Pepys and Evelyn first came to know each other during the Second Dutch War (1664-7), when they were both preoccupied with the business of casualties from the conflict: Pepys as Clerk of the Acts, and Evelyn as a Commissioner for Sick and Wounded Seamen and Prisoners of War. Nearly forty years later they were still corresponding, exchanging details of remedies for the afflictions of old age.

Their friendship, and their relations with others, as recorded in their famous diaries and letters, provide an exceptional opportunity to witness life at the heart of Restoration England. This book includes every letter which could be located (some of which have been lost for more than a hundred years), and the complete text of each has been newly transcribed and fully annotated. Evelyn and Pepys are revealed in fresh dimensions as many details of their lives and friendship emerge which go unmentioned in the diaries.

Contents
   Introduction
   A Note about the Texts
   List of the Letters
   The 1660s
   The 1670s
   The 1680s
   The 1690s
   The 1700s
   Postscriptum
   Catalogue of the Letters
   Appendix 1: enclosures and other letters
   Appendix 2: personalities
   Figures
   Timetable of events
 

Click here for an order form

Interesting facts
Evelyn’s flowing handwriting, often closely-spaced, his haphazard use of abbreviations and inconsistent spelling made his letters much harder to transcribe than those of Pepys, which were more widely-spaced and generally much neater.

The two men came into contact during the Second Dutch War declared in 1665. Though their social positions divided them – Evelyn was a member of the gentry and of private means, while Pepys was the son of a tailor but fortunate to have been well connected – they soon came to respect and admire each others work. This in turn developed into a genuine and equal friendship.

Evelyn, it is believed, wrote both his diary and his letters with the expectation that they would one day be read by others. Pepys, on the other hand, wrote his diary in short hand and for just under a decade. But it is of course his work, and name, that is now by far the better known.

Excerpts

Extracts from an exchange concerning Mrs Evelyn’s ill-health:

From Samuel Pepys to John Evelyn

Windsor
10 September 1688

Sir,
It has beene my misfortune not to bee in the way of knowing any thing concerning you till Saturday last, when wayteing on Mrs Steward (Which I had not been able to doe, I thinke, in 6 weekes before) I mett the newes (that much grieves mee) of Mrs Evelyn’s ill state of health when Mrs Stewart was lately with you. Pray favour mee with letting mee know by the nearer how my Lady now is: for I am with all my heart concerned for her doeing well, both for her sake and yours, and a great many more besides my selfe. I hope to bee in London to morrow, and have appointed my messenger to meete mee there with the Newes hee shall have to bring mee from you, which I hope bee of her amendment. […]

Your most humble Servant, S Pepys

From John Evelyn to Samuel Pepys

[Sayes Court]
[11 September 1688]

If the state of Sicknesse be capable of any Satisfactio one would almost contentedly be a clinike for the many kind friends and numbers that are concern’d for us: We are infinitely obligd to the Lady you mention for her greate Civilitie, and to you for youre kind Inquiry after us: My poore Wife has indeed been very ill, and so afrited us with frequent fits and faints; that I feard my days of mourning now neare at hand: But a critical[?] and spontaneous and often bleeding at nose about the beginning of last weeke, has so disposed her and recovered her, having never had any paroxysme since, that she rises and is about the Chamber and gathers strength, and I hope may live to give you and all her worthy friends her humble accknowledgements for all their kindnesse […].

Sir Your

Pages 183-4, Chapter 3, The 1680s