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i66; JOHN EVELYN 37
charge, having called before us the French and Dutch
agents. The peace was now proclaimed, in the usual form, by the heralds-at-arms.
25th August, 1667. After evening service, I went to
visit Mr. Vaughan, who lay at Greenwich, a very wise and learned person, one of Mr. Selden's executors and intimate friends.
27th August, 1667. Visited the Lord Chancellor, to whom
his Majesty had sent for the seals a few days before; I found him in his bedchamber, very sad. The Parliament had accused him, and he had enemies at Court, especially the buffoons and ladies of pleasure, because he thwarted some of them, and stood in their way; I could name some of the chief. The truth is, he made few friends during his grandeur among the royal sufferers, but advanced the old rebels. He was, however, though no considerable law- yer, one who kept up the form and substance of things in the Nation with more solemnity than some would have had. He was my particular kind friend, on all occasions. The cabal, however, prevailed, and that party in Parlia- ment. Great division at Court concerning him, and divers great persons interceding for him.
28th August, 1667. I dined with my late Lord Chan-
cellor, where also dined Mr. Ashburnham, and Mr. W. Legge, of the bedchamber; his Lordship pretty well in heart, though now many of his friends and sycophants abandoned him.
In the afternoon, to the Lords Commissioners for money,
and thence to the audience of a Russian Envoy in the Queen's presence-chamber, introduced with much state, the soldiers, pensioners, and guards in their order. His letters of credence brought by his secretary in a scarf of sarsenet, their vests sumptuous, much embroidered with pearls. He delivered his speech in the Russ language, but without the least action, or motion, of his body, which was immediately interpreted aloud by a German that spoke good English: half of it consisted in repetition of the Czar's titles, which were very haughty and oriental: the substance of the rest was, that he was only sent to see the King and Queen, and know how they did, with much com- pliment and frothy language. Then, they kissed their Majesties' hands, and went as they came; but their real errand was to get money. |
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