25/28 His _Sylva_ is a discourse on forest trees and on the propagation of timber in his majesty's dominions. He was also the author of an essay on _A Parallel of the Ancient Architecture with the Modern_. But the work by which he is now best known is his _Diary_ from 1641 to 1705; it is a necessary companion to the study of the history of that period; and has been largely consulted by modern writers in making up the historic record of the time. This famous diarist was the son of a London tailor. He received a collegiate education, and became a connoisseur in literature and art. |