The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

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.t campaign. The Duke of York opposed this, but was over-