John Evelyn’s diary, 1704

The King of Spain landing at Portsmouth, came to Windsor, where he was magnificently entertained by the Queen, and behaved himself so nobly, that everybody was…

The Lord Treasurer gave my grandson the office of Treasurer of the Stamp Duties, with a salary of £300 a year.

The fast on the Martyrdom of King Charles I. was observed with more than usual solemnity.

I went to wait on my Lord Treasurer, where was the victorious Duke of Marlborough, who came to me and took me by the hand with extraordinary familiarity and…

Remarkable fine weather. Agues and smallpox much in every place.

An exceedingly dry season. Great loss by fire, burning the outhouses and famous stable of the Earl of Nottingham, at Burleigh , full of rich goods and furniture, by…

Dr. Bathurst, President of Trinity College, Oxford, now died, I think the oldest acquaintance now left me in the world. He was eighty-six years of age, stark blind,…

The Bailiff of Westminster hanged himself. He had an ill report. On the death of the Emperor, there was no mourning worn at Court, because there was none at the…

I went to see Sir John Chardin, at Turnham Green, the gardens being very fine, and exceedingly well planted with fruit.

Most extravagant expense to debauch and corrupt votes for Parliament members. I sent my grandson with his party of my freeholders to vote for Mr. Harvey, of Combe.

This day was celebrated the thanksgiving for the late great victory, with the utmost pomp and splendor by the Queen, Court, great Officers, Lords Mayor, Sheriffs,…

The year has been very plentiful.

Being my birthday and the 84th year of my life, after particular reflections on my concerns and passages of the year, I set some considerable time of this day…

Lord Clarendon presented me with the three volumes of his father's "History of the Rebellion." My Lord of Canterbury wrote to me for suffrage for Mr. Clarke's…