SAMUEL PEPYS AND JOHN EVELYN 1690-99
This text is taken from my publication of the complete Correspondence of these two seventeenth-century diarists, published by Boydell still available in paperback at £16-99, and covering their letters from 1665-1703 (the letters of the 1660s are available on this site). There is more information at John Evelyn
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By the 1690s Pepys was firmly marginalised from centre stage by his age, health, and loyalty to James II. Evelyn was not so politically compromised but he suffered from increasingly frequent bouts of ill-health. Both became preoccupied with family prospects. Pepys had no children and by way of substitute came to focus his hopes for the future on his nephews Samuel and John Jackson, sons of his sister Paulina, Mrs John Jackson. Samuel was initially named his heir but due to a marriage of which Pepys disapproved he was supplanted by 1703 in favour of his younger brother who had, it seems, already appeared a better prospect. In 1699 he was sent on a grand tour in the interests of education and in order to buy prints for his uncle’s collection.
Evelyn’s family expectations were more complicated. His son John, the only one to survive childhood, was a gifted linguist but suffered from depression and ill-health. In 1692 he became a commissioner for the Revenue in Ireland. In consequence the upbringing of his own son, also called John, became the responsibility of the diarist. Evelyn became dedicated to the boy not least because it was becoming obvious that his elder brother George would have to leave the Wotton estate to him. George’s dissolute son died in 1691. In 1694 Evelyn and his wife left Sayes Court to live at Wotton and, despite wrangles with George’s daughters over division of the estate, it passed to the diarist on George’s death in October 1699. Evelyn’s own son John had died in March that year leaving his grandson the sole prospect for the future. In an age of premature mortality such a turn of events was hardly unusual but this was no consolation to Evelyn.
Pepys did choose to publish his Memoires relating to the Royal Navy in 1690. This was a defence of his position and Evelyn was anxious to be seen to be supporting him. Thereafter their letters turned to social occasions, shared interests in prints, tracts, and books, and the activities of their heirs. Once installed at Wotton Evelyn became frustrated by his remoteness from the social and professional contacts he had enjoyed in London. He took to wintering there but it seems he and Pepys did not meet particularly frequently. Ill-health begins to feature more regularly in the correspondence as the two virtuosi confronted the inevitable end. Evelyn produced his last original works in 1697 and 1699. Numismata, a rambling disourse on coins and medals, and Acetaria, a Discourse of Sallets [salads], were not major monuments to his life and work. Nevertheless they show that he retained some of his indefatigable energy and application.
D. 1. 1690 11 January E New
Year’s greetings 212
2. 1690 26 February E on
John Locke 213
3. 1690 11 June E P’s consummate book 216
4. 1690 17 June E In Rei Memoriam 219
5. 1690 14 August E apocalypse 220
6. 1690 25 September E P
is obliged to publish 221
7. 1690 25 September P desires
prints 222
8. 1690 26 September E on
perfecting a print collection 224
9. 1690 13 November P an
exotic meal 226
10. 1691 12 June E P’s apologies accepted 227
11. 1691 08 October P no
good conversation p. 228
12. 1692 09 January P mourning
for Boyle 229
13. 1692 28 March P ruins
E’s book 230
14. 1692 12 April E forgives P 232
15. 1692 19 August E world-despising 233
16. 1692 16 September P recovering 235
17. 1692 29 November P returns
E’s prints 237
18. 1693 06 July E news from E’s son 238
19. 1694 02 April E Eton College 240
20. 1694 22 May P books on voyages for E 241
21. 1694 30 May E moved to Wotton 243
22. 1694 07 July E William Wotton’s talents 245
23. 1694 14 August P seasonal
fever 247
24. 1694 02 September E overwhelmed
with books 250
25. 1694 07 November P Greenwich
Hospital 253
26. 1694 18 November E MSS
at Oxford 255
27. 1695 07 January E stuck
amongst bumpkins 256
28. 1695 15 February P deaths
in church and state 257
29. 1695 25 March E the
Archbishop’s head 258
30. 1696 03 December E unhappy
lot of kings 259
31. 1698 03 April E Battle of the Books 261
32. 1699 14 January E discomposed
and dejected 263
D1. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
New
Year’s Greetings and a broken-down vehicle
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
at his house
York-building
[no place]
11 January 1690
Exacto
feliciter veteri, novus Annus
ingreditur,
eius opto D: P et Cl D: Gale
felix
auspicium, ut et præsentem, et plurimos
futuros
prosperrime decurrat.
’Tis a Yeare since I saw my worthy friende. My Vehicle has ben out of Order,
and I my Selfe not in so perfect health: I could not else have ben so long from
giving you the buenas entradice de Anno nuevo: If you are within this Afternoone, I will endeavour to
see you, who am
Your
en
tout et par tout
JE:
D2. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
On
John Locke’s writings
To Samuell Pepys Esqr
at his house in Yorke-Buildings
with a Book:
Soho Square
26 February 1690
Sir,
I have many Ingredients towards a Lawfull Excuse, and to justify my not waiting upon you all this while: But that I had indeede no sooner return’d you the Doctor’s Booke, let the Author be accountable, who had Baited, and Entertain’d me with so rare and excellent a piece, that ’twas not possible for me to dismisse him at once Reading: And if I be not thoroughly convinc’d, that there has nothing appear’d (to me at least) written with so much force, upon the Subject which he handles, I am content you deliver me up to a forlorn condition as to Sense and Reason: I must yet ingenuously confesse, my apprehensions, least some Advantage might be taken by the Admirers of our Man of Malmesbery, and some perverters of Des-Cartes, to the prejudice of Religion, (notwithstanding all that Gassendus has produc’d)[.] But I soon, and with no small satisfaction, found my selfe convinc’d to the Contrary; nor know I of any (even amongst our most learnd Theologu[e]s,) who has Vindicated, and Asserted the Existence of God Almighty in all his Attributes, with more solid, and incontestable Argument. In the meane time, I was not much in paine; That supposing, nay Assenting (with that no lesse pious, than Learned Prælate whom I mention’d to you) that the Knowledge of a Deity, was not Connatural to our Soules (præexistence not admitted) through any In-bred-notion ab Initio; but that she came into the World Rasa Tabula, without the least print or Character on her; for which Reason (whatsoever Crimes contracted, God might please to connive for a time, ’til the use of Reason, Complex Ideas and Deduction, should render men without Excuse) we no where find Men charg’d with their Ignorance of God on that account; se[e]ing they cannot rationaly ground their Knowledge of his Existence upon Selfe Evidence: For who shall convince a person that either denys or doubts it, by telling him he must Believe it, because it is Selfe-Evident; when he himselfe knows, that he onely (and eo nomine) Doubts, or dos not believe it, because ’tis not Selfe-Evident? I say, supposing so, (and as firmely I believe) yet, that God is, will aboundantly appeare by connextion, and the Apostles every-days-phænomena; Their dependence on Inferior Beings, leading us irresistibly, to the Supreme Independent Being, or Nature of Infinite Perfection, the powerfull Cause of all other Beings whatsoever: And to this sense of our Doctor, the Doctor Angelical __ Deus (says Aquinas) est suum Esse, sed quia nos non scimus de Deo, quid est, Non est nobis per se notus; sed indiget demonstrari per ea quæ sunt magis nota, quoad nos, et minus nota quoad Naturam, scilicet per Effectus __
There are other Incomparable Notions sprinkl’d throughout this learnd Treatise, concerning the nature of the Soule, Thought, Spirits; Chaine of Creatures, (happly induc’d with qualities, senses and glorious Receptacles, totaly unknowne to us) Of Time, Duration and Eternity; Of Space, Extension, Matter, Bodys, Substance, and Substantial formes: The Use of Words in relation to Ideas; of Rhetoric, and Scholastic Science, which he worthily explod’s, as of no manner Advantage to use-full Learning; yet so fruitlessly retain’d in Universities: Celebrates the stupendious operations of Algebra, Mechanical Arts, and Experimental Philosophy; and that all we know, or are capable of knowing is the pure result of the Species and Objects which we receive and take into us by the ministrie of our senses; simple Ideas so derived from sensation, Reflexion, though the Boundaries of all we know; yet such, as is able to produce infinite variety of Complex ones; and all this, without the least prejudice to what we ought to conceive of God, and other Immaterial Beings: He treates of Virtue and Vice; the Summum Bonum, Of Truth and moral Demonstration: describes the measures of probability; Of the Bodys Resurrection, Divine Revelation, and where Faith takes place of Reason: Of Indulging, amplifying and Inlarging the Empire of Conscience and Christian Communion; freeing it from the narrow and slavish Circumstances under which it universaly suffers: In a Word, The Work speakes the Author to be of a Cleare, and subacted Judgement, free, and manly Thoughts, conducted with greate modesty: The style is natural, and as perspicuous as so sublime, and noble a Subject is capable of: Explaines Metaphysical Notions, strip’t of the Jargon and Gibbrish of the Cloister: In short, I looke upon it, as what may serve for Institution, as well as Instruction, in the most necessarie, and least understood part of Real Φhilosophy (the Knowledge of our selves) as far as our Attainements can pretend in this umbratile State:
And now (deare Sir) though I should not have presum’d to say halfe of this to Mr Pepys, had he not oblig’d me to Returne his Book with my Thoughts upon it: I am perswaded the Worke will live, and obtaine, and deserve so to do; and that when you shall have perus’d it, you will concurre in your Suffrage with
Sir, Your most humble
faithfull servant JEvelyn:
D3. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Pepys’s
book is perfectly consummate
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
at his house in
York-Buildings.
[no place]
11 June [1690]
My deare and worthy Friend,
For under that Compellation, permit me sometimes to value my-selfe in a period so rare to find him ____
When I Reflect (as who can but Reflect) upon what you were pleas’d to communicate to me Yesterday; so many, and so different passions crowd on my thoughts, that I know not which first to give vent to: Indignation, pitty, Sorrow, Contempt and Anger: Love, Esteeme, Admiration, and all that can expresse the most generous Resent’ments of One, who cannot but take part in the cause of an Injur’d and worthy Person! With what Indignation for the Malevolence of these men, pitty of their Ignorance and Folly, Sorrow and Contempt of their Malice and Ingratitude, do I looke upon and despise them! On the other side, In what bonds and obligations of Love, Esteeme, and just admiration, ought we to Reguard him who dares Expose himselfe to all this suffering with so intrepid a Resolution; because his Innocence and Merite will not onely justifie him to all the World, but to it, and to his Country, if sensible of their Obligations, and the Injuries some base and Envious men have labourd to do him, they become worthy of him. I speake not this to flatter my Friend, nor needes he my Comfort or Counsel: He has within him, and of his Owne bravely to support him; It would go very ill with me else, who have the same thoughts and principles, and set my heart upon the Person, that every day accumulates to the greate Esteeme I have for greate Merites and no lesse Vertue, in an Age so degenerate and voide of both: I protest (in the meane time) and that sincerely, that I am so far from being concern’d that these angrie Men (whose folly I pitty) so unjustly provoke you; That I thinke, they could not have contributed more to your honour, and their owne deserv’d Reproche. So Reasonable, so every way Ingenuous; in so just, modest, and generous a style; in a Word, so perfectly consummate is your excellent Remonstrance, and so incontestably Vouch’d! This Sir, is my Sense of it, and I value my selfe upon my Judgement of it, that it will stand like a Rock, and dash in pieces all the effects and efforts of spitefull and implacable men, who because they cannot bravely emulate, Envie your worth, and would thus seacretly undermine it: But you are safe, and I will boldly say, That whoever shall honestly compile the Historie of these prodigious and wonderfull Revolutions, (as far as concernes this miserable and unhappy Kingdome) has already the most shining and Illustrious part drest to his hand, if there be any of that profession, who dare do right to Truth in so vitious an Age, be the Event what it will; And that unlesse we pluck-out our owne Eyes; we must see in spite of ’em, That You, and your Collegues, have stood in the breach, when the safety of a Nation was in uttmost danger, and by whose prudence, Experience and Industrie, it can onely be yet Rescu’d from perishing now:___ Do not think I speake a big word, or am so vaine to believe you are to be taken with magnificent sounds (though a Lover of Music) I have no such designe, and you know me better: But I have deepely, and sadly consider’d the state; and Circumstances into which we are unhappily fall’n; and that no personal Resent’ments, or reflections on the useage from ungratefull, and Wicked Men whatsoever, ought to cancel our Endeavors to support ones native Country, what ever Sacrifice we make with Honour, and a good Conscience: Wherefore, as I cannot but approve of what you have so maturely digested, so nor can I but wish to see it publish’d; the just, and proper timing of which is (as with yourselfe) with me the onely remaining difficulty, which may perhaps require Consideration, and that for the Objections occuring to you, should it be look’d-on as if you fear’d it should have seene the lights, ’til the King’s back was turn’d; and the late Parliament scatter’d by this Adjournment etc that you steale it now out before their next Session, to conciliate Friends, and make a party etc whilst these, or the like suggestions may perhaps (though of no real force) cause your suspence, why might you not resolve to communicate your thoughts to my Lord Godolphin? whom you will allow and find to be a person of a cleare discernment, and greate probitie, and has (to my certaine knowledge) the same honorable sentiments with your selfe, and upon whose integrity you may relie, and determine according as you see cause? Thus Sir, I take the boldnesse to give you my calmest Thoughts upon this Article; since you are pleas’d so far to honour me, as to give me so greate a share in your Confidence, who am, and (with very greate Respect) shall ever remaine,
Sir,
Your most faithfull
and intirely devoted Friend and servant,
JEvelyn:
verte
12 June [1690]
Sir,
I had begun this Letter very late the last night, when company was gon, when on a suddaine so very painefull a fit of the Colic surpriz’d my poore wife, that put me into greate dissorder; but, I thank God, (after a night of much torment) having ben let bloud, with other applications, she is now at much ease: she had else appointed this very day (and by long designement) to have gon to Clapham to visite that good person Mrs Ewers: as she still intends to do, so soone as she is a little better compos’d:
The Addresse I gave a poore
modest Creature last night, has I believe ’ere this, fully answer’d the
Character I gave you of his out-side, and what I left in your hands of his,
that the noblest Accomplishments lie often hid Sub
Lacera Tunica:
D4. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
In
Rei Memoriam
[no place]
17 June 1690
I have seene and perus’d certaine Memoires relating to the Royal Navy of England for Ten yeares, etc, And am so thoroughly Convinc’d of the Truth of every period, both as to what has ben don towards the extricating of it out of the Ruinous Circumstances under which it then labourd, and the greate Improvements it has since received, by the Integrity, Prudence, Courage, and Industrie of the Person who has Written it etc, That, as I Judge no Man on Earth so fit to Restore the Navy againe (now, in all appearance, hastning to as deplorable, if not to a Worse state and Condition), so should he, and his Collegues Decline to set their hands to its Restauration and Recovery againe (the Fate and Preservation of their Countrie, (than which nothing ought to be more deare) so depending) being thereto Requir’d: He the Writer, and They, whom he may think fit to call to his Assistance, ought to be Animadverted on as Enemies and Betrayers of it:
Ita Testor
JEvelyn:
D5. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
The
Bishop of St Asaph will discuss the Apocalypse
For Samuell Pepys Esqr etc
[no place]
[14 August 1690]
Sir,
This hasty Script is, to acquaint you, that my Lord Bishop of St Asaph will take it for an honour to be thought able to give Mr Pepys any light in those Mysteries, you and I have discoursd of: He would himselfe waite upon you, but I did not think it convenient to receive that Compliment for you at first: Tomorrow (friday) his Lordship says, he eating no dinner, shall be alone, and ready to receive your Commands, if it be as seasonable for you: I suppose about 3 a clock in the afternoone may be a convenient time for me to waite upon you to his Lordship or at what other sooner houre you appoint:
JE.
The Lords in the Tower, and other prisoners against whom there is no special matter chargeable are to be freed upon baile. My Lord Clarendon is also within that qualification, as the Bishop tells me.
D6. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Pepys
is obliged to publish, and a trip to Wotton
Deptford
25 September 1690
Sir,
’Tis now (mithinks) so very long since I saw, or heard from my Excellent
Friend, that I cannot but enquire after his Health: If he Aske what I am doing
all this while? Sarcinam compono, I am making-up my fardle that I may March the free’r:
In the mean time ______
Do you expect a more proper Conjuncture, than this approching Session, to do your selfe Right, by Publishing that which all Good men, (who love and honor you) cannot but rejoice to see? You owe it to God, to your Country, and to your-selfe, and therefore I hope you seriously think of, and Resolve upon it.
I am just now making a step to Wotton, to Visite my good Brother there, Importunately desiring to see me; himselfe succumbing apace to Age and its Accidents: I think not of staying above a weeke or ten-daies, and within a little after my Returne be almost ready to remove our small Family neerer you for the Winter, In which I promise my-selfe the Hapynesse of a Conversation the most Gratefull to Sir,
Your most humble,
faithfull Servant, JEvelyn:
Give my most humble Service to Dr Gale:
I rent this page from the other before I was aware, and now ’tis to Late to begin againe for good manners:
D7. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Pepys
wants prints for his collection
[no place]
Thursday night, 25 September 1690
Sir,
’Tis an hour and more since I had your kinde Remembrance; but it found mee with Company that I have not beene delivered of till just now, that Mr Strickland is (at my desire) return’d for an Answer, and its growne too darkeish to keepe him therefore for a long one.
Sir, I have thought it, and soe have many more besides my selfe, long since wee saw you. I have sent and gone divers times to Mr Evelin’s to listen after you. I will not doubt your being well employ’d, if well at all. But of that I was covetous to heare, and had my satisfaction in it; though I had rather much have beene able to have told my selfe I had seene you well.
You that can bee soe good a friend, can’t bee an ill Brother, and soe I dare not complaine of the Journey you speake of, though I can’t but wish it over, and you in your Winter-Quarters, since they are likely to bee soe neare mine.
You speake too kindely (as you ever doe) of what I have calculated for publique view. But bee assured, I won’t take that last stepp of publishing it, before I have consulted my Oracle (your selfe) once more touching the timeing it.
But one word I must now say to you before your journey, namely, that I want Mr Evelin’s head, as in a thousand senses more, soe particularly for the perfecting my Collection, which is now as farr advanced as I thinke I can expect to carry it. I may possibly against I see you bee able to pay you in kinde, but with great disadvantages, I haveing noe Nanteuil to helpe mee.
One thing more I must add on this occasion, that I am at a mighty losse for 2 or 3 other heads, the Market not being able to furnish mee therewith, vizt Old Admirall Nottingham’s, the old Duke of Buckinghams, my Lord Chancellor Clarendons, and his Daughter the Duchesse of Yorke’s. Pray see whither you have ever a head to spare of these.
I kisse my Lady’s hands, I pray for both your healths, and am to both
Your most obedient Servant,
SPepys.
D8. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Advice
to Pepys on perfecting his collection
For Samuell Pepys Esqr at his
house in York-buildings etc
With a small Rolle:
Deptford
Morning, 26 September 1690
Sir,
Si vales, bene est etc __ Without more ceremonie then (and that my small excursion be no impediment to the perfecting your Collection) To your quæries ___ In the days of Queen Elizabeth (for before her time I hardly heare of any) came over one Crispin van de Pas, and in King James’s (her successors) his Brother Symon (who calls himselfe Pasæus) and afterwards then, and in Charles the first’s time, one Elstrack, Stock, De La Rœm, and Miriam; and of our owne Countrymen, Cecil, Martine, Vaughan, and especialy John Paine; (for I forbeare to honor Marshial, Crosse, and some other lamentable fellowes) who engrav’d the Effigies of the noblemen etc then flourishing: These prints were sold by George Humble and Sudbury, at the Popes-Head in Cornhill; by Jenner at the Exchange, one Seager I know not where, and Roger Daniel; but who had the most Choice, was Mr Peake neere Holborn Conduict, and if there be any who can direct you where you may most likely heare what became of their Plates, and Works of this kind; I believe no body may so well informe you as Mr Faithorn (father to the Bookseller) who, if I am not mistaken, was Apprentice to Sir William Peake (for both He, and Humble, were made Knights), and therefore it may be worth your while, to enquire of him: There came after wards (you know) Lucas Vosterman, Hollar, Lombart and other excellent Artists, but these were of later times, which you do not enquire of the[re]in: They wrought after Van Dyke, the Arundelian Collection, and best painters, and now of late, the skillfull in Mezzo Tinto Masters, who for imitation of the life, sometimes exceede the burine it selfe, never so accurately handled: But of this enough: ___
I send you Sir my Face, such as it was of yore, but is now so no more (tanto mutata) and with it (what you may find harder to procure) the Earle of Notingham, Lord High Admiral, which, though it make gap in my poore Collection (to which it was glu’d) I most cherefully bestow upon you, and would accompanie it with the other two, were I master of them: I have Sir George Villars when a youth, and newly dignified, in a small trifling print, not at all fit for you, who ought to have him when he was Duke and Admiral, and of such there are extant many, easily to be had: I am sure his Picture is before several flattering dedications, though at present, I do not well remember where; But this I do, that there is a Taille douce of that mighty favourite (almost as big as the life, and nothing inferior to any of the famous Nanteuils,) graven by one Jacob of Delph in Holand from a painting of Miereveld, that were well worth the sending even into Holand for, and for what ever else is of this kind of that incomparable workemans hand: I have once seene of it, and tooke this notice of it, to mention in a new edition of my Chalcographie, when I have leasure to revise that trifle: Lastly ___
As to my Lord Chancelor
Hide, though I have not his Effigies among the rest that I have huddld together
(allways presuming to get it of my Lord Clarendon, but perpetualy forgetting to
aske it) yet I can direct you where you may certainely come by it, and perhaps,
already have it in your Library: If not, ’tis but inquiring where Sir William
Dugdale’s History of the Lord Chancelors was printed, and there you’l find him; and the rest of
the Long Robe, if you have a mind to them:
Thus Sir, in returne to youre Letter, I have given you a desultory Account of your Enquiries, as far as on the suddaine I am able, and shall (so soone as I am at liberty) be most ready to receive what other Commands you reserve for
Sir, Your most humble, faithfull servant,
JEvelyn:
Have you ben at Mr Baker’s shop neere the old Exchange? Cannot Mr White furnish you? I am deceiv’d, if he has not graven most of the Chancelors since his Majesty’s restauration
D9. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
An
unsuccessful auction visit and an exotic meal
[no place]
Thursday Morning, 13 November 1690
Sir,
I was very unfortunate in being abroad at your being here last night, and more soe in comeing home so close after your goeing, that I had mighty hopes my Man (whome I sent to try) would have overtaken and brought you back. I was gone but to Covent Garden by Chaire, to try whither I could have layd out a little Mony well at an Auction of prints, upon the enclosed List thereof; but fayled, there coming no Heads in Play dureing my stay, which was not above ½ an houre. This was my errand, and the only one I remember I have beene out of Doors upon these 14 Dayes, but to dinner the last week to Mr Houblon’s, where both hee and I dranke your health and earnestly wish’d you there, as believeing the Meale would have pleas’d you noe lesse then it did mee, as hardly consisting of one dish or glasse (besides bread and beere) of nearer growth than China, Persia and the Cape of Good Hope.
I would I could invite you to such a One to day; but you know my Stint, and if it stand with your health and diversion to venture (as you have done) at it, I am told by the Coachmen I may bee in condition to begin to repay your visits some time the next weeke.
I have, indeed, a great deale to say to you, though most of it of one Sort, _ I meane Thankes, but on a great many different Scores, and the last of them for that of your last Nights favour.
I am, Dear Sir,
Your most bounden and obedient Servant,
SPepys
D10. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Pepys’s
apologies accepted
To Mr Pepys: etc
Sayes Court
12 June 1691
Sir,
As I have allways endeavord, that my Conversation should be Easy to my Friends: so I think my-selfe the more obliged to those among them, who use me with your Freedome, and without Formality: I should have ben very uneasy, if your coming hither to morrow (in complyance of my fondnesse), and the satisfaction I receive in your company) should have ben to the prejudice of your weightier Concernements: And there-fore I will not expect the favour of a Visite from you, ’til a necessity of some Relaxation, dispose you to take the fresh of the River this way, and that you are at intire Leasure, and I may have you wholy to my-selfe, who am wholy
Sir Your etc etc
D11. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
No
good conversation to be had all summer
[no place]
Thursday 8 October 1691
Sir,
Thinkeing it long ere Mr Strickland made good his promise of calling on mee when hee went next to Wotton (in order to my thankeing you for the favour of your obligeing Letter thence) I went yesterday to Dover-Streete to enquire after you, where I was most wellcomely surpriz’d with the newes of your being come to Deptford in your way to your Winter-Quarters (I hope) here. You may easily imagine what a summer I have had, that have not stirred one Mile out of Towne since I saw you, nor had the pleasure of one hour’s Conversation worth owneing since you left it, saveing our learned Doctor’s, and his but since Bartlemtide, which hee pass’d at the Waters. But from that time I have had his Saturday-visitts, in which Mr Evelin’s Name and Excellencys have ever contributed to the best part of our Entertainment, and his Absence to the Worst.
Pray make mee certaine, some way or other, of your and my Ladys Healths, and when I may hope for the satisfaction of knowing it at the first hand, and receiveing your Commands in our Neighbourhood. I am,
Your most obedient Servant,
SPepys
D12. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Mourning
for Robert Boyle
[no place]
Saturday morning, 9 January 1692
Sir,
I would have come at you the other night at St Martin’s on that grievous Occasion, but could not. Nor would I have fayl’d in attending you before, to have condoled the losse of that great Man, had I for some time beene in a condition of goeing abroad. Pray lett Dr Gale, Mr Newton, and my selfe have the favour of your Company to day, forasmuch as (Mr Boyle being gone) wee shall want your helpe in thinkeing of a man in England fitt to bee sett up after him for our Peireskius, besides Mr Evelin. I am sure I know what I think on’t and shan’t spare to tell it you. A happy New Year to you from
Your most faithfull and most obedient servant,
SPepys
Mr Evelin
D13. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Apologies
for ruining Mr Evelyn’s book
[no place]
28 March 1692
Sir,
The last being Confession, this in all good conscience ought to bee Restitution-Week; and (as farr as I am able) the first act of it with mee shall be the acquitting my selfe honestly towards you in reference to that Treasure of Papers which I have had of yours soe many Yeares in my hands, in hopes of that Otium I have now for 3 yeares been Maister of, but on conditions (easy to bee guessed at) which have not allowed me the Company of more of my Papers than I was content to adventure being Visited and Disordered. From whence it has happened that it is not above 3 weeks that in all this time I have taken the liberty of remanding any of them within my reach. But out of these I have, I hope, made shift to collect all that relate to the 2 Heads which I have ever beene most thoughtful of with respect to you, namely, Those of State-concernment in the Ministry of Sir Richard Browne, and those of your own growth towards the History of our Dutch Warr, 1665; Which, with that followed it in 1672, I wish to God I could live to see putt together by your hand, as greatly suspecting they will prove the last instances of the Sea-Actions of this Nation which will either beare telling at all or bee found worthy such an Historian as Mr Evelin to tell. Of which more when we meet; praying you in the meane time not to deny mee the Ayde of your Memory, touching what further Parcells I stand accountable to you for. That I may not only lay them by, as they Occurr to mee, but be the better directed to look out for such as may not otherwise so readily occurr.
Another piece of Restitution I have alsoe to make to you, but with some payne for the imperfection wherewith I must doe it, after several years laying-out for means of doeing it better; Which is your Columna Trajani; Which out of a desire of makeing the most use I could of, with greatest ease to my Eyes, I took the Liberty of putting it out (but unfortunately) to an unskilful hand, for the washing its Prints with some thin Staine, in order only to the abateing a Little the too strong lustre of the Paper. In the execution whereof the former part of it has suffered such injury that, not knowing with what Countenance to return it you so, I determined upon making you amends by the first fair book I could meet withall, putting this into my own Livery, as what I could well enough content my selfe for my own private use. But with soe ill success, that not withstanding all my Industry, both at Auctions and otherwise, to furnish my selfe with a fayre one for you, I have not been able to this day to lay my eye upon one, either Fayre or Foule, saveing one that I have very lately mett with at Scott’s, greatly imperfect, as wholly wanting the Historical Explications referred to through the whole by figures from the Plates; Sir Peter Lilly (whose booke it was) contenting himselfe with soe much of it, and no more, as touched the Profession of a Painter, without that of a scholler. Being thus therefore tought how great a Jewel your Booke (even with this Damage) is, I thought it more religious to restore it you now as it is then leave you to expect it in the same Pickle 7 years hence from God knows who; resting in the meane time upon your good Nature in accepting so ill a method of Payment of a Debt that for my life I know not how to discharge better.
But there is yet another which I have beene slower in the cleareing allsoe than (could I have governed the Workeman) I ought to have been, namely, my Promise to you a Mapp of Caxton’s and a Sphære after Copernicus. Both which Trifles come herewith; and to shew you how little cost I am at for you in them, know that the Sphære is the very same you have often seene here: the Characters of whose Planets for distinguishing the orbs become of late less fit for my eyes, I have taken the opportunity of accommodateing myself with another of a more Legible Size and put you off with this.
I would at this time allsoe
restore your admirable Magazine of Taille-douces; but I have yet some gleanings to come in which I
would bee glad to see the most of, and have your assistance in the disposeing
of the whole before I part with my sample, if you can spare it a little longer.
And thus finishing my Mint and Cummin Scores, but leaving those of the most and most lasting consideration to bee payd when they can bee fully valued, which is never to be done by mee, I am very seasonably stinted of Roome to say more but
Adieu
D14. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Pepys
is forgiven
To Samuell Pepys Esqr
Dover Street
12 April 1692
Sir,
I have so much to say to you upon the account of favours, and retort[?] on
the many obligations you are pleas’d to mention; that the time I should be able
to spend with you this Afternoone, were too narrow to expresse them in good for
me: For what dos not he owe the generous person who is not satisfied to bestow
a kingdom, but the whole Universe upon his Friend, and then extenuate his
munificence upon the receiving of a few Lacerated and insignificant papers not
worthy his keeping? But do you think that this Impudence, or ill manners to suggest
your bespeaking these things far more to your cost and trouble? No, you delight
to overwhelme whom you favour with your generous Nature, and teach me to become
more modest, by a method not to be learn’d by any moral precepts I have met
with in all my Reading: You should not have ben solicitous about the Columna Traiana,
for any accident you mention, if it had ben worthy your acceptance and
retention; for I looke on it as an honor, that it stood so long, and kept its
station where you plac’d it: But I am glad you have met with one so faire, as I
doubt not must be that of Sir William Lelys, to which the Notes may easily be
supplied: In the meane time, I know not whether you have seene a Second Edition
of that most noble Monument, with very elegant Cûtts, publish’d in Holland, one
of which I saw in the hands of Mr Frazier; but the designe indeede seemes not
to compare with Villamenas:
I am asham’d at the Epithete you bestow on what I either have, or ever could have perform’d in the History, where I had no liberty of writing Truth, if I had ben ever so well able: Upon this Compliment, we must have more Discourse when we meete: Farewell deare Sir
D15. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Evelyn
is world-despising
Wotton
29 August 1692
I have ben philosophising and world-despising in the solitudes of this place, whither I am retired to passe, and mourne the absence of my best and worthyest friend. Here is wood and water, meadows and mountaines, the Dryads and Hamadryads; but here’s no Mr Pepys, no Dr Gale. Nothing of all the cheere in the parlor that I tast; all’s insipid, and all will be so to me ’til I see and injoy you againe.
I long to know what you do and what you think, because I am certaine you do both what is worthy the knowing and imitation. On Monday next will Mr Bently resume his lecture (I think) at Bow-Church; I feare I shall hardly get through this wildernes by that time: pray give him your wonted countenance if you can, and tell him how unhappily I am intangled. I hope however to get home within this fortnight, and about the end of October, to my hyemation in Dover Streete. My son is gon with the Lord Lieutenant and our new Relation Sir Cyrill into Ireland. I looke they should returne wondrous states-men, or else they had as good have stayed at home:
I am here with Boccalini, and Erasmus’s Prayse of Follie, and looke down upon the world with wondrous contempt when I consider for what we keepe such a mighty bustle. O Fortunate Mr Pepys! who knows, possesses, and Injoyes all that’s worth the seeking after. Let me live among your inclinations and I shall be happy.
J. Evelyn.
There are none of my little family here by my selfe.
D16. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Pepys
recovering and longing to see his friend
[no place]
16 September 1692
Deare Sir,
I mind your Doctrine about Despising the World, but at the same time am out of Countenance for your soe soone forgetting it, in the fondnesse of your Phrase towards soe abject a Clodd of it as that which you are preaching it to. And yet as abject as I know that liveing Clodd to bee; I could even referr you to that (since you are setting up for such a World-Contemner) to take out a new and higher lesson from, upon the same Subject. For such I take to bee (and doubt not your allowance to’t) the shutting my selfe up within this lushious Towne a whole Summer long, with a clean Bartl’mew Fayre in it, and a Country-house lying upon my hand at £30 charge within 4 mile of the town, and but a bowshott off my friend James Houblon, and yet covering my not being to bee found here even by the excellent Dr Gale or Madame Excellence herselfe, Mrs Stewart, under the disguise of being retired thither; and this pursued, to what you of all the Liveing would last believe, namely, to the not so much as enquiring after the most desireable and to mee the most indulgent Mr Evelin, for fear of being discover’d too near him; without eating one Morsell (or but one) in that savoury place of your own makeing soe, since I had the pleasure of doeing it with my beloved Duum-viri; and lastly, to the abstayning so long from Ayre and Exercize as to contract upon myselfe an Evill (by the falling of Humours into one of my Leggs) that has kept mee to one floore, without being able to draw on a Shoo, from a Month since to this day. This (I say) I take to bee another-gates proof of a Noe-Worldling than a man’s being alone where hee would grudge any Body’s being but himselfe; I mean, among Meadows, Woods, and Water, Dryads and Hamadryads. And yet this have I gone through, as unaccountable as I have described it to you, and all for the sake of a small peece of Worke that lay upon my hands which I had noe minde longer to trust futurity with, and lesse than such a sequestration as this I (after many attempts) had convinced myselfe would not suffice for.
But it is over, and my Legg (I bless God) soe amended as I hope to morrow to begin my March down stayres, where I have obtained Dr Gale’s promise to meete mee, as I would despair of doeing yours, were you within reach. Which I shall now long to have; as hee allsoe will, and both of us joyne in the wish of, with the first glass wee lift.
What I have told you of my Lameness as well as Confinement will enough tell you that I have not been in the way of obeying you or gratifying myselfe about Mr Bentley. But as it is the first, I trust it will bee the last of my Faylures of that kinde.
Hasten then to Towne, where wee have a whole Summer’s cropps of Intelligence to gather, and seed to putt in the ground for another; but want the Ayde of your Weather-Wisdome towards judgeing what will come on’t. Hasten then to Towne, and receive the longing Wellcomes of,
Your most affectionate servant and honourer,
SPepys
D17. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Evelyn’s
prints returned
[no place]
Tuesday Morning, 29 November 1692
Deare Sir,
I returne you most thankfully, and I hope without the least prejudice, your Excellent Collection of Prints. To which mine (when ever it comes to bee put together) will shew how much it is beholden to, not only by helpeing it to what you saw the other day of Copyes of what the Towne could not furnish mee with Duplicates of the Prints, but to a[t] Times the Number of such as though the Towne could afford them, I had yet wanted, from my not knowing (but for this assistance) how to have sought for them. And hard it is to say, how much more of the little I have to bragg of of other kindes, I owe to that same Grace of yours Communicativeness.
Pray take notice that the great and excellent loose Head of the Duke of Bucking[ham], comes safe to you againe, after haveing in particular enabled mee to look out for and procure a Fellow of it.
You left me with a great Cold upon mee, and this Weather is not apt to render it better. I shall not therefore bee able to attend you at the Society to morrow. But if you will be soe good to eate a Dish of warme broth with mee on Thursday, you shall have it without other trouble then the Company of
Your most faythfull humble Servant
SPepys
D18. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
A
letter of respect, news, and advice on Mrs Skinner’s affair
For Samuell Pepys Esqr: at his
house in
York-buildings.
Sayes Court
6 July 1693
I should never forgive my selfe, did I not as often Remember you, as I do
any friend I value in the World: Every Day is Saterday with me as to that,
whether in Towne or Country: This I should have told you ’ere now, at York
buildings: had not my son Draper, his wife, and Mother ben with us ’til
yesterday evening, that they return’d to London. Indeede sooner than I wish’d,
for they are the most obliging, worthy, usefull, and ingeniously dispos’d
Conversation I could ever have desir’d to place my Daughter among I think in
England: I assure you, both the Mother and Son are perfect Virtuosi, and
know, and (which is more) effect, a world of Ingenious things without Vanity,
which you would be extreamely pleasd with: I Confesse I cannot but admire at
the Encounter, and pronouncing my Daughter very happy upon all accounts, cannot
but make so good a Friend part of my Contentment.
Nor is my Son in Ireland lesse unmindfull of you than his Father ___
Dublin,
27:June _93
Be pleas’d to Acquaint Mr Pepys that the Gentleman’s Estate lies in Munster, and not in the North: That it is Considerable, but cost him a great deale of mony at law before he could be quietly possessd: He is (by all I can learn) esteem’d to be at his ease; has onely one Daughter; and is now one of the Commissioners of Inspection into Forfaitures at £400 per Annum Salarie: Mr Pepys’s kind thoughts of me are a superaboundant Recompence for all the poore Services I can do him _____
He adds this News ____
We
are now by the late arival of 5 men of War in this Harbour (viz., the St Albans, Dover, Saphir, etc.) deliver’d from our feare of the French
Corsaires, who had almost Circum-navigated our Island, to the damage of Trade
and disgrace of our Victorious Navy: Some of these Frigats are to convey my
Lord Lieutenant on Monday next; one to go Northwards in quest of the
privateers: I believe another to Cork, to Escort 400 Tun of crooked Timber; the
first fruite of Mr Nash and Knox: pourveyance of it in this Kingdom, which may
be much Improv’d, if these two Industrious men be encourag’d and Convoys ready
to waite on what they provide. Our Parliament was yesterday dissolv’d in
Council, and proclamations expected to come out to day: Every-body complements
my Lord Lieutenant before he leaves us; and I shall have the honor of his
Company at dinner on Friday next at my house, and it is the least
Accknowledgement I can make his Lordship for his constant favour to me,
wherefore I embrace it with much satisfaction: It is not yet publish’d whom he
will leave the Sword with ’til my Lord Capel and the rest arive, though ’tis
likely either Mr Roberts or my Lord Chancellor will be joyn’d with Sir Cyril
Wych, who is so very kind, and friendly to me, that were he not a man of
perfect Integrity, I might set up for Nepotissimo:__ I have 50 foote square
behind my house and stables to practise your hortulan Instructions on, as far
as may serve a Nose-gay and a still:___
Thus far my sons Intelligence; and what I would have you to know more from me, is That I have as yet as good Beanes and Bacon, and (though but one Cow) as good Creame as ever one would wish to entertaine Mr Pepys and the Doctor with if they durst shoote the Bridge, and give a poore friend a Visite once a Yeare
D19. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
On
Eton College
To Mr Pepys
Dover Street
2 April 1694
Sir,
I am ready for your Quæries about the dimensions of Eaton Schole, number of scholars etc: Dr Godolphin the (sub Warden) would be a proper person you could discourse the matter with, unlesse you made a step to Sir Christopher Wren, who built the new schole (for so he did some years since) from the foundation: the old one being quite abandond and run to decay: I Returne your Itinerary, and am
Your etc
D20. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Pepys
sends books on voyages to Evelyn
York Buildings
22 May 1694
Deare Sir,
What shall I say more (for introduction) then that wee Want you, Wish for your, Pray for you?
The newest thing I have to send you is a small Collection of Voyages, which the Publishers, in acknowledgement of what of them I have helped them to (namely, Narborough’s, Wood’s, and Sharp’s) have presented mee with 2 or 3 Copys of, as I doe you with one of them.
Least you should not remember where you left your Virginia-man’s letter, and hee thereby want the content, I dare say hee languishes for, of your answer I thought it becomeing mee to send it you, (you haveing lent it mee to Copy,) and to tell you that his to Mr North was safely delivered to his owne hand.
You won’t be sorry (I
believe) to finde, by the Præface left with me yesterday by Mr Chiswell, that
Archbishop Laud’s Life of his owne writeing, is now in the presse, with
designe to bee fitted for the public against Michaelmas Terme.
To these I adde a Sheete or 2 lately printed relateing to the sea, and aymeing at something good there. The Author seemes to have wit enough, and good Meaneing, and offers at something very bold in it (mee thinks) relating to Government. But, were it worth while, it were easy to shew him to bee but moderately instructed in the importance of the very Notion hee would advance, and which, indeed, wants to be more stricktly handled; I meane the Controversy (for Sea-Employment) between the Gentleman and Tarpawling.
Sir, I kisse my Lady’s Hands and your owne, and telling you once more that wee heartily Want, Wish, and Pray for you, I remayne,
Your most faithfull and obedient Servant,
SPepys
My Lord Clarendon asked mee the other day with great respect after you, and your work upon the Medaills, intimating (mee thought) his haveing something therein to pleasure you with. If you have any errand to bee delivered to him, on that or any other subject, pray lett mee bee your Messenger.
I had a very kinde visit yesterday from our pretty Ætonian, conducted by Mr Strickland, but could not get the Little Knave to dine with mee, as being elsewhere bound. But I hope he will make me amends another Day.
D21. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Evelyn
has moved to Wotton
For Your Selfe, and with good Reason
for my boldnesse in giving you
this trouble
Wotton
30 May 1694
My worthy Friend,
Mithinks Want, Wish and Pray, is like Cæsars Veni, Vidi, Vici; more could not be express’d in so few words, more needed not: But the Want is on my part, the Wish and prayer common, and reciprocal to both. I have at this moment in prospect of my exalted Museolum here, Water, Woods and Meadow with other Circumstances of Solitude: I have also a good Cart-loade of Books which I brought along with me: But there is no such thing as a Mr Pepys or a Dr Gale within 24 miles North of us; nor within thousands of any other point of the Compas: for I have Travell’d to the Antipodes from Spitzbergen with the best Navigators in the World, by the pilots you sent me; for which I returne you a thousand Acknowledgements, and for those two other pieces which have Entertain’d me with greate Satisfaction: Whoever was the Compiler of the Journal was (I am perswaded) no Tarpaulin: Sure it is not Sir John Narboroughs style: I wish we had more such Relations, and as faithfully, as I believe these are don. The Dedicatory Plate (which is my Friends) is finely graven; The rest, (besides the Map) Tollerably; which makes me much long to see some of your fine Alumni of Christ-Church, come home, with their Draughts.
I cannot guesse at the Author of the New Model: The Man is brisk, I believe confident of his abillitie and a little conceited, and cutts a feather (as they say) in the Conclusion very gentilely: From Mr Whartons undertaking I expect greate, and usefull things: You see what Time, and the providence of God brings every day to light; ’tis that we are to Waite, for more discoveries.
Thus you see how I live upon your Provisions, and how little I am capable else to returne you from the Desart I am in; Wanting in every thing but in a most gratefull Heart for these, and all your Favours to
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient faithfull
Servant JEvelyn:
My Wife returnes you her most humble service, and the young Ætonian (who is with us) for your mention of him.
Give to Dr Gale all you can expresse of service and solemn Acknow-ledgements in the name of a most obliged Creature.
I beseech you when next you see my Lord Clarendon make my compliment for his kind Remembrance: I intend shortly to write to his Lordship upon the Account he mentions; and now by the deferrent you permit me to Employ, I am bold to intreate your assistance in conveying the Inclosd; having no other meanes to be just and civile to my known and un-knowne Friends in Virginia.
When ever you, and the Doctor go downe the River, divert for a Moment to the
young House-keepers at Says-Court, and let me know in what fault you deprehend
them: They are I heare a family of 21: Mrs Tuke is Library-Keeper: The Rest
Painters, Embroiderers, Carvers, Gard’ner et
Cætera p____a Campi.
The most certaine way of sending your Commands to Wotton, is by causing your Servant to deliver them to Mr Collins, at a Book-Sellers shop at the Middle-Temple gate, (which is the Post-house) whence we have constantly the News-Letters and Gazzets twice every Weeke: The little Woman of the Shop is a Friend to the Family here, and takes particular Care of all that’s directed hither.
We beg the favour that you will present our most humble Service to Mrs Steward, when you visite Lincolns Inn.
D22. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
The
talents of William Wotton
Samuell Pepys Esqr
York-buildings
Wotton
7 July 1694
My worthy Friend,
It’s now high time for me to make some apologie (if I had any besides your wonted indulgence) for the trouble I lately gave you of a cumbersome packet; and (after I have enquired of your good health, with the rest of our Saturday’s Academists) to reiterate my thanks for the booke you sent me. You will not be much inquisitive what I am doing whilst there’s so much hay abroad and the sun shines so bright; at least here is work enough for those who have leasure. This is the style of the place, the season, and of my buisines, and must have ben (for aught I know) my best employment, if some kind Genius had not in pitty directed the most learned Mr Wotton to give me a visit, and an inestimable present too, his Reflections upon the Antient and Modern Learning; which in recognition of yours I should have sent you, but that I was confident you must e’re this have seene it, and ben entertained with as much delight and satisfaction as an universaly learned, and indeede extraordinary person is able to give the most refined tast. This is he whom I have sometimes mentioned to you for one of the miracles of this age for his early and vast comprehension. Set him downe then in your Albo amongst the Gales and the Bentlys, as you will certainely do so soone as you know him. I assure you, he is no lesse in the pulpit and conversation than in his booke and writing (with greate modesty). Judge you then what an unexpected blessing is befallen me in the wildernes, and with what manna I am fed, when ever he dos me the kindnes to come from Albery (where he has the care of a hopefull young son of Mr Finch’s) to Wotton, his name-sake as he calls it. And now you may well think I talke as famish’d and half-sterved men are said to eate when they come to plenty of provisions; for so indeede I do, not having had such a regalo since I went from York-buildings; nor should I have known what to write from this barren country had not this gentleman furnished me. I am told our friend Dr Lock has made addition to his excellent Essay, which may be had without a necessitie of purchasing the whole booke; and a letter just now sent me from the Bishop of Lincoln acquaints me that there is a little piece in duodecimo called Religion and Reason which he says he will give one an hour’s good diversion; for both which I am sending. That Mr Wharton’s Life of the Archbishop (the preface of which you lately so kindly sent me) is by this time printed. This is better newes than what we have here from Brest, which I am astonished to find published, for the same reason that you and I would not that all the world should reproch our want of conduct as well as misfortunes.
My most humble service to the obliging Dr Gale. Receive you my wife’s, who is at present become a water-bibber here, though we fetch it from Lingfield, almost 20 miles distant on the edge of Sussex, and is stronger than the Spaw of Tunbridge. If you or the Doctor come neere to Epshum this summer, I flatter myselfe you will make halfe a dozen miles step farther south to, Both your most humble and faithfull servant,
JEvelyn:
We drink Mr Bently’s health, and wish his library finished, that we may have the sermons he has promised us, etc.
D23. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
A
family afflicted by the fever of the season
London
14 August 1694
Dear Sir,
I have beene a good deale out of order my selfe, but much more soe in my family, for some time, and have 3 downe at this house of the feavor of the season; but I thanke God none Mortally, but on the Contrary well advanced in theyr Recovery. This however has kept me a great while under Care; and the more from the novelty of it (it being among all Domestick Evils that which by God’s favour I have beene least exerciz’d with) and has sett mee (as one effect of it) greatly in arreare to all my friends, and to you at the head of them, for which I am now lookeing out for pardons, and with most concernment for yours. Which pray let this obtaine for mee.
I am owing to you for 2: the former in May, the other in July.
Your Virginia-letter was delivered, immediately after my Receipt of it, to the Merchant’s own hand from which you had yours.
I earlily did your Commands to my Lord Clarendon, and since have had the honour of a visit from him, when your Name wanted not the mention due to it from all that I know it and themselves.
Dr Gale acknowledges himself your Debtor, as I am his, for all the Ease I have had a great While; the greatest Ingredient of which is, the frequent Remembrance his Conversation starts occasions for betweene us of our distant friend Mr Evelin.
Mr Bentley is still (I believe) at Worcester, and a great man where ere hee is. But ’tis Winter only that will help us to any Tideings (I doubt) either of his Library or Lectures.
You have great reason to joy your selfe, as you doe, in such a Neighbour-hood as that of Mr Wotton’s; whose incomparable Discourse I read betimes, and was to blame I did not first doe right to it to you. Hee is indeed to bee reckoned among the leaders of the Age for Learning, through all the Dimensions of it, Length, Breadth, and Depth; and if hee lives a little longer (as I hope he will a great deale) hee will have nothing left him to doe but what Noe body but himself was, or possibly will ever bee, soe fitted to doe as hee; I mean, the reduceing into lesse roome what poor Mankinde is now to turn-over soe many cumbersome, jejune, and not seldom unintelligible volumes for; and when that’s done, not have 5, perhaps not one year, to reckon-upon his whole life for the sedate applying and enjoying those sorry pittances of seemeing Knowledge that he possibly has beene 50 in collecting. What a Debt were this to lay upon mankind? and from what hand ever to be hoped-for but that of such an universalist as Mr Wotton, and one soe soon arrived at the being soe? I shall hope for the Honour and Pleasure of wayteing on him whenever the Season or Business shall bring you to Towne together.
I enclose you a paper new to me and soe (it may bee) to you: the inscription on the late venerable Bishop of Oxford’s monument, which has something very awfull in it, and answering his Character.
The Virtuosi there, are (you know) gathering and printing a generall Catalogue of what Manuscripts, publique or private, our country is possessed of. It is indeed a Worke that I have long wished. Not that I have ought of my owne to contribute to it. But I well remember how much I have been obliged to them that have, I mean, your selfe; and believe there are a great many other valuable things in ingenuous Men’s hands, that (like you) would be glad to communicate them where they thought the Publique might be served by it; and this in all Facultys. I send you the freshest account I have had from Oxford of theyr Advance herein; and with it must give the Postscript of a letter I lately had on this Subject from our learned and most solicitous friend in this and all like virtous Undertakings, Dr Charlett (Maister of University-College) in his own few words, ‘We must not forget Mr Evelin’s MSS; and what became of Sir Richard Brown’s?’ This hee meant but for a Text for me to enlarge on to you. But it needs not; the Doctrine and Application of it being selfe-evident. Let me only adde my instance to his, that you would further this work with the Credit of what your Stocks will give it.
I take the liberty of sending you the newest French Toy that is come to my hand, which (if you have not seen) will not want some divertisement for you, if you may bee thought to neede any where you are soe well and variously employ’d as your Letters shew me.
My Lady will (I hope) find her end in the use of the Waters, and ere this is return’d home possessed of it. I wish her steadinesse of health, and to you too, and with my most profound respects to both, remaine,
Deare Mr Evelin,
Your most faythfull and obedient servant,
SPepys
Dr Lock has sett a usefull Sample for future Reprinters; I hope it will bee follow’d, in books at least of value. I have read the little thing the Bishop recommended to you about Reason and Religion, and found great satisfaction in it. Adieu.
D24. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Evelyn
overwhelmed with books
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
York-buildings
Wotton
2 September 1694
My worthy Friend,
Ecce iterum provocas me Beneficiis, neque habeo ullum _vτίδωρov, which plunges me and more into Debt; this last Packet of yours coming fruited with so many Favours at once, that I know not which of them first to give thanks for; All of them deserving a particular Acknowledgement:
I am extreamely pleas’d with these Valesianus’s; they are to me like those Inter-messes which are plac’d betweene the larger Dishes, not to make a Meale upon but to furnish Vacuities: I wish we had more of these Attic Nights, and am glad to find they come so into fashion; Nor do I looke on them as scraps; but as Bellaria and Cupediæ, which refresh with their pretty Varietie when one has ben tir’d with moiling and turning-over the Rubbish you justly Complaine of to lie in the way: With you therefore I have a thousand times deplor’d that there has yet ben so little don toward the Ridding us of this monstrous Lumber: Honest Gesner has yet don his part, and shew’d how fuisaible it were by the example he has set and such as of late have taken paines in the Histories of Animals and Plants, etc: Dr Pell left a Diatyposis of what he pretended to have performed in the Mathematics, and Bishop Wilkins in his preliminaries to his Essay of a Real Character, scor’d-out many very usefull Tables, preparatory to a more universal Worke than that of words alone: But so did my Lord Bacon before him with his caution concerning Epitomies; and yet, I pray, what would the losse have ben if some of our tedious Historians were Contracted to so little detriment as Dio has suffer’d by John Xiphilin, and most of the Fathers of the Church by the late Dupin? I speake not this by guesse, having not long-since examined him, after I had first read Clemens Alexandrinus, which you know is a book of greate Varietie; nor is he the only voluminous theologue I have compared him with of the primitive Writers without finding any material passage omitted or slightly treated: The prolegomena of the Polyglotte Bible is another instance, etc. In the meane time, what a Benefactor were he that were able and willing to give us such a Catalogue of Authors as were onely, and absolutely, and fully Effectual to the attaining of such a Competency of Practical, Usefull, and Speculative knowledge too, as one might hope to benefit by within the ordinarie Circles of ones Life, without being bewilder’d and quite out of the way when one should be gotten home: I am still perswad’d this were not Impossible, and that lesse than an hundred authors, studied in proper Method, would go a greate way towards this End: I do not meane by Excluding any of the Classics, which in a very few yeares may all be read, together with all the Greeke and Latine Historians from Herodotus downwards: But I speake of the Subsidiarie Arts and other Faculties, as far as to Accomplish one who did not intend a particular Profession; or if he did, find the rest any burden to him: I know you have read Grotius’s Epistle to Monsieur Maurerius; it is his first since ad Gallos: What then might not a younger man, who sets out early hope to attaine by some such method? But I forget I am writing to one knowes all this so much better and is so ready to promote the Common good of Man-kind: I concurr with you therefore in all you say and think of Mr Wotton upon this Chapter; but ’tis now neere three-weekes since I saw him, about which time I understand he went to London, and whether he be yet return’d I have not heard: Onely a little before he went, he shew’d me a letter from Mr Bently Acquainting him that so much buisinesse was likely to be his share (since he had undertaken the Library at White-hall, besides other attendances) that he should not be able to continue his Lecture very long; and therefore most earnestly conjured him to take it up, there being no man so well furnish’d for it; giving him withall a short scheme after what method he intended to have proceeded: Since this, I lately receiv’d a Letter from the Bishop of Lincoln intimating as much; and that if we must lose Mr Bently, he thought none more fit to supply his roome: But this will be referred to our meeting in the Terme, before which I hope to kisse my deare friend’s hands at York-Buildings: As for Manuscripts, my stock is so trifling and this whole county (as far as I can possibly learne) so thin of scholars and libraries, that I fore-see little is to be expected from hence: What I have, consisting chiefely of Italian conclaves, letters, and political matters, most relating to the late times, I send you a Catalogue of if I thought them suitable to the designe of those learned Editors, which I suppose chiefely consists in antiquities, critics, and other rare and valuable pieces:
And now let me not forget to Congratulate the Health, which I hope is by this time Confirm’d to You and Yours; with my hearty prayers for the perfection and continuance of it: My Wife (who is your humble servant) is after all her Water-drinking, in perpetual apprehension of some thing which makes her very Uneasy: For the rest, I thank God I beare-up tollerably as yet, and whilst I do so, and for ever, I am,
Deare Sir,
Your most fainedly,
[J E]
My most humble service to our Doctor: There be many Doctors, but they are none of them so ours:
Aboundance of thanks for the Epitaph; it containes nothing but what is realy due to that worthy Prelate:
The Specimen of Tullie is in a most excellent letter, and the Account of the Books now published and in the presse at Oxon shewes they begin to make a better choice than they have some times don:
I pray when you next write
to Dr Charlett, acquaint him with what I say concerning MSS, and his expectation from my poore stock:
Thanks for my Virginia conveyances:
D25. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Plans
for the Hospital at Greenwich
York Buildings
7 November 1694
Dear Mr Evelyn,
If (as old as you are) you fancy your selfe at liberty to do what you will with your selfe, you mistake; for I, and many more, have too greate a stock going in your Bottome, not to insist upon your taking more care on’t than to be running out of a Warm roome into a cold Wherry in November, as you did from me on Saturday last: _ for ’tis to it I impute your Cold, and would be glad I could as well ease you of it; but (God be thanked) you have a good Nurse.
I thank you for your kind Message yesterday, and in answer am to tell you, that the purport of my Motion to you the other day was, that, at your first visite to my Lord Godolphin after his Returne from Newmarket, you would take occasion of letting him know, that in case he continues his Commands on me relating to Greenewich, I have obeyed him in recollecting some of my old thoughts on that matter, so as to be in a Condition of applying them as soon as I shall be Master of the Plan I am to conforme myself to in it. Which his Lordship was pleased to say I should have, and is become the more necessary from Sir Christopher Wren’s having (since his Lordship’s going) been with me upon the same errand from Sir Stephen Fox, and I with him at Greenwich; but under a view of a design very different from what his lordship gave me, as seeming Mr Surveyor to be calculated only for turning the new building there into an Infirmarie for such Seamen as shall happen to be sent Sick and Wounded into the River for Cure, during the present War. Not but that I have since had another Account of it from him: But that also of an Extent as much beyond my first Notion of it as this was short of it; namely, the raising another Wing of building answerable to that already there, with a Gallery between both, and an Apparatus of every sort, as well for Elegancy as Bulk, within dores, as without, that may render it an Invalides with us for the sea, suitable in some degree to that of Paris for the land, and so much more as it is to take in a provision for the widdows, orphans, and seamen slain, as well as for the persons of such as Age, Infirmities, or Wounds, shall have rendered incapable of further services; which as it is a Designe of a much higher Rate, so will it call for thoughts of a much greater compass than what I had any occasion of exercising upon the Scheme my unhappy Master had layd for a work of like kind on the same Ground; or what his Lordship had now led me to with some Rapport to that: Nor dare I Encourage my Lord to expect from me upon a project of this Magnitude, what possibly he might not think too much for me, upon a Designe more within my reach: But, be it greater or lesse, if my Lord thinks I may have any Remaines of Observation worth his calling for: The work is too near akin to me, and to the Commands I have heretofore had concerning it, to let it want any degree of furtherance I can give it; besides, what my particular regard to my Lord Godolphin doe of right require from me: Whereof you may please to assure his lordship; but, withal to remind him of what, at his first opening of this matter, I took leave of observing to him: That no Fund or Method of Settlement other than Parliamentary will (I doubt) be found of Sufficiency for this Undertaking: And that therefore as its publick-ness renders it worthy thereof, and the Reason of it (when rightly opened) must be allowed to challenge it: Especially from a Parliament that seems as little disposd to deny, as any I ever sat in, was to graunt ought that came handed to it from the Court: this very Session should not, me thinks, be let pass unapplyed towards it.
Forgive me this trouble, as on an errand you first brought me, and are (I am sure) a friend to, and remember that I am, most affectionately,
Your faithful and most obedient servant,
Sam Pepys
Copy of Mr Pepys to me
Concerning an Infirmary for Seamen etc
to be built etc at Greenewich
7:9br 94
D26. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Manuscripts
at Oxford
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
Dover Street
18 November 1694
Sir,
It was, I assure you, upon a Letter of yours sent me the last summer to Wotton, and another a little after, with the reiterated desires of Mr Gibbins; that I was prevail’d with to Transcribe, and leave this Catalogue with him: But by no meanes thinking it fit to take up any place among the Titles of MSS, which could be of any Use to the Designe of the University; and therefore intreated him to consider well of it, before he sent it to Oxford: And now I am heartily sorry to find it there, whilst I see none of Mr Pepys’s, so much more worthy to be publish’d for the very greate Variety of the Choycest subjects, no where else to be found in England: If you persist to deney the Doctor’s request (as it seemes til now, unknown to me, you have don) I shall almost beleeve you do it to Expose Me, with the Rest who are brought upon the Stage: Of this therefore Acquit your-selfe as you can; to be sure, I shall tell your story to Dr Charlett; unlesse you do justice to your Friends and to the Publique:
In the meane time, I returne you the Proofe you sent me, and should be glad it were Dissolv’d, rather than wrought-off, unlesse I were assur’d of your Companie: But perhaps you are Asham’d of it; and indeede you have Reason, Comparatis Comparandis, and in that case I have no more to say but ____
Your humble servant Sir
JE:
You dare not send this Letter to Dr Charlett, though you sent his to me.
9 a clock this night, before I came in, from visiting some of your friends and mine.
D27. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Evelyn
stuck amongst the bumpkins
To Mr Pepys etc
Wotton
7 January 1695
My Friend,
The desire I had that my Wife should be perfectly recover’d of her late and long Indisposition, hindred my motion from Says-Court til a very fine warme day tempted us abroad; but since which here has fall’n so deepe a snow, accompanied with so severe a season of Frost and cold, that I hardly think has happend in many yeares, unlesse that when a Citty was built upon the Thames, and we both rod over it in our Coaches: You will yet wonder when I tell you for truth that it has ben no Impediment from bringing to this hospitable place, neere upon 300 people of all the adjacent parishes, to devoure plum-pie, pottage, and Brawne all the Holy-days, without the least diminution of the antient and Laudable Custome of preparing and qualifying Suffrage etc for the Election of Knights of the Shire, Parliament-men and Legislaton:
Though we have very sorry Conversation among the Bumkins, we have yet Luculent Fires in most of the Roomes, which is no cold Comfort: For the rest, we live in Heathen-Darknesse, and unlesse you, the Doctor, and Mr Bently find us Missionem, (Missives your kind and frequent Letters, now and then, that may informe us how the learn’d and more civiliz’d world gos) we shall become Barbares in a short time: The very Serapo of your Saturdays Deipsonophisse, would be delicious [coles?] to Sir
Your etc
D28. SAMUEL PEPYS TO JOHN EVELYN
Deaths
in Church and State
[London]
15 February 1695
Dearest Sir,
The Sent, as well as Noise, of Christmas is now over with you (I præsume) soe as a Man may treate you in the bas stile againe.
Wee have had 2 greate
Vacancys fallen since wee last talked together; that in the Church I am sure
you and I shall thinke well fill’d; while the other in the State fills it
selfe. Fiat voluntas tua!
And with this Interjection, lett mee give way to an occasion that won’t lett mee goe on, and I would not loose this Conveyance for the small prints that accompany this, leaveing the rest to a further but speedy Day. I bid you Adieu and am as allways
Yours indefinitely
SPepys
D29. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
The
Archbishop of Canterbury’s head
To Mr Pepys
Wotton
25 March 1695
Sir,
’Tis a very pretty, as well as a very kind and wellcome Revenge, that for my not waiting on you to my Lord of Canterbery, you should send his Grace to repruch and waite on me, whom in all his pontificalibus, I receiv’d on Saturday: as I still do a world of other things from my most obliging Benefactor: I assure you Mr White has shew’d himselfe a Master, it is so very like the Original, and so tenderly ingrav’n, as he seemes to me, not onely to have express’d the Image of his Countenance, but the very Icon Animorum of our Bishop. And now that I am upon my Chapter of Heads; I am vex’d at heart with my Negligence; that when I was lately with you, I did not beg a sight of that noble Assembly of them, which I am sure you have by the time gotten together. As to Bishops of Canterbury, the antienst which I remember to have seene in stamp (that one may relie on for true resemblance) is the Effigies of Saint Thomas Becket, graven by Hollar from an Original of the Greate Earle of Arundel, representing his Murder, by a sword struck into his Scull: Cranmers is Vulgar, and I believe most of the rest of the Arch Bishops and Bishops too; especialy, since the Reformation, and of late with more certainty (as to the Effigies) by the laudable Industry of Mr White, who has indeede given us the Icons of most of the famous Persons in Church and State of our Country, a Collection of which, I doubt not but you have more compleate, than any one else in England: I am for this, and infinite other Civilities
Deare Sir Your etc
D30. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
On
the unhappy lot of kings
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
York-buildings
Wotton
3 December 1696
I inquire not what you do, or think but how you do, because I am perswaded we think much alike; I onely wish I could do so too, for I should then be allways doing well. I am not yet altogether idle, for as often as the lame leg, which hardly carryed me out of towne into the country, gives me leave (which I thank God it begins to do), I take a walke in the gardens and a little grove I am planting; for all the world else is Deluge (no man alive remembring such a season) and when I am confind, reade and scribbl, or build castles in the aer. To be serious, I have of late ben chewing-over some old-stories, and among others the Reigne of Lewes the XIth and Charles Duke of Burgundy, written you know by Philip de Comines 200 yeares since. And whilst I contemplate your and my condition (sic parvis componere) cannot but bemoane, pitty, and deplore the unhapynesse and misery of kings and princes (whilst either they are not born philosophers or philosophers kings) because they never take the Counsel of such honest, wise, and worthy persons as was the author of those Memoires. If I were to be a prince’s tutor, I would cause my royal pupil to reade Comenius over once a yeare at least. Have you seen a little anonymus piece intitled, Discours sur les Reflexions ou Sentences et Maximes Morales? I am perswaded you’l not dislike it. The later part is written by a lady, another Mrs Astell; you will find it thick of very noble thoughts. Amongst our owne small books but no small authors, I am well pleas’d with Nicolson’s English Historical Library; and exceedingly glad to find our learned Bishop of Worcester putting his hand so strenuously to the vindication of what has ben the faith of as wise and reasonable men as any of our bold and late blasphemous pretenders, reproching the lazinesse of the many concerned who, whilst they should defend the antient doctrine, worry and tare in pieces one another. By the way, you’l find some passages of Dr Locke civily discuss’d, and with his deserved eulogie.
Were you at Gr[esham] College on St Andrew’s Day? I have never before ben absent ’til this yeare, I thinke these five and thirty.
I feare to aske what progresse you make towards finishing your noble and most desierable work, which none but you can pretend to. Will you never let us see it ’til perfect according to your scale? Remember the advise of a greate King that was such a philosopher as I spake of, quicquid assequitur manus tua ut facias, pro facultate tua, fac. The rest is what you and I have often reflected upon. But why don’t you give us a part or two, ut ex pede Herculem? Time flies a pace, my Friend. ’Tis Evening with us; do not expect perfection on this side of life. If it be the very best, as I am sure it is, nothing can be better; no man out-throws you. And thus, partly, demonstrativè and partly objurgativè, whilst I entertaine my selfe at least with my worthy Friend, I hinder him perhaps from finishing the worke I am solicitous to se[e] published. God Almighty keepe you.
I am, Sir,
Your most faithfull, humble servant,
JEvelyn:
D31. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
The
Battle of the Books, Errors in E’s Numismata
For Samuell Pepys Esqr
at his house in
Yorke-buildings:
London: Wotton
3 April 1698
Sir,
I have not ben so long in the Country without having often commanded my Servant, to give me an account of your health, though I should be better satisfied to see it confirm’d under your owne hand; together with your pardon of my presumption, in making you so poore a present, as the Trifle I lately sent you; Not, I assure you, in the least Confidence of my meane performance; but to shew my Respects, and rather to expose my failings, than to be wanting to my Obligations, and Exercise your Charity and generous Nature, where my Defects require them. In the meane time, I am, methinks, but halfe here, whilst I am absent from Yorke-buildings, where my heart is so often:_
Be so perfectly kind, to let me understand, what you would have me Retract in my Book; that in the Account, which will of course I heare, be publish’d in the next Transactions, they may be reformd: I have already written to Mr Waller (our Secretary) of what through mistake and omission, I desird might be rectified; but hearing since, that he is in the Country (and not knowing who supplies his absence) I feare it may come too late: The Chapter of Taille-Douce and Heads, I added purely for your sake: for the rest, I am not much solicitous: Onely, let me intreate you (if Captain Hatton, to whom I writ, did it not for me) to redresse the place in page 22 Line 3 __ of a mixt, and Obrize sort also: and Line 4 _ Constantinople, as it certainely dos, in that of Count Landus’s Valentinian, Constantinopoli Obrizatum: Others ____
My most humble service to all our worthy Friends, I hope the Deane of Yorke receivd my Answer to his last, with the Ingagement which prevented my serving the worthy Dr in whose behalfe he wrot. I doubt not but you have seene, Mr Boyle[’s] attaque _ and wish (with me) our concernd Friend a good Deliverance: I am Sir
Your most faithfull
humble and devoted Servant
JEvelyn:
D32. JOHN EVELYN TO SAMUEL PEPYS
Evelyn’s
family discomposed and dejected
For Samuel Pepys Esqr
at his house in