xviii INTRODUCTION 



discerned 12 or 13 Counties, with part of the Sea on the 

 Coast of Sussex, in a serene day. The house is large and 

 ancient, suitable to those hospitable times, and so sweetly 

 environed with those delicious streams and venerable woods, 

 as in the judgment of Strangers as well as Englishmen it may 

 be compared to one of the most tempting and pleasant Seats 

 in the Nation, and most tempting for a great person and a 

 wanton purse to render it conspicuous. It has rising 

 grounds, meadows, woods, and water in abundance. The 

 distance from London (is) little more than 20 miles, and yet 

 (it is) so securely placed as if it were 100 ; three miles from 

 Dorking, which serves it abundantly with provisions as well 

 of land as sea ; 6 from Guildford, 12 from Kingston. I 

 will say nothing of the ayre, because the praeeminence is 

 universally given to Surrey, the soil being dry and sandy : 

 but I should speak much of the gardens, fountains, and 

 groves that adorne it, were they not as generally knowne to 

 be amongst the most natural, and (till this later and univer- 

 sal luxury of the whole nation, since abounding in such 

 expenses) the most magnificent that England afforded, and 

 which indeed gave one of the first examples to that elegancy 

 since so much in vogue, and followed in the managing of 

 their waters, and other ornaments of that nature. Let me 

 add, the contiguity of five or six Manners, the patronage of 

 the livings about it, and, what is none of the least advant- 

 ages, a good neighbourhood. All which conspire to render 

 it fit for the present possessor, my worthy Brother, and his 

 noble lady, whose constant liberality give them title both 

 to the place and the affections of all that know them. Thus, 

 with the poet, 



Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos 

 Ducit, et im' emores non sinit esse sui ! ' 



This is a very good specimen of Evelyn's style, for it shews 

 the optimistic quality which, along with refinement and a 

 love of classical quotations, is ever present in his writings. 

 Lythe Hill, from the summit of which the ' prodigious 

 prospect ' is so eminently belauded, attains a height of less 

 than a thousand feet above the sea-level. 



