The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

i66>-6S JOHN EVELYN

accusation as long as it was possible: and they were on
the point of sending him to the Tower.

roth December, 1667, I weut to the funeral of Mrs.
Heath, wife of my worthy friend and schoolfellow.

2ist December, 1667. I saw one Carr pilloried at Char-
ing-cross for a libel, which was burnt before him by the
hangman.

8th January, 1667-68. I saw deep and prodigious gam-
ing at the Groom-Porter's, vast heaps of gold squandered
away in a vain and profuse manner. This I looked on as
a horrid vice, and unsuitable in a Christian Court.

9th January, 1668. Went to see the revels at the Middle
Temple, which is also an old riotous custom, and has rela-
tion neither to virtue nor policy.

roth January, 1668. To visit Mr. Povey, where were
divers great Lords to see his well-contrived cellar, and other
elegancies.

24th January, 1668. We went to stake out ground for
"building a college for the Royal Society at Arundel-House,
"but did not finish it, which we shall repent of.

4th February, 1668. I saw the tragedy of (< HoraceJ)
(written by the VIRTUOUS Mrs. Philips) acted before their
Majesties. Between each act a masque and antique dance.
The excessive gallantry of the ladies was infinite, those
especially on that . . . Castlemaine, esteemed at ,£40,-
ooo and more, far outshining the Queen.

i5th February, 1668. I saw the audience of the Swedish
Ambassador Count Donna, in great state in the banquet-
ing house.

3d March, 1668. Was launched at Deptford, that goodly
vessel, <( The Charles.J> I was near his Majesty. She is
longer than the (< Sovereign,*and carries no brass cannon;
she was built by old Shish, a plain, honest carpenter,
master-builder of this dock, but one who can give very
little account of his art by discourse, and is hardly capable
of reading, yet of great ability in his calling. The family
have been ship carpenters in this yard above 300
years.

iath March, 1668. Went to visit Sir John Cotton, who
had me into his library, full of good MSS., Greek and Latin,
but most famous for those of the Saxon and English
antiquities, collected by his grandfather.

ad April 1668. To the Royal Society, where I sub-Evelyn's book is not, in every