The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

JOHN EVELYN

charging a pistol at a mark; lastly taking up a gauntlet
with the point of a sword; all these performed in full
speed. The Duke of Northumberland hardly missed of
succeeding in every one, a dozen times, as I think. The
Duke of Norfolk did exceeding bravely. Lords Newburgh
and Duras seemed nothing so dexterous. Here I saw
the diflEerence of what the French call(< bel homme a cheval*
and *bon homme a cheval*; the Duke of Norfolk being the
first, that is rather a fine person on a horse, the Duke
of Northumberland being both in perfection, namely, a
graceful person and an excellent rider. But the Duke of
Norfolk told me he had not been at this exercise these
twelve years before. There were in the field the Prince
of Denmark, and the Lord Lansdowne, son of the Earl
of Bath, who had been made a Count of the Empire last
summer for his service before Vienna.

2oth December, 1684. A villainous murder was perpe-
trated by Mr. St. John, eldest son to Sir Walter St. John,
a worthy gentleman, on a knight of quality, in a tavern.
The offender was sentenced and reprieved. So many
horrid murders and duels were committed about this time
as were never before heard of in England; which gave
much cause of complaint and murmurings.

ist January, 1684-85. It proved so sharp weather, and
so long and cruel a frost, that the Thames was frozen
across, but the frost was of ten dissolved, and then froze again.

nth January, 1685. A young man preached upon St.
Luke xiii. 5, after the Presbyterian tedious method and
repetition.

24th January, 1685. I dined at Lord Newport's, who
had some excellent pictures, especially that of Sir Thomas
Hanmer, by Vandyke, one of the best he ever painted;
another of our English Dobson's painting; but, above
all, Christ in the Virgin's lap, by Poussin, an admirable
piece; with something of most other famous hands.

25th January, 1685. Dr. Dove preached before the
King. I saw this evening such a scene of profuse gam-
ing, and the King in the midst of his three concubines,
as I have never before seen—luxurious dallying and
profaneness.

27th January, 1685. I dined at Lord Sunderland's, be-
ing invited to hear that celebrated voice of Mr. Pordage,
newly come from Rome; his singing was after the Vene-, running at