The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

1672 JOHN EVELYN

tion at the brink of his grave, which I caused to "be dug
in the choir. This is more at large described in the
« Gazette* of that day; Colonel Reymes, my colleague in
commission, assisting, who was so kind as to accompany
me from London, though it was not his district; for
indeed the stress of both these wars lay more on me by
far than on any of my brethren, who had little to do in
theirs. I went to see TJpnore Castle, which I found
pretty well defended, but of no great moment.

"Next day I sailed to the fleet, now riding at thelmoy
of the (<Nore,J> where I met his Majesty, the Duke, Lord
Arlington, and all the great men, in the <( Charles,w lying
miserably shattered; but the miss of Lord Sandwich re-
doubled the loss to me, and showed the folly of hazard-
ing so brave a fleet, and losing so many good men, for
no provocation but that the Hollanders exceeded us in
industry, and in all things but envy.

At Sheerness, I gave his Majesty and his Royal High-
ness an account of my charge, and returned to Queen-
borough; next day dined at Major Dorel's, Governor of
Sheerness; thence, to Rochester; and the following day,
home

12th June, 1672. To London to his Majesty, to solicit
for money for the sick and wounded, which he promised
me

19th June, 1672. To London again, to solicit the same.

2ist June, 1672. At a Council of Plantations. Most of
this week busied with the sick and wounded,

3d July, 1672. To Lord Sandwich's funeral, which was
by water to Westminster, in solemn pomp.

3ist July, 1672. I entertained the Maids of Honor
(among whom there was one I infinitely esteemed for her
many and extraordinary virtues*) at a comedy this after-
noon, and so went home.

ist August, 1672. I was at the betrothal of Lord Ar-
lington's only daughter (a sweet child if ever there was
anyf) to the Duke of Grafton, the King's natural son by

* Mrs. Blagg whom Evelyn never tires of instancing" and charac-
terizing as a rare example of piety and virtue, in so rare a wit,
beauty, and perfection, in a licentious co-art, and depraved age. She
was afterward married to Mr. GodolpMn, and her life, written by
Evelyn, has been edited and published by the Bishop of Oxford/

fShe was then only fifteen years old. his guards; and the Dean and Preben-