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DIARY OP LONDON
and laden with fruit, were now in decay, as well as the
grotto, fountains, cabinets, and other curiosities in the house and abroad, it being now fallen to a child under age, and only kept by a servant or two from utter dilapidation. The estate and park about it also in de- cay.
23d September, 1700. I went to visit Mr. Pepys at
Clapham, where he has a very noble and wonderfully well- furnished house, especially with Indian and Chinese curi- osities. The offices and gardens well accommodated for pleasure and retirement.
3ist October, 1700. My birthday now completed the 8oth
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 this year restored me to health, after an ague and other infirmities of so great an age; my sight, hearing, and other senses and faculties tolerable, which I implore him to continue, with the pardon of my sins past, and grace to acknowledge by my improvement of his goodness the ensuing year, if it be his pleasure to protract my life, that I may be the better prepared for my last day, through the infinite merits of my blessed Savior, the Lord Jesus, Amen!
5th November, 1700. Came the news of my dear grand-
son (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 family exceedingly afflicted me; but so it pleased my most merciful God that being let blood at his first complaint, and by the extraordinary care of Dr. Mander (Head of the college and now Vice Chancellor), who caused him to be brought and lodged in his own bed and bedchamber, with the advice of his physician and care of his tutor, there were all fair hopes of his recovery, to our infinite comfort. We had a letter every day either from the Vice Chancellor himself, or his tutor.
17th November, 1700. 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 Commis- sioner of the Treasury; Sir Charles Hedges, Secretary of State.
3oth November, 1700. At the Royal Society, Lord
Somers, the late Chancellor, was continued President |
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