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in peace and war, have quitted all their pomp and dignity in exchange for this learned pleasure,-not that of the most refined part of agriculture (the philosophy of the garden and parterre only), but of herbs and wholesome salads, and other plain and useful parts of husbandry, and wrote books of tillage; and took the plough-tackle for their banner, and their names from the grain and pulse they sowed, as the marks and characters of the highest honour." He also observed with evident satisfaction, "It is remarkable that after all that wise Solomon had said, that all was vanity and vexation of spirit, among so many particulars which he reckons up, he should be altogether silent and say nothing concerning husbandry, as doubtless considering it the most useful, innocent, and laudable employment of our life, requiring those who cultivate the ground to live in the country, remote from city luxury, and the temptation to the vices he condemns.”

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Other pursuits employed him in his library, where he passed many hours in pleasing study and research. The Fine Arts frequently engaged his attention. Pictures had been amongst the principal objects of interest in his foreign tour; and now, during the interval comprised in this chapter, he enquired into the history and early state of painting and engraving, both of which he occasionally practised. He also employed himself in collecting and writing upon coins and medals; and in their turns, architecture, mechanics, chemistry, and optics, afforded an agreeable variety in his studious occupations. Within the same period he commenced a Book of Trades, on a very large scale, the plan of which he had formed in his travels, and now made considerable collections for it; this work, however, was never completed. Being well versed in ancient and modern languages, he also in this

early part of his life made and published several translations.

If a doubt could exist as to his love of retirement and rural repose, it would be occasioned by his answer to sir George Mackenzie's panegyric on Solitude, in which Evelyn takes the opposite part, and gives the preference to public employment and an active life; but he afterwards writes to Cowley, assuring him that this was only a playful essay, and that he "neither was, nor could be serious" in what he had written.

Evelyn's love of study and retirement gave birth to a singular scheme for erecting "a philosophic mathematic college." "Often," says Mr. D'Israeli,* "has the literary character, amidst the busied delights of study sighed to bid a farewell sweet' to the turbulence of society. It was not discontent nor any undervaluing of general society, but the pure enthusiasm of the library, which once induced the studious Evelyn to sketch a retreat of this nature, which he addressed to his friend the illustrious Boyle. He proposed to form a college, where persons of the same turn of mind might enjoy the pleasure of agreeable society, and at the same time pass their days without care or interruption." He declared that if he had been a single person, and without family, he would without hesitation have dedicated his fortune to the raising such a college as he proposed; and that even in his present circumstances, he would willingly bear half the charges. To all this he added, that he had no particular cause of discontent, being with respect to his circumstances perfectly easy, happy, and satisfied in his family; well respected in the world; and in all things as free from the necessity of looking for such a retreat,

* In The Literary Character illustrated by the History of Men of Genius.

exclusive of his own inclination, as any gentleman what

ever.

It is pleasing to observe the care about religion which he manifests in the details of his plan. There was to be a well qualified chaplain, maintained at the public charge; prayers were to be offered up in the chapel every morning and evening; a weekly fast was to be observed; and the communion to be celebrated "once every fortnight, or month at least." On the Restoration, however, some changes in Evelyn's condition occurred, and we hear no more of his literary and scientific retreat.

Besides this, her

She shared his chosen companion

His wife was to have been admitted into this learned abode; for he was too good a man to permit such a design to interfere with his social duties. tastes were accordant with his own. pleasures and his heart;" she was the of his studies; her talent for painting secured his praise and adorned his works; she bore her part in the cultivation of their celebrated garden; and doubtless, in the winter's evening, his book was

Not sullenly perused

In selfish silence, but imparted oft

As aught occurr'd that she might smile to hear,
Or turn to nourishment, digested well.

Amidst these advantages she modestly and sensibly remarked;" Though I have lived under the roof of the learned, and in the neighbourhood of science, it has had no other effect on such a temper as mine but that of admiration; and that too only when it is reduced to practice."

Mr. Evelyn's fortune probably amounted to about six hundred pounds a-year; at least that was his expenditure in 1650, and we may infer from his general prudence and integrity that his income did not fall short of that sum.

His house, if we may judge from a small sketch contained in his own plan of Deptford, was moderate in size, had three pointed gables in front, with the door in the centre, a large mullioned window on each side of it, three windows of like character on the floor above, and attics at the top.

To this sketch of his tastes, habits, and pleasures, we may be excused for adding, a little out of due order, the description given by a noble visiter, and the gratulations of a poetic friend. "The Lord keeper Guildford was once invited," says his biographer, "to a philosophical meal, at the house of Mr. Evelyn at Deptford. The house was low, but elegantly set off with ornaments and quaint mottoes at most turns; but above all his garden was exquisite, being most bocaresque, and as it were an exemplar of his book of Forest Trees. They appeared all so thriving and clean, that in so much variety, no one could be satiated in viewing; and to these were added plenty of ingenious discourses, which made the time short." The lines of Cowley represent him as having great cause for thankfulness to the goodness of God.

"Happy art thou whom God does bless
With the full choice of thine own happiness;
And happier yet because thou 'rt bless'd
With prudence how to choose the best.
In books and gardens thou hast placed aright
Thy noble innocent delight;

And in thy virtuous wife, where thou again dost meet
Both pleasures, more refined and sweet;

The fairest garden in her looks,

And in her mind the wisest books.

O who would change these soft yet solid joys

For empty shows and senseless noise,

And all which rank ambition breeds,

Which seem such beauteous flowers, and are such pois'nous weeds."

Mr. Evelyn's attachment to the monarchy was rather confirmed than diminished by the course which events took, between the violent death of king Charles the first, and the restoration of his son to the throne. Through sir Richard Browne, who still resided in Paris, he "gave intelligence constantly to his majesty abroad," and although his connexion must have been known, and his correspondence suspected, it does not appear that he met with any interruption from the government. After the death of Cromwell he looked with the greatest apprehension at the state of public affairs. He noted in his Diary, April 25, 1659. "The new protector Richard slighted; several pretenders and parties strive for the government; all anarchy and confusion. Lord have mercy on us!" In May, 29th, he wrote,-"The nation was now in extreme confusion and unsettled, between the armies and the sectaries, the poor Church of England breathing as it were her last, so sad a face of things had overspread us." Again in October, he observed,-" The army now turned out the parliament. We had now no government in the nation; all in confusion; no magistrate either owned or pretended but the soldiers, and they not agreed. God Almighty have mercy on, and settle us!"

In this state of miserable disorder, the best prospect of peace appeared in the hope of the restoration of the royal family; and to effect this, Evelyn's loyalty was called into active service. In November, he says, 66 was published my bold Apology for the King, in this time of danger, when it was capital either to speak or write for him. It was twice printed, so universally it took." Soon after he wrote, upon a sick-bed, another paper which was of great service to the king, entitled, The late News or Message from Brussels unmasked, being an answer to a pamphlet which spoke evil of the king.

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