02 Jan 1661. The Queen-Mother (age 51), with the Princess Henrietta (age 16), began her journey to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], in order to her return into France.

05 Jan 1661. I visited my Lord Chancellor Clarendon (age 51), with whom I had been well acquainted abroad.

06 Jan 1661. Dr. Allestree (age 39) preached at the Abbey [Map], after which four Bishops were consecrated, Hereford (age 51), Norwich (age 61), ...

06 Jan 1661. This night was suppressed a bloody insurrection of some Fifth-Monarchy enthusiasts. Some of them were examined at the Council the next day; but could say nothing to extenuate their madness and unwarrantable zeal.

06 Jan 1661. I was now chosen (and nominated by his Majesty (age 30) for one of the Council), by suffrage of the rest of the members, a Fellow of the Philosophic Society now meeting at Gresham College, where was an assembly of divers learned gentlemen. This being the first meeting since the King's (age 30) return; but it had been begun some years before at Oxford, and was continued with interruption here in London during the Rebellion.

06 Jan 1661. There was another rising of the fanatics, in which some were slain.

16 Jan 1661. I went to the Philosophic Club, where was examined the Torricellian experiment. I presented my Circle of Mechanical Trades, and had recommended to me the publishing what I had written of Chalcography.

25 Jan 1661. After divers years since I had seen any play, I went to see acted "The Scornful Lady", at a new theater in Lincoln's-Inn Fields.

30 Jan 1661. Was the first solemn fast and day of humiliation to deplore the sins which had so long provoked God against this afflicted church and people, ordered by Parliament to be annually celebrated to expiate the guilt of the execrable murder of the late King.

06 Feb 1661. To London, to our Society, where I gave notice of the visit of the Danish Ambassador-Extraordinary, and was ordered to return him their acceptance of that honor, and to invite him the next meeting day.

10 Feb 1661. Dr. Baldero preached at Ely-house, on Matthew vi. 33, of seeking early the Kingdom of God; after sermon, the Bishop (age 75) (Dr. Wren) gave us the blessing, very pontifically.

13 Feb 1661. I conducted the Danish Ambassador to our meeting at Gresham College, where were shown him various experiments in vacuo, and other curiosities.

21 Feb 1661. Prince Rupert (age 41) first showed me how to grave in mezzo tinto.

26 Feb 1661. I went to Lord Mordaunt's (age 34), at Parson's Green.

27 Feb 1661. Ash Wednesday. Preached before the King (age 30) the Bishop of London (Dr. Sheldon (age 62)) on Matthew xviii. 25, concerning charity and forgiveness.

08 Mar 1661. I went to my Lord Chancellor's (age 52), and delivered to him the state of my concernment at Sayes Court [Map].

09 Mar 1661. I went with that excellent person and philosopher, Sir Robert Murray (age 53), to visit Mr. Boyle (age 34) at Chelsea, and saw divers effects of the eolipile for weighing air.

13 Mar 1661. I went to Lambeth, with Sir R. Browne's (age 56) pretense to the Wardenship of Merton College, Oxford, to which, as having been about forty years before a student of that house, he was elected by the votes of every Fellow except one; but the statutes of the house being so that, unless every Fellow agree, the election devolves to the Visitor, who is the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Juxon (age 79)), his Grace gave his nomination to Sir T. Clayton, resident there, and the Physic Professor: for which I was not at all displeased, because, though Sir Richard (age 56) missed it by much ingratitude and wrong of the Archbishop (Clayton being no Fellow), yet it would have hindered Sir Richard from attending at Court to settle his greater concerns, and so have prejudiced me, though he was much inclined to have passed his time in a collegiate life, very unfit for him at that time, for many reasons. So I took leave of his Grace, who was formerly Lord Treasurer in the reign of Charles I.

13 Mar 1661. This afternoon, Prince Rupert (age 41) showed me, with his own hands, the new way of graving, called mezzo tinto, which afterward, by his permission, I published in my "History of Chalcography"; this set so many artists on work, that they soon arrived to the perfection it is since come to, emulating the tenderest miniatures.

13 Mar 1661. Our Society now gave in my relation of the Peak of Teneriffe, in the Great Canaries, to be added to more queries concerning divers natural things reported of that island.

13 Mar 1661. I returned home with my Cousin, Tuke, now going for France, as sent by his Majesty (age 30) to condole the death of that great Minister and politician, Count Mazarine (deceased).

29 Mar 1661. Dr. Heylin (author of the "Geography") preached at the Abbey [Map], on Cant. v. 25, concerning friendship and charity; he was, I think, at this time quite dark, and so had been for some years.

31 Mar 1661. This night, his Majesty (age 30) promised to make my wife (age 26) Lady of the Jewels (a very honorable charge) to the future Queen (but which he never performed).

01 Apr 1661. I dined with that great mathematician and virtuoso, Monsieur Zulichem, inventor of the pendule clock, and discoverer of the phenomenon of Saturn's annulus: he was elected into our Society.

23 Apr 1661. This magnificent train on horseback, as rich as embroidery, velvet, cloth of gold and silver, and jewels, could make them and their prancing horses, proceeded through the streets strewed with flowers, houses hung with rich tapestry, windows and balconies full of ladies; the London militia lining the ways, and the several companies, with their banners and loud music, ranked in their orders; the fountains running wine, bells ringing, with speeches made at the several triumphal arches; at that of the Temple Bar (near which I stood) the Lord Mayor was received by the Bailiff of Westminster, who, in a scarlet robe, made a speech. Thence, with joyful acclamations, his Majesty (age 30) passed to Whitehall. Bonfires at night.

23 Apr 1661. The next day, being St. George's, he went by water to Westminster Abbey [Map]. When his Majesty (age 30) was entered, the Dean and Prebendaries brought all the regalia, and delivered them to several noblemen to bear before the King (age 30), who met them at the west door of the church, singing an anthem, to the choir. Then, came the Peers, in their robes, and coronets in their hands, till his Majesty (age 30) was placed on a throne elevated before the altar. Afterward, the Bishop of London (the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 79) being sick) went to every side of the throne to present the King (age 30) to the people, asking if they would have him for their King, and do him homage; at this, they shouted four times "God save King Charles II!" Then, an anthem was sung. His Majesty (age 30), attended by three Bishops, went up to the altar, and he offered a pall and a pound of gold. Afterward, he sat down in another chair during the sermon, which was preached by Dr. Morley (age 63), Bishop of Worcester.

24 Apr 1661. I presented his Majesty (age 30) with his "Panegyric" in the Privy Chamber, which he was pleased to accept most graciously; I gave copies to the Lord Chancellor (age 52), and most of the noblemen who came to me for it. I dined at the Marquis of Ormond's (age 50) where was a magnificent feast, and many great persons.

01 May 1661. I went to Hyde Park [Map] to take the air, where was his Majesty (age 30) and an innumerable appearance of gallants and rich coaches, being now a time of universal festivity and joy.

02 May 1661. I had audience of my Lord Chancellor (age 52) about my title to Sayes Court [Map].

03 May 1661. I went to see the wonderful engine for weaving silk stockings, said to have been the invention of an Oxford scholar forty years since; and I returned by Fromantil's, the famous clockmaker, to see some pendules, Monsieur Zulichem being with us.

03 May 1661. This evening, I was with my Lord Brouncker (age 50), Sir Robert Murray (age 53), Sir Patrick Neill, Monsieur Zulichem, and Bull (all of them of our Society, and excellent mathematicians), to show his Majesty (age 30), who was present, Saturn's annulus, as some thought, but as Zulichem affirmed with his balteus (as that learned gentleman had published), very near eclipsed by the moon, near the Mons Porphyritis; also, Jupiter and satellites, through his Majesty's (age 30) great telescope, drawing thirty-five feet; on which were divers discourses.

08 May 1661. His Majesty (age 30) rode in state, with his imperial crown on, and all the peers in their robes, in great pomp to the Parliament now newly chosen (the old one being dissolved); and, that evening, declared in council his intention to marry the Infanta of Portugal (age 22).

09 May 1661. At Sir Robert Murray's (age 53), where I met Dr. Wallis, Professor of Geometry in Oxford, where was discourse of several mathematical subjects.

11 May 1661. my wife (age 26) presented to his Majesty (age 30) the Madonna she had copied in miniature from P. Oliver's painting, after Raphael, which she wrought with extraordinary pains and judgment. the King (age 30) was infinitely pleased with it, and caused it to be placed in his cabinet among his best paintings.

13 May 1661. I heard and saw such exercises at the election of scholars at Westminster School [Map] to be sent to the University in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic, in themes and extemporary verses, as wonderfully astonished me in such youths, with such readiness and wit, some of them not above twelve or thirteen years of age. Pity it is, that what they attain here so ripely, they either do not retain, or do not improve more considerably when they come to be men, though many of them do; and no less is to be blamed their odd pronouncing of Latin, so that out of England none were able to understand, or endure it. The examinants, or posers, were, Dr. Duport, Greek Professor at Cambridge; Dr. Fell, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford; Dr. Pierson; Dr. Allestree (age 39), Dean of Westminster Abbey, and any that would.

14 May 1661. His Majesty (age 30) was pleased to discourse with me concerning several particulars relating to our Society, and the planet Saturn, etc., as he sat at supper in the withdrawing-room to his bedchamber.

16 May 1661. I dined with Mr. Garmus, the Resident from Hamburg, who continued his feast near nine whole hours, according to the custom of his country, though there was no great excess of drinking, no man being obliged to take more than he liked.

22 May 1661. The Scotch Covenant was burnt by the common hangman in divers places in London. Oh, prodigious change!

29 May 1661. This was the first anniversary appointed by act of Parliament to be observed as a day of general thanksgiving for the miraculous restoration of his Majesty (age 31): our vicar preaching on Psalm cxviii. 24, requiring us to be thankful and rejoice, as indeed we had cause.

04 Jun 1661. Came Sir Charles Harbord (age 21), his Majesty's (age 31) surveyor, to take an account of what grounds I challenged at Sayes Court [Map].

27 Jun 1661. I saw the Portugal ambassador at dinner with his Majesty (age 31) in state, where was excellent music.

02 Jul 1661. I went to see the New Spring-Garden, at Lambeth, a prettily contrived plantation.

19 Jul 1661. We tried our Diving-Bell, or engine, in the water dock at Deptford, Kent [Map], in which our curator continued half an hour under water; it was made of cast lead, let down with a strong cable.

03 Aug 1661. Came my Lord Hatton (age 56), Comptroller of his Majesty's household to visit me.

09 Aug 1661. I tried several experiments on the sensitive plant and humilis, which contracted with the least touch of the sun through a burning glass, though it rises and opens only when it shines on it.

09 Aug 1661. I first saw the famous Queen Pine brought from Barbadoes, and presented to his Majesty (age 31); but the first that were ever seen in England were those sent to Cromwell four years since.

09 Aug 1661. I dined at Mr. Palmer's in Gray's Inn, whose curiosity excelled in clocks and pendules, especially one that had innumerable motions, and played nine or ten tunes on the bells very finely, some of them set in parts: which was very harmonious. It was wound up but once in a quarter. He had also good telescopes and mathematical instruments, choice pictures, and other curiosities. Thence, we went to that famous mountebank, Jo. Punteus.

09 Aug 1661. Sir Kenelm Digby (age 58) presented every one of us his "Discourse of the Vegetation of Plants"; and Mr. Henshaw (age 43), his "History of Saltpeter and Gunpowder". I assisted him to procure his place of French Secretary to the King (age 31), which he purchased of Sir Henry De Vic (age 62).

09 Aug 1661. I went to that famous physician, Sir Fr. Prujean (age 68), who showed me his laboratory, his workhouse for turning, and other mechanics; also many excellent pictures, especially the Magdalen of Caracci; and some incomparable paysages done in distemper; he played to me likewise on the polythore, an instrument having something of the harp, lute, and theorbo; by none known in England, nor described by any author, nor used, but by this skillful and learned Doctor.

15 Aug 1661. I went to Tunbridge Wells, Kent [Map], my wife (age 26) being there for the benefit of her health. Walking about the solitudes, I greatly admired the extravagant turnings, insinuations, and growth of certain birch trees among the rocks.

13 Sep 1661. I presented my "Fumifugium"67 dedicated to his Majesty (age 31), who was pleased that I should publish it by his special commands, being much gratified with it.

18 Sep 1661. This day was read our petition to his Majesty (age 31) for his royal grant, authorizing our Society to meet as a corporation, with several privileges.

18 Sep 1661. An exceedingly sickly, wet autumn.

01 Oct 1661. On Thursday his Majesty (age 31) sent one of the pages of the back stairs for me to wait on him with my papers, in his cabinet where was present only Sir Henry Bennett (age 43) (Privy-Purse), when beginning to read to his Majesty (age 31) what I had drawn up, by the time I had read half a page, came in Mr. Secretary Morice (age 58) with a large paper, desiring to speak with his Majesty (age 31), who told him he was now very busy, and therefore ordered him to come again some other time; the Secretary replied that what he had in his hand was of extraordinary importance. So the King (age 31) rose up, and, commanding me to stay, went aside to a corner of the room with the Secretary; after a while, the Secretary being dispatched, his Majesty (age 31) returning to me at the table, a letter was brought him from Madame out of France;68 this he read and then bid me proceed from where I left off. This I did till I had ended all the narrative, to his Majesty's (age 31) great satisfaction; and, after I had inserted one or two more clauses, in which his Majesty (age 31) instructed me, commanded that it should that night be sent to the posthouse, directed to the Lord Ambassador at Paris (the Earl of St. Alban's), and then at leisure to prepare him a copy, which he would publish. This I did, and immediately sent my papers to the Secretary of State, with his Majesty's (age 31) express command of dispatching them that night for France. Before I went out of the King's (age 31) closet, he called me back to show me some ivory statues, and other curiosities that I had not seen before.

03 Oct 1661. Next evening, being in the withdrawing-room adjoining the bedchamber, his Majesty (age 31) espying me came to me from a great crowd of noblemen standing near the fire, and asked me if I had done; and told me he feared it might be a little too sharp, on second thoughts, for he had that morning spoken with the French Ambassador, who it seems had palliated the matter, and was very tame; and therefore directed me where I should soften a period or two, before it was published (as afterward it was). This night also he spoke to me to give him a sight of what was sent, and to bring it to him in his bedchamber; which I did, and received it again from him at dinner, next day. By Saturday, having finished it with all his Majesty's (age 31) notes, the King (age 31) being gone abroad, I sent the papers to Sir Henry Bennett (age 43) (Privy-Purse and a great favorite), and slipped home, being myself much indisposed and harassed with going about, and sitting up to write.

19 Oct 1661. I went to London to visit my Lord of Bristol (age 48), having been with Sir John Denham (age 46) his Majesty's (age 31) surveyor) to consult with him about the placing of his palace at Greenwich, Kent [Map], which I would have had built between the river and the Queen's House, Greenwich, so as a large square cut should have let in the Thames like a bay; but Sir John (age 46) was for setting it on piles at the very brink of the water, which I did not assent to; and so came away, knowing Sir John (age 46) to be a better poet than architect, though he had Mr. Webb (Inigo Jones's man) to assist him.

29 Oct 1661. I saw the Lord Mayor pass in his water triumph to Westminster, being the first solemnity of this nature after twenty years.

02 Nov 1661. Came Sir Henry Bennett (age 43), since Lord Arlington, to visit me, and to acquaint me that his Majesty (age 31) would do me the honor to come and see my garden; but, it being then late, it was deferred.

03 Nov 1661. One Mr. Breton preached his probation sermon at our parish church, and indeed made a most excellent discourse on John i. 29, of God's free grace to penitents, so that I could not but recommend him to the patron.

10 Nov 1661. In the afternoon, preached at the Abbey [Map] Dr. Basire, that great traveler, or rather French Apostle, who had been planting the Church of England in divers parts of the Levant and Asia. He showed that the Church of England was, for purity of doctrine, substance, decency, and beauty, the most perfect under Heaven; that England was the very land of Goshen.

11 Nov 1661. I was so idle as to go to see a play called "Love and Honor". Dined at Arundel House [Map]; and that evening discoursed with his Majesty (age 31) about shipping, in which he was exceedingly skillful.

15 Nov 1661. I dined with the Duke of Ormond (age 51), who told me there were no moles in Ireland, nor any rats till of late, and that in but one county; but it was a mistake that spiders would not live there, only they were not poisonous. Also, that they frequently took Salmon with dogs.

16 Nov 1661. I presented my translation of "Naudæus concerning Libraries" to my Lord Chancellor (age 52); but it was miserably false printed.

17 Nov 1661. Dr. Creighton (age 22), a Scot, author of the "Florentine Council", and a most eloquent man and admirable Grecian, preached on Cant. vi. 13, celebrating the return and restoration of the Church and King.

20 Nov 1661. At the Royal Society, Sir William Petty (age 38) proposed divers things for the improvement of shipping; a versatile keel that should be on hinges and concerning sheathing ships with thin lead.

24 Nov 1661. This night his Majesty (age 31) fell into discourse with me concerning bees, etc.

26 Nov 1661. I saw "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" played; but now the old plays began to disgust this refined age, since his Majesty's (age 31) being so long abroad.

28 Nov 1661. I dined at Chiffinch's house-warming, in St James' Park [Map]; he was his Majesty's (age 31) closet-keeper, and had his new house full of good pictures, etc. There dined with us Russell, Popish Bishop of Cape Verd, who was sent out to negotiate his Majesty's (age 31) match with the Infanta of Portugal (age 23), after the Ambassador was returned.

29 Nov 1661. I dined at the Countess of Peterborough's (age 39) and went that evening to Parson's Green with my Lord Mordaunt (age 35), with whom I stayed that night.

03 Dec 1661. By universal suffrage of our philosophic assembly, an order was made and registered that I should receive their public thanks for the honorable mention I made of them by the name of Royal Society, in my Epistle dedicatory to the Lord Chancellor (age 52), before my Traduction of Naudæus. Too great an honor for a trifle.

04 Dec 1661. I had much discourse with the Duke of York (age 28), concerning strange cures he affirmed of a woman who swallowed a whole ear of barley, which worked out at her side. I told him of the KNIFE SWALLOWED and the pins.

04 Dec 1661. I took leave of the Bishop of Cape Verd, now going in the fleet to bring over our new Queen (age 23).

07 Dec 1661. I dined at Arundel House [Map], the day when the great contest in Parliament was concerning the restoring the Duke of Norfolk (age 34); however, it was carried for him. I also presented my little trifle of Sumptuary Laws, entitled "Tyrannus" [or "The Mode"].

14 Dec 1661. I saw otter hunting with the King (age 31), and killed one.

16 Dec 1661. I saw a French comedy acted at Whitehall [Map].

20 Dec 1661. The Bishop of Gloucester (age 70) preached at the Abbey [Map] at the funeral of the Bishop of Hereford (deceased), brother to the Duke of Albemarle (age 53). It was a decent solemnity. There was a silver miter, with episcopal robes, borne by the herald before the hearse, which was followed by the Duke his brother (age 53), and all the bishops, with divers noblemen.

23 Dec 1661. I heard an Italian play and sing to the guitar with extraordinary skill before the Duke (age 28).