The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

I58 DIARY OF LONDON

Ail extraordinary sharp, cold spring, not yet a leaf on
the trees, frost and snow lying: while the whole nation
was in the greatest ferment

nth April, 1681. I took my leave of Dr. Lloyd (Bishop
of St. Asaph) at his house in Leicester Fields, now going
to reside in his diocese.

12th April, 1681. I dined at Mr. Brisbane's, Secretary
to the Admiralty, a learned and industrious person,
whither came Dr. Burnet, to thank me for some papers
I had contributed toward his excellent c< History of the
Reformation.}>

26th April, 1681, I dined at Don Pietro Ronquillo's,
the Spanish Ambassador, at Wild House, who used me
with extraordinary civility. The dinner was plentiful,
half after the Spanish, half after the English way. After
dinner, he led me into his bedchamber, where we fell
into a long discourse concerning religion. Though he
was a learned man in politics, and an advocate, he was
very ignorant in religion, and unable to defend any point
of controversy; he was, however, far from being fierce.
At parting, he earnestly wished me to apply humbly to
the blessed virgin to direct me, assuring me that he
had known divers who had been averse from the Roman
Catholic religion, wonderfully enlightened and convinced
by her intercession. He importuned me to come and
visit him often.

29th April, 1681. But one shower of rain all this
month.

5th May, 1681. Came to dine with me Sir William
Fermor, of Northamptonshire, and Sir Christopher Wren,
' Ms • Majesty's architect and surveyor, now building the
Cathedral of St. Paul, and the column in memory of the
city's conflagration, and was in hand with the building of
fifty parish churches. A wonderful genius had this incom-
parable person.

i6th May, 1681. Came my Lady Sunderland, to desire
that I would propose a match to Sir Stephen Pox for
her son, Lord Spencer, to marry Mrs. Jane, Sir Stephen's
daughter, I excused myself all I was able; for the truth
is, I was afraid he would prove an extravagant man: for,
though a youth of extraordinary parts, and had an excel-
lent education to render him a worthy man, yet his early
inclinations to extravagance made me apprehensive, thation, against which the House was set.e should en-