The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

DIARY OF LONDON

ad January, 1698. Dr. Fulham, who lately married
my niece, preached against atheism, a very eloquent
discourse, somewhat improper for most of the audience
at [Wotton], but fitted for some other place, and very
apposite to the profane temper of the age.

5th January, 1698. Whitehall burned, nothing but walls
and ruins left.

3oth January > 1698. The imprisonment of the great
banker. Buncombe: censured by Parliament; acquitted
by the Lords; sent again to the Tower by the Commons*

The Czar of Muscovy being come to England, and
having a mind to see the building of ships, hired my
house at Sayes Court, and made it his court and palace,
newly furnished for him by the King.*

21st April, 1698, The Czar went from my house to
return home. An exceedingly sharp and cold season.

8th May, 1698. An extraordinary great snow and frost,
nipping the corn and other fruits. Corn at nine shillings
a bushel [^"18 a load].

3oth May, 1698. I dined at Mr. Pepys's, where I heard
the rare voice of Mr. Pule, who was lately come from
Italy, reputed the most excellent singer we had ever
had. He sung several compositions of the late Dr.
Purcell.

5th June, 1698. Dr. White, late Bishop of Norwich*
who had been ejected for not complying with Govern -
ment, was buried in St. Gregory's churchyard, or vault„
at St. Paul's. His hearse was accompanied by two non-
juror bishops, Dr. Turner of Ely, and Dr. Lloyd, with
forty other non-juror clergymen, who would not stay the
Office of the burial, because the Dean of St. Paul's had!
appointed a conforming minister to read the Office; at
which all much wondered, there being nothing in that
Office which mentioned the present King.

8th June, 1698. I went to congratulate the marriage*.
of Mr. Godolphin with the Earl of Marlborough's
daughter.

* While the Czar was In his house, Evelyn's servant writes to him:
«There is a house full of people, and right nasty. The Czar lies next
your library, and dines in the parlor next your study. He dines at ten
o'clock and at six at night; is very seldom at home a whole day; very
often in the King's yard, or by water, dressed in several dresses. The
King isexpected here this day; the best parlor is pretty clean for him
to be entertained in. The King pays for all he has.^ to pur-