John Evelyn's Diary 1667

John Evelyn's Diary 09 January 1667

09 Jan 1667. To the Royal Society, which since the sad conflagration were invited by Mr. Howard to sit at Arundel House in the Strand, who at my instigation likewise bestowed on the Society that noble library which his grandfather especially, and his ancestors had collected. This gentleman had so little inclination to books, that it was the preservation of them from embezzlement.

John Evelyn's Diary 24 January 1667

24 Jan 1667. Visited my Lord Clarendon, and presented my son, John (12), to him, now preparing to go to Oxford, of which his Lordship was Chancellor. This evening I heard rare Italian voices, two eunuchs and one woman, in his Majesty's (36) green chamber, next his cabinet.

John Evelyn's Diary 29 January 1667

29 Jan 1667. To London, in order to my son's (12) Oxford journey, who, being very early entered both in Latin and Greek, and prompt to learn beyond most of his age, I was persuaded to trust him under the tutorage of Mr. Bohun, Fellow of New College, who had been his preceptor in my house some years before; but, at Oxford, under the inspection of Dr. Bathurst (47), President of Trinity College, where I placed him, not as yet thirteen years old. He was newly out of long coats.

John Evelyn's Diary 15 February 1667

15 Feb 1667. My little book, in answer to Sir George Mackenzie on Solitude, was now published, entitled "Public Employment, and an active Life with its Appanages, preferred to Solitude"..

John Evelyn's Diary 18 February 1667

18 Feb 1667. I was present at a magnificent ball, or masque, in the theatre at the Court, where their Majesties [Note. Charles II King England Scotland and Ireland 1630-1685 (36) and Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England 1638-1705 (28)] and all the great lords and ladies danced, infinitely gallant, the men in their richly embroidered, most becoming vests.

John Evelyn's Diary 19 February 1667

19 Feb 1667. I saw a comedy acted at Court. In the afternoon, I witnessed a wrestling match for £1,000 in St. James's Park, before his Majesty (36), a vast assemblage of lords and other spectators, between the western and northern men, Mr. Secretary Morice (64) and Lord Gerard being the judges. The western men won. Many great sums were betted.

John Evelyn's Diary 06 March 1667

06 Mar 1667. I proposed to my Lord Chancellor (58), Monsieur Kiviet's (40) undertaking to wharf the whole river of Thames, or quay, from the Temple to the Tower, as far as the fire destroyed, with brick, without piles, both lasting and ornamental.—Great frosts, snow and winds, prodigious at the vernal equinox; indeed it had been a year of prodigies in this nation, plague, war, fire, rain, tempest and comet.

John Evelyn's Diary 14 March 1667

14 Mar 1667. Saw "The Virgin Queen", a play written by Mr. Dryden (35).

John Evelyn's Diary 22 March 1667

22 Mar 1667. Dined at Mr. Secretary Morice's (64), who showed me his library, which was a well chosen collection. This afternoon, I had audience of his Majesty (36), concerning the proposal I had made of building the quay.

John Evelyn's Diary 26 March 1667

26 Mar 1667. Sir John Kiviet (40) dined with me. We went to search for brick-earth, in order to a great undertaking.

John Evelyn's Diary 04 April 1667

04 Apr 1667. The cold so intense, that there was hardly a leaf on a tree.

John Evelyn's Diary 18 April 1667

18 Apr 1667. I went to make court to the Duke (74) and Duchess (44) of Newcastle, at their house in Clerkenwell, being newly come out of the north. They received me with great kindness, and I was much pleased with the extraordinary fanciful habit, garb, and discourse of the Duchess (44).

John Evelyn's Diary 22 April 1667

22 Apr 1667. Saw the sumptuous supper in the banqueting-house at Whitehall, on the eve of St. George's day, where were all the companions of the Order of the Garter.

John Evelyn's Diary 23 April 1667

23 Apr 1667. In the morning, his Majesty (36) went to chapel with the Knights of the Garter, all in their habits and robes, ushered by the heralds; after the first service, they went in procession, the youngest first, the Sovereign last, with the Prelate of the Order and Dean, who had about his neck the book of the Statutes of the Order; and then the Chancellor of the Order (old Sir Henry de Vic (68)), who wore the purse about his neck; then the Heralds and Garter King-at-Arms, Clarencieux, Black Rod. But before the Prelate and Dean of Windsor went the gentlemen of the chapel and choristers, singing as they marched; behind them two doctors of music in damask robes; this procession was about the courts at Whitehall. Then, returning to their stalls and seats in the chapel, placed under each knight's coat-armor and titles, the second service began. Then, the King (36) offered at the altar, an anthem was sung; then, the rest of the Knights offered, and lastly proceeded to the banqueting-house to a great feast. The King (36) sat on an elevated throne at the upper end at a table alone; the Knights at a table on the right hand, reaching all the length of the room; over against them a cupboard of rich gilded plate; at the lower end, the music; on the balusters above, wind music, trumpets, and kettle-drums. the King (36) was served by the lords and pensioners who brought up the dishes. About the middle of the dinner, the Knights drank the King's (36) health, then the King (36), theirs, when the trumpets and music played and sounded, the guns going off at the Tower. At the Banquet, came in the Queen (28), and stood by the King's (36) left hand, but did not sit. Then was the banqueting-stuff flung about the room profusely. In truth, the crowd was so great, that though I stayed all the supper the day before, I now stayed no longer than this sport began, for fear of disorder. The cheer was extraordinary, each Knight having forty dishes to his mess, piled up five or six high; the room hung with the richest tapestry.

John Evelyn's Diary 25 April 1667

25 Apr 1667. Visited again the Duke of Newcastle (74), with whom I had been acquainted long before in France, where the Duchess (44) had obligation to my wife's (32) mother for her marriage there; she (44) was sister to Lord Lucas (60), and maid of honor then to the Queen-Mother (57); married in our chapel at Paris. My wife (32) being with me, the Duke (74) and Duchess (44) both would needs bring her to the very Court.

John Evelyn's Diary 26 April 1667

26 Apr 1667. My Lord Chancellor (58) showed me all his newly finished and furnished palace and library; then, we went to take the air in Hyde-Park.

John Evelyn's Diary 27 April 1667

27 Apr 1667. I had a great deal of discourse with his Majesty (36) at dinner. In the afternoon, I went again with my wife (32) to the Duchess of Newcastle (44), who received her in a kind of transport, suitable to her extravagant humor and dress, which was very singular.

John Evelyn's Diary 08 May 1667

08 May 1667. Made up accounts with our Receiver, which amounted to £33,936 1s. 4d. Dined at Lord Cornbury's (5), with Don Francisco de Melos, Portugal Ambassador, and kindred to the Queen (28): Of the party were Mr. Henry Jermyn (62) and Sir Henry Capel (29). Afterward I went to Arundel House, to salute Mr. Howard's sons, newly returned out of France.

John Evelyn's Diary 11 May 1667

11 May 1667. To London; dined with the Duke of Newcastle (74), and sat discoursing with her Grace (44) in her bedchamber after dinner, till my Lord Marquis of Dorchester (61), with other company came in, when I went away.

John Evelyn's Diary 30 May 1667

30 May 1667. To London, to wait on the Duchess of Newcastle (44) (who was a mighty pretender to learning, poetry, and philosophy, and had in both published divers books) to the Royal Society, whither she came in great pomp, and being received by our Lord President at the door of our meeting-room, the mace, etc., carried before him, had several experiments shown to her. I conducted her Grace (44) to her coach, and returned home.

John Evelyn's Diary 01 June 1667

01 Jun 1667. I went to Greenwich, where his Majesty (37) was trying divers grenadoes shot out of cannon at the Castlehill, from the house in the park; they broke not till they hit the mark, the forged ones broke not at all, but the cast ones very well. The inventor was a German there present. At the same time, a ring was shown to the King (37), pretended to be a projection of mercury, and malleable, and said by the gentlemen to be fixed by the juice of a plant.

John Evelyn's Diary 08 June 1667

1667 Raid on the Medway

08 Jun 1667. To London, alarmed by the Dutch, who were fallen on our fleet at Chatham, by a most audacious enterprise, entering the very river with part of their fleet, doing us not only disgrace, but incredible mischief in burning several of our best men-of-war lying at anchor and moored there, and all this through our unaccountable negligence in not setting out our fleet in due time. This alarm caused me, fearing the enemy might venture up the Thames even to London (which they might have done with ease, and fired all the vessels in the river, too), to send away my best goods, plate, etc., from my house to another place. The alarm was so great that it put both country and city into fear, panic, and consternation, such as I hope I shall never see more; everybody was flying, none knew why or whither. Now, there were land forces dispatched with the Duke of Albemarle (58), Lord Middleton (59), Prince Rupert (47), and the Duke (33), to hinder the Dutch coming to Chatham, fortifying Upnor Castle, and laying chains and bombs; but the resolute enemy broke through all, and set fire on our ships, and retreated in spite, stopping up the Thames, the rest of the fleet lying before the mouth of it.

John Evelyn's Diary 14 June 1667

14 Jun 1667. I went to see the work at Woolwich, a battery to prevent them coming up to London, which Prince Rupert (47) commanded, and sunk some ships in the river.

John Evelyn's Diary 17 June 1667

17 Jun 1667. This night, about two o'clock, some chips and combustible matter prepared for some fire-ships, taking flame in Deptford-yard, made such a blaze, and caused such an uproar in the Tower (it being given out that the Dutch fleet was come up, and had landed their men and fired the Tower), as had liked to have done more mischief before people would be persuaded to the contrary and believe the accident. Everybody went to their arms. These were sad and troublesome times.

John Evelyn's Diary 24 June 1667

24 Jun 1667. The Dutch fleet still continuing to stop up the river, so as nothing could stir out or come in, I was before the Council, and commanded by his Majesty (37) to go with some others and search about the environs of the city, now exceedingly distressed for want of fuel, whether there could be any peat, or turf, found fit for use. The next day, I went and discovered enough, and made my report that there might be found a great deal; but nothing further was done in it.

John Evelyn's Diary 28 June 1667

28 Jun 1667. I went to Chatham, and thence to view not only what mischief the Dutch had done; but how triumphantly their whole fleet lay within the very mouth of the Thames, all from the North Foreland, Margate, even to the buoy of the Nore — a dreadful spectacle as ever Englishmen saw, and a dishonor never to be wiped off! Those who advised his Majesty (37) to prepare no fleet this spring deserved—I know what—but—.
Here in the river off Chatham, just before the town, lay the carcase of the "London" (now the third time burnt), the "Royal Oak", "James", etc., yet smoking; and now, when the mischief was done, we were making trifling forts on the brink of the river. Here were yet forces, both of horse and foot, with General Middleton (59) continually expecting the motions of the enemy's fleet. I had much discourse with him, who was an experienced commander, I told him I wondered the King (37) did not fortify Sheerness and the Ferry; both abandoned.

John Evelyn's Diary 02 July 1667

02 Jul 1667. Called upon my Lord Arlington (49), as from his Majesty (37), about the new fuel. The occasion why I was mentioned, was from what I said in my Sylva three years before, about a sort of fuel for a need, which obstructed a patent of Lord Carlingford (64), who had been seeking for it himself; he was endeavoring to bring me into the project, and proffered me a share. I met my Lord; and, on the 9th, by an order of Council, went to my Lord Mayor, to be assisting. In the meantime they had made an experiment of my receipt of houllies, which I mention in my book to be made at Maestricht, with a mixture of charcoal dust and loam, and which was tried with success at Gresham College (then being the exchange for the meeting of the merchants since the fire) for everybody to see. This done, I went to the Treasury for £12,000 for the sick and wounded yet on my hands.
Next day, we met again about the fuel at Sir J. Armourer's in the Mews.

John Evelyn's Diary 08 July 1667

08 Jul 1667. My Lord Brereton (36) and others dined at my house, where I showed them proof of my new fuel, which was very glowing, and without smoke or ill smell.

John Evelyn's Diary 10 July 1667

10 Jul 1667. I went to see Sir Samuel Morland's (42) inventions and machines, arithmetical wheels, quench-fires, and new harp.

John Evelyn's Diary 17 July 1667

17 Jul 1667. The Master of the Mint and his lady, Mr. Williamson, Sir Nicholas Armourer (47), Sir Edward Bowyer, Sir Anthony Auger, and other friends dined with me.

John Evelyn's Diary 19 July 1667

1667 Raid on the Medway

19 Jul 1667. I went to Gravesend; the Dutch fleet still at anchor before the river, where I saw five of his Majesty's (37) men-at-war encounter above twenty of the Dutch, in the bottom of the Hope, chasing them with many broadsides given and returned toward the Buoy of the Nore, where the body of their fleet lay, which lasted till about midnight. One of their ships was fired, supposed by themselves, she being run on ground. Having seen this bold action, and their braving us so far up the river, I went home the next day, not without indignation at our negligence, and the nation's reproach. It is well known who of the Commissioners of the Treasury gave advice that the charge of setting forth a fleet this year might be spared, Sir W. C. (William Coventry (39)) by name.

John Evelyn's Diary 01 August 1667

01 Aug 1667. I received the sad news of Abraham Cowley's death, that incomparable poet and virtuous man, my very dear friend, and was greatly deplored.

John Evelyn's Diary 03 August 1667

03 Aug 1667. Went to Mr. Cowley's funeral, whose corpse lay at Wallingford House, and was thence conveyed to Westminster Abbey in a hearse with six horses and all funeral decency, near a hundred coaches of noblemen and persons of quality following; among these, all the wits of the town, divers bishops and clergymen. He was interred next Geoffry Chaucer, and near Spenser. A goodly. Monument is since erected to his memory.
Now did his Majesty (37) again dine in the presence, in ancient state, with music and all the court ceremonies, which had been interrupted since the late war.

John Evelyn's Diary 08 August 1667

08 Aug 1667. Visited Mr. Oldenburg (48), a close prisoner in the Tower, being suspected of writing intelligence. I had an order from Lord Arlington (49), Secretary of State, which caused me to be admitted. This gentleman was secretary to our Society, and I am confident will prove an innocent person.

John Evelyn's Diary 15 August 1667

15 Aug 1667. Finished my account, amounting to £25,000.

John Evelyn's Diary 17 August 1667

17 Aug 1667. To the funeral of Mr. Farringdon, a relation of my wife's (32).
There was now a very gallant horse to be baited to death with dogs; but he fought them all, so as the fiercest of them could not fasten on him, till the men run him through with their swords. This wicked and barbarous sport deserved to have been punished in the cruel contrivers to get money, under pretense that the horse had killed a man, which was false. I would not be persuaded to be a spectator.

John Evelyn's Diary 21 August 1667

21 Aug 1667. Saw the famous Italian puppet-play, for it was no other.

John Evelyn's Diary 24 August 1667

24 Aug 1667. I was appointed, with the rest of my brother commissioners, to put in execution an order of Council for freeing the prisoners at war in my custody at Leeds Castle, and taking off his Majesty's (37) extraordinary charge, having called before us the French and Dutch agents. The peace was now proclaimed, in the usual form, by the heralds-at-arms.

John Evelyn's Diary 25 August 1667

25 Aug 1667. After evening service, I went to visit Mr. Vaughan, who lay at Greenwich, a very wise and learned person, one of Mr. Selden's executors and intimate friends.

John Evelyn's Diary 27 August 1667

27 Aug 1667. Visited the Lord Chancellor (58), to whom his Majesty (37) had sent for the seals a few days before; I found him in his bedchamber, very sad. The Parliament had accused him, and he had enemies at Court, especially the buffoons and ladies of pleasure, because he thwarted some of them, and stood in their way; I could name some of the chief. The truth is, he made few friends during his grandeur among the royal sufferers, but advanced the old rebels. He was, however, though no considerable lawyer, one who kept up the form and substance of things in the Nation with more solemnity than some would have had. He was my particular kind friend, on all occasions. The cabal, however, prevailed, and that party in Parliament. Great division at Court concerning him, and divers great persons interceding for him.

John Evelyn's Diary 28 August 1667

28 Aug 1667. I dined with my late Lord Chancellor, where also dined Mr. Ashburnham (64), and Mr. W. Legge, of the bedchamber; his Lordship pretty well in heart, though now many of his friends and sycophants abandoned him.
In the afternoon, to the Lords Commissioners for money, and thence to the audience of a Russian Envoy in the Queen's presence-chamber, introduced with much state, the soldiers, pensioners, and guards in their order. His letters of credence brought by his secretary in a scarf of sarsenet, their vests sumptuous, much embroidered with pearls. He delivered his speech in the Russ language, but without the least action, or motion, of his body, which was immediately interpreted aloud by a German that spoke good English: half of it consisted in repetition of the Czar's titles, which were very haughty and oriental: the substance of the rest was, that he was only sent to see the King (37) and Queen (28), and know how they did, with much compliment and frothy language. Then, they kissed their Majesties' hands, and went as they came; but their real errand was to get money.

John Evelyn's Diary 29 August 1667

29 Aug 1667. We met at the Star Chamber about exchange and release of prisoners.

John Evelyn's Diary 07 September 1667

07 Sep 1667. Came Sir John Kiviet (40), to article with me about his brickwork.

John Evelyn's Diary 13 September 1667

13 Sep 1667. Between the hours of twelve and one, was born my second daughter, who was afterward christened Elizabeth.

John Evelyn's Diary 19 September 1667

19 Sep 1667. To London, with Mr. Henry Howard (39), of Norfolk, of whom I obtained the gift of his Arundelian marbles, those celebrated and famous inscriptions, Greek and Latin, gathered with so much cost and industry from Greece, by his illustrious grandfather, the magnificent Earl of Arundel, my noble friend while he lived. When I saw these precious. Monuments miserably neglected, and scattered up and down about the garden, and other parts of Arundel House, and how exceedingly the corrosive air of London impaired them, I procured him to bestow them on the University of Oxford. This he was pleased to grant me; and now gave me the key of the gallery, with leave to mark all those stones, urns, altars, etc., and whatever I found had inscriptions on them, that were not statues. This I did; and getting them removed and piled together, with those which were incrusted in the garden walls, I sent immediately letters to the Vice-Chancellor of what I had procured, and that if they esteemed it a service to the University (of which I had been a member), they should take order for their transportation.
This done 21st, I accompanied Mr. Howard (39) to his villa at Albury, where I designed for him the plot of his canal and garden, with a crypt through the hill.

John Evelyn's Diary 24 September 1667

24 Sep 1667. Returned to London, where I had orders to deliver the possession of Chelsea College (used as my prison during the war with Holland for such as were sent from the fleet to London) to our Society, as a gift of his Majesty (37), our founder.

John Evelyn's Diary 08 October 1667

08 Oct 1667. Came to dine with me Dr. Bathurst (47), Dean of Wells, President of Trinity College, sent by the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, in the name both of him and the whole University, to thank me for procuring the inscriptions, and to receive my directions what was to be done to show their gratitude to Mr. Howard (39).

John Evelyn's Diary 11 October 1667

11 Oct 1667. I went to see Lord Clarendon, late Lord Chancellor and greatest officer in England, in continual apprehension what the Parliament would determine concerning him.

John Evelyn's Diary 17 October 1667

17 Oct 1667. Came Dr. Barlow (59), Provost of Queen's College and Protobibliothecus of the Bodleian library, to take order about the transportation of the marbles.

John Evelyn's Diary 25 October 1667

25 Oct 1667. There were delivered to me two letters from the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, with the Decree of the Convocation, attested by the Public Notary, ordering four Doctors of Divinity and Law to acknowledge the obligation the University had to me for procuring the Marmora Arundeliana, which was solemnly done by Dr. Barlow (59), Dr. Jenkins, Judge of the Admiralty, Dr. Lloyd (40), and Obadiah Walker (51), of University College, who having made a large compliment from the University, delivered me the decree fairly written;.
.
Sir:
We intend also a noble inscription, in which also honorable mention shall be made of yourself; but Mr. Vice-Chancellor commands me to tell you that that was not sufficient for your merits; but, that if your occasions would permit you to come down at the Act (when we intend a dedication of our new Theater), some other testimony should be given both of your own worth and affection to this your old mother; for we are all very sensible that this great addition of learning and reputation to the University is due as well to your industrious care for the University, and interest with my Lord Howard, as to his great nobleness and generosity of spirit.
I am, Sir, your most humble servant,.
Obadiah Walker, Univ. Coll.
.
The Vice-Chancellor's letter to the same effect was too vainglorious to insert, with divers copies of verses that were also sent me. Their mentioning me in the inscription I totally declined, when I directed the titles of Mr. Howard (39), now made Lord, upon his Ambassage to Morocco.
These four doctors, having made me this compliment, desired me to carry and introduce them to Mr. Howard (39), at Arundel House; which I did, Dr. Barlow (59) (Provost of Queen's) after a short speech, delivering a larger letter of the University's thanks, which was written in Latin, expressing the great sense they had of the honor done them. After this compliment handsomely performed and as nobly received, Mr. Howard accompanied the doctors to their coach. That evening I supped with them.

John Evelyn's Diary 26 October 1667

26 Oct 1667. My late Lord Chancellor was accused by Mr. Seymour in the House of Commons; and, in the evening, I returned home.

John Evelyn's Diary 31 October 1667

31 Oct 1667. My birthday—blessed be God for all his mercies! I made the Royal Society a present of the Table of Veins, Arteries, and Nerves, which great curiosity I had caused to be made in Italy, out of the natural human bodies, by a learned physician, and the help of Veslingius (Professor at Padua), from whence I brought them in 1646. For this I received the public thanks of the Society; and they are hanging up in their repository with an inscription.

John Evelyn's Diary 09 December 1667

09 Dec 1667. To visit the late Lord Chancellor. I found him in his garden at his new-built palace, sitting in his gout wheel-chair, and seeing the gates setting up toward the north and the fields. He looked and spake very disconsolately. After some while deploring his condition to me, I took my leave. Next morning, I heard he was gone; though I am persuaded that, had he gone sooner, though but to Cornbury, and there lain quiet, it would have satisfied the Parliament. That which exasperated them was his presuming to stay and contest the accusation as long as it was possible: and they were on the point of sending him to the Tower.
Note. There is some confusion over the dating of this entry since Lord Clarendon is supposed to have left London on 28 Nov 1667. Possible case of Evelyn writing his diary retrospectively.

John Evelyn's Diary 10 December 1667

10 Dec 1667. I went to the funeral of Mrs. Heath, wife of my worthy friend and schoolfellow.

John Evelyn's Diary 21 December 1667

21 Dec 1667. I saw one Carr pilloried at Charing-cross for a libel, which was burnt before him by the hangman.