John Evelyn’s diary, 1652

News of my sister Glanville's death in childbed, which exceedingly affected me. I went to one Mark Antonio, an incomparable artist in enameling. He wrought by the…

I took leave of Mr. Waller, who, having been proscribed by the rebels, had obtained of them permission to return, was going to England.

Abundance of my French and English friends and some Germans came to take leave of me, and I set out in a coach for Calais, in an exceedingly hard frost which had…

I dined at Abbeville; 2d, dined at Montreuil, lay at Boulogne; 3d, came to Calais, by eleven in the morning; I thought to have embarked in the evening, but, for…

I embarked early in the packet boat, but put my goods in a stouter vessel. It was calm, so that we got not to Dover till eight at night. I took horse for…

Saw the magnificent funeral of that arch-rebel, Ireton, carried in pomp from Somerset House to Westminster, accompanied with divers regiments of soldiers, horse and…

I went to Deptford, where I made preparation for my settlement, no more intending to go out of England, but endeavor a settled life, either in this or some other…

I went to Lewisham, where I heard an honest sermon on 1 Cor. ii. 5-7, being the first Sunday I had been at church since my return, it being now a rare thing to find…

I saw the "Diamond" and "Ruby" launched in the Dock at Deptford, carrying forty-eight brass cannon each; Cromwell and his grandees present, with great acclamations.

That worthy divine, Mr. Owen, of Eltham, a sequestered person, came to visit me.

Invited by Lady Gerrard, I went to London, where we had a great supper; all the vessels, which were innumerable, were of porcelain, she having the most ample and…

I went with my brother Evelyn to Wotton, to give him what directions I was able about his garden, which he was now desirous to put into some form; but for which he…

I heard that excellent prelate, the primate of Ireland (Jacobus Usher) preach in Lincoln's Inn, on Heb. iv. 16, encouraging of penitent sinners.

My brother George brought to Sayes Court Cromwell's Act of Oblivion to all that would submit to the Government.

News was brought me that Lady Cotton, my brother George's wife was delivered of a son. I was moved by a letter out of France to publish the letter which some time…

I wrote to the Dean, touching my buying his library, which was one of the choicest collections of any private person in England. The Count de Strade most generously…

I went to visit Alderman Kendrick, a fanatic Lord Mayor, who had married a relation of ours, where I met with a Captain who had been thirteen times to the East…

Was that celebrated eclipse of the sun, so much threatened by the astrologers, and which had so exceedingly alarmed the whole nation that hardly any one would work,…

Passing by Smithfield, I saw a miserable creature burning, who had murdered her husband. I went to see some workmanship of that admirable artist, Reeves, famous for…

I went to give order about a coach to be made against my wife's coming, being my first coach, the pattern whereof I brought out of Paris.

I went to obtain of my Lord Devonshire that my nephew, George, might be brought up with my young Lord, his son, to whom I was recommending Mr. Wase. I also…

I received a letter from Colonel Morley to the Magistrates and Searchers at Rye, to assist my wife at her landing, and show her all civility.

I set out to meet her now on her journey from Paris, after she had obtained leave to come out of that city, which had now been besieged some time by the Prince of…

About four in the afternoon, being at bowls on the green, we discovered a vessel which proved to be that in which my wife was, and which got into the harbor about…

After a drought of near four months, there fell so violent a tempest of hail, rain, wind, thunder, and lightning, as no man had seen the like in his age; the hail…

I returned to Tunbridge, and again drank the water, till 10th of July. We went to see the house of my Lord Clanrickarde at Summer hill, near Tunbridge (now given to…

I heard a sermon at Mr. Packer's chapel at Groomsbridge, a pretty melancholy seat, well wooded and watered. In this house was one of the French kings kept prisoner.…

We went to see Penshurst, the Earl of Leicester's, famous once for its gardens and excellent fruit, and for the noble conversation which was wont to meet there,…

Came my old friend, Mr. Spencer, to visit me.

I took advice about purchasing Sir Richard's interest of those who had bought Sayes Court.

Came old Jerome Lennier, of Greenwich, a man skilled in painting and music, and another rare musician, called Mell. I went to see his collection of pictures,…

My first child, a son, was born precisely at one o'clock.

Mr. Owen, the sequestered divine, of Eltham, christened my son by the name of Richard.

I went to Woodcott, where Lady Browne was taken with scarlet fever, and died. She was carried to Deptford, and interred in the church near Sir Richard's relations…

I went to see Dr. Mason's house, so famous for the prospect (for the house is a wretched one) and description of Barclay's "Icon Animarum."

To London, to visit some friends, but the insolences were so great in the streets that I could not return till the next day. Dr. Scarborough was instant with me to…

I went to London, where was proposed to me the promoting that great work (since accomplished by Dr. Walton, Bishop of Chester), "Biblia Polyglotta," by Mr. Pierson,…

Christmas day, no sermon anywhere, no church being permitted to be open, so observed it at home. The next day, we went to Lewisham, where an honest divine preached.

I adjusted all accompts, and rendered thanks to Almighty God for his mercies to me the year past.