- piness of your family. I am your assured friend, THOMAS CANTUAR. 346 COBBESPOHDENCE OP 1696. From John Ectlyn to William Wotton. 1 Wotton, 30th March, 1696. SlB, I most heartily beg your pardon for detaining your books so unreasonably long after I bad read them, which I did with great satisfaction, especially the Life of Descartes, The truth is I had some hopes of seeing you here again, for methought (or at least I flattered myself with it) you said at parting you would do us that favour before my going to London, whither I am, God willing, setting out to-morrow or next day for some time ; not without regret, unless I receive your commands, if I may be any ways serviceable to you, in order to that noble undertaking you lately mentioned to me, I mean your generous offer and inclination to write the Life of our illustrious philosopher, Mr. Boyle, and to honour the memory of a gentleman of that singular worth and virtue. I am sure if you persist in that design Eng- land shall never envy France, or need a Gassendus or Bail- let to perpetuate and transmit the memory of one not only equalling, but in many things transcending either of those excellent and indeed extraordinary persons, whom their pens have rendered immortal. I wish myself was furnished to afford you any considerable supplies (as you desired) after my so long acquaintance with Mr. Boyle, who had honoured me with his particular esteem, now very near forty years, as I might have done by more duly cultivating frequent oppor- tunities he was pleased to allow me. But so it is, that his life and virtues have been so conspicuous, as you will need no other light to direct you, or subject-matter to work on, than what is so universally known, and by what he has done and published in his books. You may perhaps need some particulars as to his birth, family, education, and other less necessary circumstances for introduction : and such other passages of his life as are not so distinctly known but by his own relations. In this if I can serve you, I shall do it with great readiness, and I hope success ; having some pre- tence by my wife, in whose grandfather's house (which is 1 This was the Dr. Wotton remarkable for his learning as a boy, and for no extraordinary wisdom as a man. See Diary, vol. ii. p. 138, note ; and Note at p. 359. 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 347 now mine at Deptford) the father of this gentleman was so conversant, that, contracting an affinity there, he left his (then) eldest son with him whilst himself went into I re- land, who, in his absence dying, lies buried in our parish church, under a remarkable monument. 1 I mention this because, my wife's relation to that family giving me access to divers of his nearest kindred, the Countess Dowager of Clancarty (living now in a house of my son's in Dover- street) and the Countess of Thanet, both his nieces, will, I question not, be able to inform what they cannot but know of those and other circumstances of their uncle, which may not be unworthy of your notice ; especially my Lady Thanet who is a great virtuosa, and uses to speak much of her uncle. You know she lives in one of my Lord of Notting- ham's houses at St. James's, and therefore will need no introductor there. I will wait upon my Lord Burlington if there be occasion, provided in the meantime (and after all this officiousness of mine) it be not the proffer of a very useless service ; since my Lord Bishop of Salisbury, who made us expect what he is now devolving on you, cannot but be fully instructed in all particulars. It is now, as I said, almost forty years since first I had the honour of being acquainted with Mr. Boyle ; both of us newly returned from abroad, though, I know not how, never meeting there. Whether he travelled more in Trance than Italy, I cannot say, but he had so universal an esteem in foreign parts, that not any stranger of note or quality, learned or curious, coming into England, but used to visit him with the greatest respect and satisfaction imaginable. Now, as he had an early inclination to learning (so especially to that part of philosophy he so happily succeeded in), he often honoured Oxford, and those gentlemen there, with his company, who more peculiarly applied themselves to the examination of the so long domineering methods and jargon of the schools. You have the names of this learned junto, most of them since deservedly dignified in that elegant history of the Royal Society, which must ever own its rise from that assembly, as does the preservation of that famous University from the fanatic rage and avarice 1 A Tent and Map of Ireland in relievo. 348 COEttESPONDENCE OF 169G. of those melancholy times. These, \vith some others (whereof Mr. Boyle, the Lord Viscount Brouncker, Sir Robert Mur- ray, were the most active), spirited with the same zeal, and under a more propitious influence, were the persons to whom the world stands obliged for the promoting of that generous and real knowledge, which gave the ferment that has ever since obtained, and surmounted all those many discourage- ments which it at first encountered. But by no man more have the territories of the most useful philosophy been en- larged, than by our hero, to whom there are many trophies due. And accordingly his fame was quickly spread, not only among us here in England, but through all the learned world besides. It must be confessed that he had a marvel- lous sagacity in finding out many useful and noble experi- ments. Never did stubborn matter come under his inquisi- tion but he extorted a confession of all that lay in her most intimate recesses ; and what he discovered he as faithfully registered, and frankly communicated ; in this exceeding my Lord Verulam, who (though never to be mentioned without honour and admiration) was used to tell all that came to hand without much examination. His was probability ; Mr. Boyle's suspicion of success. Sir, you will here find ample field, and infinitely gratify the curious with a glorious and fresh survey of the progress he has made in these dis- coveries. Freed from those incumbrances which now and then render the way a little tedious, 'tis abundantly recom- pensing the pursuit ; especially those noble achievements of his, made in the spring and weight of the two most neces- sary elements of life, air and water, and their effects. The origin of forms, qualities, and principles of matter : histories of cold, light, colours, gems, efiiuvias, and other his works so firmly established on experiments, polychrests, and of universal use to real philosophy : besides other beneficial in- ventions peculiarly his ; such as the dulcifying sea-water with that ease and plenty, together with many medicinal remedies, cautions, directions, curiosities and arcana, which owe their birth or illustration to his indefatigable researches. He brought the phosphorus and anteluca to the clearest light that ever any did, after innumerable attempts. It were needless to insist on particulars to one who knows them better than myself. You will not, however, omit 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 34-0 those many other treatises relating to religion, which indeed runs through all his writings upon occasion, and show how unjustly that aspersion has been cast on philosophy, that it disposes men to atheism. Neither did his severer studies yet sour his conversation in the least. He was the furthest from it in the world, and I question whether ever any man has produced more experiments to establish his opinions without dogmatising. He was a Corpuscularian without Epi- curus ; a great and happy analyzer, addicted to no parti- cular sect, but, as became a generous and free philosopher, preferring truth above all ; in a word, a person of that sin- gular candour and worth, that to draw a just character of him one must run through all the virtues, as well as through all the sciences. 1 And though he took the greatest care imaginable to conceal the most illustrious of them, his charities and the many good works he continually did, could not be hid. It is well known how large his bounty was upon all occasions. "Witness the Irish, Indian, Lithu- anian Bibles, to the translations, printing, and publishing of which he laid out considerable sums ; and the Catechism and Principles of the Christian Faith, which I think he caused to be put into Turkish, and dispersed amongst those infidels. And here you will take notice of the lecture he has endowed and so seasonably provided for. As to his relations (so far as I have heard), his father, Richard Boyle, was faber fortunae ; a person of wonderful sagacity in affairs, and no less probity, by which he com- passed a vast estate and great honours to his posterity, which was very numerous, and so prosperous, as has given to the public both divines and philosophers, soldiers, poli- ticians, and statesmen, and spread its branches among the most illustrious and opulent of our nobility. Mr. Robert Boyle, born I think in Ireland, was the youngest, to whom he left a fair estate ; to which was added an honorary pay of a troop of horse, if I mistake not. And now, though amongst all his experiments he never made that of the married life, yet I have been told he courted a beautiful and ingenious daughter of Carew, Earl of Monmouth ; to which is owing the birth of his ' Seraphic Love,' and the ' See the eecond edition of Bishop Sanderson's " De Juramenti promis- sorii obligatione," dedicated to Boyle. 350 COBEESPONDENCE OF 1696. first of his productions. DESCARTES* was not so innocent. In the meantime he was the most facetious and agreeable conversation in the world among the ladies, whenever he happened to be so engaged ; and yet so very serious, com- posed, and contemplative at all other times ; though far from moroseness, for indeed he was affable and civil rather to excess, yet without formality. As to his opinion in religious matters and discipline, I could not but discover in him the same free thoughts which he had of philosophy ; not in notion only, but strictly as to practice, an excellent Christian ; and the great duties of that profession, without noise, dispute, or determining ; own- ing no master but the Divine Author of it ; no religion but primitive, no rule but Scripture, no law but right reason. For the rest, always conformable to the present settlement, without any sort of singularity. The mornings, after his private devotions, he usually spent in philosophic studies and in his laboratory, sometimes extending them to night : but he told me he had quite given over reading by candle- light, as injurious to his eyes. This was supplied by his amanuensis, who sometimes read to him, and wrote out such passages as he noted, and that so often in loose papers, packed up without method, as made him sometimes to seek upon occasion, as himself confesses in divers of his works. Glasses, pots, chemical and mathematical instruments, books and bundles of papers, did so fill and crowd his bed-chamber, that there was but just room for a few chairs ; so as his whole equipage was very philosophical without formality. There were yet other rooms, and a small library (and so you know had DESCARTES) , 2 as learning more from men, real experiments, and in his laboratory (which was ample and well furnished), than from books. I have said nothing of his style, which those who are bet- ter judges think he was not so happy in, as in his experi- ments. I do not call it affected, but doubtless not answer- able to the rest of his great and shining parts ; and yet, to do him right, it was much improved in his ' Theodora and later writings. 1 " Who confesses he had a bastard daughter. See M. Baillet in Yita Descartes J. E." " One at Egmond desiring to see his library, he brought him to a room where he was dissecting a calf. J. E." 1696. JOHN EYELYN. 351 In his diet (as in habit) he was extremely temperate and plain ; nor could I ever discern in him the least passion, transport, or censoriousness, whatever discourse or the times suggested. All was tranquil, easy, serious, discreet and profitable ; so as, besides Mr. Hobbes, whose hand was against everybody and admired nothing but his own, Francis Linus excepted (who yet with much civility wrote ' against him), I do not remember he had the least antagonist. In the afternoons he was seldom without company, which was sometimes so incommodious, that he now and then repaired to a private lodging in another quarter of the town, and at other times (as the season invited) diverted himself in the country among his noble re- lations. He was rather tall and slender of stature, for most part valetudinary, pale and much emaciated ; nor unlike his picture in Gresham College ; which, with an almost impu- dent importunity, was, at the request of the Society, hardly extorted, or rather stolen, from this modest gentle- man by Sir Edmund King, after he had refused it to his nearest relations. In his first addresses, being to speak or answer, he did sometimes a little hesitate, rather than stammer, or repeat the same word ; imputable to an infirmity, which, since my remembrance, he had exceedingly overcome. This, as it made him somewhat slow and deliberate, so, after the first effort, he proceeded without the least interruption, in his discourse. And I impute this impediment much to the frequent attacks of palsies, contracted, I fear, not a little by his often attendance on chemical operations. It has plainly astonished me to have seen him so often recover, when he has not been able to move, or bring his hand to his mouth : and indeed the contexture of his body, during the best of his health, appeared to me so delicate, that I have frequently compared him to a chrystal, or Venice glass ; which, though wrought never so thin and fine, being carefully set up, would outlast the hardier metals of daily use : and he was withal as clear and candid ; not a blemish 1 "Viz. Tract, de Corporum Inseparabilitate, &c. 8vo. Loud. 1661. -J. E." 352 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1696. or spot to tarnish his reputation : and he lasted accordingly, though not to a great, yet to a competent age ; threescore years I think ; and to many more he might, I am persuaded, have arrived, had not his beloved sister, the Lady Viscountess Ranalagh, with whom he lived, a person of extraordinary talent and suitable to his religious and philosophical temper, died before him. But it was then that he began evidently to droop apace ; nor did he, I think, survive her above a fortnight. But of this last scene I can say little, being un- fortunately absent, and not knowing of the danger till it was past recovery. His funeral (at which I was present) was decent, and, though without the least pomp, yet accompanied with a great appearance of persons of the best and noblest quality, besides his own relations. He lies interred (near his sister) in the chancel of St. Martin's church ; the Lord Bishop of Salisbury preaching the funeral sermon with that eloquence natural to him on such, and all other occasions. The sermon, you know, is printed with the panegyric so justly due to his memory. Whether there have been, since, any other monument erected on him, I do not know, nor is it material. His name (like that of Joseph Scaliger) were 4 alone a glorious epitaph. And now, sir, I am again to implore your pardon for giving you this interruption with things so confusedly huddled up this afternoon, as they crowded into my thoughts. The subject you see is ^fruitful, and almost inexhaustible. Argument fit for no man's pen but Mr. Wotton's. Oblige then all the world, and with it, Sir, your, &c. From William Wotton to John Evelyn. HONOURED SIR, 7th April, 1696. I was unfortunately out of the way when you did me the honour to send me that admirable and obliging letter concerning Mr. Boyle, and was so fatigued on my return, by my coming home upon a lame horse, that I could not wait upon you a Sunday at Wotton as I intended to do. I cannot sufficiently express my thanks to you for 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 353 your excellent hints ; if my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury encourages me, and I can get those materials out of Mr. Warre's hands, which I was speaking of, I will set about it. I suppose you will receive by the penny-post, two Philo- sophical Transactions, no. 219, in which is my abridgment of Signer Scilla's book of Shells. I had brought more down for that purpose ; but not being able to compass my design of waiting upon you at Wooton, I have sent to the book- seller to convey them to you that way. One of them, with my humblest thanks, I would entreat you to present to Sir Cyril Wyche, when you see him. I wish I knew how to express the joy I feel in having my poor projects approved by so great a judge and patron of learning and its well- wishers. I am, honoured Sir, Tour most obliged servant, "W. "WOTTON. The same to John Evelyn. Albury, Mth May, 1696: HONOUBED SIB, Your last obliging letter has put me into greater fears than anything that ever befel me in my whole life. How I shall possibly answer Mr. Evelyn's expectation I cannot conceive, and without the highest vanity I can as iittle bring myself to think that I shall not fall extremely short of it. Your naming me at my Lord of Canterbury's upon such an occasion, was the highest honour could have been done a young writer. Next to that was the trustees approving your nomination. I say next to that, for they were ashamed to seem backward to comply with what Mr. Evelyn should think fit to propose. I am now, therefore, only to wait for the Bishop of Salisbury's fiat, which, if it is granted, it will be too late for me to recede, though I know very well I shall be impar operi in every respect. I will study, however, to preserve Mr. Evelyn's reputation as much as ever I can ; and I do hereby faithfully assure him, that care and industry shall not be wanting to carry on a work, in 1 This letter is indorsed by Evelyn : " Mr. Wotton, &c., of a present made me of a book." TOL. III. A A 354 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1696. which he has generously been pleased to have so distinguish- ing a share. As soon as I shall hear of your return to AYotton, where your friends in this country ardently expect you, I shall do myself the honour to tell you more at large, ho\v very much 1 am, as well as ought to be, Honoured Sir, Tour most obliged and faithful humble servant, ~W. WOTXOK. John Evelyn to Lord Godolphin (one of the Lords Justices, and first Commissioner of the Treasury). Surrey Street, IGlhJune, 1696. MY LORD, There are now almost four years elapsed, since looking over some papers of mine, I found among other things divers notes which I had taken relating to Medals ; when, reflecting upon the usefulness of the historical part of that noble study, and considering that there had been little, or indeed rather nothing at all, written of it among us here in England (whilst other countries abounded in many excellent books and authors of great name on this subject), I began to divert my solitary thoughts by re- ducing and putting my scattered collection into such method as grew at last to a formal treatise. Among other particulars (after I had more at large dispatched what concerned the Greek and Eoman, and those of the Lower Empire), I endeavoured the gathering up all such Medals as 1 could anywhere find had been struck before and since the Conquest (if any such there were), relating to any part of good history. Now though money and coins during the several reigns of almost all our kings, from the British to this present time (as may be seen in what Mr. "Walker has added to the late edition of Camden), be foreign to my subject, and that I could meet with none which deserved the name of medal till the two last centuries, yet I could not well avoid speaking something of the Mint, where medals were coined as well as money. The copy being thus prepared for the press, I two years since delivered to a bookseller ; who, after he had wrought off almost eighty 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 355 pages in folio (emulating what had been done and pub- lished by Jaques de Bie and Mons. Bizot, in their Histoire Metallique of France and Holland), would needs be at the charge of engraving a hundred stamps to adorn a chapter relating to our English Medals. This requiring time (and far better artists than any I perceive he is like to find), and retarding the publication of his book, I thought it might not be either unseasonable or unagreeable to your Lord- ship, if on this conjuncture of affairs (and when every body is discoursing of these matters) I did present your Lord- ship with a part of that chapter concerning Money, which (though passing through the same mechanism) I distinguish from Medal at the beginning of my first chapter, proceed- ing in the seventh to that of the Mint. It is there that I show (after all the expedients offered and pretended, for the recovery and security of this nation from the great danger it is in by the wicked practices of those who of late have so impudently ruined the public credit and faith of all mankind among us by clipping, debasing, and all other un- righteous ways of perverting the species) what is it which can possibly put a stop to the evil and mischief, that it go no farther ; if, at least, it have not been so long neglected as to be irremediable. But, my lord, this is not all. There are several other things of exceeding great importance, which had need be taken care of, and to be set on foot effectually, for the obviating the growing mischiefs, destructive to the flourish- ing state of this mercantile nation. Amongst the rest : There is certainly wanting a Council of Trade, that should not be so called only, but really be in truth what it is called; composed of a wise, public-spirited, active, and noble president, a select number of assessors, sober, industrious, and dexterous men, and of consummate ex- perience in rebus agendis ; who should be armed with com- petent force at sea, to protect the greater commerce and general trade ; if not independent of the Admiralty, not without an almost co-ordinate authority, as far as concerns the protection of trade ; and to be maintained chiefly by those who, as they adventure most, receive the greatest benefit. To these should likewise be committed the care of the A A 2 356 COBKESPO5TDENCE OF 1696. manufactures of the kingdom, with, stock for employment of the poor : by which might be moderated that unreason- able statute for their relief (as now in force) occasion- ing more idle persons, who charge the public without all remedy, than otherwise there would be ; insufferably bur- dening the parishes, by being made to earn their bread honestly, who now eat it in idleness and take it out of the mouths of the truly indigent, much inferior in number, and worthy objects of charity. It is by such a council that the swarms of private traders, who, though not appearing in mighty torrents and streams, yet like a confluence of silent, almost indiscernible, but innumerable rivulets, do evidently drain and exhaust the greater Tiydrophylacia and magazines, nay, the very vital blood of trade, where there is no follower to supply those many issues, without which the constitution of the body politic, like the natural, needs must fail for want of nourish- ment and recruits but whom this article affects I have spoken in my discourse of money. 'Tis likewise to this assembly, that all proposals of new inventions (pretended for the public benefit) should first be brought and examined, encouraged, or rejected without reproach as projectures, or turning the unsuccessful pro- poser to ridicule, by a barbarity without example, nowhere countenanced but in this nation. Another no less exhauster and waster of the public trea- sure, is the progress and increase of buildings about this already monstrous city, Avherein one year with another are erected about eight hundred houses, as I am credibly in- formed : which carries away such prodigious sums of our best and weightiest money, by the Norway trade for deal- timber only, but exports nothing hence of moment to balance it, besides sand and gravel to balance their empty ships ; whilst, doubtless, those other more necessary com- modities (were it well encouraged) might in a short time be brought us in great measure, and much preferable as to their goodness, from our own plantations, which now we fetch from others, for our naval stores. Truly, my lord, I cannot but wonder, and even stand amazed, that parliaments should have sat from time to time, so many hundred years, and value their constitution 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 357 to that degree as the most sovereign remedy for the redress of public grievances, whilst the greatest still remain un- reformed and untaken away. Witness the confused, de- bauched, and riotous manner of electing members qualified to become the representatives of a nation, with legislative power to dispose of the fate of kingdoms ; which should and would be composed of worthy persons, of known in- tegrity and ability in their respective countries, who still would serve them generously, and as their ancestors have done, but are not able to fling away a son or daughter's portion to bribe the votes of a multitude, more resembling a pagan bacchanalia, than an assembly of Christians and sober men met upon the most solemn occasion that can concern a people, or stand in competition with some rich scrivener, brewer, banker, or one in some gainful office, whose face or name, perhaps, they never saw or knew before. How, my lord, must this sound abroad ! With what dis- honour and shame at home ! To this, add the disproportion of the boroughs capable of electing members, by which the major part of the whole kingdom are frequently out-voted, be the cause never so unjust, if it concern a party interest. Will ever those swarms of locusts, lawyers and attornies, who fill so many seats, vote for a public Register, by which men may be secured of their titles and possessions, and an infinity of suits and frauds prevented ? Immoderate fees, tedious and ruinous delays, and tossings from court to court, before an easy cause, which might be determined by honest gentlemen and understanding neighbours, can come to any final issue, may be numbered amongst the most vexatious oppressions that call aloud for redress. The want of bodies (slaves) for public and laborious works, to which many sorts of animals might be usefully condemned, and some reformed instead of sending them to the gallows, deserves to be considered. These and the like are the great desiderata (as well as the reformation of the coin), which are plainly wanting to the consummate felicity of this nation ; and divers of them of absolute necessity to its recovery from the atrophy and consumption it labours under. 358 COHBESPONDENCE OE 1696, The king himself should, my lord, be acquainted with these particulars, and of the great importance of them, by such as from their wisdom and integrity, deserve the nearest access, and would purchase him the hearts of a free and emancipated people, and a blessing on the government; were he pleased incessantly to recommend them to those, who, from time to time, are called together for these ends, and healing of the nation. And now your Excellency will doubtless smile at this politic excursion, and perhaps of the liscoctum of the rest ; whilst the years to which I am, by God's great goodness, arrived, your lordship's commands in a former letter to me, some conversation with men and the world, as well as books, in so large a tract and variety of events and wonders as this period has brought forth, might justify one, among such crowds of pretenders to ragioni di state, some of which I daily meet to come abroad with the shell still on their heads, Avho talk as confidently of these matters as if they were councillors of state and first ministers, with their sapient and expecting looks, and whom none must con- tradict ; and no doubt but (as Job said) " they are the people, and wisdom is to die with them." To such I have 110 more to say ; whilst I appeal to your lordship, whose real and consummate experience, great prudence and dexterity in rebus agendis without noise, were enough to silence a thousand such as I am. I therefore implore your pardon again, for what I may have written weakly or rashly. In sueh a tempest and overgrown a sea, everybody is con- cerned ; and whose head is not ready to turn ? I am sure I should myself almost despair of the vessel, if any save your lordship were at the helm. But whilst your hand is on the staff, and your eye upon the star, I compose myself and rest secure. 1696. JOHX EVELYN. 359 Dr. John Williams 1 to John Evelyn. Canterbury, 19th June, 1696. SlB, I esteem it as a particular mark of your friendship that you are pleased to acquaint me with the report, which I perceive by yours, is abroad, concerning my writing the Life of the Honourable Mr. Boyle, a report that there is no ground but what there is some occasion for, through the mistake of what I said concerning the publishing anew those of his works which had heretofore been printed : the short story of which is this. About a month since I re- ceived a letter from Dr. Charlet, Master of University Col- lege, Oxford, in which he told me that some of the works of Mr. Boyle having grown scarce, it had been advised that it would be of good use and be very acceptable to the learned, if there were a collection of all his works set forth together in folio, and that it was desired I would consider of it, and consult with the trustees or others how it might be best accomplished. Toward the promoting of this I waited on my Lord of Canterbury, and in the next place bad so on you, but that I thought you were out of town. In the mean time I lighted on Sir H. Ashurst in the street, and afterward on waiting on him at his house I told him of it, and withal, that it would be convenient that some in- quiry should be made of what might be found among his papers, fit for the press ; he promised me to advise with the Earl of Burlington about it. While I was there, came in Mr. Warr, and he very readily offered his services about the papers : this was the week before I came out of town, and farther we went not. So that all that could be said of a preface was presumption, and no more thought of it I be- lieve than what in cause might be done by the Oxford gen- tlemen. As for my own part, I was so far from thinking of writing a Life (which I knew to be in the Bishop's hands) that I thought not so much as of a preface. The design is worthy of a better pen ; I have always thought it a way of writing not without great difficulties, for he that will write a Life, if possible, should have had an intimate acquaint- 1 Afterwards Bishop of Chichester. 360 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1696. ance with the person, and should know that of his air, genius, and ways, that can no more be wrote than he him- self can be drawn by description only, and must be, if not intimate enough, yet led into all the particulars which you speak of. Now I had not the honour of anything like this, never having been in the company of that great man but once that I know of, many years since, and which I after- wards blamed myself for having been encouraged by him to make an acquaintance then. I am well pleased that at last it is likely to be done, and to be undertaken by one so well qualified for it as Mr. Wotton, to whom, it being necessary to peruse his papers, he may at the same time promote the Oxford design by a farther collection. When 1 return to town, which will be, Grod willing, about fourteen days hence, I shall wait on you with my acknowledgments for your obliging. letter to, Sir, Your faithful and humble servant, JOHN "WILLIAMS. 1 John Evelyn to Mr. Place.- Surrey Street, 17th Aug., 1696. ME. PLACE, I have seriously considered your letter concerning your resolution of sparing no cost whereby you may bene- fit the public, as well as recompense your own charge and industry, which truly is a generous inclination not so fre- quently met with amongst most booksellers, by inquiring how you might possibly supply what is wanting to our country (now beginning to be somewhat polished in their manner of building, and indeed in the accomplishment of the English language also) by the publication of whatever may be thought conducible to either. In order to this, you have sometime since acquainted me with your intention of reprinting the " Parallel ;" desiring that I would revise it, and consider what improvements may decently be added in relation to the general design. As for the " Parallel," I 1 This letter is addressed " For Mr. Evelyn, at William Draper's, Esq. in Surrey Street, near Norfolk Buildings, in the Strand, London." 2 A. bookseller. 1696. JOHN EVELYN. 361 take it to be so very useful and perfect in its kind, and as far as it pretends to (namely, all that was material in those ten masters upon the orders), that I cannot think of any- thing it further needs to render it more intelligible. As for what I have annexed to it concerning statues, my good friend Mr. Gibbons would be consulted, and for the latter so much as I conceive is necessary I will take care to send you with your interfoliated copy. In the meantime, touch- ing that universal work or cycle, which you would have comprehend and embrace the entire art of building, together with all its accessories for magnificence and use, without obliging you to the pains in gleaning when a whole harvest is before you, or the trouble of calling many to your assist- ance (which would be tedious), I cannot think of a better, more instructive, and judicious an expedient, than by your procuring a good and faithful translation of that excellent piece which has lately been published by Monsieur D'Aviler; were he made to speak English in the proper terms of that- art, by some person conversant in the French, and if need be, adding to him some assistant, such as you would have recommended to me, if my leisure and present circumstances could have complied with my inclinations of promoting so beneficial a design. I should here enumerate the particulars he runs through, in my opinion sufficiently copious, and in as polished and yet as easy and familiar a style as the siibject is capable of: in nothing exceeding the capacity of our ordinary work- men, or unworthy the study and application of the noblest persons who employ them, and to whom a more than ordi- nary and superficial knowledge in architecture is no small accomplishment. I say I should add the contents of his chapters, and the excellent notes he has subjoined, to a better version of Vignole, Mic. Angelo, and the rest of our most celebrated modern architects and their works ; toge- ther with all that is extant of antique, and yet in being, applied to use, and worthy knowing ; if I thought you had not already heard of the book, since it has now been four or five years extant, and since reprinted in Holland, as all the best and most vendible books are, to the great prejiidice of the authors, by their not only printing them without any errata, by which the reader might reform them, or, (as if 362 COEBESPOKDEKCE OF 1696. they had none at all) correcting the faults themselves : which indeed that of the Paris edition (fair as it seems, and is in the elegancy of the character) exceedingly will need, before it be translated, by whomsoever taken in hand. But as the latter and its other beauties exceed the Dutch edition, so do likewise the plates, which are done with that accurateness and care, as may almost commute for the over- sights of the press. I do not say the Holland sculps are ill performed ; but, though they seem to be pretty well copied, they will yet require a strict examination, and then I think they might be made use of, and a competent number of plates (provided not overmuch worn) procured at a far easier rate out of Holland, than by having them perhaps not so well graven here : for 'tis not the talent of every artist, though skilled in heads and figures (of which we have very few), to trace the architect as he ought. But if they could be obtained from Paris, as haply with permission they might, it were much to be preferred. I forget to tell you, that there is a most accurate, learned, and critical dic- tionary by the same author, explaining (in a second part) not only the terms of architecture, but of all those other arts that wait upon, and are subservient to her, which is very curious. And now, if what I have said in recommending this work for the full accomplishment of your laudable design (and which, in truth, I think were abundantly sufficient) induce you to proceed in it ; and that you would, with it, present the public with a much more elegant letter than I believe England has ever seen among all our printers ; perhaps it were worth your while to render it one of the first produc- tions of that noble press which my worthy and most learned friend, Dr. Bentley, (his Majesty's library keeper at St. James's) is, with great charge and industry, erecting now at Cambridge. There is another piece of mechanics, and some other very rare and useful arts agreeable to this of architecture, and incomparably curious, which, if translated and joined to the rest, would (without contradiction) render it a most desi- rable and perfect work. If, when you. pass this way, you will visit a lame man (who is obliged to stay within at pre- sent), I shall endeavour to satisfy you in anything I may 1G9G. JOHN EVELYJST. 363 have omitted here, but the teazing you and myself with a tedious scribble (upon your late importunity before my leaving this town) which you may wish I had omitted. John Evelyn to William Wotton. Wotton, 28th October, 1696. "WOETHT SlB, I should exceedingly mistake the person, and my own discernment, could I believe Mr. Wotton stood in the least need of my assistance ; but such an expression of yours to one who so well knows his own imperfections as I do mine, ought to be taken for a reproach : since I am sure it cannot proceed from your judgment. But forgiving this fault, I most heartily thank you for your animadversion on Sylva : which, though I frequently find it so written for uXs/a and uXjj, wood, timber, wild and forest trees, yet, indeed I think it more properly belongs to a promiscuous casting of several things together, and as I think my Lord Bacon has used it in his Natural History, without much re- gard to method. Deleatur therefore, wherever you meet it. Concerning the gardening and husbandry of the ancients, which is the inquiry (especially of the first), that it had certainly nothing approaching the elegancy of the present age, Kapinus (whom I send you) will abundantly satisfy you. The discourse you will find at the end of Hortorum, lib. 4. capp. 6, 7. What they call their gardens were only spa- cious plots of ground planted with plants and other shady trees in walks, and built about with porticos, xysti, 1 and noble ranges of pillars, adorned with statues, fountains, pis- carise, aviaries, &c. But for the flowery parterre, beds of tulips, carnations, auricula, tuberose, jonquills, ranunculas, and other of our rare coronaries, we hear nothing of ; nor that they had such store and variety of exotics, orangeries, myrtle, and other curious greens ; nor do I believe they had their orchards in such perfection, nor by far our furniture for the kitchen. Pliny indeed enumerates a world of vulgar plants and olitories, but they fall infinitely short of our physic gardens, books, and herbals, every day augmented by 1 A Homan xystus was an open colonnade or portico, or a walk planted with trees. 3G4< CORRESPONDENCE OP 1696 our sedulous botanists, and brought to us from all the quar- ters of the world. And as for their husbandry and more rural skill, of which the same author has written so many books in his Natural History, especially lib. 17, 18. &c., you will soon be judge what it was. They took great care indeed of their vines and olives, stercorations, ingraftings, and were diligent in observing seasons, the course of the stars, &c., and doubtless were very industrious ; but when you shall have read over Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladio, with the Greek Greoponics, I do not think you will have cause to prefer them before the modern agriculture, so exceedingly of late improved, for which you may consult and com- pare our old Tusser, Markham, the Maison Rustic, Hartlib, Walter Blith, the Philosophical Transactions, and other books, which you know better than myself. I have turned down the page, where poor Pulissy 1 begins 1 By " Pulissy" Evelyn no doubt intended the famous old French potter Bernard Palissy, whose writings are now less known, both in his own and other countries, than they ought to be. They do not deserve the neglect into which they have fallen. Their ardent love of nature, their close and exact observation of it, the curious information they afford, not alone on subjects such as interested Evelyn, and others kin- dred with them, but also on the social and religious history of his own stirring time, and, above all, the delightful simplicity which invariably characterises them, make me wish that they wei-e more accessible to afl classes of readers. It will perhaps not be out of place here to intro- duce some notes which appear to have been made by Evelyn about this date, in connection with the subjects referred to in the above letter. They are printed from the MSS. at Wotton. "Sayes-Court. The hithermost Grove I planted, about . . . 1656 The other beyond it 1660 The lower Grove. . . .... 1662 The holly edge, even with the Mount hedge below . 1670 " I planted every hedge and tree not only in the garden, groves, &c., but about all the fields and house since 1653, except those large, old, and hollow elms in the stable court and next the sewer ; for it was, be- fore, all one pasture field to the very garden of the house, which was but small ; from which time also I repaired the ruined house, and built the whole of the kitchen, the chapel, buttery, my study, above and below cellars and all the outhouses and walls, still-house, orangeric, and made the gardens, &c. to my great cost ; and better had I done to have pulled all down at first, but it was done at several times." " Mr. Evelyn was acquainted with the use and value of potatoes, which he calls Irish, tasting like an old bean or roasted chestnut, not 1696-7. JOHN EVELYN. 365 his persisting search. If you can suffer his prolix style, you will now and then light on things not to be despised. "With him I send you a short treatise concerning Metals, of Sir Hugh Platts, \vhich perhaps you have not seen. I am sorry I have no more of those subjects here, having left the rest in my library at Deptford, and know not how to get them hither till I get thither. Sir, I am in no haste for the return of these, if they may be serviceable to you ; but in no little pain for the trouble your civility to mine puts one, who knows so much better how to employ his time, than to mind the impertinence of, Sir, your, &c. John Evelyn to Dr. Richard Bentley. Wotton, 2Qth January, 1696-7. "WORTHY DOCTOB, Tou have under your hands something of Mr. "Wotton, Avhilst he has been so kind as to offer me his help very pleasant till use have accustomed, yet of good nourishment and excellent use for relief of poor, yea and of one's own household where there are many servants in a dear year." " Prince Eupert invented a Turfing-plough, but without any de- scription of its use. " Dredge is barley and oats mixed. Hops cost 20 an acre before any consider- able profit. s. d. Digging 2 10 5000 roots 2 10 1st year, dressing . . . . . 2 10 2d year, ditto 2 10 Poles 10 " Forty loads of dung on an acre, the produce not above 6 an acre. " An acre of Hemp may be worth 8, and after this the land will be proper for barley, wheat, and pease successively. Orchards improve land from 10s. an acre, which is commonly the value of the best sort of tillage, and even of best pasture not above 2 to 4. An. acre planted with cherries has been set at 10, 100 miles from London. About Sandwich and Deal they hedge and fence their corn fields with flax and hemp, but flax chiefly, which they affirm keep out cattle, being bitter ; they sow it about 20 feet deep into the field sow whole fields of ca- nary-seed great grounds of hyssop and thyme in tufts, for seeds only the soil light and sandy, but the hyssop in richer ground." 366 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1G39-7. in looking over the typographical and other faults escaped in the last impression of the Sylva, which I am most ear- nestly called upon to reprint. The copy which I frankly gave about thirty years since to Allestry, is now in the hands of Chiswell and your namesake Mr. Bentley (book- sellers,) who have sold off three impressions, and are now impatient for the fourth : and it having been no unprofit- able copy to them, I had promised some considerable im- provements to it, upon condition of letting Ben Tooke (for whom I have a particular kindness) into a share. This, though with reluctancy, they at last consented to. I will endeavour to render it with advantage ; and have ambition enough to wish, that since it is a folio, and of so popular and useful a subject as has procured it some reputation, it might have the honour to bear the character of Dr. Bentley's new Imprimerie, which, I presume, the proprietors will be as proud of as myself. To the reproach of Place, who made so many difficulties about my book of architecture as you well know, I have however made very considerable ad- ditions to that treatise, as far as concerns my part ; and mean to dedicate it to Sir Christopher AVren, his Majesty's Surveyor and Intendant of his Buildings, as I did the other part to Sir J. Denham his predecessor, but infinitely in- terior to his successor. I confess I am foolishly fond of these and other rustications, which had been my sweet di- versions during the days of destruction and devastation both of woods and buildings, whilst the rebellion lasted so long in this nation ; and the kind receptions my books have found makes me the more willing to give them my last hand : sorry in the meantime for all my other aberrations, in pre- tending to meddle with things beyond my talent et extra oleo : but enough of this. Abraham Hill, F.R.S., to John JZvelyn. London, 26th January, 1696-7. SIR, I have heretofore been under many obligations to you, and am now to acknowledge the addition you have made by the present of your excellent book ; in a particular 1697. JOHX EYELTJs*. 307 manner I must regard that mark of your affection, in giving my name a place among those who so far transcend my merit. I can no better -way make any pretence to that honour than by my application to the study of your book ; and then my knowledge in medals, and my gratitude for your instructions, will advance together. I am with all res- pect, Sir, your most humble and most obedient servant, ABEAHAM HILL. Abraham Sill, F.R.S., to Jolin Evelyn. London, 26th February, 1696-7. SlE, I received as a particular obligation on myself, the favour of yours of the 7th current, and communicated the same to the friends therein named, who will not omit to make you their acknowledgments; Sir Eobert Southwell, doing it by the enclosed which he recommends to my con- veyance, gives me the opportunity of renewing my thanks to you ; and I find myself more and more obliged thereto by every step I make in the perusal of your book, by the help whereof I doubt not but the study of medals will be as happily cultivated, as other parts of useful and elegant knowledge have been by your conduct and instructions. I am with all respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, ABEAHAM HILL. Dr. J. Woodivard to John Evelyn. London, 2otA September, 1697. SlE, Upon the application of Mr. Glanvil and myself to you some time since, in behalf of Mr. Harris for the Boylean Lecture, you was pleased to tell me that you had deposited your note in the hands of my Lord of Canterbury, to be disposed of as he should think fit ; but you com- manded me to give your duty to his Grace, and tell him that you were so well satisfied of Mr. Harris's worth and abilities, that you should be glad, if hia Grace thought 368 COEEESPONDENCE OF 1697. good, that your vote should be conferred on him. I was discoursing with his Grace this day upon the subject (as formerly I had done), and I find his Grace rery well dis- posed to Mr. Harris ; but he says that indeed you did deposit your vote with him for the last turn, but he does not re- member that you did so for this ; so that if you please to write to him, either directly, or enclose it to me at Gresham College, I will take care to deliver it to him, and shall take it as a great favour from you. Mr. Harris is a gentleman very extraordinarily qualified for the performance, has fit materials for the lecture in readiness, and I have great as- surance wOl well answer the founder's intention, to his own credit and your satisfaction. I beg your pardon for the trouble I here give you, and am, Sir, Tour most humble servant, J. WOODWAED. Dr. J. Woodward to John Evelyn. Gresham College, 5th October, 1697. "WOETHY SlE, I return you my very hearty thanks for your obliging letter, and the enclosed to my Lord Archbishop. 'Tis a great favour both to myself and to Mr. Harris, whom I have made acquainted with it, and who will, I am sure, very thankfully acknowledge it, so soon as he comes to town, which will be now very suddenly. "We have little new to entertain you with at Gresham College ; the society hath been adjourned for some time, and there are fewer members in town than I ever observed before. The peace that is so happily going forward, will, I hope, give a new life and spirit to things, and again revive philosophy, which has so long long lain under neglect and discouragement. This summer I have received a very handsome addition to my former col- lection of fossils, botli from several parts of England, and foreign countries ; particularly I have received some variety of shells, bones, and teeth of fishes, that were dug forth of the earth on the continent of America. I had had several relations from thence before, and some things too, but never so many or fair as in thia cargo. These things, and the JJOTHI OB , 1704, IG97. JOHN EVELYN. 369 accounts I have received of them, show America was under water as well as Asia, Africa, and Europe, at the Deluge. Have you seen Mr. Locke's late reply to the Bishop of Worcester ? This gentleman manages controversy very genteely, and my Lord does so too. They must be allowed to be both great men, and 'tis not ordinary to see so very entertaining and handsome an engagement. It is said his Lordship is drawing up an answer to the reply. Mr. Con- greve is, I hear, engaged in a poem on occasion of the peace, and all who are acquainted with the performance of this gentleman expect something very extraordinary. I am, Sir, Tour most obliged humble servant, J. "WOODWAED. John Evelyn to Dr. Bentley. Wotlon, 25th Dec. 1697. WOBTHY DOCTOR, Though I made haste out of town, and had so little time to spend after we parted, I was yet resolved not to neglect the province which I undertook, as far as I had any interest in Sir Edward Seymour, whom I found at his house, and had full scope of discourse with. I told him I came not to petition the revival of an old title, or the unsettlement of an estate, so often of late interrupting our late parliaments, but to fix and settle a public benefit * that would be of great and universal good and glory to the whole nation. This (with your paper) he very kindly and obligingly received, and that he would contribute all the assistance that lay in his power, whenever it should come to the House. To send you notice of this, I thought might be much more acceptable to you than to acquaint you that we are full of company, and already entered into a most dissolute course of eating and indulging, according to the mode of ancient English hospitality ; by which means I shall now and then have opportunity of recommending the noble 1 Evelyn subjoins in a note: "The new library to bo built iu St. James's Park." VOL. III. B B 370 COEBESPONDENCE OF 1697-8. design you are intent upon, and therefore wish I had some more of the printed proposals to disperse. Sir Cyril "Wyche, who accompanied me hither, is altogether transported with it, and thinks the project so discreetly contrived, that it cannot miscarry. Here is Dr. Fuller with his spouse. The Dr. gave us a sermon this morning, in an elegant and trim discourse on the thirty -ninth Psalm, which I find had been prepared for the court, and fitter for that audience than our poor country churches. After this you will not expect much intelligence from hence, though I shall every day long to hear of the progress you' make in this glorious enterprise, to which I augur all success and prosperity, and am, "Worthy Doctor, &c. William Wotton to John Evelyn. Milton, near Newport Paqnell, Bucks, Jan. 2, 1697-8. HOKOTJBED SlE, "When I was in town last month I did myself the honour to call at your lodgings, but was not so happy as to find you at home. I intended to acquaint you what progress I had made in a design which owes its birth wholly to your encouragement. After a positive promise from the execu- tors that I should have the use of Mr. Boyle's papers, my Lord Burlington at last insisted upon my giving a bond that I demanded no gratification. I had voluntarily given a note to the same purpose, which Dr. Bentley sufficiently blamed me for ; but I gave no bond, and so left the town (though I had come up on purpose about this business), doubtful what further I should do. But, since I came home, my Lord Burlington is come over so far that he has delivered up my note, and has ordered all the papers to be delivered to my order, with a promise to me of all manner of assist- ance and encouragement. So that now I intend to dedicate all my spare hours to this business ; and then, Sir, as you have hitherto prevented my desires, so again I fear I must be importunate in troubling you with new doubts and que- ries which, in the progress of the work, will infallibly arise. I am glad to find that we may so soon expect your long- 1697-8. JOHN EVELYN. 371 desired work about medals, from winch I propose no small entertainment to myself, as soon as it appears. I am, honoured Sir, Your most obliged and most humble servant, "W. WOITON. Shall I not wish you and your excellent lady many happy new years ? Nobody, I am sure, does it more cordially. Dr. Thomas Gale 1 to John Evelyn. January IQtk, 1697-8. SlE, Tour bookseller lately brought me your Numis- mata ; I give you many thanks for it, and own myself very much enlightened by it, for I meet in it with a mighty stock of arcana historia, of which you, by your acquaintance with great persons, only was master. Be pleased, dear sir, to accept of this acknowledgment and my profession of all affection possible, and service to yourself and excellent lady. I am, Sir, Your very much obliged friend, THOMAS GALE. The Czar desireth to see some good honest country English gentleman : I hope you will come to town. 2 William Wotton to John Evelyn. Milton; Sucks, Jan. 20, 1697-8. HOKOUBED SIB, Duty and gratitude requiring me to give you a second interruption in a short time, I think I ought to make no apology. Not long since I did myself the honour to acquaint you with the success of my affair about Mr. Boyle's life. I knew you would be pleased to hear that I had weathered that difficulty, since you had been my first 1 Dean of York. 2 See Diary (Introduction) vol. i., p. xxiv., and vol. ii., p. 362. B B 2 872 COBBESPOKDEXCE OF 1697-8. . . . . to that work. I had just got a bos of papers, and was going to digest matters for the forge, when I was agreeably stopped by your admirable Numismata, which the last return of the carrier brought me. I needed no spur to read it ; the author, the subject, added wings to my diligence. Dr. Bentley had raised my thirst by the essay he had given me before in conversation. Tet these three incitements, and I know not three more powerful, all gave place to a fourth, which was the book itself. I was so truly charmed, so pleasingly taught through the whole work, that the grief of being so soon at an end, wrought as violently at last as the joy I felt as I Avent along. The printer, indeed, raised my indignation ; I was angry with him, and troubled to see my pen so often disfigure so elegant a book. However, I took care to have no remotas for the future, when upon a second and third reading (which yet will scarce suffice) I hope everything shall be riveted in my head, which a first reading in so vast a copia could not carry along with it. My head is so very full of what I have learned and am to learn by your instructions, that I had almost forgotten to thank you for your honour- able mention of my poor performances in so standing a work. This was more than I ought to have promised my- self. The field I chose was vast and uncultivated ; nobler and learneder .... will hereafter arise who will till it to more advantage, and reap a richer harvest. I proposed but to outdo Grlanvill, and to set Monsieur Perrault and Sir William Temple right, which now, Sir, I ought for your sake to believe I have performed. I am pleased likewise with your quoting of me, even when in all probability you knew nothing of the matter. My first essay at loading the world with my scribbles, was in the Philos. Trans, (a place since fatal to me for a reason you are not ignorant of), and it was in re metalllca. My most honoured friend the late Sir Philip Skippon, who had a noble cabinet of medals, which he thoroughly understood, sent me [an account of some Saxon coins found in Suifolk, which I printed with some remarks of my own in the Transactions, No. 187, with the initial letters of both our names. The new editors of Camden took no notice of these coins, though I gave them warning, and though there are some 1697-8. JOHN EYELTN. 373 there which are not in their collection. You have been pleased to refer to them, for which, Sir, I am bound to express my thanks. But this is not all. I have been censured heavily for blaming Sir ~W. T.'s " Delphos," and substituting " Delphi " in its place. Tour authority will now (if I am publicly a . . . .) decide the controversy. I am opposed with an authority of a medal in !\ Har- doiiin's Num'i TJrbium, with this inscription, AEAI>OT, the genitive, say they, of Delphos, the nominative of the name of the city. I use to reply that it was the geni- tive of Delphus, Apollo's son, mentioned by several of the ancients ; which explication you confirm, p. 189, where you inform these cavillers that E/'/cwj. 1 or No/jw* EVELYK. 379 by analytics, and so much, of algebra as teaches to draw consequences and detect parallogisms and fallacies, which were the true use of logic, and which you give hopes our universities are now designing. To this I would add the improvement of the more ornate and graceful manner of speaking upon occasion. The fruit of such an education would not only grace and furnish the bar with excellent lawyers, but the nation with able persons fit for any honour- able employment, to serve and speak in Parliaments and in councils ; give us good magistrates and justices for refer- ence at home in the country; able ambassadors and orators abroad ; in a word, qualified patriots and pillars of state, in which this age does not, I fear, abound. In the meantime what preference may be given to our constitutions I dare not determine ; but as I believe ethics and the civil law were the natural mother of all good laws, so I have been told that the best lawyers of England were heretofore wont to mix their studies together with them, but which are at present so rarely cultivated, that those who pass forsooth for great sages and oracles therein are not only shamefully defective, but even in the feudal and our own. You are speaking, Sir, of records, but who are they among this multitude even of the coif, who either study or vouchsafe to defile their fingers with any dust, save what is yellow ? or know anything of records save what, upon occasion, they lap out of Sir Edward Coke's basin, and some few others ? The thirst of gain takes up their whole man : like our English painters, who, greedy of getting present money for their work, seldom arrive at any farther excellency in the art than face-painting, and have no skill in perspective, symmetry, the principles of design, or dare undertake to paint history. Upon all these considerations, then, I cannot but presage the great advantage your excellent book, and such an his- tory, may produce, when our young gentlemen shall ripen their studies by those excellent methods. At Last there will not likely appear such swarms and regions of obstre- perous lawyers as yearly emerge out of our London semi- naries, omnium doctorum indoctissimum genus (for the most part) as Erasmus truly styles them. Concerning the Paper Office, I wish those instruments 380 CORRESPONDENCE OF 1699. and state arcana tad been as faithfully and constantly transmitted to that useful magazine as they ought ; but though Sir Joseph "Williamson took pains to reduce things into some order, so miserably had they been neglected and rifled during the Rebellion, that, at the Restoration of Charles II., such were the defects, that they were as far to seek for precedents, authentic and original treaties, negotiations, and other transactions formerly made with foreign states and princes, despatches and instructions to ambassadors, as if there had never before been any corre- spondence abroad. How that office stands at present I know not ; but this I do know, that the abundance of those despatches and papers you mention, and which ought to centre there, have been carried away both by the secre- taries of state themselves (when either dismissed or dying, end by ambassadors and other ministers when recalled) into the country, and left to their heirs as honourable marks of their ancestors' employments. Of this sort I had formerly clivers considerable bundles concerning transactions of state d tiring the ministry of the great Earl of Leicester, all the reign of Queen Elizabeth, containing divers original letters from the Queen herself, from Mary Queen of Scots, Charles IX. and Henry IV. of Prance, Maximilian the second Emperor, Duke of Norfolk, James Stewart, Regent of Scotland, Marquis of Montrose, Sir William Throck- morton, Randolfe, Sir Francis Walsingham (whom you mention), Secretary Cecil, Mr. Barnaby, Sir J. Hawkins, Drake, Fenton, Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canter- bury, Edwin, Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Hooper, &c. From abroad Trenielius and other Protestant Divines ; Parquiou, Spinola, Ubaldino, and other commanders, with divers Italian princes. And of ladies the Lady Mary Grey, Cecilia, Princess of Sweden, Ann, Countess of Oldenburgh, the Duchess of Somerset, and a world more. But what most of all, and still afflicts me, those letters and papers of the Queen of Scots, originals and written with her own hand to Queen Elizabeth, and Earl of Leicester, before and during her imprisonment, which I furnished to Dr. Burnet (now Bishop of Salisbury), some of which being printed in his " History of the Re- formation," those, and others with them, are pretended to 1699. JOH:N~ EVELYN. 381 have been lost at the press, which has been a quarrel between me and his lordship, who lays the fault on Chis- \vell, 1 but so as between them I have lost the originals, which had now been safe records as you will find in that history. The rest I have named I lent to his countryman, the late Duke of Lauderdale, who honouring me with his presence~iBrffie"country , "and after dinner discoursing of a Maitland (ancestor of his) of whom I had several letters impaqueted with many others, desired I would trust him with them for a few days : it is now more than a few years past, that, being put off from time to time, till the death of his Grace, when his library was selling, my letters and papers could no where be found or recovered ; so as by this treachery my collection being broken, I bestowed the re- mainder on a worthy and curious friend 2 of mine, who is not likely to trust a S with any thing he values. But, Sir, I quite tire you with a rhapsody of imperti- nencies, beg your pardon, and remain, &c. Among the errata of the JSumismata, but of which 1 immediately gave an account in the Philosophical Trans- actions, the following were thus to have been read : p. 22. 1. n. 22 mixted as well as obrized 3 sort, in the margin ; for such a metal is mentioned by Aldus (of Valentinian) with CONOB : which he reads, Constantinopoli Obrizatum, belong- ing, he says, to Count Landus : vide Aldus Manut. Notar : Exp'ta, p. 802. Venet, cio.io.xci. and p. 51. 1. q. r. JEti- minius : Spanheim indeed is suspicious of this medal, but I. was unwilling to degrade our metropolis of the honour. P. 202, in margin, r. Regulbium (with innumerable more). SIB, I know not whether Sir Jo. Hoskins, Sir R. South- well, Mr. Waller, and Dr. Harwood (who is concerned in what I have said of Tattle Douce), and the rest (on whom I have obtruded books), would have the patience of Mr. Hill, to read my letter, when you meet at the learned Coffee- Club, after they are gone from Gresham. 1 Bishop Burnet's printer or publisher. 2 Qu. Mr. Pepys ? 3 " Obryzum signifies gold of the most exalted purity." J. E. 382 SOIL'S EVELYN. 1700-1. The Reverend Joshua Walker to John Evelyn. Great Billing, near Northampton, 1th Fab. 1700-1. HONOURED SIE, I give you many thanks for your kind letter. Tour acceptance of those few papers I sent you has en- couraged me to send more. I desired a neighbour of mine who has had great experience in setting willows, to give me an account of his way of setting them, and also of his way of planting and fencing quickset-hedges. I have here sent you his papers ; here is also a. table, a great part of which I heretofore collected for my own use ; if I had had more books of planting, I might have added more to it. I think it would be a considerable benefit to the in- habitants of champaign countries in England, where timber, fuel, fruit, and shelter are much wanting, if a statute were made, giving leave that any one who has land worth five pounds, and in common fields, may, if he please, inclose part of it not exceeding one rood ; and he that has four cows'- gates upon any. common, may likewise inclose not exceeding one rood, or what quantity the parliament shall think fit ; and so proportionably for more, provided he plant those enclosed parts all over with wood, and likewise giving leave to enclose some proportions for the planting of fruit-trees, as you suggest in your Pomona, p. 358. Probably more trees would be planted without any damage to any one, if commoners had leave by statute to plant trees upon the waste for their own use as well as Lords of Manors, a due proportion being allotted to each of them. I think you would do a very good work if you would be pleased to use your interest to procure such a statute. Many Members of Parliament would sooner hearken to you than to any other person in matters of this nature, being sensible how much good you have done to this nation. That it would please Almighty God to bless you with long life and happiness, and reward you for the great pains you have taken for the benefit of your country, is the prayer of, Sir, Your most obliged humble servant, JOSHUA WALKEH. 1701. JOHH EVELYX. 383 Archdeacon Nicholson to John March 25//z, 1701. HONOURED SlB, It has long been my custom to clear accounts (as far as I am able) with all my creditors, on the first day of every new year. Where I am non-solvent I make an honest acknowledgement, and that is my case with you. Give me leave therefore to make this return of my humble thanks for the kind letter I had from you last week ; and to let you know that (since you are pleased to invite me to it) I am very ready to run farther on the score with you. Tour MS. life of S. Cuthbert is, I perceive, the legend written by E. Hegge, who was fellow of Corpus Christi where that treatise was deposited. There is indeed a very faulty copy of it printed, and I have often endeavoured to procure a transcript from the author's original, but in vain. Tou generously offer this, and my brother will wait on you for it, and con- vey it to me. If I live to publish my history of the Saxon Northumberland, I shall pay a grateful respect to my bene- factor. I am troubled to hear of Mr. Pepys's indisposition. I heartily wish his recovery and the continuance of his re- stored health, "When I was servant to Mr. Secretary "Wil- liamson (above twenty years ago), I often waited upon him at his house at "Westminster ; but I was then, as I still am, too inconsiderable to be remembered by him. Besides an account of the author (if known) of his MS. life of Mary Queen of Scots, I very much desire to know whether there be any very valuable matters, relating to the history of Scot- land, amongst Sir E. Maitland's collections of Scotch Poems. I observe that in the same volume with Balfour's Pratiques (or reports as we call them), he has a manuscript of the old Sea-Law of Scotland. I would beg to be informed whether this last treatise be not the same with the Leges Portuum ; which, though quoted by Sir John Skene under that Latin title, is written in the Scotch language, and is only a list of the customs of goods imported and exported. If I may (through your kind intercession) have the favour of tran- 384 COEBESPCXNTJENCE OF 1701. scribing anything for my purpose out of his library, I have a young kinsman, (a clerk to Mr. Musgrave at the tower), who will wait on him to that purpose. Suffer me now, Sir, to own another obligation to you (wherein I am a sharer with the public) for your Acetaria, which, with submission, I think you have miscalled an ap- pendix to your Calendarium. You give it the precedence, and very justly, in your royal plan ; the several chapters whereof I shall much long to see published, for though an ingenious countryman of mine, Mr. Baker, seems dissatisfied with Mr. Wotton's making agriculture and gardening parts of liberal knowledge, I am as much an admirer of all the branches of natural as civil history, and the former has as many of my spare hours in the summer, as the latter has in the winter. There is one passage (page 65) wherein I think myself nearly concerned to request your farther information. The French Acetosella, with the round leaf, grows (you say) plentifully in the north of England. You distinguish this from the Roman Oxalis, wherewith Dr. Morison had made our Acetosa Eboracensis (as he calls it) to be nearly of a kind. But Mr. Ray has rightly observed that ours is not Casp. Banhinus's Rotundifolia Hortensis (which is the same with the Roman Oxalis), but his Scutata repens. Besides this I know of no kind of sorrel that is so peculiar to the northern parts of this kingdom as your expression seems to intimate, nor can this, which is no trefoil, be reckoned among any of the Acetosella. You will pardon this impertinence in, Sir, Your obliged humble servant, WILL. NICOLSOIT. Archdeacon Nicolson to John Evelyn. SallceM, Qth May, 1701. HONOTJBED SIB, About ten days ago I received your two MSS., for which I now return my most humble thanks. The legend of St. Cuthbert comes very opportunely, and (as I expected) differs considerably in the account it gives of the Council at Twyford, wherein he was chosen Bishop, from what the print had said of it. This being one of the matters wherein I am 1701-2. JOHN ETELYN. 385 scoundreled by the late reply of Dr. Wake, here's a season- able assistance given me in the defence I shall be obliged to make of my insipid notes on Northumberland ; and 'twill likewise afford me an opportunity of making a just acknow- ledgment for the benefaction. I hardly expected that the third part of my historical library would have been treated by any man with so much contempt, after it had been so for- tunate as to be approved by yourself and some others of the most competent judges of the kingdom. It is a duty I owe to your kind characters of it, as well as a piece of justice to my own innocence and integrity, to wipe off as much of this gentleman's dust as I can ; and when I have done that, I hope it will sufficiently appear that he has much more to answer for than I have. Begging your pardon for this im- pertinence, I am, dear Sir, Tour most obliged humble servant, WILLIAM NICOLSON. William Wotton to John Evelyn Jan. 22, 1701-2. HONOTTBED SlE, The kind notice you have been pleased to take of my poor performances gives me a satisfaction which few things in the world could have equalled. Few authors, I believe, are so entirely disengaged from the world, as to be proof against applause even from common readers ; but the approbation of great masters is the highest reward any writer ought to look for. I am sure my time has not been misspent, since Mr. Evelyn has passed so favourable a judgment upon what I have been doing. It encourages me also to go on with Mr. Boyle's Life, for which I have been so long in- debted to the public. I have now all the materials I am to expect, and intend with all convenient speed to digest them into such an order as may make them at hand when I shall use them. His works have been epitomated by Mr. Bolton after a sort, I am at a loss whether I shall interweave a kind of a system of his philosophy into the Life as I at first designed, or only relate matters of fact. In that matter I shall be VOL. in. c c 386 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1702, guided by my friends : especially your judgment I shall long for, if you will do me the honour to give it me ; and then I am sure to make no mistake. The work, I am sure, will please me ; if I fall not short of my subject I shall be glad. I am extremely sorry that the greediness of some people hath driven you to cut any part of those charming groves that made Wotton so delicious a seat. "What, are those woods behind the house towards Leith-Hill cut down ! If they are, the greatest ornament of the finest county in Eng- land is gone. But I hope better ; and do not know, if God spares my life, but I may wait upon you this summer at Wotton, and then I shall inform myself. That God Almighty may long preserve you to your family, and continue to make young Mr. Evelyn what he promises, and you desire, is the hearty prayer of, Honoured Sir, Tour most obliged and most faithful servant, W. WOTTON. I beg leave to present my humblest service to your lady. I have the same intelligence concerning Mr. Hare that you have. Rev. Richard Richardson (of Lamport, Northamptonshire) to John Evelyn. Brixworth, June 2, 1702. HONOURED SIR, I shall not make a preface of excuse to you, a member of our noble and communicative profession of planters and florists, or rather the head or father as I call you, in my " De Cultu Hort. Carm." " Evelinumque patrem Hortic." in which I pretend Le Sieur Quintinye, Monsieur Barpoae, follow your steps especially our countryman Mr. Eea. I must confess it was but a pretence ; for I was mainly intent upon the digressive part after the example of Columella and our master Virgil, whom I suppose nobody consults in the science, but rather Cato, Varro, Columella in prose, &c. Sir, I am importuned by some friends, florists, in my secon d edition intended, to make good the title, and indeed, I have 1702. JOHN EVELYN. 887 made some additions, but yet I have run out most upon the digressive. I have no other way to give them satisfaction but by prefixing, with your good leave, your Calend. Hort. which I have put into Latin : that is, the body of the work. I have omitted the preface chiefly because I durst not ven- ture upon Cowley's Pindaric ; and the Green-House at the end, because it is but an essay, and little useful to the southern virtuosi ; the cuts also would be chargeable. I have also omitted the references to your other books, because they are English. For what concerns Bees, being a matter somewhat heterogeneous, I send the reader to Butler's his- tory, by me long since translated into Latin, Sir, if you desire the whole, or any part, I will send it to you, and beg, if you have any, some further improvements. If you please to honour me with an answer, you may direct it to me, Sector of Lamport, Northampton. I am, Sir, Tour most humble and obedient servant, BICHA.BD EICHAEDSON. William Wotton to John Evelyn. Jan. 23, 1702-3. HONOURED SIB, "When I see two letters of yours before me, and both unanswered, it fills me with confusion. I ought not to be so insensible of the honour you do me by your cor- respondence, an honour which I shall never be able suffi- ciently to acknowledge ; though I confess it is with the extremest pleasure that I think I shall ere long tell the world, that I have had the happiness to be known to so great an ornament of our age and nation as Mr. Evelyn. Tour last papers have cleared some doubts which I was in concerning Mr. Boyle's family, and some still remain. I want to know whether Sir Geoffrey Penton was not Secre- tary of State ; I think he was. Sir William Petty's will I have got a copy of. I have many other things to ask you, of which you will in a short time have a list. Tou encou- rage me, Sir, to come to you ; I will labour that you aha'n't repent. c c 2 388 CORBESPOyDEffCE OF 1703. I received last post two letters out of Surrey, one from Dr. Duncombe, of Shere, the other from Mr. Randyll, of Chilworth, in behalf of one Mr. Bannister, Vicar of Won- ersh, a small vicarage just by Albury. It seems one Steer, of Newdegate, has left an exhibition for a poor scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. Now Mr. Bannister has with great difficulty bred up a son whom he designs for the Uni- versity, and hopes he shall procure this exhibition. But that will be a slender support. I am solicited therefore to desire Dr. Bentley to look favourably upon him if he shall deserve it. There are very many ways by which a master of such a house may assist a promising lad, whose fortune is narrow. I intend to send a letter to the master by the lad when he goes up, and I take the boldness to say all this to you, because I have reason to think it will be esteemed by Mr. Randyll and Dr. Duncombe (whose family are pa- trons of that vicarage) as an exceeding great obligation, if you will vouchsafe to interpose with our friend in this lad's behalf. Many a boy who struggles at his first entry into the world, proves afterwards a very considerable man. Dr. Duncombe says the child is qualified to go to Cambridge. My wife desires to have her most humble service presented to Mrs. Evelyn. I am, Honoured Sir, Tour most obedient and faithful servant, W. WOTTOK. 1 William Wotton to John Evelyn. Milton, Aug. 13, 1703. HONOTJBED SlB, It is now so long time since I first mentioned to you my design of giving some account to the world of the life and writings of Mr. Boyle, that I question not but you have long since looked upon it as a vain brag of an imper- tinent fellow, who, when he had once appeared in public, thought he might be always trespassing upon their patience. The discouragements I met with since I undertook it were so many, that I have often wished that I had let it alone, or 1 This letter is superscribed : " For John Evelyn, Esq., at hia house in Dover Street, near St. James's Street, Westminster." 1703. JOHN EYELYK. 389 never thought of it. And I was ordered to pursue another scent by the Bishop of Salisbury, which it pleased G-od to make unsuccessful. However, my design has long beeii resumed, and every day I do something to it. Next spring I hope to wait upon you in Dover Street, and show you what I have done. I am sensible I am a slow and a lazy writer, and since the public can well spare me and what I shall ever do, it is no great harm if I am dilatory. But since you, Sir, were the first seyodtuxrqs to me in this affair, and were pleased so far to natter me, as to make me hopfe the world would (upon Mr. Boyle's account) pardon what I should say, I must take the freedom to be yet farther trou- blesome to you. By your letter of March 29, 1696, I am encouraged to trouble you, and for that letter I again must thank you, since, notwithstanding the notices which Mr. Boyle's own papers and the Bishop of Sarum's hints have given me, I found your informations so useful, that without them my work would be very lame. I beg therefore of you farther, 1. An account of Mr. Hartlib : what countryman ? what his employment ? in short, a short eulogy of him, and his writings and designs, with an account of the time of his death. 2. The like of the beginnings of Sir William Petty. Those two were very great with Mr. Boyle before the Re- storation. 3. Do you know anything of one Clodius 1 a chemist ? "Was he (or who was) Mr. Boyle's first master in that art ? 4. "What was the affinity between your lady's family and Mr. Boyle ? What son of that family was it that lies buried in Deptford church ? and particularly all you can gather of the old Earl of Cork's original. Was Sir Geoffrey Fenton Secretary of State in Ireland ; if not, what was his employment ? Did not he translate Guicciardini into En- glish ? 5. In what year began your acquaintance with Mr. Boyle? I find letters of yours to him in 1657. Have you any let- ters of his ; and would you spare me the use of them ? they should be returned to you with thousands of thanks. I think, Sir, you will look upon these as queriea enough 1 Claudius. 390 COEBESPONDE^CE OP 1703. for one time. It is in your power to make my work perfect and the obligations I shall have thereby, though they can't well add to those you have conferred already, yet they will give me a new title to subscribe myself, Honoured Sir, Tour most obedient and most obliged servant, W. WOTTON. My wife and I desire our services to be most humbly offered to Madame Evelyn. Pray was Sir Maurice Fenton 1 (whose widow Sir W. Petty married) a descendant of Sir Geoffrey's? or what else do you know of him ? In one of your letters to Mr. Boyle you mention a Chy- mico-Mathematico-Mechanical School designed by Dr. Wilkins : what farther do you know about it ? John Evelyn to William Wotton? Wotton, 12th September, 1703. WOBTHY SlE, I had long ere this given you an account of yours of the 13th past (which yet came not to me till the 20th) if a copy of the inscription you mention, and which I had long since among my papers, could have been found, upon diligent search ; but lost I believe it (with other loose notes) upon my remove hither, cum pannis. To supply which, it is now above ten days past that I sent to Dr. Stanhope (Vicar of Deptford) to send me a fresh transcript : but hearing nothing from him hitherto, I believe my letter might not have come to his hands ; and now a servant of mine (who looks after my little concerns in that place) tells me the Doctor is at Tunbridge, drinking the waters ; and perhaps my letter may lie dormant at his house, expecting his return upon this accident and interruption, unwilling you should remain any longer in suspense, or think me negligent or 1 A question partly founded on a mistake of names, Evelyn noting in the margin, " Felton it should be." 2 This letter is endorsed by Evelyn himself : " Copy to Mr. WOTTON, in answer to one of his in order to the History of the life of Mr. BOTLB, Ac., wliich I first put him upon." J703, sony EVELYN. 391 indifferent in promoting so desirable a work, I send you this in the meantime. To the first of your queries, Mr. Hartlib was, I think, a Lithuanian, who coming for refuge hither to avoid the persecution in hia country, with much industry recom- mended himself to many charitable persons, and among the rest to Mr. Boyle, by communicating to them many secrets in chemistry, and improvements of agriculture, and other useful novelties by his general correspondence abroad ; of which he has published several treatises. Besides this, he was not unlearned ; zealous and religious ; with so much latitude as easily recommended him to the godly party then governing, among whom (as well as Mr. Boyle and many others, who used to pity and cherish strangers) he found no small subsistence during his exile. I had very many letters from him, and often relieved him. Claudius, whom you next inquire after, was his son-in-law, a professed adeptus, who by the same methodv.s mendicandi and pretence of extraordinary arcana, insinuated himself into acquaintance of his father-in-law : but when or where either of them died (though I think poor Hartlib's was of the stone), or what became of them I cannot tell : no more than I can who initiated Mr. Boyle among the Spagyrists, before I had the honour to know him ; though I conjecture it was whilst he resided at Oxford after his return from travel, where there was then a famous assemblage of virtuosi : Drs. Bathurst of Trinity, Dickinson of Merton, "Wren, now Sir Christopher, Scarburgh, 1 Seth Ward (afterwards Bishop of Sarum), and especially Dr. Wilkins (since Bishop of Chester), the head of Wadham College, where these and other ingenious persons used to meet to promote the study of the new philosophy, which has since obtained. It was in that college where I think there was an elaboratory, and other instruments, mathematical, mechanical, &c., which perhaps might be that you speak of as a school ; and so lasted till the revolution following, when, everybody seeking preferment, this society was dispersed. This, Sir, is the best account I can at present render you, having since lost so many of my worthy friends, who might possibly have informed me better. ' This is the same " Dr. Scarborough" and " Sir Charles" mentioned in Diary, vol. i. p. 296, and vol. ii. p. 50. 392 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1703. As to the date of my first acquaintance with this honour- able gentleman, it sprung from a courteous visit he made me at my house in Deptford, which as I constantly repaid, so it grew reciprocal and familiar; divers letters passing between us at first in civilities and the style peculiar to him upon the least sense of obligation ; but these compli- ments lasted no longer than till we became perfectly ac- quainted, and had discovered our inclination of cultivating the same studies and designs, especially in the search of natural and useful things : myself then intent on collec- tions of notes in order to an History of Trades and other mechanical furniture, which he earnestly encouraged me to proceed with :- so that our intercourse of letter was now only upon that account, and were rather so many receipts and processes, tban letters. What I gathered of this nature (and especially for the improvement of planting and gardening), my Sylva and what else I published on that subject being but part of that work (a plan whereof is men- tioned in my late Acetaria), would astonish you, did you see the bundles and packets amongst other things in my chartaphylacia here, promiscuously ranged among multi- tudes of papers, letters, and other matters, divinity, political papers, poetry, &c., some as old as the reign of Henry VIII. (my wife's ancestors having been treasurers of the Navy to the reign of Queen Elizabeth), and exceedingly increased by my late father-in-law Sir Richard Browne's grandfather, who had the first employment under the great Earl of Leicester, Governor of the Low Countries in the same Queen's reign ; and by Sir Eichard Browne's despatches during his 19 tears' residence in the Court of France, whither he was sent by Charles the First and continued by his successor. But to return from this digression. This design and apparatus on several other subjects and ex- travagances growing beyond my forces, was left imperfect upon the restoration of the banished King, when every- body expected a new world, and had other thiugs in view than what the melancholy days of his eclipse suggested to pass away anxious thoughts, by those innocent employments I have mentioned. So as this Eevolution, and my father- in-law's attendance at Court (being eldest Clerk of the Council) obliging me to be almost perpetually in London, 1703 JOHN EVELYN. 393 the intercourse of formal letters (frequent visits, and con- stant meetings at G-resham College succeeding) was very seldom necessary ; ! some I have yet by me, but such as can be of no importance to your noble work, one of which ex- cepted, in answer to my returning him my thanks for send- ing me his " Seraphic Love," which is long and full of civility, and so may pass for compliment with the rest, long since mingled among my other packets. I can never give you so accurate an account of Sir Wil- liam Petty (which is another of your inquiries) as you will find in his own will, that famous and extraordinary piece (which I am sure cannot have escaped you), wherein he has omitted nothing concerning his own simple birth, life, and wonderful progress he made to arrive at so prodigious a for- tune as he has left his relations. Or if I could say more of it, I would not deprive you of the pleasure you must needs receive in reading it often. The only particular I find he has taken no notice of, is the misadventure of his double-bottomed keel, which yet perishing in the tempestuous Bay of Biscay (where fifteen other vessels were lost in the same storm) ought not at all reproach perhaps the best and most useful mechanist in the world: for such was this faber fortunes, Sir "William Petty. I need not acquaint you with his recovering a certain crimi- nal young wench ; who had been hanged at Oxon, and, being begged for a dissection, he recovered to life ; and (who) was afterwards married, had children, and survived it fifteen years. These, among many other things very ex- traordinary, made him deservedly famous, and for several engines and inventions ; not forgetting he expeditious method by which getting to be the surveyor of the whole kingdom, of Ireland he taught ignorant soldiers to assist in the admeasurement, reserving to himself the acres assigned him for his reward : and the dispatch which gained him the favour of impatient soldiers, whose pay and arrears being to be supplied out of the pretended forfeited estates gave him 1 In another copy of this letter (Sloane MSS. 4229), Evelyn substi- tutes at this passage : " the establishment of the Royal Society, taking in all these subjects, made our personal meeting unless at Gresham College, where we assiduously met and conversed at one another*! 394 COBBESPONDENCE OF 1703. opportunity to purchase their lots and debentures for a little ready money, which he got confirmed after the Restoration. 1 This was the foundation of the vast estate he since enjoyed. I need not tell you of his computations in what was pub- lished under the name of Mr. Grant, concerning the Bills of Mortality ; and that with all this he was politely learned, a wit, and a poet (see his Paraphrase on Psalm civ. &c.) ; and was the most charming and instructing conversation in the world. But all these excellent talents of his, rather hindered than advanced his applications at Court ; where the wretched favourites (some of whom for their virtue one " would not have set with the dogs of the flock," and some who yet sat at the helm), afraid of his abilities, stopped his progress there : nor indeed did he affect it, being to my observation and long acquaintance, a man of sincerity and infinitely industrious. Nothing was too hard for him. I mentioned his poetry, but said nothing of his preaching, which, though rarely and when he was in perfect humour to divert his friends, he would hold forth in tone and action ; passing from the Court pulpit to the Presbyterian, and then the Independent, Anabaptist, Quaker, Fanatic, Friar, and Jesuit, as entertained the company to admiration ; putting on the person of those sectaries with such variety and imitation, that, it coming to be told the King, they prevailed with him to show his faculty one day at Court, where, de- claiming upon the vices of it, and miscarriages of the great ones, so verily as he needed not to name them, particularly the misgoverument of Ireland, as (though it diverted the King, who bare raillery the best in the world) so touched the Duke of Ormond there present, and made him so unruly, as Sir William perceiving it, dexterously altered his style into a calmness and composure exceedingly admirable. One thing more, which possibly you may not have heard of, was his answering a challenge of Sir Allen Brodrick (in great favour with my Lord Chancellor) ; and it being the right of the appellant's antagonist to choose the place and name the weapon, he named the lists and field of battle to be in a dust cellar, and the weapon hatchets, himself being purblind, 1 Evelyn adds, in the duplicate of this letter to which I have re- ferred : " though probably not without acknowledgments to the great men in power, who were as greedy of money as others." 1703. . JOHN EVELYN. 395 and not so skilful at the rapier ; and so it concluded in a feast. But after all this, this poor, rich, and wonderful man, and an excellent physician also, was suddenly taken away by a gangrene in his leg, it seems too long neglected, a few days after we had dined together in cheerful company. The coat armour which he chose and always depicted on his coach, &c., was a mariner's compass, the needle pointing to the polar star, the crest a beehive, the lemma, if I remember well, being " operosa et sedula," than which nothing could be more apposite. And now I am extremely sensible of my detaining you so long, in giving you rather the history of Sir William Petty instead of satisfying your inquiry con- cerning his lady, and who married the widow of Sir Maurice Felton (not Fenton), a Norfolk family, 1 daughter of that arch rebel Sir Hardress Waller, a great commander in Ire- land, by whom he had three or four children, to whom he left vast fortunes. This wife is yet living, a very stately dame, in one of the stateliest palaces of that city. But now, asking you pardon again for this (perhaps impertinent) aberration, I return to Mr. Boyle, who had, besides all we have enumerated that were his acquaintance and admirers, the Lord Viscount Brouncker, first President of the Royal Society ; that worthy person and honest Scot, Colonel W. Murray ; the famous Sir Kenelme Digby; Dr. Godard ; and of later date, Dr. Burnet, now Bishop of Sarum ; and generally all strangers and learned persons, pretending to chemistry, and other uncommon arts : nor did any Ambassador from abroad think he had seen England till he had visited Mr. Boyle. As to the affinity and relation of my wife's family to Mr. Boyle's, take the following account she received from that most religious and excellent lady, his niece, the late Countess of Clancarty ; who, coming down one day to visit my father-in-law Sir Bichard Browne, who lay incommoded with the gout, and sitting by his bed side, upon some casual discourse of her family, and how they always esteemed him as of kindred, related this pretty Eassage of a kinsman of Sir fiichard's mother's first usband, whose name was Geoffrey Fenton, who neglecting 1 In the copy of this letter in the Sloane MSS. Evelyn adds : " of which was Felton, who assassinated the famous Duke of Buckingham." 300 CORRESPONDENCE OP 1703. his study, being designed for a lawyer, so exceedingly displeased his uncle, that he sent him into Ireland as an abandoned young man, to seek his fortune there. The young student, considering his condition, soon recovered his uncle's favour by so diligently applying himself to that study, as in short time he became one of the most eminent of that profession. JVow the first Earl of Cork being then but Mr. Boyle (a Kentish man ; and, perhaps I may have told you, a schoolmaster at Maidstone, but this particular being nothing of the Countess's narrative and a secret betwixt you and I only, and perhaps uncertain), coming to advise with Sir Geoffrey Fenton, now knighted, and finding him engaged with another client, and seeing a pretty child in the nurse's arms, entertained himself with them, till Sir Geoffrey came to him, making his excuse for making him wait so long. Mr. Boyle pleasantly told him, he had been courting a young lady for his wife. And so it fortuned, that sixteen years after it, Mr. Boyle made his address in good earnest to her, and married the young lady, from whom has sprung all this numerous family of earls and lords branching now into the noblest families of England. How many sons and daughters he left, I do not remember ; only that Roger Boyle was the eldest son, whom his father sent young into England, to be educated under the care of his relation, my grand- mother, at Deptford, where was then a famous school. Thus, Sir, have you the original of the relation you inquire after, and of the kindness which always con- tinued between them. This Roger Boyle is the young gentleman, who, dying in Sir Richard Browne's house at Say e's- Court in Deptford, was interred in that parish church. I will now endeavour to commute for your patience with a pleasant passage, current with the Boyles. When King Charles the Second newly come to his Crown, and using frequently to sail down the river in his yachts for diversion, and accompanied by all the great men and courtiers waiting upon him, it was often observed, that when the vessel passed by a certain place opposite to the church at Deptford, my Lord Burlington constantly pulled off his hat, with some kind of reverence. This being remarked by some 1703. JOHK EVELYN. 397 of the Lords standing by him, they desired he would tell them what he meant by it : to which he replied, " Do you see that steeple there ? Have I not reason to pay a respect to the place where my elder brother lies buried, by which I enjoy the Earldom of Cork ?" "Worthy Sir, I remain Your most humble and obliged servant, J. EVELYN. P. S. "Where I speak of this family, perhaps it may not be amiss to see what Sir William Dugdale says of it in his Baronage ; though what the Heralds write is often sorry and mercenary enough. I am able to bring my own Pedigree from one Evelyn, nephew to Androgius, who brought Julius Caesar into Britain the second time : will you not smile at this ? Whilst Onslow, Hatton, and Evelyn came, I suppose, much at the same time out of Shropshire into Surrey and adjacent counties '(from places still retaining their names), some time during the Barons' Wars. Methinks you speak of your not being at London till next spring : a long day for Octogenarius to hope for that happiness, who have of late seen so few moments I can call so all this past year. 1 I have been much impaired in my health, by a defluxion which fell into one of my legs, caused by a light scraze on my shin-bone, falling on a stump as I was walking in Brompton Park to take the fresh air ; and might have been healed with a little Hungary water in a day or two (for my flesh never rankles), but, this neglected, a chi- rurgeon, my godson, whom almost forty years since I bound apprentice to that profession, persuading me to apply a miraculous plaster of his, it drew down a sharp humour, which kept me within, three months ; and that being at last diverted and perfectly cured, it has since tormented me with the hemorrhoides, if I may so call tumours that do not bleed (or rather blind piles), which make me exceedingly uneasy. I have yet adventured to pay my duty to my Lord Guernsey, who did me the honour to visit me at Dover Street whilst I was not able to stir, and has lately called often since he came out of Kent. 1 A passage worth preserving is here interposed, in the duplicate copy already referred to : "A great part of the year past, my health has much declined, nor do I murmur, considering that I have hardly had occasion to keep my bed in sixty years." 898 COBBESPOHDENCE OF 1703. My young grandson improves laudably in his study of both laws, history, chronology, and practical mathematics : 'tis pity he has not a correspondent that might provoke him to write Latin epistles, in which I am told by some able to judge, and that have seen some of them, he is master of a handsome style : he does not forget his Greek, having read Herodotus, Thucydides, and the rest of that class. I do not much encourage his poetry, in which he has yet a pretty vein ; my desire being to make him an honest useful man, of which I have great hopes, being so grave, steady, and most virtuously inclined. He is now gone to see Chichester and Portsmouth, having already travelled most of the inland counties ; and went the last summer before this, as far as the Land's End in Cornwall. Thus you see I make you part of my concerns, hardly abstaining from the boasts of men of my dotage. 1 I have paid the visit we lately received from Mr. Hare and his lady, very glad to find them both in so good state of health. He longs to see Mr. Wotton, as well as your humble servant, J. E. The Master, of Trinity was often at St. James's without being so kind as to visit the Clinic. William Wotton to John Evelyn. HOKOTTBED SIB, October 30, 1703. I am heartily ashamed that I deferred so long to answer yours wherein you sent me so large and so obliging an answer to all my queries. I could say my family has been indisposed (my wife having been lately brought to bed of a daughter), and that has broke my thoughts. But even that excuse satisfies me not, and so I shall pass it. I only beg I may not forfeit your favour, and entreat you to accept of my -sincere promises of future amendment. Tour hand in this last, which I received last night, seems stronger and healthier than in your former. Grod grant your health, which now I hope is perfectly recovered, may long continue to the joy of your family and your friends, and to the satisfaction of all the learned world, to which 1 "Doute-age." 1704. JOHN EYELTH. 399 whilst you live you cannot but be doing good. Another edition of your Sylva I should be glad to see. It is a noble work, and the reception it has met with amongst the com- petent judges, demonstrate it to have been so esteemed. Another edition of your Parallel of Architecture I could re- joice to see done by yourself. I know you have noble ma- terials fot another impression by you, which the public greedily longs for. Before I shut up this paper, I must rejoice with you for the prospect you have in young Mr. Evelyn. May that good Providence which has preserved him to you and your admirable lady thus far, give you every day an increase of satisfaction in him for the future. This is the unfeigned prayer of, Honoured Sir, Tour most obedient and faithful servant, ~W. WOTTON. I should be glad to know when you think of seeing Lon- don, and for how long. 1 Archbishop Tenison to John Evelyn. Cockpit, December 5th, 1704. SlE, Mr. Clark, who preached Mr. Boyle's lecture last year, and whose excellent book I suppose you have received, is so very deserving a man, that I cannot but think it rea- sonable to commend him to you for the preacher for the next year, and the rather because persons of such abilities in theology, philosophy, and mathematics are not to be com- monly found. I am, with true respect, Sir, Tour assured friend, CANTEBBTJBY. * This letter is superscribed : " For the Honoured John Evelyn, Esq,, at Wotton Place, near Dorking, in Surrey," EM) OF TOL. III. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 4AN23JSW MAR 211949 IAR 2 8 1948 APR 6 W* HOY 2 9 1950 flUG3 1979 REC'D LD-URL- JUN101971 R 2 119] 51376 8 n L9-25m-8,'46 (9852) 444 $ \ 158 00492 8882 A 000953335 7