The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

i68o JOHN EVELYN 145

marble, the work of Mr. Gibbons, at the expense of Toby
Rustate, a page of the back stairs, who by his wonder -
ful frugality had arrived to a great estate in money, and
did many works of charity, as well as this of gratitude
to his master, which cost him ^1,000. He is very sim-
ple, ignorant, but honest and loyal creature.

We all dined at "the Countess of Sunderland's, after-
ward to see Signer Verrio's garden, thence to Eton Col-
lege, to salute the provost, and heard a Latin speech of
one of the alumni (it being at the election) and were
invited to supper; but took our leave, and got to London
that night in good time.

26th July, 1680. My most noble and illustrious friend,
the Earl of Ossory, espying me this morning after ser-
mon in the privy gallery, calling to me, told me he was
now going his journey (meaning to Tangier, whither he
was designed Governor, and General of the forces, to
regain the losses we had lately sustained from the Moors,
when Inchiquin was Governor). I asked if he would
not call at my house (as he always did whenever he went
out of England on any exploit). He said he must em-
bark at Portsmouth, <(wherefore let you and me dine to-
gether to-day; I am quite alone, and have something to
impart to you; I am not well, shall be private, and desire
your company. **

Being retired to his lodgings, and set clown on a couch,
he sent to his secretary for the copy of a letter which he
had written to Lord Sunderland (Secretary of State),
wishing me to read it; it was to take notice how ill he
resented it, that he should tell the King before Lord
Ossory's face, that Tangier was not to be kept, but would
certainly be lost, and yet added that it was fit Lord
Ossory should be sent, that they might give some ac-
count of it to the world, meaning (as supposed) the
next Parliament, when all such miscarriages would prob-
ably be examined; this Lord Ossory took very ill of Lord
Sunderland, and not kindly of the King, who resolving to
send him with an incompetent force, seemed, as his
Lordship took it, to be willing to cast him away, not
only on a hazardous adventure, but in most men's opin-
ion, an impossibility/ seeing there was not to be above
300 or 400 horse, and 4,000 foot for the garrison and all,
both to defend the town, form a camp, repulse the enemy,
'• ' 10 . • ' '.'. .• • • ' ,' ' : • " thought Gates might know