The World's Greatest Books — Volume 09 — Lives and Letters eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 386 pages of information about The World's Greatest Books — Volume 09 — Lives and Letters.

The World's Greatest Books — Volume 09 — Lives and Letters eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 386 pages of information about The World's Greatest Books — Volume 09 — Lives and Letters.

January 30.  This day—­O the stupendous and inscrutable judgements of God!—­were the carcases of those arch-rebels Cromwell, Bradshawe, and Ireton dragged out from their superb tombs in Westminster among the kings, to Tyburn, and hanged on the gallows there from morning till night, and then buried under that ignominious monument in a deep pit; thousands of people who had seen them in all their pride being spectators.  Look back at November 22, 1658, and be astonished!  And fear God and honour the king; but meddle not with them who are given to change!

July 31, 1662.  I sat with the commissioners about reforming the buildings and streets of London, and we ordered the paving of the way from St. James’s north, which was a quagmire, and also of the Haymarket about Piqudillo [Piccadilly].

August 23.  I was spectator of the most magnificent triumph that ever floated on the Thames, considering the innumerable boats and vessels, dressed and adorned with all imaginable pomp, but above all, the thrones, arches, pageants, and other representations, stately barges of the Lord Mayor and Companies, with music and peals of ordnance from the vessels and the shore, going to meet and conduct the new queen from Hampton Court to Whitehall, at the time of her first coming to town.  His majesty and the queen came in an antique-shaped open vessel, covered with a canopy of cloth of gold, made in the form of a cupola, supported with high Corinthian pillars, wreathed with flowers and festoons.

IV.—­Plague and Fire

July 16, 1665.  There died of the plague in London this week 1,100, and in the week following above 2,000.

August 28.  The contagion still increasing, I sent my wife and whole family to my brother’s at Wotton, being resolved to stay at my house myself and to look after my charge, trusting in the providence and goodness of God.

September 7.  Came home from Chatham.  Perishing near 10,000 poor creatures weekly.  However, I went all along the city and suburbs from Kent Street to St. James’s, a dismal passage, and dangers to see so many coffins exposed in the streets, now thin of people; the shops shut up, and all in mournful silence, as not knowing whose turn might be next.  I went to the Duke of Albemarle for a pest-ship, for our infected men.

September 2, 1666.  This fatal night, about ten, began that deplorable fire near Fish Street in London.

September 3.  After dinner I took coach with my wife and son, and went to the Bank Side in Southwark, where we beheld the dismal spectacle, the whole city in dreadful flames near the water-side.

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The World's Greatest Books — Volume 09 — Lives and Letters from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.