The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

DIARY OP LONDON

and laden with fruit, were now in decay, as well as the
grotto, fountains, cabinets, and other curiosities in the
house and abroad, it being now fallen to a child under
age, and only kept by a servant or two from utter
dilapidation. The estate and park about it also in de-
cay.

23d September, 1700. I went to visit Mr. Pepys at
Clapham, where he has a very noble and wonderfully well-
furnished house, especially with Indian and Chinese curi-
osities. The offices and gardens well accommodated for
pleasure and retirement.

3ist October, 1700. My birthday now completed the 8oth
year of my age. I with my soul render thanks to God,
who, of his infinite mercy, not only brought me out of
many troubles, but this year restored me to health, after
an ague and other infirmities of so great an age; my
sight, hearing, and other senses and faculties tolerable,
which I implore him to continue, with the pardon of my
sins past, and grace to acknowledge by my improvement
of his goodness the ensuing year, if it be his pleasure to
protract my life, that I may be the better prepared for
my last day, through the infinite merits of my blessed
Savior, the Lord Jesus, Amen!

5th November, 1700. Came the news of my dear grand-
son (the only male of my family now remaining) being
fallen ill of the smallpox at Oxford, which after the dire
effects of it in my family exceedingly afflicted me; but so
it pleased my most merciful God that being let blood at
his first complaint, and by the extraordinary care of Dr.
Mander (Head of the college and now Vice Chancellor),
who caused him to be brought and lodged in his own
bed and bedchamber, with the advice of his physician
and care of his tutor, there were all fair hopes of his
recovery, to our infinite comfort. We had a letter every
day either from the Vice Chancellor himself, or his tutor.

17th November, 1700. Assurance of his recovery by a
letter from himself.

There was a change of great officers at Court. Lord
Godolphin returned to his former station of first Commis-
sioner of the Treasury; Sir Charles Hedges, Secretary of
State.

3oth November, 1700. At the Royal Society, Lord
Somers, the late Chancellor, was continued President this kingdom mttcli earlier than the time of