John Evelyn’s diary, 1682

I saw the audience of the Morocco Ambassador, his retinue not numerous. He was received in the Banqueting House, both their Majesties being present. He came up to…

Dined at the Bishop of Rochester's, at the Abbey, it being his marriage day, after twenty-four years. He related to me how he had been treated by Sir William…

To the Royal Society, where at the Council we passed a new law for the more accurate consideration of candidates, as whether they would really be useful; also…

This evening, Sir Stephen Fox acquainted me again with his Majesty's resolution of proceeding in the erection of a Royal Hospital for emerited soldiers on that spot…

Mr. Pepys, late Secretary to the Admiralty, showed me a large folio containing the whole mechanic part and art of building royal ships and men-of-war, made by Sir…

My daughter, Mary, began to learn music of Signor Bartholomeo, and dancing of Monsieur Isaac, reputed the best masters. Having had several violent fits of an ague,…

My second grandchild was born, and christened the next day by our vicar at Sayes Court, by the name of John. I beseech God to bless him!

Ash Wednesday. I went to church: our vicar preached on Proverbs, showing what care and vigilance was required for the keeping of the heart upright. The Holy…

This day was executed Colonel Vrats, and some of his accomplices, for the execrable murder of Mr. Thynn, set on by the principal Koningsmark. He went to execution…

I went to see the corpse of that obstinate creature, Colonel Vrats, the King permitting that his body should be transported to his own country, he being of a good…

To the Royal Society, where at a Council was regulated what collections should be published monthly, as formerly the transactions, which had of late been…

I went this afternoon with several of the Royal Society to a supper which was all dressed, both fish and flesh, in Monsieur Papin's digestors, by which the hardest…

I was desired by Sir Stephen Fox and Sir Christopher Wren to accompany them to Lambeth, with the plot and design of the college to be built at Chelsea, to have the…

At the Rolls' chapel preached the famous Dr. Burnet on 2 Peter, i. 10, describing excellently well what was meant by election; viz, not the effect of any…

I gave notice to the Bishop of Rochester of what Maimburg had published about the motives of the late Duchess of York's perversion, in his "History of Calvinism;"…

The Morocco Ambassador being admitted an honorary member of the Royal Society, and subscribing his name and titles in Arabic, I was deputed by the Council to go and…

The Bantam, or East India Ambassadors (at this time we had in London the Russian, Moroccan, and Indian Ambassadors), being invited to dine at Lord George Berkeley's…

Came to dine with me, the Duke of Grafton and the young Earl of Ossory, son to my most dear deceased friend.

Went to visit our good neighbor, Mr. Bohun, whose whole house is a cabinet of all elegancies, especially Indian; in the hall are contrivances of Japan screens,…

To the Bishop of London at Fulham, to review the additions which Mr. Marshall had made to his curious book of flowers in miniature, and collection of insects.

With Sir Stephen Fox, to survey the foundations of the Royal Hospital begun at Chelsea.

The Council of the Royal Society had it recommended to them to be trustees and visitors, or supervisors, of the Academy which Monsieur Faubert did hope to procure…

Came to visit me Dr. Rogers, an acquaintance of mine long since at Padua. He was then Consul of the English nation, and student in that University, where he…

This night I saw another comet, near Cancer, very bright, but the stream not so long as the former.

Supped at Lord Clarendon's, with Lord Hyde, his brother, now the great favorite, who invited himself to dine at my house the Tuesday following.

Being my birthday, and I now entering my great climacterical of 63, after serious recollections of the years past, giving Almighty God thanks for all his merciful…

I was invited to dine with Monsieur Lionberg, the Swedish Resident, who made a magnificent entertainment, it being the birthday of his King. There dined the Duke of…

I went to the Council of the Royal Society, for the auditing the last year's account, where I was surprised with a fainting fit that for a time took away my sight;…

I was exceedingly endangered and importuned to stand the election, having so many voices, but by favor of my friends, and regard of my remote dwelling, and now…

Went to congratulate Lord Hyde (the great favorite) newly made Earl of Rochester, and lately marrying his eldest daughter to the Earl of Ossory.

I sold my East India adventure of £250 principal for £750 to the Royal Society, after I had been in that company twenty-five years, being extraordinarily…