The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

74 DIARY OF LONDON

gentleman was born, and where his parents lived and
died with much reputation, during their banishment in
onr civil broils,

2ist October, 1-671.' Quitting Euston, I lodged this
night at Newmarket, where I found the jolly blades rac-
ing, dancing, feasting, and reveling; more resembling a
luxurious and abandoned rout, than a Christian Court.
The Duke of Buckingham was now in mighty favor, and
had with him that impudent woman, the Countess of
Shrewsbury, with his band of fiddlers, etc.

Next morning, in company with Sir Bernard Gascoyne,
and Lord Hawley, I came in the Treasurer's coach to
Bishop Stortford, where he gave us a noble supper. The
following day, to London, and so home.

i4th November, 1671. To Council, where Sir Charles
Wheeler, late Governor of the Leeward Islands, having
been complained of for many indiscreet managements, it
was resolved, on scanning many of the particulars, to
advise his Majesty to remove him; and consult what was
to be done, to prevent these inconveniences he had brought
things to. This business staid me in London almost a
week, being in Council, or Committee, every morning
till the 25th.

27th November, 1671. We ordered that a proclamation
should be presented to his Majesty to sign, against what
Sir Charles Wheeler had done in St. Christopher's since
the war, on the articles of peace at Breda. He was
shortly afterward recalled.

6th December, 1671. Came to visit me Sir William
Haywood, a great pretender to English antiquities.

i4th December, 1671. Went to see the Duke of
Buckingham's ridiculous farce and rhapsody, called the
(CTbe Recital,** buffooning all plays, yet profane enough.

2jd December, 1671. The Councillors of the Board of
Trade dined together at the Cock, in Suffolk street.
1 :.i2th January, 1671-72. His Majesty renewed us our
lease of Sayes Court pastures for ninety-nine years, but
ought, according to his solemn promise f (as I hope he
will still perform), have passed them to us in fee-farm.

23d January, 1672. To London, in order to Sir Rich-
ard Browne, my father-in-law, resigning his place as Clerk

*The well-known play.of (CThe Rehearsal» is meant.

fThe King's engagement, tmde* Ms hand, is now at Wotton,Earl of Portland) I knew at Rome, where thisites; and that of the