John Evelyn's Diary 1669

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John Evelyn's Diary 1669 is in John Evelyn's Diary 1660s.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 January

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 January 01

01 Jan 1669. Imploring his blessing for the year entering, I went to church, where our Doctor preached on Psalm lxv. 12, apposite to the season, and beginning a new year.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 January 03

03 Jan 1669. About this time one of Sir William Penn's (age 47) sons had published a blasphemous book against the Deity of our Blessed Lord.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 January 29

29 Jan 1669. I went to see a tall gigantic woman who measured 6 feet 10 inches high, at 21 years old, born in the Low Countries.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 February

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 February 13

13 Feb 1669. I presented his Majesty (age 38) with my "History of the Four Impostors;" he told me of other like cheats. I gave my book to Lord Arlington (age 51), to whom I dedicated it. It was now that he began to tempt me about writing "The Dutch War"..

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 February 15

15 Feb 1669. Saw Mrs. Phillips' "Horace" acted again.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 February 18

18 Feb 1669. To the Royal Society, when Signor Malpighi (age 40), an Italian physician and anatomist, sent this learned body the incomparable "History of the Silk Worm".

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 March

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 March 01

01 Mar 1669. Dined at Lord Arlington's (age 51) at Goring House [Map], with the Bishop of Hereford (age 66).

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 March 04

04 Mar 1669. To the Council of the Royal Society, about disposing my Lord Howard's library, now given to us.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 March 16

16 Mar 1669. To London, to place Mr. Christopher Wase (age 42) about my Lord Arlington (age 51).

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 March 18

18 Mar 1669. I went with Lord Howard of Norfolk, to visit Sir William Ducie at Charlton, where we dined; the servants made our coachmen so drunk, that they both fell off their boxes on the heath, where we were fain to leave them, and were driven to London by two servants of my Lord's. This barbarous custom of making the masters welcome by intoxicating the servants, had now the second time happened to my coachmen.

18 Mar 1669. My son finally came from Oxford.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 April

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 April 02

02 Apr 1669. Dined at Mr. Treasurer's (age 38), where was (with many noblemen) Colonel Titus (age 46) of the bedchamber, author of the famous piece against Cromwell, "Killing no Murder"..

02 Apr 1669. I now placed Mr. Wase (age 42) with Mr. Williamson, Secretary to the Secretary of State, and Clerk of the Papers.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 April 14

14 Apr 1669. I dined with the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 70), at Lambeth Palace [Map], and saw the library, which was not very considerable.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 May

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 May 19

19 May 1669. At a Council of the Royal Society our grant was finished, in which his Majesty (age 38) gives us Chelsea College, and some land about it. It was ordered that five should be a quorum for a Council. The Vice-President was then sworn for the first time, and it was proposed how we should receive the Prince of Tuscany, who desired to visit the Society.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 May 20

20 May 1669. This evening, at 10 o'clock, was born my third daughter, who was baptized on the 25th by the name of Susannah.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 June

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 June 03

03 Jun 1669. Went to take leave of Lord Howard, going Ambassador to Morocco. Dined at Lord Arlington's (age 51), where were the Earl of Berkshire (age 49), Lord Saint John, Sir Robert Howard, and Sir R. Holmes.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 June 10

10 Jun 1669. Came my Lord Cornbury, Sir William Pulteney (age 45), and others to visit me. I went this evening to London, to carry Mr. Pepys (age 36) to my brother Richard (age 46), now exceedingly afflicted with the stone, who had been successfully cut, and carried the stone as big as a tennis ball to show him, and encourage his resolution to go through the operation.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 June 30

30 Jun 1669. my wife (age 34) went a journey of pleasure down the river as far as the sea, with Mrs. Howard (age 43) and her daughter (age 18), the Maid of Honor, and others, among whom that excellent creature, Mrs. Blagg (age 16).

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 07

07 Jul 1669. I went toward Oxford; lay at Little Wycomb.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 08

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 09

09 Jul 1669. In the morning was celebrated the Encænia of the New Theater, so magnificently built by the munificence of Dr. Gilbert Sheldon (age 71), Archbishop of Canterbury, in which was spent,£25,000, as Sir Christopher Wren (age 45), the architect (as I remember), told me; and yet it was never seen by the benefactor, my Lord Archbishop having told me that he never did or ever would see it. It is, in truth, a fabric comparable to any of this kind of former ages, and doubtless exceeding any of the present, as this University does for colleges, libraries, schools, students, and order, all the universities in the world. To the theater is added the famous Sheldonian printing house. This being at the Act and the first time of opening the Theater (Acts being formerly kept in St. Mary's Church, which might be thought indecent, that being a place set apart for the immediate worship of God, and was the inducement for building this noble pile), it was now resolved to keep the present Act in it, and celebrate its dedication with the greatest splendor and formality that might be; and, therefore, drew a world of strangers, and other company, to the University, from all parts of the nation.

09 Jul 1669. The Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Houses, and Doctors, being seated in magisterial seats, the Vice-Chancellor's chair and desk, Proctors, etc., covered with brocatelle (a kind of brocade) and cloth of gold; the University Registrar read the founder's grant and gift of it to the University for their scholastic exercises upon these solemn occasions. Then followed Dr. South (age 34), the University's orator, in an eloquent speech, which was very long, and not without some malicious and indecent reflections on the Royal Society, as underminers of the University; which was very foolish and untrue, as well as unseasonable. But, to let that pass from an ill-natured man, the rest was in praise of the Archbishop and the ingenious architect. This ended, after loud music from the corridor above, where an organ was placed, there followed divers panegyric speeches, both in prose and verse, interchangeably pronounced by the young students placed in the rostrums, in Pindarics, Eclogues, Heroics, etc., mingled with excellent music, vocal and instrumental, to entertain the ladies and the rest of the company. A speech was then made in praise of academical learning. This lasted from eleven in the morning till seven at night, which was concluded with ringing of bells, and universal joy and feasting.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 10

10 Jul 1669. The next day began the more solemn lectures in all the faculties, which were performed in the several schools, where all the Inceptor-Doctors did their exercises, the Professors having first ended their reading. The assembly now returned to the Theater, where the Terræ filius entertained the auditory with a tedious, abusive, sarcastical rhapsody, most unbecoming the gravity of the University, and that so grossly, that unless it be suppressed, it will be of ill consequence, as I afterward plainly expressed my sense of it both to the Vice-Chancellor and several Heads of Houses, who were perfectly ashamed of it, and resolved to take care of it in future. The old facetious way of rallying upon the questions was left off, falling wholly upon persons, so that it was rather licentious lying and railing than genuine and noble wit. In my life, I was never witness of so shameful an entertainment.

10 Jul 1669. After this ribaldry, the Proctors made their speeches. Then began the music art, vocal and instrumental, above in the balustrade corridor opposite to the Vice-Chancellor's seat. Then Dr. Wallis, the mathematical Professor, made his oration, and created one Doctor of music according to the usual ceremonies of gown (which was of white damask), cap, ring, kiss, etc. Next followed the disputations of the Inceptor-Doctors in Medicine, the speech of their Professor, Dr. Hyde, and so in course their respective creations. Then disputed the Inceptors of Law, the speech of their Professor, and creation. Lastly, Inceptors of Theology: Dr. Compton (age 37) (brother of the Earl of Northampton) being junior, began with great modesty and applause; so the rest. After which, Dr. Tillotson (age 38), Dr. Sprat (age 34), etc., and then Dr. Allestree's (age 47) speech, the King's (age 39) Professor, and their respective creations. Last of all, the Vice-Chancellor, shutting up the whole in a panegyrical oration, celebrating their benefactor and the rest, apposite to the occasion.

10 Jul 1669. Thus was the Theater dedicated by the scholastic exercises in all the Faculties with great solemnity; and the night, as the former, entertaining the new Doctor's friends in feasting and music. I was invited by Dr. Barlow (age 61), the worthy and learned Professor of Queen's College.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 11

11 Jul 1669. The Act sermon was this forenoon preached by Dr. Hall, in St. Mary's, in an honest, practical discourse against atheism. In the afternoon, the church was so crowded, that, not coming early, I could not approach to hear.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 12

12 Jul 1669. Monday. Was held the Divinity Act in the Theater again, when proceeded seventeen Doctors, in all Faculties some.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 13

13 Jul 1669. I dined at the Vice-Chancellor's, and spent the afternoon in seeing the rarities of the public libraries, and visiting the noble marbles and inscriptions, now inserted in the walls that compass the area of the Theater, which were 150 of the most ancient and worthy treasures of that kind in the learned world. Now, observing that people approach them too near, some idle persons began to scratch and injure them, I advised that a hedge of holly should be planted at the foot of the wall, to be kept breast-high only to protect them; which the Vice-Chancellor promised to do the next season.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 14

14 Jul 1669. Dr. Fell, Dean of Christ Church and Vice-Chancellor, with Dr. Allestree (age 47), Professor, with beadles and maces before them, came to visit me at my lodging. I went to visit Lord Howard's sons at Magdalen College, Oxford University.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 July 15

15 Jul 1669. Having two days before had notice that the University intended me the honor of Doctorship, I was this morning attended by the beadles belonging to the Law, who conducted me to the Theater, where I found the Duke of Ormond (age 58) (now Chancellor of the University) with the Earl of Chesterfield (age 35) and Mr. Spencer (age 40) (brother to the late Earl of Sunderland). Thence, we marched to the Convocation House, a convocation having been called on purpose; here, being all of us robed in the porch, in scarlet with caps and hoods, we were led in by the Professor of Laws, and presented respectively by name, with a short eulogy, to the Vice-Chancellor, who sat in the chair, with all the Doctors and Heads of Houses and masters about the room, which was exceedingly full. Then, began the Public Orator his speech, directed chiefly to the Duke of Ormond, the Chancellor; but in which I had my compliment, in course. This ended, we were called up, and created Doctors according to the form, and seated by the Vice-Chancellor among the Doctors, on his right hand; then, the Vice-Chancellor made a short speech, and so, saluting our brother Doctors, the pageantry concluded, and the convocation was dissolved. So formal a creation of honorary Doctors had seldom been seen, that a convocation should be called on purpose, and speeches made by the Orator; but they could do no less, their Chancellor being to receive, or rather do them, this honor. I should have been made Doctor with the rest at the public Act, but their expectation of their Chancellor made them defer it. I was then led with my brother Doctors to an extraordinary entertainment at Doctor Mewes's, head of St John's College, Oxford University, and, after abundance of feasting and compliments, having visited the Vice-Chancellor and other Doctors, and given them thanks for the honor done me, I went toward home the 16th, and got as far as Windsor [Map], and so to my house the next day.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 August

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 August 04

04 Aug 1669. I was invited by Sir Henry Peckham (age 54) to his reading feast in the Middle Temple, a pompous entertainment, where were the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 71), all the great Earls and Lords, etc. I had much discourse with my Lord Winchelsea (age 41), a prodigious talker; and the Venetian Ambassador [Signor Muccinigo].

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 August 17

17 Aug 1669. To London, spending almost the entire day in surveying what progress was made in rebuilding the ruinous city, which now began a little to revive after its sad calamity.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 August 20

20 Aug 1669. I saw the splendid audience of the Danish Ambassador in the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] at Whitehall.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 August 23

23 Aug 1669. I went to visit my most excellent and worthy neighbor, the Lord Bishop of Rochester (age 44), at Bromley, which he was now repairing, after the delapidations of the late Rebellion.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 September

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 September 02

02 Sep 1669. I was this day very ill of a pain in my limbs, which continued most of this week, and was increased by a visit I made to my old acquaintance, the Earl of Norwich (age 54), at his house in Epping Forest, where are many good pictures put into the wainscot of the rooms, which Mr. Baker, his Lordship's predecessor there, brought out of Spain; especially the History of Joseph, a picture of the pious and learned Picus Mirandula, and an incomparable one of old Breugel. The gardens were well understood, I mean the potager. I returned late in the evening, ferrying over the water at Greenwich, Kent [Map].

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 September 26

26 Sep 1669. To church, to give God thanks for my recovery.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 October

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 October 03

03 Oct 1669. I received the Blessed Eucharist, to my unspeakable joy.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 October 21

21 Oct 1669. To the Royal Society, meeting for the first time after a long recess, during vacation, according to custom; where was read a description of the prodigious eruption of Mount Etna; and our English itinerant presented an account of his autumnal peregrination about England, for which we hired him, bringing dried fowls, fish, plants, animals, etc.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 October 26

26 Oct 1669. My dear brother (age 46) continued extremely full of pain, the Lord be gracious to him!

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 November

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 November 03

03 Nov 1669. This being the day of meeting for the poor, we dined neighborly together.

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 November 26

26 Nov 1669. I heard an excellent discourse by Dr. Patrick, on the Resurrection, and afterward, visited the Countess of Kent (age 25), my kinswoman.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1669 December

John Evelyn's Diary 1669 December 08

08 Dec 1669. To London, upon the second edition of my "Sylva", which I presented to the Royal Society.