died after an apoplectic fit, and his brother James, Duke of York, ascended the throne.

Evelyn comments fully on the virtues and vices of the late monarch.

'He would doubtless have been an excellent Prince had he been less addicted to women, who made him uneasy, and allways in want to supply their immeasurable profusion, to ye detriment of many indigent persons who had signaly serv'd both him and his father.....

He was ever kind to me, and very gracious upon all occasions, and therefore I cannot, without ingratitude, but deplore his loss, which for many respects, as well as duty, I do with all my soul.' VI _Evelyn's Declining Years_ (1685-1706).
With the accession of James II., Evelyn was again to feel the sunny warmth of royal favour in the form of an official appointment.

But previous to this he had to suffer a heavy loss by the death from small-pox of his eldest daughter Mary, in the 19th year of her age, who had been born at Wotton in the same room as her father had first seen the light.
In September 1685 Evelyn was informed that on Lord Clarendon, Lord Privy Seal, going to assume the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland the King had nominated him as one of the Commissioners to execute the office of Privy Seal during such appointment; and early in December he was 'put into the new Commission of Sewers.' It was nearly Christmas before he kissed hands on receiving the patent for executing this office and entered on its duties along with the two other Commissioners.