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Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673
John Evelyn's Diary 1673 is in John Evelyn's Diary 1670s.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary January 1673
01 Jan 1673. After public prayers in the chapel at Whitehall, when I gave God solemn thanks for all his mercies to me the year past, and my humble supplications to him for his blessing the year now entering, I returned home, having my poor deceased servant (Adams) to bury, who died of pleurisy.
03 Jan 1673. My son now published his version of "Raptinus Hortorum"..
28 Jan 1673. Visited Don Francisco de Melos, the Portugal Ambassador, who showed me his curious collection of books and pictures. He was a person of good parts, and a virtuous man.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary February 1673
06 Feb 1673. To Council about reforming an abuse of the dyers with saundus, and other false drugs; examined divers of that trade.
23 Feb 1673. The Bishop of Chichester (age 59) preached before the King (age 42) on Coloss. II 14, 15, admirably well, as he can do nothing but what is well.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary March 1673
05 Mar 1673. Our new vicar, Mr. Holden, preached in Whitehall Chapel, on Psalm iv. 6, 7. This gentleman is a very excellent and universal scholar, a good and wise man; but he had not the popular way of preaching, nor is in any measure fit for our plain and vulgar auditory, as his predecessor was. There was, however, no comparison between their parts for profound learning. But time and experience may form him to a more practical way than that he is in of University lectures and erudition; which is now universally left off for what is much more profitable.
15 Mar 1673. I heard the speech made to the Lords in their House by Sir Samuel Tuke (age 58), in behalf of the Papists, to take off the penal laws; and then dined with Colonel Norwood (age 59).
16 Mar 1673. Dr. Pearson (age 60), Bishop of Chester, preached on Hebrews ix. 14; a most incomparable sermon from one of the most learned divines of our nation. I dined at my Lord Arlington's (age 55) with the Duke (age 23) and Duchess of Monmouth (age 22); she is one of the wisest and craftiest of her sex, and has much wit. Here was also the learned Isaac Vossius (age 55).
16 Mar 1673. During Lent there is constantly the most excellent preaching by the most eminent bishops and divines of the nation.
26 Mar 1673. I was sworn a younger brother of the Trinity House, with my most worthy and long-acquainted noble friend, Lord Ossory (age 38) (eldest son to the Duke of Ormond (age 62)), Sir Richard Browne (age 68), my father-in-law, being now Master of that Society; after which there was a great collation.
29 Mar 1673. I carried my son (age 18) to the Bishop of Chichester, that learned and pious man, Dr. Peter Gunning (age 59), to be instructed by him before he received the Holy Sacrament, when he gave him most excellent advice, which I pray God may influence and remain with him as long as he lives; and O that I had been so blessed and instructed, when first I was admitted to that sacred ordinance!
30 Mar 1673. Easter day. Myself and son received the blessed Communion, it being his first time, and with that whole week's more extraordinary preparation. I beseech God to make him a sincere and good Christian, while I endeavor to instill into him the fear and love of God, and discharge the duty of a father.
30 Mar 1673. At the sermon coram Rege, preached by Dr. Sparrow (age 61), Bishop of Exeter, to a most crowded auditory; I stayed to see whether, according to custom, the Duke of York (age 39) received the Communion with the King (age 42); but he did not, to the amazement of everybody. This being the second year he had forborne, and put it off, and within a day of the Parliament sitting, who had lately made so severe an Act against the increase of Popery, gave exceeding grief and scandal to the whole nation, that the heir of it, and the son of a martyr for the Protestant religion, should apostatize. What the consequence of this will be, God only knows, and wise men dread.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary April 1673
11 Apr 1673. I dined with the plenipotentiaries designed for the Treaty of Nimeguen.
17 Apr 1673. I carried Lady Tuke to thank the Countess of Arlington (age 39) for speaking to his Majesty (age 42) in her behalf, for being one of the Queen Consort's (age 34) women. She carried us up into her new dressing room at Goring House [Map], where was a bed, two glasses, silver jars, and vases, cabinets, and other so rich furniture as I had seldom seen; to this excess of superfluity were we now arrived and that not only at Court, but almost universally, even to wantonness and profusion.
17 Apr 1673. Dr. Compton (age 41), brother to the Earl of Northampton (age 50), preached on 1 Corinth. v. 11-16 [Note. This reference is ambiguous?], showing the Church's power in ordaining things indifferent; this worthy person's talent is not preaching, but he is likely to make a grave and serious good man.
26 Apr 1673. Dr. Lamplugh (age 58) preached at St. Martin's [Map] the Holy Sacrament following, which I partook of, upon obligation of the late Act of Parliament, enjoining everybody in office, civil or military, under penalty of £500, to receive it within one month before two authentic witnesses; being engrossed on parchment, to be afterward produced in the Court of Chancery, or some other Court of Record; which I did at the Chancery bar, as being one of the Council of Plantations and Trade; taking then also the oath of allegiance and supremacy, signing the clause in the said Act against Transubstantiation.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary May 1673
25 May 1673. My son (age 18) was made a younger brother of the Trinity House. The new master was Sir J. Smith, one of the Commissioners of the Navy, a stout seaman, who had interposed and saved the Duke (age 39) from perishing by a fire ship in the late war.
28 May 1673. I carried one Withers (age 55), an ingenious shipwright, to the King (age 42) to show him some new method of building. [Note. This may have been the suggestion to Copper Bottom ships. See The Mourholme Magazine of Local History Volume II].
29 May 1673. I saw the Italian comedy at the Court, this afternoon.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary June 1673
10 Jun 1673. Came to visit and dine with me my Lord Viscount Cornbury (age 11) and his Lady (age 10); Lady Frances Hyde, sister to the Duchess of York; and Mrs. Dorothy Howard (age 22), Maid of Honour [Note. Dorothy Howard and Colonel James Graham (age 24) were married in 1675 - may be an example of Evelyn writing his diary retrospectively she being referred to as 'Mrs' although possibly the term was used irrecspective of marriage - see John Evelyn's Diary 9th October 1671]. We went, after dinner, to see the formal and formidable camp on Blackheath, Greenwich [Map], raised to invade Holland; or, as others suspected for another design. Thence, to the Italian glass-house at Greenwich, Kent [Map], where glass was blown of finer metal than that of Murano [Map], at Venice.
13 Jun 1673. Came to visit us, with other ladies of rank, Mrs. Sedley (age 15), daughter to Sir Charles (age 34), who was none of the most virtuous, but a wit. [Note. Her age somewhat curious as does her title Mrs but Ms was not in common usage then. There are no other Sir Charles Sedley other than Charles Sedley 5th Baronet.].
19 Jun 1673. Congratulated the new Lord Treasurer, Sir Thomas Osborne (age 41), a gentleman with whom I had been intimately acquainted at Paris, and who was every day at my father-in-law's (age 68) house and table there; on which account I was too confident of succeeding in his favor, as I had done in his predecessor's; but such a friend shall I never find, and I neglected my time, far from believing that my Lord Clifford (age 42) would have so rashly laid down his staff, as he did, to the amazement of all the world, when it came to the test of his receiving the Communion, which I am confident he forbore more from some promise he had entered into to gratify the Duke, than from any prejudice to the Protestant religion, though I found him wavering a pretty while.
23 Jun 1673. To London, to accompany our Council who went in a body to congratulate the new Lord Treasurer (age 41), no friend to it because promoted by my Lord Arlington (age 55), whom he hated.
26 Jun 1673. Came visitors from Court to dine with me and see the army still remaining encamped on Blackheath, Greenwich [Map].
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary July 1673
06 Jul 1673. This evening I went to the funeral of my dear and excellent friend, that good man and accomplished gentleman, Sir Robert Murray (deceased), Secretary of Scotland. He was buried by order of his Majesty (age 43) in Westminster Abbey [Map].
25 Jul 1673. I went to Tunbridge Wells, Kent [Map], to visit my Lord Clifford (age 42), late Lord Treasurer, who was there to divert his mind more than his body; it was believed that he had so engaged himself to the Duke (age 39), that rather than take the Test, without which he was not capable of holding any office, he would resign that great and honorable station. This, I am confident, grieved him to the heart, and at last broke it; for, though he carried with him music, and people to divert him, and, when I came to see him, lodged me in his own apartment, and would not let me go from him, I found he was struggling in his mind; and being of a rough and ambitious nature, he could not long brook the necessity he had brought on himself, of submission to this conjuncture. Besides, he saw the Dutch war, which was made much by his advice, as well as the shutting up of the Exchequer, very unprosperous. These things his high spirit could not support. Having stayed here two or three days, I obtained leave of my Lord to return.
25 Jul 1673. In my way, I saw my Lord of Dorset's (age 50) house at Knowle, near Sevenoaks, a great old-fashioned house.
30 Jul 1673. To Council, where the business of transporting wool was brought before us.
31 Jul 1673. I went to see the pictures of all the judges and eminent men of the Long Robe, newly painted by Mr. Wright (age 56), and set up in Guildhall [Map], costing the city £1,000. Most of them are very like the persons they represent, though I never took Wright to be any considerable artist.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary August 1673
13 Aug 1673. I rode to Durdans, where I dined at my Lord Berkeley's (age 45) of Berkeley Castle, my old and noble friend, it being his wedding anniversary [Note. 11 Aug 1646 he married Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley], where I found the Duchess of Albemarle (age 19), and other company, and returned home on that evening late.
15 Aug 1673. Came to visit me my Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Shaftesbury (age 52).
18 Aug 1673. My Lord Clifford (age 43), being about this time returned from Tunbridge [Map], and preparing for Devonshire, I went to take my leave of him at Wallingford House; he was packing up pictures, most of which were of hunting wild beasts and vast pieces of bull-baiting, bear-baiting, etc. I found him in his study, and restored to him several papers of state, and others of importance, which he had furnished me with, on engaging me to write the "History of the Holland War", with other private letters of his acknowledgments to my Lord Arlington (age 55), who from a private gentleman of a very noble family, but inconsiderable fortune, had advanced him from almost nothing. The first thing was his being in Parliament, then knighted, then made one of the Commissioners of sick and wounded, on which occasion we sat long together; then, on the death of Hugh Pollard, he was made Comptroller of the Household and Privy Councillor, yet still my brother Commissioner; after the death of Lord Fitz-Harding, Treasurer of the Household, he, by letters to Lord Arlington, which that Lord showed me, begged of his Lordship to obtain it for him as the very height of his ambition. These were written with such submissions and professions of his patronage, as I had never seen any more acknowledging. The Earl of Southampton then dying, he was made one of the Commissioners of the Treasury. His Majesty (age 43) inclining to put it into one hand, my Lord Clifford, under pretense of making all his interest for his patron, my Lord Arlington, cut the grass under his feet, and procured it for himself, assuring the King that Lord Arlington did not desire it. Indeed, my Lord Arlington protested to me that his confidence in Lord Clifford made him so remiss and his affection to him was so particular, that he was absolutely minded to devolve it on Lord Clifford, all the world knowing how he himself affected ease and quiet, now growing into years, yet little thinking of this go-by. This was the great ingratitude Lord Clifford showed, keeping my Lord Arlington in ignorance, continually assuring him he was pursuing his interest, which was the Duke's (age 39) into whose great favor Lord Clifford was now gotten; but which certainly cost him the loss of all, namely, his going so irrevocably far in his interest.
18 Aug 1673. For the rest, my Lord Clifford (age 43) was a valiant, incorrupt gentleman, ambitious, not covetous; generous, passionate, a most constant, sincere friend, to me in particular, so as when he laid down his office, I was at the end of all my hopes and endeavors. These were not for high matters, but to obtain what his Majesty (age 43) was really indebted to my father-in-law, which was the utmost of my ambition, and which I had undoubtedly obtained, if this friend had stood. Sir Thomas Osborn (age 41), who succeeded him, though much more obliged to my father-in-law and his family, and my long and old acquaintance, being of a more haughty and far less obliging nature, I could hope for little; a man of excellent natural parts; but nothing of generous or grateful.
18 Aug 1673. Taking leave of my Lord Clifford (age 43), he wrung me by the hand, and, looking earnestly on me, bid me God-b'ye, adding, "Mr. Evelyn, I shall never see thee more". "No!" said I, "my Lord, what's the meaning of this? I hope I shall see you often, and as great a person again". "No, Mr. Evelyn, do not expect it, I will never see this place, this city, or Court again", or words of this sound. In this manner, not without almost mutual tears, I parted from him; nor was it long after, but the news was that he was dead, and I have heard from some who I believe knew, he made himself away, after an extraordinary melancholy. This is not confidently affirmed, but a servant who lived in the house, and afterward with Sir Robert Clayton (age 44), Lord Mayor, did, as well as others, report it, and when I hinted some such thing to Mr. Prideaux, one of his trustees, he was not willing to enter into that discourse.
18 Aug 1673. It was reported with these particulars, that, causing his servant to leave him unusually one morning, locking himself in, he strangled himself with his cravat upon the bed-tester; his servant, not liking the manner of dismissing him, and looking through the keyhole (as I remember), and seeing his master hanging, broke in before he was quite dead, and taking him down, vomiting a great deal of blood, he was heard to utter these words: "Well; let men say what they will, there is a God, a just God above"; after which he spoke no more. This, if true, is dismal. Really, he was the chief occasion of the Dutch war, and of all that blood which was lost at Bergen in attacking the Smyrna fleet, and that whole quarrel.
18 Aug 1673. This leads me to call to mind what my Lord Chancellor Shaftesbury (age 52) affirmed, not to me only, but to all my brethren the Council of Foreign Plantations, when not long after, this accident being mentioned as we were one day sitting in Council, his Lordship told us this remarkable passage: that, being one day discoursing with him when he was only Sir Thomas Clifford, speaking of men's advancement to great charges in the nation, "Well", says he, "my Lord, I shall be one of the greatest men in England. Don't impute what I say either to fancy, or vanity; I am certain that I shall be a mighty man; but it will not last long; I shall not hold it, but die a bloody death". "What", says my Lord, "your horoscope tells you so?" "No matter for that, it will be as I tell you". "Well", says my Lord Chancellor Shaftesbury, "if I were of that opinion, I either would not be a great man, but decline preferment, or prevent my danger". This my Lord affirmed in my hearing before several gentlemen and noblemen sitting in council at Whitehall.
18 Aug 1673. And I the rather am confident of it, remembering what Sir Edward Walker (age 62) (Garter King at Arms) had likewise affirmed to me a long time before, even when he was first made a Lord; that carrying his pedigree to Lord Clifford (age 43) on his being created a peer, and, finding him busy, he bade him go into his study and divert himself there till he was at leisure to discourse with him about some things relating to his family; there lay, said Sir Edward, on his table, his horoscope and nativity calculated, with some writing under it, where he read that he should be advanced to the highest degree in the state that could be conferred upon him, but that he should not long enjoy it, but should die, or expressions to that sense; and I think, (but cannot confidently say) a bloody death. This Sir Edward affirmed both to me and Sir Richard Browne; nor could I forbear to note this extraordinary passage in these memoirs.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary September 1673
14 Sep 1673. Dr. Creighton (age 34), son to the late eloquent Bishop of Bath and Wells, preached to the Household on Isaiah, lvii. 8.
15 Sep 1673. I procured £4,000 of the Lords of the Treasury, and rectified divers matters about the sick and wounded.
16 Sep 1673. To Council, about choosing a new Secretary.
17 Sep 1673. I went with some friends to visit Mr. Bernard Granville (age 42), at Abs Court in Surrey; an old house in a pretty park.
23 Sep 1673. I went to see Paradise, a room in Hatton Garden [Map] furnished with a representation of all sorts of animals handsomely painted on boards or cloth, and so cut out and made to stand, move, fly, crawl, roar, and make their several cries. The man who showed it, made us laugh heartily at his formal poetry.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary October 1673
15 Oct 1673. To Council, and swore in Mr. Locke (age 41), secretary, Dr. Worsley being dead.
27 Oct 1673. To Council, about sending succors to recover New York: and then we read the commission and instructions to Sir Jonathan Atkins (age 63), the new Governor of Barbadoes.
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary November 1673
05 Nov 1673. This night the youths of the city burned the Pope in effigy, after they had made procession with it in great triumph, they being displeased at the Duke (age 40) for altering his religion and marrying an Italian lady (age 15).
30 Nov 1673. On St. Andrew's day I first saw the new Duchess of York (age 15), and the Duchess of Modena, her mother (age 34).
Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1673, John Evelyn's Diary December 1673
01 Dec 1673. To Gresham College, whither the city had invited the Royal Society by many of their chief aldermen and magistrates, who gave us a collation, to welcome us to our first place of assembly, from whence we had been driven to give place to the City, on their making it their Exchange [Map] on the dreadful conflagration, till their new Exchange [Map] was finished, which it now was. The Society having till now been entertained and having met at Arundel House [Map].
02 Dec 1673. I dined with some friends, and visited the sick; thence, to an almshouse, where was prayers and relief, some very ill and miserable. It was one of the best days I ever spent in my life.
03 Dec 1673. There was at dinner my Lord Lockhart (age 52), designed Ambassador for France, a gallant and sober person.
09 Dec 1673. I saw again the Italian Duchess and her brother, the Prince Reynaldo.
20 Dec 1673. I had some discourse with certain strangers, not unlearned, who had been born not far from Old Nineveh; they assured me of the ruins being still extant, and vast and wonderful were the buildings, vaults, pillars, and magnificent fragments; but they could say little of the Tower of Babel that satisfied me. But the description of the amenity and fragrancy of the country for health and cheerfulness, delighted me; so sensibly they spoke of the excellent air and climate in respect of our cloudy and splenetic country.
24 Dec 1673. Visited the prisoners at Ludgate, taking orders about the releasing of some.
30 Dec 1673. I gave Almighty God thanks for his infinite goodness to me the year past, and begged his mercy and protection the year following; afterward, invited my neighbors to spend the day with me.