In 1666, happened that miraculous conflagration in the city of London,
whereby in four days, the most part thereof was consumed by fire. In my
_Monarchy or no Monarchy_, the next side after the coffins and pickaxes,
there is a representation of a great city all in flames of fire. The
memorial whereof some Parliament men remembering, thought fit to send
for me before that Committee which then did sit, for examination of the
causes of the fire; and whether there was no treachery or design in the
business, his Majesty being then in war both with the French and Dutch.
The summons to appear before that Committee was as followeth.
'_Monday, 22d October_, 1666.
'At the Committee appointed to enquire after the causes of the
late fires:
'ORDERED,
'That Mr. Lilly do attend this Committee on Friday next, being
the 25th of October, 1666, at two of the clock in the afternoon,
in the Speaker's chamber; to answer such questions as shall be
then and there asked him.
'ROBERT BROOKE.'
By accident I was then in London, when the summons came unto me. I was
timorous of Committees, being ever by some of them calumniated,
upbraided, scorned, and derided.
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