Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn by John Evelyn; Edited by William Bray - 1819

London - Henry Colburn, 1819 Book. Fair. Hardcover. A detailed edition of the life and memoirs of diarist John Evelyn. Second edition. 'Comprising his diary, from the year 1641 to 1705-6, and a selection of his familiar letters. To which is subjoined, the private correspondence between King Charles I. and his secretary of state, Sir Edward Nicholas, whilst His Majesty was in Scotland, 1641, and at other times during the Civil War; also between Sir Edward Hyde, afterwards Earl of Clarendon, and Sir Richard Browne, ambassador to the court of France, in the time of Kind Charles I. and the usurpation'. With a frontispiece to both volumes, one portrait of John Evelyn and one of his wife Mary, and ten further plates collated complete. Including a double page spread pedigree chart of the Evelyn family, two engravings showing interior and exterior of 'Wotton Church, Surry', engraving depicting a view of the burial place of the Evelyn family, double page spread engraving of Wotton in Surry, the seat of John Evelyn, an engraved portrait of Meliora Retinete, double page spread map of Deptford, 1623 from an original pen and ink sketch by John Evelyn, a sketch of John Evelyn's house, portrait of Sir Edward Nicholas, secretary of King Charles I and II, and a portrait of Sir Richard Browne, ambassador for King Charles I and II to the court of France. John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist. Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time (he witnessed the deaths of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, the last Great Plague of London, and the Great Fire of London in 1666). Complete in two volumes. Condition: In half calf binding with marbled boards. Externally, a trifle rubbed and wear to extremities and the spines. Three boards are detached and the other is held by the cords only. Internally, both volumes are firmly bound and bright, with instances of light foxing. Some ink marks and off-setting to the title pages. Overall: FAIR..