officers for an expedition to Ireland. The great neglect in not more
timely preventing that from hence, and the disturbances in Scotland,
give apprehensions of great difficulties, before any settlement can be
perfected here, while the Parliament dispose of the great offices among
themselves. The Great Seal, Treasury and Admiralty put into commission
of many unexpected persons, to gratify the more; so that by the present
appearance of things (unless God Almighty graciously interpose and give
success in Ireland and settle Scotland) more trouble seems to threaten
the nation than could be expected. In the interim, the new King refers
all to the Parliament in the most popular manner, but is very slow in
providing against all these menaces, besides finding difficulties in
raising men to send abroad; the former army, which had never seen any
service hitherto, receiving their pay and passing their summer in an
idle scene of a camp at Hounslow, unwilling to engage, and many
disaffected, and scarce to be trusted.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
29th March, 1689. The new King much blamed for neglecting Ireland, now
likely to be ruined by the Lord Tyrconnel and his Popish party, too
strong for the Protestants. Wonderful uncertainty where King James was,
whether in France or Ireland. The Scots seem as yet to favor King
William, rejecting King James's letter to them, yet declaring nothing
positively. Soldiers in England discontented. Parliament preparing the
coronation oath. Presbyterians and Dissenters displeased at the vote for
preserving the Protestant religion as established by law, without
mentioning what they were to have as to indulgence.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and four other Bishops refusing to come to
Parliament, it was deliberated whether they should incur _Præmunire_;
but it was thought fit to let this fall, and be connived at, for fear of
the people, to whom these Prelates were very dear, for the opposition
they had given to Popery.
Court offices distributed among Parliament men. No considerable fleet as
yet sent forth. Things far from settled as was expected, by reason of
the slothful, sickly temper of the new King, and the Parliament's
unmindfulness of Ireland, which is likely to prove a sad omission.
The Confederates beat the French out of the Palatinate, which they had
most barbarously ruined.
11th April, 1689. I saw the procession to and from the Abbey Church of
Westminster, with the great feast in Westminster Hall, at the coronation
of King William and Queen Mary. What was different from former
coronations, was some alteration in the coronation oath. Dr. Burnet, now
made Bishop of Sarum, preached with great applause. The Parliament men
had scaffolds and places which took up the one whole side of the Hall.
When the King and Queen had dined, the ceremony of the Champion, and
other services by tenure were performed. The Parliament men were feasted
in the Exchequer chamber, and had each of them a gold medal given them,
worth five-and-forty shillings. On the one side were the effigies of the
King and Queen inclining one to the other; on the reverse was Jupiter
throwing a bolt at Phäeton the words, "_Ne totus absumatur_": which was
but dull, seeing they might have had out of the poet something as
apposite. The sculpture was very mean.
Much of the splendor of the proceeding was abated by the absence of
divers who should have contributed to it, there being but five Bishops,
four Judges (no more being yet sworn), and several noblemen and great
ladies wanting; the feast, however, was magnificent. The next day the
House of Commons went and kissed their new Majesties' hands in the
Banqueting House.
12th April, 1689. I went with the Bishop of St. Asaph to visit my Lord
of Canterbury at Lambeth, who had excused himself from officiating at
the coronation, which was performed by the Bishop of London, assisted by
the Archbishop of York. We had much private and free discourse with his
Grace concerning several things relating to the Church, there being now
a bill of comprehension to be brought from the Lords to the Commons. I
urged that when they went about to reform some particulars in the
Liturgy, Church discipline, Canons, etc., the baptizing in private
houses without necessity might be reformed, as likewise so frequent
burials in churches; the one proceeding much from the pride of women,
bringing that into custom which was only indulged in case of imminent
danger, and out of necessity during the rebellion, and persecution of
the clergy in our late civil wars; the other from the avarice of
ministers, who, in some opulent parishes, made almost as much of
permission to bury in the chancel and the church, as of their livings,
and were paid with considerable advantage and gifts for baptizing in
chambers. To this they heartily assented, and promised their endeavor to
get it reformed, utterly disliking both practices as novel and indecent.
We discoursed likewise of the great disturbance and prejudice it might
cause, should the new oath, now on the anvil, be imposed on any, save
such as were in new office, without any retrospect to such as either had
no office, or had been long in office, who it was likely would have some
scruples about taking a new oath, having already sworn fidelity to the
government as established by law. This we all knew to be the case of my
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and some other persons who were not so
fully satisfied with the Convention making it an abdication of King
James, to whom they had sworn allegiance.
King James was now certainly in Ireland with the Marshal d'Estrades,
whom he made a Privy Councillor; and who caused the King to remove the
Protestant Councillors, some whereof, it seems, had continued to sit,
telling him that the King of France, his master, would never assist him
if he did not immediately do it; by which it is apparent how the poor
Prince is managed by the French.
Scotland declares for King William and Queen Mary, with the reasons of
their setting aside King James, not as abdicating, but forfeiting his
right by maladministration; they proceeded with much more caution and
prudence than we did, who precipitated all things to the great reproach
of the nation, all which had been managed by some crafty, ill-principled
men. The new Privy Council have a Republican spirit, manifestly
undermining all future succession of the Crown and prosperity of the
Church of England, which yet I hope they will not be able to accomplish
so soon as they expect, though they get into all places of trust and
profit.
21st April, 1689. This was one of the most seasonable springs, free from
the usual sharp east winds that I have observed since the year 1660 (the
year of the Restoration), which was much such an one.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
26th April, 1689. I heard the lawyers plead before the Lords the writ
of error in the judgment of Oates, as to the charge against him of
perjury, which after debate they referred to the answer of Holloway,
etc., who were his judges. I then went with the Bishop of St. Asaph to
the Archbishop at Lambeth, where they entered into discourse concerning
the final destruction of Antichrist, both concluding that the third
trumpet and vial were now pouring out. My Lord St. Asaph considered the
killing of the two witnesses, to be the utter destruction of the
Cevennes Protestants by the French and Duke of Savoy, and the other the
Waldenses and Pyrenean Christians, who by all appearance from good
history had kept the primitive faith from the very Apostles' time till
now. The doubt his Grace suggested was, whether it could be made evident
that the present persecution had made so great a havoc of those faithful
people as of the other, and whether there were not yet some among them
in being who met together, it being stated from the text, Apoc. xi.,
that they should both be slain together. They both much approved of Mr.
Mede's way of interpretation, and that he only failed in resolving too
hastily on the King of Sweden's (Gustavus Adolphus) success in Germany.
They agreed that it would be good to employ some intelligent French
minister to travel as far as the Pyrenees to understand the present
state of the Church there, it being a country where hardly anyone
travels.
There now came certain news that King James had not only landed in
Ireland, but that he had surprised Londonderry, and was become master of
that kingdom, to the great shame of our government, who had been so
often solicited to provide against it by timely succor, and which they
might so easily have done. This is a terrible beginning of more
troubles, especially should an army come thence into Scotland, people
being generally disaffected here and everywhere else, so that the seamen
and landmen would scarce serve without compulsion.
A new oath was now fabricating for all the clergy to take, of obedience
to the present Government, in abrogation of the former oaths of
allegiance, which it is foreseen many of the bishops and others of the
clergy will not take. The penalty is to be the loss of their dignity and
spiritual preferment. This is thought to have been driven on by the
Presbyterians, our new governors. God in mercy send us help, and direct
the counsels to his glory and good of his Church!
Public matters went very ill in Ireland: confusion and dissensions among
ourselves, stupidity, inconstancy, emulation, the governors employing
unskillful men in greatest offices, no person of public spirit and
ability appearing,--threaten us with a very sad prospect of what may be
the conclusion, without God's infinite mercy.
A fight by Admiral Herbert with the French, he imprudently setting on
them in a creek as they were landing men in Ireland, by which we came
off with great slaughter and little honor--so strangely negligent and
remiss were we in preparing a timely and sufficient fleet. The Scots
Commissioners offer the crown to the NEW KING AND QUEEN on
conditions.--Act of Poll-money came forth, sparing none.--Now appeared
the Act of Indulgence for the Dissenters, but not exempting them from
paying dues to the Church of England clergy, or serving in office
according to law, with several other clauses.--A most splendid embassy
from Holland to congratulate the King and Queen on their accession to
the crown.
4th June, 1689. A solemn fast for success of the fleet, etc.
6th June, 1689. I dined with the Bishop of Asaph; Monsieur Capellus, the
learned son of the most learned Ludovicus, presented to him his father's
works, not published till now.
7th June, 1689. I visited the Archbishop of Canterbury, and stayed with
him till about seven o'clock. He read to me the Pope's excommunication
of the French King.
9th June, 1689. Visited Dr. Burnet, now Bishop of Sarum; got him to let
Mr. Kneller draw his picture.
16th June, 1689. King James's declaration was now dispersed, offering
pardon to all, if on his landing, or within twenty days after, they
should return to their obedience.
Our fleet not yet at sea, through some prodigious sloth, and men minding
only their present interest; the French riding masters at sea, taking
many great prizes to our wonderful reproach. No certain news from
Ireland; various reports of Scotland; discontents at home. The King of
Denmark at last joins with the Confederates, and the two Northern Powers
are reconciled. The East India Company likely to be dissolved by
Parliament for many arbitrary actions. Oates acquitted of perjury, to
all honest men's admiration.
20th June, 1689. News of A PLOT discovered, on which divers were sent to
the Tower and secured.
23d June, 1689. An extraordinary drought, to the threatening of great
wants as to the fruits of the earth.
8th July, 1689. I sat for my picture to Mr. Kneller, for Mr. Pepys,
late Secretary to the Admiralty, holding my "Sylva" in my right hand. It
was on his long and earnest request, and is placed in his library.
Kneller never painted in a more masterly manner.
11th July, 1689. I dined at Lord Clarendon's, it being his lady's
wedding day, when about three in the afternoon there was an unusual and
violent storm of thunder, rain, and wind; many boats on the Thames were
overwhelmed, and such was the impetuosity of the wind as to carry up the
waves in pillars and spouts most dreadful to behold, rooting up trees
and ruining some houses. The Countess of Sunderland afterward told me
that it extended as far as Althorpe at the very time, which is seventy
miles from London. It did no harm at Deptford, but at Greenwich it did
much mischief.
16th July, 1689. I went to Hampton Court about business, the Council
being there. A great apartment and spacious garden with fountains was
beginning in the park at the head of the canal.
19th July, 1689. The Marshal de Schomberg went now as General toward
Ireland, to the relief of Londonderry. Our fleet lay before Brest. The
Confederates passing the Rhine, besiege Bonn and Mayence, to obtain a
passage into France. A great victory gotten by the Muscovites, taking
and burning Perecop. A new rebel against the Turks threatens the
destruction of that tyranny. All Europe in arms against France, and
hardly to be found in history so universal a face of war.
The Convention (or Parliament as some called it) sitting, exempt the
Duke of Hanover from the succession to the crown, which they seem to
confine to the present new King, his wife, and Princess Anne of Denmark,
who is so monstrously swollen, that it is doubted whether her being
thought with child may prove a TYMPANY only, so that the unhappy family
of the Stuarts seems to be extinguishing; and then what government is
likely to be next set up is unknown, whether regal and by election, or
otherwise, the Republicans and Dissenters from the Church of England
evidently looking that way.
The Scots have now again voted down Episcopacy there. Great discontents
through this nation at the slow proceedings of the King, and the
incompetent instruments and officers he advances to the greatest and
most necessary charges.
23d August, 1689. Came to visit me Mr. Firmin.
25th August, 1689. Hitherto it has been a most seasonable summer.
Londonderry relieved after a brave and wonderful holding out.
21st September, 1689. I went to visit the Archbishop of Canterbury since
his suspension, and was received with great kindness. A dreadful fire
happened in Southwark.
2d October, 1689. Came to visit us the Marquis de Ruvignè, and one
Monsieur le Coque, a French refugee, who left great riches for his
religion; a very learned, civil person; he married the sister of the
Duchess de la Force. Ottobone, a Venetian Cardinal, eighty years old,
made Pope.[72]
[Footnote 72: Peter Otthobonus succeeded Innocent XI. as Pope in
1689, by the title of Alexander VIII.]
31st October, 1689. My birthday, being now sixty-nine years old. Blessed
Father, who hast prolonged my years to this great age, and given me to
see so great and wonderful revolutions, and preserved me amid them to
this moment, accept, I beseech thee, the continuance of my prayers and
thankful acknowledgments, and grant me grace to be working out my
salvation and redeeming the time, that thou mayst be glorified by me
here, and my immortal soul saved whenever thou shalt call for it, to
perpetuate thy praises to all eternity, in that heavenly kingdom where
there are no more changes or vicissitudes, but rest, and peace, and joy,
and consummate felicity, forever. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the
sake of Jesus thine only Son and our Savior. Amen!
5th November, 1689. The Bishop of St. Asaph, Lord Almoner, preached
before the King and Queen, the whole discourse being an historical
narrative of the Church of England's several deliverances, especially
that of this anniversary, signalized by being also the birthday of the
Prince of Orange, his marriage (which was on the 4th), and his landing
at Torbay this day. There was a splendid ball and other rejoicings.
10th November, 1689. After a very wet season, the winter came on
severely.
17th November, 1689. Much wet, without frost, yet the wind north and
easterly. A Convocation of the Clergy meet about a reformation of our
Liturgy, Canons, etc., obstructed by others of the clergy.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
27th November, 1689. I went to London with my family, to winter at Soho,
in the great square.
11th January, 1689-90. This night there was a most extraordinary storm
of wind, accompanied with snow and sharp weather; it did great harm in
many places, blowing down houses, trees, etc., killing many people. It
began about two in the morning, and lasted till five, being a kind of
hurricane, which mariners observe have begun of late years to come
northward. This winter has been hitherto extremely wet, warm, and windy.
12th January, 1690. There was read at St. Ann's Church an exhortatory
letter to the clergy of London from the Bishop, together with a Brief
for relieving the distressed Protestants, and Vaudois, who fled from the
persecution of the French and Duke of Savoy, to the Protestant Cantons
of Switzerland.
The Parliament was unexpectedly prorogued to 2d of April to the
discontent and surprise of many members who, being exceedingly averse to
the settling of anything, proceeding with animosities, multiplying
exceptions against those whom they pronounced obnoxious, and producing
as universal a discontent against King William and themselves, as there
was before against King James. The new King resolved on an expedition
into Ireland in person. About 150 of the members who were of the more
royal party, meeting at a feast at the Apollo Tavern near St. Dunstan's,
sent some of their company to the King, to assure him of their service;
he returned his thanks, advising them to repair to their several
counties and preserve the peace during his absence, and assuring them
that he would be steady to his resolution of defending the Laws and
Religion established. The great Lord suspected to have counselled this
prorogation, universally denied it. However, it was believed the chief
adviser was the Marquis of Carmarthen, who now seemed to be most in
favor.
2d February, 1690. The Parliament was dissolved by proclamation, and
another called to meet the 20th of March. This was a second surprise to
the former members; and now the Court party, or, as they call
themselves, Church of England, are making their interests in the
country. The Marquis of Halifax lays down his office of Privy Seal, and
pretends to retire.
[Sidenote: LONDON]
16th February, 1690. The Duchess of Monmouth's chaplain preached at St.
Martin's an excellent discourse exhorting to peace and sanctity, it
being now the time of very great division and dissension in the nation;
first, among the Churchmen, of whom the moderate and sober part were for
a speedy reformation of divers things, which it was thought might be
made in our Liturgy, for the inviting of Dissenters; others more stiff
and rigid, were for no condescension at all. Books and pamphlets were
published every day pro and con; the Convocation were forced for the
present to suspend any further progress. There was fierce and great
carousing about being elected in the new Parliament. The King persists
in his intention of going in person for Ireland, whither the French are
sending supplies to King James, and we, the Danish horse to Schomberg.
19th February, 1690. I dined with the Marquis of Carmarthen (late Lord
Danby), where was Lieutenant-General Douglas, a very considerate and
sober commander, going for Ireland. He related to us the exceeding
neglect of the English soldiers, suffering severely for want of clothes
and necessaries this winter, exceedingly magnifying their courage and
bravery during all their hardships. There dined also Lord Lucas,
Lieutenant of the Tower, and the Bishop of St. Asaph. The Privy Seal was
again put in commission, Mr. Cheny (who married my kinswoman, Mrs.
Pierrepoint), Sir Thomas Knatchbull, and Sir P. W. Pultney. The
imprudence of both sexes was now become so great and universal, persons
of all ranks keeping their courtesans publicly, that the King had lately
directed a letter to the Bishops to order their clergy to preach against
that sin, swearing, etc., and to put the ecclesiastical laws in
execution without any indulgence.
25th February, 1690. I went to Kensington, which King William had bought
of Lord Nottingham, and altered, but was yet a patched building, but
with the garden, however, it is a very sweet villa, having to it the
park and a straight new way through this park.
7th March, 1690. I dined with Mr. Pepys, late Secretary to the
Admiralty, where was that excellent shipwright and seaman (for so he had
been, and also a Commission of the Navy), Sir Anthony Deane. Among other
discourse, and deploring the sad condition of our navy, as now governed
by inexperienced men since this Revolution, he mentioned what exceeding
advantage we of this nation had by being the first who built frigates,
the first of which ever built was that vessel which was afterward called
"The Constant Warwick," and was the work of Pett of Chatham, for a trial
of making a vessel that would sail swiftly; it was built with low decks,
the guns lying near the water, and was so light and swift of sailing,
that in a short time he told us she had, ere the Dutch war was ended,
taken as much money from privateers as would have laden her; and that
more such being built, did in a year or two scour the Channel from those
of Dunkirk and others which had exceedingly infested it. He added that
it would be the best and only infallible expedient to be masters of the
sea, and able to destroy the greatest navy of any enemy if, instead of
building huge great ships and second and third rates, they would leave
off building such high decks, which were for nothing but to gratify
gentlemen-commanders, who must have all their effeminate accommodations,
and for pomp; that it would be the ruin of our fleets, if such persons
were continued in command, they neither having experience nor being
capable of learning, because they would not submit to the fatigue and
inconvenience which those who were bred seamen would undergo, in those
so otherwise useful swift frigates. These being to encounter the
greatest ships would be able to protect, set on, and bring off, those
who should manage the fire ships, and the Prince who should first store
himself with numbers of such fire ships, would, through the help and
countenance of such frigates, be able to ruin the greatest force of such
vast ships as could be sent to sea, by the dexterity of working those
light, swift ships to guard the fire ships. He concluded there would
shortly be no other method of seafight; and that great ships and
men-of-war, however stored with guns and men, must submit to those who
should encounter them with far less number. He represented to us the
dreadful effect of these fire ships; that he continually observed in our
late maritime war with the Dutch that, when an enemy's fire ship
approached, the most valiant commander and common sailors were in such
consternation, that though then, of all times, there was most need of
the guns, bombs, etc., to keep the mischief off, they grew pale and
astonished, as if of a quite other mean soul, that they slunk about,
forsook their guns and work as if in despair, every one looking about to
see which way they might get out of their ship, though sure to be
drowned if they did so. This he said was likely to prove hereafter the
method of seafight, likely to be the misfortune of England if they
continued to put gentlemen-commanders over experienced seamen, on
account of their ignorance, effeminacy, and insolence.
[Sidenote: LONDON]