It was afterwards known that he took no notice of the fine pictures with which the palace was adorned.

But over the chimney of the royal sitting room was a plate which, by an ingenious machinery, indicated the direction of the wind; and with this plate he was in raptures.
He soon became weary of his residence.

He found that he was too far from the objects of his curiosity, and too near to the crowds to which he was himself an object of curiosity.

He accordingly removed to Deptford, and was there lodged in the house of John Evelyn, a house which had long been a favourite resort of men of letters, men of taste and men of science.

Here Peter gave himself up to his favourite pursuits.