MR. JOHN EVELYN. 



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The situation of public affairs induced Mr. Evelyn to live very retired 

 at Sayes-Court ; and so fond was he of this rural retreat, that he seemed 

 determined to enjoy retirement for life. This studious disposition, 

 together with his disgust of the world, occasioned by the violence and 

 confusion of the times, was so strong, that he actually proposed to Mr. 

 Boyle the raising a kind of college for the reception of persons of the 

 same turn of mind ; where they might enjoy the pleasures of society, and 

 at the same time pass their days without care or interruption. His letter 

 to Mr. Boyle, in which the following plan of a college is contained, is 

 dated the third of September, 1659, and exhibits an agreeable portrait of 

 his philosophic and contemplative mind. 



" 1 propose the purchasing of thirty or forty acres of land, in some 

 " healthy place, not above twenty-five miles from London ; of which a 

 " good part should be tall Wood, and the rest up-land pastures, or downs 

 " sweetly irrigated. If there were not already a house, which might be 

 " converted, &c. we would erect, upon the most convenient site of this, 

 " near the wood, our building, viz. one handsome pavilion, containing a 

 " refectory, library j, withdrawing-room, and a closet ; this the first story : 

 " For we suppose the kitchen, larders, cellars, and offices, to be contrived 

 " in the half-stoly under ground. In the second should be a fair lodging- 

 " chamber, ia pallet-room, a gallery, and a closet ; all which should be 

 " well and very nobly furnished, for any worthy person that might desire 

 " to stay any time, and for the reputation of the college : The half-story 

 " above for servants, wardrobes, and like conveniences. To the entry 

 *' fore-front of this court, and at the other back-front, a plot walled in, of 

 " a competent square for the common seraglio, disposed into a garden ; 

 " or it might be only carpet, kept curiously, and to serve for bowls, 

 " walking, or other recreations, &c. if the company please. Opposite to 

 " the house, towards the wood, should be erected a pretty chapel ; and, 

 " at equal distances, even within the flanking walls of the square, six 

 " apartments or cells for the members of the society, and not contiguous 

 " to the pavilion ; each whereof should contain a small bed-chamber, an 

 " outward room, a closet, and a private garden, somewhat after the 



manner of the Carthusians. There should likewise be an elaboratory, 

 " with a repository for rarities and things of Nature : an aviary, dove- 

 " house, physic-garden, kitchen-garden, and a plantation of orchard- 



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