John Evelyn’s diary, 1700

Dr. Lancaster, Vicar of St. Martin's, dismissed Mr. Stringfellow, who had been made the first preacher at our chapel by the Bishop of Lincoln , while he held St.…

Died the Duke of Beaufort, a person of great honor, prudence, and estate.

I went to Wotton, the first time after my brother's funeral, to furnish the house with necessaries, Lady Wych and my nephew Glanville, the executors having sold and…

The Parliament voted against the Scots settling in Darien as being prejudicial to our trade with Spain. They also voted that the exorbitant number of attorneys be…

Mild and calm season, with gentle frost, and little mizzling rain. The Vicar of St. Martin's frequently preached at Trinity chapel in the afternoon.

The season was like April for warmth and mildness.

On Wednesday, was a sermon at our chapel, to be continued during Lent.

I was at the funeral of my Lady Temple, who was buried at Islington, brought from Addiscombe, near Croydon. She left my son-in-law Draper (her nephew) the mansion…

The season warm, gentle, and exceedingly pleasant. Divers persons of quality entered into the Society for Reformation of Manners; and some lectures were set up,…

Dr. Burnet preached to-day before the Lord Mayor and a very great congregation, on Proverbs xxvii. 5, 6, "Open rebuke is better than secret love; the wounds of a…

The Duke of Norfolk now succeeded in obtaining a divorce from his wife by the Parliament for adultery with Sir John Germaine, a Dutch gamester, of mean extraction,…

This week there was a great change of State officers. The Duke of Shrewsbury resigned his Lord Chamberlainship to the Earl of Jersey, the Duke's indisposition…

The great trial between Sir Walter Clarges and Mr. Sherwin concerning the legitimacy of the late Duke of Albemarle, on which depended an estate of £1,500 a year;…

I went from Dover street to Wotton, for the rest of the summer, and removed thither the rest of my goods from Sayes Court.

A sweet season, with a mixture of refreshing showers.

In the afternoon, our clergyman had a catechism, which was continued for some time.

I was visited with illness, but it pleased God that I recovered, for which praise be ascribed to him by me, and that he has again so graciously advertised me of my…

I went to Harden, which was originally a barren warren bought by Sir Robert Clayton, who built there a pretty house, and made such alteration by planting not only…

I went to Beddington, the ancient seat of the Carews, in my remembrance a noble old structure, capacious, and in form of the buildings of the age of Henry VIII. and…

I went to visit Mr. Pepys at Clapham, where he has a very noble and wonderfully well-furnished house, especially with Indian and Chinese curiosities. The offices…

My birthday now completed the 80th year of my age. I with my soul render thanks to God, who, of his infinite mercy, not only brought me out of many troubles, but…

Came the news of my dear grandson (the only male of my family now remaining) being fallen ill of the smallpox at Oxford, which after the dire effects of it in my…

Assurance of his recovery by a letter from himself. There was a change of great officers at Court. Lord Godolphin returned to his former station of first…

At the Royal Society, Lord Somers, the late Chancellor, was continued President.

Great alterations of officers at Court, and elsewhere,—Lord Chief Justice Treby died; he was a learned man in his profession, of which we have now few, never fewer;…