It is a remarkable coincidence that one of the most eventful periods in the Christian history of London produced not just one but two of England’s great diarists, Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. Pepys and Evelyn both recorded the turbulent Restoration years following the return of Charles II in 1660. Both occupied important government posts and, in fact, were acquainted with and had some association with one another. But while Pepys covers just ten years, 1659 to 1669, Evelyn’s Diary records incidents beginning with his birth and background and running up to just a short time before his death. Of John Evelyn, the Oxford Companion to English Literature says: ‘... educated at Balliol College, Oxford, was a man of means, of unblemished character, and a dilettante, who helped to advance English civilization’. Another reference says, ‘... he remained a pious Christian, loyal Anglican and Royalist all his life’.
Evelyn was the author of over forty books on numerous learned subjects, such as the problem of smoke in London air, engraving, arboriculture, navigation, gardening, and so on. The Diary briefly deals with Evelyn’s birth and early life, but in a sense it really begins with his vivid descriptions during a three years’ sojourn on the Continent from 1643 to 1646.
In 1646 Evelyn settled at Deptford, southeast of London. He occupied numerous government posts, and was a co-founder of the Royal Society. Over the following six decades the Diary abounds with sketches of important persons in and around the capital, and descriptions of many of the great events of the times. Here is his entry for 29 May 1660, the day of Charles II’s return to London:
This day, his Majesty, Charles II, came to London, after a sad and long exile and calamitous suffering both of the King and Church, being seventeen years. This was also his birthday, and with a triumph of above 20,000 horse and foot, brandishing their swords, and shouting with inexpressible joy; the ways strewn with flowers, the bells ringing, the streets hung with tapestry, fountains running with wine; the Mayor, Aldermen, and all the companies, in their liveries, chains of gold, and banners; Lords and Nobles, clad in cloth of silver, gold and velvet; the windows and balconies, all set with ladies; trumpets, music, and myriads of people flocking, even so far as from Rochester, so as they were seven hours in passing the city, even from two in the afternoon till nine at night. I stood in the Strand and beheld it, and blessed God. And all this was done without one drop of blood shed, and by that very army which rebelled against him: but it was the Lord’s doing, for such a restoration was never mentioned in any history, ancient or modern, since the return of the Jews from their Babylonish captivity...
Evelyn’s Diary, only recently published in its entirety (1955), is unfortunately rarely read, in contrast to that of Pepys, which is known by every student of English literature and often referred to by travel guides and the like. It is true that Evelyn lacks the chatty style and intimate personal indiscretions that characterize Pepys. But his descriptive powers are every bit as keen, and his curiosity about the nature of things far more penetrating. And for the Christian reader his genuine godliness makes his vast cultural prowess even more exciting.