Sylva Part 2

It were well if all men, even before attaining 60 years of age, could bring themselves to such periods of reflection on past and present acts, and even though all the good resolves may not have been quite rigidly acted up to. And even in Evelyn's case, at any rate so far as his diary shews, he appears afterwards to have continued just as much a man of the world as he was before these solemn resolutions, although the glamour of being a courtier seems perhaps to have henceforth become less rose-coloured. A trivial incident happening while he was supping one night at Lady Arlington's, in June 1683, gave rise to the reflection that 'By this one may take an estimate of the extream slavery and subjection that courtiers live in, who have not time to eate and drink at their pleasure. It put me in mind of Horace's Mouse, and to blesse G.o.d for my owne private condition.' Twenty years previously he would not have thought or said this.

Evelyn took a leading part in the negociations for the repurchase of Chelsea College for 1,300 from the Royal Society to whom it had been recently presented by the King, and for the establishment of a hospital for old soldiers there at a cost of 20,000 with an endowment of 5,000 a year.

Several violent fits of ague having afflicted him during the winter of 1681-82, to cure which 'recourse was had to bathing my legs in milk up to ye knees, made as hot as I could endure it', Evelyn made his will and put all his affairs in order 'that now growing in yeares, I might have none of the secular things and concerns to distract me when it should please Almighty G.o.d to call me from this transitory life'. In November 1682 he was asked by many friends to stand for election as president of the Royal Society, in succession to Sir Christopher Wren, but pleading 'remote dwelling, and now frequent infirmities' he declined the proffered honour. Subsequently, in 1690, he had actually, 'been chosen President of the Royal Society', but desired to decline it 'and with greate difficulty devolv'd the election on Sir Robert Southwell, Secretary of State to King William in Ireland.' For a third time, in November 1693, the honour was again offered--'Much importun'd to take the office of President of the Royal Society, but I againe declin'd it.'

On 12th February 1683 his father-in-law, Sir Richard Browne, who had been created a baronet in 1649, and to whose influence he owed much, died at his house at Sayes Court, leaving Mrs. Evelyn as his sole heiress. Meanwhile grandchildren had been born to Evelyn, some of whom soon died in infancy. His appointment on the Council of Plantations and Trade seems to have lapsed before this time, for no further mention is made in his diary of Council meetings, and he seems to have resided chiefly at Sayes Court, gardening and spending his time in scholarly leisure and recreation. This surmise is borne out by what he says in 1683, 'Oct. 4th. I went to London, on receiving a note from the Countesse of Arlington, of some considerable charge or advantage I might obtaine by applying myselfe to his Majesty on this signal conjuncture of his Majesty entering up judgment against the City charter; the proposal made me I wholly declin'd, not being well satisfied with these violent transactions, and not a little sorry that his Majesty was so often put upon things of this nature against so great a Citty, the consequence wheroff may be so much to his prejudice; so I return'd home.'

On 6th February 1685 King Charles II. died after an apoplectic fit, and his brother James, Duke of York, ascended the throne. Evelyn comments fully on the virtues and vices of the late monarch. 'He would doubtless have been an excellent Prince had he been less addicted to women, who made him uneasy, and allways in want to supply their immeasurable profusion, to ye detriment of many indigent persons who had signaly serv'd both him and his father..... He was ever kind to me, and very gracious upon all occasions, and therefore I cannot, without ingrat.i.tude, but deplore his loss, which for many respects, as well as duty, I do with all my soul.'

VI

_Evelyn's Declining Years_ (1685-1706).

With the accession of James II., Evelyn was again to feel the sunny warmth of royal favour in the form of an official appointment. But previous to this he had to suffer a heavy loss by the death from small-pox of his eldest daughter Mary, in the 19th year of her age, who had been born at Wotton in the same room as her father had first seen the light.

In September 1685 Evelyn was informed that on Lord Clarendon, Lord Privy Seal, going to a.s.sume the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland the King had nominated him as one of the Commissioners to execute the office of Privy Seal during such appointment; and early in December he was 'put into the new Commission of Sewers.' It was nearly Christmas before he kissed hands on receiving the patent for executing this office and entered on its duties along with the two other Commissioners. They performed these till the 10th March 1687, when the King relieved them with compliments on their 'faithfull and loyal service, with many gracious expressions to this effect', and bestowed the seal on Lord Arundel of Wardour, a zealous Roman Catholic.

In the early days of James II's reign the patronage which seemed to be coming in Evelyn's direction appears to have, not unnaturally perhaps, somewhat coloured his opinion as to the new monarch's capacity and disposition. After a journey undertaken with Pepys to Windsor, Winchester, and Portsmouth in September 1685, whither the King went to view the state of the fortifications, he recorded that 'what I observ'd in this journey, is that infinite industry, sedulity, gravity, and greate understanding and experience of affairs, in his Majesty, that I cannot but predict much happiness to ye nation, as to its political government; and if he so persist, there could be nothing more desir'd to accomplish our prosperity, but that he was of the national church.'

Bia.s.sed and prejudiced in the royal favour as he then temporarily was, this account of King James proved so totally incorrect that it is a wonder Evelyn retained it in the compilation which he left as his _Diary_. The only explanation seems to be that he wished to record his prevision as regards Roman Catholicism proving the main rock upon which the King might come to grief, as he afterwards did.

t.i.tus Oates' conspiracy and the Duke of Monmouth's invasion and insurrection went by without affecting Evelyn much. He was in the latter case called upon to supply a mounted trooper, which he did rather grudgingly. 'The two hors.e.m.e.n which my son and myselfe sent into the county troopes, were now come home, after a moneth's being out to our greate charge.' But what concerned him much more was that matters frequently came before the Commission of the Privy Seal to which he could not, on religious grounds princ.i.p.ally, give his a.s.sent. On such occasions he would sometimes go to his house in the country, 'refusing to be present at what was to pa.s.se at the Privy Seale the next day', because any two out of the three Commissioners formed a quorum. At other times, however, he had to face his responsibility properly, by refusing to put his seal to the papers in question, while noting his objections to the course of action proposed. The Papistry which was spreading over the country under the King's influence seemed to darken the land and to obscure the future. 'Popish Justices of the Peace establish'd in all counties, of the meanest of the people; Judges ignorant of the law, and perverting it--so furiously do the Jesuits drive, and even compel Princes to violent courses, and destruction of an excellent government both in Church and State. G.o.d of his infinite mercy open our eyes and turn our hearts, and establish his truth with peace! The Lord Jesus defend his little flock, and preserve this threaten'd Church and Nation.'

A staunch Protestant, Evelyn no longer possessed the King's favour, and henceforth he received no further appointment or token of royal approval although he still frequented the Court at Whitehall. In August 1688 he was secretly informed by the Rev. Dr. Tenison, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln, of the impending invasion of the Prince of Orange, and, while regularly paying his duty as a courtier, he informed the lately imprisoned Archbishop and Bishops of the intrigues on which the Jesuits were hard at work. And subsequently 'My Lord of Canterbury gave me great thanks for the advertis.e.m.e.nt I sent him in October, and a.s.sured me they took my counsell in that particular, and that it came very seasonably.'

On 18th December, he 'saw the King take barge to Gravesend at 12 o'clock--a sad sight,' on the very day that the Prince of Orange came to St. James and filled Whitehall with Dutch guards. All the world at once went to pay court to the Prince whose star was now in the ascendant: and, of course, Evelyn went too. A couple of months later he 'saw _the new Queene_ and _King_ proclaim'd the very next day after her coming to Whitehall, Wednesday 13 Feb., with greate acclamations and generall good reception.... It was believ'd that both, especially the Princesse, would have shew'd some (seeming) reluctance at least, of a.s.suming her father's Crown, and some apology, testifying her regret that he should by his mismanagement necessitate the Nation to so extraordinary a proceeding, which would have shew'd very handsomely to the world, and according to the character given by her piety; consonant also to her husband's first decleration, that there was no intention of deposing the King, but of succouring the Nation; but nothing of all this appear'd; she came into White-hall laughing and jolly, as to a wedding, so as to seem quite transported..... This carriage was censured by many.'

After the Restoration Evelyn's life as a courtier was practically at an end, as he never quite approved the enforced abdication of King James.

So henceforth he spent his time, without further attendance at Court or seeking after office or appointment, in study, literary work, and retirement. He did not like the new regime, with its 'Court offices distributed amongst Parliament men.... Things far from settled as was expected, by reason of the slothfull, sickly temper of the new King, and the Parliament's unmindfullness of Ireland, which is likely to prove a sad omission.' He even seems to have regretted that his son was in March 1692 made 'one of the Commissioners of the Revenue and Treasury of Ireland, to which employment he had a mind far from my wishes.' This son contracted serious illness in Ireland, and died 'after a tedious languis.h.i.+ng sickness' early in 1699, aged 44 years, leaving one son, then a student at Oxford.

Some time before this his elder brother, George, having lost his last son and heir, had settled the Wotton estate upon John Evelyn. In May 1694, yielding to the request to make Wotton his home, he went to Wotton, leaving Sayes Court in charge of his daughter Susanna and her husband William Draper, whose marriage had been celebrated about a year previously. In 1696 it was let for three years to Admiral Benbow, who sublet it in 1698 to Peter the Great, then visiting the Deptford Dockyards for three months as his Majesty's guest. So great was the destruction done to the gardens, trees, and holly-hedges, that Wren was asked to report on the compensation suitable, and 162-7-0 were paid to Evelyn for damage to the house and garden.

Early in 1695 Evelyn accepted the offer of the Treasurers.h.i.+p of Greenwich Hospital, then about to be rebuilt and endowed for the maintainence of decayed seamen, which was made to him by Lord G.o.dolphin, who had been the husband of his former friend Miss Blagg. During the days of Charles II. some such transformation of the Palace had been under consideration, but it was the 30th June 1696 before Evelyn and Sir Christopher Wren 'laid the first stone of the intended foundation, precisely at 5 o'clock in the evening, after we had din'd together.'

This appointment carried with it 'the salary of 200 per ann. of which I have never yet receiv'd one penny of the tallies a.s.sign'd for it, now two years at Lady-day; my son-in-law Draper is my subst.i.tute.' When the new Commission for Greenwich Hospital was sealed in August 1703 Evelyn resigned his office of Treasurer in favour of Draper.

His brother George dying in October 1699, Evelyn then became the owner of Wotton, and looked to his grandson, the Oxford Student, to 'be the support of the Wotton family.' The lad had a bad attack of small-pox in the autumn of 1700, a malady that had caused many gaps in the family circle; but, coming safely through this illness, he was in July 1701, by the patronage of Lord G.o.dolphin, made one of the Commissioners of the Prizes, with a salary of 500 a year, while he was still an undergraduate at Oxford. And in January 1704 the same n.o.ble patron appointed him Treasurer of the Stamp Duties, with a salary of 300 a year. He afterwards married Ann, daughter of Hugh Boscawen (afterwards Lord Falmouth), Lord G.o.dolphin's niece, and was created a baronet in 1713. It was through him that the present family of Evelyn of Wotton directly descend, though the baronetcy lapsed on the death of his grandson Frederick in 1812.

As he had done twenty years before, so also on now attaining his 80th birthday on 31st. October 1700 Evelyn rendered thanks for mercies with his characteristic religious feeling. 'I with my soul render thanks to G.o.d, who of his infinite mercy, not only brought me out of many troubles, but this yeare restor'd me to health, after an ague and other infirmities of so greate an age, my sight, hearing and other senses and faculties tolerable, which I implore him to continue, with the pardon of my sins past, and grace to acknowledge by my improvement of his goodnesse the ensuing yeare, if it be his pleasure to protract my life, that I may be the better prepar'd for my last day, through the infinite merits of my blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus, Amen.'

Five times more was he to be privileged to record his thanks and prayers on successive returns of this anniversary. One of the very last entries in his memoirs is that on 31st. October 1705 'I am this day arriv'd to the 85th year of my age. Lord teach me so to number my days to come that I may apply them to wisdom'. And numbered, indeed, they then were; for on the 27th of February 1706 he pa.s.sed quietly and peacefully away, retaining his faculties to the last. And he was laid at rest in the Chancel of Wotton Church.

During the course of his long and distinguished life he had seen many stirring events, had taken part in many important affairs, had achieved much, and had suffered much. He had outlived four reigns, two of which were terminated by a natural death, one by public execution, and one by abdication. He had served many public and other distinguished offices with zeal, ability, integrity, and success. He had given to English literature some of the cla.s.sic works that are among the treasures of our literature of the Restoration period. He had outlived all of his six sons, most of whom had died in childhood, as well as his eldest and favourite daughter. Of all his nine children, the sole survivors were his daughter Elizabeth, who was soon afterwards married to a son of Sir John Tippet, and Susanna, wife of William Draper, afterwards of Ads...o...b..near Croydon. After nearly 60 years of pure domestic wedded life, in marked contrast to the prevailing dissoluteness of the time, Evelyn was survived for nearly three years by his widow, who died in 1709, aged 74 years, cheris.h.i.+ng to the last her love and affection for him to whom her destiny had been committed whilst she was still a mere child. 'His care of my education', she wrote in her last Will and Testament, 'was such as might become a father, a lover, a friend, and a husband; for instruction, tenderness, affection and fidelity to the last moment of his life; which obligation I mention with a grat.i.tude to his memory ever dear to me; and I must not omit to own the sense I have of my parents'

care and goodness in placing me in such worthy hands.' Surely no husband ever had a n.o.bler epitaph.

In an age of fierce political and ecclesiastical conflict, Evelyn, often, no doubt, strongly tempted to partisans.h.i.+p, managed to steer his course with prudence and great worldly judgment. But for that, his industry and business talent would probably have brought him more prominently into office under Charles II. In a corrupt and profligate age, however, his character stands out as that of one unsullied by excesses, impurities, or vices. And it is not the least of his merits that, in an age of bigotry and narrow-mindedness, he was not intolerant towards those whose religious views happened to differ from his own.

VII

_Evelyn's Literary Works._

Evelyn's earliest publications, some of which have already been referred to, consisted mostly in translations from the French, Latin, and Greek, that of the first book of Lucretius' _De Rerum Natura_ being in verse.

Their authors.h.i.+p was usually veiled either under Greek pseudonyms or else more thinly under the initials 'J.E.' That on _A Character of England_ (1659), a tract purporting to have been written by a foreigner, appeared anonymously.

Of all these seven publications appearing before the Restoration, the only one of any importance was _The French Gardener_, the translation of a work by N. de Bonnefons, which appeared at the end of 1658 and was thus referred to in the diary,--'Dec. 6th. Now was publish'd my "French Gardener," the first and best of the kind that introduc'd ye use of the Olitorie garden to any purpose.' Subsequent editions of it appeared in 1669, 1672, 1691, bearing Evelyn's name on the t.i.tlepage in place of the _Philocepos_ on its first publication.

With the Restoration, bringing to him greater personal freedom of thought and speech, came the most active period of Evelyn's literary production. His loyalty at once found opportunity to answer a libel on King Charles (ent.i.tled _News from Brussels_) in _The late News from Brussels unmasked_, a long vindication of his Majesty from the calumnies and scandal therein fixed on him. From a literary and antiquarian point of view, however, far greater interest attaches to a much shorter treatise ent.i.tled _Fumifugium: or the Inconvenience of the Aer and Smoak of London Dissipated, together with some Remedies humbly proposed_. As this is the earliest reference to the great London Smoke Nuisance, which, like the poor, we have always with us, it is of more than pa.s.sing interest to know how large this difficult problem of curing it loomed about two and a half centuries ago. Moreover, this short work affords a very typical example of Evelyn's literary style, while at the same time well exemplyfying his profusely enthusiastic outbursts of devoted and loyal attachment to the King's person and interests.

In the dull days of autumn and winter, when the heavy, damp air wafted inwards from the sea shrouds London with a dirty pall of fog thickened and discoloured with the smoke belched forth skywards from the long throats of thousands of tall factory chimneys and emitted from hundreds of thousands of household and workshop fires, the dweller in this vast overgrown city is tempted to range himself for the moment among the belauders of better times in the past. Almost groping his way along the streets in semi-darkness, and half choked with the sulphurous surcharge in the atmosphere, this latter-day growler may perhaps be astonished to learn that his complaint is of very old standing, and that long before the days of his great-great-grandfather, in fact more than seven generations ago, this poisoning of the atmosphere with the impurities given off from 'sea-coal' and other combustibles had already come to be looked on by some as a public nuisance. It will, therefore, interest Londoners in general, and will delight the hearts of Sir William Richmond R.A. and the County Council in particular, to know that their great precursor in this matter of reform nearly 250 years ago considered the question even then one of urgency, admitting of no delay. How graphic, and how refres.h.i.+ng, is the pithy point thus neatly scored--

'I propose therefore, that by an _Act_ of this present _Parliament_, this infernal _Nuisance_ be removed.'

There is no beating about the bush here, and no mincing of phrases. The matter is at once probed with the needle.

Evelyn was not merely a rather notable person in the London society of that period. As a man of science he was one of the most prominent pillars of the then recently founded Royal Society. As an official he was His Majesty's Commissioner for improving the streets and buildings of London, in addition to various other particular duties. But finally,--and, at the same time, first of all, if it be permissible to emphasise the fact in so paradoxical a manner--he was a courtier; and that at a time when expressions of loyalty to His Gracious Majesty, King Charles II., were somewhat too highly coloured, too servile and sycophantic, to suit our modern taste.

This short work _Fumifugium_, really only a pamphlet, was therefore dedicated to the King in language of the period extravagant in the highest degree, though eminently typical of the Royalists during the early days of the Restoration. The treatise was thus occasioned:-- 'It was one day, as I was Walking in Your Majesty's Palace at White-Hall (where I have sometimes the honour to refresh myself with the Sight of Your Ill.u.s.trious Presence, which is the Joy of Your Peoples hearts) that a presumptuous Smoak issuing from one or two tunnels near _Northumberland House_, and not far from _Scotland-yard_ did so invade the Court; that all the Rooms, Galleries, and Places about it were fill'd and infested with it; and that to such a degree, as Men could hardly discern one another from the Clowd, and none could support, without manifest Inconveniency. It was not this which did first suggest to me what I had long since conceived against this pernicious Accident, upon frequent observation; But it was this alone, and the trouble that it must needs procure to Your Sacred Majesty, as well as hazzard to Your Health, which kindled this Indignation of mine against it, and was the occasion of what it has produc'd in these Papers.

Sir, I prepare in this short Discourse an expedient how this pernicious _Nuisance_ may be reformed; and offer at another also, by which the _Aer_ may not only be freed from the present Inconveniency; but (that remov'd) to render not only Your Majesties Palace, but the whole City likewise, one of the sweetest, and most delicious Habitations in the World; and this, with little or no expence; but by improving those Plantations which Your Majesty so laudably affects, in the moyst, depressed and marshy grounds about the Town, to the Culture and production of such things, as upon every gentle emission through the _Aer_, should so perfume the adjacent places with their breath; as if, by a certain charm, or innocent _Magick_, they were transferred to that part of _Arabia_, which is therefore styled the _Happy_, because it is amongst the Gums and precious spices.'

Objectionable cottages had thus apparently only recently, probably during the democratic Commonwealth, been erected to the east of Whitehall, and were surrounded by fields. These fields were to be divided into blocks of about 20 to 40 acres, and palisades or fences of shrubs were to enclose belts of 150 feet or more between the various fields. The fences were to be formed or filled with sweetbriar, periclymena, woodbine, jessamine, syringa, guelder-rose, musk and other roses, broom, juniper, lavender, and so on,--'but above all _Rosemary_, the _Flowers_ whereof are credibly reported to give their sent above thirty Leagues off at Sea, upon the coasts of Spain. Those who take notice of the Sent of the _Orange_-flowers from the Rivage of Genoa, and _St. Pietro dell' Arena_; the Blosomes of _Rosemary_ from the Coasts of _Spain_ many leagues off at Sea; or the manifest and odoriferous wafts which flow from _Fontenoy_ and _Vaugirard_, even to _Paris_ in the season of _Roses_, with the contrary Effects of those less pleasing smells from other accidents, will easily consent to what I suggest: And, I am able to enumerate a Catalogue of native _Plants_, and such as are familiar to our Country and Clime, whose redolent and agreeable Emissions would even ravish our senses, as well as perfectly improve the _Aer_ about _London_; and that, without the least prejudice to the Owners and Proprietors of the Land to be employ'd about it.' Evelyn further recommended 'That the _s.p.a.ces_, or _Area_ between these _Pallisads_, and _Fences_, be employ'd in Beds and Bordures of _Pinks_, _Carnations_, _Clove_, _Stock-gilly-flower_, _Primroses_, _Auriculas_, _Violets_, not forgetting the _White_, which are in flower twice a year, _April_ and _August_; _Cowslips_, _Lillies_, _Narcissus_, _Strawberries_, whose very leaves as well as fruit, emit a _Cardiague_, and most refres.h.i.+ng _Halitus_: also _Parietria Lutea_, _Musk_, _Lemmon_, and _Mastick_: _Thyme_, _Spike_, _Cammomile_, _Balm_, _Mint_, _Marjoram_, _Pimpernel_, _Serpillum_, etc., which upon the least pressure and cutting, breathe out and betray their ravis.h.i.+ng Odors.'

Plantations of trees were also to be made and nurseries formed, which would have the additional advantage, besides mere beauty and ornament, of providing for the fields--'better Shelter, and Pasture for Sheep and Cattel then now; that they lie bleak, expos'd and abandon'd to the winds, which perpetually invade them.' It is said that the planting of Lime trees in St. James' Park was due to these suggestions. Evelyn's recommendations concluded with the exhorting that 'the further exhorbitant encrease of _Tenements_, poor and nasty _Cottages_ near the City, be prohibited, which disgrace and take off from the sweetness and amoenity of the Environs of _London_, and are already become a great _Eye-sore_ in the grounds opposite to _His Majesty's Palace_ of _White-hall_; which being converted to this use, might yield a diversion inferior to none that could be imagin'd for _Health_, _Profit_, and _Beauty_, which are the three _Transcendencies_ that render a place without all exception. And _this_ is what (in short) I had to offer, for the _Improvement_ and _Melioration_ of the _Aer_ about _London_, and with which I shall conclude this discourse.'

Besides dedicating his pamphlet especially to the King, as well as proposing, on the t.i.tle-page, the remedy "To His Sacred Majestie, and To the Parliament now a.s.sembled", Evelyn likewise adresses himself "To the Reader" by way of a second introduction; and he does so in these plainer and rather contemptuous terms:-- 'I have little here to add to implore thy good opinion and approbation, after I have submitted this Essay to his Sacred Majesty: But as it is of universal benefit that I propound it; so I expect a civil entertainment and reception....' Confessing himself 'frequently displeased at the small advance and improvement of Publick Works in this nation,' he further expresses himself as 'extremely amazed, that where there is so great affluence of all things which may render the People of this vast City the most happy upon Earth; the sordid and accursed Avarice of some few Particular Persons should be suffered to prejudice the health and felicity of so many: That any Profit (besides what is absolute necessity) should render men regardlesse of what chiefly imports them, when it may be purchased upon so easie conditions, and with so great advantages: For it is not happiness to possesse Gold, but to enjoy the Effects of it and to know how to live cheerfully and in health, _Non est vivere, sed valere vita_.

That men whose very Being is _Aer_, should not breath it freely when they may; but (as that _Tyrant_ us'd his Va.s.sals) condemn themselves to this misery and _Fumo praefocari_, is strange stupidity: yet thus we see them walk and converse in _London_, pursu'd and haunted by that infernal Smoake, and the funest accidents which accompany it wheresoever they retire.'

Surely, if John Evelyn could in spirit revisit the metropolis he loved so well and was so much at home in, he would, while lamenting the continuation and the now much more acute form of the "infernal _Nuisance_", to a certainty find ample cause for rejoicing at the admirable work of late years carried out in the London Royal Parks and Pleasure Grounds, and in the Parks and Open s.p.a.ces under the administration of the County Council.

It was in 1664, however, that Evelyn achieved his greatest literary triumph by the publication of his three masterpieces, _Sylva: or a Discourse of Forest Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majestie's Dominions_; _Pomona: or an Appendix concerning Fruit Trees in relation to Cider, the Making and several ways of Ordering it_; and _Kalendarium Hortense: or the Gard'ners Almanack, directing what he is to do Monthly throughout the Year_.'

The manner in which the idea of the _Sylva_ originated is clearly shewn by what is noted in his Diary on 15th October, 1662.--'I this day deliver'd my "Discourse concerning Forest Trees" to the Society, upon occasion of certain queries sent to us by the Commissioners of his Majesties Navy, being the first booke that was printed by order of the Society, and by their printer, since it was a Corporation.' This latter reference evidently antic.i.p.ates events, as one often had reason to note in this so-called diary, because Sylva was not actually published until the beginning of 1664, when along with it were included _Pomona_, and the _Kalendarium Hortense_. In February, 1664, '16th, I presented my "Sylva" to the Society; and next day to his Majestie, to whom it was dedicated; also to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Chancellor.'

There is no doubt that _Sylva_ was a work of national importance. Then, as now, England was dependent on her Navy. But the stock of Oak timber suitable for the requirements of the naval dockyards had become almost exhausted. From a tonnage of 17,110 tons in 1603, our fleet had risen to 57,463 tons in 1660, and during the 25 years of Charles II's reign it increased to 103,556 tons. To supply these rapidly expanding requirements the stock of timber in the country was feared to be inadequate. From 197,405, loads of timber fit for the Navy in the New Forest in 1608, the stock sank later to 19,873 in 1707; and in the royal forests in Gloucesters.h.i.+re a similar state of affairs obtained. At a meeting of the Council of the Royal Society in November 1662, Evelyn followed up his recent _Sylva_ by suggesting a discourse 'concerning planting his Majesty's Forest of Deane with oake, now so much exhausted, of ye choicest s.h.i.+p-timber in the world.' This was before the days of steam or even of macadamized roads, when we had to grow our own supplies of food and Navy timber. True, oak for wainscoting and the like had long been imported from the Continent; but if we had been anything like dependent on foreign oak, the Dutch War which shortly afterwards broke out would probably have cut off the same entirely from reaching our ports.

It is unnecessary to say much about this charming cla.s.sic of Forestry, of whose various excellences the reader can herein judge for himself.

Gracefully written in nervous English and in a cultured style, ornately embellished according to the then prevailing custom by apt quotations from the Latin poets, it contains an enormous amount of information in the shape of legends and of facts ascertained by travel, of observation, and of experience. No man of his time could possibly have been better qualified than Evelyn for undertaking the special duty laid upon him; and he carried out his task in a brilliant manner. _Sylva_ soon ran into several editions. The fourth edition appeared in the year of his death (1706) and a fifth in 1729. From 1776 to 1812 other four editions were published, with notes by Dr. A. Hunter of York, the last of which served as the text for the celebrated forestry article in the _Quarterly Review_ for March, 1813. A later issue of Hunter's editions appeared in 1825; but in 1827 ignorant and wanton hands were with much bombastic language and buffoonry laid on this great cla.s.sic, when James Mitch.e.l.l, an agriculturist, published _Dendrologia; or a Treatise of Forest Trees, with Evelyn's Silva, revised, corrected, and abridged by a Professional Planter and Collector of practical Notes forty years_. Since then no other edition of _Sylva_ has appeared until the present reprint of the 4th edition, making the 12th edition of this cla.s.sic work.

The publication of _Sylva_ gave an enormous stimulus to planting in Britain, the benefits from which were subsequently reaped at the end of the XVIII and the beginning of the XIX century, when during our war with France the supply of oak timber for s.h.i.+pbuilding almost entirely ran out. Dr. Hunter's editions did much to revive the ardour for planting, which was further stimulated by the _Quarterly Review_ article and by the advice which Sir Walter Scott put into the mouth of the Laird o'

Dumbied.y.k.es to his son: 'Jock, when ye hae naething else to do, ye may be aye sticking in a tree; it will be growing, Jock, when ye're sleeping.' To the impetus then given to planting, many of the woods now growing in different parts of Britain, and especially in Scotland, owe their origin.

As Evelyn had given the copyright to Allestry, the Royal Society's printer, _Sylva_ brought no pecuniary profit to its author; and indirectly it was the cause of disappointment to him. How this came about may be seen from the following extract from a letter, dated 4th August 1690, to his friend the Countess of Sunderland, which is further of interest as giving Evelyn's own account of the origin of _Sylva_--'when many yeares ago I came from rambling abroad, observ'd a little time there, and a greate deale more since I came home than gave me much satisfaction, and (as events have prov'd) scarce worth one's pursuite, I cast about how I should employ the time which hangs on most young men's hands, to the best advantage; and when books and severer studies grew tedious, and other impertinence would be pressing, by which innocent diversions I might sometime relieve my selfe without complyance to recreations I took no felicity in, because they did not contribute to any improvement of the mind. This set me upon planting of trees, and brought forth my "Sylva," which booke, infinitely beyond my expectation, is now also calling for a fourth impression, and has been the occasion of propagating many millions of usefull timber trees thro'out this nation, as I may justifie (without im'odesty) from ye many letters of acknowledgement receiv'd from gentlemen of the first quality, and others altogether strangers to me. His late Majesty Charles the 2nd. was sometimes graciously pleas'd to take notice of it to me, and that I had by that booke alone incited a world of planters to repaire their broken estates and woodes, which the greedy rebells had wasted and made much havock of. Upon this encouragement I was once speaking to a mighty man, then in despotic power, to mention the greate inclination I had to serve his Majesty in a little office then newly vacant (the salary I think hardly 300) whose province was to inspect the timber trees in his Majesties Forests, etc., and take care of their culture and improvement; but this was conferr'd upon another who, I believe, had seldom been out of the smoake of London, where though there was a greate deale of timber, there were not many trees. I confesse I had an inclination to the imployment upon a publique account as well as its being suitable to my rural genius, borne as I was at Wotton, among the woods.'

A still greater success was achieved by the _Kalendarium Hortense_, which reached its tenth edition (1706) during Evelyn's lifetime, and of which two reprints have subsequently been made. This small work was the forerunner of the more modern books on English gardening, the names of which are now almost legion.

Previous to this, _Sculptura: or the History and Art of Chalcography and Engraving in Copper and Mezzo-tinto_, had been published in 1662, being the first work on this subject that had appeared in England. But it was a poor production, and ran into no second edition while the author lived. His chief subsequent literary successes were _Terra: a Philosophical Discourse of Earth relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and for the Propagation of Plants_, (1676), which was first read before the Royal Society on 29th April 1675, and of which the third edition was printed in 1706, and _The Compleat Gardiner, or Directions for cultivating and right ordering of Fruit Gardens and Kitchen Gardens; with divers Reflections on several parts of Husbandry_, (1693), which went into five editions by 1710. His History of the Dutch War, already referred to (page xliii) would have been by far his most important work in point of length had its completion been allowed, but only the introductory portion saw the light as _Navigation and Commerce; their Original and Progress, Containing a succint account of Traffick in general; etc. etc...... to the beginning of our late differences with Holland; in which his Majesties t.i.tle to the Dominion of the Sea is a.s.serted against the Novel and later Pretenders_. (1674). His own account of the stoppage of the work is given in the diary for 19th August 1674,--'His Majesty told me how exceedingly the Dutch were displeas'd at my treatise of the "Historie of Commerce;" that the Holland Amba.s.sador had complain'd to him of what I had touch'd of the Flags and Fishery, etc., and desired the booke might be call'd in; whilst on the other side he a.s.sur'd me he was exceedingly pleas'd with what I had done, and gave me many thanks. However, it being just upon conclusion of the treaty of Breda (indeed it was design'd to have been publish'd some moneths before and when we were at defiance), his Majesty told me he must recall it formally, but gave order that what copies should be publiqly seiz'd to pacifie the Amba.s.sador, should immediately be restor'd to the printer, and that neither he nor the vendor should be molested. The truth is, that which touch'd the Hollander was much lesse than what the King himself furnish'd me with, and oblig'd me to publish, having caus'd it to be read to him before it went to the presse; but the error was, it should have been publish'd before the peace was proclaim'd. The noise of this book's suppression made it presently be bought up, and turn'd much to the stationer's advantage. It was no other than the Preface prepar'd to be prefix'd to my History of the whole Warr; which I now pursued no further.' Years afterwards, however, he wrote somewhat bitterly on this subject to his intimate friend Pepys, in a letter dated 28th April 1682, in which he says, 'In sum, I had no thanks for what I had done, and have been accounted since, I suppose, an useless fop, and fit only to plant coleworts, and I cannot bend to mean submissions; and this, Sir, is the history of the Historian. I confess to you, I had once the vanity to hope, had my patron continued in his station, for some, at least, honorary t.i.tle that might have animated my progress, as seeing then some amongst them whose talents I did not envy: but it was not my fortune to succeed.' This certainly seems as if Evelyn had been hoping for knighthood from King Charles. If his desire lay this way, it is difficult to reconcile such private admission with the definite statement made in the diary of 19th April, 1661, that 'he might have receiv'd this honour,' of Knighthood of the Bath 'but declined it.'

Evelyn's other publications, works of considerably less importance, include _Tyrannus or the Mode, in a Discourse of Sumptuary Laws_ (1661); _A Parallel of the Ancient Architecture with the Modern_ (1664), and _An Idea of the Perfection of Painting, Demonstrated from the Principles of Art_ (1668), both translated from the French of Roland Freart; _Another Part of the Mystery of Jesuitisim_, also from the French (1665); _Publick Employment, and an Active Life preferr'd to Solitude_ (1667: a reply to Sir George Mackenzie's Work on Solitude); _The History of three late famous Imposters_ (Padre Ottomano, Mahomed Bei, and Sabatei Sevi: 1669); _Mundus Muliebris: or the Ladies Dressing-room Unlock'd and her Toilette spread_ (1690: a burlesque poem, 'A voyage to Marryland,'

cataloguing female follies of the time, by his daughter Mary, who died in 1685); _Numismata: a Discourse of Medals, Antient and Modern: &c._ (1697); and _Acetaria: a Discourse of Sallets_ (1699), which was merely a chapter, written many years previously, of an extensive work he intended writing under the comprehensive t.i.tle of _Elysium Britannic.u.m_.

There is no doubt that, but for his immersion in public affairs in middle life, Evelyn would have been a much larger producer of literary work than he actually was. But it seems very questionable if this would in any substantial way have added to the enduring reputation he won for himself by _Sylva_.