The Diary of John Evelyn Volume II Part 31

5th December, 1686. I dined at my Lady Arlington's, Groom of the Stole to the Queen Dowager at Somerset House, where dined divers French n.o.blemen, driven out of their country by the persecution.

16th December, 1686. I carried the Countess of Sunderland to see the rarities of one Mr. Charlton in the Middle Temple, who showed us such a collection as I had never seen in all my travels abroad either of private gentlemen, or princes. It consisted of miniatures, drawings, sh.e.l.ls, insects, medals, natural things, animals (of which divers, I think 100, were kept in gla.s.ses of spirits of wine), minerals, precious stones, vessels, curiosities in amber, crystal, agate, etc.; all being very perfect and rare of their kind, especially his books of birds, fish, flowers, and sh.e.l.ls, drawn and miniatured to the life. He told us that one book stood him in 300; it was painted by that excellent workman, whom the late Gaston, Duke of Orleans, employed. This gentleman's whole collection, gathered by himself, traveling over most parts of Europe, is estimated at 8,000. He appeared to be a modest and obliging person.[62]

[Footnote 62: This collection was afterward purchased by Sir Hans Sloane, and now forms part o the British Museum.]

[Sidenote: LONDON]

29th December, 1686. I went to hear the music of the Italians in the new chapel, now first opened publicly at Whitehall for the Popish Service. Nothing can be finer than the magnificent marble work and architecture at the end, where are four statues, representing St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, and the Church, in white marble, the work of Mr.

Gibbons, with all the carving and pillars of exquisite art and great cost. The altar piece is the Salutation; the volto in _fresco_, the a.s.sumption of the blessed Virgin, according to their tradition, with our blessed Savior, and a world of figures painted by Verrio. The throne where the King and Queen sit is very glorious, in a closet above, just opposite to the altar. Here we saw the Bishop in his mitre and rich copes, with six or seven Jesuits and others in rich copes, sumptuously habited, often taking off and putting on the Bishop's mitre, who sat in a chair with arms pontifically, was adored and censed by three Jesuits in their copes; then he went to the altar and made divers cringes, then censing the images and glorious tabernacle placed on the altar, and now and then changing place: the crosier, which was of silver, was put into his hand with a world of mysterious ceremony, the music playing, with singing. I could not have believed I should ever have seen such things in the King of England's palace, after it had pleased G.o.d to enlighten this nation; but our great sin has, for the present, eclipsed the blessing, which I hope he will in mercy and his good time restore to its purity.

Little appearance of any winter as yet.

1st January, 1686-87. Mr. Wake preached at St. Martin's on 1 Tim. iii.

16, concerning the mystery of G.o.dliness. He wrote excellently, in answer to the Bishop of Meaux.

3d January, 1687. A Seal to confirm a gift of 4,000 per annum for 99 years to the Lord Treasurer out of the Post Office, and 1,700 per annum for ever out of Lord Grey's estate.

There was now another change of the great officers. The Treasury was put into commission, two professed Papists among them, viz, Lords Bellasis and Dover, joined with the old ones, Lord G.o.dolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, and Sir John Ernley.

17th January, 1687. Much expectation of several great men declaring themselves Papists. Lord Tyrconnel gone to succeed the Lord-Lieutenant [Clarendon] in Ireland, to the astonishment of all sober men, and to the evident ruin of the Protestants in that kingdom, as well as of its great improvement going on. Much discourse that all the White Staff officers and others should be dismissed for adhering to their religion. Popish Justices of the Peace established in all counties, of the meanest of the people; Judges ignorant of the law, and perverting it--so furiously do the Jesuits drive, and even compel Princes to violent courses, and destruction of an excellent government both in Church and State. G.o.d of his infinite mercy open our eyes, and turn our hearts, and establish his truth with peace! The Lord Jesus defend his little flock, and preserve this threatened church and nation!

24th January, 1687. I saw the Queen's new apartment at Whitehall, with her new bed, the embroidery of which cost 3,000. The carving about the chimney piece, by Gibbons, is incomparable.

30th January, 1687. I heard the famous eunuch, Cifaccio, sing in the new Popish chapel this afternoon; it was indeed very rare, and with great skill. He came over from Rome, esteemed one of the best voices in Italy.

Much crowding--little devotion.

27th February, 1687. Mr. Chetwin preached at Whitehall on Rom. i. 18, a very quaint, neat discourse of Moral righteousness.

2d March, 1687. Came out a proclamation for universal liberty of conscience in Scotland, and depensation from all tests and laws to the contrary, as also capacitating Papists to be chosen into all offices of trust. The mystery operates.

3d March, 1687. Dr. Meggott, Dean of Winchester, preached before the Princess of Denmark, on Matt. xiv. 23. In the afternoon, I went out of town to meet my Lord Clarendon, returning from Ireland.

10th March, 1687. His Majesty sent for the Commissioners of the Privy Seal this morning into his bedchamber, and told us that though he had thought fit to dispose of the Seal into a single hand, yet he would so provide for us, as it should appear how well he accepted our faithful and loyal service with many gracious expressions to this effect; upon which we delivered the Seal into his hands. It was by all the world both hoped and expected, that he would have restored it to my Lord Clarendon; but they were astonished to see it given to Lord Arundel, of Wardour, a zealous Roman Catholic. Indeed it was very hard, and looked very unkindly, his Majesty (as my Lord Clarendon protested to me, on my going to visit him and long discoursing with him about the affairs of Ireland) finding not the least failure of duty in him during his government of that kingdom, so that his recall plainly appeared to be from the stronger influence of the Papists, who now got all the preferments.

Most of the great officers, both in the Court and country, Lords and others, were dismissed, as they would not promise his Majesty their consent to the repeal of the test and penal statutes against Popish Recusants. To this end, most of the Parliament men were spoken to in his Majesty's closet, and such as refused, if in any place of office or trust, civil or military, were put out of their employments. This was a time of great trial; but hardly one of them a.s.sented, which put the Popish interest much backward. The English clergy everywhere preached boldly against their superst.i.tion and errors, and were wonderfully followed by the people. Not one considerable proselyte was made in all this time. The party were exceedingly put to the worst by the preaching and writing of the Protestants in many excellent treatises, evincing the doctrine and discipline of the reformed religion, to the manifest disadvantage of their adversaries. To this did not a little contribute the sermon preached at Whitehall before the Princess of Denmark and a great crowd of people, and at least thirty of the greatest n.o.bility, by Dr. Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, on John viii. 46 (the Gospel of the day), describing through his whole discourse the blasphemies, perfidy, wresting of Scripture, preference of tradition before it, spirit of persecution, superst.i.tion, legends, and fables of the Scribes and Pharisees, so that all the auditory understood his meaning of a parallel between them and the Romish priests, and their new Trent religion. He exhorted his audience to adhere to the written Word, and to persevere in the Faith taught in the Church of England, whose doctrine for Catholic and soundness he preferred to all the communities and churches of Christians in the world; concluding with a kind of prophecy, that whatever it suffered, it should after a short trial emerge to the confusion of her adversaries and the glory of G.o.d.

I went this evening to see the order of the boys and children at Christ's Hospital. There were near 800 boys and girls so decently clad, cleanly lodged, so wholesomely fed, so admirably taught, some the mathematics, especially the forty of the late King's foundation, that I was delighted to see the progress some little youths of thirteen or fourteen years of age had made. I saw them at supper, visited their dormitories, and much admired the order, economy, and excellent government of this most charitable seminary. Some are taught for the Universities, others designed for seamen, all for trades and callings.

The girls are instructed in all such work as becomes their s.e.x and may fit them for good wives, mistresses, and to be a blessing to their generation. They sang a psalm before they sat down to supper in the great Hall, to an organ which played all the time, with such cheerful harmony, that it seemed to me a vision of angels. I came from the place with infinite satisfaction, having never seen a more n.o.ble, pious, and admirable charity. All these consisted of orphans only.[63] The foundation was of that pious Prince King Edward VI., whose picture (held to be an original of Holbein) is in the court where the Governors meet to consult on the affairs of the Hospital, and his statue in white marble stands in a niche of the wall below, as you go to the church, which is a modern, n.o.ble, and ample fabric. This foundation has had, and still has, many benefactors.

[Footnote 63: This is by no means the case now.]

16th March, 1687. I saw a trial of those devilish, murdering, mischief doing engines called bombs, shot out of the mortar piece on Blackheath.

The distance that they are cast, the destruction they make where they fall, is prodigious.

20th March, 1687. The Bishop of Bath and Wells (Dr. Ken) preached at St.

Martin's to a crowd of people not to be expressed, nor the wonderful eloquence of this admirable preacher; the text was Matt. xxvi. 36 to verse 40, describing the bitterness of our Blessed Savior's agony, the ardor of his love, the infinite obligations we have to imitate his patience and resignation; the means by watching against temptations, and over ourselves with fervent prayer to attain it, and the exceeding reward in the end. Upon all which he made most pathetical discourses.

The Communion followed, at which I was partic.i.p.ant. I afterward dined at Dr. Tenison's with the Bishop and that young, most learned, pious, and excellent preacher, Mr. Wake. In the afternoon, I went to hear Mr. Wake at the newly built church of St. Anne, on Mark viii. 34, upon the subject of taking up the cross, and strenuously behaving ourselves in time of persecution, as this now threatened to be.

His Majesty again prorogued the Parliament, foreseeing it would not remit the laws against Papists, by the extraordinary zeal and bravery of its members, and the free renunciation of the great officers both in Court and state, who would not be prevailed with for any temporal concern.

25th March, 1687. GOOD FRIDAY. Dr. Tenison preached at St. Martin's on 1 Peter ii. 24. During the service, a man came into near the middle of the church, with his sword drawn, with several others in that posture; in this jealous time it put the congregation into great confusion, but it appeared to be one who fled for sanctuary, being pursued by bailiffs.

8th April, 1687. I had a rehearing of my great cause at the Chancery in Westminster Hall, having seven of the most learned Counsel, my adversary five, among which were the Attorney General and late Solicitor Finch, son to the Lord Chancellor Nottingham. The account was at last brought to one article of the surcharge, and referred to a Master. The cause lasted two hours and more.

10th April, 1687. In the last week there was issued a Dispensation from all obligations and tests, by which Dissenters and Papists especially had public liberty of exercising their several ways of wors.h.i.+p, without incurring the penalty of the many Laws and Acts of Parliament to the contrary. This was purely obtained by the Papists, thinking thereby to ruin the Church of England, being now the only church which so admirably and strenuously opposed their superst.i.tion. There was a wonderful concourse of people at the Dissenters' meeting house in this parish, and the parish church [Deptford] left exceedingly thin. What this will end in, G.o.d Almighty only knows; but it looks like confusion, which I pray G.o.d avert.

[Sidenote: LONDON]

11th April, 1687. To London about my suit, some terms of accommodation being proposed.

19th April, 1687. I heard the famous singer, Cifaccio, esteemed the best in Europe. Indeed, his holding out and delicateness in extending and loosing a note with incomparable softness and sweetness, was admirable; for the rest I found him a mere wanton, effeminate child, very coy, and proudly conceited, to my apprehension. He touched the harpsichord to his voice rarely well. This was before a select number of particular persons whom Mr. Pepys invited to his house; and this was obtained by particular favor and much difficulty, the Signor much disdaining to show his talent to any but princes.

24th April, 1687. At Greenwich, at the conclusion of the Church service, there was a French sermon preached after the use of the English Liturgy translated into French, to a congregation of about 100 French refugees, of whom Monsieur Ruvigny was the chief, and had obtained the use of the church, after the parish service was ended. The preacher pathetically exhorted to patience, constancy, and reliance on G.o.d amidst all their sufferings, and the infinite rewards to come.

2d May, 1687. I dined with Mynheer Diskvelts, the Holland Amba.s.sador, a prudent and worthy person. There dined Lord Middleton, princ.i.p.al Secretary of State, Lord Pembroke, Lord Lumley, Lord Preston, Colonel Fitzpatrick, and Sir John Chardin. After dinner, the Amba.s.sador discoursed of and deplored the stupid folly of our politics, in suffering the French to take Luxemburg, it being a place of the most concern to have been defended, for the interest not only of the Netherlands, but of England.

[Sidenote: LONDON]

12th May, 1687. To London. Lord Sunderland being Lord President and Secretary of State, was made Knight of the Garter and Prime favorite.

This day there was such a storm of wind as had seldom happened, being a sort of hurricane. It kept the flood out of the Thames, so that people went on foot over several places above bridge. Also an earthquake in several places in England about the time of the storm.

26th May, 1687. To London, about my agreement with Mr. Pretyman, after my tedious suit.

2d June, 1687. I went to London, it having pleased his Majesty to grant me a Privy Seal for 6,000, for discharge of the debt I had been so many years persecuted for, it being indeed for money drawn over by my father-in-law, Sir R. Browne, during his residence in the Court of France, and so with a much greater sum due to Sir Richard from his Majesty; and now this part of the arrear being paid, there remains yet due to me, as executor of Sir Richard, above 6,500 more; but this determining an expensive Chancery suit has been so great a mercy and providence to me (through the kindness and friends.h.i.+p to me of Lord G.o.dolphin, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury,) that I do acknowledge it with all imaginable thanks to my gracious G.o.d.

6th June, 1687. I visited my Lady Pierpoint, daughter to Sir John Evelyn, of Deane [in Wilts], now widow of Mr. Pierpoint, and mother of the Earl of Kingston. She was now engaged in the marriage of my cousin, Evelyn Pierpoint, her second son.

There was about this time brought into the Downs a vast treasure, which was sunk in a Spanish galleon about forty-five years ago, somewhere near Hispaniola, or the Bahama islands, and was now weighed up by some gentlemen, who were at the charge of divers, etc., to the enriching them beyond all expectation. The Duke of Albemarle's share [Governor of Jamaica] came to, I believe, 50,000. Some private gentlemen who adventured 100, gained from 8,000 to 10,000. His Majesty's tenth was 10,000.

The Camp was now again pitched at Hounslow, the Commanders profusely vying in the expense and magnificence of tents.

12th June, 1687. Our Vicar preached on 2 Peter ii. 21, upon the danger of relapsing into sin. After this, I went and heard M. Lamot, an eloquent French preacher at Greenwich, on Prov. x.x.x. 8, 9, a consolatory discourse to the poor and religious refugees who escaped out of France in the cruel persecution.

16th June, 1687. I went to Hampton Court to give his Majesty thanks for his late gracious favor, though it was but granting what was due. While I was in the Council Chamber, came in some persons, at the head of whom was a formal man with a large roll of parchment in his hand, being an ADDRESS (as he said, for he introduced it with a speech) of the people of Coventry, giving his Majesty their great acknowledgments for his granting a liberty of conscience; he added that this was not the application of one party only, but the unanimous address of Church of England men, Presbyterians, Independents, and Anabaptists, to show how extensive his Majesty's grace was, as taking in all parties to his indulgence and protection, which had removed all dissensions and animosities, which would not only unite them in bonds of Christian charity, but exceedingly encourage their future industry, to the improvement of trade, and spreading his Majesty's glory throughout the world; and that now he had given to G.o.d his empire, G.o.d would establish his; with expressions of great loyalty and submission; and so he gave the roll to the King, which being returned to him again, his Majesty caused him to read. The address was short, but much to the substance of the speech of their foreman, to whom the King, pulling off his hat, said that what he had done in giving liberty of conscience, was, what was ever his judgment ought to be done; and that, as he would preserve them in their enjoyment of it during his reign, so he would endeavor to settle it by law, that it should never be altered by his successors.

After this, he gave them his hand to kiss. It was reported the subscribers were above 1,000.

But this is not so remarkable as an address of the week before (as I was a.s.sured by one present), of some of the FAMILY OF LOVE, His Majesty asked them what this wors.h.i.+p consisted in, and how many their party might consist of; they told him their custom was to read the Scripture, and then to preach; but did not give any further account, only said that for the rest they were a sort of refined Quakers, but their number very small, not consisting, as they said, of above threescore in all, and those chiefly belonging to the Isle of Ely.

18th June, 1687. I dined at Mr. Blathwaite's (two miles from Hampton).

This gentleman is Secretary of War, Clerk of the Council, etc., having raised himself by his industry from very moderate circ.u.mstances. He is a very proper, handsome person, very dexterous in business, and besides all this, has married a great fortune. His income by the Army, Council, and Secretary to the Committee of Foreign Plantations, brings him in above 2,000 per annum.

23d June, 1687. The Privy Seal for 6,000 was pa.s.sed to me, so that this tedious affair was dispatched. Hitherto, a very windy and tempestuous summer. The French sermons to the refugees were continued at Greenwich Church.

[Sidenote: WOTTON]

19th July, 1687. I went to Wotton. In the way, I dined at Ashted, with my Lady Mordaunt.

5th August, 1687. I went to see Albury, now purchased by Mr. Finch (the King's Solicitor and son to the late Lord Chancellor); I found the garden which I first designed for the Duke of Norfolk, nothing improved.