Sylva, Vol. 1 | Page 6

and
though in a valley, yet really upon part of Lyth Hill one of the most
eminent in England for the prodigious prospect to be seen from its
summit, tho' of few observed. From it may be 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 universal 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 Mannors, the patronage of the livings about it,
and, what is none of the least advantages, 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 quâ 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.
At the early age of four John Evelyn was initiated into the rudiments of
education by one Frier, who taught children at the church porch of
Wotton; but soon after that he was sent to Lewes in Sussex, to be with
his grandfather Standsfield, while a plague was raging in London.
There he remained, after Standsfield's death in 1627, till 1630, when he
was sent to the free school at Southover near Lewes and kept there until
he went up to Balliol College, Oxford, as a fellow-commoner in 1637,
being then 16 years of age. It was his father's intention to have placed
him at Eton 'but I was so terrefied at the report of the severe discipline

there that I was sent back to Lewes, which perverseness of mine I have
since a thousand times deplored.' In that same year (1637) Evelyn had
the misfortune to lose his mother, then only in the 37th year of her age.
Having been 'extremely remisse' in his studies at school, he made no
great mark during his University career. His application was not
assiduous, while his tutor, Bradshaw, whom he disliked, was negligent;
and he appears to have been subject to frequent attacks of ague,
disposing him to casual recreation rather than to close study. He had
also apparently the desire to acquire a smattering of many different
things rather than to study hard at a few special subjects. 'I began to
look on the rudiments of musick, in which I afterwards arriv'd to some
formal knowledge though to small perfection of hand, because I was so
frequently diverted by inclinations to newer trifles.'
Completing his Oxford studies early in 1639, without taking any degree,
he went into residence at the Middle Temple in April, and soon arrived
at the conclusion that his 'being at the University in regard of these
avocations, was of very small benefit.' Here he and his brother lodged
in 'a very handsome apartment just over against the Halt Court, but four
payre of stayres high, which gave us the advantage of fairer prospect,
but did not much contribute to the love of that unpolish'd study, to
which (I suppose,) my Father had design'd me!' While thus a law
student, on 30th October, he saw 'his Majestie (coming from his
Northern Expedition) ride in pomp, and a kind