John Evelyn and His Times

John Evelyn and His Times presents an account of the life and works of diarist John Evelyn. Evelyn came to manhood when the struggle between King Charles I and his people was tearing the country apart. He was a scholar, a historian, an expert horticulturist and forester, a connoisseur of pictures, an authority on architecture, painting, engraving, and medals. His diary is a masterpiece in English literature, and his book on trees, Sylva, is a work of national importance which gave an enormous stimulus to afforestation in Britain. His diary was written, in a very small, close hand, over a period of 56 years, and it is not strictly a book of confessions; he rarely attempted to unburden his soul. Everything was set down with reserve, restraint, and an admirable serenity. Evelyn was acquainted with kings and queens, ambassadors, noblemen, statesmen, bishops, and archbishops, and such men constantly sought his advice. Yet he remained to the end a modest and unassuming countryman.

Introduction1 The Son of the Squire2 In Exile3 The Commonwealth4 Under Cromwell's Rule5 The Restoration6 The Dutch War7 The Great Fire and an Invasion8 Court Affairs9 The Second Dutch War10 Margaret Godolphin11 Apprehension and Consternation12 The End of a Reign13 The Fear of Popery14 The Fight for Protestantism15 The Revolution16 William of Orange17 War in Ireland18 Trials and Tribulations19 Domestic Affairs20 Last DaysBibliographyIndex