Evelyn's Diary. 06 Sep 1662. Dined with me Sir Edward Walker (age 51), Garter King-at-Arms, Mr. Slingsby (age 41), master of the Mint, and several others.

Evelyn's Diary. 27 Nov 1662. I dined with the Master of the Mint (age 41), where was old Sir Ralph Freeman (age 73); passing my evening at the Queen-Mother's (age 53) Court; at night, saw acted "The Committee", a ridiculous play of Sir R. Howard (age 36), where the mimic, Lacy, acted the Irish footman to admiration.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Oct 1666. So away home, and eat a short dinner, and then with Sir W. Pen (age 45) to White Hall, and do give his boy my book of papers to hold while he went into the Committee Chamber in the Inner Court of Wards, and I walked without with Mr. Slingsby (age 45), of the Tower, who was there, and who did in walking inform me mightily in several things; among others, that the heightening or lowering of money is only a cheat, and do good to some particular men, which, if I can but remember how, I am now by him fully convinced of. Anon Sir W. Pen (age 45) went away, telling me that Sir W. Coventry (age 38) that was within had told him that the fleete is all come into the buoy of the Nore, and that he must hasten down to them, and so went away, and I into the Committee Chamber before the Committee sat, and there heard Birch (age 51) discourse highly and understandingly about the Navy business and a proposal made heretofore to farm the Navy; but Sir W. Coventry (age 38) did abundantly answer him, and is a most excellent person.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Aug 1668. Thence to White Hall, and thence to visit Lord Brouncker (age 48), and back to White Hall, where saw the Queen (age 29) and ladies; and so, with Mr. Slingsby (age 47), to Mrs. Williams's, thinking to dine with Lord Brouncker (age 48) there, but did not, having promised my wife to come home, though here I met Knepp, to my great content.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Jul 1670. I accompanied my worthy friend, that excellent man, Sir Robert Murray (age 62), with Mr. Slingsby (age 49), Master of the Mint, to see the latter's seat and estate at Burrow-Green [Map] in Cambridgeshire, he desiring our advice for placing a new house, which he was resolved to build. We set out in a coach and six horses with him and his lady, dined about midway at one Mr. Turner's, where we found a very noble dinner, venison, music, and a circle of country ladies and their gallants. After dinner, we proceeded, and came to Burrow-Green [Map] that night. This had been the ancient seat of the Cheekes (whose daughter Mr. Slingsby (age 49) married), formerly tutor to King Henry VI [NOTE. Possibly a mistake for Edward VI since John Cheke was tutor to Edward VI]. The old house large and ample, and built for ancient hospitality, ready to fall down with age, placed in a dirty hole, a stiff clay, no water, next an adjoining church-yard, and with other inconveniences. We pitched on a spot of rising ground, adorned with venerable woods, a dry and sweet prospect east and west, and fit for a park, but no running water; at a mile distance from the old house.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Jul 1670. We went to dine at Lord Allington's (age 30), who had newly built a house of great cost, I believe a little less than £20,000. His architect was Mr. Pratt (age 50). It is seated in a park, with a sweet prospect and stately avenue; but water still defective; the house has also its infirmities. Went back to Mr. Slingsby's (age 49).

Evelyn's Diary. 02 Dec 1674. At Mr. Slingsby's (age 53), Master of the Mint, my worthy friend, a great lover of music. Heard Signor Francisco on the Harpsichord, esteemed one of the most excellent masters in Europe on that instrument; then, came Nicholao with his violin, and struck all mute, but Mrs. Knight, who sung incomparably, and doubtless has the greatest reach of any English woman; she had been lately roaming in Italy, and was much improved in that quality.

In 1675 Henry Slingsby Master of the Mint (age 54) was expelled from the Royal Society for non-payment of dues.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1676. Came to dine with me my Lord Halifax (age 42), Sir Thomas Meeres (age 42), one of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, Sir John Clayton, Mr. Slingsby (age 55), Mr. Henshaw (age 58), and Mr. Bridgeman.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Jul 1678. I went to the Tower [Map] to try a metal at the Assay-master's, which only proved sulphur; then saw Monsieur Rotière (age 47), that excellent graver belonging to the Mint, who emulates even the ancients, in both metal and stone; he was now molding a horse for the King's (age 48) statue, to be cast in silver, of a yard high. I dined with Mr. Slingsby (age 57), Master of the Mint.

Evelyn's Diary. 25 Sep 1679. Mr. Slingsby (age 58) and Signor Verrio (age 43) came to dine with me, to whom I gave China oranges off my own trees, as good, I think, as were ever eaten.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Nov 1679. I dined with Mr. Slingsby (age 58), Master of the Mint, with my wife (age 44), invited to hear music, which was exquisitely performed by four of the most renowned masters: Du Prue, a Frenchman, on the lute; Signor Bartholomeo, an Italian, on the harpsichord; Nicholao on the violin; but, above all, for its sweetness and novelty, the viol d'amore of five wire strings played on with a bow, being but an ordinary violin, played on lyre-way, by a German. There was also a flute douce, now in much request for accompanying the voice. Mr. Slingsby (age 58), whose son and daughter played skillfully, had these meetings frequently in his house.

In 1680 Henry Slingsby Master of the Mint (age 59) was suspended from office on the grounds of incompetence. His financial accounts were so faulty that he was suspected of fraud and his property temporarily seized to make good the losses. The duties of Master were then executed by a commission pending Slingsby's resignation in 1686.

Evelyn's Diary. 03 Dec 1684. I carried Mr. Justell and Mr. Slingsby (age 63) (Master of the Mint), to see Mr. Sheldon's collection of Medaills. The series of Popes was rare, and so were several amongst the modernes, especialy that of John Husse's martyrdome at Constance; of the Roman Emp: Consulars; some Greeke, &c. In copper, gold, and silver; not many truly antique; a Medallion of Otho, P. JEmil. &c. hardly antient. They were held at a price of, £.1000. but not worth, I judge, above £200.

Evelyn's Diary. 12 Jan 1688. Mr. Slingsby, Master of the Mint, being under very deplorable circumstances on account of his creditors, and especially the King, I did my endeavor with the Lords of the Treasury to be favorable to him.