in one pretending to make relations; to omit his subtle reflections on matters of state, and meddling with things he had nothing to do with: such as were those false and presumptuous suggestions of his that the Presbyterians were forsooth the sole restorers of the King to his throne; and the palpable ignorance of our Historiograph Royal where he pretends to render an account of divers ancient passages relating to the English Chronicle, and the jurisdiction and legislative power of Parliaments, which he mingles and compares with that of Kings, to celebrate and qualify his politics: upon all which you have infinite advantages. It is true he was civilly received by the Royal Society, as a person who had recommended himself to them by pretending he was secretary to an assembly of learned men formerly meeting at Mons". Monmors at Paris; so as he had been plainly barbarous not to have acknowledged it by the mention he makes; whiles those who better know whose principles the Mushroom' is addicted to, must needs suspect his integrity; since there lives not on the earth a person who has more disobliged it.

Sir, I am, &c.

P.S-I know not how you may have design'd to publish your reflections upon this disingenuous Traveller; but it would certainly be most communicative and effectual in Latin, the other particular of his relation coming only to those who understand the French, in which language it is already going to be printed.

SIR,

John Evelyn to the Honourable Robert Boyle.

Sayes-Court, Nov. 23, 1664.

The honour you design me by making use of that trifle which you were lately pleased to command an account of, is so much greater than it pretends to merit, as indeed it is far short of being worthy your acceptance: but if by any service of mine in that other business, I may hope to contribute to an effect the most agreeable to your excellent and pious nature, it shall not be my reproach that I did not my best endeavour to oblige it. I do every day both at

1 Mr. Hobbes.

London and at home, put Sir Richard in mind of this suppliant's case; and, indeed, he needs no monitor, myself being witness that he takes all occasions to serve him in it; nor wants there any dispositions (as far as I can perceive), but one single opportunity only, the meeting of my Lord Privy Seal (who, for two or three Council days, has been indisposed, and not appeared), to expedite his request; there being a resolution (and which Sir Richard promises shall not slacken), both to discharge the poor man's engagements here, and afford him a competent viaticum.

As for that sacred work you mention, it is said there is a most authentic copy coming over, the laudable attempt of this person being not so fully approved. This is, in short, the account I have, why the impression is retarded. I should else esteem it one of the most fortunate adventures of my life, that by any industry of mine I might be accessary in the least to so blessed an undertaking.

If my book of architecture do not fall into your hands at Oxon, it will come with my apology, when I see you at London; as well as another part of the Mystery or Jesuitism, which (with some other papers concerning that iniquity) I have translated, and ́am now printing at Royston's, but without my name. So little credit there is in these days in doing anything for the interest of religion.

I know not whether it becomes me to inform you, that it has pleased his Majesty to nominate me a Commissioner to take care of the sick and wounded persons during this war with our neighbours: but so it is, that there being but four of us designed for this very troublesome and sad employment, all the ports from Dover to Portsmouth, Kent, and Sussex, fall to my district alone, and makes me wish a thousand times I had such a colleague as Mr. Boyle, who is wholly made up of charity, and all the qualifications requisite to so pious a care. But I cannot wish you so much trouble; the prospect of it would even draw pity from you, as well in my behalf, as for the more miserable, who foresee the confusion and importunities of it, by every article of our busy instructions. But the King has laid his positive commands on me, and I am just now going towards Dover, &c. to provide for mischief. Farewell: sweet

repose, books, gardens, and the blessed conversation you are pleased to allow, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate and most obedient servant, J. EVELYN. P.S. Mr. Goldman's Dictionary is that good and useful book which I mentioned to you.

Here is Mr. Stillingfleet's new piece in vindication of my Lord of Canterbury's. I have but little dipped into it as yet: it promises well, and I very much like the epistle; nor is the style so perplexed as his usually was.

Dr. Mer. Causabon, I presume is come to your hands, being a touch upon the same occasion.

One Rhea1 has published a very useful and sincere book, concerning the culture of flowers, &c. but it does in nothing reach my long since attempted design of that entire subject, with all its ornaments and accessories, which I had shortly hoped to perfect, had God given me opportunity.

Your servant, my Wife, most humbly kisseth your hands, as I do Dr. Barlow's, &c.

MY LORD,

To my Lord Viscount Cornbury.

London, 9 Feb., 1664-65.

Being late come home, imagine me turning over your close printed memoirs, and shrinking up my shoulders; yet with a resolution of surmounting the difficulty, animated with my Lord Chancellor's and your Lordship's commands, whom I am perfectly disposed to serve, even in the greatest of drudgeries, the translation of books. But why call I Q? the celebrated Ray.

2 Henry Hyde, Lord Cornbury, was the eldest son of Sir Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, whom he succeeded in his titles and estate, Dec. 29, 1674. He had two wives. The first was Theodosia, daughter of Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex, beheaded for his loyalty to King Charles I.; and the second, alluded to in a subsequent letter by Evelyn, was Flower, widow of Sir William Backhouse of Swallowfield, Berks, Bart., by whom he had no issue. By this marriage Lord Cornbury became possessed of the manor and house at Swallowfield. The celebrated Lord Chancellor Clarendon resided at his son's house after his retirement from public life, and there wrote "The History of the Great Rebellion."

"Mysterie of Jesuitisme, and its pernicious consequences as it relates to Kings and States, w'h I published this yeare."-Evelyn's Note.

this a drudgery? who would not be proud of the service? By the slight taste of it, I find God and the King concerned and I will in due time endeavour to present your Lordship and the world with the fruits of my obedience, cheerfully, and with all due regards: nor is it small in my esteem that God directs you to make use of me in anything which relates to the Church, though in my secular station. I began indeed (as your Lordship well remembers) with that Essay on St. Chrysostom some years since upon that consideration, though prompted by a lugubrious occasion, such a one (though in no respect so great a one) as what I but too sensibly perceive afflicts my Lord your father; for as I last beheld his countenance, in thought I saw the very shaft transfixing him; though the greatness of his mind, and pious resignation suffer him to do nothing weakly, and with passion.

1

Besides the divine precepts, and his Lord's great example, I could never receive anything from philosophy that was able to add a grain to my courage upon these irremediless assaults like that Enchiridion and little weapon of Epictetus, Nunquam te quicquam perdidisse dicito, sed reddidisse, says he: Filius obijt? redditus est; it is in his 15th chap. Repeat it all to my Lord, and to yourself; you cannot imagine what that little target will encounter; I never go abroad without it in my pocket. What an

incomparable guard is that τὰ στὶχ ἐρ ἡμῖν ! cap. 1. where he discourses of the things which are and are not in our power: I know, my Lord, you employ your retirements nobly; wear this defensive for my sake, I had almost said this Christian office.

But, my Lord, I am told, we shall have no Lent indicted this year. I acknowledge, for all Dr. Gunning, that I much doubt of its apostolical institution: but I should be heartily sorry a practice so near to it, so agreeable to antiquity, so useful to devotion, and in sum so confirmed by our laws, should now fail, and sink, that his Majesty and his laws are restored. I know not what subtle and political reasons there may be It were better, flesh should be given away for a 1 "Upon ye death of his sonne Edward, a brave and hopefull young man."-Evelyn's Note.

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2 Dr. Peter Gunning, Bishop of Ely. He died July 6, 1684, æt. 71.