or had any solid ground for what he accused divers noblemen of, I have many reasons to induce my contrary belief. That among so many commissions as he affirmed to have delivered to them from P. Oliva1 and the Pope, he who made no scruple of opening all other papers, letters, and secrets, should not only not open any of those pretended commissions, but not so much as take any copy or witness of any one of them, is almost miraculous. But the Commons (some leading persons I mean of them) had so exalted him, that they took all he said for Gospel, and without more ado ruined all whom he named to be conspirators; nor did he spare whoever came in his way. But indeed the murder of Sir Edmund [Berry] Godfrey, suspected to have been compassed by the Jesuits' party for his intimacy with Coleman (a busy person whom I also knew), and the fear they had that he was able to have discovered things to their prejudice, did so exasperate not only the Commons but all the nation, that much of these sharpnesses against the more honest Roman Catholics who lived peaceably, is to be imputed to that horrid fact. 3 The sessions ended, I dined or rather supped (so late it was) with the Judges in the large room annexed to the place, and so returned home. Though it was not my custom or delight to be often present at any capital trials, we having them commonly so exactly published by those who take them in short-hand, yet I was inclined to be at this signal one, that by the ocular view of the carriages and other circumstances of the managers and parties concerned, I might inform myself, and 1 Padrè Oliva, General of the Order of Jesuits. 2 [See ante, p. 25.] 3 The Judges were, Lord Chief Justice North, Mr. Justice Atkins, Mr. Justice Windham, Mr. Justice Pemberton, and Mr. Justice Dolben. regulate my opinion of a cause that had so alarmed the whole nation. 22nd July. Dined at Clapham, at Sir D. Gauden's; went thence with him to Windsor, to assist him in a business with his Majesty. I lay that night at Eton College, the Provost's lodgings (Dr. Cradock), where I was courteously entertained. 23rd. To Court: after dinner, I visited that excellent painter, Verrio, whose works in fresco in the King's palace, at Windsor, will celebrate his name as long as those walls last. He showed us his pretty garden, choice flowers, and curiosities, he himself being a skilful gardener. 4 I went to Cliveden, that stupendous natural rock, wood, and prospect, of the Duke of Buckingham's, and buildings of extraordinary expense. The grots in the chalky rocks are pretty: it is a romantic object, and the place altogether answers the most poetical description that can be made of solitude, precipice, prospect, or whatever can contribute to a thing so very like their imaginations. The stand, somewhat like Frascati as to its front, and on the platform is a circular view to the 1 [Sir Denis Gauden had built this house for his brother, Dr. John Gauden, Bishop of Exeter, who claimed to have written Eikon Basilike. Sir Denis afterwards occupied it himself, dying there in 1688. The house (now pulled down) was subsequently occupied by Pepys' friend and clerk, Will. Hewer (see post, under 25th July, 1692).] 2 [Dr. Zachary Cradock, 1633-95; Provost of Eton, 1681-95.] 3 Antonio Verrio, 1639-1707. His "sprawling Saints also decorate Hampton Court, and many noblemen's seats.] 4 Cliveden's proud alcove, The bow'r of wanton Shrewsbury and love. [The present building, erected by the Duke of Sutherland, and long a seat of the Duke of Westminster, now belongs to William Waldorf Astor, Esq. It has been enriched by many relics from the famous Villa Borghese (see ante, vol. i. pp. 176 and 260).] utmost verge of the horizon, which, with the serpenting of the Thames, is admirable. The staircase is for its materials singular; the cloisters, descents, gardens, and avenue through the wood, august and stately; but the land all about wretchedly barren, and producing nothing but fern. Indeed, as I told his Majesty that evening (asking me how I liked Cliveden) without flattery, that it did not please me so well as Windsor for the prospect and park, which is without compare ; there being but one only opening, and that narrow, which led one to any variety, whereas that of Windsor is everywhere great and unconfined. Returning, I called at my cousin Evelyn's,' who has a very pretty seat in the forest, two miles by hither Cliveden, on a flat, with gardens exquisitely kept, though large, and the house a staunch good old building, and what was singular, some of the rooms floored dove-tail-wise without a nail, exactly close. One of the closets is parqueted with plain deal, set in diamond, exceeding staunch and pretty. 7th August. Dined at the Sheriffs', when, the Company of Drapers and their wives being invited, there was a sumptuous entertainment, according to the forms of the City, with music, etc., comparable to any Prince's service in Europe. 8th. I went this morning to show my Lord Chamberlain, his Lady, and the Duchess of Grafton, the incomparable work of Mr. Gibbons, the carver,2 whom I first recommended to his Majesty, his house being furnished like a cabinet, not only with his own work, but divers excellent paintings of the best hands. Thence, to Sir Stephen Fox's, where we spent the day. 8 31st. After evening service, to see a neighbour, 1 [William Evelyn, son of George Evelyn of Nutfield.] |