The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

i88 DIARY OF LONDON

Eight of the richest and chief aldermen were removed,
and all the rest made only justices of the peace, and no
more wearing of gowns, or chains of gold; the Lord
Mayor and two sheriffs holding their places by new grants
as custodes^ at the King's pleasure. The pomp and
grandeur of the most august city in the world thus changed
face in a moment; which gave great occasion of discourse
and thoughts of hearts, what all this would end in. Pru-
dent men were for the old foundations.

Following his Majesty this morning through the gal-
lery, I went with the few who attended him, into the
Duchess of Portmouth's DRESSING ROOM within her bed-
chamber, where she was in her morning loose garment,
her maids combing her, newly out of her bed, his Majesty
and the gallants standing about her; but that which en-
gaged my curiosity, was the rich and splendid furniture
of this woman's apartment, now twice or thrice pulled
down and rebuilt to satisfy her prodigal and expensive
pleasures, while her Majesty's does not exceed some gen-
tlemen's ladies in furniture and accommodation. Here I
saw the new fabric of French tapestry, for design, ten-
derness of work, and incomparable imitation of the best
paintings, beyond anything I had ever beheld. Some
pieces had Versailles, St. Germains, and other palaces of
the French King, with huntings, figures, and landscapes,
exotic fowls, and all to the life rarely done. Then for
Japan cabinets, screens, pendule clocks, great vases of
wrought plate, tables, stands, chimney-furniture, sconces,
branches, braseras, etc., all of massy silver and out of
number, besides some of her Majesty's best paintings.

Surfeiting of this, I dined at Sir Stephen Fox's and
went contented home to my poor, but quiet villa. What
contentment can there be in the riches and splendor of
this world, purchased with vice and dishonor ?

loth October, 1683. Visited the Duchess of Grafton,
not yet brought to bed, and dining with my Lord Cham-
berlain (her father), went with them to see Montague
House, a palace lately built by Lord Montague, who had
married the most beautiful Countess of Northumberland.
It is a stately and ample palace. Signor Verrio's fresco
paintings, especially the funeral pile of Dido, on the
staircase, the labors of Hercules, fight with the Centaurs,
his effeminacy with Dejanira, and Apotheosis or receptione he showed me the woa-