The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

So DIARY OP OXFORD

Spencer (brother to the late Earl of Sunderland). Thence,
we marched to the Convocation House, a convocation
having "been called on purpose; here, being all of us
robed in the porch, in scarlet with caps and hoods, we
were led in by the Professor of Laws, and presented re-
spectively by name, with a short eulogy, to the Vice-
chancellor, who sat in the chair, with all the Doctors
and Heads of Houses and masters about the room, which
was exceedingly full. Then, began the Public Orator his
speech, directed chiefly to the Duke of Ormond, the
Chancellor; but in which I had my compliment, in course,
This ended, we were called up, and created Doctors ac-
cording to the form, and seated by the Vice-Chancellor
among the Doctors, on his right hand; then, the Vice-
Chancellor made a short speech, and so, saluting our
brother Doctors, the pageantry concluded, and the con-
vocation was dissolved. So formal a creation of honor-
ary Doctors had seldom been seen, that a convocation
should'be called on purpose, and speeches made by the
Orator; but they could do no less, their Chancellor be-
ing to receive, or rather do them, this honor. I should
have been made Doctor with the rest at the ptiblic Act,
but their expectation of their Chancellor made them de-
fer it. I was then led with tny brother Doctors to an
extraordinary entertainment at Doctor Mewes's, head
of St. John's College, and, after abundance of feasting
and compliments, having visited the Vice-Chancellor and
other Doctors, and given them thanks for the honor
done me, I went toward home the i6th, and got as far
as Windsor, and so to my house the next day.

4th August, 1669. I was invited by Sir Henry Peck-
ham to his reading feast in the Middle Temple, a pom-
pous entertainment, where were the Archbishop of
Canterbury, all the great Earls and Lords, etc. I had
much discourse with my Lord Winchelsea, a prodigious
talker; and the Venetian Ambassador.

ryth August, 1669. To London, spending almost the
entire day in surveying what progress was made in re-
building the ruinous city, which now began a little to
revive after its sad calamity:

aoth August, 1669. I saw the splendid audience of
the Danish Ambassador in the Banqueting House at
Whitehall. Compton (brother of the Earl