preacher, and fitted for our great and vulgar auditory, but for his
excellent life and charity, his meekness and obliging nature,
industrious, helpful, and full of good works. He left near £400 to the
poor in his will, and that what children of his should die in their
minority, their portion should be so employed, I lost in particular a
special friend, and one that had an extraordinary love for me and mine.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
25th February, 1672. To London, to speak with the Bishop, and Sir John
Cutler, our patron, to present Mr. Frampton (afterward Bishop of
Gloucester).
1st March, 1672. A full Council of Plantations, on the danger of the
Leeward Islands, threatened by the French, who had taken some of our
ships, and began to interrupt our trade. Also in debate, whether the new
Governor of St. Christopher should be subordinate to the Governor of
Barbadoes. The debate was serious and long.
12th March, 1672. Now was the first blow given by us to the Dutch convoy
of the Smyrna fleet, by Sir Robert Holmes and Lord Ossory, in which we
received little save blows, and a worthy reproach for attacking our
neighbors ere any war was proclaimed, and then pretending the occasion
to be, that some time before, the Merlin yacht chancing to sail through
the whole Dutch fleet, their Admiral did not strike to that trifling
vessel. Surely, this was a quarrel slenderly grounded, and not becoming
Christian neighbors. We are likely to thrive, accordingly. Lord Ossory
several times deplored to me his being engaged in it; he had more
justice and honor than in the least to approve of it, though he had been
over-persuaded to the expedition. There is no doubt but we should have
surprised this exceeding rich fleet, had not the avarice and ambition of
Holmes and Spragge separated themselves, and willfully divided our
fleet, on presumption that either of them was strong enough to deal with
the Dutch convoy without joining and mutual help; but they so warmly
plied our divided fleets, that while in conflict the merchants sailed
away, and got safe into Holland.
A few days before this, the Treasurer of the Household, Sir Thomas
Clifford, hinted to me, as a confidant, that his Majesty would SHUT UP
THE EXCHEQUER (and, accordingly, his Majesty made use of infinite
treasure there, to prepare for an intended rupture); but, says he, it
will soon be open again, and everybody satisfied; for this bold man, who
had been the sole adviser of the King to invade that sacred stock
(though some pretend it was Lord Ashley's counsel, then Chancellor of
the Exchequer), was so over-confident of the success of this unworthy
design against the Smyrna merchants, as to put his Majesty on an action
which not only lost the hearts of his subjects, and ruined many widows
and orphans, whose stocks were lent him, but the reputation of his
Exchequer forever, it being before in such credit, that he might have
commanded half the wealth of the nation.
The credit of this bank being thus broken, did exceedingly discontent
the people, and never did his Majesty's affairs prosper to any purpose
after it, for as it did not supply the expense of the meditated war, so
it melted away, I know not how.
To this succeeded the King's declaration for an universal toleration;
Papists and swarms of Sectaries, now boldly showing themselves in their
public meetings. This was imputed to the same council, Clifford warping
to Rome as was believed, nor was Lord Arlington clear of suspicion, to
gratify that party, but as since it has proved, and was then evidently
foreseen, to the extreme weakening of the Church of England and its
Episcopal Government, as it was projected. I speak not this as my own
sense, but what was the discourse and thoughts of others, who were
lookers-on; for I think there might be some relaxations without the
least prejudice to the present establishment, discreetly limited, but to
let go the reins in this manner, and then to imagine they could take
them up again as easily, was a false policy, and greatly destructive.
The truth is, our Bishops slipped the occasion; for, had they held a
steady hand upon his Majesty's restoration, as they might easily have
done, the Church of England had emerged and flourished, without
interruption; but they were then remiss, and covetous after advantages
of another kind while his Majesty suffered them to come into a harvest,
with which, without any injustice he might have remunerated innumerable
gallant gentlemen for their services who had ruined themselves in the
late rebellion.
21st March, 1672. I visited the coasts in my district of Kent, and
divers wounded and languishing poor men, that had been in the Smyrna
conflict. I went over to see the new-begun Fort of Tilbury; a royal
work, indeed, and such as will one day bridle a great city to the
purpose, before they are aware.
23d March, 1672. Captain Cox, one of the Commissioners of the Navy,
furnishing me with a yatch, I sailed to Sheerness to see that fort also,
now newly finished; several places on both sides the Swale and Medway to
Gillingham and Upnore, being also provided with redoubts and batteries
to secure the station of our men-of-war at Chatham, and shut the door
when the steeds were stolen.
24th March, 1672. I saw the chirurgeon cut off the leg of a wounded
sailor, the stout and gallant man enduring it with incredible patience,
without being bound to his chair, as usual on such painful occasions. I
had hardly courage enough to be present. Not being cut off high enough
the gangrene prevailed, and the second operation cost the poor creature
his life.
Lord! what miseries are mortal men subject to, and what confusion and
mischief do the avarice, anger, and ambition of Princes, cause in the
world!
25th March, 1672. I proceeded to Canterbury, Dover, Deal, the Isle of
Thanet, by Sandwich, and so to Margate. Here we had abundance of
miserably wounded men, his Majesty sending his chief chirurgeon,
Sergeant Knight, to meet me, and Dr. Waldrond had attended me all the
journey. Having taken order for the accommodation of the wounded, I came
back through a country the best cultivated of any that in my life I had
anywhere seen, every field lying as even as a bowling-green, and the
fences, plantations, and husbandry, in such admirable order, as
infinitely delighted me, after the sad and afflicting spectacles and
objects I was come from. Observing almost every tall tree to have a
weathercock on the top bough, and some trees half-a-dozen, I learned
that, on a certain holyday, the farmers feast their servants; at which
solemnity, they set up these cocks, in a kind of triumph.
[Sidenote: ROCHESTER]
Being come back toward Rochester, I went to take order respecting the
building a strong and high wall about a house I had hired of a
gentleman, at a place called Hartlip, for a prison, paying £50 yearly
rent. Here I settled a Provost-Marshal and other officers, returning by
Feversham. On the 30th heard a sermon in Rochester cathedral, and so got
to Sayes Court on the first of April.
4th April, 1672. I went to see the fopperies of the Papists at
Somerset-House and York-House, where now the French Ambassador had
caused to be represented our Blessed Savior at the Pascal Supper with
his disciples, in figures and puppets made as big as the life, of
wax-work, curiously clad and sitting round a large table, the room nobly
hung, and shining with innumerable lamps and candles: this was exposed
to all the world; all the city came to see it. Such liberty had the
Roman Catholics at this time obtained.
16th April, 1672. Sat in Council, preparing Lord Willoughby's commission
and instructions as Governor of Barbadoes and the Caribbee Islands.
17th April, 1672. Sat on business in the Star Chamber.
19th April, 1672. At Council, preparing instructions for Colonel
Stapleton, now to go Governor of St. Christopher's, and heard the
complaints of the Jamaica merchants against the Spaniards, for hindering
them from cutting logwood on the mainland, where they have no pretense.
21st April, 1672. To my Lord of Canterbury, to entreat him to engage Sir
John Cutler, the patron, to provide us a grave and learned man, in
opposition to a novice.
30th April, 1672. Congratulated Mr. Treasurer Clifford's new honor,
being made a Baron.
2d May, 1672. My son, John, was specially admitted of the Middle Temple
by Sir Francis North, his Majesty's Solicitor-General, and since
Chancellor. I pray God bless this beginning, my intention being that he
should seriously apply himself to the study of the law.
10th May, 1672. I was ordered, by letter from the Council, to repair
forthwith to his Majesty, whom I found in the Pall-Mall, in St. James's
Park, where his Majesty coming to me from the company, commanded me to
go immediately to the seacoast, and to observe the motion of the Dutch
fleet and ours, the Duke and so many of the flower of our nation being
now under sail, coming from Portsmouth, through the Downs, where it was
believed there might be an encounter.
11th May, 1672. Went to Chatham. 12th. Heard a sermon in Rochester
Cathedral.
13th May, 1672. To Canterbury; visited Dr. Bargrave, my old
fellow-traveler in Italy, and great virtuoso.
14th May, 1672. To Dover; but the fleet did not appear till the 16th,
when the Duke of York with his and the French squadron, in all 170 ships
(of which above 100 were men-of-war), sailed by, after the Dutch, who
were newly withdrawn. Such a gallant and formidable navy never, I think,
spread sail upon the seas. It was a goodly yet terrible sight, to behold
them as I did, passing eastward by the straits between Dover and Calais
in a glorious day. The wind was yet so high, that I could not well go
aboard, and they were soon got out of sight. The next day, having
visited our prisoners and the Castle, and saluted the Governor, I took
horse for Margate. Here, from the North Foreland Lighthouse top (which
is a pharos, built of brick, and having on the top a cradle of iron, in
which a man attends a great sea-coal fire all the year long, when the
nights are dark, for the safeguard of sailors), we could see our fleet
as they lay at anchor. The next morning, they weighed, and sailed out of
sight to the N. E.
[Sidenote: MARGATE]
19th May, 1672. Went to Margate; and, the following day, was carried to
see a gallant widow, brought up a farmeress, and I think of gigantic
race, rich, comely, and exceedingly industrious. She put me in mind of
Deborah and Abigail, her house was so plentifully stored with all manner
of country provisions, all of her own growth, and all her conveniences
so substantial, neat, and well understood; she herself so jolly and
hospitable; and her land so trim and rarely husbanded, that it struck me
with admiration at her economy.
This town much consists of brewers of a certain heady ale, and they deal
much in malt, etc. For the rest, it is raggedly built, and has an ill
haven, with a small fort of little concernment, nor is the island well
disciplined; but as to the husbandry and rural part, far exceeding any
part of England for the accurate culture of their ground, in which they
exceed, even to curiosity and emulation.
We passed by Rickborough, and in sight of Reculvers, and so through a
sweet garden, as it were, to Canterbury.
24th May, 1672. To London and gave his Majesty an account of my journey,
and that I had put all things in readiness upon all events, and so
returned home sufficiently wearied.
31st May, 1672. I received another command to repair to the seaside; so
I went to Rochester, where I found many wounded, sick, and prisoners,
newly put on shore after the engagement on the 28th, in which the Earl
of Sandwich, that incomparable person and my particular friend, and
divers more whom I loved, were lost. My Lord (who was Admiral of the
Blue) was in the "Prince," which was burnt, one of the best men-of-war
that ever spread canvas on the sea. There were lost with this brave man,
a son of Sir Charles Cotterell (Master of the Ceremonies), and a son of
Sir Charles Harbord (his Majesty's Surveyor-General), two valiant and
most accomplished youths, full of virtue and courage, who might have
saved themselves; but chose to perish with my Lord, whom they honored
and loved above their own lives.
Here, I cannot but make some reflections on things past. It was not
above a day or two that going to Whitehall to take leave of his
Lordship, who had his lodgings in the Privy-Garden, shaking me by the
hand he bid me good-by, and said he thought he would see me no more, and
I saw, to my thinking, something boding in his countenance: "No," says
he, "they will not have me live. Had I lost a fleet (meaning on his
return from Bergen when he took the East India prize) I should have
fared better; but, be as it pleases God--I must do something, I know not
what, to save my reputation." Something to this effect, he had hinted to
me; thus I took my leave. I well remember that the Duke of Albemarle,
and my now Lord Clifford, had, I know not why, no great opinion of his
courage, because, in former conflicts, being an able and experienced
seaman (which neither of them were), he always brought off his Majesty's
ships without loss, though not without as many marks of true courage as
the stoutest of them; and I am a witness that, in the late war, his own
ship was pierced like a colander. But the business was, he was utterly
against this war from the beginning, and abhorred the attacking of the
Smyrna fleet; he did not favor the heady expedition of Clifford at
Bergen, nor was he so furious and confident as was the Duke of
Albemarle, who believed he could vanquish the Hollanders with one
squadron. My Lord Sandwich was prudent as well as valiant, and always
governed his affairs with success and little loss; he was for
deliberation and reason, they for action and slaughter without either;
and for this, whispered as if my Lord Sandwich was not so gallant,
because he was not so rash, and knew how fatal it was to lose a fleet,
such as was that under his conduct, and for which these very persons
would have censured him on the other side. This it was, I am confident,
grieved him, and made him enter like a lion, and fight like one too, in
the midst of the hottest service, where the stoutest of the rest seeing
him engaged, and so many ships upon him, dared not, or would not, come
to his succor, as some of them, whom I know, might have done. Thus, this
gallant person perished, to gratify the pride and envy of some I named.
Deplorable was the loss of one of the best accomplished persons, not
only of this nation, but of any other. He was learned in sea affairs, in
politics, in mathematics, and in music: he had been on divers embassies,
was of a sweet and obliging temper, sober, chaste, very ingenious, a
true nobleman, an ornament to the Court and his Prince; nor has he left
any behind him who approach his many virtues.
He had, I confess, served the tyrant Cromwell, when a young man, but it
was without malice, as a soldier of fortune; and he readily submitted,
and that with joy, bringing an entire fleet with him from the Sound, at
the first tidings of his Majesty's restoration. I verily believe him as
faithful a subject as any that were not his friends. I am yet heartily
grieved at this mighty loss, nor do I call it to my thoughts without
emotion.
[Sidenote: ROCHESTER]
2d June, 1672. Trinity Sunday, I passed at Rochester; and, on the 5th,
there was buried in the Cathedral Monsieur Rabiniére, Rear Admiral of
the French squadron, a gallant person, who died of the wounds he
received in the fight. This ceremony lay on me, which I performed with
all the decency I could, inviting the Mayor and Aldermen to come in
their formalities. Sir Jonas Atkins was there with his guards; and the
Dean and Prebendaries: one of his countrymen pronouncing a funeral
oration at the brink of his grave, which I caused to be dug in the
choir. This is more at large described in the "Gazette" of that day;
Colonel Reymes, my colleague in commission, assisting, who was so kind
as to accompany me from London, though it was not his district; for
indeed the stress of both these wars lay more on me by far than on any
of my brethren, who had little to do in theirs. I went to see Upnore
Castle, which I found pretty well defended, but of no great moment.
Next day I sailed to the fleet, now riding at the buoy of the "Nore,"
where I met his Majesty, the Duke, Lord Arlington, and all the great
men, in the "Charles," lying miserably shattered; but the miss of Lord
Sandwich redoubled the loss to me, and showed the folly of hazarding so
brave a fleet, and losing so many good men, for no provocation but that
the Hollanders exceeded us in industry, and in all things but envy.
At Sheerness, I gave his Majesty and his Royal Highness an account of my
charge, and returned to Queenborough; next day dined at Major Dorel's,
Governor of Sheerness; thence, to Rochester; and the following day,
home.
12th June, 1672. To London to his Majesty, to solicit for money for the
sick and wounded, which he promised me.
19th June, 1672. To London again, to solicit the same.
21st June, 1672. At a Council of Plantations. Most of this week busied
with the sick and wounded.
3d July, 1672. To Lord Sandwich's funeral, which was by water to
Westminster, in solemn pomp.
31st July, 1672. I entertained the Maids of Honor (among whom there was
one I infinitely esteemed for her many and extraordinary virtues[31]) at
a comedy this afternoon, and so went home.
[Footnote 31: Mrs. Blagg whom Evelyn never tires of instancing and
characterizing as a rare example of piety and virtue, in so rare a
wit, beauty, and perfection, in a licentious court, and depraved
age. She was afterward married to Mr. Godolphin, and her life,
written by Evelyn, has been edited and published by the Bishop of
Oxford.]
1st August, 1672. I was at the betrothal of Lord Arlington's only
daughter (a sweet child if ever there was any[32]) to the Duke of
Grafton, the King's natural son by the Duchess of Cleveland; the
Archbishop of Canterbury officiating, the King and the grandees being
present. I had a favor given me by my Lady; but took no great joy at the
thing for many reasons.
[Footnote 32: She was then only fifteen years old.]
18th August, 1672. Sir James Hayes, Secretary to Prince Rupert, dined
with me; after dinner I was sent to Gravesend to dispose of no fewer
than 800 sick men. That night I got to the fleet at the buoy of the
"Nore," where I spoke with the King and the Duke; and, after dinner next
day, returned to Gravesend.
1st September, 1672. I spent this week in soliciting for moneys, and in
reading to my Lord Clifford my papers relating to the first Holland war.
Now, our Council of Plantations met at Lord Shaftesbury's (Chancellor of
the Exchequer) to read and reform the draft of our new Patent, joining
the Council of Trade to our political capacities. After this, I returned
home, in order to another excursion to the seaside, to get as many as
possible of the men who were recovered on board the fleet.
8th September, 1672. I lay at Gravesend, thence to Rochester, returning
on the 11th.
15th September, 1672. Dr. Duport, Greek Professor of Cambridge, preached
before the King, on 1 Timothy vi. 6. No great preacher, but a very
worthy and learned man.
25th September, 1672. I dined at Lord John Berkeley's, newly arrived
out of Ireland, where he had been Deputy; it was in his new house, or
rather palace; for I am assured it stood him in near £30,000. It was
very well built, and has many noble rooms, but they are not very
convenient, consisting but of one _Corps de Logis_; they are all rooms
of state, without closets. The staircase is of cedar, the furniture is
princely: the kitchen and stables are ill placed, and the corridor
worse, having no report to the wings they join to. For the rest, the
fore-court is noble, so are the stables; and, above all, the gardens,
which are incomparable by reason of the inequality of the ground, and a
pretty piscina. The holly hedges on the terrace I advised the planting
of. The porticos are in imitation of a house described by Palladio; but
it happens to be the worst in his book, though my good friend, Mr. Hugh
May, his Lordship's architect, effected it.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
26th September, 1672. I carried with me to dinner my Lord H. Howard (now
to be made Earl of Norwich and Earl Marshal of England) to Sir Robert
Clayton's, now Sheriff of London, at his new house, where we had a great
feast; it is built indeed for a great magistrate, at excessive cost. The
cedar dining room is painted with the history of the Giants' War,
incomparably done by Mr. Streeter, but the figures are too near the eye.
6th October, 1672. Dr. Thistlethwaite preached at Whitehall on Rev. v.
2,--a young, but good preacher. I received the blessed Communion, Dr.
Blandford, Bishop of Worcester, and Dean of the Chapel, officiating.
Dined at my Lord Clifford's, with Lord Mulgrave, Sir Gilbert Talbot, and
Sir Robert Holmes.
8th October, 1672. I took leave of my Lady Sunderland, who was going to
Paris to my Lord, now ambassador there. She made me stay to dinner at
Leicester House, and afterward sent for Richardson, the famous
fire-eater. He devoured brimstone on glowing coals before us, chewing
and swallowing them; he melted a beer-glass and ate it quite up; then,
taking a live coal on his tongue, he put on it a raw oyster, the coal
was blown on with bellows till it flamed and sparkled in his mouth, and
so remained till the oyster gaped and was quite boiled. Then, he melted
pitch and wax with sulphur, which he drank down as it flamed; I saw it
flaming in his mouth a good while; he also took up a thick piece of
iron, such as laundresses use to put in their smoothing boxes, when it
was fiery hot, held it between his teeth, then in his hand, and threw it
about like a stone; but this, I observed, he cared not to hold very
long; then he stood on a small pot, and, bending his body, took a
glowing iron with his mouth from between his feet, without touching the
pot, or ground, with his hands; with divers other prodigious feats.
13th October, 1672. After sermon (being summoned before), I went to my
Lord Keeper's, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, at Essex House, where our new
patent was opened and read, constituting us that were of the Council of
Plantations, to be now of the Council of Trade also, both united. After
the patent was read, we all took our oaths, and departed.
24th October, 1672. Met in Council, the Earl of Shaftesbury, now our
president, swearing our secretary and his clerks, which was Mr. Locke,
an excellent learned gentleman, and student of Christ Church, Mr. Lloyd,
and Mr. Frowde. We dispatched a letter to Sir Thomas Linch, Governor of
Jamaica, giving him notice of a design of the Dutch on that island.
27th October, 1672. I went to hear that famous preacher, Dr. Frampton,
at St. Giles's, on Psalm xxxix. 6. This divine had been twice at
Jerusalem, and was not only a very pious and holy man, but excellent in
the pulpit for the moving affections.
8th November, 1672. At Council, we debated the business of the consulate
of Leghorn. I was of the committee with Sir Humphry Winch, the chairman,
to examine the laws of his Majesty's several plantations and colonies in
the West Indies, etc.
15th November, 1672. Many merchants were summoned about the consulate of
Venice; which caused great disputes; the most considerable thought it
useless. This being the Queen-Consort's birthday, there was an
extraordinary appearance of gallantry, and a ball danced at Court.
30th November, 1672. I was chosen secretary to the Royal Society.
21st December, 1672. Settled the consulate of Venice.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
1st January, 1672-73. 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.
3d January, 1673. My son now published his version of "_Raptinus
Hortorum_."
28th January, 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.
6th February, 1673. To Council about reforming an abuse of the dyers
with _saundus_, and other false drugs; examined divers of that trade.
23d February, 1673. The Bishop of Chichester preached before the King
on Coloss. ii. 14, 15, admirably well, as he can do nothing but what is
well.