The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

1693 JOHN EVELYN

husband's house, where with many of his and out'rela-
tions we were magnificently treated. There we left her
in an apartment very richly adorned and furnished, and
I hope in as happy a condition as could be wished, and
with the great satisfaction of all our friends; for which
God be praised!

i4th May, 1693. Nothing yet of action from abroad.
Muttering of a design to bring forces under color of an
expected descent, to be a standing army for other pur-
poses. Talk of a declaration of the French King, offering
mighty advantages to the confederates, exclusive of King
William; and another of King James, with an universal
pardon, and referring the composing of all differences to
a Parliament. These were yet but discourses; but some-
thing is certainly under it. A declaration or manifesto
from King James, so written, that many thought it rea-
sonable, and much more to the purpose than any of his
former.

June, 1693, WHITSUNDAY. I went to my Lord Griffith's
chapel; the common church office was used for the King
without naming the person, with some other, apposite to
the necessity and circumstances of the time.

nth June, 1693. I dined at Sir William Godolphin's;
and, after evening prayer, visited the Duchess of Graf ton.

2ist June, 1693. I saw a great auction of pictures in
the Banqueting house, Whitehall. They had been my
Lord Melford's, now Ambassador from King James at
Rome, and engaged to his creditors here. Lord Mulgrave
and Sir Edward Seymour came to my house, and desired
me to go with them to the sale. Divers more of the
great lords, etc., were there, and bought pictures dear
enough. There were some very excellent of Vandyke,
Rubens, and Bassan. Lord Godolphin bought the pic-
ture of the Boys, by Murillo the Spaniard, for 80 guineas,
dear enough; my nephew Glanville, the old Earl of
Arundel's head by Rubens, for £20. Growing late, I.did
not stay till all were sold.

24th June, 1693. A very wet hay harvest, and little
summer as yet.

9th July, 1693. Mr. Tippin, successor of Dr. Parr at
Camberwell, preached an excellent sermon.

13th July, 1693, I saw the Queen's rare cabinets and
collection of china; which was wonderfully rich and plenti-me of the accused were