John Evelyn's Diary 1704

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1704, John Evelyn's Diary January 1704

01 Jan 1704. The King of Spain (age 20) landing at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], came to Windsor, Berkshire [Map], where he was magnificently entertained by the Queen (age 38), and behaved himself so nobly, that everybody was taken with his graceful deportment. After two days, having presented the great ladies, and others, with valuable jewels, he went back to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], and immediately embarked for Spain.

16 Jan 1704. The Lord Treasurer (age 58) gave my grandson (age 21) the office of Treasurer of the Stamp Duties, with a salary of £300 a year.

30 Jan 1704. The fast on the Martyrdom of King Charles I. was observed with more than usual solemnity.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1704, John Evelyn's Diary May 1704

01 May 1704. Dr. Bathurst, President of Trinity College, Oxford, now died, I think the oldest acquaintance now left me in the world. He was eighty-six years of age, stark blind, deaf, and memory lost, after having been a person of admirable parts and learning. This is a serious alarm to me. God grant that I may profit by it! He built a very handsome chapel to the college, and his own tomb. He gave a legacy of money, and a third part of his library, to his nephew, Dr. Bohun, who went hence to his funeral.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1704, John Evelyn's Diary September 1704

1704 Battle of Blenheim

07 Sep 1704. This day was celebrated the thanksgiving for the late great victory, with the utmost pomp and splendor by the Queen (age 39), Court, great Officers, Lords Mayor, Sheriffs, Companies, etc. The streets were scaffolded from Temple Bar, where the Lord Mayor presented her Majesty with a sword, which she returned. Every company was ranged under its banners, the city militia without the rails, which were all hung with cloth suitable to the color of the banner. The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen were in their scarlet robes, with caparisoned horses; the Knight Marshal on horseback; the Foot-Guards; the Queen in a rich coach with eight horses, none with her but the Duchess of Marlborough (age 44) in a very plain garment, the Queen full of jewels. Music and trumpets at every city company. The great officers of the Crown, Nobility, and Bishops, all in coaches with six horses, besides innumerable servants, went to St. Paul's, where the Dean preached. After this, the Queen went back in the same order to St. James's. The city companies feasted all the Nobility and Bishops, and illuminated at night. Music for the church and anthems composed by the best masters. The day before was wet and stormy, but this was one of the most serene and calm days that had been all the year.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1704, John Evelyn's Diary October 1704

01 Oct 1704. The year has been very plentiful.

31 Oct 1704. Being my birthday and the 84th year of my life, after particular reflections on my concerns and passages of the year, I set some considerable time of this day apart, to recollect and examine my state and condition, giving God thanks, and acknowledging his infinite mercies to me and mine, begging his blessing, and imploring his protection for the year following.

Stewart Books, John Evelyn's Diary 1704, John Evelyn's Diary December 1704

01 Dec 1704. Lord Clarendon presented me with the three volumes of his father's "History of the Rebellion".

01 Dec 1704. My Lord of Canterbury (age 68) wrote to me for suffrage for Mr. Clarke's continuance this year in the Boyle Lecture, which I willingly gave for his excellent performance of this year.