in every point, and with the most active benevolence; and her care extended to every part of the property attached to the domain. Mr. Evelyn had formed in his own mind a plan of what he called an "Elysium Britannicum," in which the Library and Garden were intended to be the principal objects: could he return and visit this his beloved Seat, he would find his idea realised by the arrangement and addition which her Ladyship had made to his library, and by the disposition of the flowergarden and greenhouse, which she had embellished with the most beautiful and curious flowers and plants, both native and exotic. In completion and full justification of the confidence thus reposed in her, her Ladyship has returned the Estate, with its valuable appendages, to the family in your person. I have, therefore, now to offer these Volumes to you, Sir; with a wish, that you and your posterity may long enjoy the possessions, and continue the line, of a family so much distinguished, in many of its branches, for superior worth and eminence. I am, Sir, Your most obedient, And most humble servant, WILLIAM BRAY. Shere, 2nd Jan. 1818. PREFACE. THE following pages are taken from the Journal of JOHN EVELYN, Esq., author (amongst many other works) of the celebrated Sylva, a Treatise on ForestTrees, and from which he has often been known by the name of "The Sylva Evelyn." The Journal is written by him in a very small, close hand, in a quarto volume containing 700 pages, which commences in 1641, and is continued to the end of 1697; and from thence is carried on in a smaller book till within about three weeks of his death, which happened 27th Feb., 1705-6, in the 86th year of his age. These books, with numberless other papers in his handwriting, are in the valuable library at Wotton, which was chiefly collected by him. Lady Evelyn, the late possessor of that very respectable old Mansion, after much solicitation from many persons, consented to favour the Public with this communication. The last sheets were in the hands of the Printer, when the death of that Lady happened. The Editor, who has been intrusted with the preparation of the work for the Press, is fully diffident of his competence to make a proper selection; and is even aware that many things will be found in its pages which, in the opinion of some, and not injudicious, Critics, may appear too unimportant to meet the public eye. But it has been thought that some information, at least some amusement, would be furnished by the publication; and it has been supposed that some curious particulars of persons and transactions would be found in the accompanying notes. Though those papers may not be of importance enough to appear in the pages of an Historian of the Kingdom, they may, in some particulars, set even such an one right; and, though the notices are short, they may, as to persons, give some hints to Biographers, or at least may gratify the curiosity of those who are inquisitive after the mode in which their ancestors conducted business, or passed their time. It is hoped that such will not be altogether disappointed. Thus, when mention is made of great men going after dinner to attend a Council of State, or the business of their particular offices, or the Bowling-Green, or even the Church; of an Hour's Sermon being of a moderate length, of ladies painting their faces being a novelty; or of their receiving visits of Gentlemen whilst dressing, after having just risen out of bed; of the female attendant of a lady of fashion travelling on a pillion behind one of the footmen, and the footmen riding with swords ;—such things, in the view above mentioned, may not be altogether incurious. For many corrections and many of the Notes the Editor acknowledges, with great pleasure and regard, that he is indebted to James Bindley, Esq.,' of Somerset-House, a Gentleman who possesses an invaluable Collection of the most rare Books and Pamphlets, and whose liberality in communications is equal to the ability afforded by such a collection. He has also most cheerfully to acknowledge how much he is obliged for many historical notes and elucidations to a literary Gentleman very conversant with English History, whose name he would gladly give, were it not withheld by particular request, and whose research, through upwards of seven hundred contemporary volumes of Manuscripts and Tracts, has doubtless given additional interest to many of the Letters. 1 Since the first edition of this Work, the Editor has to lament the loss of this valuable Friend; who died in the 81st year of his age, Sept. 11, 1818, just as the printing of the Second Edition wan begun. |